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Virginia Mae Schaal
SOUTH BEND -- Virginia Mae Schaal, 84, of South Bend passed away Oct. 20, 2010 in her home.
She is survived by her husband, Gale A. Schaal; daughters, Patricia Hanson, Kathleen Burcham
and Robyn Himes; sons, John M. Schaal, William Schaal and Charles Schaal; 14 grandchildren,
16 great-grandchildren and brothers, Lewie Evans and R. Allen Evans.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25 2010 in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger
Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend. Private family burial will take place in Oak Hill
cemetery, Plymouth. Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the funeral
home.
David R. Thomas
PLYMOUTH -- David R. Thomas, 67, of Plymouth died Oct. 20, 2010 at Saint Joseph Regional
Medical Center, Plymouth.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Thomas of Plymouth; daughters, Karen (Chris) Lopez of
Middlebury, Kim Thomas of Fishers, and Krista Thomas of Irving, Texas; son, David (Machelle)
Thomas of Fort Wayne; and six grandchildren.
Funeral is Monday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. at Plymouth Church of the Brethren, 1130 N. Michigan St.,
Plymouth.
Visitation is Sunday, Oct. 24 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N.
Michigan St., Plymouth and Monday one hour prior to services at the church.
Memorials may be made to Plymouth Church of the Brethren, Camp Mack, or Marshall County
Cancer Association.
Thelma C. Miller
BREMEN -- Thelma C. Miller, 100, of Bremen, passed away Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010 at the
Bremen Health Care Center.
She was born Dec. 27, 1909 in New Albany, Ind. To John and Mae (Carnihan) Shelton. In 1932
she married
James B. Miller; he preceded her in death in 2001.
Thelma was involved in Bremen Current Events Club and local state Republican committees.
She was also active in her church, playing piano for Sunday School at the Bremen First United
Church of Christ. She enjoyed playing golf, bowling, pitching horseshoes and dancing.
Survivors include a son, Joe (Martha) Miller of Bremen; daughter; Sandra Levy of Richmond,
Va.; four grandchildren: Brenda (Mike) Parks of Bremen, Gary (Alice) Miller of Bremen, Brian
(Christy Farmer) Esterling of Durham, N.C. and Kevin (Emily Garabidian) Esterling of Riverside,
Calif.; 11 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Clyde (Nancy)
Shelton of New Albany.
She was preceded in death by her husband; grandson Scott; great-great-granddaughter,
Makayla; and brother; Bud.
A private funeral service will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Mishler Funeral Home in Bremen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospital of Bremen.
The Mishler Funeral Home in Bremen is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mildred Phillips
PLYMOUTH -- Mildred A. (Bradley) Phillips, 97, a kind and gentle person, followed the path that
God had laid for her at 9:50 a.m. Thursday, October 21, 2010.
A lifetime Marshall County resident, Mildred was a resident at the Pilgrim Manor Nursing Home
in Plymouth where she passed after experiencing declining health the past two years.
Mildred was born on July 31, 1913, in Bremen, Indiana the daughter of Elsa Lee and Eva Ellen
(Welch) Barts. The family moved to Plymouth and she graduated from Lincoln High School with
the Class of 1931.
On New Years Eve of 1933 in Bremen, she became a farmer’s wife as she married
Clarence L.
Bradley. After nearly 34 years of marriage and raising two daughters, Clarence preceded her in
death November 9, 1967. She then became the wife of one time Marshall Co. Sheriff Harvey E.
Phillips February 16, 1974, he would pass away July 15, 1977.
Mildred was a homemaker who helped on the farm. She became employed as a bookkeeper for
General Dist. Corp in South Bend, she was a manager of ladies apparel for JC Penny in
Plymouth for five years and the catalog department another six years. She also worked for
Menser Industries and was a hostess for 10 years at the Chi-Am Restaurant both in Plymouth.
She was a longtime active member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, the Friendly 30 Home
Extension Club, AARP Chapter and the Hospital Auxiliary for over 40 years having been
awarded “2008 -Volunteer of the Year”.
Mildred enjoyed flower gardening, doing alterations, creating children’s clothes and making quilts
for each of her grandchildren.
Survivors include her two daughters: Janice E. (Robert) Geddes and Sue E. (Dennis) McCrory
all of Indianapolis and a step-daughter: Stephanie (Dennis) Mackey of Zionsville and stepdaughter-in-law:
Sally Phillips of Carmel. Ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren also
survive.
