Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Marilyn J. Waterson, 81, a resident of Huntertown and wife of H. Max Waterson, died at 1:30 a. m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at the Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne following a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Waterson was born on October 6, 1927 in Whitley County, a daughter of Leo D. and Dorothy O. [Hively] Smith.  She spent her formative years on the family farm in Eel River Township, attended the former Center School, and graduated from Huntertown High School in 1946.

On June 29, 1947 she was married in Huntertown to H. Max Waterson.  She was a homemaker, and spent most of her adult life in the Huntertown-area.

She was a member of the Huntertown United Methodist Church, where she served in various capacities over the years; and was a member of the Huntertown Homemakers.  Along with her husband, she volunteered for seven years with Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service.  The couple also volunteered for several years during the summer months at the Oklahoma Indian Mission.

The surviving relatives include her husband Max; her children Vickie Sue [David] Gillett of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Rick [Vicki Kay] Waterson of Albion; a sister Phyllis Meyer of Perham, Minn; three brothers Roger [Karen] Smith of Churubusco, David [Jan] Smith of Uniondale, and Rev. Larry [Roseann] Smith of Churubusco; three grandchildren Matthew D. [Liz] Gillett of Atlanta, Ga., Joshua Gillett of Florida, and Tracy [Kevin] Strater of Albion; two great-grandsons Kaleb Strater and Samuel Strater; and lifelong friends Morris and Leona Bracht of Huntertown.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers Donald Smith and Max Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. on Monday, October 5, 2009, at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, east of Churubusco.  Pastors Greg Hiatt and Larry Smith will officiate, and interment will follow in the Huntertown Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Sunday from 2 to 6 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service Monday morning.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home,5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana  46804

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Harvey John Steinbacher, age 87, a resident of Betz Nursing Home in Auburn, Indiana since 2006, died there Sunday September 27, 2009 following an extended illness. He formerly lived in rural Albion, Indiana.

Harvey was born July 15, 1922 in Fort Wayne, Indiana a son of the late Harvey and Lucille (Merilett) Steinbacher. He lived most of his life in the Fort Wayne area and was a graduate of Leo High School, and was a self employed carpenter from 1955 until his retirement in 1993. He was a great lover of dogs.

The survivors include his children, John A. (Margaret) Steinbacher of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Georgia M. (Randy) Elijah, Alberta B. (Dennis) Coil both of Albion, Indiana; Charles D. Steinbacher of Ligonier, Indiana and Harvey J. Steinbacher of Churubusco, Indiana. Also surviving are his brothers and sisters, William Steinbacher of LaOtto, Indiana, Jean Steinbacher, Floyd Steinbacher, Lewis Steinbacher all of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Roseanne Hinkle of Grabill, Indiana, Sharon Harter of Garrett, Indiana, Steven Steinbacher of Harlen, Indiana and 9 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Wayne Steinbacher and 2 sisters, Margie Newnswander, and Annabelle Reinebaugh.

At Harvey’s request, the family is honoring his wishes, that there be no services or calling hours. Sheets and Childs Funeral Home of Churubusco, Indiana have been entrusted with the arraignments. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be directed to the Noble County Humane Society.

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

Esther M. Lincoln, 94, a resident of Eel River Township in Allen County and widow of Everett R. Lincoln, died at 1:15 a. m. on Monday, September 28, 2009, at the Towne House Retirement Center in Fort Wayne.  She had been a nursing home resident for the past seven months.

Mrs. Lincoln was born north of Avilla on June 29, 1915, a daughter of Henry Martin and Ella Marie [Wolf] Weimer.  She spent her formative years in the Avilla-area, and graduated from Avilla High School in 1934.

On January 11, 1942 she was married in Kendallville to Everett R. Lincoln, and lived all of her adult life on the Lincoln family farm in Eel River Township.  She was a homemaker and a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Churubusco.

Mr. Lincoln preceded her in death on January 26, 1999.  In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.

The surviving relatives include her sons Ray H. Lincoln of Tipp City, Ohio, and Lee A. Lincoln of Churubusco; and one step-grandson.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Thursday, October 1, 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 after 12 noon on Thursday until the time of the service.

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

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church.

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Richard E. Guiff, 83, a resident of rural Churubusco, died at 10:30 a. m. on Sunday, September 27, 2009, at his residence in Eel River Township.  He had been in declining health since June.

Mr. Guiff was born in Smith Township in Whitley County on October 28, 1925, a son of Fred A. and Berneice L. [Slater] Guiff, and graduated from Huntertown High School in 1943.

As a young man he served with the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict, and was married in Columbia City on August 16, 1953 to Elaine “Till” Nicodemus.  He spent all of his adult life in the Churubusco-area.

Employed as a carpenter for many years at the former Churubusco Woodworking Co., Inc., he retired from there in 1991, but continued to work as a self-employed carpenter throughout his retirement years.

He was a member and elder of the Ari Church of God, east of Churubusco, and served on the board of directors for Bear Lake Camp in Noble County.   In his leisure time he enjoyed working in his shop, and spending time with his family, especially his grandsons.

Mrs. Guiff preceded him in death on March 22, 1993.

The surviving relatives include his children Cheryl D. Guiff of Fort Wayne and Darren E. [Dawn] Guiff of Churubusco; three sisters Jeannette [Ray] Witte of Tupelo, Miss., and Janice Lansaw and Genevieve Martin, both of Churubusco; two grandsons Ryan Guiff and Troy Guiff; and a special friend Mary Nichter of Churubusco.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by a sister Ila Brumbaugh.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Carroll McNutt, pastor of Ari Church of God, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Wednesday from 3 to 8 p. m.

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

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Bear Lake Camp, 1805 S. 16th Street, Albion, IN  46701

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Rex L. Spangle, 70 a resident of Huntertown, died at 4:43 p. m. on Friday, September 25, 2009, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.  He had submitted to open heart surgery earlier in the day, but his death was unexpected.

Mr. Spangle was born on June 1, 1939 in Fort Wayne, a son of Wilbur A. and Hilda M. (Byerley) Spangle.  He spent his formative years in Huntertown, and graduated from Huntertown High School in 1958.  He had lived in Fort Wayne and in Indianapolis during his adult life, and had returned to Huntertown a few years ago.

Employed at International Harvester in Fort Wayne, he worked there for several years and retired from Navistar in Indianapolis with a total of over 30 years of service.

He participated with the Roller Dome Speed Team, and in his leisure time enjoyed flying private planes, roller skating, music, and loved his dog “Greezy.”

The surviving relatives include his children Michelle (Steven) Soderberg of Phoenix, Ariz., Michael (Lora) Spangle of Indianapolis, and Matthew (Angela) Spangle of Greenwood; his mother Hilda M. Spangle of Huntertown; a sister Shirley (William) Cook of Auburn; and his grandchildren Brandon Spangle, Nathaniel Soderberg, Nicholas Soderberg, Zachary Spangle, Alexis Spangle, Arielle Spangle, Steven Spangle, and Eli Spangle.  He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a. m. Wednesday, September 30, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Pastor Ramon Ulanga of Fort Wayne Seventh Day Adventist Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service Wednesday morning.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Fort Wayne Seventh Day Adventist Church.

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