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Brent “Cozmo” Kramer
ROCHESTER — Brent “Cozmo” Kramer, 49, of Rochester, died at 4:05 a.m. Saturday, June 13,
2009. He was born Feb. 1, 1960 in Rochester to Charles Robert and Janice Nichols Kramer. On
June 27, 1980 in Rochester he married
Cathy Hart.
Brent was a 1978 graduate of Rochester High School. He embraced the open road with his 18-
wheeler as he most usually drove to locations around the Midwest. He was given a CB handle by
his buddies — answering to Cozmo. He currently drove for Wayne Trucking, but also had driven
for Dean Foods and Foodliner.
As Santa Claus, he took great pride with serving many of our local children by checking their
lists, offering a hearty laugh or a resounding ho-ho-ho that only Santa can convey. Some of
Cozmo’s favorite times were the moments he spent fishing with his Dad on the Tippecanoe. He
and his Dad also shared many good times enjoying the quiet solitude of the woods while hunting
deer. He enjoyed listening to country music and rock and roll.
Catching the wind on his 2005 Harley-Davidson allowed Cozmo the greatest of all freedoms.
There was nothing like cruising the country roads of Northern Indiana. Cozmo many times rode
in larger groups as a member of the Patriot Guard, ABATE or the Legion Riders. His other
memberships included the Eagles, Moose Lodge, the Sons of the American Legion and the
Leroy Shelton American Legion Post. Cozmo loved a good joke. He was notorious for telling
jokes or texting them to friends. He will be remembered for his enduring laugh and occasional
practical jokes. Cozmo always had a way to keep things light and lively.
He is survived by a son, Seth Douglas Kramer of Hollywood, Fla.; daughter, Tina Conley of Peru;
two grandchildren: Chase and Jade Conley of Peru; mothers: Janice (Don) Duzenbery of
Plymouth and June Kramer of Rochester; friend, Cathy Hart Kramer of Angola; two sisters: Kim
(Tim) Bope of Plymouth and Colleen (Rob) Norman of Delphi; three brothers: Rick Kramer of
Amston, Conn., Scott Sopher of Ft. Myers, Fla. And Fred Sumpter of Rochester; sister-in-law,
Karen Sumpter of Rochester; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and “Woody” his African
Grey Parrot.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Robert Kramer in 2006; his brother, Judson
Sumpter in 2002; and his granddaughter, Samantha Conley.
A celebration of the life of Mr. Brent Douglas “Cozmo” Kramer will be held at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, June 17 at the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, with the
Rev. Brian Sewell officiating. Friends may visit with his family from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and one
hour prior to services. He will be laid to rest at the family plot in the Athens/Hoover cemetery.
Preferred memorials may be made to the American Legion Riders, Mooseheart, or the American
Diabetes Association.
Wayne L. Schlemmer
SOUTH BEND — Wayne L. Schlemmer, 76, of Westiver Drive, South Bend, passed away at
3:05 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2009 at Regency Place, South Bend. He was born Dec. 1, 1932 in
Bremen to Alexander and Catherine (Feckler) Schlemmer who preceded him in death. Also
preceding him in death are three brothers: Kenneth, Forest and Harold.
On Oct. 26, 1952, in Mishawaka, he married
the former Naomi R. Miles. She survives with two
daughters, Sharry (Lewis) Ragland of Elkhart and Catherine Schlemmer of South Bend; one
son, Mark (Linda) Schlemmer of South Bend; and two brothers: Nelson (Edna) Schlemmer of
Mishawaka and Stanley (Mary) Schlemmer of North Liberty. Seven grandchildren and seven
great-grandchildren also survive.
Mr. Schlemmer was a veteran of the United States Army and retired in 1999 from the
Wheelabrator Corporation after 26 years of service. He served at the Central United Methodist
Church as the Engineer for the Sunday School of the Air radio program. He was a member of
Calvary Baptist Church, South Bend.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 16 at Bubb Funeral Chapel where friends
will be received from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday. Burial will follow the services Tuesday at Bremen
cemetery.
Vera L. Spencer
NEW CARLISLE — Vera L. Spencer, 91, of New Carlisle, formerly of Knox, died Saturday, June
13, 2009, in Hamilton Communities, New Carlisle.
