Obituaries

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  RANDY LEON LEWIS, 45, NORTH MANCHESTER, IN

   

  Randy Leon Lewis, 45, North Manchester, IN died at 12:56 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013 in rural Carroll County, IN.  He was born July 17, 1967 at Rochester, Indiana to Bud & Ethel (Cook) Lewis.  On July 27, 1986 he married Sharon Sue Skiles.  She survives.  Also surviving are two sons; Seth Lewis & Chad Lewis, at home.  Two daughters, Emma (Rodney) Hufford, Cutler, IN and Lora Lewis, at home.  A brother, Rick (Polly) Lewis, Cisco, TX and a sister Kathy (Bill) Wade, North Manchester, IN.  His parents, Bud & Ethel Lewis, North Manchester, IN and his Father & Mother-In-Law, Keith & Marilyn Skiles, North Manchester, IN.  Randy was the owner & operator of Lewis Tree Trimming for 22 years and a member of the Old German Baptist Brethren Church, North Manchester, IN.  Services will be held Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Old German Baptist Brethren Church, State Road 13, North Manchester, IN.  Friends and family may call on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. and from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Old German Baptist Brethren Church.  To send a private condolence to the Lewis family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.  Arrangements are being handled by McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, IN.
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  ROBERT H. LECKRONE, 90, SILVER LAKE, IN

   

  Robert H. Leckrone, 90, Silver Lake, IN died at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 19, 2013 in Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester, IN. He was born April 14, 1922 in Kosciusko County, IN to Herman W. and Cora (Keister) Leckrone.  He graduated from Sidney (IN) High School, class of 1940. On January 25, 1941 he married M. Leona Winger in the home of her parents by her uncle Rev. Otho Winger.  She died December 13, 2012. Bob & Leona spent their entire lives in Kosciusko County and spent 13 winters in Sebring, Florida. They were third generation farmers on the same family farm for 60 years. He had also worked as a driver for John Yoder Lime Hauling, worked at Miller & Sons Lumber Co., Silver Lake, IN and Strauss Elevator, Silver Lake, IN. He was a member of Eel River Community Church of the Brethren, Silver Lake, IN. He served on the Ulrey Memorial Cemetery board for 23 years.  He is survived by one son, Tom (Janis) Leckrone, North Manchester, IN; two daughters, Nancy (Richard) Bellows, Carmel, IN & Susan Clark, Silver Lake, IN; Seven grandchildren, Bobbi (Eric Karwisch) Bates, Indianapolis, IN, Danna (Daryl) Cripe, Noblesville, IN, Lori (Brett) Myers, Akron, IN, Dusty (Staci) Bellows, Fishers, IN, Rob (Karen) Clark, Silver Lake, IN, Susi (Michael) Stephan, North Manchester, IN and Beth (Kyle) Howard, North Manchester, IN and twelve great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, a son-in-law, Ray Clark and a grandson, Thomas Alan Clark.   Family & friends may call Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 W, North Manchester, IN. Calling also one hour prior to services Sunday at the church.  Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 24, 2013 at Eel River Community Church of the Brethren, 2507 E. State Road 14, Silver Lake, IN. Pastor Andrew Sampson will officiate.  Burial will be in Ulrey Memorial Cemetery, Silver Lake, IN. For those who wish to honor the memory of Robert H. Leckrone, memorial contributions may be made to Ulrey Memorial Cemetery, c/o David Metzger, 11 Woodspoint Circle, North Manchester, IN 46962.  To send a private condolence to the Leckrone family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.
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  RICKY W. LESTER, 56, NORTH MANCHESTER, IN

   

