Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Susan E. Guard, 99, of Leesburg, passed away on May 10, 2024, at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital in Warsaw.
She was born in Tulsa, Okla., on Dec. 23, 1924 to Susie Valentine Petit Gilday and George Lester Kernodle. She attended Fort Wayne International Business College and graduated from Ball State Teacher’s College in 1949.
Susan was united in marriage to Donald E. Guard on Dec. 21, 1952, in the North Webster Methodist Church. The couple would welcome three daughters and share 60 wonderful years of laughs and memories.
Susan worked at the following: Wolf & Dessauer in Fort Wayne, Arnold Corporation in Warsaw, REMC in Warsaw, Zimmer in Warsaw and she worked as an immigration and refugee coordinator for the Bishops Fund Committee for World Relief. Susan worked as a teacher at Dundee, Mich., Community High School and Elwood High School, and served as campfire leader and as a secretary at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in California in her earlier years.
She was a member of Good Sam, All Saints Episcopal Church in Syracuse and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Crystal River, Fla.
Susan is survived by her daughters: Peggy (Dale) Custer, of Milford; Cheryl (Rick) Rutter, of Warsaw; and Cathy (Dale) Mendenhall, of Yorktown. She leaves behind seven grandchildren: Christopher Galbreath, Kristen Mendenhall Bortner, Carrie Galbreath, Derek (Brenda) Custer, Jerry (Clarissa) Mendenhall, Adam (Marissa) Custer and Matt (Michelle) Mendenhall, plus 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, in 2013; her parents; and her sister, Peggy Daust.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, June 8 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw. Visitation will be held prior from 11 a.m. to noon p.m. in the funeral chapel.
Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 9870 W. Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429; or to Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 of Military Order of the Purple Heart, P.O. Box 1345, Lecanto, FL 34460-1345.
To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.