She is survived by one son, Terry Spencer of Florida; two daughters: Pat Kramer of Nevada and
Peggy Nearing of South Bend; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and seven great-great
grandchildren; two sisters: Martha Hahn of Crown Point and Jean Buchanan of Florida.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 16 at 2 p.m. EDT at Rannells Funeral Home, Koontz
Lake Chapel, with visitation from 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday until the time of services. Burial will take
place at Oak Grove cemetery in LaCrosse.
Richard Harold Furst
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Richard Harold Furst, 60, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, June
14, 2009, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Mich., with his family at his side. He was
born March 13, 1949, in Bremen. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Harold D. Furst.
He is survived by his loving daughters: Julie (Travis) Henning of Minnesota and Laura (Kenny)
McDonald of Alabama; former wife and dear friend, Alice Furst of Grand Rapids; and
grandchildren: Cade, Calvin, Adelaide, Marie, Owen, and Leah. He is also survived his mother
Carolyne (Lillie) Furst of Florida; brothers: Steven Furst of California and Brian Furst of Florida;
and sister Carolyn Furst Clark of Saugatuck.
According to Rich’s wishes, cremation has taken place and private family services will be held.
To honor Rich’s compassion for animals, memorial donations may be directed to your local
Humane Society. He will be greatly missed.
Arrangements are being handled by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City.
Dorothy Holland
Dorothy Holland, 94, passed away Sunday, June 14, 2009 at Heritage Park Health Care Center
in Fort Wayne. She was a quiet but strong woman, and a very loving, wife, mother and grandmother.
Surviving are her daughter, Susan (Tom) Bandt of New Haven; son, Jerry (Marsha) Holland of
New Palestine; sister, Pat Yoder; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by husband, Holton "Neal" Holland; son, Douglas Holland; and
daughter, Dee Ann Holland.
Graveside committal service is at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 17 at New Oak Hill cemetery
in Plymouth with Rev. Bob Vale officiating.
Memorials to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association.
Marjorie Cook
BOURBON — Marjorie Cook, 85, of Bourbon, died June 15, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. at Center for
Hospice in Elkhart on the anniversary of her husband’s death 54 years ago.
Marjorie was born on Sept. 23, 1923 near Etna Green, to Ernest and Mabel (Craig) Neidig.
On May 11, 1947, she married
James Hunter Cook of Plymouth, who died on June 15, 1955.
She was preceded in death by two sisters: Roma Dinius and Alice Gene Springer, as well as
three brothers: William, Joseph and James.
She is survived by her sisters: Phyllis (Max) Faulkner of Bourbon and Ruth (William) Gombos of
Lovingston, Va., and her sister-in-law, Bernadine Neidig of Bourbon. She is also survived by her
two sons: Jonathan J. (Toni) Cook of South Bend, and their daughter Erin; Michael D. (Christine)
Cook and their daughter Brittany and son Brady. In addition, she had dozens of nieces and
nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.
Marjorie graduated as salutatorian of the class of 1941 from Bourbon High School where she
played violin in the orchestra. She had various work experiences before becoming employed at
the First State Bank of Bourbon where she served for 25 years, retiring as head bookkeeper in
1986. She was also co-owner of the much-loved El-Mar-Co Kwik Knit Shop in Bourbon from
1971–1995.
Marjorie loved to knit, tat, crochet, sew, and embroider and shared the joy of the craft with
hundreds of individuals over her lifetime including many 4-H students. She also knitted well over
1, 000 winter hats for various charities, as well as hundreds of lap blankets, newborn caps, and
baby booties. In keeping with her giving spirit, she asked that in lieu of flowers, donations would
be made in her honor to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2009 and the funeral will take
place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2009. Both services will be held at VAN GILDER
FUNERAL HOME, 300 W. Madison St., Plymouth, IN 46563. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill
cemetery, in Bourbon.
Marjorie will live on in the memories of her friends and family who find comfort in knowing that
she is now in a better place.
Bonnie Jean Erven
GOSHEN — Bonnie Jean Erven, 70, of Goshen, died Monday, June 15, 2009 at The Maples at
Waterford Crossing in Goshen.
