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Clay Hensley
ARGOS — Clay Hensley, 83, of 321 W. Marshall St., Argos, died at 2:12 p.m. Saturday, March
13, 2010 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth, following a brief illness.
He was born Sept. 23, 1926 in Gauge, Ky., to Shelton and Zillie (Dyer) Hensley. He has lived in
the Argos Community since 1952.
He married
Alma Craft Feb. 27, 1950 in Brethitt County, Ky. Hensley worked for Ely’s Saw Mill in
Argos, for 31 years and Hensley Fabricating for 10 years. He was a member of The Church of
Jesus Christ in Argos.
He is survived by his wife Alma Hensley of Argos; daughters, Joyce Ann Wilhelm of Argos and
Norma Jean Ruh and husband Don of Argos; sons: Jerry Hensley of Argos, Stanley Hensley of
Walkerton, and Randy Hensley and wife Anne of Argos; 16 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren;
and sisters: Beatrice Patrick and husband Minefee of Magoffin County, Ky., Faye
Duff and husband Carl of Argos, and Audrie Wright of Plymouth.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Donna Mae Hensley; sister, Della Wright,
and brothers: Willard, Carl, and John Hensley.
Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 16 at the Earl-Grossman
Funeral Home, 208 N. Michigan St., Argos, and one hour prior to the services Wednesday at the church.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 17 at the Church of Jesus Christ, 15676
Michigan Rd., Argos with the Rev. Lloyd Howard of the Church of Jesus Christ in Argos, officiating.
Burial will take place at Maple Grove cemetery, Argos.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of Jesus Christ, 15676 Michigan Road, Argos, IN, 46501.
Arrangements have been entrusted with the Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos.
Elberta M. Davis
DONALDSON — Elberta M. Davis, 96, died of natural causes at the Catherine Kasper Home,
Donaldson, at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, March 14, 2010.
Elberta was born in Hebron, the daughter of Charles L. and Hazel Miller Ginder June 26, 1913.
She was a senior at West High School, class of ‘32, when, on a blind date, she met and fell in
love with a tall, good-looking boy, George Davis. They were married
in a simple home ceremony
June 16, 1935. They lived in Albion, Mich., where George had a job working in the parts
department of a Chevrolet garage.
After a year, they came back to Plymouth where George worked at the Bear Cat Store, and in
1939, bought out Delmas Whitsell’s Marathon station. Elberta worked there too, even with one
child, Betty (Mrs. Robert Thompson) and another on the way, Marilee (Mrs. Chuck Johnson).
In 1944 George joined the Army and served for two years. Elberta was very proud of George’s
service and managed to take care of the Marathon station and her family. The stories of
Elberta’s trip to Oklahoma to live near the base alone with her girls, when she had barely left
home before, impressed all of her grandkids. Her determination to keep her family close
together, no matter the means, is a lesson kept by her family today.
Shortly after the service, George and Elberta opened their own business, the Davis Brake and
Wheel Company, where for the next 20 years they served the people of Marshall County. In
1947, their son, Jack, was born and in 1951, a second son, David, joined the family.
Elberta loved to travel and after George’s retirement in 1977 they bought a travel trailer. For the
next dozen years, they spent the winters in Okeechobee, Fla. Wherever they traveled they made
new friends and always enjoyed hosting their children and grandchildren on family vacations.
Regardless of where Elberta and George were, their family and friends were welcomed and a big
part of their lives.
To understand Elberta was to know that her compassion and love had no limit, evidenced by
what a large impression she had on every one of her children and grandchildren. They
remember their mother/grandmother/great-grandmother as a woman that loved to cook and
wouldn’t hesitate to feed you on a moment’s notice when stopping by to visit. Her meals were
loved by many, especially her famous homemade chicken noodles and peanut butter pie. These
recipes that she personally taught to many of her grandchildren are still the favorites at family
gatherings. Regardless of the crowd or what was in the fridge, she could prepare a feast for
everyone and no one would go away hungry.
As her family grew so did her love. She was always interested in how everyone was doing,
keeping track of careers, school, basketball games, or who had a cold this week, always placing
others’ needs over her own. Her worry about all the activities in her grandkids’ lives seem
comical when considering the amenities today in comparison to her years of motherhood, but
that was Elberta.
Never seeming to waste a moment while not cooking and caring for family, she filled her time
sewing and quilting. In recent years she finished her final quilt for her youngest grandchild,
having made each of her grandchildren a much-cherished quilt for their weddings.
Outside of friends and family she was a strong Democrat and a die-hard Cub fan, often staying
up through the night to watch the end of a game. While her political views were strong her
friendships were stronger. As she said, “We had a lot of good Republican friends!”
