Archive for July, 2010

Leonard N. Hazen: 1933 – 2010

Sunday, July 11th, 2010

Hazen, Leonard_0001Leonard N. Hazen, 76, a resident of Churubusco and well-known accountant and community leader, passed away at 9:24 p. m. on Saturday, July 10, 2010, at the family residence in Smith Township following an extended illness.

Mr. Hazen was born on October 24, 1933 in Smith Township, a son of Chalmer M. and Mildred I. (Linvill) Hazen, and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1951.

On January 26, 1952 he was married in Churubusco to Mary Ann Gross.  The couple spent all of their married lives in the Churubusco-area, and had lived at their present home in Smith Township for the past 30 years.

Employed as an auditor for the Indian State Board of Accounts, he retired from there in 1994 after 24 years.  He was also engaged in private client tax preparation for many years.

In addition to to his professional and family responsibilities, his life was marked by memberships and active participation in a variety of areas.  He was a member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church, where he served in a variety of administrative and leadership capacities over the years.  He was a 50-year member, past worshipful master and past treasurer of Churubusco Lodge 515 F&AM; was a 50-year member and past patron of Churubusco Order of the Eastern Star 136; was a member of Scottish Rite, Valley of Fort Wayne; was past treasurer of Friends of Epworth Forest; served on the board and was past treasurer of the Churubusco Public Library; and was past president of the Churubusco High School Alumni Association.

In his leisure time he enjoyed traveling and jogging, and most especially was a dedicated person to God, his family, his church, and to his friends.

The surviving relatives include his wife Mary Ann, to whom he was married for over 58 years; two children Huey (Dianna) Hazen of Churubusco and Karla (Neal) Hart of Kendallville; his brother Michael E. (Bonnie) Hazen of Churubusco; four grandchildren Chelsey (Eric) Shilling and Dan Hart, both of Fort Wayne, Paul (Becky) Rennaker of Churubusco, and Melissa (Ken Kruse) Buesching of Fort Wayne; and several step-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, in the Churubusco United Methodist Church, with Pastor Corinne K. Boruff, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Tuesday from 2 to 8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service.  Churubusco Lodge 515 F&AM will conduct memorial services at 8 p. m. Tuesday at the mortuary.

Interment will be in the Round Lake Cemetery, Whitley County.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 N. Main St., Churubusco, IN  46723; or to the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, 525 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis, IN  46204.

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


J D “Sonny” Egolf: 1922 – 2010

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Egolf,_J_DJ D “Sonny” Egolf, 87, a resident of Thorncreek Township and widely acquainted Whitley County farmer and grain dealer, passed away at 3:25 a. m. on Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville following an extended illness.  He had been taken to the hospital on Thursday from North Ridge Village in Albion, where he had resided for over three years.

Mr. Egolf was born on the Egolf Homestead in Thorncreek Township on December 18, 1922, a son of Dewey and Eva (Winebrenner) Egolf, and graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1941.  As a young man he served with the U. S. Army during World War II, and was married in Columbia City on February 24, 1945 to Ruth Borgman.

Egolf, J D ArmyHe spent most of his life in both Whitley and Noble Counties, and was engaged in farming all of his adult life.  He was also the co-owner of Egolf Grain in Whitley County for many years.

Mr. Egolf attended the Blue River Church of the Brethren, served as a deacon at the former Blue River Church of God, and had also served on the board of directors for the Federal Land Bank.   He found joy in his work as a farmer, enjoyed tending his livestock, and most especially loved and cherished his family.

Mrs. Egolf preceded him in death on May 2, 1994.

The surviving relatives include his children Dennis (Rebecca) Egolf of Oak Park, Ill., Gary (Cathy) Egolf of Berne, Gail (Judy) Egolf and Jody (John) Long, both of Columbia City, and Cindy (Roberto D’Alonzo) Egolf of Dolce Acqua, Italy; a sister Faith Richards of Gainsville, Fla; a sister-in-law Martha Ann Egolf of Churubusco; three grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister Sylvelda (Harold O.) McCoy; a brother Russell J. Egolf; a daughter-in-law Marilyn Egolf; and a grandson Alex Egolf.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. on Friday, July 9, 2010, in the Blue River Church of the Brethren, 3040 East 700 North, Whitley County, with Pastor Craig Alan Myers, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Thursday from 2-4 and from 6-8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service.

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

The family requests that memorials be directed to the donor’s choice.

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