  Ricky W. Lester, 56, North Manchester, IN died at 10:45 p.m. February 10, 2013surrounded by his family in I.U. Health Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, IN. He was born February 28, 1956 in Iaeger, WV to Vestel & Berchie Mae (Bailey) Lester.  He graduated from Manchester High School in 1975 and served in the U.S. Army National Guard.  On April 10, 1981 he married Joyce A. Music. He worked at Manchester Foundry for 16 years and later became an assistant supervisor in the foundry area of Ford Meter Box, Wabash, IN for 22 years.  He was a member of Grand Street Baptist Church, Wabash, IN where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He is survived by his wife, Joyce A. Lester, North Manchester, IN; one son, Ryan M. Lester, North Manchester, IN; one daughter, Jo (Chad) Shepherd, North Manchester, IN; two sisters, Dian Lester, Warsaw, IN and Tammy Spacy, Brookston, IN; four grandchildren, Lane Staley, Bailey Mooney, Peyton Shepherd and Jaynie Shepherd; in-laws, George & Billie Music, North Manchester, IN and very dear friends, Bob Corn, John & Margie Denniston. Family and friends may call Thursday, February 14, 2013 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN. Services Friday, February 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN. Pastor John Dennison & George Music will officiate.  Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester, IN.  For those who wish to honor the memory of Ricky W. Lester, memorial contributions may be made to Grand Street Baptist Church, PO Box 206, Wabash, IN 46992. To send a private condolence to the Lester family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.
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  CAROLYN I. LEFFEL, 84, NORTH MANCHESTER, IN

   

  Carolyn I. Leffel, 84, North Manchester, IN died at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, January 27, 2013 in Timbercrest Healthcare Center.  She was born at North Manchester, Indiana on December 29, 1928 to Dr. Carl & Ruth (Hornish) Holl.  She graduated from Central High School in 1946, Manchester College in 1950, and received her masters degree from Ball State in 1961.  Carolyn retired after teaching elementary school in Manchester Community Schools for 32 years.  On June 1, 1950 she married Laurence R. "Larry" Leffel  He died April 14, 2003.  Surviving are a son, Scott (Jo) Leffel and a daughter, Mrs. Jay (Susan) Egolf, both of North Manchester, IN.  Four grandchildren, Jason Rhoades, Josh (Melissa) Leffel, Charlie (Kristen) Leffel, all of North Manchester, and Aaron Leffel, Soham, England.  Six great grandchildren, Rebecca Carey, Jevon Rhoades, Jacey Rhoades, Marcus Leffel, Alexis Leffel and Max Leffel, all of North Manchester.  Two brothers, Dr. Carl (Donna) Holl Jr., Noblesville, IN and Dr. John (Peggy) Holl, San Diego, CA.  A sister, Mrs. Win (Louise) Weldy, Mechanicsburg, PA.  A sister-in-law, Betty Leffel, North Manchester.  She was an associate member of Tri-Kappa.  Services will be held February 9, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, IN.  Friends and family may call at Timbercrest Chapel one hour prior to the service.  Pastor Karen Eberly will officiate and private burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester, IN.    Arrangements are entrusted to McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN.    For those who wish to honor the memory of Carolyn I. Leffel, memorial contributions may be made to Timbercrest Senior Living Community, PO Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962 or the Center for History, 120 E. Main Street, North Manchester, IN 46962.  To send a private condolence to the Leffel family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.
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  JOSEPHINE E. LIKENS, 104, SIDNEY, IN

