Columbia City, IN. Obituaries

Nov 29, 2020

Ronald D. Egolf, age 84, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 2:50 pm on Sunday November 29, 2020 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.  Born on May 31, 1936 in Washington Township, he was the son of Everett and Lucille (Hively) Egolf.

Ronald attended Columbia City High School and graduated with the Class of 1954....

Nov 29, 2020

Shirley A. Bradley, 84, of Columbia City, IN, passed away Sunday, November 29, 2020 at her home. Born July 29, 1936 in Whitley County, she was the daughter of James A. Rosen Sr. and Violet M. (Clark) Graves.

Shirley grew up on a farm and enjoyed playing softball. She went on to graduate from Columbia City High...

Nov 29, 2020

A good family man, who was a grumpy bear sometimes, but would give you the shirt off his back are just a few ways to describe Tom Mettler. A few events that occurred in history in 1942, include the first rationing due to shortages with supplies, the minimum draft age is lowered from 21 to 18, the famous duct...

Nov 28, 2020

If you ever needed a dose of feeling grounded, finding your center in a chaotic world, or someone to make you feel welcome like no other, you knew the time and care offered by Mark A. “Grady” Gradeless.  On May 19, 1958, Clifford and Constance (Smith) Gradeless welcomed the birth of Mark A. Gradeless in Columbia City, Indiana.

Nov 28, 2020

Someone with a love of family, who never complained at all, and was always there for anyone, whether they were having a crisis or a celebration are just a few ways to describe Ruth Wait.  A few events that occurred in history include the Museum of Modern Art being created, the first Academy Awards and Oscars were handed out,...

Nov 27, 2020

Star  LePrie, 48, of Kimmell, passed away Friday, November 27, 2020 at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Born October 19, 1972 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Paul Trout and Alice (Scott) Nicolet.

Star attended Northrop High School in Fort Wayne. On June 15, 1993, she married Edmund LePrie. Star had worked for Aimes Department Store,...

Nov 25, 2020

Robert  McKinney, 73, of Columbia City, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Born January 4, 1947 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Daniel Roy McKinney and Versa (Gibson) McKinney.

He grew up in McMinnville, Oregon where he enjoyed fishing and raising chickens. On a visit to see his father, Bob...

Nov 24, 2020

Sandra Lee Leininger, 82, of Columbia City, IN passed away Tuesday night, November 24, 2020 at Mason Health in Warsaw. Born June 25, 1938 in Bucks County, PA, she was the daughter of Paul Somers and Dorothy (Heucheroth) Somers Hallman.

She grew up in LeHigh Valley, PA and graduated from Southern LeHigh High School with the Class...

Nov 24, 2020

Wilma Josephine Miller, 93, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 1:25 a.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Miller's at Oak Pointe. Born February 22, 1927 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of John and Emma (Fiedler) Kerch.

She graduated from Coesse High School with the Class of 1944. On July 4, 1948, she married Amos...

Nov 22, 2020

Marilyn Joan Landis, age 59, of New Haven, IN, passed away at 10:00 am on Sunday November 22, 2020 at Miller’s Merry Manor, Marion.  Born on April 24, 1961 in Columbia City, IN, she was the daughter of Paul and Sharon (Smith) Creager.

Marilyn attended Columbia City Joint and Woodlan High Schools. She married Jerry Landis in...

Nov 18, 2020

Leolan "Press" Pressler, 89, of Columbia City, IN, passed away Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at Miller's at Oak Pointe. Born July 4, 1931 in Wabash, he was the son of Ray and Ruth (Bowers) Pressler.

After moving to Whitley County in 1945, he graduated from Larwill High School with the Class of  1949. Press served in the...

Nov 15, 2020

Charlene D. Relue, age 77 of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 12:15 am on Sunday November 15, 2020 at Miller’s at Oak Pointe, Columbia City.  Born on December 27, 1942 in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Charles and Christine (Neireiter)Laubscher.

Charlene attended South Side High School and graduated with the Class of 1961. She...

Nov 14, 2020

Dora Ellen Coulter, age 77 of Wolcottville, IN, passed away at 8:48 am on Saturday November 14, 2020 at Parkview Noble Hospital, Kendallville.  Born on June 30, 1943 in Muncie, IN, she was the daughter of James and Ada (Cox) Hillman.

Dora attended Royerton High School and graduated with the Class of 1961.  In March of 1967,...

Nov 12, 2020

Cheryl (Green) Lawson, 61, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Thursday, November 12, 2020 in the comfort of her home on Round Lake. Born May 11, 1959 at Whitley Memorial Hospital, she was the daughter of Frederick Keith and Marleen Joyce (Fulk) Green.

She graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of...

Nov 10, 2020

Larry Gene Lee, 59, of Columbia City, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning, November 10, 2020 at his home. Born November 16, 1960 in Warsaw, he was the son of Robert and Maxine (England) Lee.

He graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1979. In 1981 he moved to Dallas, Texas for two years...

Nov 9, 2020

Shy, reserved, and not wanting to stand out in a crowd are just a few ways to describe Judy Hudson.  A few pieces of history that occurred in 1944 include President Franklin Roosevelt being elected to his fourth term, Benjamin Green inventing sunscreen for soldiers, later founding the Coppertone Company, and on August 8 1944, the welcoming of Judith...

Nov 9, 2020

Mark A. Crawford, 63, of Columbia City, passed away Monday, November 9, 2020 at Canterbury Green Nursing Home. Born August 17, 1957 in Whitley County, he was the son of Gerald and Evelyn (Brandenburg) Crawford.

He graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1975. Mark worked for Weatherhead/ Goma for 28 years and...

Nov 6, 2020

Erica Ann (Englehart) Waybright, 35, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Friday, November 6, 2020 at her home with her family by her side. Born February 18, 1985 in Tiffin, Ohio, she was the daughter of Jeffrey and Gail (Chapman) Englehart.

Growing up in Tiffin, Erica from an early age enjoyed arts and crafts. She also enjoyed...

Nov 4, 2020

Esther Marie Rider, 93, formerly of North Webster, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Heritage Pointe Retirement Home in Warren where she had been living for the past several years. Born May 27, 1927 in Troy Township of Whitley County, she was the daughter of Delbert and Irene (Wright) Martin.

She graduated from Larwill High...

Nov 3, 2020

Bill Watkins had a witty sense of humor with an ornery side. He cherished time spent with the love of his life, Sandy and enjoyed any time spent outdoors and relaxing while hunting.

Born William Watkins on December 17, 1949 in Frankfort, Kentucky, he was the son of Sammy and Chelcie Watkins. Bill was born...