Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Helen J. Gentis, 75, a resident of Fort Wayne, passed away at 12:20 a. m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne.  She had been a patient there since Thursday.

Mrs. Gentis was born in Bluffton on July 19, 1934, a daughter of George Edward and Annabell (Leanch) Betz, and spent her formative years there.  She lived much of her adult life in Blackford County, where she was employed at Sheller Globe in Montpelier for 33 years.  She later returned to Wells County and lived there until moving to Fort Wayne in 1991.

While living in Fort Wayne she was employed at Hospital Laundry Service, retiring from there five years ago.

She was a member of the International Chemical Workers Local 444.

The surviving relatives include her children Ernest (Colleen) Betz of Sylva, NC., and Gene E. Hawk and Lenah A. Hawk, both of Fort Wayne; four brothers Homer (Phyllis) Betz of Franklin, Jim (Treva) Betz of Poneto, Joe (Connie) Betz of Decatur, and Robert (Annie) Betz of Bluffton; six sisters Esther (David) Clements of Indianapolis, Blanche (Bruce) Willette of Bluffton, Wilma (Pat) Ohern of Hartford City, Sue (Tom) Johnson and Linda (John) Stinson, both of Bluffton, and Lori Ann (Bill) Zent of Huntington; and two grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers Edward Betz and Fred “Pete” Betz.

Funeral services will be held at 6 p. m. on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Community [meeting at Grace St. John's United Church of Christ], 4120 Webster St., Fort Wayne.  Father Michael Holland will officiate.

The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday after 2 p. m. until the time of the service.

Burial will be at a later date in Fairview Cemetery, near Bluffton.

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

The family requests that memorials be directed to Holy Redeemer Catholic Community.

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Jacob E. Fulk, 79, a resident of rural Churubusco in Allen County, died at 3:09 p. m. on Thursday, February 25, 2010, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.  He had been a patient there since Sunday.

Mr. Fulk was born on January 23, 1931 in Eel River Township, a son of James and Elva (Bosler) Fulk, and spent his life on the family farm there.  As a young man he served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict, and was married in Green Township on February 20, 1955 to Joyce A. Platt.

He was engaged in farming all of his life, and had also driven a school bus for Northwest Allen Schools for several years.

Surviving are his wife Joyce; four children Michael (Irene) Fulk, David (Barbara) Fulk, and Jeanette Fulk, all of Churubusco, and Teresa Fulk of Butler;  his sisters Lenora Ellen (Franklin) Geiger of Albion and Ruth Ann Arehart of Churubusco; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Daniel Scott Fulk on August 22, 1964; and by his brothers infant Jacob Fulk, John Fulk, Jay F. Fulk, and Lee Fulk.

There will be no services or calling hours.

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

Memorials may be directed to the Churubusco Volunteer Fire Department or Whitley County EMS Medic 21.

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Phyllis M. Geiger, 85, a resident of Churubusco and widow of J. D. “Jake” Geiger, passed away at 11:30 p. m. on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at her home following an extended illness.

Mrs. Geiger was born on December 19, 1924 in Eel River Township, a daughter of John I. and Fern S. (Brandon) Jones, and spent her formative years on the family farm there.  On January 18, 1945 she was married in New Port, Kentucky to J. D. “Jake” Geiger.  She lived all of her adult life in the Churubusco-area, and had resided at her present home since 1976.

A homemaker, she was a member of the Good News Baptist Church in Churubusco.  She enjoyed reading, her home, and most especially loved and cherished her family.

Mr. Geiger preceded her in death on January 17, 1989.

The surviving relatives include her daughters Sherral (Steve) Marschand of Columbia City, Kenna (Lawrence “Butch”) Woodring of Hartville, Ohio, and Kathy (Rex) Shisler of Albion; a sister Avonelle (Roger) Stampe of Churubusco; two brothers Roger (Mary) Jones and Robert (Nancy) Jones, both of Churubusco; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and spouse, she was preceded in death by a sister Eunice Steinbarger.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Saturday, February 27, 2010, at Good News Baptist Church in Churubusco with Pastor Edward A. Thompson, officiating.