    Josephine Estella Likens died of respiratory complications at 5:50 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013  in Timbercrest Healthcare Center in North Manchester, Indiana.  She had celebrated her 104th birthday with some 50 family and friends on the 12th of December.  Her husband of 61 years, Colonel B. Likens, a well-known school teacher and Principal in Sidney and Monroe Township schools, preceded her in death in 1991, as did a sister, Margaret Whitehead, and a half-sister, Ethel Davis. Josephine was born in Fairmount, Indiana to Cyrus Melbourne Garner and Caroline Gemmer Garner.  The family moved to a small farm in Monroe Township in 1918 where she lived for the remainder of her life. Josephine is survived by two sons, Gene (Phyllis) Likens of Clinton Corners, NY and Stephen (Elsa) Likens of Cerritos, CA, 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Her recitation of the poem “Home” by Edgar Guest was a favorite and she could give this poem/reading by memory to the end of her life.  A YouTube version at her 100th birthday went “viral” on the internet.  She was a renowned seamstress and musician.  She and Colonel had sung at numerous weddings, funerals and other occasions, and she was a long-time pianist/organist at the Eel River Congregational Christian Church, Spring Creek Church of the Brethren and the Eel River Church of the Brethren.  For decades she played the piano for singing “America the Beautiful” at the Kosciusko County Retired Teachers Association Meeting.  She graduated from Sidney High School in 1927 and was proud of the fact that she had never missed attending the annual Alumni meeting.  She had been a school secretary at the Sidney High School and Whitko Consolidated School for many years, President of the Eel River Ladies Aid and Grand Marshall at the Sidney Days Parade.  Her love of life, her sense of humor and winning smile will be long remembered by family and friends. Family & friends may call Monday, January 28, 2013 from 1:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN   Services will be held Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at Eel River Community Church of the Brethren, 2507 E. SR 14, Silver Lake, IN with calling one hour prior to service.  Pastor Andrew Sampson and Rev. Byron Miller will officiate.  Burial will follow services at Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton, IN  For those who wish to honor the memory of Josephine Likens, memorial contributions may be made to the Timbercrest Senior Living Community, PO Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962.  To send a private condolence to the Likens family, was the Condolence link on the Homepage.
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  M. LEONA LECKRONE, 91, SILVER LAKE, IN

   

  M. Leona Leckrone, 91, Silver Lake, Indiana died at 11:10 a.m. Thursday, December 13, 2012 at her residence.  She was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana on March 22, 1921 to John & Anna C. (Ulrey) Winger.  On January 25, 1941 she married Robert H. Leckrone.  He survives.  Also surviving are a son, Tom (Janis) Leckrone, North Manchester, IN; two daughters, Mrs. Richard (Nancy) Bellows, Carmel, IN and Susan Clark, Silver Lake, IN.  Seven grandchildren, Bobbi (Eric Karwich) Bates, Indinapolis, IN; Danna (Daryl) Cripe, Noblesville, IN; Lori (Brett) Myers, Akron, IN; Dustin (Staci) Bellows, Fishers, IN; Rob (Karen) Clark, Silver Lake, IN; Susi (Michael) Stephan, North Manchester, IN; Beth (Kyle) Howard, Akron, IN.  Twelve great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mary Ellen Armey, North Manchester, IN.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a son-in-law, Ray Clark and a grandson, Thomas Alan Clark.  Leona graduated from Sidney High School in 1939 and attended Manchester College.  She was lunch room manager at Sidney School for 8 years and later worked at Heckman Bindrey, North Manchester.  An organist, she played for many years at McKee Mortuary and at Eel River Community Church of the Brethren.  She volunteered at Timbercrest Retirement Community for 14 years.  Bob and Leona spent their entire lives in Kosciusko County and they were third generation farmers for 60 years on the same family farm.  They spent 13 winters in Sebring, Florida.  She was a lifelong member of Eel River Community Church of the Brethren.  Services will be held Sunday December 16, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in Eel River Community Church of the Brethren, 2507 E. State Road 14, Silver Lake, IN.  Friends and family may call on Saturday, December 15, 2012 from 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN and one hour prior to services Sunday at the church.  Pastor Andrew Sampson will officiate and burial will follow in Ulrey Memorial Cemetery, Silver Lake, IN.  For those who wish to honor the memory of Leona Leckrone, memorial contributions may be made to Ulrey Memorial Cemetery, c/o David Metzger, 11 Woodspoint Circle, North Manchester, IN 46962.  To send a private condolence to the Leckrone family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage. 
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  NORMAN C. LITTLE, 91, NORTH MANCHESTER, IN

   

