Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Donald E. Gumm, 75, a resident of Shriner Lake near Columbia City and a former resident of Churubusco, passed away on Friday, August 5, 2011.

Mr. Gumm was born in Salem, Indiana on April 12, 1936, a son of Bleve J. and Katherine (Seals) Gumm.  On April 8, 1955 he was married in Hamilton, Ohio to Shirley J. Kent.  The couple had spent most of their married lives in this area, and moved from Churubusco to their present lake home in 1996.

He retired from Food Marketing in Fort Wayne after over 30 years of service.  He was a member and past master of Churubusco Lodge 515 F&AM, Scottish Rite, Valley of Fort Wayne, Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne, Whitley County Shrine Club, Columbia City Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Loyal Order of Moose in Warsaw.

Following his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed wintering in Nokomis, Florida, and in his leisure time he enjoyed fishing and landscaping.  Above all else, he loved and cherished his family.

Mrs. Gumm preceded him in death one month ago on July 5, 2011.

The surviving relatives include his daughter Donna ReNa Vanderkolk of Fort Wayne; two grandsons Tim (Ania) Vanderkolk of Fort Mill, S. C., and Kevin (Colleen) Vanderkolk of Oconomowoc, Wisc; four great-grandchildren, and expecting a fifth; two brothers James (Bev) Gumm of Woodburn and John (Vicki) Gumm of Hamilton, Ohio; five sisters Delia Nix of Atwood, Kathleen Schlabach of Penellas Park, Fla., Christine Weade of Ligonier, Geraldine Halsey of Fort Wayne, and Virginia (Raymond Shoda) Baker of Perrysburg, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers Thurman Gumm and Harrison Gumm.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Gene Rohrer, pastor of Oak Grove United Methodist Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 8 p. m. on Monday at the mortuary.  Churubusco Lodge 515 F&AM will conduct memorial services at 8 p. m. Monday at the mortuary.

Interment will be in the Highland Park Cemetery, Fort Wayne.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Mizpah Shrine Transportation Fund, 407 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne, IN  46802.

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

Marjorie E. Bennett, 84, a former resident of Collins and more recently of rural Cromwell, passed away at 8:01 a. m. on Thursday, August 4, 2011, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Syracuse.  She had been a patient there for the past three months.

Mrs. Bennett was born in Eel River Township in Allen County on September 10, 1926, a daughter of Bert and Loudema (Shock) Ferguson.  She spent her early years in the Churubusco-area, and  graduated from Churubusco High School in 1944.

On January 30, 1945 she was married in Whitley County to Garland E. Bennett, and lived most of her adult life in Collins.  Mr. Bennett preceded her in death on November 19, 2005, and following his death, she moved to rural Cromwell to live with her daughter.

A homemaker, in her leisure time she enjoyed crocheting, knitting, traveling, and also enjoyed blue grass and country music.

Surviving is a daughter Grace (Phil) Sherman of Cromwell, with whom she made her home; three sons Max (Laura) Bennett of Big Lake, Michael (Melissa) Bennett of Wolf Lake, and Gary (Debbie) Bennett of Peru; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by ten brothers and sisters; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. on Monday, August 8, 2011, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. George Cecil, pastor of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 to 6 p. m.

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

Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.

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

Toni J. Wood, 30, passed away at 3:20 a.m. on August 2, 2011 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, after a lifelong  illness.

Ms. Wood was born in Fort Wayne on November 18, 1980, a daughter of Ronald D. Wood and Judith (Minton) Wheeler. She spent her life in Fort Wayne.

She enjoyed her family and singing

Surviving relatives include her parents Ronald Wood of Angola and Judith (Minton) Wheeler of Fort Wayne; two children Savannah and Nova Wood both at home; a grandmother Marie Brenner of Sebring, Fla.; four brothers James Lupke of Fort Wayne, Jeff Lupke of Syracuse, Andrew Wood of Butler, and Denver Wood of Butler; four sisters Bobbi (Joseph) Rouse of Fort Wayne, Samantha Wood of Auburn, Tabitha (Michael) Scherer of Perryville, Mo., and Tammy (Matt) Alvord of Auburn; and  several nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by a daughter Angel Jones.

The funeral service will be held Friday August 5, 2011 at 10 a.m. at 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 Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Interment will be in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne.

Memorial may be directed to the family.

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