Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Barbara A. Childs, 82, wife of Charles E. Childs and long-time Gaston businesswoman, died at 4:40 a. m. on Friday, November 14, 2008, at Muncie Health & Rehabilitation Center in Muncie.  She had been in declining health after suffering a stroke over six years ago, and had been a patient there for over five years.

Mrs. Childs was born at Liberty Center in Wells County on June 9, 1926, a daughter of Alva Manford and Agnes (Markin) Rench.  She moved to Gaston with her parents at age nine, and graduated from Gaston High School in 1944.

After completing her education, she worked as the administrative assistant to O. W. Storer, president of the former Muncie Banking Company.  She was later married in Gaston on September 9, 1945 to Charles Edward Childs of Matthews.

The couple spent the first months of their marriage in Columbia, South Carolina, where Mr. Childs was stationed with the U. S. Army.  Following his military discharge, the couple returned to Gaston, and have been lifelong residents and leaders of that community.

Shortly after returning to Gaston, the couple began working for Barbara’s father at the former A. M. Rench & Sons Lumber Company in Gaston.  In 1961 they purchased an interest in the firm, and later purchased the entire business in 1983.  Together, they operated the Gaston-Rench Lumber Company for over 40 years, retiring in 1989.

In addition to her family and business concerns, her life was marked by the love and support of her local church.  She was a member of the Gaston United Methodist Church, and the GGG Church School class.  She sang in the church choir for many years, and had served as the Church School secretary.  She was also a member of Purity Order of the Eastern Star in Hartford City.

The surviving relatives include her husband Charles, to whom she was married for over 63 years; a son and daughter-in-law C. Gregory and Dr. Jeanine Childs of Churubusco; three grandsons C. Andrew (Becca) Childs of Indianapolis, J. Perry Childs of Churubusco, and F. Joel Childs of Huntington; and a sister-in-law Esther Rench of Richmond.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers Eugene Rench, Rex A. Rench, and Robert S. Rench; a sister Dorothy F. Sollars; a brother-in-law Joseph P. Sollars; and a sister-in-law Fanniemae Gronendyke Rench.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Monday, November 17, 2008, at the Gaston United Methodist Church, 107 N. Main Street, in Gaston.  The Rev. John Long, pastor of the church, will officiate.

The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday from 2 to 5 p. m., or one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Thompson Cemetery, west of Gaston.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Gaston United Methodist Church, 107 N. Main St., Gaston, IN  47342; or the Taylor University Department of Music, 236 W. Reade Ave., Upland, IN  46989

Funeral arrangements are being entrusted to the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco.

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To leave a condolence for the family in Mrs. Childs’ memory, please click on “Condolences” below. . .

Nicole M. Johnson, age 23,  a resident of Churubusco,  died early Tuesday morning November 11, 2008 following a traffic accident on U. S. 33 south of Churubusco.

Nicole was born December 13, 1984 in Fort Wayne, Indiana a daughter of Bruce L. and Terri K. (Schlund) Johnson. She was a graduate of Churubusco High School with the class of 2003. She had been employed in Fort Wayne by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for three years and also Logan’s Roadhouse for two years.

She is survived by her parents Bruce and Terri Johnson of Churubusco; her son Kohen L. Johnson at home; her maternal grandfather James F. Schlund of Indianapolis;  her paternal grandmother Sandra Johnson of Syracuse; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents Bill Johnson, and Sharon M. Schlund.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday November 15, 2008 at 5:00 p. m. in the Sheets and Childs Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Van Horn officiating.

The family will receive friends in the funeral home also on Saturday from 1:00 p. m. until service time.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers,  memorial contributions be directed to the savings account in Kohen L. Johnson’s name.  Envelopes will be available in the funeral home.

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You are invited to leave a condolence for the family, and may do so by clicking on “Condolences” below.

Madalene A. Gaff, 93, a former resident of rural Churubusco and widow of Carl E. Gaff, died at 2:25 a. m. on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at the Provena Sacred Hearth Home in Avilla.  She had been in failing health for a number of years, and had been a resident there for the past six years.

A native of Michigan, she was born on July 1, 1915, a daughter of Richard and Anna (Miesen) Beck.  On July 24, 1954 she was married to Carl E. Gaff, and spent most of her adult life in the Churubusco-area.

She retired from U. S. Rubber in Fort Wayne, and attended the Churubusco United Methodist Church.

Mr. Gaff preceded her in death on November 23, 1996.

The surviving relatives include her brother and sister in-laws; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Wednesday at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Corinne K. Boruff, pastor of Churubusco United Methodist Church, officiating.

Friends may call at the mortuary on Wednesday one hour prior to the service.

Entombment will be in the mausoleum at Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne.

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To leave a condolence for the family in Mrs. Gaff’s memory, click on “Condolences” below. . .

Max G. Gross, 81, a resident of rural Churubusco in Allen County, fell asleep in the arms of Jesus at 12:35 a. m. on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.  He had been in declining health, and had been seriously ill for the past five weeks.

Mr. Gross was born in Noble County on August 12, 1927, a son of Ernest L. and Mildred (Owen) Gross, and spent his formative years in Eel River Township in Allen County.  He graduated from Huntertown High School in 1945, and as a young man served with the U. S. Army.

On November 19, 1947 he was married to Lenora M. Hawk, and lived all of his adult life in Eel River Township.  She preceded him in death on May 26, 1979.

A retiree of the Figel Construction Company in Fort Wayne, he was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, was past commander of Gilbert Davis American Legion Post 157 in Churubusco, and was a member of the Carpenter’s Union.

In addition to his parents and spouse, he was preceded in death by a son Allen Gross on October 12, 1954; and by a brother Ross J. Gross on October 17, 1981.

The surviving relatives include his children Roxie (Dennis) Gloyd, Jerrold “Jake” (Debbie) Gross, and Sue (Tom) Gilbert, all of Churubusco; five brothers Owen (Vera) Gross of Churubusco, Alton (Marilyn) Gross of LaOtto, Luther (Becky) Gross of Churubusco, Larry (Trish) Gross of LaOtto, and Roger (Susie) Gross of Churubusco; a sister Elaine (Rowland) Gilbert of Churubusco; a sister-in-law Linda Gross of Auburn; ten grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 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 Monday from 2 to 8 p. m.

Interment with military graveside rites will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church building fund or Churubusco American Legion scholarship fund.

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

Harriet E. Fisher, 85, a resident of Churubusco and widow of Charles B. Fisher, died at 7:00 a. m. on Thursday, November 6, 2008, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Columbia City.  She had been a patient there for the past month.

Mrs. Fisher was born in Churubusco on May 21, 1923, a daughter of Chester and Bertha (Richards) Tulley, and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1941.  On April 20, 1947 she was married to Charles B. Fisher, and spent her entire lifetime in this community.

A former employee of Dana Corporation in Churubusco, she retired from there after 15 years.  She was a member of the Beacon Light Chapel, east of Churubusco, and the Churubusco American Legion Post 157 Ladies Auxiliary.

Mr. Fisher preceded her in death on June 7, 1987.

The surviving relatives include her son Dennis (Susan) Fisher of Churubusco; a step-son Roger (Evelyn) Fisher of Columbia City; a sister Marilyn Owen of Churubusco; and a brother Kemal (Diane) Tulley of Fort Wayne.  There are two grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, 20 step-great-grandchildren, and seven step-great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers Gloyd Tulley, Milo Tulley, and Carl “Ike” Tulley; and by a sister Phyllis Renkenberger.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Sunday at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rob McNary, officiating.  

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Saturday from 4 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service Sunday.

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

The family requests memorials be directed to Beacon Light Chapel.

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