Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Magdalene W. Brandt, 87, a former resident of Walkerton and South Bend, and widow of Carl Brandt, Sr., passed away at 6:45 a. m. on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville following an extended illness.

Mrs. Brandt was born in Clay City on March 14, 1924, a daughter of Charles and Hester (Kendall) Staley, and was married in Bowling Green on June 15, 1940 to Carl Brandt, Sr.   She lived most of her life in South Bend and Walkerton, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Walkerton.  In addition, she was three times past worthy matron of Lakeville Order of the Eastern Star, and was a former Rainbow Mother.

Mr. Brandt preceded her in death on July 25, 2003.

The surviving relatives include two daughters Sherian (Joe) Young of Churubusco and Robin Williams of South Bend; two sons Thoral (Sandra) Brandt of Terre Haute and Marvin (Charlene) Brandt of Mill Springs, Missouri; a brother Donald Staley of Huntington; 14 grandchildren, and several great and great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son Carl Brandt, Jr; and by four brothers Rex Staley, Manford Staley, Chester Staley, and Paul Staley.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a. m. on Saturday, April 2, 2011, at Wallen Baptist Church, 1001 W. Wallen Road in Fort Wayne, with Pastor Jim Glover, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church after 10:30 a. m. on Saturday until the time of the service.

Interment will be in the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola.

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

The family requests that memorials be directed to Parkview Home Health & Hospice, 2270 Lake Ave., suite 200, Fort Wayne, IN  46805

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

Joseph M. Fulk, 91, a former resident of Churubusco, passed away at 7:30 a. m. on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at the home of his son in New Haven following a lengthy illness.

Mr. Fulk was born on May 11, 1919 in Mattoon, Illinois, the son of Joseph William and Lilly Leota (Johnson) Fulk, and spent his formative years there.

As a young man he served in the Adrennes, the Rhineland, and in Central Europe with the U. S. Army during World War II.  During his time in the military he received several medals including the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, an overseas bar, and was awarded three of the prestigious Bronze Stars for his bravery.

He had served as the town marshal for the Town of Churubusco for several years, and retired as a machine operator at Wayne Pump in 1984.  He was a member of the Columbia City American Legion Post and the Churubusco Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Turtle Post 3846.

On May 23, 1936 he was married to Genevieve Louise Thompson.  She preceded him in death on December 2, 1992.  Following her death he lived with a companion Maggie Briggs, a long-time family friend.  She too preceded him in death.

The surviving relatives include his children Marleen (companion Richard Green) Green of Churubusco,  Judy (Jim) Helfrich of Columbia City, and David M. (Carolyn) Fulk of New Haven, with whom he made his home; a sister Violet Louise Heath of Trilla, Ill; 16 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister Juanita Thompson; and by two grandsons.

Military graveside services will be held at 1 p. m. on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.  Rev. Edward A. Thompson, pastor of Good News Baptist Church, will officiate.   Interment will follow.

At the request of the family there will be no calling hours.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, IN  46804

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

Thelma J. Leitch, 101, a resident of Churubusco and widow of long-time Churubusco businessman Daniel Devoyd Leitch, passed away at 8:45 p. m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at her home following a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Leitch was born in Avilla on July 4, 1909, a daughter of Thomas and Ethel (Owen) Cramer, and spent her formative years in that area.  On November 14, 1924 she was married to Daniel Devoyd Leitch, and spent all of her adult life in Churubusco.

She assisted her husband in the operation of the former Leitch’s Grocery in Churubusco for 43 years, and also worked at the former Bang’s Dime Store for a period.  She was a member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church.

Mr. Leitch preceded her in death on February 14, 1989.

The surviving relatives include her devoted daughter Betty (David L.) Bonar of Churubusco; a daughter-in-law Beatrice J. Leitch of Churubusco; five grandchildren Gary (Gisele) Bonar of Churubusco, Mark (Teresa) Bonar of Albion, and Carol (Rex) Carter, Jeffrey Bonar, and Scott Leitch, all of Churubusco; 12 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons Jackie Lee Leitch on September 17, 1931 and Max E. “Skip” Leitch on September 21, 2003; her brothers Orlo Cramer and Wilbur Cramer; and a sister Hilda Glass.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. on Sunday, March 27, 2011, 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 Saturday from 2 to 6 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Riverview Cemetery, south of Churubusco.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Churubusco United Methodist Church or Parkview Home Health & Hospice.

To leave an online condolence for the family in Mrs. Leitch’s memory, log on to www.sheetsandchilds.net

Deloris M. Gaff, 85, a resident of rural Churubusco and widow of Herman L. Gaff, passed away at 12:46 p. m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at Lutheran Hospital after suffering from apparent congestive heart failure.  She had been hospitalized since Friday.

Mrs. Gaff was born on September 6, 1925 in Kosciusko County, a daughter of Charles and Flossie Ellen (Johnson) Leiter.  She spent her formative years on the family farm near Sidney, and graduated from Sidney High School in 1943.

On May 18, 1946 she was married in North Manchester to Herman L. Gaff.  The couple lived in North Webster for four years, and moved to the Churubusco-area in 1965.

Deloris was known as a hard working individual who never seemed to stop.  She had worked at the Magic Wand Restaurant in Churubusco, served as an attendant at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco, and also worked as a cashier at the Mor For Less Grocery in Churubusco for several years.  In addition, she had also served as a volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne for many years.  She was a member of Christ Community Church in Churubusco, and most importantly loved and cherished her family.

Mr. Gaff preceded her in death on February 10, 1984.

The surviving relatives include her beloved daughters Sue (Ernie) Pyle of Churubusco and JoDee (Leonard) Jaurigue of Fort Wayne; a brother Max (Doris) Leiter of Sidney; a sister Irene Barnes of Warsaw; ten grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers Raymond Leiter and Eugene Leiter.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Saturday, March 26, 2011, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Rick Van Horn, pastor of Christ Community Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 2 to 8 p. m.

Interment will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Christ Community Church.

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

Nora Jane Bair, 90, a former resident of Green Township in Noble County, passed away at 4:30 p. m. on Thursday, March 17, 2011, at North Ridge Village Nursing Home in Albion following an extended illness.

Ms. Bair was born on February 8, 1921 in Noble County, a daughter of Ebony E. and Ada (Haney) Bair. A 1939 graduate of Churubusco High School, she graduated from business college in Fort Wayne, and spent all of her life on the family farm in Green Township.

As a young woman she was employed at General Electric in Fort Wayne, and retired after over 30 years from the offices of Albion Production Credit Association.  A member of the Merriam Christian Chapel, she had served as the treasurer of its missions board and was also the coordinator for church funeral dinners.  An accomplished seamstress, she had made gowns for many weddings and events over the years, and made the first drapes for the baptistery of her church.

Because of her sewing abilities, she served as a judge for the 4-H dress revue for many years, and had also volunteered in the office at the Noble County 4-H Fair.  She enjoyed watching sporting events, and especially enjoyed watching her nieces and nephews in athletic competitions.

The surviving relatives include her sister Mary Lois Edwards of Albion; a sister-in-law Anita Bair of Churubusco; 16 nieces and nephews; and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister Pauline Delanoy; and by three brothers Ralph L. Bair, Paul Bair, Sr., and Lynn I. Bair.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Monday, March 21, 2011, at the Merriam Christian Chapel, with Pastor Terry L. Zolman, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Sunday from 2 to 5 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service Monday morning.

Interment will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Merriam Christian Chapel Missions Fund; or to Shriner’s Hospital For Children.

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To leave an online condolence for the family in Ms. Bair’s memory, log on to www.sheetsandchilds.net