Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Dee Duncan, 54, a resident of rural Churubusco and wife of widely acquainted Churubusco businessman Dale E. Duncan, passed away at 12:15 a. m. on Thursday, April 21, 2011, at the family residence in Smith Township following an illness  over three years. 

Mrs. Duncan was born in Dallas, Texas on April 30, 1956, a daughter of David E. and Barbara A. (Smith) Leonard.  As a girl she moved with her family to Boulder, Colorado where she graduated from Boulder High School in 1974.  Following her graduation she spent time along with her parents as a missionary to Honduras and Costa Rica, where she became fluent in Spanish. 

On January 28, 1984 she was married in Camp Wood, Texas to Dale E. Duncan of Churubusco, and lived all of her married life in Churubusco.  Along with her husband, she was part owner of both the Eel River Golf Course in Churubusco and U. S. Automation in Huntertown. 

A member of the County Line Church of God near Auburn, she sang in its church choir, and was a naturally gifted vocalist.  A lifelong student of scripture, she enjoyed opening her home for Bible Studies and other special functions for family and friends.  Known for her flair in decorating and total efficiency, and always having a special love for children, she had been a personal counselor and confidant to countless friends over the years.  During her illness of over three years Dee was an inspiration to all who knew her, never failing to praise her God in all things. 

The surviving relatives include her husband Dale; a son Andrew Duncan, a senior at Calvin College; a daughter Anna Duncan of Churubusco; her parents David E. and Barbara Leonard of Mesquite, Texas; one sister Cyndi (Paul) Demaree of Fort Wayne; one brother Terry Leonard of Amity, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, in the County Line Church of God, 7716 N. County Line Road, East, Auburn.  Pastor Stuart Kruse will officiate.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Sunday from 6 to 8 p. m., on Monday 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 County Line Church of God Missions Fund, 7716 N. County Line Rd., East, Auburn, IN  46706; or to Churubusco Youth For Christ, 2825 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne, IN  46808.

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Michael Scott “Mike” Campbell, 47, a resident of Fort Wayne, passed away at 3:04 a. m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne following an extended illness.

Mr. Campbell was born in Fort Wayne on December 10, 1963, a son of Robert M. and Janet L. (Redden) Campbell, and was a lifelong resident of Allen County.  In his leisure time he enjoyed working on cars, and loved animals.

The surviving relatives include his mother and step-father Janet and Raymond Gleason, Sr. of Wolf Lake; his three brothers David Campbell of Dayton, Ohio, Paul (Leah) Campbell of Dallas, Texas, and Chris Campbell of Woodburn; and many other relatives including two nephews Cayden Campbell and Gavin Campbell.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Friday, April 22, 2011, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Pastor James Haugen, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home after 10 a. m. on Friday until the time of the service.

Interment will be in the Wolf Lake Cemetery.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Parkview Home Health & Hospice, 2270 Lake Avenue, suite 200, Fort Wayne, IN  46805

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Donald J. “Tod” Pressler, 81, a resident of Churubusco, passed away unexpectedly at 10:05 a. m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at the family residence from the results of an apparent heart attack.

Mr. Pressler was born on July 8, 1929 in Thorncreek Township in Whitley County, a son of Riley and Lola (Gause) Pressler.  He spent his formative years on the family farm north of Collins, and served with the U. S. Army during World War II.  A year after completing his military duty he was married on July 16, 1949 in Merriam to Dorcas Pippenger, and had lived in the Churubusco-area all of his adult life.

Employed at International Harvester in Fort Wayne for over 30 years, he retired from there in 1981.  He was a member of the Churubusco Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Turtle Post 3846.

During his retirement years, he and his wife enjoyed wintering for several years in Ruskin, Florida.  In his leisure time he enjoyed reading, fishing, watching television, and most especially loved and cherished his family.

