Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Clayton L. Gibson, 70, a resident of rural Albion, died at 5:05 p. m. on Monday, October 22, 2007, at the family residence in Jefferson Township. He had been in failing health for the past two and one-half years.

Mr. Gibson was born in Sandy Hook, Kentucky on August 15, 1937, a son of the late Tivis and Grace (Watson) Gibson. He spent his formative years in Kentucky, and graduated from Fleming County High School in 1955.

On September 23, 1957 he was married in New Albany to Ruth Lee Terrell, and moved to Noble County in 1965.

His employment with International Harvester spanned a period of over 30 years. He first worked at the Fort Wayne plant for several years until it closed, and continued working at their Springfield, Ohio plant until retiring in 1997.

He was a member of the Cornerstone Wesleyan Church in Merriam, and greatly enjoyed the fellowship of the church. In his leisure time he enjoyed Indiana University basketball, country music, and attending blue grass festivals. He was an avid gardener, and was a very dedicated family man.

The surviving relatives include his wife Ruth, to whom he was married for 50 years; two sons Logan Gibson of Merriam and Wayne (Holly McDowell) Gibson of Churubusco; two daughters Sharon (Brian) Smith of Kendallville, and Karen (Bob) Koldyke of Albion; a brother Britton (Evie) Gibson of Elliott Co., Ky; eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild Grace Christine.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters Marie and Myrtle; by four brothers Rollie, John, Russ, and Bill; and by four young siblings Beulah, Manie, Hershell, and Junior.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Thursday, October 25, 2007, at the Cornerstone Wesleyan Church in Merriam with Pastors George Cecil and William Claxton, officiating.

Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 2 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service Thursday.

Interment will be in the Wolf Lake Cemetery, Noble County.

Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco is in charge of the arrangements.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, 4304 S. Oak Street, Albion, IN 46701

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Irene O’Connell Guiff, 90, a resident of rural Churubusco in Allen County, died at 4:08 a. m. on Monday, October 22, 2007 at Parkview Whitley Hospital in Columbia City following a lengthy illness. She had been in declining health for some time, and had been seriously ill for the past two weeks.

Mrs. Guiff was born on June 16, 1917 at Wolf Lake, a daughter of Lewis and Delliah (Marrs) Hyndman, and spent her formative years in Noble, Whitley, and Koskiusko Counties. She was married in Columbia City to Loren O’Connell on March 14, 1934, and had lived in the Churubusco-area since 1940.

As a young woman she was employed at Blue Bell in Columbia City, and later in life worked at the Magic Wand Restaurant in Churubusco. Mr. O’Connell preceded her in death on October 29, 1969.

She was a member of the Churubusco American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 157, and in her leisure time enjoyed playing Euchre, visiting with friends, and making pies.

On August 20, 1977 she married James L. Guiff in Allen County. He survives.

Other surviving relatives include her three children Verdonna “Tootie” (Paul) Konger of rural Albion, James (Nancy) O’Connell of Huntertown, and Patsy O’Connell of Fort Wayne; two step-children Gladys Wakeman of Columbia City and Gerald “Jerry” (Marsha) Guiff of Churubusco; and a sister Wanetta Snepp of Columbia City. There are eight grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, several step-great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and several step-great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her first husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters Alice Birch and Mary Jane Geiger; four brothers Robert Hyndman, Leroy Hyndman, Ralph Hyndman, and Chester Hyndman; a step-daughter Audrey Valjack; and by a great-grandson Ben Konger.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Thursday, October 25, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Larry Smith, pastor of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Wednesday from 2 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service Thursday.

Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery at Pierceton.

Memorials are requested to be made to Wesley Chapel United Methodist Women, Churubusco American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, or Parkview Home Health & Hospice.

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To leave a condolence for the family in Mrs. Guiff’s name, please click on “Condolences” below. . .