Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

George Robert “Bob” Swinehart, 81, a resident of rural Churubusco, died at 2:45 p. m. Friday, February 29, 2008, at Bethlehem Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fort Wayne after an extended illness.

Mr. Swinehart was born in Noble County on August 7, 1926, a son of Walter C. and Wilma Elizabeth (Slagle) Swinehart. As a young man he served his country in the U. S. Army during World War II, serving in the 35th Infantry as a light truck driver and sharpshooter.

Following his military discharge he was married in Fort Wayne on January 9, 1949 to Eleanor J. Nicolet. The couple spent their married lives on the family farm in Green Township, north of Churubusco.

Engaged in farming for many years in Green Township, he retired in 1990 as an operating engineer at the Falstaff Brewing Company in Fort Wayne, and was a member of Operating Engineers Local 19 in Fort Wayne.

Always an intensely patriotic American, he was a member of American Legion Post 82 in Fort Wayne and the Churubusco Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Turtle Post 3846.

The surviving relatives include his wife Eleanor, to whom he was married for over 59 years; his children Billy Gene (Cherii) Swinehart of Churubusco, Cheryll Lynn (Bob) Fiorendino of Lantana, TX., Susan Marie (Kevin) Howlett of Asheboro, NC., and Robert Charles Swinehart of Peoria, IL; a sister Joan Parks of Kendallville; and six grandchildren Adam Swinehart, Malinda Neith, Jaimee Granberry, Andrew Howlett, Allison Neith, and Austin Howlett.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Billy Jean Swinehart in World War II. Also deceased are five sisters Thelma Kruse, Violet Milford, Betty Swinehart, Norma Spriggs, and Carol Boyles; and a grandson Nickolas Swinehart.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Tuesday, March 4, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Christine Newman-Jacobs, pastor of Churubusco United Methodist Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Monday from 2-4 and from 6-8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service.

Interment with military graveside rites will be in the Leo Cemetery, Leo.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 N. Main Street, Churubusco, IN 46723

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Velma Kiester, 89, a resident of rural Kimmell and widow of Max J. Kiester, died at 1:43 p. m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne following a brief illness.

Mrs. Kiester was born in Green Township in Noble County on October 14, 1918, a daughter of Fred and Clara (Diffendarfer) Owen, and spent her formative years in that community.

On April 15, 1939 she was married in Noble County to Max J. Kiester.  Early in their marriage the couple owned and operated a grocery at Etna, and moved to their farm home in Washington Township 60 years ago.  Employed as a school cook, she retired in 1984 from the cafeteria at West Noble High School in Ligonier after over 25 years.

She was a member of the Ormas Baptist Church and its Missionary Society, and in her leisure time enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with friends.  Most especially, she loved and enjoyed her family.

Mr. Kiester, well-known Noble County farmer, preceded her in death on May 11, 1999.

The surviving relatives include two daughters Judy (Paul) Geiger and Joyce (Tom) Beezley, both of Churubusco; her son Jim D. (Marsha) Kiester of Kimmell; ten grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter Donna West in 2001; a sister Edith Bonar; and by four brothers Clarence Owen, Woodward Owen, Dale F. Owen, and Leo Owen.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Monday, March 3, 2008, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Rodney Schuler, pastor of Ormas Baptist Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Sunday from 2 to 8 p. m.

Interment will be in the Stringtown Cemetery, Noble County.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Ormas Baptist Church, 8962 North 300 West, Columbia City, Indiana  46725

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Jossie L. Long, 90, a former resident of Churubusco, died at 7:30 a. m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville. She had been in declining health for several years, and had been a patient at the hospital for the past 16 days.

Mrs. Long was born in Bluefield, West Virginia on May 7, 1917, a daughter of Frank and Dorothy (Bryant) Clyburn. At age 17 she moved to Waterloo with her family, and was married in Albion on November 28, 1935 to Joseph E. Long.

The couple lived all of their married lives in Churubusco. She was employed as an inspector with Magnavox in Fort Wayne for over 30 years, retiring from there in 1982.

