Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Betty I. Rollins, 64, a resident of Churubusco and wife of Charles F. Rollins, died at 3:10 a. m. on Saturday, May 3, 2008, at her residence. She had been in failing health for nearly two years.

Mrs. Rollins was born in Allen County on June 28, 1943, a daughter of Jeremiah Michael and Mary Lucile (Guilliam) Heffelfinger.

On January 19, 1963 she was married to George H. Geiger. He preceded her in death on August 11, 1981.

She had been employed at Dana Corporation in Churubusco for 31 years, retiring from there in 2003.

A member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church, she was a life member of both the Churubusco American Legion and Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliaries, and was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Garrett.

Her second marriage took place on July 29, 1984 to Charles F. Rollins. He survives.

Also surviving are her children Debra L. Geiger of Churubusco and Richard (Wilda) Geiger of Fort Wayne; a sister Doris O’Connell of Churubusco; and three grandchildren Richia Geiger, Tylor Geiger, and Kaylene Geiger.

In addition to her parents and first husband, she was also preceded in death by a sister Sharon Fritz on January 6, 1986.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Thursday, May 8, 2008, 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 Wednesday from 4 to 8 p. m.

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

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 N. Main St., Churubusco, IN 46723, or Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46804

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Richard L. “Rick” Thiel, 56, a resident of Fort Wayne, died at 5:07 p. m. on Friday, May 2, 2008, at the family residence in Eel River Township. He had been in declining health since October.

Mr. Thiel was born in Fort Wayne on July 31, 1951, a son of Lewis and Valera (Lohman) Thiel. He spent his formative years in Fort Wayne, and graduated from Northside High School in 1969.

On October 13, 1979 he was married in Huntertown to Betty J. “BJ” Dazey, and spent his married life in Fort Wayne. He was employed as a locomotive engineer for Norfolk & Southern Railroad for 37 years.

He was a member of St. Joseph United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne, and in his leisure time enjoyed Indiana University basketball, Indianapolis Colts football, and most especially loved spending time with his beloved family.

The surviving relatives include his wife Betty “BJ” Thiel; his son Eric Thiel of Kingman, Ariz; his daughter Erin (Rob) Niman of Fort Wayne; two sisters Sara (Dick) Conrow of Churubusco and Becky (life partner Gwen Ostrander) Shedd of LaOtto; three brothers Dan (Mary) Thiel of Garrett, Jon (Margaret) Thiel of Auburn, and Dave (Barbara) Thiel of Garrett; grandchildren Robby Niman, Wesley Niman, Braylon J. Niman, and Parker Lynn Niman; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Tuesday at the St. Joseph United Methodist Church, 6004 Reed Road, with Pastor Russ Abel, officiating.

The family will receive friends at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Monday from 2 to 8 p. m., or at the church after 9 a. m. Tuesday.

Interment will be in the Riverview Cemetery, Allen County.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Parkview Home Health & Hospice, 2270 Lake Avenue, #200, Fort Wayne, IN  46805.

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To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Thiel’s memory, please click on “Condolences” below. . .