Tease photo

J.West Seeks Hip-Hop Fame In Chicago

J.West always had a passion for hip-hop music, the way it’s constructed and the feeling he gets from it, but it wasn’t until after high school that he really started performing it.

Chimp’s Comix Kicks Off 25th Anniversary Celebration Saturday

Chimp’s Comix is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a year-long celebration of specials and events, and it all begins this Saturday.

Honeywell Center Gearing Up For The Holiday Season

WABASH – The Honeywell Center is announcing its new lineup of shows that will take place before and during the holidays.

The NLC Has A Decision To Make

In 2016, the Elkhart School Board voted to approve the re-uniting of Central and Memorial into one high school again.

YMCA?Asks For Public Feedback

YMCA?Asks For Public Feedback The Kosciusko Community YMCA is engaging in a Strategic Planning process to develop direction and vision for the next three years.   The Board of Directors and YMCA officals welcome the public’s  input on how the Y can continue to take an active role in strengthening the community. Induvials can take the needs assessment survey, at Bit.ly/kcymcafeedback.  The link will be open until midnight  July 22.  

George N. Konopasek

GRIFFITH — George N. Konopasek, 92, Griffith, and most recently of Simpsonville, S.C., passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 1, 2017.  George is survived by his children: Barbara (Richard) Lambright, Simpsonville; Kathleen (William) Church, Summerfield, N.C., and Edward (Jill) Konopasek, De Pere, Wis.; grandchildren: Jennifer (Scott) Musgrave-Keller, Jeff Musgrave, Elaine (Robert) Landon, Julie (Mike) Haraburda, Brian Blest, Kyle (Carolyn) Mathews, Kevin (Tina) Mathews, Ellen Mathews, Neil (Heather) Mathews, Nicole Wilson, Michelle Coers, Joshua Konopasek, Kayla Konopasek, Maggie Konopasek and Emma Konopasek; stepgrandchildren: Kristin (Mark) Jones, Chris Church and Kyle Church; 15 great-grandchildren; and five stepgreat-grandchildren.  George was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Margaret M. Konopasek, and by two of his children, Jody Blest and George K. Konopasek. Also his parents, Leo B. Konopasek and Ruby D. Coffman; sister, Carol Oman; and brothers: Buck, Spike and Leo Konopasek. George met Margie Konopasek, the love of his life, at the age of 17 in Hessville. They were married Dec. 25, 1948. They raised their five children in Griffith, relocating for their retirement years at Hoffman Lake, Warsaw. Marge and George spent the past several years living in De Pere and Simpsonville to be near their children. George was drafted and served in the army during World War II. He spent the entire war as part of a heavy artillery unit, seeing time across the European Theatre. George was a combat-wounded veteran and was extremely proud to have served his country, receiving a Purple Heart for his sacrifice.  When George returned from the service, he became a union plumber; he often spoke of his early days at Gatlin Plumbing and Heating in Griffith. The family vividly remembers Dad coming home and telling stories of his boss, Ivan Gatlin, who was a tough-nosed individual who ran a sound business. George later went to work for Circle “R” Mechanical and was especially proud that while working at this company they were commissioned to complete all the plumbing and decorative fountains at South Lake Mall in Merrillville. Following retirement, George and Marge moved their home to Hoffman Lake near Warsaw. This was a very special time for George and Marge as most of their grandkids enjoyed spending summer vacations with Grandma and Grandpa learning to swim, fish and most importantly how to properly roast marshmallows and make pudgie pies around the fire. Grandpa was never happy unless the lawn was manicured, the boats had fresh gas and all fishing equipment was in good working order. George spent many hours captaining his pontoon boat, offering visitors leisurely guided tours around the lake and ferrying kids back and forth to the beach. In the later years when George and Marge were together, Marge struggled with advancing Alzheimer’s. It was truly amazing to watch George as he cared for his Margie. The patience and loving care he offered served as a sterling example of George’s unwavering love for Marge and his commitment made to her on their wedding day to offer unconditional love “in sickness or in health.”  When George married Marge, he became a practicing Catholic and demonstrated a strong faith in God. George and Marge were active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Griffith, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warsaw. The family would like to extend a sincere thank-you to the wonderful staff at Fairview Assisted Living in Simpsonville, where George spent his final weeks. The staff and residents welcomed George, who quickly became a part of their extended community. The care and socialization he enjoyed at Fairview were something George enjoyed very much.  Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 21, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 525 N. Broad St., Griffith, with Father Theodore Mens celebrating. Christian burial will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Gary. Friends may meet with the family from 9 a.m. until the services Friday at the church.  White Funeral Home, Griffith, assisted the family with arrangements.  ***** Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp. Condolences may be shared at www.whitefuneralhomeofgriffith.com.

FAA Releases Final Report On Crash That Claimed 4 Local Men

The final report from the National Transportation Safety Board on the airplane crash on Oct. 2, 2015, that killed four prominent Warsaw men was released July 5.