The family will receive friends at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Friday from 3 to 8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.

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

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Robert V. Saylor, 84, a resident of Churubusco, passed away at 6:45 p. m. on Sunday, February 21, 2010, at North Ridge Village Nursing Home in Albion following a lengthy illness.  He had been a patient at the nursing home since Thursday.

Mr. Saylor was born in Fort Wayne on November 21, 1925, a son of Arley and Cleo (Harzog) Saylor.  He spent his formative years in Fort Wayne and graduated from Central High School in 1943.

As a young mane he served in the U. S. Navy during World War II, and was married on June 10, 1947 in Cecil, Ohio to Mary Ellen Grew.  The couple lived in the Leo-area for 28 years, and moved from Whitmer Lake near Wolcottville to Churubusco in 1997.

Employed as a wire enameler at Phelps Dodge in Fort Wayne, he retired from there in 1989 after 37 years.  He was a member of the St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Churubusco, and the former Prominaders Square Dance Club.

The surviving relatives include his wife Mary Ellen, to whom he was married for over 62 years; five sons Jim (Joyce) Saylor of Fort Wayne, Bob (Carol) Saylor II of Leo, David (Deborah) Saylor of Garrett, Ron (Candy) Saylor of Auburn, and Dennis Saylor of Churubusco; two daughters Janet (Tim) Dirig of Churubusco and Brenda (Steve) Gaskill of Woodburn; a brother Jerry (Ann) Saylor of Fort Wayne; 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers Jesse Saylor and Lloyd Saylor; and by a sister Ruth Hatfield.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a. m. on Thursday, February 25, 2010, at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Churubusco with Father Danney Pinto, the celebrant.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Wednesday from 2-4 and from 6-8 p. m., or after 10 a. m. Thursday.

The Rosary will be recited at 8 p. m. Wednesday at the mortuary.

Interment will be in the Leo Cemetery.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to masses or to Parkview Home Health & Hospice.

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Dorothy A. Adams, 69, a resident of Churubusco and widow of D. Lyle Adams, passed away at 1:05 a. m. on Thursday, February 18, 2010, at her residence. She had been in declining health since 2005.

Mrs. Adams was born on March 3, 1940 in Noble County, a daughter of Dale F. and LaVelda K. “Betty” (Keller) McCoy. She spent her formative years in Green Township, and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1958.

On March 24, 1962 she was married in Ari to D. Lyle Adams. The couple spent much of their married lives on the family dairy farm in Eel River Township in Allen County, where she assisted her husband until moving to Churubusco in 1991. She had also been employed as a quality control worker at Noble Wire near Albion for six years, retiring in 2005.

She attended the Ari Church of God, east of Churubusco. Always known as a person who enjoyed helping other people, she loved her dog “Max,” enjoyed the farm livestock, and most especially loved and cherished her family.

Mr. Adams preceded her in death on June 15, 2004.

The surviving relatives include her sons Doug (Sherry) Adams, Rod (Pam) Adams, and Scott (Sheila) Adams, all of Churubusco; her mother LaVelda K. McCoy of Avilla; two sisters Jenniamae (Paul) King of Butler and Hermione (Ralph) Stanley of Churubusco; a brother W. Roger (Joan) McCoy of Larwill; her grandchildren Kyle (Kristin) Knott, Tasha Knott, Kristi Adams, and Hannah Adams; and two great-grandchildren Aniston Knott and Tucker Knott.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her father and by a granddaughter Abigail Susan Adams.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Monday, February 22, 2010, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Carroll McNutt, pastor of Ari Church of God, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary from 2 to 5 p. m. on Sunday, or one hour prior to the service Monday.

Private interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Huntertown.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 636, Columbia City, IN 46725

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