  Norman C. Little, 91, of North Manchester, Indiana, died Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. peacefully at home following a short illness.  He was born June 27, 1921 in Huntington, Indiana, to Willard and Emma (Murray) Little.  He married Eileen Metzger on March 15, 1942 at the Walnut Street Church of the Brethren.  He was a 1939 graduate of Chester High School, North Manchester, IN, where he was a member of the State winning 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Team.  Norman was a lifelong farmer in the Bippus and North Manchester area, and his farming operation was twice honored as a tour stop on the Northern Indiana Farm Management Association Tour.  He was an active community leader, serving 24 years on the Wabash County Fair Board, 20 of those years as Swine Superintendent, and on the 4-H Fair Sale Committee, as well as serving as past President of the Wabash Fair Board Association, the Wabash Extension Advisory Council and Board and the 4-H Council. Norman was a member of the Wabash County Pork Producers Association, where he served as President.  He was a past Chairman of the Wabash County ASCS Committee, where he served 23 years and was a member of the Farm Bureau, serving 30 years on the Wabash County Beacon Credit Union Credit Committee.  Norman was a long-time member and past President of the North Manchester Rotary Club, and had served on the Board of Directors of Timbercrest Senior Living Community, North Manchester and on the Wabash County Hospital Building Board.  He was a 21-year member of the National Belgian Draft Horse Association and was an active member of the West Manchester Church of the Brethren, where he served as past Chairman of the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Board and the Board of Stewards and then a member of the Eel River Community Church of the Brethren when it consolidated with West Manchester.  Norman’s passions were his family, his farm and his Belgian Draft Horses, of which he enjoyed owning, working with and breaking the horses, and then selling them to as far away as Quebec, Canada and Disney World. Norman is survived by his beloved and faithful partner of 70 years, Eileen Little, North Manchester, IN; and his beloved family of two children, Barbara (Don) Peters of Fort Wayne, IN and Ted (Lisa) Little of North Manchester, IN; three grandchildren, Jamie (Gregg) Mosier of Fort Wayne, IN, Nate (Holly) Little of Indianapolis, IN  and Brad (Kara) Peters of Fort Wayne, IN; six great-grandchildren, Drew, Megan and Noah Mosier and Allison, Austin and Avery Peters all of Fort Wayne, IN; two brothers, Richard (Phyllis) Little, North Manchester, IN and Robert (Betty) Little, Jacksonville, Florida.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Audra (Bolinger) Little, and one sister, Helen Conrad. Services will be held Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 St. Rd. 114 West, North Manchester, IN.  Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, July 30, 2012 at McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, IN. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, North Manchester, IN.  For those who wish to honor the memory of Norman C. Little, memorial contributions may be made to the Wabash-Miami Home Health Care and Hospice, 400 Ash Street, Suite B, Wabash, IN 46992 or to the Eel River Community Church of the Brethren Friends in Need Fund, 2507 E. State Road 14, Silver Lake, IN 46982. To send a private condolence to the Little family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.
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  VERNON "JACK" LANCE, 75, NORTH MANCHESTER, IN

   

  Vernon "Jack" Lance, 75, North Manchester, IN died at 4:57 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2012 in Peabody Healthcare Center, North Manchester, IN. He was born September 30, 1936 in Marion, IN  to Arvol L. & Flossie B. (Hartzler) Lance.  He graduated from Gilead High School in 1954 and attended Findley College, Findley, OH and finished his eduacation in the Philippines where he received a BA Degree in Psychology. Jack served in the US Air Force. On January 9, 1966 he married Nancy L. Amstutz. He worked for 17 years for the Social Security Administration.  He was a former co-owner, with his brother, Ivan, of Highland Hills Golf Course, North Manchester, IN for many years.  Along with a passion for golf, Jack loved walking, playing cards, driving and the Indiana Hoosiers and Indianapolis Colts.  His sense of humor and his ornery smile brought joy to his firends and family, even after his illness slowed him down.  He is survived by his wife, Nancy L. Lance, North Manchester, IN; one son, Jay L. (Wendy) Lance, Lititz, PA; three daughters, Cynthia E. Lance, Antioch, CA, Cara R. (Tom) Whiting, Wheaton, IL and Amanda Lance, Fort Wayne, IN; two brothers, Don Lance, Warsaw, IN and Ivan Lance, North Manchester, IN; two sisters, Carolyn Cook, Indianapolis, IN and Beverly Coplend, North Manchester, IN; ten grandchildren, Jack, Anna, Oliver, Theodore, Luci, Charlotte, Gillian, Kyla, Nathan and Logan.   Family and friends may call Friday, February 10, 2012 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 W, North Manchester, IN and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.  Memorial service will be Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Congregational Christian Church, 310 N. Walnut Street, North Manchester, IN. Pastor Sebrena Cline will officiate.  For those who wish to honor the memory of Jack Lance, memorial contributions may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, SW, Lilburn, GA 30047.   To send a private condolence to the Lance family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage. 
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  DARLENE M. LITTLE, 47, WABASH, IN

