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Chris Irwin
KOONTZ LAKE -- Francis Christopher "Chris" Irwin, 52, passed away Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010
in Lutheran Hospital, Ft. Wayne.
Chris was born Dec. 25, 1957 in Chicago, Ill. to Francis X. and Margaret M. (Quebbeman) Irwin
and lived at Koontz Lake since 1974, coming from Chicago.
Surviving are, his wife Merita; one daughter, Tara Irwin of Valparaiso; three stepsons, Jamie
(Tina) Plunkett of Walkerton, Sean (Christy) Plunkett of Ft. Wayne and Patrick (Lisel) Plunkett of
South Bend; his mother, Marge Irwin of Koontz Lake; one brother, Marty (Jacinta) Irwin of Ft.
Myers, Fla.; two sisters, Teresa Papoi of Walkerton and Beth (Randy) Schmeltz of Koontz Lake;
seven grandchildren; niece, Anna Schmeltz; nephew, Aaron Rolewicz; and dear friend, Pam Van Ness.
He was preceded in death by his father and nephew, Derrick Rolewicz.
Chris was the owner of Freedom Insurance in Plymouth. In his earlier career he worked at
Bashor Home for Boys in Goshen and the Starke County Welfare Dept. as a social worker. He
was a 1976 graduate of Oregon-Davis High School, and a graduate of Ancilla College and
Indiana University, South Bend. He was a Junior Achievement volunteer at Oregon-Davis High
School, former President of the O-D Alumni Association and a caregiver at Marshall Starke
Development Center.
A memorial service will be Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010 at 3 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the Walkerton
United Methodist Church with Pastor Charlene Allen officiating. An opportunity to share special
memories at the service will be given.
Friends may visit with the family Thursday at the church from 1 p.m. ET until the time of services.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be given to the Chris Irwin
Scholarship Fund.
Rannells Funeral Home, Koontz Lake Chapel is handling arrangements.
Sophia (Sue) Kewley
COCOA, Fla. -- Sophia (Sue) Kewley died Aug. 28, 2010 at her home in Cocoa, Fla. She was
born in Racine, Wis. May 13, 1914 to Wanda and Frank Wagner. She married
Gerald Kewley in
September of 1961. He preceded her in death in September of 2005.
She was also preceded in death by four brothers: Phillip, Leo, Stanley and Wally.
She is survived by a son, Ray (Eva) Henderson of Cocoa; and loving nieces and nephews Dan
Wagner of Homewood, Ill., Bonnie (Wagner) Rock and Robert (Marcy) Wagner, all of Plymouth.
Sophia owned and operated Sue's Beauty Shop in Lakeville for many years.
There will be a memorial service at Miller's Senior Living Center, 625 Oakhill Ave., Plymouth,
Saturday, Sept. 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Wyman Lynn Miller
ETNA GREEN -- Wyman Lynn Miller, 13, of Etna Green, died at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28,
2010 at his residence, after an accident.
He is survived by his parents, Lloyd and Margaret Miller of Etna Green; brothers: Darrell
(Rebecca) Miller of Etna Green; Myron Dale Miller, Marlin Ray Miller and Lloyd Miller Jr., all at
home; sisters: Suzetta Miller, Rosalie Miller, Kay Ellen Miller, and Marla Renae Miller, all at
home; and grandparents, Edward and Edna Miller of Nappanee.
Visitation took place at the family residence after 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29 and all day Monday.
Funeral services will take place at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31 at the home.
Burial will follow at Graber cemetery.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Janet Barenie
DONALDSON -- Janet Barenie, 80, died of natural causes at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010,
in the Catherine Kasper Home.
Born in Hebron, Ind. May 29, 1930, she was the daughter of Oliver and Gertrude Gilson Berdine.
April 30, 1948 she took Alfred “Chuck” Barenie as her husband; he preceded her in death Nov.
8, 1989.
Janet worked for the Poor Hand Maids of Jesus Christ of Ancilla Domini assisting her husband
the poultry farm manager, and later worked as their receptionist.
She loved to read, travel and spending time with her family and friends, she was an avid watcher
of Dancing with the Stars, and enjoyed having conversations about the show with her friend
Shirley.
Janet was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church.
