Columbia City, IN. Obituaries

Jun 3, 2021

Betsy R. Thompson, 80, formerly of Albion, IN, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2021 at her home in Columbia City. Born October 20, 1940 in Paulding, OH she was the daughter of Francis and Ruth (Birkhold) Ross.

She graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1959. On April 12, 1963,...

May 31, 2021

Rick Alan Trumbull, 56, of Fort Wayne, passed away unexpectedly Monday, May 31, 2021 at his home. Born October 3, 1964 in Columbia City, he was the son of Howard Wesley and Ruth Ann (Lehman) Trumbull.

Growing up in rural Whitley County, Rick enjoyed being outdoors, swimming and playing in the woods. He graduated from Columbia City...

May 30, 2021

Robert "Bob" John Sikkenga, 85, of Middlebury, Indiana, passed away Sunday, May 30, 2021 at his home. He was born November 9, 1935 in Muskegon, Michigan to John and Effie (Newmyer) Sikkenga.

He married his soul mate, Mary Ann (Bowman) Sikkenga on July 22, 1985.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Sikkenga; daughter,...

May 28, 2021

Fun-loving, young at heart, and dedicated to God are just a few ways to describe Sharon Rucker.  A  few events that occurred in history in 1935 include:  the Amelia Earhart solo flight across the Pacific, Parker Brothers released the game Monopoly, nylon was first introduced, and on November 30, 1935, Jesse and Laura (Pheister) Braddock welcomed the birth of...

May 28, 2021

Ambitious, social, and someone with a positive outlook on life are just a few ways to describe Maxine Hauth.  A few events that occurred in history in 1920 include the first commercially-licensed radio station broadcast, establishment of The League of Nations, women gained the right to vote, and on January 10, 1920 Ora DeWitte and Mabelle Mae (Bracey) Noyer...

May 26, 2021

Terry Lee Friend, 58, of Columbia City, passed away Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Parkview Hospital. Born May 17, 1963 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Robert D. and Mary L. (Beckman) Friend.

He attended Columbia City Joint High School where he played basketball and received the Sportsmanship Award. Terry had been a mechanic at...

May 25, 2021

Megan S. Spillers, 36, of Columbia City, passed away Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at Parkview Whitley Hospital. Born June 7, 1984 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Timothy and Sally (Geiger) Spillers.

With a love for dancing and music, Megan was involved with the choir and voted Prom Queen at Whitko High School and graduated...

May 21, 2021

Dennis L. Marrs, 73, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Friday, May 21, 2021 at his home. Born August 6, 1947 in Wolf Lake at Lucky Hospital, he was the second born child of Raymond and RoseMary (Blair) Marrs.

Growing up on Big Lake, Denny learned at a young age how to fish. As a...

May 8, 2021

Pretty outgoing, quick-witted with fast comebacks, and definitely the comedian/goofball of the family are just a few ways to describe Gary Wireman.  A few events which occurred in history in 1961 include Alan Shepard making the first U.S. space flight, the Peace Corps was established by President John F. Kennedy, the construction of the Berlin Wall began, Pampers started...

May 8, 2021

Judith Ann Ancil, 79, formerly of North Webster, passed away Saturday, May 8, 2021at her new home in Columbia City. Born March 2, 1942 in Selma, she was the daughter of  Bill Cox and Geneva (Hendricks) Sanders. Growing up in Grant county, Judy graduated from Marion High School with the Class of 1960. One day while being at Custer's...

May 4, 2021

Donald L. Weller, 94, of Columbia City, passed away Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at Miller's Merry Manor, Columbia City. Born March 12, 1927 in Huntington County, he was the son of  Walter and Maude (Burkhart) Weller.

He graduated from Columbia City High School and serve in the U.S. Army at the end of WWII. On...

Apr 29, 2021

Friendly, loving, and an ornery prankster, with a very relaxed disposition are just a few ways to describe Jan DeKoninck.  Several events that occurred in 1955 include Rock & Roll music popularity increasing, which featured Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry and The Platters,  "The Mickey Mouse Club" debut on ABC, the Broadway musical "Peter Pan"...

Apr 27, 2021

Shelby Lee McClellan, 26, of Columbia City, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021 from injuries from a car wreck along with her unborn son, Ty and daughter Olivia. Born June 1, 1994 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Travis Lee McClellan and Elizabeth (Slusher) King.

Growing up the youngest of four, Shelby was involved with...

Apr 26, 2021

Jean Ann "Jeanne" Comparet, 62, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Monday, April 26, 2021 at her home. Born March 4, 1959 in Flint, Michigan, she was the daughter of Bernard and Juna (Woods) Smarowski.

She graduated from Fenton Senior High School with the Class of 1977 and Mott Community College. Jeanne would move to Fort Wayne,...

Apr 25, 2021

Cozetta "Cozy" R. Barnes, 55, of Columbia City, passed away Sunday, April 25, 2021 at her home. Born December 7, 1965 in Whitley County, she was the daughter of Earl B. Wagner and Edna M. (Brockmeyer) Meyer.

Cozy graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1984. She also completed an Early Childhood Care...

Apr 23, 2021

Eunice Sturgill, 85, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Friday, April 23, 2021 at her home. Born November 6, 1935 in Breathitt County, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Robert and Ethel (Spencer) Fugate.

Growing up in Boone County, she was the oldest child. She attended Hebron School. Eunice began working as a teenager on her father's...

Apr 11, 2021

Mary E. Earl, age 75, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 4:20 pm on Sunday April 11, 2021, at her residence.  Born on December 29, 1945, in Monroe, Michigan, she was the daughter of Arthur and Hilda (Johnson) Williams.

Mary attended Bremen High School, Bremen, IN.  She has been a Whitley County resident since the 1970’s...

Apr 6, 2021

Betty Jean Gray, 91, of Churubusco, passed away Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at her home. Born November 5, 1929 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of George Earl and Mary Alice (Addis) Loe.

She attended Columbia City High School. On October 30, 1947, Betty married Paul Gray. In 1958, they moved to the farm where she...

Apr 1, 2021

Loving, caring, and giving would first come to your mind when you hear Carolyn Martin’s name. She loved ministering as God had gifted her and encouraged others not only in their faith, but in life itself. Carolyn never wanted to leave anyone out, enjoyed entertaining others and having fun.

With the Great Depression finally beginning...

Mar 29, 2021

Margaret N. Kay, 89, of Albion, passed away Monday, March 29, 2021 at Lutheran Life Villages in Kendallville. Born January 20, 1932 in Noble County, she was the daughter of Frank and Nona (Smith) McCoy.

She graduated from Albion Jefferson High School with the Class of 1950. While attending Indiana Business College, Margaret met Charles Kay and...