Husky Trail Roundabout Set To Open July 28

The roundabout on Husky Trail opens up July 28, with phase II of that street project beginning that morning.

Mayor Says No Improprieties In Board Of Works Email Issue

Accusations of behind-the-scenes decision making by city officials involving a  downtown alley enhancement project were aired Monday night at the Warsaw City Council meeting.

Winona Man Faces Charge Of Manslaughter

A man accused of driving a car over a South Bend man has been charged with voluntary manslaughter.

Warsaw Man Accused Of Striking Minor

A Warsaw man was arrested Monday after police allege he hit a minor with a cooking grill lid.

Tease photo

Davis Reflects On Trip To Ivory Coast

The game of basketball has taken Ray Davis around the world – literally.

Who Are MLB's Real Contenders, Pretenders?

The 2017 Major League Baseball season will go down as one where a team’s hierarchy had to decide for themselves if their teams were really contenders capable of making an October run.

Robert "Bob" Brown

MILFORD — Robert W. “Bob” Brown, 92, Milford, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at home.  He was born Dec. 27, 1924, to Ronald W. and Gladys I. Wysong Brown in Goshen.  Bob graduated from Milford High School with the class of 1942 and began attending Purdue University the same year. His college education was interrupted by World War II when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served overseas in the 1675th Engineer Utility Detachment in France, attaining the rank of sergeant. After completing his military service, Bob returned to Purdue, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and becoming a licensed professional engineer and land surveyor.  Bob began working with his father in the family construction business as a young man on road construction jobs throughout northern and central Indiana. Following his semi-retirement as president of Phend & Brown Inc. in 1995, he continued to stop by the office on a daily basis, never really fully retiring.

Paisley R. Hurley

MENTONE — Paisley R. Hurley, 3 days, died at 11:14 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2017, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. She was born July 11, 2017, to Chasity Hurley, Mentone, and Jeremy Hendrix, Milford. Private family services are planned. Services are entrusted to King Memorial Home, Mentone. ***** Memorials to Paisley’s family. Send a condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.

Daniel Shepherd

WINDER, Ga. — Daniel H. Shepherd, 66, Winder, Ga., passed away June 4, 2017, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.  He was born Nov. 13, 1950, to William “Bill” Shepherd and Sara Ann Collins in Kentucky. On Feb. 15, 1997, he married Debbie Rhamey, who survives.  He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Debbie Shepherd; sons, Daniel (spouse Shamra) Shepherd, Florida, and Johnny Shepherd, Fort Wayne; daughters: Deanna Davis, Indianapolis; Jackie (spouse Chris) McIntyre, Dallas, Ga.; and Katie Lovett, Texas; brothers, Charles (spouse Colleen) Shepherd, Pierceton, and Darwin (and Bonnie) Shepherd, Prestonsburg, Ky.; sisters: Betty (spouse Terry) Hall, Pierceton; Christina (spouse Frank) Hyden, Warsaw; and Della (and Rick) Pollock, Silver Lake; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.  He was preceded by his parents; brother, William E. Shepherd; and sister, Carolyn Rose.  A memorial service is planned for July 22.

Lynn Maish Babcock

SANTE FE, N.M. — Lynn Maish Babcock, 78, died July 11, 2017, in Santa Fe.  She was born Feb. 1, 1939, in Warsaw, to the late Wilbur F. and Violet Maish. She graduated from Warsaw High School in 1957 and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from DePauw University in 1961. She married Dr. James Babcock in 1963. They lived in Indianapolis until 1975, when they moved to Bluffton, where he practiced orthopedic surgery.  Lynn raised three children and had a long career as a registered nurse in a variety of positions, mainly pediatrics and home health care. The couple retired to Santa Fe in 2008.

Domiano-Elder

Chelsea L. Domiano and Zachary R. Elder, both of Warsaw, have announced their engagement.

Edna Elizabeth Gamble

COLUMBIA CITY — Edna Elizabeth Gamble, 96, Goshen, passed away at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at Maples of Waterford Crossing.  Born Feb. 12, 1921, in Washington Township, Whitley County, she was the daughter of John and Dora Nancy Sievers Kneller. She graduated from Washington Center High School, earned a bachelor's degree in education from Huntington University, a master’s degree in counseling from Purdue University and a master’s degree in elementary education from St. Francis University. She completed the class work toward her doctorate at Michigan State University, along with licensing as a reading specialist. She was honored as an outstanding language arts teacher while teaching in Illinois. 

Faye Marie Meier

Faye Marie Meier, of Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, passed away at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at Grace Village Health Care at the age of 81. She was born April 7, 1936, in Valparaiso, to Ocie Esther Clark and Arthur Holmgren. On Nov. 28, 1959, she was married to E. Jack Meier, who survives in Winona Lake. Faye was a 1955 graduate of LaCrosse High School, LaCrosse. She attended Purdue University in West Lafayette and received her bachelor’s degree in interior decorating in 1959 and her master’s degree in education in 1961. Faye was a resident of Kosciusko County for the past 27 years. She will be dearly missed and forever loved by her friends and family.