Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Lawrence A. Croy, 90, a resident of Churubusco and formerly of LaOtto, passed away at 8:56 p. m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.  He had been in declining health, and was taken to the hospital from his home on Thursday evening.

Mr. Croy was born in Noble County on September 21, 1921, a son of Charles “Chick” Andrew and Marie (Kirncher) Croy, and spent his formative years in LaOtto.  On November 2, 1941 he was married in Adrien, Michigan to Bonnie Tonkel.  The couple lived all of their married lives in LaOtto.  During his retirement years he enjoyed spending summers at Long Lake and wintering in Tarvares, Florida.

He was self-employed as a well driller for over 50 years, a business that has continued into the fourth generation.  He was a member of Huntertown Lodge 689 F&AM, and the Scottish Rite, Valley of Fort Wayne.  He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed his work, and most especially loved and cherished his family.

Mrs. Croy preceded him in death on November 29, 1990.

He will be sadly missed by his children Rose Ann (Pastor Larry) Smith and Max Croy, both of Churubusco; his companion Catherine “Katie” Moody of Churubusco; a brother Irvin Croy of Kendallville; a sister-in-law Anna Jane Hoot of Churubusco; a brother-in-law Richard Tonkel of Leo; five grandchildren Steve (Marlene) Smith, Mike (Kay Lawrence) Smith, Paula (Dale) Gerke, Melissa Croy, and Branson Croy; and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter Doris Jean Croy; three brothers Don Croy, Glenn Croy, Otto Croy; a half-brother Bob Croy; a half-sister Lillian Surfus; and a granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a. m. on Saturday, June 2, 2012, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Larry Smith, pastor of Fellowship of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and from 6-8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service Saturday morning.  Huntertown Lodge 689 F&AM will conduct memorial services at 8 p. m. Friday at the funeral home.

Interment will be in the Swan Cemetery, north of LaOtto.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Fellowship of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church.

******************************

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

Matthew “Pete” J. Hill , 40, of Columbia City, passed away at 9:29 am on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Mr. Hill was born on February 19, 1972 in Fort Wayne, a son of Max and Judy (Oliver) Hill. He spent his formative years in Columbia City.

He enjoyed time spent with his children and they admired his strength and bravery during his illness. Brenden will miss watching the Steelers with his dad. Maddie was the apple of his eye.

The surviving relatives include mother, Judy (Roger) Boocher of Columbia City; his son Brenden J. Warnick of Fort Wayne; his daughter Maddie Jo Hill of Columbia City.

He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents

Burial of  his ashes will be in the St. Matthews Cemetery, north of Columbia City, at a later date.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to American Diabetes Association.

*************************

To leave a condolence to the family in Mr. Hill’s memory “click” on condolences below…

Willard J. Gilbert , 69, a resident of Churubusco, passed away at 12:41 pm on Friday, May 25, 2012 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

Mr. Gilbert was born on December 6, 1942 in Churubusco, a son of Oscar E. and Icellee (Winebrenner) Gilbert. He spent his formative years in Churubusco, and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1960.

On April 3, 1964 he was married in Albion to Carol Sue Winebrenner.

He was employed at Navistar, and retired in 1994 after 30 years.

His spouse preceded him in death on March 9, 1986.

The surviving relatives include a son Andrew (LeAnn) Gilbert of Albion, a daughter Carrie (Jim) Harris of Churubusco; a brother Arden (Loretta) Gilbert of Aurora, Ill; four sisters Valda Hansen, Ruth Wait, and Alice Conrow all of Churubusco, Mary Stolte of Albion, four grandchildren, Ryan Harris and Victoria Harris both of Churubusco, Ashley Gilbert and Tyler Gilbert both of Albion.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Walter A. and Paul Gilbert; and a sister Sarah Smith.

At the request of the family, funeral services will be private.  Rev. Timothy Grable, pastor of Sugar Grove Church of God, will officiate.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Churubusco History Center.

**************************************

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

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

Stephen J. Abshire, 65, a resident of Columbia City and formerly of Churubusco, passed away at 3:14 p. m. on Monday, May 22, 2012, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.  He had been seriously ill since last August.

Mr. Abshire was born on March 28, 1947 in Bloomington, a son of Roy E. and Dorthea L. (Stagg) Abshire, and  spent part of his formative years in Brown County.  He moved to Tipton as a teenager and graduated from Tipton High School in 1966.

On November 20, 1981 he was married in Churubusco to Bonita “Nita” Romine.  The couple lived in Fort Wayne, Churubusco, and Yoder before moving to their present home in Columbia City in 2007.

Employed as a bus driver for CitiLink in Fort Wayne for ten years, he retired from there in 2007 due to ill health.  He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Waynedale, the American Legion, and the Amalgamated Transit Union 682.

The surviving relatives include his loving wife Bonita “Nita” (Romine) Abshire; his two daughters Corina (Steve) Fletcher of Hartford City and Linda (Robert) Law of Washington, West Virg; a step-son Jamey (Courtney) Gordon of Westfield; his mother-in-law Edith M. Romine of Knapp Lake; a sister-in-law Linda (John) Barrett of Churubusco; a nephew Bobby Abshire of Marion; and seven grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Judith Ricks;  his father-in-law Leo E. Romine on July 7, 1979; and a sister-in-law Beverly Jean Gordon on June 17, 2008.

Memorial services will be held at 7 p. m. on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Corinne Boruff-Stucker, pastor of Churubusco United Methodist Church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home after 5 p. m. on Thursday until the time of the service.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association,  P. O. Box 1130, Fairfax, Virginia 22038-1130

****************************************

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