A member of the First United Methodist Church for more than 40 years, Elberta had 50-year pins
as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 26. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary.
George and Elberta were married
just beyond 63 years. He died July 5, 1998. Age brought her
much wisdom. She knows how marriages endure: “You have to live within your means, you both
have to give in, and you have to love each other, ‘till death do you part.’”
Elberta is survived by four children, 12 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. They are: Betty
and Robert Thompson of Rochester, and their three children: John Thompson of Ft. Wayne, Bill
(Esther) Thompson of Plymouth and Sara (Mark) Stukenborg of Clemmons, N. C.; Marilee and
Charles Johnson and their son, Jamie (Chris), all of Plymouth; Jack and Mary Kay Davis and
their children: Eric (Melanie) Davis of Lafayette, Matt (Julie) Davis of Denver, Krysta (Mike)
Magee of Plymouth, Nate (Rachell) Davis of Plymouth, Elizabeth (Brian) Wray of Plymouth and
Kyle Davis, Lafayette; and David and Becky Davis and their two children: Katie (Phil) Rabe of
Greenville, S.C. and Jared (Rene) Davis.
She is also survived by a sister, Jean Hoover of Warsaw, and a brother, Max Ginder of Plymouth.
Elberta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Milford Ginder; a sister,
Annabelle Whitesell; and a great-grandson, Michael Noel Magee.
Friends are invited to celebrate the life of Elberta Davis from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday evening,
March 17 at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
An Eastern Star Service will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Funeral services for Elberta will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 18 at the Plymouth First
United Methodist Church, 400 N. Michigan St., with additional calling two hours prior to the
services. The Rev. Dr. Dean Fager will officiate.
Burial will be next to her beloved husband in the New Oakhill cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorials in Elberta’s name may be made to the church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Ezra, Jr. Feece
CULVER — Ezra Feece Jr., age 86, of 1195 S. 1200 E., Culver, Ind., passed away at 7:30 a.m.,
Sunday, March 14, 2010, at the Florida Hospital, in Orlando, Fla.
Ezra was born June 21, 1923, in Starke County, Ind. to Ezra and Cora (Ransbottom) Feece, Sr.
The former Lexie Lee Risner became the bride of Ezra Feece, Jr. June 28, 1947, in Plymouth,
Ind. Ezra proudly served his country during WWII, in the Army. He was discharged Dec. 12,
1945, earning his rank as Sergeant.
He joined the Indiana National Guard, until his retirement June 21, 1983, with the rank of Chief
Warrant Officer (W-4).
Ezra enjoyed everything about the outdoors, especially fishing. He was a member of Eagle
Creek Church in Knox, Ind., where he served on several of the church boards. He was also a
member of the Plymouth Kilwinning Lodge #149 and was a member of the N.R.A. (National Rifle
Association).
Ezra is survived by his loving wife, Lexie Feece. They shared 62 very happy years of marriage
together. Also surviving are their daughters: Susan Engstom of Elkhart, Ind., Diana and Thomas
Zornow of Bristol, Ind., and Beth Anne and Kenneth Riches of South Bend, Ind.; five
grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his brother, Burton Feece of Plymouth; and his sister,
Gertrude Elliott of Fort Wayne, Ind. Ezra was preceded in death by his brothers; Robert, Lester,
Ted, and William Feece, and two infant brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Eagle Creek Church, 25 N. 700 E., Knox, IN, 46534.
VISITATION: FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010, 4 to 7 P.M. (E.S.T., PLYMOUTH TIME)
VAN GILDER FUNERAL HOME
300 W. MADISON ST.
PLYMOUTH, IN, 46563
FUNERAL: SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010, 11 A.M. (C.S.T., KNOX TIME)
WITH VISITATION ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE SERVICE
EAGLE CREEK CHURCH, KNOX
THE REV. TED HASNERL, OFFICIATING
BURIAL: BURR OAK cemetery, CULVER
MILITARY GRAVESIDE HONORS PRESENTED BY: THE INDIANA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
Carol Edna Hoover
PLYMOUTH – Carol Edna Hoover, 72, a Plymouth resident for the last 37 years, died at 11:26
p.m. Sunday, March 14, 2010, at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.
The daughter of Warren and Nettie (Martin) Hoover, Carol was born in Goshen, Ind. Jan. 11, 1938.
A 1956 graduate of Wakarusa High School, Carol also held degrees from Goshen College,
Purdue University and Indiana University at South Bend. She taught math for many years at
John Glenn and LaVille High schools and retired from The Associates Investment Company as a
computer programmer.