She was a member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church, and in her leisure time enjoyed gardening, fishing, gathering nuts, and cooking.

Mr. Long preceded her in death on May 3, 1990.

The surviving relatives include her children Connie Gantt of Hudson, with whom she made her home, and J. Edgar Long of Commerce, GA; a brother Bill (Jenny) Clyburn of Defiance, OH; four grandchildren Kristen (Steve) Johnson of Kendallville, Jennifer Long of Atlanta, GA., and Becky Severe and William Gantt, both of Hudson; and four great-grandchildren Megan Severe, Ryan Severe, Nikki Gantt, and Bill Gantt, Jr.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters Francis Harless and Jewel Clyburn; and by two brothers Luther Clyburn and Walter Clyburn.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Friday at the Churubusco United Methodist Church with Rev. Christine Newman-Jacobs, officiating.

The family will receive friends at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Thursday from 4 to 7 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the family plot at Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

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Robert E. Conwell, 61, a resident of rural Churubusco, died at 12:26 a. m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. He had been in failing health for some time, and had been hospitalized for the past eight days.

Mr. Conwell was born in Muncie on June 8, 1946, a son of Harry and Neva (Bright) Conwell, and was educated at Modoc High School in Randolph County. He was married in Angold on June 9, 1965 to Doris Lower, and had lived in the Churubusco community for the past 35 years.

He had worked as a truck driver for most of his adult life and had been an owner/operator for most of that time until later driving for Evans Equipment in Butler, retiring from there in 2004 due to ill health.

A member of Teamsters Local 414, he was also a member of Unisac Outlaw Sprint, the National Tractor Pullers Association, and the Slaves and Masters bowling league. He attended the Churubusco Church of the Nazarene, and in his leisure time enjoyed camping, fishing, pitching horseshoes, and racing.

Among the surviving relatives is his wife Doris; his three children Roberta Conwell and Scott Conwell, both of Churubusco, and Joe Conwell of Columbia City; three brothers Frank (Georgie) Conwell, Max (Ella) Conwell, and Mike (Cindy) Conwell, all of Muncie; a sister Sheila McGarey of Muncie; three step-brothers; two step-sisters; and six grandchildren Jamie Conwell, JoLynn Conwell, Daielle Conwell, Dakota Conwell, Cody Conwell, and Bailey Conwell.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers Harry Conwell, Jr., Danny Conwell, and Bill Conwell; and by two sisters Sharoln Conwell and Sue Davenport.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Saturday at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Pastors Paul D. White and Carl Kallsen, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Friday from 2-4 and from 6-8 p. m.

Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, or the National Kidney Foundation.

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Lillian F. Butler, 83, a former resident of rural Fort Wayne, died at 6:00 p. m. on Saturday, February 23, 2008, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. She had been taken there from Byron Health Center on Wednesday.

Mrs. Butler was born at Merom in Sullivan County, Indiana on June 20, 1924, a daughter of Leonard and Gertrude (Harris) Thompson. She spent her early years in that area, and was married in 1942 to Donald E. Butler. The couple moved to Allen County in 1945 following Mr.Butler’s military discharge.

She had a special interest in tropical fish, and had owned and operated the 33 Aquarium north of Fort Wayne for 30 years, retiring in 1990. She was a member of the Faith Missionary Church in Fort Wayne.

Mr. Butler preceded her in death on December 6, 1979.

The surviving relatives include her son Kenneth (Lorre) Butler of Fort Wayne; five grandchildren Donald (Amy) Butler of Huntington, Barbie (Jerod) Ashley of Phoenix, Ariz., and Daniel Butler, Jesse Butler, and Samuel Butler, all of Fort Wayne; and 11 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers Raymond Thompson and Harold Thompson.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p. m. Thursday, February 28, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Richard Carpenter, associate pastor of Faith Missionary Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p. m.

Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery, northwest of Huntertown.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Faith Missionary Church in Fort Wayne.

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