Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Margaret “Grandma” Wilson, 88, a resident of rural Columbia City in Smith Township, died at 12:30 a. m. on Thursday, August 20, 2009, at the home of her son north of Larwill following an extended illness.

Mrs. Wilson was born in Fort Wayne on February 27, 1921, a daughter of Clem F. and Margaret Edith (Wolford) Neher.  She spent her formative years in Fort Wayne and graduated from North Side High School in 1939.

On December 7, 1940 she was married to Howard W. Wilson, and had lived at her present home in Smith Township in Whitley County for the past 61 years.

A 34 year employee of Sprint, she had worked there as a telephone operator, and retired in 1981 as an executive secretary.   She was later employed at McDonald’s in Churubusco, and was affectionately remembered as “Grandma” to the staff and patrons there.

She attended the Churubusco United Methodist Church, and in her leisure time enjoyed needle work, quilting, reading, ceramics, fishing and also enjoyed traveling.

Mr. Wilson preceded her in death unexpectedly on July 2, 1981.

The surviving relatives include her children  Pamela Hinrichs and Cynthia A. [David] Crooks, both of Churubusco, James L. [Ann] Wilson of Decatur, Carl A. [Bonnie] Wilson of Larwill, Kenneth E. [Lana] Wilson and Keith E. Wilson, both of Pierceton, Jon H. [Cheri] Wilson of Spencerville, and Kevin P. [Sharon] Wilson of Philadelphia, Penn; 34 grandchildren, 81 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister Naomi Parks; two brothers Jim Neher and Eugene Neher; and by two grandsons.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Monday, August, 24, 2009, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev Corinne K. Boruff, pastor of Churubusco United Methodist Church, officiating.

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

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6324 Constitution Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana  46804

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

Mary M. Silverest Bucher, 89, a former resident of Eel River Township and of Fort Wayne, died at 9:00 a. m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2009, at Kingston Care Center in Fort Wayne following an extended illness.

Mrs. Bucher was born on October 15, 1919 in Montpelier, a daughter of Charles D. and Inas [Spaulding] Wilson, and retired as a clerk assistant from Byron Health Center in Fort Wayne in 1987.

In 1937 she was united in marriage to Curtis A. Silverest.  He preceded her in death in 1967.   On November 8, 1969 she was married to Gerald L. Bucher.  Mr. Bucher preceded her in death on July 26, 2008.

She was a member of the Ari Church of God, east of Churubusco.

The surviving relatives include her children Marsha [Jerry] Austermann of Lake Orion, Mich., Carolyn Jo Silverest of Fort Wayne, Charles K. [Stella] Silverest of Forsyth, Mo., Richard C. [Shelba] Silverest of Coats, N. C., Thomas C. [Joyce] Silverest of Howell, Mich., Curtis R. Silverest of Auburn, Roger [Devonna L.] Bucher of Fort Wayne, Gary [Sue] Bucher of Auburn, and Dennis [Kim] Bucher of Churubusco; 37 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and two husbands, she was preceded in death by a son Jack L. Silverest; three daughters Ina May Silverest, Geraldine M. Lyons, and Gloria Galante; two sisters Ruth Meadows and Frances Payter; and three brothers Arthur W. Wilson, Cryil A. Wilson, and Henry M. Wilson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Saturday, August 15, 2009, at the Silver Creek Church of God near Silver Lake with Pastor Carroll McNutt, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Friday from 3 to 7 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the church cemetery.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Ari Church of God or Parkview Home Health & Hospice.

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

Nedra R. McEowen, age 91, a former resident of Columbia City in Smith Township, died Sunday morning August 9, 2009 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.   She had lived for the past four and one half years as a resident in Renaissance Village Nursing Care Center in Fort Wayne.

Nedra was born May 31, 1918 in Cecil, Ohio a daughter of the late John A. and Cora Anna (Byers) Glander.  As a young woman she worked at General Electric Co. in Fort Wayne, and moved to Smith Twp in 1954. She was united in marriage in Fort Wayne on July 23, 1939 to Hubert McEowen. Mr. McEowen preceded her in death on January 26, 1977.

Nedra was an avid lover of music, playing the piano, organ, and violin.  She loved pets and bird watching, and was a former member of the Smith Twp. Home Extension Club.

Her survivors include her children Wanda (Earl) Howell of Columbia City, Juanita (Jerry) Miller of  Hoagland, Marcia (Mark) Hollopeter of Mason, Michigan, David W. (Vonda) McEowen of ColumbiaCity, Dr. Edwin L. (Mary Jo) McEowen of Columbia City, and Roger A. (Jean) McEowen of Ankeny, Iowa.  Also surviving are 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, and husband; she was preceded in death by an infant brother Edward Glander, and by a sister Mary Smith.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday August 12, 2009 at 11:00 a. m. in the Churubusco Church of the Nazarene, 1000 West Whitley Street, Churubusco, with Pastor Paul D. White officiating.

Burial will follow in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Tuesday from 3 to 7 p. m., and on Wednesday morning at the church from 10:00 a. m. until service time.

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

Evelyn A. Garman, age 77, a resident of rural LaOtto, died on Sunday August 2, 2009 in the Provena Sacred Heart Home in Avilla  following a brief illness. She had lived most of her adult life in the Huntertown and LaOtto area.

Evelyn was born November 15, 1931 in Franklin County, Missouri, a daughter of the late Paul A. and Marie E. (Kernebeck) Gildehaus. She was united in marriage in Fort Wayne,  on January 6, 1951 to Donald A. Garman. Mr. Garman preceded her in death on October 22, 2004.

She had worked for Hep’s Groceries for five years in Huntertown, and then for Byron Health Center in Fort Wayne, retiring from there in 1993 as the linen clerk. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Avilla. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who’s hobbies included, sewing, crocheting, and spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Pastor Sherri (Ed) Long of LaOtto, Dan A. (Lisa) Garman of New Haven, Dave (Sarah) Garman of Huntertown, Kim A. (Jim) Dietsch of Pierceton, and Dee A. (Jack) Mossburg of LaOtto; her sister, Mary Ann Grill of St. Louis, Mo; three brothers Alvin (Mary) Gildehaus, of Cedar Hill, Mo., Raymond Gildehaus of St. Clair, Mo., and Richard (Deloris) Gildehaus of Arnold, Mo. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and her beloved cat, “Bandit.”

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters Leona Heil, Marilyn Gildehaus, and Laverne Stoder.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a. m. Saturday, August 8, 2009 in the Huntertown United Methodist Church 16021 Lima Road Huntertown, with Pastor Greg Hiatt  and Deacon Charles Gildehaus officiating. Burial will follow in the Covington Memorial Gardens  in Fort Wayne.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 2:00 until 8:00 p. m. in the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco,  where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p. m.  Calling at the church will be on Saturday from 10:00 a m. until service time.

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be directed to Provena Sacred Heart Home St. Paul Neighborhood, or the American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available in the funeral home and church.

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