All Obituaries

Kenneth R Butler, 75, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2020, at his home. Born in West Palm Beach, FL, on August 29, 1944, to the late Donald and Lillian (Thompson) Butler. He spent his formative years in Fort Wayne, graduating from Northside High School in 1963. He served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Lincoln Nebraska. That is where he met Lorre. Kenneth was married to Lorretta "Lorre" Bruce in Nebraska, on April 16, 1965. The couple moved to...

Joan E. Mercer, 74, of Columbia City, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2020, at Parkview Hospital. Born in Ann Arbor, MI, on August 10, 1945, to the late Adrian and Hilda (McClean) Bixby. She spent her formative years in Fort Wayne, graduating from Elmhurst High School. Later she graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington. Joan was married to Rex P. Mercer in Fort Wayne, on April 27, 1968. The couple lived in Fort Wayne until 1998, when they moved to Big Lake. Joan moved to Columbia...

Chad Lee Hamilton, 41, of Fort Wayne, formally of Churubusco, passed away on May 21, 2020, at Sage Bluff Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Bluffton, on November 24, 1978, to Robert and the late Sandra (Lacoax) Hamilton. He spent his formative years in Churubusco, graduating from Churubusco High School. Chad worked at McDonald's in Churubusco and also at Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana. He loved basketball and lettered in high school for being the manger. He...

Timothy C Smith, 74, of Columbia City, formerly of Garrett, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2020, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. Born in Fort Wayne, on April 5, 1946, to the late Charles and Mary Virginia (White) Smith. He spent his formative years in Fort Wayne, graduating from Central Catholic High School. After high school, he proudly served in the United States Navy. Timothy was married to Valerie Gibson. Together the couple owned and operated My Corner Café, in Garrett,...

Rex M. Rollins, 63, of Churubusco, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Born in Whitley County, on December 15, 1956, to the late Alfred and Martha (Rowe) Rollins. He spent his formative years in Churubusco. After high school he served in the United States Army. Rex was married to Brenda Wyatt. She preceded him in death on March 7, 2013. He worked for Power Wheels for several years before working for and retiring from Ingram Book Company. Rex was a...

Keith W. Petrie, 73, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020, at Life Care of Fort Wayne. Born in Owensboro, KY, on March 25, 1947, to the late Stuart and Retha (Howard) Petrie. He spent his formative years in Owensboro, KY, graduating from Western Kentucky University and Tulane University. He worked as a corporate attorney for Exxon Mobile in New Orleans and Denver. After his retirement he returned to this area to be closer to his parents. Keith is survived by his...

L. Darlene Smith, 87, of Fort Wayne, formerly of Eel River Twp., passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2020, in Fort Wayne. Born in Huntertown, on Nov. 17, 1932, to the late Howard and Jessie (Ott) Dice. She spent her formative years in Huntertown, graduating from Huntertown High School in 1950. She graduated from Parkview School of Nursing in 1954. Darlene was married to Max Smith in Allen County, on Nov. 27, 1954. The couple raised their family in Eel River TWP. Max preceded her in death on...

June A. Shaw, 81, of Fort Wayne, passed away on May 10, 2020, at Presence Sacred Heart Home in Avilla, IN. Born in Lexington, MO, on June 18, 1938. She spent her formative years in Higginsville, MO. June relocated to this area to be near her grandchildren. She retired from General Motors in 1998. She enjoyed reading and watching movies. June is survived by a son, Jody (Lori) Shaw; a daughter, Sheri Denato; a sister, Joyce (James) Ryun; five grandchildren and...

Dorothy Duff Harmeyer, 94, of Fort Wayne, passed away on April 18, 2020, at Lutheran Life Villages in Fort Wayne. Born in Lake Twp., Allen County, on January 30, 1926, to the late Paul and Edith (Felger) Holt. She spent her formative years in Arcola, graduating from Arcola High School in 1944. Dorothy was married to Duane Duff, on February 2, 1947. He preceded her in death on November 1, 1980. Together they operated Duffy's Sales & Service in Fort Wayne and she retired in 1983. She...

Eileen Pontius, 81, of Churubusco, passed away on April 18, 2020. The gates of Heaven opened and angels ushered her home. Born of Syrian decent to the late Charley and Mary (Nomoura) Younis. Eileen was one of eight children raised in the Christian faith and lived her life for God until the end. She spent her formative years in Green Center, graduating from Churubusco High School. Eileen was married to Donald Pontius in Green Center, on November 22, 1962. Eileen and Donald moved to...