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Naomi Ruth Livingston
ROCHESTER — Naomi Ruth Livingston, 69, of Rochester, died at 7:25 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.
16, 2009 at Life Care Center, Rochester.
She is survived by six daughters: Constance Marie Bunn of Sharpsville, Delores "Dee Dee"
(Randall) Chilcutt of Peru, Brenda Lee (Phillip) Stevens of Rochester, Trina Lynnette Livingston
(Jeremy) Rumsey of Chili, Ind., Naomi Elizabeth (John) Allen of Wilmette, Ill., Janeen E.
(Anthony) Clark of Rochester; a son, William M. (Stacy) Livingston III of Fort Wayne; nine
grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley (Phil) Heckathorn of Macy; a brother,
George Morris of Rochester; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200
W. 18th St. Rochester.
Funeral services will take place at 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 at the Mt. Hope cemetery, Peru.
Marvin Ramer
ARGOS — Marvin Ramer, two days, of Argos, died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 at Saint Joseph
Medical Center, South Bend, at 4:26 p.m.
He is survived by his parents, Lewis and Rachel Ramer; brother, Leroy M. Ramer; maternal
grandparents, Roy and Emma Martin of Tippecanoe; paternal grandparents, Irvin and Susan
Ramer of Argos; 21 cousins and several aunts and uncles.
Funeral services took place Thursday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. at the family’s home. Burial followed at
Tippecanoe Old Order Mennonite cemetery, Newcastle Township, Rochester.
Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester, assisted with arrangements.
Gerald “Jerry” Burton
PLYMOUTH — Gerald “Jerry” Burton, 86, of Plymouth, passed away Thursday, Sept. 17, at
11:25 p.m. at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.
Jerry was born May 27, 1923 in Elwood, Ind. one of five children born to Paul and Leona (Benge)
Burton. After graduating high school, Jerry proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force.
When the War ended he entered and graduated from Canterbury College.
He then fell in love and married
the love of his life, Jean Morris. They shared 65 years of
marriage and raised six children.
Jerry’s first teaching job was in the Monterey School system where he also coached sports. After
12 years he returned to teach high school at the Elwood Public School Corp., coaching a variety
of sports and serving two years as Athletic Director. Jerry taught for 24 years in Elwood before
retiring in 1985 to spend more time enjoying life with Jean.
Jerry loved to fish, especially in the Tippecanoe River, and occasionally would return to Monterey
to have morning coffee with friends. He loved to make people laugh, often telling funny stories.
Jerry is survived by his wife Jean of Plymouth; a son, John (Kathy) Burton of Anderson;
daughters: Marsha Harmon, Beth (Joe) Davis, and Kelly (Harv) Janicki all of California, and Joy
(Don) Good and Barbara Weichselfelder both of Ft. Wayne; a sister, Betty Burton of Elwood; 12
grandchildren; two step-grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.
A time of sharing memories with Jerry’s family will be held at the Bonine-Odom Funeral Home,
104 E. Lakeshore Drive, Culver, Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Celebration
service will immediately follow. Interment will be private. Memorials may be given in Jerry’s
memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.
The Bonine-Odom Funeral Home, Culver, is in charge of arrangements.
Frances Jean Hardee
ARGOS — Frances Jean Hardee, 78, of Argos, died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 at 12:11 a.m.
at Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester, following a brief illness.
She is survived by two sons: Kevin (Marilyn) Hardee of Argos; Vernon (Glenda) Hardee of Show
Low, Ariz.; a daughter, Karen (Jesse) Smith of Tucson, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; three great
grandchildren; a sister, Betty (Gary) Helvie of Kokomo; and a brother, Dale (Mary) Edwards of
Ames, Iowa.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, Sept, 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the South Lawn cemetery in
Tucson, Ariz.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Argos.
Burial will follow at South Lawn cemetery, Tucson, Ariz.
Arrangements have been entrusted with the Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos.
John P. Rosander
LAPORTE — John P. Rosander, 41, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, the result of an automobile
accident in Starke County.
He is survived by his wife, Angela; four daughters: Heather O’Connor, Amber Rosander, Kelly
Rosander, and Victoria Rosander; two sons: Cory Rosander and Terry Rosander; his mother,
Peggy Rosander; a sister, Jodi Greene; step-daughter, Jordan Bunton; step-sons: Jacob Bunton
and Joshua Ramirez; and step-brothers: Rick Zilinger, Steve Zilinger, Scott Zillinger and Brent
Zilinger.
Visitation will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 2 to 5 p.m. Central Time at Rannells
Funeral Home, Koontz Lake Chapel.
Funeral services will be Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be given to the family.
Roger A. Babcock
PLYMOUTH — Roger A. Babcock, 69, of State Road 17, passed away suddenly in the St.
Joseph Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room.
He was born in Blue Island, Ill. April 29, 1940; Roger was the son of William and Lena Testolin
Babcock.
He graduated from Fenger High School in Chicago, Ill., and served in the United States Coast
Guard for four years.
On Aug. 1, 1959, in North Liberty, Roger and Carrolyne Penrod were married
. Roger was the
packaging designer for various companies for 30 plus years.
A woodworker and a great cook, he loved spending time with his family especially playing with
his grandchildren. He enjoyed nature's many treasures along with boats, sailing, and taking care
of their four cats.
