Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Talia Joy Smith,  age 20, of  La Otto, Indiana, passed away Wednesday August 18, 2010 as the result of a car-bicycle accident on Old S.R. 3 North of C.R. 400 S.

Talia was born April 30, 1990 in Fort Wayne to Brad and Mary (Speakman) Smith. Talia graduated from East Noble High School in 2008, an Honor Graduate (top 10 in her class). She desired to pursue vocal performance and acting professionally, aiming toward Broadway. She was attending New York University, (currently a Junior, earning a 3.87 GPA) on academic scholarship to pursue her dream by majoring in Music Theater and Vocal Performance at the Steinhardt School of Culture and Education. She had just signed on to a new job as the Personal Assistant to the Assistant Musical Theater Program Director at NYU. Talia enjoyed singing, reading, dancing, shopping, being with her friends, and spending time with family. She attended church at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. She was a record breaking swimmer, beginning at age 6 with YMCA through freshman year in high school. Multiple show choir competitions, grand champion soloist; highlighted by wins at De Kalb, Belmont, Marion and Carroll. Talia was an Honor Thespian, landing many significant roles in EN productions. In June 2010 she performed professionally for the first time in concert at NYU for the 25th celebration of the faculty resource network.

She is survived by her parents, Mary and Brad Smith of La Otto, grandmother Darlene Smith of Churubusco,  aunt & uncle Nila and Ken Harman of Indianapolis, cousins Jacob and Jonathan, aunt & uncle Cynthia & Marty Boros of Houston, Tx. cousins Michael (Courtney), Melissa (Andy), & Catherine. Grandparents Greta & Bill Speakman of Garrett, aunt & uncle Bill & Dinah Speakman of Kendallville, cousins James (Emiy), April & Misty, aunt & uncle Deborah (Speakman) & Rob Aikins of Garrett, cousins Clifford (Grim), Cari (Grim), Dekota, aunt & uncle Kathy and Gary Carr of Kendallville; cousins Christina and Casandra, uncle Dan Speakman of Churubusco, cousins Amy (Bottoma), Amber (Bottoma), Daniel, Lisa-Jo; and a Special young man in her life, Christopher McMahon and his parents Patricia Repola and Jim McMahon. She was preceded in death by her Paternal grandfather Max Smith and Maternal aunt Barbara Speakman.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday August 24, 2010 in the First Christian Church located at 110 W. Waits Road in Kendallville, In. with Pastor Larry Smith and Dr. Thomas R. Clothier officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. in the Sheets and Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco. There will also be one hour of calling in the church prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Eel River Cemetery South of Churubusco

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, or to the family to set up a future scholarship find. (Please make payable to the parents).

the family would like to give special thank you’s to EN performing arts groups lead by Chris Mettert and Craig Munk for their inspiration and leadership.

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

Kenneth E. Dammeyer, 73, a resident of rural Churubusco, passed away on Thursday evening, August 17, 2010, at the family residence in Smith Township. He had been in declining health for some time, and had been seriously ill since January.

Mr. Dammeyer was born on January 2, 1937 in St. Mary’s Ohio, a son on Leon and Ada (Moeller) Dammeyer. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1955, and as a young man served with the U.S. Army National Guard.

While in Ohio he was engaged in farming and served with the St. Mary’s Volunteer Fire Department. He later lived in Fort Wayne for a period before moving to Churubusco in 1988.

Along with his wife, he owned and operated Deluxe Satellite in Churubusco for 20 years, retiring from there in 2002. He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Churubusco. In his leisure time he enjoyed antique tractors, camping, all types of outdoor activities, and most especially loved and cherished his family. His memberships also included, the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Tractor Association.

The surviving relatives include his wife Renee; six children Nick (Stephanie Onax) Shiriaev, Michelle (Jerry) Love, and Adam (Brandi Ianucilli) Dammeyer, all of Churubusco, and Ken Allen (Shirley) Dammeyer, Beth Slife, and Leisa (Kurt) Arnett, all of St. Mary’s Oh; a sister Jean (Stanley) Schroerer of St. Mary’s, Oh; a daughter-in-law Sheila Dammeyer of St. Mary’s, Oh; several grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Jeff P. Dammeyer; and a sister Eileen Briner.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A. M. Friday August 20, 2010 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 funeral home on Thursday from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Churubusco Volunteer Fire Department or the Wolf Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Envelopes will be available in the funeral home.

