Obituaries

Betty Hoffmann

Betty Hoffmann

Jan 14, 2026

Betty Hoffmann of Elkhart, IN passed away peacefully in the presence of family after her courageous battle with cancer. Betty is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, John, her son, William (Laura), son Benjamin (f. Simone) in Germany and her beloved granddaughters Hannah and Natalie Hoffmann, Noa-Grace Hoffmann, Carrie Szymanowski, and grandson Kyle Szymanowski, a brother, Mikel Smith,...

Aza'Riyah Nicole Jones

Aza'Riyah Nicole Jones

Jan 13, 2026

Aza’Riyah Jones’s time on earth was brief, but her memory will always be surrounded by love and will forever be held in the hearts of those who await her with hope and tenderness.

Aza’Riyah is survived by her loving parents, Ke’Vion Jones and Stephanie Hunt, both of Elkhart; grandparents, Dewanda (Tyrone) Mitchell, Bethany (Tiffany Love) Reed, Chris (Crystal) Harris, all of...

Sandra Lynn "Sandy" Shyposki

Sandra Lynn "Sandy" Shyposki

Jan 9, 2026

Sandra Lynn “Sandy” Shyposki, age 64, of Goshen, went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Goshen Hospital. Sandy was born on March 9, 1961, in Onekama, Michigan, to Robert Lee and Diane Gay (Pfeiffer) Somsel. She was a graduate of Brethren High School and later earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Central Michigan...

Kathlyn Mae Williams

Kathlyn Mae Williams

Jan 8, 2026

Kathlyn Mae Williams, age 75, passed away peacefully at her home in Elkhart on January 8, 2026. Kathlyn was born December 27, 1950, in Three Rivers, Michigan, to the late Bernard and Faye (Platz) Van Ness. She was a graduate of Constantine High School, Class of 1969.

Kathlyn’s love for nursing began as a teenager when she worked as a Candy...

Annette Joyce Stouder

Annette Joyce Stouder

Jan 8, 2026

Annette Joyce Stouder, age 93, of Elkhart, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Annette was born on October 25, 1932, in Osceola, Indiana to the late Martin and Herminia (Hoberg) Olson. She was a graduate of Jimtown High School, class of 1950. On May 1, 1954, she married Robert D. “Bob” Stouder, and together they...

Cynthia Clark-Silberman

Cynthia Clark-Silberman

Jan 3, 2026

Cynthia A. Clark-Silberman, 82, of Elkhart peacefully entered eternal rest on Saturday, January 3, 2026, with family by her side. She was born on March 10, 1943, to the late John and Edythe (Bryant) Scott and married James Clark, who died in 2003, and later married Harold Silberman, who preceded her in 2013.

Surviving are her three children, Elizabeth (Doug) Griffin...

Ronald Pierce

Ronald Pierce

Jan 2, 2026

Ronald E. Pierce, 88, long-time resident of Osceola, passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. He was born on May 17, 1937 to the late Clarence and Elizabeth (Karmolinski) Pierce and married Sandra Lupa in 1957.

Sandra survives along with their children, Ronald S. (Denise) Pierce of Osceola, and Francine Fish of Mishawaka; his sister,...

Leo Maxwell Klemm-Wilson

Leo Maxwell Klemm-Wilson

Jan 1, 2026

Leo Maxwell Klemm-Wilson was born into Heaven on January 1, 2026. Though his time on earth was brief, Leo was always surrounded by love and will forever be held in the hearts of those who awaited him with hope and tenderness.

He is survived by his loving parents, Karissa Klemm and Travis Wilson, both of Bristol, Indiana; his siblings, Penelope Shepherd,...

Jerome D. Kreczmer

Jerome D. Kreczmer

Dec 30, 2025

Jerome Dean “Jerry” Kreczmer Sr., age 83 of Mishawaka, passed away at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center on December 30, 2025. Jerry, or “J.D.” to many, was born September 24, 1942, in South Bend, Indiana to the late John and Julia (Plonski) Kreczmer. He was a graduate of St. Joseph High School, and later enlisted in the US Navy, where...

Jessica "Jes" Logan

Jessica "Jes" Logan

Dec 28, 2025

Jessica “Jes” R. Logan, 45, of Osceola, unexpectedly passed at her home on Sunday, December 28, 2025. She was born on March 8, 1980, in Mishawaka to James (Peggy) Logan and Anita (Rick Kraus) Jones.

