James H. "Jim" Curtis, 93, of Albion, went to be with his Lord and his dear wife, Jean, Friday, June 15, 2018 at North Ridge Village. He was born on April 10, 1925 and raised in Albion, Indiana. During WWII he joined the Army Air Force and after basic training he was assigned to a B-24 Bomber Squadron as a navigator. After the war ended he returned to Albion and on October 13, 1946 married Eleanor "Jean" McCullick from...

Linda L. Keck, 71, of Kendallville, passed away on Monday May 28, 2018 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.  She was born on May 28, 1947 in Kendallville to the late Floyd and Betty (Housholder) Keck.  She was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Avilla.  Survivors include brothers Max (Lori) Keck of Fort Wayne, Steve (Karen) Keck of Kendallville, and Stan Keck of Kendallville.  Also surviving are several nieces and several great nieces and...

Rome City - Joseph A. Manier, 75, of Rome City, formerly of Ft. Wayne, passed away on Friday May 25, 2018 at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.  He was born on Feb 8, 1943 in Ft. Wayne to the late Ralph and Opal (Myers) Manier.  He served in the US Air Force during Vietnam and later retired from public relations with the Indiana Air National Guard after 28 years of service.  In Nov of 1991, he married his wife Susan, who survives.  Mr. Manier was also the...

Barbara F. (Klinger) Stoner, 86, of Albion, formerly of Columbia City and New Port Richey, FL, passed away on Thursday May 24, 2018 at North Ridge Village Nursing Home in Albion.  She was born in Avilla on August 10, 1931 to the late William and Blanche (Christlieb) Klinger.  In 1969 she married John Stoner, who preceded her in death.  She is survived by her sons, Monty Morr of Albion, Kerry Morr of Albion, and daughter, Valerie Hill of Tupelo, MS.  Also surviving are...

WOLF LAKE — Sarah L. “Sally” Reed, 89, of Wolf Lake, passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2018, at Presence Sacred Heart Nursing Home in Avilla. She was born on October 26, 1928, in New Haven to the late Norbert and Clara (Bowlby) Ladig. On July 4, 1950, she married William Reed, who preceded her in death in 1982. She loved to play bingo, euchre and shuffleboard and was known by many as the “cookie lady.” When Sally was not enjoying a game of...

Rita Ann Rowe, 75, of Avilla, passed away on Friday, May 11, 2018, at Orchard Pointe Nursing Home in Kendallville. She was born on December 25, 1942, in Whitley County to the late John and Iva (McCullough) Powell. In 1958, she married Raymond Joseph Blotkamp, who preceded her in death in 1979. On July 30, 1982, in Avilla, she married Norm Rowe, who survives. Rita enjoyed reading and loved to go mushroom hunting. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and was a...

ALBION — Chris Caudill, 43, of Albion, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2018, at his home in Albion following a battle with cancer. He was born December 27, 1974, in Cook County, Illinois, to the late Dennis and Barbara Caudill. On December 19, 2004, in Zebulon, Kentucky, he married Sonya Yant. Chris was an auto mechanic for most of his life. He enjoyed collecting almost anything — coins, Hot Wheels cars and antiques. He also loved going to auctions, and spending...

Mary Theresa Ley, 84, passed away Monday, April 30, 2018 at Presence Sacred Heart Home, Avilla.    Born July 18, 1933, she was the daughter of late Bernard and Hilda Helmkamp.   She was a loving wife, devoted mother and caring grandmother.  On September 3, 1955 she married Donald Ley, who preceded her in death on January 22, 2015. She was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, where she was church organist for a number of years, and...

Rocky Lee Burcham, age 57, of Plainwell, Michigan, formerly of LaOtto, passed away November 26, 2017, at his home. Born on March 14, 1960, in Kendallville, he was the son of George and Marshie (Richie) Burcham. He worked as a diesel mechanic for a good part of his life. He is survived by his son, Wesley James Burcham; mother Marshie Ellis Burcham; sister Robin Anderson; brother Calvin David Burcham; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and his dog and loyal companion,...

Laura Ann Helmkamp, 64, of Avilla, passed away on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne. She was born on February 21, 1954, in Valparaiso, Indiana, to Johnnie and Lorraine Carmichael. On March 16, 1974, in Avilla, she married Steve Helmkamp.  Laura was recently retired from S&S Machine in Avilla. She loved to put together puzzles and was always caring for her family and loved ones. She had a great desire to learn more about her faith and...