She is survived by a daughter Claudia and Thomas Hawk of Plymouth along with their daughter
Kimberly Hawk; four sons and their families, Dave and Jennifer Barenie of Wanatah and
children: Tracey J. Doherty, Troy Barenie, and Tricia Werner; Jeff and Lisa Barenie of Culver;
Rich and Mary Barenie of Plymouth with children Karen Bright and Susan Kuskye; and Shawn
and Nicole Barenie with children Chase, Chandler, and William Barenie.
Also surviving are four great-grandchildren, Tony Bright, Kayden Doherty, Brennen Doherty and
Tenley Werner.
Preceding Janet in death are her husband, parents, grandsons Joseph and Jeffrey, four sisters
Leanna Jewel, Charlotte Nimetz, Fond Berdine, and Bealuh Brant, along with three brothers
Harry, Max and Don Berdine.
Visitation for Janet will be Wednesday, Sept. 1, from 4 to 9 p.m. EST in the Johnson-Danielson
Funeral Home 1100, N. Michigan St., Plymouth. A rosary will be prayed at 8 p.m. EST.
Calling will continue one hour prior to a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at 11
a.m. in the Catherine Kasper Chapel. The Reverend Father Ed Konerman will officiate. Interment
will be in the Chapel Lawn cemetery, Schererville, Ind. At 1:30 p.m. EST.
Memorial gifts may be given to the Center for Hospice Care or the Catherine Kasper Nursing Home.
Herbert Thomas Christy
Aug. 11, 1930 -- Aug. 30, 2010
PLYMOUTH -- Herbert Thomas Christy, 80, of Plymouth, joined his wife in Heaven at 9:53 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 30, 2010 of an apparent heart attack in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center,
Plymouth.
He was born Aug. 11, 1930 in Berwyn, Ill. To Ernest C. and Agnes (Larson) Christy. Oct. 9, 1948
in Logansport, he married
his true love of 59 years, Juanita LaDawn (Workman) Christy, who
preceded him in death Dec. 5, 2007.
Mr. Christy is survived by three daughters: Judy (Philip) Schafer of South Bend, Pamela (John)
Kollar of South Bend, and Lori (Mark) Vogt of Plymouth; three sons: Thomas (Bobbie) Christy of
Phoenix, Ariz., Jerry (Carol) Christy of Lakeville, and Rick (Patti) Christy of Lakeville; three
sisters: Ernestine Harlacher of Lakeland, Fla., Jeanette (Larry) Keim of Hot Springs Village, Ark.
And Carole (Max) Broekers of Lakeland, Fla.; and brother, George (Sally) Christy of Hilton Head
Island, S.C.
He is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Jason (Nicole) Christy, Shawn (Jo) Christy, Jody (Hank)
Brown, Shannon Leed, Mindy (Larry) Stevens, Nicholas Schafer, Ryan (Shannon) Christy, Kevin
(Mindy) Christy, Samantha Bossman, Christy Kollar, Justin (Amanda) Christy, Abby Vogt and
Ally Vogt; two step grandchildren, Kristi Bruce and Robby Abbott; 15 great-grandchildren: Taylor,
Madison, Morgan, Dawson, Avery, Bennett, Marley, Ruthie, Caleb, Colin, Brooklyn, Oliver,
Hannah, Caden, Natalie, and one soon on the way; also one step great-grandchild, Hunter.
Mr. Christy worked for Studebaker for eight years and retired in 1986 from the Uniroyal
Corporation after 32 years of service. He worked as a flagman for more than 20 years for Tri
State Racing Association. He was a member of the Michiana Racers Hall of Fame, was a huge
fan of the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs and University of Notre Dame sports.
You could always find him watching sports daily on television or attending one of his
grandchildren’s sporting events or concerts. He loved to help his family, friends, and church with
construction and building projects and anything that needed to be done.
He adored his family and was especially proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He
was a member of the Olive Branch United Brethren Church, which he loved.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, in the Olive Branch United Brethren
Church, 22750 Osborne Road, Lakeville. Rev. Dan Drake will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Porter Rae cemetery, North Liberty.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Palmer Funeral Home, 314 S.
Michigan St. Lakeville, and one hour prior to the services Friday.
Contributions in memory of Herbert Thomas Christy may be offered to the Olive Branch United
Brethren Church, 22750 Osborne Road, Lakeville, IN, 46536.
John S. Irwin
PLYMOUTH -- John S. Irwin, 59, of 10872 Hawthorn Rd., Plymouth, died at 1:45 p.m. Aug. 30,
2010 at his brother’s residence in Plymouth, following a short illness.