Along with her parents, Jes is survived by her daughter, Amelie Matherly, sister, Andrea Milewski, stepsiblings, Heather Fischer, Shawn and Christina Rudasics, and grandmother, Jean Bojter,...

Patricia Lynn Stafford

Patricia Lynn Stafford

Dec 25, 2025

Patricia Lynn Stafford, age 71, of Osceola, went to be with the Lord on December 25, 2025, at the Center for Hospice, Raclin House, with her loving and longtime companion, Tommy Stewart, by her side.

Patricia, affectionately known as Patty, was born on July 9, 1954, in San Diego, California, to the late Patrick and Doris (Jacks) Stafford. She was living...

Stephan James Clairday

Stephan James Clairday

Dec 22, 2025

Stephan James Clairday, age 53, of Elkhart, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 22, 2025. Stephan was born November 2, 1972, in Elkhart, Indiana, and was a proud graduate of Elkhart Memorial High School. One evening while cruising the streets of Elkhart, he met Sara Fries, and the two quickly fell in love. Stephan and Sara were...

Stephen A. Vascil

Stephen A. Vascil

Dec 20, 2025

Stephen Andrew Vascil, age 81, passed away at his home in Granger with his family by his side on the morning of December 20, 2025. Steve was born December 3, 1944, in South Bend, Indiana to the late Eugene and Rose (Bardo) Vascil. He was a graduate of Penn High School, and later enlisted in the United States Army National...

Barbara Ann Wood

Barbara Ann Wood

Dec 18, 2025

Barbara Ann Wood, born on July 27, 1946, passed away in her home on the morning of December 18th, 2025, at the age of 79.

Barbara married Gerald Wood on April 1, 1989, and is survived by her husband and children: Cynthia Trippel- Michael, Angela Miller-Brian, Sherry Klosinski-Thomas, and Elizabeth Dobbs. By her grandchildren: Monica Sink, Benton Trippel-Julie, Michelle Trippel, Courtney...

Sandra Sue Weimer

Sandra Sue Weimer

Dec 17, 2025

Sandra Sue “Sandy” Weimer, age 79, passed away unexpectedly on December 17, 2025 at her home in Mishawaka. Sandy was born on December 16, 1946, to the late Junior Lee and Bernice Pauline Miller. On July 4, 1972, she married George D. Weimer.

George survives, along with her brother-in-law, Larry Dull. Surviving as well are her nieces Denise Calhoun and Bonnie...

JoAnn LaPlace

JoAnn LaPlace

Dec 17, 2025

Frances “JoAnn” LaPlace, age 71, passed away peacefully at her home in Elkhart on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Born July 13, 1954, in Greenwood, South Carolina, JoAnn later moved to the Michiana area, where she graduated from Buchanan High School and continued her education at Lake Michigan College. She dedicated more than 40 years of service as a journeyman meat...

2025 Holiday Remembrance Service

2025 Holiday Remembrance Service

Dec 16, 2025

Welcome to the Annual Holiday Remembrance Service of Cruz Family Funeral Homes. We are grateful you have joined us as we come together to remember those who are not with us this holiday season and to honor the lives of those we hold dear. For those unable to attend in person, the service may be viewed in real time in...

David A. Dircks

David A. Dircks

Dec 12, 2025

David Alan Dircks, age 65 of Mishawaka, went to be with the Lord on Friday, December 12, 2025. David was born July 6, 1960, in Niles, Michigan to the late Frederick and Kathryn (Sirokovas) Dircks. He was a graduate of Brandywine High School and later enlisted in the US Navy, serving his country honorably until his discharge in August of...

Scot Kardash

Scot Kardash

Dec 10, 2025

Scot Kardash, 54, of Mishawaka, unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at his home. He was born on November 13, 1971, in Ft. Hood, Texas, to Ray and Ginny (Bennett) Kardash. Ray, a native of Yonkers, NY and a U.S. Army veteran, and Ginny who was born and raised in Mishawaka, both survive.

Along with his parents, Scot is...

Patricia "Pat" Joyce Gollatz

Patricia "Pat" Joyce Gollatz

Dec 10, 2025

Patricia J. Gollatz, 83, passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2025 surrounded by her family. She was born on July 5, 1942, to the late Wilson and Marion (King) Zang in Steeleville, IL and later married her high school sweetheart, Charles Gollatz, on August 22, 1964. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage.

Chuck, along with their daughters, Lisa (Bart) Bottorff of Osceola,...