Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Marilyn E. Frazier, age 73, a resident of Churubusco in Allen County died Wednesday night December 29, 2010 in the Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne. She had only been ill for a very short time.

Marilyn was born December 2, 1937 in rural Churubusco Allen County, Indiana a daughter of the late Wilbur and Evelyn (DeWitt) Eytcheson. She was a graduate of Huntertown High School with the class of 1956, and was united in marriage on November 15, 1957 to Kenneth L. Frazier. He survives. Marilyn worked at Rogers Grocery and Scott Foods for 40 years as a meat wrapper in their Kendallville store. She loved to work, take care of her home, see her grandchildren, Tennessee and do crossword puzzles.

Her survivors include her husband of 53 years; Kenneth, their daughters, Melody (William) Gingery of Powell, Tennessee and Monica Frazier of Wichita, Kansas,  a sister Doris Jones of Columbia City, Indiana; 3 grandchildren, her cat Fluffy, several nieces, nephew and great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday January 5, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the Sheets and Childs Funeral Home of Churubusco. Indiana with Pastor Larry Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Eel River Cemetery in rural Allen County. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. in the funeral home. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice home. Envelopes will be available in the funeral home.

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Jacqueline S. (Days) Smith, age 75, a longtime resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana died peacefully at her daughters residence Tuesday December 28, 2010 following and extended illness. She was surrounded by her loving family and pet “Penny”.

Jacqueline was born April 22, 1935 in Ashley, Indiana a daughter of the late Edson and Mable (Greer) Days, and graduated from Ashley High School with the class of 1953. She was a homemaker.

Her survivors include her children, Deborah (Benjie) Steward of Fort Wayne, Sheryl (Kevin) Schieferstein of Churubusco, Randy (Joyce) Smith of Fort Wayne, Colene Smith of Columbia City, and Donna (Tom) Baker of Roswell, Georgia. Also surviving are her sister Sally (Doug) Cheek of Auburn, and 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and 9 brothers and sisters.

Services will be held on Monday January 3, 2011 at 5:00 P.M. in the Sheets and Childs Funeral Home with Ms. Pamela Babcock offering words of comfort. The family will recieve friends in the funeral home on Monday from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M.

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

Dr. Donald E. Welsh, 81, a prominent Churubusco veterinarian and community leader, passed away on December27, 2010 at his residence with his family by his side. He had been diagnosed with cancer on September 2, 2010.

Dr. Welsh was born in Zanesville, Ohio on August 7, 1929, a son of Stanley and Doris (Vandenbark) Welsh, and graduated from high school there. He had earned an associates degree from Michigan State University, and was engaged in farming until the age of 29 when he entered Ohio State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a doctorate in veterinary medicine.

Upon completing his education he worked for one year in Lynn, Indiana before moving to Churubusco and taking over the practice of former Churubusco veterinarian Dr. Bradley in 1963. His career as a veterinarian spanned a period of over 43 years, and he was the owner and operator of Churubusco Veterinary Hospital for 42 years, retiring in 2005. Following his retirement, he continued to work part time at the clinic now operated by his former associate, Dr. Neil Hanni.

In addition to his veterinary practice, his life was marked by memberships and activities in a variety of civic and fraternal  organizations. He was a member of Churubusco United Methodist Church, where he had served in a variety of administrative capacities. He was also past master of Churubusco Masonic Lodge # 515 F&AM, and was a member of Churubusco Order of the Eastern Star # 136, Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne, Whitley County Shrine Club, and Scottish Rite, Valley of Fort Wayne. For several years he served on the executive board of the Humane Society of Whitley County and the Churubusco Chamber of Commerce, and was named Churubusco Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year” in 1999. He was a member of the Churubusco Rotary. He enjoyed playing golf, and riding his bike. He rode several years in the Hilly Hundred bicycle ride.

On March 14, 1992, he was married in Churubusco to Darlene (Polick). She survives. Since 1997 the couple have owned an Airstream trailer, and they have been very active in the Wally Byam Caravan Club International. They traveled  to Vermont, Oregon, North Dakota to Florida, and many other states for international rallies and vacationed in the winter for a few months around the Gulf Shores, Al. area.