He was born May 14, 1951 in Plymouth, to Gerald W. and Lola J. (King) Irwin. He lived in
Warsaw, from 1976 to 1987, then moving back to Marshall County living in Inwood.
He worked at R.R. Donnelley and Sons as a Roll Tender for nearly 40 years in Warsaw. He
served in the United States Army from Feb. 26, 1971 to Jan. 3, 1973 obtaining the Rank of
Specialist Four.
He attended the Santa Anna United Methodist Church during his youth. He graduated from
Argos High School, class of 1969. He loved his cats and dogs.
He is survived by his children: Chad Irwin of Bremen, and Cassandra Irwin and Tyler Irwin both
of Plymouth; brothers: Terry Irwin and wife Kathy of Straughn, Rev. James A. Irwin and wife Sue
of Plymouth, Kevin D. Irwin and wife MaDonna of Tippecanoe, and Kenneth Irwin of Plymouth;
sisters, Cindy Taber and husband Richard of Argos, and Sandra K. Irwin-Stiles of Plymouth; and
many nieces and nephews who loves him very much.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may visit with the family Friday, Sept. 3, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Earl-Grossman Funeral
Home, 208 N. Michigan St., Argos.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, at the funeral home with the Rev. Henry V.
Sprunger officiating.
Burial will follow at Maxinkuckee IOOF cemetery at Poplar Grove, Culver, with military rites by
the United States Army and the Argos American Legion Post #68.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marshall County Humane Society; PO Box 22,
Plymouth, IN, 46563.
Arrangements have been entrusted with the Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos.
Ralph E. Schaal
PLYMOUTH -- Lifetime Plymouth resident Ralph E. Schaal, 87, of Briarwood Avenue, died
unexpectedly of natural causes Monday Aug. 30, 2010 at 9:48 a.m. in the St. Joseph Regional
Medical Center, Plymouth.
Ralph was born the son of Ralph Cleo and Fern (Kanarr) Schaal in Plymouth Nov. 22, 1922.
He was a 1941 graduate from LaPaz High School.
June 16, 1945 he took Rula June McCan as his wife in Plymouth. This past June they celebrated
their 65th wedding anniversary together.
Ralph was a Staff Sergeant during WWII, a member of the Army Air Force, 388 Bomber Unit. He
was stationed in England as a Tail Gunner on the B-17, at the time of his death Ralph and his
pilot were still corresponding with each other; they were the last two to survive from their unit.
After 32 years of employment with the Bendix Corporation he retired in 1983 as a fuel control
calibrator.
Ralph enjoyed gardening, keeping up with current events on the computer, collecting baseball
cards and stamps, and he was an avid Cubs fan.
He attended the Pretty Lake Trinity United Methodist Church where he served as a Trustee for
many years.
Ralph is survived by his beloved wife June, four daughters and their families: Rose M. and Phillip
Calvert of Muncie with daughter Teresa Calvert; Karen S. and Steve Holdread of Lake Havasu,
Ariz. With children Denise and Chris Holdread; Diane K. Schaal and spouse Harold Scott of Etna
Green; and Mary Ann High of Plymouth with children Kara Wagoner and Andrew High. Five
great-grandchildren survive as well along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Also surviving are brothers Gale and Virginia Schaal and Donald and Gertrude Schaal all of
South Bend, and sisters Phyllis and Dale Reaker and Linda and Jerry Eby all of Plymouth.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A time of visiting with Ralph’s family will be held Thursday Sept. 2, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the
Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Funeral services will be held Friday Sept. 3, at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Rev. James Irwin,
pastor of the Pretty Lake Trinity United Methodist Church will officiate.
Burial will immediately follow services in the New Oakhill cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial contributions in Ralph’s name may be given to the Pretty Lake Church 8985 S.R. 17,
Plymouth, IN, 46563.
Marilyn L. Fritts
ROCHESTER -- Marilyn L. Fritts of Rochester, died at 1:53 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010 at her
residence.
She is survived by her husband, Jim; daughters, Cara (Bret) Weathers of Fishers and Laura
(Brian) Fritts-Stilwell of Evansville; five grandchildren; a sister, Judith (Harold) Fredine of
Granger; and a brother, Dr. David (Janna) Estrich of Orinda, Calif.
Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 at Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester.
Funeral services will take place at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, at the St. Joseph Catholic
Church, Rochester.