She is survived by son, Randy Lee Erven of Elkhart; daughter, Becky (Jeff) Boomershine of
Goshen; two grandsons; two step granddaughters; and brother, Bob Smith of Georgia.
Services are Wednesday, June 17 at 11 a.m. at the Mishler Funeral Home, Bremen, with
visitation one hour before the service. Burial will be at the Bremen cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Goshen Hospice.
Jeane Richardson
SOUTH BEND — Jeane Richardson, 79, of South Bend, died Monday, June 15, 2009 at home.
She is survived by her husband, Bob Richardson of South Bend; daughters: Pam (Ed) Beery of
Bremen, Donna (Mark) Richardson-Garringer of Ft. Wayne and Lisa (Dr. John) Brown of Grosse
Pt. Park, Mich.; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation is Wednesday, June 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Mishler Funeral Home, Bremen.
Funeral services are Thursday, June 18 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to your favorite pet cause or kennel.
Jennifer Leigh Myers
MISHAWAKA — Jennifer (Jen) Myers, 32, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at Memorial
Hospital in South Bend, due to a head injury she suffered in a motorcycle accident in Bremen
Sunday, June 14.
Jen was born Feb. 4, 1977 in Pineville, KY. To Ronald Owens and Corene (Myers) Wachino.
Jen graduated from Indiana University South Bend in 2005 and from Western High School in
Russiaville, Ind. In 1995. She previously worked in the Emergency Room at Memorial Hospital in
South Bend, where her is mother is currently employed in the Intensive Care Unit.
Jen is survived by her parents, Corene and Bill Wachino of Argos, and Ronald and MaryAnn
Owens of Lawrenceburg, Ky. She is also survived by her sister, Julie Anne Myers; countless
friends; her Sisters in the Wind; and her beloved Harley-Davidson, Stella.
Jen had a beautiful spirit and a “perfect” heart. She was incredibly giving and always wanted to
help others. As a last gesture of generosity, Jen donated her organs so she could continue to
touch people’s lives in her special way. Her family is at peace knowing her spirit will carry on and
that her tragedy will be someone else’s miracle.
Jen was also a wise soul. She left us a final message in a text message she sent to her own cell
phone on the night of June 6: “We are meant to lose the people we love; how, otherwise, would
we know how important they are to us…” -Ben Buttons.
Jen’s family has invited everyone to attend Jen’s celebration of life Saturday, June 20 beginning
at 2 p.m. immediately followed by visitation until 8 p.m. at Kaniewski Funeral Home 3545 N.
Bendix Drive, South Bend.
A special friend of Jen’s, Steven Moore, has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, anyone wanting to
make a contribution can do so at 1st Source Bank to the Jennifer Myers Benefit Fund.
Contributions may also be made to your favorite charity in Jen’s honor.
Lula Mae Wallace
ARGOS — Lula Mae Wallace, 77, of Argos, died at 7:05 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at Pilgrim
Manor Manor Nursing.
She is survived by her husband, Devere of Argos; 10 children: Johnnie (Claudia) Smith of
Bourbon, Virginia (Hank) Sherk and Sherry Dixon both of Brownsville, Ky., Jackie Masten of
Bremen, Lorraine (Jim) Cummins, Kenneth (Barbara) Pritchett and Marjorie (Dwain) Everly, all of
Plymouth, Ray (Connie) Pritchett of Silver Lake, Betty Kuhn (Carl Gragg) and Jeff (Judy)
Pritchett both of Argos; 41 grandchildren; 80 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren;
five step great-grandchildren; and sister, Virginia Spencer of Plymouth.
Visitation is Thursday, June 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home,
Plymouth. Services are Friday, June 20 at 11 a.m. at Plymouth Baptist Church. Burial will be at
New Oakhill cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorials may be made to Southern Care Hospice.
Betty L. Bolinger
ELKHART — Betty L. Bolinger, 75, of Elkhart, died Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at home.
She is survived by her sister, Phyllis Mishler of Nappanee and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation is Monday, June 22 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral
Home, Nappanee. Services are Monday at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Prairie
Street cemetery, Elkhart.
Memorials may be made to CAPS.
