Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Ilene E. Baker, 97, a resident of rural Churubusco and widow of James A. “Mike” Baker, passed away peacefully at 11:05 a. m. on Monday, October 18, 2010, at her home in Smith Township following an extended illness.

Mrs. Baker was born on December 25, 1912 in Smith Township, a daughter of James W. and Ollie (Yates) McGuire.  She spent her formative years in the Churubusco-area, and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1930.

On July 2, 1932 she was married to James A. “Mike” Baker, and lived all of her adult life in Churubusco.  She was first employed for over 20 years at Blue Bell in Columbia City,  later worked as a nurses aid at Lutheran Hospital for two years, and finally worked at Marty-J Restaurant [now the Ramble Inn] in Churubusco.

An active member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church, she was a member of its UMW Charity and Grace Circles, and taught primary Sunday School for many years.  She had done a variety of volunteer work for her church over the years, and was named its “Woman of the Year” in 1996.  In addition to her family and church activities, she had been a member of the Pythian Sisters Temple and the Rebekah Lodge when these organizations were in Churubusco.

Mr. Baker preceded her in death on August 9, 1983.

The surviving relatives include her son  William D. “Bill” Baker of Churubusco; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and 14 nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter Kay Ann Gordon on June 8, 2001; by a brother Virgil McGuire; and by four sisters Alta Hull, Gertrude Eby, Lola Mohney, and Mildred Parisot.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Thursday, October 21, 2010, at 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 Wednesday from 2 to 8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service.

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

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Churubusco United Methodist Church Soup Ministry, 750 N. Main St., Churubusco, IN  46723; or to Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice, 1315 Directors Row, #210, Fort Wayne, IN   46808.

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

Jeffery L. Morris, 53, a resident of rural Churubusco, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 17, 2010, at his home.

Mr. Morris was born in Columbia City on September 25, 1957, the oldest son of Ronald E. and Marna (Smolek) Morris.  He was a lifelong resident of the Churubusco community, and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1976.

For the past 12 years he had been employed at Wal Mart on Coldwater Road in Fort Wayne.

The surviving relatives include his parents Ron and Marna Morris of Churubusco; two brothers Phillip (Lisa) Morris of Greenfield and Brent (Emelia) Morris of Albion; his maternal grandmother Gladys Cleland of North Manchester; an aunt and uncle Larry and Sue Morris of Warsaw; a niece Jessica Morris; and a nephew Jacob Morris.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p. m.

Private family services will be held at the mortuary with Rev. Corinne K. Boruff, pastor of Churubusco United Methodist Church, officiating.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of Whitley County, P. O. Box 245, Columbia City, IN  46725

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

Martha “Mrs. Cecil” Land, 88, a resident of Fort Wayne and a native of Noble County, passed away at 11:22 p. m. on Wednesday, October 13, 2010, at Lutheran Hospital following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Mrs. Land was born in Merriam on November 5, 1921, a daughter of Nicholas and Etta May (Addis) Herron.  She spent her formative years in Noble Township, and graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1940.

She was previously employed as a billing clerk at Indiana & Michigan Electric in Fort Wayne for 11 years, and had also worked for several years at Peerless Cleaners in Fort Wayne.  On May 6, 1961 she was united in marriage to Cecil M. Land, and had been a homemaker since that time.  The family had lived in Plant City, Florida for 25 years before returning to Fort Wayne in 1989.

A 50-year member of Waynedale Order of the Eastern Star 600, she was a dog lover, enjoyed NASCAR, and always helped those in need.  In recent years she attended Sarah Care and A Day Away Adult Day Care, where she enjoyed sing-alongs.

Mr. Land preceded her in death on October 18, 1991.

The surviving relatives include her devoted daughter Golda “Goldie” Land of Fort Wayne; her beloved pets Rusty and Frosty; a sister Mary Jane Paulus of Columbia City; a sister-in-law Viva Herron Cook of Montpelier, Ohio; a brother-in-law Russell Utley of Goshen; special friends Liz Batten, and Larry and Teresa Zent and extended families; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Saturday, October 16, 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 mortuary one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to A Day Away, 1701 Freeman St., Fort Wayne, IN  46802; or to the family.

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Gerald G. “Bud” Shank, 73, a resident of rural Huntertown, passed away at 5:35 p. m. on Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Shank was born in Auburn on July 23, 1937, a son of Glenn A. and Velma L. (Tooman) Shank, and spent his formative years in the Huntertown-area.  He graduated from Huntertown High School in 1955, and as a young man served with the Air National Guard.

On August 4, 1956 he was united in marriage in Huntertown to Sally L. Stonestreet, and lived all of his adult life near Huntertown.

He had been employed as an inspector at Dana Corporation in Fort Wayne for 33 years, retiring from there in 1989, and had also been engaged in farming in both Eel River and Perry Townships all of his life.

He was a member of the Huntertown United Methodist Church and the Allen County Farm Bureau.

The surviving relatives include his wife Sally, to whom he was married for over 54 years; five children Lenny G. (Linda) Shank and Kerry J. (Colleen) Shank, both of Huntertown, Karyn (Mike) Wolfe of Fort Wayne, and Linda Faylor and Kevin (Dawn) Shank, both of Huntertown; a sister Virginia Harrod of Huntertown; a sister-in-law Dianna Shank of Huntertown; and a brother-in-law Edward Ryan of Huntertown.  There are 13 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Anthony Gerald Shank on November 22, 1957; by a brother Robert Shank;  a sister Jean Ryan; and a brother-in-law Roger Harrod.

Funeral services will be held at at 9:30 a. m. on Saturday, October 16, 2010, at the Huntertown United Methodist Church, 16021 Lima Road, with Pastor Greg Hiatt, officiating.

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

Interment will be in the family plot at Huntertown Cemetery.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Huntertown Untied Methodist Church, 16021 Lima Rd., Huntertown, IN  46748; or Parkview Home Health & Hospice, 2270 Lake Ave., suite 200, Fort Wayne, IN  46805

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William H. Davis, 74, a resident of Garrett and formerly of Avilla, passed away at 10:42 a. m. on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.  He had been in failing health for the past month.

Mr. Davis was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 22, 1936, a son of Henry William and Izola (Clark) Davis.

A U. S. Navy veteran, he was discharged in 1963.   A former resident of Richmond, he had owned and operated Davis Transmission there, and had continued the business for several years after moving to Pennington Gap, Virginia.    He had lived in Avilla before moving to his present home in Garrett seven years ago.

The surviving relatives include his partner Barbara J. Kapelka of Garrett; seven children Terri (Salvador) Calderon and Kim (Phil) White, both of Richmond, Jackie (Rick Stroupe) Gullett and Dan (Becky) Davis, both of Pennington Gap, Virg., Theresa (Jeff) Ford of Grove City, Ohio,  Pam (Carlos) Tovar of California, and Jeff Davis of Lewisburg, OH; three step-children Ronnie (Gloria) Davis of Pennington Gap, VA., and Randy (Sherry) Davis and Libby Davis, both of Richmond; and a brother Ted (Marilyn) Davis of Bunkerville, NV.  There are 27 grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Randall Davis in 1961, and by a sister Joan Bittner.

At the request of the family, there will be no calling hour or services.

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

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