In addition to her parents and two spouses she was preceded in death by a sister: Treva Berger
and infant brother: Donald W. Barts.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 23rd from 3 – 7 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson
Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Trinity United Methodist Church, 425 S. Michigan
St., Plymouth where friends may call after 1 p.m. until time of services. Pastor Kerry O’Brien will
officiate. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.
Burial will be in the New Oakhill cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorials may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church.
Shurla M. Knepper
PLYMOUTH -- Shurla M. Knepper, age 67, of 11A Road, Plymouth, passed away Friday, Oct.
22, 2010 in her home.
Shurla was born Sept. 20, 1943 in LaPorte, to Clyde and Evelyn (Stickley) Cudney. Dec. 4, 1971
Shurla became the bride of Richard A. “Dick” Knepper in a ceremony at the Blissville Church.
Together they have raised their four children.
Shurla has been a resident of Marshall County area the past 38 years, she has worked as a
store clerk for the Miller’s Grocery in Plymouth. Shurla is a member of the Inwood United
Methodist Church.
Shurla is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Richard A. “Dick” Knepper of Plymouth;
their daughter, Rhonda Knepper of South Bend; their three sons: Jeff Knepper of Nashville,
Tenn., Jerry Knepper of Lafayette, and Rick and Amy Knepper of Plymouth.
Also surviving are Shurla’s three grandchildren; her sister, Lois and Larry Davis of Plymouth; and
her brother, Terry Cudney of Plymouth.
Shurla was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be made to:
Center for Hospice Care, 112 S. Center St., Plymouth, IN, 46564
or the
American Diabetes Association, 30 N. Michigan 2015 Chicago, Ill., 60602.
VISITATION: TUESDAY, OCT. 26, 2010, 11 a.m. TO 1 p.m.
VAN GILDER FUNERAL HOME
300 W. MADISON, ST., PLYMOUTH, IN, 46563
FUNERAL: TUESDAY, Oct. 26, 2010 1 p.m.
VAN GILDER FUNERAL HOME
PASTOR GAIL LAW OFFICIATING
BURIAL: NEW OAKHILL cemetery, PLYMOUTH
Carolyn J. Owens
GROVERTOWN -- Carolyn J. Owens, 66, died Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at her residence.
She is survived by her husband Bobby; a son, Chris (Angie) Owens of Grovertown; brother,
George “Timer” Milner Jr. of Hamlet; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. (Central Time) Tuesday, Oct. 26 and one hour prior to
services Wednesday, at Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27 at the funeral chapel.
Burial will follow at Fletcher cemetery.
Clarice Opal Balmer
LAKEVILLE -- Clarice Opal Balmer, 82, residing in Lakeville, passed away at 3:37 p.m. Sunday,
Oct. 24, 2010 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.
She was born March 24, 1928 in Lakeville, to Lawrence P. and Mary Catherine (Loucks) Rouch.
June 30, 1947 in Lakeville, she married
Perry W. Balmer, who preceded her in death July 26, 1991.
Mrs. Balmer is survived by her daughter, Rosana (Ira T. Bragg) Balmer of Lakeville; son, Arden
(Jenny) Balmer of Lakeville; five grandchildren: Jennifer (Brandon Kowalski) Balmer, Andrea
(Darrell Jr.) Gill, Arden Wayne Balmer Jr., Jessica (Michael) Cherrone and Lawrence Perry
(Erika) Balmer; eight great-grandchildren: Tia Balmer, Dylan Balmer, Kaley Gill, Dustin Gill,
Braeden Balmer, Isabella Opal Balmer (her namesake baby), Brenden Balmer and Caleb Bragg;
and two brothers, Lavere Rouch of Nappanee, and Elwood (Carolyn) Rouch of Middlebury.
Mrs. Balmer graduated in 1946 from Lakeville High School with 33 classmates. She enjoyed her
monthly luncheons with the girls of her class. She was employed for the Lakeville Elementary
School in the cafeteria, Woolworths in South Bend and for Tupperware in Lakeville and in South
Bend. She was a Union Township, St. Joseph County 4-H leader for decorations and gift
wrapping for 39 years. She was a member of the Lakeville Lions since 1991, St. Joseph County
Republican Club, Union Township and St. Joseph County Farm Bureau Board.