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Dave Partin, 62, a resident of Churubusco, passed away at 1:05 a. m. on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, at the home of his mother in Churubusco.  He had been in failing health since March.

Mr. Partin was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky on July 15, 1948, and moved to Churubusco with his family in 1955.

A U. S. Army Vietnam veteran, he had been employed as a metal plater at Lippert Components in Goshen, and spent most of his adult life in Churubusco.  He was a member of the Churubusco Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Turtle Post 3846.

The surviving relatives include his daughters Maryann Grimes of Fort Wayne, Cayla Coy of Syracuse, and Victoria “Tori” Partin of Toledo, Oh; his mother Victoria Teague of Churubusco; two sisters Sheila Teague of Churubusco and Delores (Charles) Markham of Jellico, Tenn; five brothers Jerry Partin of Goshen, Larry Teague and Kevin (Susie) Teague, both of Churubusco, Doug (Sabrina) Teague of Fort Wayne, and John Teague of Corbin, Ky.

He was preceded in death by his step-father Ben Teague; two sisters Lorraine Caddell and Linda Hamby; and by a brother Roy Teague.

Funeral services will be held at 6 p. m. on Thursday, August 12, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco  with Rev. Timothy Grable, pastor of Sugar Grove Church of God, officiating.  Military honors will follow.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home after 4 p. m. on Thursday until the time of the service.

Private family burial will be on Friday at the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.

It has been requested that memorials be directed to the family.

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

William D. Cook, 75, a resident of Avilla, and formerly of Auburn and Huntertown, passed away at 10:00 p. m. on Wednesday, August 4, 2010, at Northridge Village Nursing Home in Albion, where he had been a patient for the past two weeks.

Mr. Cook was born in Fort Wayne on January 25, 1935, a son of Bernard and Hope (Kuzeff) Cook, and spent his formative years there.  As a young man he served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, and was married in Angola on July 20, 1953 to Shirley Spangle.

He was employed for 28 years at International Harvester in Fort Wayne, and later worked as a self-employed contractor.  In his leisure time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, race car driving, and woodworking.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years  Shirley; his children William (Renee) Cook, Jr. of Angola, Lisa (Robert) Hostetter of Rome City, Mark (Reesa) Cook of Fort Wayne, Scott Cook of Albion, and Dwayne Kazmierczak of Granger; a brother Gary (Diana) Cook of Auburn; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Nancy Pelz.

At the request of the family there will be no services or calling hours.  Memorials may be directed to Indiana University Medical Center, 550 N. University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202

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

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

Al L. Knapp, 71, well-known Churubusco businessman and a resident of rural Columbia City, passed away unexpectedly at 4:17 a. m. on Monday, August 2, 2010, at the family residence in Smith Township from the results of an apparent heart attack.

Mr. Knapp was born in Bryan, Ohio on June 3, 1939, a son of Alva and Leila (Ginter) Knapp, and as a youth moved with his family to New Haven.

On August 30, 1958 he was married in Bryan, Ohio to Carol Sue Joseph.  The couple lived in Bryan, Ohio for a period before moving to Churubusco in 1961.  They had lived at their current home in rural Smith Township since 1967.

Mr. Knapp operated Al’s Barber Shop in Churubusco for 12 years, and was well-known as the owner and operator of Al’s 33 Club in Churubusco for 33 years, retiring in 2006.  In addition to his work, he enjoyed raising horses and horse racing.

The surviving relatives include his wife Carol, to whom he was married for nearly 52 years; his children Lori (Stan) Cremeens, Brad (Koreen) Knapp, and Jennifer (Harry) Jordan, all of Churubusco, and Sue (Todd) Tonkel of Fort Wayne; and  two sisters Carlyne (Dan) Krauter of New Haven and Delila (Larry) Woodruff of Greenfield.  There are eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a. m. on Thursday, August  5, 2010, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Alan Meneely, minister of Southwest Church of Christ, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p. m.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Riley Hospital For Children, 702 Barnhill Dr., Indianapolis, IN  46202

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