Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Ruth F. Long, 86, a former resident of Churubusco and more recently of Ashley, died at 8:32 p. m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.  She had been in declining health, and had been hospitalized for the past two weeks.

Mrs. Long was born in Elletsville on April 9, 1922, a daughter of Earnest Nicholas and Mary Jane (Wall) Maners, and graduated from Avon High School in 1940.  As a young woman she lived in Waterloo for a period, and spent most of her adult life in the Churubusco-area until moving to Ashely five years ago.

She had previously been employed at Dana Corporation in Churubusco, and had also worked as a nurse’s aid at Parkivew Hospital in Fort Wayne.  She was a member of the Ashely Order of the Eastern Star, and had been a past worthy matron.

The surviving relatives include her children Martha Ann (Jim) Fisher of Ashley, Russell (Helima) Long of Auburn, Nancy Jean (John Berry) Tulley of Durango, Col., and John W. (Jody) Long of Columbia City; 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a. m. Saturday, February 28, 2009, at Highland Park Cemetery in Fort Wayne.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Friday from 6 to 8 p. m.  Ashley Order of the Eastern Star will conduct memorial services at 8 p. m. Friday at the mortuary.

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Betty J. Whaley, 76, a resident of rural Albion and wife of Ralph Whaley, died at 9:10 a. m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at the family residence in Noble Township following an extended illness.

Mrs. Whaley was born in Angola on December 12, 1932, a daughter of Cecil and Mildred (Morrison) Kime.  She spent her formative years in Williams County, Ohio, and graduated from Montgomery High School in 1948.

As a young woman she worked as an executive secretary, and was married on July 28, 1951 in Angola to Ralph Whaley.  The couple spent a brief period in Ohio and in LaGrange before moving to their present home in Noble Township in 1956.

A homemaker for most of her adult life, she had also been an Avon representative.  However, the labor of love in her life was operating the Happy Hill Feline Haven–a rescue shelter for cats, and was fondly known as “The Cat Lady.”

She was a member of the Merriam Christian Chapel, and had served as the church’s missions secretary for many years.

The surviving relatives include her husband Ralph, to whom she was married for over 57 years; her daughters Linda (Roger) Wirt of Duchesne, Utah and Rita Whaley of Quito, Ecuador;  a sister Donna Vreeland of Reading, Mich; and a brother Victor (Kathy) Yoder of Delton, Mich.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother Larry Yoder.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a. m. on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Merriam Christian Chapel with Pastor Terry L. Zolman, officiating.

The family will receive friends in the church multi-purpose room immediately following the services.

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

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Merriam Christian Chapel Mission Fund, or to the Noble County Humane Shelter.

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

Karen Anne Hoffman, 62, a resident of rural LaOtto and wife of Danny K. Hoffman, died at 10:50 a. m. on Monday, February 23, 2009, at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.  She had been in declining health for only a short period, and had entered the hospice home two days ago.

Mrs. Hoffman was born on July 5, 1946 in Fort Wayne, a daughter of Robert F. and Marjorie (Anderton) Loechner, and spent her formative years there.  She graduated from Northside High School in 1964, and later earned an associates degree from International Business College.

On September 6, 1969 she was married in Fort Wayne to Danny K. Hoffman.  The couple spent the early years of their marriage in Fort Wayne and moved to Noble County in 1978.

Employed as a merchandiser at Source Inter Link, she was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, where she had served as a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Church Council.  In her leisure time she had enjoyed playing adult volleyball and also playing Euchre.

The surviving relatives include her husband Dan; her children Jeffrey M. (Sarah) Hoffman of LaOtto and Julie (Gregory) Brubaker of Fort Wayne; her mother Marjoie Loechner of Fort Wayne; two brothers Steven (Patricia) Loechner of Roanoke and William (Betsy) Loechner of Fort Wayne; a sister Janet (Adam) Kidston of Naperville, Ill; and a brother-in-law Randy (Pam) Hoffman of Napanee.

Services will be held at 6 p. m. on Thursday, February 26, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 2305 Goshen Road, with Pastor Dale Henderson, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday from 4 to 6 p. m.

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

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.

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

Rhonda Lahrman Corson, 35, a resident of Fort Wayne, died unexpectedly on Friday evening, February 20, 2009, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Born on April 7, 1973 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Kenneth D. and Jean (Eiler) Lahrman, and spent her formative years in Eel River Township.  She graduated from Carroll High School in 1992, and earned her medical assistant’s degree from the Indiana Business College.

On October 17, 1996 she was married in Fort Wayne to Rodney L. Corson, and was currently employed in the offices of Pediatric Associates, Inc. at Lutheran Hospital.  In her leisure time she enjoyed camping and fishing with her husband and daughter.

The surviving relatives include her husband Rodney; a daughter Madelyn Claire Corson, age 7; her parents Kenneth and Jean Lahrman of Churubusco; a brother Scott (Kristi) Lahrman of Fort Wayne; her in-laws Thomas and Kathleen Corson of Avilla; her paternal grandparents Dale Lahrman of Pamona Park, Fla., and Beatrice (Harold) Morgan of Columbia City; a former sister-in-law Carmen Lahrman of Fort Wayne; a nephew Thomas John Lahrman; and two nieces Tori Coon and Madison.

She was preceded in death by a brother Thomas J. Lahrman on June 1, 1990; and by her maternal grandfather James Eiler.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Lane Burgland, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 8 p. m., or 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 her family.

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

Wilbur L. “Web” Baughman, age 74, a resident of Taylor Road Churubusco, Indiana died Thursday February 5, 2009 following a year long illness.

Wilbur was born August 20,1934 in Bergoo, West Virginia a son of the late Grover Cleveland and Nellie (Cover) Baughman. His formative years were spent in West Virginia and then he moved to the Fort Wayne, Indiana area and to Churubusco, Indiana in 1963. As a young man he enlisted in the US Army and faithfully served our country during the Korean Conflict. His most significant duty assignment was with the 95th. Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion Battery C . He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; and the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany). He was united in marriage to Nelly M. Bell on his 22nd. birthday, August 20 1956. She passed away June 14, 2007. He had worked for Dexter Axle Company in Albion, Indiana for 15 years. His memberships include, the American Legion Post # 157 and Life membership in the VFW Post 3648 both located in Churubusco, where he served as Past Commander of both Post’s and was a member of the 40& 8 in Columbia City, Indiana.

He is survived by, his daughter Alecia (Don) Fahl of Columbia City, Indiana, 4 son’s Michael (Jean) Baughman, Wilbur Baughman, Jr., Dennis Baughman all of Churubusco, Indiana and Larry (Julie) Baughman of Warsaw, Indiana; a brother Clayton (Mable) Baughman of Buckhannon, West Virginia, 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, and wife he was preceded in death by,  a daughter Sheri l. Chaffin in 2006, a sister Katherine and brothers David, Hayes, Clinton, and grandson Jason Crance.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday February 11, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. in the Sheets and Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco, Indiana with Pastor Bill Stephens officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday in the funeral home. For those who wish memorial contributions may be directed to; The Riley Hospital For Children 702 Barnhill Dr. Indianapolis, Indiana 46202. Envelopes will be available in the funeral home.

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