Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Virgil J. Bowers, 93, a resident of Albion, passed away at 3:25 p. m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Garrett following a brief illness.  He had been a patient there since March 4.

Mr. Bowers was born on October 23, 1916 in Auburn, a son of Homer and Grace (Farver) Bowers, and spent his formative years in that community.  He graduated from Auburn High School, and as a young man served with the U. S. Army during World War II.

On January 5, 1940 he was married to Alma M. Shull.  The couple lived in Fort Wayne for a short period before moving to Blue Lake near Churubusco.  They had lived in Albion since 1968.

Employed at General Electric in Fort Wayne for 38 years, he retired from there in 1980.

He was a member of Churubusco Lodge 515 F&AM, Churubusco Order of the Easter Star 136, Knights of the Red Order of Constantine, and the Albion American Legion Post.  He had also been a member of the former Albion IOOF.

Mrs. Bowers preceded him in death on September 13, 2009.

Among the surviving relatives are his children Robert R. (Janet) Bowers of Garrett and Dorothy Ann (William) Scheurich of Avilla; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother Victor Bowers; and by a great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p. m. on Monday, March 22, 2010, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Chaplain Kenneth Weaver, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Sunday from 2 to 5 p. m.  Churubusco Lodge 515 F&AM will conduct memorial services at 5 p. m. Sunday at the mortuary.

Interment will be in Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Miller’s Merry Manor, 1367 S. Randolph St., Garrett, IN  46738

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Helen J. Gentis, 75, a resident of Fort Wayne, passed away at 12:20 a. m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne.  She had been a patient there since Thursday.

Mrs. Gentis was born in Bluffton on July 19, 1934, a daughter of George Edward and Annabell (Leanch) Betz, and spent her formative years there.  She lived much of her adult life in Blackford County, where she was employed at Sheller Globe in Montpelier for 33 years.  She later returned to Wells County and lived there until moving to Fort Wayne in 1991.

While living in Fort Wayne she was employed at Hospital Laundry Service, retiring from there five years ago.

She was a member of the International Chemical Workers Local 444.

The surviving relatives include her children Ernest (Colleen) Betz of Sylva, NC., and Gene E. Hawk and Lenah A. Hawk, both of Fort Wayne; four brothers Homer (Phyllis) Betz of Franklin, Jim (Treva) Betz of Poneto, Joe (Connie) Betz of Decatur, and Robert (Annie) Betz of Bluffton; six sisters Esther (David) Clements of Indianapolis, Blanche (Bruce) Willette of Bluffton, Wilma (Pat) Ohern of Hartford City, Sue (Tom) Johnson and Linda (John) Stinson, both of Bluffton, and Lori Ann (Bill) Zent of Huntington; and two grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers Edward Betz and Fred “Pete” Betz.

Funeral services will be held at 6 p. m. on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Community [meeting at Grace St. John's United Church of Christ], 4120 Webster St., Fort Wayne.  Father Michael Holland will officiate.

The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday after 2 p. m. until the time of the service.

Burial will be at a later date in Fairview Cemetery, near Bluffton.

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

The family requests that memorials be directed to Holy Redeemer Catholic Community.

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