Other surviving relatives include two sons, Brian (Tracy) Welsh of Greenwood, and Ronald (Donna) Welsh of Mooresville, NC; three step children, Cynthia (Tom) Ritter of Oregon, Oh. Kenneth Polick of Riverview, Fl., and Roger (Wynelle) Ulrich of Vacaville, Ca. a sister, Marie (Russ) Bolin of Zanesville, Oh. his brother Robert Welsh of Mt. Pleasant, Mi; seven grandchildren; Audree (Chad) Ousley, Diana Welsh, Megan Welsh, Matt Welsh, Morgan Welsh, Delaney Welsh, and Greyson Welsh; eight step-grandchildren; Christie Slaman, Brian Slaman, Elysia Ulrich, Zachary Ulrich, Allison Ulrich, Andrea Polick, Becca Polick, and Ben Polick. Also nieces Trudy Matz, Pam Derry, Deborah Welsh, and Kellie Froelicher.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son George on June 26, 2009.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday December 31, 2010 in the Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 N. Main Street with Pastor Corinne K. Boruff officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday at the Churubusco United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Riverview Cemetery, South of Churubusco. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Churubusco United Methodist Church, or the Whitley County Humane Society,

The Sheets and Childs Funeral Home of Churubusco are entrusted with the services.

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Sharon M. Minton, age 64, a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana died early Sunday morning December 26, 2010 in her residence following a brief illness.  She was the wife of Ronald G. “Ike” Minton.

Sharon was born on October 26, 1946 in Fort Wayne a daughter of the late Harold and Grace (Wells) Pranger. As a young girl she graduated from Huntertown High School in  1965 and was united in marriage to Ronald G. “Ike” Minton on August 14, 1965. She worked at Lincoln Life for 25 years, was a member of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, St. Vincent’s Eucharist Ministry, the Rosary Sodality, and Lincs at Lincoln Life. Her hobbies included  traveling,  being a caregiver, close relationships with family and friends.

Her survivors include her husband Ike, a sister Vivian A. “Sis” Pranger of Idyllwild, California, and nieces, nephews, 2 aunts, and a host of cousins.   She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Christopher A. Minton on October 26, 2007, and a brother Walter “Butch” Pranger.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday December 30, 2010 at 10:30 am in the St. Vincent’s Catholic Church 1502 E. Wallen Rd. in Fort Wayne with Father Andrew Budzinski officiating. The family will receive friends in the Sheets and Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Wednesday from 2:00 until 8:00 P.M.where a Vigil service will be held at 7:30 PM. There will be one hour of calling at the church prior to the mass. Burial will follow in the Huntertown Cemetery.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to; American Cancer Society, or the Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice.

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

Denise M. Craig, 53, a resident of rural Churubusco and wife of Gary E. Craig, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne where she had been a patient for the past three months.

Mrs. Craig was born on April 12, 1957 in Wolf Lake, a daughter of Ross and Evelyn (Budd) Clouse.  She was a lifelong resident of the Churubusco-area, and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1975.  On June 12, 1976 she was married in Merriam to Gary E. Craig, and had lived at her present home in Smith Township since 1984.

As a young woman she had been employed with Whitley County REMC, and had been a homemaker most of her adult life.  She was deeply devoted to her family, and provided a warm and loving home atmosphere.  She enjoyed cooking, crafts, and gardening.  Most important to her was her relationship with the Lord, and she was a member of the Merriam Christian Chapel.

The surviving relatives include her husband Gary; four children Amy (Joe) McLaughlin of Columbia City, Michelle (Matt) Whan of Fort Wayne, Deanna (David) Thompson of Columbia City, and Nathan Craig, a freshman at Grace College; her parents Ross and Evelyn Clouse of Churubusco; her brother Rev. Larry (Josefina) Clouse of Milford, New Hampshire; two sisters Charlene (Mike) Zeigler and Earlene Klein, both of Churubusco; and her three precious grandchildren Marisa McLaughlin, Alayna McLaughlin, and Kylee Whan.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at the Merriam Christian Chapel with Pastor Terry L. Zolman, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday morning after 10 a. m. until the time of the service.

Interment will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Gideon’s International or to the Merriam Christian Chapel Mission Fund.

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