Obituary Listing

Jun 28, 2025

Jerry E. Young, 78, of Bluffton, passed away Saturday evening, June 28, 2025, at his residence.

Jerry was born in Decatur on Feb. 11, 1947, to Harold E. and Esther P. (Dailey) Young.  Both parents preceded him in death.  He married Anna Louise Graham in Bluffton on Apr. 22, 1967.  She preceded him in death on Oct....

Jun 27, 2025

Fredrick "Fred" R. Rupel Jr., 69, of Bluffton, passed away Friday afternoon, June 27, 2025, at Bluffton Regional Medical Center.

Fred was born in Portland on Aug. 16, 1955, to Fredrick Sr. and Martha (Fenters) Rupel, He married Rhonda Steffen in Bluffton on Dec. 12, 1976; she survives.

Fred graduated from Bluffton High School in...

Jun 23, 2025

Anna "Ann" L. (Ernst) Smith went to her eternal home on June 23, 2025 at age 93.  She was born in Bluffton Indiana on March 5, 1932 as Anna Louise Clark and raised in Murray Indiana by mother and step-father, Effie and Forest Blocher.   She attended Lancaster High School concentrating on music and theater.  Anna remained close to classmates...

Jun 17, 2025

Doris F. Gore, 80, of Bluffton, passed away Tuesday evening, June 17, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Doris was born in Bulan, KY, on Apr. 17, 1945, to Joseph and Essie (York) Carroll.  Both parents preceded her in death.

Doris graduated from Southern Wells High School and attended the New Beginning Church in...

Jun 12, 2025

Gary D. Smeltzer, 76, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, following a short illness.

Gary was born in Bluffton on August 5, 1948, to Elmer D. and Betty Jane (August) Smeltzer. He married Cathy Ann (Clanin) in Reifsburg, IN. on March 3, 1973, she preceded him in death on March 10,...

Jun 12, 2025

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Diane K. Mason, 73, passed away Thursday morning, June 12, 2025, at Christian Care Retirement Community in Bluffton.

Diane was born in Bluffton on July 22, 1951, to Leonard and Wava (Steffen) Bertsch, both preceded her in death. She was a graduate of Bluffton High School,...

Jun 2, 2025

Sandra S. Melton, 72, of rural Bluffton, passed away Monday morning, June 2, 2025, at her residence.

Sandra was born in Bluffton, on January 11, 1953, to Wayne and Naomi (Woodward) Henly Sr. She married Max A. Melton, he preceded her in death on March 24, 2009.

A 1971 graduate of Norwell High School, Sandra...

May 30, 2025

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Cynthia "Cyndi" Kipfer, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, teacher, musician, and faithful follower of Christ, entered into the presence of her Savior on May 30, 2025, at the age of 66.

Born to Ralph and Barbara (Jackson) Johnston of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Cyndi...

May 29, 2025

Douglas E. Ripple, 66, of Ft. Wayne, passed away Thursday morning, May 29, 2025, following an extended illness.

Doug was born in Bluffton on Jan. 30, 1959, to Russell A. and Janet R. (Faus) Ripple, both parents preceded him in death. He was a 1977 graduate of Norwell High School. Doug completed a four- year pipe fitters'...

May 13, 2025

Florence M. Meeks, 87, passed away Tuesday afternoon, May 13, 2025, in Bluffton, following an extended illness.

Florence was born in Altamont, TN. on March 17, 1938, to Jessie E. and Nannie (Hobbs) Smith. She married Siebert F. Meeks on Jan. 15, 1955, in Dalton, GA, he preceded her in death on May 25, 2020. Florence retired...

May 12, 2025

Randall "Randy" L. McCartney, 69, of rural Bluffton, passed away Monday evening, May 12, 2025, at Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur.

Randy was born in LaPorte on Nov. 21, 1955, to Forrest J. and Anna Belle (Eckelbarger) McCartney.  He married Beverly J. McAfee in Bluffton on Oct. 22, 1977; she survives.

Randy graduated from Bluffton...

May 10, 2025

Matthew "Packrat" D. Gilbert, 56, of Waynedale, passed away Saturday evening, May 10, 2025, at Stillwater Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.

Matt was born in Fort Wayne on June 24, 1968, to Edgar and Roberta (Ross) Gilbert.  Roberta survives in Ossian.

A 1986 graduate of Norwell High School, Matt worked at Ossian Smoked Meats for...

May 9, 2025

Robert "Bob" W. Domschot, 93, of Bluffton, passed away Friday afternoon, May 9, 2025, at his residence.

Bob was born in Jackson, MI, on Dec. 8, 1931, to Albert and Sylvia (Merrill) Domschot.  He married Thelma Lee Amburgey in Kentucky on Feb. 3, 1947.  She preceded him in death on July 3, 1998.  Bob later married Myrtle...

May 8, 2025

Philip "Pete" T. Bricker, 66, of Bluffton, passed away Thursday afternoon, May 8, 2025, at Bluffton Regional Medical Center.

Pete was born in Bluffton on Dec. 18, 1958, to Robert and Dorothy (Donald) Bricker.  Both parents preceded him in death.

Pete graduated from Bluffton High School in 1977 and then served in the United States...

May 1, 2025

T. Diann Carroll, 83, of Ossian, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2025, at her residence, following an extended illness.

Diann was born in Decatur, IN on March 1, 1942, to N. Roscoe and Ruth (Burnau) Banter. She married Michael L. Carroll on Sept. 15, 1962, in Portland, IN; he survives in Ossian. Diann graduated from Hartford Center...

Apr 30, 2025

David Loren Gilliom, age 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 30th at 4:50pm at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne, IN. He was born on July 7th, 1944.

Dave was known for his gentle spirit, kind-heartedness and dry sense of humor. He had many hobbies over the years, including fishing, hunting, photography, and playing...

Apr 28, 2025

Before she was even born, Bennie Jo Mettler was destined to make her own way. Her father, Benjamin F. Herndon, had carried the nickname "Benny." Her uncle Joseph — the brother of her mother, Rose M. Herndon — went by "Joe." When she arrived on March 6, 1942, her parents gave her both men's names. For the 83 years...

Apr 23, 2025

Curtis "Curt" J. Allen, 68, of Bluffton, passed away Wednesday evening, Apr. 23, 2025, at Christian Care Retirement Community.

Curt was born in Huntington on Dec. 10, 1956, to James "Jim" and Lily (Minniear) Allen.  Both parents preceded him in death.  He married Ruth E. Steffen in Warren on Aug. 29, 1992; she survives.

Curt...

Apr 20, 2025

Gregory D. Yates, 76, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, IN.

Greg was born in Bluffton on February 25, 1949, to Charles H. and Lillian (Mussetter) Yates. Both parents preceded him in death.

He is survived by his daughter, Amy Yates of Bluffton; a brother, Donald "Rowdy" (Nancy) Yates...

Apr 3, 2025

Kathryn "Kathy" R. Johnson, 70, of Bluffton, passed away Thursday morning, Apr. 3, 2025, at Christian Care Retirement Community.

Kathy was born in Liberal, Kansas, on Aug. 19, 1954, to Marion L. and Louise B. (Strausser) Barringer.  Both parents preceded her in death.  She married Bob "Robin" Johnson at the First Presbyterian Church in Bluffton on Feb....