Columbia City, IN. Obituaries
Patrick R. Dean
Nov 9, 2018
Patrick Ryan Dean, 44, of Columbia City passed away at 10:17 a.m. Friday, November 9, 2018 in Columbia City. Patrick was born in Columbia City the son of Joseph H.F. Dean and Rita Jean Ferber. Patrick attended Coesse and Arcola schools and graduated with the Class of 1992 from Carroll High School. After graduating from high school he...
Carolyn Spaw
Nov 9, 2018
World War II was still an everyday talk and concern in 1945 and the year brought light that the end of the war was nearing. That year nuclear bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki causing Japan to surrender on August 14th and with Adolf Hitler no longer in power after his death, the war ended on September...
Ardella Laurene Pinney
Nov 8, 2018
Family oriented, hardworking, and compassionate are just a few ways to describe Ardella Pinney. A few historical events that occurred in 1921 would include: the Tomb of the Unknowns is established in Arlington National Cemetery, Babe Ruth sets a new career home run record, Boeing Corporation abandons furniture making in favor of building aircraft, and on January 17,...
Robin Ropp
Nov 5, 2018
Although Robin Ropp was taken from her loved ones much too soon, she made a significant impact in the lives of countless others. She was kind, compassionate, and hardworking, and she continually shared her gifts and talents with those around her. There was no greater gift in Robin's life than her family, and she treasured being a wife...
Kay Lynn Campbell
Nov 4, 2018
Kay Lynn Campbell, 70, formerly of Albion, Indiana, passed away Sunday, November 4, 2018 at her home in Winter Haven, Florida. Born October 3, 1948 in Wolf Lake, Ind., she was the daughter of Woodward Wilson and Leona Mae (Radke) Kilgore. She had previously lived in Albion, Avilla and Kendallville, Ind., Columbia, Tenn. and Winter Haven. She graduated...
Ricky L. Filkins
Oct 31, 2018
Ricky L. Filkins, age 60, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 12:39 pm on Wednesday October 31, 2018, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Born on June 23, 1958 in East Liverpool, Ohio, he was the son of James Filkins and Mattie (Merritt) Gotay. Ricky attended Liberty High School in Liverpool. He then went on to...
Edward Robert Demske
Oct 30, 2018
A man of a strong Christian faith, Edward Robert Demske was faithful, hardworking, reliable and loving. He had an ornery side, was dependable and was utopia- the perfect dad. He loved his family and always provided for them. He cherished his six grandchildren and any time he spent with his family. With the United States being involved in...
Sandra Lou Lackey
Oct 30, 2018
A woman of a strong Christian faith, Sandra Lou Lackey came across as quiet but she was considerate, thoughtful and very loving. She was an active member at Tri-Lakes Baptist Church, north of Columbia City, Indiana, where she helped with the AWANA Club and she served as a Sparks director. She loved children and helped impact so many...
Michael A. Parker
Oct 28, 2018
Michael A. Parker, 65, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, October 28, 2018 at his home. Born December 13, 1952 in Columbia City, he was the son of Clarence "Ed" Parker and Norma F. Parker Curless. He graduated Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1971. He served in the U.S. Air...
Robert Brock
Oct 24, 2018
Kind, patient, loyal and sweet were just a few ways to describe Bob Brock. He truly was an amazing person who loved his family dearly. Even at the age of 94, he had a great sense of humor, was quick witted and sharp. Bob touched many people in his community over his years and was affectionately known as...
Roger E. Fisher
Oct 22, 2018
Roger E. Fisher, 80, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away at 3:03 p.m. Monday, October 22, 2018 at Lutheran Hospital. Born August 1, 1938 in Churubusco, he was the son of Charles B. and Isla (Oldham) Fisher. He graduated from Southport High School Class of 1956, served in the U.S. Army for 25 years and was a Vietnam...

Steven G. Phend
Oct 20, 2018
Steven G. Phend, 64, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away unexpectedly at 1:45 a.m. Saturday, October 20, 2018 at his home. Born May 23, 1954 in Columbia City, he was the son of James "Dufty" and Edna (Mullendore) Phend. He graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1973. In his younger years, Steve enjoyed...
Joan Hull
Oct 19, 2018
Bubbly, enjoyable, and full of life are just a few ways to describe Joan Hull. A few historical events that occurred in 1939 would include: the retirement of Lou Gehrig from Major League Baseball, the cost of a gallon of gas was 10 cents, and on March 19, 1939, Oliver P. and Loda D. (Jarraid) Ratcliff welcomed the...
Donald R. Merriman
Oct 15, 2018
A loving family man, honest and hardworking are just a few ways to describe Don Merriman. His past could have been an easy way for him to go down the wrong path, but he did not let it happen. At an early age, he went through and overcame so much to be the great man he was. For...
Ralph Creech
Oct 13, 2018
Ralph Creech, 90, of Churubusco, Ind., passed away at 12:15 a.m. Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Betz Nursing Home, Auburn. Born October 22, 1927 in Hazard, Ky., he was the son of Albert and Eliza (Jewel) Creech. He attended school in Lee County, Ky. and in 1942 moved to Whitley County, Ind. to live near Collins and Churubusco....
Daisy Mae Knipstein
Oct 9, 2018
Daisy Mae Knipstein was kind, sweet and caring. She had quite the sense of humor and could bring a smile to your face easily. She lived a life full of fun and love and her family meant the world to her. News of 1927 included the first transatlantic telephone call, Ford stopped production of the Model T and...
Roy L. Ousley
Oct 7, 2018
Hardworking, conservative and adventurous were just a few ways to describe Roy Ousley. At a young age he learned the value of hard work but also knew how to enjoy himself in his free time. He loved his family and his grandchildren were the reward of being a husband and father. With WWII ending the year prior, 1947...
Anita R. Gross
Oct 4, 2018
Anita R. Gross, 95, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away at 12:24 a.m. Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne. Born July 10, 1923 in Edgerton, OH, she was the daughter of Olando "Lanny" Suffel and Esther (Freed) Suffel. She attended Angola High School until she was a sophomore. On December 12, 1945, Anita married...
Alycia Markey
Sep 29, 2018
Alycia Markey, age 62, of Albion, IN, passed away at 3:20 pm on Saturday September 29, 2018 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Born on July 4, 1956 in Springfield, OH, she was the daughter of Robert A. and Marjorie R. (Bramble) Rodgers, Sr. Alycia attended North Side High School and graduated with the Class of 1974,...
Andrew Hoskins
Sep 23, 2018
A jokester, charismatic, big hearted, and a hard worker were just a few ways to describe the character of Andy Hoskins. He was talented in every aspect of life, lived in the moment, never knew a stranger and quickly could form a relationship with someone. He always had a smile on his face, was happy to see you...