Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Robert E. Haynes, 75, a resident of Churubusco, passed away at 2:20 a. m. on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.  He had suffered an apparent brain hemorrhage on Thursday.

Mr. Haynes was born on June 26, 1935 in Garrett, a son of Morris and Cleatus (Thompson) Haynes, and as a young man served with the U. S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.   On August 27, 1962 he was married in Garrett to Jean Zimmerman.  The couple lived in Fort Wayne for a period, and moved to the Churubusco-area 34 years ago.

Employed as a drywall finisher and painter for most of his adult life, he retired from Tri-State Decorating in Fort Wayne in 1997.  Following his retirement he was employed by the Albion New Era and the Churubusco News.

He was a member and past master of Churubusco Lodge 515 F&AM, was commander of Churubusco Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Turtle Post 3846, and was a member of the Gilbert Davis American Legion Post 157 in Churubusco.

The surviving relatives include his wife Jean; his daughter Kimberly (Marc) Pape of Fort Wayne; two grandchildren Zachary Pape and Krista (Steven) Sanavongsay; and a great-grandson Alec.  His parents preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Kevin Wendt, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary from 3 to 8 p. m. on Tuesday, or one hour prior to the service Wednesday morning.

Interment with military graveside rites will be in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.

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

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

Robert J. Sloffer, 88, a resident of Churubusco and widely acquainted Churubusco businessman and community leader, passed away at 3:30 p. m. on Friday, April 29, 2011 at the family residence following an extended illness.

Mr. Sloffer was born in Huntertown on June 7, 1922, a son of Milo and Bertha (Dunten) Sloffer, and spent his formative years in that area.  He graduated from Huntertown High School in 1940 and as a young man served with the U. S. Army during World War II.

On April 4, 1942 he was married to Doris M. Gordon, and along with his father-in-law, the late Walter Gordon, was co-owner of Gordon & Sloffer, Inc. in Churubusco for 41 years, retiring in 1986.

In addition to his business concerns, his life was marked by memberships and active participation in a variety of civic and fraternal organizations.  He was a member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church; and was a 50 year member of Churubusco Lodge 515 F&AM, Scottish Rite, Valley of Fort Wayne, and the Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne.  In addition, he was a member of the Gilbert Davis American Legion Post 157 in Churubusco, Churubusco Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Turtle Post 3846, and was a charter member of the Churubusco Lions Club.

The surviving relatives include his wife Doris, to whom he was married for 69 years; his son Robert J. (Sandy) Sloffer, Jr. of Churubusco; three daughters Diane (Bruce) Fletter of Grand Rapids, Mich., Karlin (Terry) Shively of Whitehouse, Oh., and Jan Patnella of Holiday, Fla; a sister Hilda Shively of Churubusco; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother John Sloffer; and by three sisters Marie Bosler, Helen Stonestreet, and Marcella Hoyer.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Tuesday, May 3, 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 Monday 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.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Shriner’s Hospital For Children, 2211 North Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60707

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