Columbia City, IN. Obituaries

Sep 10, 2021

Janet Marie Goldwood, 75, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly Friday, September 10, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Born May 2, 1946 in Janesville, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of  Robert and Marie (Welsch) Rutledge.

She graduated from Janesville High School with the Class of  1965. After moving to Columbia City, Janet met Barry Goldwood...

Sep 5, 2021

Modest, dedicated, intelligent, and hardworking were just a few ways to describe Stan Mosher. Even though he was math and science minded, family meant the most to Stan. He had so much love for each one and was known as a fun grandpa! He taught his boys how to express love and show emotion to support their family. Stan...

Sep 3, 2021

Tyler Patrick Smothers, 26, of Roanoke, passed away unexpectedly Friday, September 3, 2021 at home. Born April 19, 1995 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Mark and Luann (Mathews) Smothers.

Growing up in rural Roanoke, Tyler could be found reading, drawing, being out doors, playing soccer and playing with his cousins. He...

Sep 1, 2021

Donald R. Smothers, 82, of Roanoke, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at his home. Born August 26, 1939 in Harrisburg, Illinois, he was the youngest child of Arthur and Anna (Wilkins) Smothers.

Growing up in Harrisburg, Don attended Harrisburg High School. He worked various jobs as a teen to earn money before he started as...

Aug 31, 2021

Dolores Ann Bradtmiller, 81, of Columbia City, passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at Parkview Hospital. Born November 19, 1939 in Bronson, Michigan, she was the oldest daughter of Martin and Frances (Disbro) Wielgos.

She graduated from Bronson High School and moved to Fort Wayne.  She began her work career with WT Grant as she began attending...

Aug 30, 2021

Nothing meant more to Jim Sheets than helping others out. He had a caring heart, would give up his last of anything if someone needed it and was a hard worker. Jim loved his grandchildren more than they would ever know and loved all his nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Many memorable events took place in...

Aug 28, 2021

Linda Mae (Halsema) Cripe, age 73, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 3:33 pm on Saturday August 28, 2021, at I.U. University Hospital, Indianapolis.  Born on May 16, 1948, in Lafayette, IN, she was the daughter of Lawrence and Anna Mae (Powell) Halsema.

Linda attended Central Catholic High School and graduated with the Class of 1966. ...

Aug 25, 2021

Ada Rumsey will be remembered as a sweet, kind and giving lady. She was a strong lady who also was strong willed. In her 100 years, she saw much change in the world around her. Her parents, William and Hulleta (Kistler) Gilbert moved from Northeast Indiana to Arkansas for an opportunity to farm. On October 10, 1920, they were...

Aug 23, 2021

Helen Frances Groves, age 97, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 3:20 am on Monday August 23, 2021, at Miller’s Merry Manor at Oak Pointe, Columbia City.  Born on October 27, 1923, in Churubusco, she was the daughter of James and Goldie (Maggart) Lock.

Helen attended Churubusco High School and graduated with the Class of 1940. ...

Aug 17, 2021

Marilyn K. Reaser, 72, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Born September 6, 1948 in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of  Samuel and Hilda (Kiger) Warren.

Growing up in Fort Wayne, Marilyn graduated from Northside High School with the Class of 1966. On July 11, 1969, she...

Aug 12, 2021

Uva L. Lesley, 87, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Thursday, August 12, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Born December 15, 1933 in Peru, she was the daughter of Frederick and Zora (Marquis) Richardson.

Growing up in Peru, she attended Victory Elementary School and graduated from Peru High School with the Class of 1952....

Aug 12, 2021

John Carl Workman, 21, of Columbia City and formerly of Fort Wayne, passed away Thursday, August 12, 2021 from injuries sustained in an auto accident. Born September 27, 1999 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Jon and Carrie (Vaught) Workman. Growing up in Fort Wayne, Johnny was a member of Abundant Life Church. He...

Aug 9, 2021

Wendy Anne Thomas, 54, of Columbia City, passed away Monday, August 9, 2021, at home in Whitley County. Wendy was born June 25, 1967 and was the daughter of Robert "Bob" and Sandra "Sandy" Thomas.

She graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1985. She was employed at Per Mar Security for SDI...

Aug 9, 2021

Brian J. Dear, 55, of Kendallville, Indiana, and formerly of Columbia City, passed away unexpectedly Monday, August 9, 2021 at Parkview Noble Hospital. Born January 5, 1966 in Whitley County, he was the son of John J. and Shirley A. (Brockup) Dear.

He attended Columbia City Joint High School and Phoenix University. Over the years Brian worked...

Aug 8, 2021

Helen A. Morford, age 91, of North Manchester, IN, and formerly of Columbia City, passed away at 2:00 am on Sunday August 8, 2021, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester.  Born on June 18, 1930, in Whitley County, she was the daughter of James Sr. and Mildred (Smith) Downing.

Helen attended Thorncreek Township Schools and was a...

Aug 6, 2021

Susie Elizabeth Duncan Sexton, 75, of Columbia City, IN, passed away unexpectedly Friday, August 6, 2021, at her home. Born on May 14, 1946, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Roy and Edna (Lewis) Duncan, who, in her words, were “neither phony nor stereotypical … my parents disagreed often, attended church regularly for networking and spiritual rejuvenation...

Aug 2, 2021

James "Jim" Helfrich, 74, of Columbia City, passed away peacefully Monday morning, August 2, 2021 at his home. Born September 7, 1946 in Columbia City, he was the son of Robert and Geraldine (Dorio) Helfrich.

While attending Columbia City Joint High School, Jim enjoyed journalism and was part of the school newspaper. He went on to graduate...

Jul 31, 2021

Thomas Wayne "Tom" Mishler, age 72, passed away July 31, 2021.  Tom was born in South Whitley, Indiana to the late Kenneth & Joy Mishler. He is survived by his loving wife, Diana of 15 years, sister,

Cheryl (Steve) Baker of The Villages, Fl.; children, Jason (Melissa) Mishler of Columbia City, Indiana, Kristi (Rob) Desenberg of Warsaw,...

Jul 23, 2021

Timothy D. “Tim” Wiedman, age 75, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 7:12 pm on Friday July 23, 2021, at his residence.  Born on June 30, 1946, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Donald and Gretchen (Kohlmeier) Wiedman.

Tim attended Fort Wayne Schools and graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School, with the Class of...

Jul 17, 2021

Calvin D. Ritschard, age 73, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 8:40 am on Saturday July 17, 2021, at his residence.  Born on July 11, 1948, in Monroe, WI, he was the son of Delbert and Darlyne (Boeck) Ritschard.

Calvin grew up on a farm in rural Argyle, WI, and attended local schools.  He graduated from...