   

  Darlene M. Little, 47, Wabash, IN died at 1:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Warsaw Meadows Care Center, Warsaw, IN. She was born June 8, 1964 in Alliance, OH to Jerome & Alma (Mehling) Fassnacht.  Darlene graduated from Southeast High School, Ravenna, OH, Ivy Tech, Fort Wayne, IN and received her RN degree from IU-Kokomo.  She was a registered nurse at Timbercrest Senior Living Community & Peabody Retirement Community both of North Manchester, IN and Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw, IN.  She is survived by her father, Jerome Fassnacht, Navarre, OH; her companion, James "Bud" Livesay, Wabash, IN; two sons, Timothy (Amanda) Little, Claypool, IN and Joseph (Ashley) Little, Pierceton, IN; one daughter, Donna (Jeffrey) Kyler, Columbus, IN; four brothers, Richard (Sharon) Fassnacht, Port Clinton, OH, Paul (Chondra) Fassnacht, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Fred Fassnacht, Akron, OH and Tom (Linda) Fassnacht, Ft. Walton Beach, FL; one sister, Katherine Miskovch, Warren, OH and four grandchildren. Family & friends may call Friday, November 18, 2011 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Liberty Mills Church of the Brethren, 71 N. Third Street, Liberty Mills, IN.  Services will be Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Liberty Mills Church of the Brethren, 71 N. Third Street, Liberty Mills, IN. Pastor Kelly Beutler will officiate. Burial will be in Swank Cemetery, North Manchester, IN.  For those who wish to honor the memory of Darlene M. Little, memorial contributions may be given to McKee Mortuary to assist the family with final expenses, 1401 State Road 114 W, North Manchester, IN 46962 or ALS Association, 6525 E. 82nd Street, Suite 115, Indianapolis, IN 46250.  To send a private condolence to the Little family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage
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  MARY LOUISE LOTZ, 89, WARSAW, IN

   

  Mary Louise Lotz, 89, Warsaw, IN and formerly of Silver Lake, IN died at 9:50 a.m. Friday, October 28, 2011 at Miller's Merry Manor, Warsaw, IN.  She was born January 4, 1922 in Kosciusko County, IN to Grover & Hattie (Mathews) Eaton.  She graduated from Burket (IN) High School in 1942. On January 12, 1946 she married William "Buck" Lotz.  He died November 19, 2008.  Mary was a homemaker and a member of South Pleasant United Methodist Church, Silver Lake, IN.  She is survived by one son, James (Deborah) Lotz, Bullhead City, AZ; one daughter, Charlotte Ann Perez, Plymouth, IN; one sister, Iris Jenkins, Elkhart, IN; one grandchild and two great grandchildren.  She was preceeded in death by two brothers, two sisters and one granddaughter. Friends and family may call Sunday, October 30, 2011 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 W, North Manchester, IN.  Services will be at 3:00 Sunday, October 30, 2011 at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 W, North Manchester, IN.  Pastor Russ Reahard will officiate.  Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Silver Lake, IN.  For those who wish to honor the memory of Mary Louise Lotz, memorial contributions may be given to South Pleasant United Methodist Church, 5064 W 1400 N, North Manchester, IN 46962. To send a private condolence to the Lotz family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.

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