She volunteered for LaVille High School Home-Ec classes. She was an election poll worker for
Union Township Precinct #1. Mrs. Balmer enjoyed sewing, reading and camping at Beaver
Ridge campground. She loved spending time watching all the activities of her grandchildren and
great-grandchildren. She especially loved watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren
show their lambs at the county fair, state fair and the National Livestock Show. She was named
“Friend of 4-H” St. Joseph County 1991.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 29, in the Newton Center, 601 N. Michigan
St. Lakeville. Rev. Steve Cox, pastor of Cornerstone Community Fellowship, will officiate.
Burial will follow in Bremen cemetery, Bremen.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28 in the Newton Center and one
hour prior to the services Friday.
Palmer Funeral Home-Lakeville is handling the arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Clarice Opal Balmer may be offered to the St. Joseph
County 4-H Scholarship Fund, 5117 Ironwood Road, South Bend, IN, 46614.
Lloyd “Hap” Morris
MISHAWAKA -- Lloyd “Hap” Morris, age 91, of Mishawaka, passed away at 3:44 p.m., Sunday,
Oct. 24, 2010, at the Sanctuary At Holy Cross, in South Bend.
Hap was born Jan. 1, 1919, in Plymouth, to Lloyd H. and Erma K. (Humrichouser) Morris.
On April 26, 1947, Hap married
the former Rosalee “Rosie” Wolfarth.
Hap was a graduate of Plymouth High School in the Class of 1936, where he played golf on the
high school’s first golf team, which was started in 1935. For two years he worked at C.L. Morris
Lumber Company, a family business, in Plymouth. For three years he went to the Los Angeles
City College. Hap proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII.
He enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Training Program, in 1941, and was discharged as a captain, in
1946.
In 1954 the Morris family moved to Mishawaka. Before retiring in 1986, Hap worked as assistant
manager for the Lowe Lumber Company and the Circle Lumber Company.
Hap’s family had a summer cottage on Pretty Lake, in Plymouth. He loved to play golf, so when
he was at the cottage, he spent a lot of time playing golf at the Plymouth Country Club. It was
there that he made his first hole-in-one. He also won six or seven championships on that course.
His second hole-in-one was made in Mishawaka at the Eberhart Golf Course. He played many,
many years at the annual Plymouth High School Big Red Open. He never won that open, but he
won the respect and amazement of all of the younger golfers playing at the outing.
He was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post #360 in Mishawaka. He attended Saint Thomas
Episcopal Church, in Plymouth, and was a member of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, in
Mishawaka.
Hap is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Rosalee Morris of Mishawaka; their daughter,
Christine (Gerald) Cannoot of Mishawaka; their sons, William Morris of Slidell, La. And Mathew
(Diane) Morris of South Bend; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Hap was
preceded in death by his sisters, Margaret Gery and Beth Morris.
Hap was born on New Year’s Day, thus came his nickname. His nickname was well deserved,
because of his great smile that he shared with everyone.
Memorials may be given to:
Saint Thomas Episcopal Church, 414 North Center Street, Plymouth, IN 46563
or
Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, 616 Lincolnway East, Mishawaka, IN 46544
VISITATION: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010, 10:00-11:00 A.M.
SAINT THOMAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 414 NORTH CENTER STREET, PLYMOUTH, INDIANA, 46563
MEMORIAL SERVICE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010, 11:00 A.M.
SAINT THOMAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
THE REV. FATHER JOHN SCHRAMM, OFFICIATING
BURIAL: NEW OAKHILL cemetery, PLYMOUTH
Eleanor I. Crum
ROCHESTER -- Eleanor I. Crum, age 80, of 827 West 13th St., Rochester passed away at 3:45
a.m., Monday, Oct. 25, 2010, at the Life Care Center, in Rochester.
She is survived by her daughters, Kim (Charles) Hostetler of Plymouth, and Leslie Duncan of
Ohio; her son, Mark (fiancée Kayla Braatz of Ohio; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren
and expecting one; and her brother, Kenneth Johnson of California.
There will be no visitation or funeral.
Van Gilder Funeral Home, 300 West Madison Street, Plymouth, Indiana, 46563, handled the
arrangements.
