Obituaries

Jan 3, 2024

Thomas V. Gothard, age 80, received his heavenly reward Wednesday, January 3rd. Tom was the son of Thomas H. Gothard and Clara E. (Elder) Gothard. Tom was born in Washburn Holler, Morgantown, Tennessee on October 30th, 1943. Tom was proceeded in death by his parents and his older sisters, Katie Ruth and Sandra Fenlon (Skip). He is survived by...

2024

Jean Lawson, age 88 of Elkhart, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 7, 2024, while at the Caring Junction home in Mishawaka.  Jean was born February 23, 1936, in Elkhart, Indiana to the late Clarence and Odie (Goldy) Smith.  She married Coy Edwards in 1951.  He preceded her in death in April of 1987.  Later, Jean...

Dec 28, 2023

Connie Sue Howard, age 87, passed away at her home in Elkhart with her family by her side on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Connie was born April 15, 1936, to the late Lewis and Maxine (Holcomb) McCoige in Argos, Indiana. In 1954, Connie graduated from Jimtown High School. In 1975, she married Elmer H. Howard in Granger, Indiana.  Elmer...

Dec 27, 2023

Richard Lee “Rick” Conner, age 69, passed away at his home in Osceola on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.  Rick was born February 6, 1954, in Mishawaka, Indiana to the late John S. and Margaret (Pavlik) Conner.  On December 23, 2009, Rick married Mary L. Herdman on their 30-acre property in Osceola.

Mary survives, along with Rick’s siblings...

Dec 23, 2023

Merri Jo Jones, age 68 of Mishawaka, passed away at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center on Saturday, December 23, 2023.  Merri was born June 28, 1955, in South Bend, Indiana to the late Nick and Felicia Sayer.  Following her graduation from Mishawka High School, Merri worked for several years as a bank teller before opening her in-home day care,...

Dec 17, 2023

Roland A. Wardlow Jr., age 93 of Osceola, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, December 17, 2023.  Roland, affectionately as Rollie to his friends and family, was born September 23, 1930, in Granger, Indiana to the late Roland A. and Dorothy Elizabeth (Keil) Wardlow.  On April 5, 1952, Roland married the former Ms. Norma VanHoutte in...

Dec 17, 2023

Betty Jo Guess, 73, of South Bend entered heavenly rest on Sunday, December 17, 2023, after a short battle of cancer.

She was born on February 9, 1950, in Alhambra, CA to Roy Porter and Virginia (Turnbow) Hodges. After her family moved to Reno, NV where she grew up, she met David Guess at the local bowling...

Dec 17, 2023

As we gather together during this season of reflection and remembrance, the Cruz Family and our staff extend a heartfelt welcome to our Holiday Remembrance Service. This special occasion is a time to honor and celebrate the lives of those we hold dear, cherishing the memories that bring warmth to our hearts.

In the spirit of unity...

Dec 16, 2023

**A livestream of Bobby's service will begin 10 minutes prior to 11AM EST, December 28, 2023, in the video panel below.

Robert Cleo Henderson, known to most as Bob or Bobby, joined our Lord and Savior and all his heavenly loved ones on Saturday, December 16th, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Medical Center after a hard battle with...

Dec 14, 2023

Jalen Keashaun Young, age 24, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 14, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories.  Jalen was born September 21, 1999, in Elkhart, Indiana. A graduate of Elkhart Memorial High School, Jalen excelled in sports, particularly football, basketball, and baseball. He was employed for over 6 years with Crystal Clear Pools...

Dec 8, 2023

Glen Bernard “Sonny” Ridenour, age 72 of Mishawaka, passed away on December 8, 2023, at Elkhart General Hospital.  Sonny was born July 13, 1951, in South Bend, Indiana to the late Glen and Donna (Platz) Ridenour.  On June 12, 1982, he married Mary Abel. They recently celebrated 41 years of marriage.

Mary survives, along with their sons...

Dec 8, 2023

Douglas “Doug” Briner, 73, of Elkhart died Friday, December 8, 2023, with family at his bedside. He was born on November 22, 1950, in South Bend to the late Lee Howard Briner and June Pearl King. On March 3, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Terri Hunter in Adamsville, MI.

She survives along with their children...

Dec 4, 2023

John “Pete” Thomas Jenkins Jr., age 87 of Mishawaka, formerly of Apple Valley, Minnesota, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, December 4, 2023.  Pete was born November 30, 1936, in Abington, Pennsylvania to the late John Thomas Sr. and Delores (Wood) Jenkins.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Janice...

Dec 2, 2023

Linda Gail Chidister, 78, of Goshen passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023, with her family by her side.

She was born September 9, 1945, in Savannah, TN to the late Carmack and Fay (Wolfe) Willoughby and moved to the area during her school years. After graduating from Mishawaka High School, she married Greg Chidister on February 19,...

Nov 30, 2023

Lillie Darnell O’Dell-Rose, age 57 of Granger, passed away unexpectedly at Memorial Hospital on Thursday, November 30, 2023.  Lillie, or “Darnell” as she loved to be called, was born March 9, 1966, in Mishawaka, Indiana to Kelly and Margaret (Richardson) Hall. Following graduation from Penn High School, Darnell took a position with Maxi-Blast in South Bend where she dedicated...

Nov 30, 2023

Anna Louise (Hann) DeLater, age 97, passed away surrounded by her family at her home in Osceola on Thursday, November 30, 2023.  Anna was born April 20, 1926, in Peoria, Illinois.  On January 27, 1943, she married Henry A. “Hank” DeLater.  They celebrated 73 years of marriage before his passing on August 11, 2016.

Anna is survived...

Nov 29, 2023

Mia Gabriella Church, age 23 of South Bend, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.  Mia was born July 22, 2000, in South Bend, Indiana.  She was a graduate of Penn High School where she stood out as an exceptional athlete, particularly in the sport of Softball. Her passion and skill on the field earned...

Nov 28, 2023

Mary Jane (Schwaderer) Ritchie, age 79 of Mishawaka, passed away at the Center for Hospice, Raclin House with her family by her side on November 28, 2023.  Mary was born March 16, 1944, in Clio, Michigan to the late Ted and Margaret (Silvernail) Schwaderer. Following her graduation from high school, Mary earned her degree in dental hygiene and cared...

Nov 28, 2023

Frederick H. Shearer, Jr. Rick is celebrating Christmas with his Lord and Savior, Jesus. He died on November 28 after a brief and courageous battle with liver cancer. From the moment he entered St. Joseph Hospital, he told friends and family that he was at peace and God was in control. Rick was born in South Bend, Indiana, to...

Nov 23, 2023

Valentin Bravo-Sanchez was born into Heaven on November 23, 2023. He is survived by his parents Fernando Bravo and Norma Sanchez and his siblings Fernando and Ximena Bravo-Sanchez, who had eagerly awaited his arrival, as well as his maternal grandparents Salvador Sanchez and Delia Hernandez, and his paternal grandparents, Fernando Bravo and Yara Lopez.

Although his time...