Columbia City, IN. Obituaries

Aug 16, 2023

David G. Pafford, age 71, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 2:34 pm on Wednesday August 16, 2023, at Parkview Randallia Hospital, Fort Wayne.  Born on October 17, 1951, in St. Louis, Missouri, he was the son of James and Sarah (McClellan) Pafford.

Dave attended Churubusco High School and graduated with the Class of 1970.  He...

Aug 8, 2023

Evelyn L. Gorra, 93, of Columbia City, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2023. Born February 14, 1930, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth Nulf and Mabel (Reed) Nulf.  Evelyn is survived by her son, Gary (Karen Brown) Caibaiosai, six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and brother, David (Nancy) Nulf.  She was preceded in death her...

Aug 5, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Chad M. Kauffman, age 50, and a lifelong resident of Whitley County, on August 5, 2023, at approximately 1:00 pm. Born on December 11, 1972, In Fort Wayne, Chad's vibrant spirit and love for the outdoors marked his journey through life.

A proud alumnus of Columbia...

Aug 4, 2023

Linda L Felger, age 73, of rural Allen County, Indiana, passed away Friday, August 4, 2023, at her residence. Born October 4, 1949, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Maurice and Lucille (Roesener) Zurbrugg.

Linda attended Snider High School and graduated with the Class of 1968. On June 6, 1970, she married Max Felger. Linda...

Aug 2, 2023

Daniel Wayne Byers, 70, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at his home. Born July 16, 1953 at Lucky Hospital in Wolf Lake, he was the son of Harry Byers and Marjorie (VanCuren) Davis.

He graduated from Columbia City High School Class of 1972. Danny was a bricklayer and was the owner of...

Jul 30, 2023

Milton E. McCombs, 95, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday morning, July 30, 2023 at Autumn Trace Assisted Living in Columbia City. Born April 12, 1928 in Huntington County, he was the son of Dale and Elvira (Vergon) McCombs.

He graduated from Fort Wayne's Central High School and served in the...

Jul 26, 2023

Larry L. Watson, 86, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at his home. Born February 2, 1937 in Columbia City, he was the son of David and Effa (Sheets) Watson.

Growing up around Ridinger Lake, Larry graduated from Larwill High School High School with the Class of 1955. On January 11, 1960, he...

Jul 24, 2023

Sandra Lee Maggard, 73, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Monday, July 24, 2023 at her home. Born January 4, 1950 in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Walter J. Lahm and Lenora Lucille (Dear) Lahm.

A lifelong Whitley County resident, she graduated from Columbia City High School and on February 5, 1967, she married James...

Jul 21, 2023

Tim D. Mishler, age 72, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 9:09 am on Friday July 21, 2023, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City. Born on March 6, 1951, in Huntington, he was the son of Daniel and Jean (Jenkins) Mishler.

Tim attended South Whitley High School and then became an electrician while working for Northeastern...

Jul 21, 2023

James R. Shaw, Columbia City, Indiana, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 21 2023,  at Parkview Hospital, hospice care unit, at the age of 88.  The son of the late Melvin and Henrietta (Horn) Shaw, Jim was born in 1934, in Auburn, Indiana.

He proudly served his country in the U.S.Navy during the Korean War...

Jul 13, 2023

Ronald L. Moeller, 83, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023 at his home with family by his side. Born April 20, 1940 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Peter F. and Frieda V. (Longardner) Moeller.

He graduated from Central Catholic High School with the Class of  1958 and served in the...

Jul 11, 2023

Nashville recording artist Roger Dale Marshall, 72, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, surrounded by loving family in his final days. As a regionally famous country and rock guitarist, man of many talents, and most importantly loving father and grandfather, his presence will be greatly missed. Born January 9, 1951, in...

Jul 10, 2023

Richard "Dick, The Duck" Runyan passed away Monday, July 10, 2023, three weeks shy of his 89th birthday. He was born July 31, 1934, to parents Ira and Ida (Visscher) Runyan, joining brothers Ed Vischer, Robert Runyan, and sister Sharon Rothenbuhler.

He graduated from Central High School with the Class of 1952. A veteran of...

Jul 9, 2023

Lula Maxine "Max" Zent, 86, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 11:50 am on Sunday July 9, 2023, at Sacred Heart Village in Avilla.  Born December 14, 1936 in Huntington, she was the daughter of Willis and Mary Elizabeth (Cecil) Stephens.

She grew up in Huntington, Tennessee and the Markle area. While in High School, Lula...

Jul 8, 2023

Roberta J. North, age 82, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 10:16 am on Saturday July 8, 2023, at her residence.  Born on November 15, 1940, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Richard and Gladys (Klump) Dornick.

Roberta attended Columbia City High School and graduated with the Class of 1958 and was a lifelong...

Jul 7, 2023

Thomas Edward “Tom” Bohde, age 79, of Columbia City, IN, passed away unexpectedly on Friday July 7, 2023, along with his four-legged companion, Glen, as the result of an automobile accident.  Born on June 23, 1944, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Richard and Tharon (Gatchell) Bohde.

Tom attended Central High School, Fort Wayne and...

Jul 7, 2023

Jacqueline S. Lantz, age 59, of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away at 8:15 pm on Friday July 7, 2023.  Born on November 21, 1963, in Huntington, she was the daughter of Arnold “Butch” and Gloria “Susie” (Salter) Herrick.

Jacqueline attended Huntington North High School and graduated with the Class of 1982.  On November 20, 1986, she married...

Jul 4, 2023

Talen Ray Howenstine, age 28 of Fishers, IN was called into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday July 4th, 2023.  Talen was born October 18, 1994, in Fort Wayne, spending most of his childhood in Columbia City and later in Naples, FL. Talen is the son of Trevor and Niki Howenstine.

Talen graduated in 2012 attending both...

Jun 29, 2023

Yvonne "Bonnie" Coyle, 84, of rural Columbia City, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at while having coffee with her husband at their home on Big Lake. Born June 21, 1939 in Fed, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Gordon and Elsie (Stanley) Newsome.

At the age of 12, Bonnie's family moved up to...

Jun 28, 2023

Arden Paul Rider, 96, of Warren, Indiana and formerly of North Webster, passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Born January 13, 1927 in Etna Township of Whitley County, he was the son of Albert James and Elma Charlotte (Stump) Rider.

He graduated from  North Webster High School with the Class of 1944...