Carol was an animal lover who had dogs and horses all her life. She raised and showed Morgan
Horses and won many ribbons at horse shows in the Midwest. She was also co-owner of
Westwind Antiques in Plymouth.
Surviving are her companion, Mary Ellen Hission of Plymouth; two sisters, Esther J. Schrock of
Goshen, and Florence L. Hoover of Elkhart; sisters-in-law: Lizzie M. Hoover, Frances L. Hoover
and Elizabeth S. Hoover; 25 nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and nephews; several
great-great-nieces and nephews; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Martha May, Ernest, Martin, Arthur, Aiden
and Joseph; two nephews, Loren Hoover and Jerry Hoover; great-nephew, Robert Hege; and
great-great-niece, Roselyn Nussbaum.
Friends may visit with Carol’s family from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 19 in the Johnson-Danielson
Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, and at the church Saturday, March 20, 2010, for
one hour prior to services.
Funeral services, officiated By the Rev. Ruth Yoder, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March
20 in the Plymouth Church of the Brethren, where Carol was a member.
Burial will take place in the south cemetery at Yellow Creek Mennonite Church, C.R. 11 and 38,
Goshen, at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Plymouth Church of the
Brethren or Church of the Brethren Board Funds for Haiti.
P. Josephine Towns
PLYMOUTH – P. Josephine Towns, 90, died Sunday, March 14, 2010 in Miller’s Merry Manor Nursing Home.
Josephine was born May 6, 1919 in Plymouth, the daughter of Cliva Joe and Caroline Lolmaugh
Eaglebarger. A Marshall County resident most of her life, Josephine graduated from Argos High
School with the class of 1937. After high school she attended the International Secretarial
College in Ft. Wayne and graduated in 1938.
On Sept. 14, 1943 in Phoenix, Ariz. Josephine took Herschel E. Towns as her husband; he
preceded her in death Dec. 16, 1990.
Most of Josephine’s time was spent as a homemaker; however she did work for Farm Security
Administration in both LaPorte and Plymouth from 1938 to 1943 when she resigned just prior to
marriage. She also was a member of the Civil Air Patrol from 1943 to 1955.
Josephine became a member of the Kappa Kappa Kappa in 1961; she is a past treasurer. She
became inactive in 1976 allowing more time for her beloved daughter Toby.
She is survived by her daughter, Toby Ann Towns of Warsaw; four nieces: Becky (Jack)
Cunningham of Taft, Calif., Dede (Don) Sherman of Huntington, Jodie (Ed) Welz of Mulberry,
Fla., and Mary (Stanley) Wilhelm of Argos; three nephews: Jon Branch Williams of Bakersfield,
Calif., Robert O. (Dorothy) Town of Bluffton, Ohio and William G. (Lu) Town of Bremen; one
sister-in-law, Dortha Williams of Ft. Wayne, survives as well.
Josephine was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a sister, Martha Jane Williams; and
a brother-in-law, Bill Williams.
Friends are invited to celebrate with Josephine’s family from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday,
March 17 in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN, 46563.
A funeral service will be held immediately following at 12 p.m. The Rev. Chuck Krieg will officiate.
Entombment will follow in the New Oakhill cemetery Mausoleum, Plymouth.
Memorial contributions in Josephine’s name may be given the the charity of the donor’s choice.
Anna Lou Yoder
NAPPANEE — Anna Lou Yoder, 80, of Nappanee, died at 5:32 p.m. Sunday, March 14, 2010 at
Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw.
She is survived by a son, Nick (Holly) Yoder of Leesburg; daughters: Cindy (Tom) Besson and
Cassy Platz, all of Nappanee, and Tracy (Rob) McClintic of Wakarusa; six grandchildren; a step grandson;
and a great-granddaughter.
Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 16 and one hour prior to services
Wednesday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, 950 N. Main St, . Nappanee.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 17 at the Nappanee Church of the Brethren.
Burial will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Nappanee Church of the Brethren or Riley Hospital for Children.
Jared D. Smith
BREMEN — Jared D. Smith, 33, of Bremen, died Monday, March 15, 2010 at his residence.
He is survived by his wife Erica; son, Tyler; daughters, Isabella and Charlotte; brother, Cory
(Kelly) Smith of Mishawaka; mother, Jeanmarie (Stephen) Woods of Bremen; father, Gregg
Smith of Mishawaka; mother-in-law, Joyce (David) Roseberry of Koontz Lake; and both maternal
and paternal grandparents.
Visitation will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 19 at Mishler Funeral Home, 2030 S.R.
331, Bremen.
Funeral services will take place at 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jared’s children.