The surviving relatives include his wife Dorcas to whom he was married for over 61 years; a daughter Diana (Bill Swinehart) Liechty of Churubusco; his sister Mary Jane Pressler of Columbia City; three grandchildren David (Janelle) Liechty of Auburn, Lori (Jacob) Black of Fort Wayne, and Kristina (Greg) Zelt of Leo; and six great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Douglas Tod Pressler on April 30, 1977; and by three brothers Alan Pressler, Mike Pressler, and Gene Pressler.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. on Sunday, April 17, 2011, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Robert C. Siegrist, pastor of Believer’s Bible Fellowship, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary from 2 to 8 p. m. on Saturday, or one hour prior to the service Sunday afternoon.

Interment with military graveside rites will be in the Blue River Cemetery, Whitley County.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Believer’s Bible Fellowship, 316 N. Main Street, Churubusco, IN  46723; or to the donor’s choice.

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Terry R. Miller, 53, a resident of Churubusco, passed away unexpectedly at 4:52 a. m. on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Mr. Miller was born in Fort Wayne on May 7, 1957. He was a graduate of Carroll High School in 1975, and he then earned an Associate’s degree from Ivy Tech in engineering. He served in the Navy for four years earning the rank of yeoman. He was employed at Magnavox in Fort Wayne for several years, and also worked at Thompson Whitley County Motor Sales in Columbia City. He belonged to the Norris Networking group, was an independent distributor of MonaVie and Wowgreen, and spent the past year as a truck driver for Brother’s Express Trucking Company.

He was a member and former deacon of Faith United Church of Christ in Fort Wayne and the Churubusco American Legion Post 157. He also had served on the Churubusco Turtle Days Board. In his leisure time he enjoyed golf, bowling, hockey, and being a helpful neighbor.

The surviving relatives include his mother Maurene Miller of Fort Mill, South Carolina; biological father Jimmy Spangle, Fort Wayne; a step – son Shane (Heather) Silver of LaOtto; a brother Robert Miller of Lake Wylie, South Carolina; three sisters Laurie (Bruce) Chandley of Weaverville, North Carolina, Lynette (Chris) Mitchell of Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Mendi Funk of Fort Wayne; a biological brother Gary Harp of Indianapolis; four half – sisters Alisa Wiedleman of Fort Wayne, Tami Hiter of Fort Wayne, Kerry Vanderford, and Kelly Vanderford; a step – granddaughter; a niece and three nephews.

Mr. Miller was preceded in death by his father Robert E. Miller and biological mother Charlene Kois

A memorial service will be held at Faith United Church of Christ 10707 Coldwater Rd., Fort Wayne on Saturday April 16, 2011 at 2:00 p. m.  Rev. Clare Walter will officiate.

Family will receive friends at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers for those who wish, memorials may be directed to Faith United Church of Christ or Churubusco Turtle Days.

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Betty M. Pence, 88, a resident of rural Churubusco and widow of Roger L. Pence, passed away at 12:04 p. m. on Sunday, April 3, 2011, at the Provena Sacred Heart Home in Avilla following a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Pence was born in Huntertown on November 9, 1922, a daughter of Hugh and Geneva Ruth (Lochner) Drake.  She spent most of her formative years in Waterloo, and after moving to St. Joe with her parents, graduated from St. Joe High School.  A 1946 graduate of the Indiana University School of Nursing, she was employed as a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital, and later worked as the company nurse for the S. S. Kresge Company in Fort Wayne.

On May 23, 1951 she was united in marriage in Fort Wayne to Roger L. Pence.  The couple lived all of their married lives on the family farm in Smith Township where she was a homemaker and assisted her husband on their farm.  She had served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross blood bank for many years, and had also been a representative for Shaklee.  In addition, she was a member of the Smith Township Homemakers.

Mr. Pence preceded her in death on June 3, 2002.

The surviving relatives include her daughter Debra (Ron) Rohrer of Churubusco; her son Jim Pence of Churubusco; a sister Leona Wysong of Wawaka; and two grandchildren Joseph Pence and Sara Pence.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother Frank Drake; and by a sister Bernice Strong.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. on Friday, April 8, 2009, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Corinne K. Boruff, pastor of Churubusco United Methodist Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p. m. on Thursday at the mortuary.

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

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the American Red Cross, 1212 E. California Road, Fort Wayne, IN  46825

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