He was a former member of the Sheriff’s Posse and of the Plymouth Moose Lodge #741.
Roger is survived by his wife, Carrolyne, and by their two children: Cindy (Steve) Odiorne and
Jeff (Ann) Babcock, both of Plymouth.
Four grandchildren also survive: Kailey (Kenneth) Bandimere, Abigail, Hope and Samuel Babcock.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents a son, Chris Babcock, a grandson, LCpl. Cameron
M. Babcock, a brother, William Babcock, Jr.
Friends are invited to share memories with Roger’s family Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, from 1 to 3
p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 North Michigan Street, Plymouth.
A memorial service for Roger will follow the visitation at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. Pastor Les
Johnson, the hospital chaplain will officiate.
Burial will be in the New Oakhill cemetery with military honors accorded by the Plymouth VFW
and the American Legion.
Memorial gifts in Roger’s name may be made to Heartland Artists in Plymouth.
William Bacewic
WALKERTON - William “Bill” Bacewic, 82, died Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 at his home.
He is survived by his wife, Elsie; one daughter, Carolynn (Harold “Doc” Rader) Bacewic of
Walkerton; two sons: Russell (Karen) Bacewic of Walkerton and Kenneth (Penny Bell) Bacewic
of North Liberty; a granddaughter; a sister, Bernice Lis of Antioch, Ill.; and a brother, Charles
(Eleanor) Bacewic of Knox.
A graveside service will take place Thursday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. (Eastern Time) at Woodlawn
cemetery, Walkerton. Cremation will take place.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Walkerton United Methodist Church.
Rannells Funeral Home, Koontz Lake Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.
Christopher L. Givens
HAMLET- Christopher L. Givens, 28, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 in Starke County, the result
of an automobile accident.
He is survived by his father, Jerry Sons of Hamlet; grandmother, Lillian Hart of Knox; one aunt
and seven uncles.
Visitation will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. (Central Time) until the time of
services at Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel.
Funeral services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will follow at the Round Lake cemetery, Knox.
Memorial contributions may be given to the family.
Benjamin E. Smith
BREMEN — Benjamin E. Smith, 79, of Bremen, died Tuesday, Sept. 19, at his residence.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria Smith of Bremen; two sons, Patrick Jay and Debbie Smith of
North Carolina and Michael Ray and Melanie Smith of Pierceton; one daughter Pamela Kay and
Tom Reed of Cromwell; five grandchildren; three sisters and two brothers.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 .m. at Mishler Funeral Home, Bremen, Friday, Oct. 2.
Services are Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bremen with the Pastor
Roger Rohde officiating.
Burial will be at Bremen cemetery, with military graveside services.
Lois Lucille Ebner
KNOX - Lois Lucille Ebner, 76, died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 in her home.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Ebner; a daughter, Karen Lardino of Knox; three sons:
Bill Watts of Arkansas, Walter Watts and Greg Watts, both of Knox; one brother, Paul Lute of
Wisconsin; several step-children; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step grandchildren.
Visitation will take place Thursday, Sept. 24 from 4 p.m. (Central Time)until the time of services
at Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel.
Funeral services will be Thursday at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will be at a later date at Fletcher cemetery.
Vada Musser Reiff
PLYMOUTH — Vada Musser Reiff, 98, died at 12:27 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in St. Joseph
Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.
Vada was born March 10, 1911, in Nappanee, to Rufus and Irene Musser. The family moved to
a small dairy farm near Plymouth when Vada was a child. She and her siblings walked to West
School. They later moved closer to town where she attended Washington and Webster schools.
She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1929. Vada went to Manchester College and earned
her teaching certificate in 1931, and embarked on her long 46-year career in education. In 1940,
she got her bachelor’s degree from Manchester and in 1951, her master’s in Education from
Colorado State College.
She taught first and second grades in Goshen for six years and later in Argos and Bremen, she
taught the second and third grades. In Plymouth, at Washington and Webster schools, she had
Reading and English classes for the fourth and fifth grades. Her last assignment was at
Washington with first graders. “My favorites, ” she said. She literally taught generations of
children how to read. She also served as a trainer for future teachers in her classroom.
A talented pianist, she also gave piano and organ lessons in her home. Music was always an
important part of her life.
Vada was a longtime member of the Plymouth Church of the Brethren. Baptized in the Church
when she was 13, she was a faithful member all of her life. As a devout Christian she was a
tither. She was a generous supporter of the Heifer International Program, adding her good deeds
to the countries of the World. She contributed as well to other Christian programs.
In recent years, she established a scholarship fund for elementary education students at
Manchester College.
Vada met Mark Jacob Reiff when she was a young teacher. To be married
as a teacher was
strongly frowned upon and prohibited. Forty years later, Mark, then a widower, called her and
they renewed their acquaintanceship. On June 9, 1974, Vada and Mark were married
in the
Church of the Brethren. They were married
for 13 years. Mark died April 14, 1986.
She was a long time member and officer of the Plymouth chapter of the order of Eastern Star.
She was also active in the Association of Retired Teachers, on the local and state level.
She enjoyed travel and visited many foreign countries, including an early visit to China. She had
two goals. She wanted to be a teacher and she wanted to go around the world. She did both.
Vada and her father planted the beautiful Magnolia tree that now stands in the parking lot of the
Farmer’s Market. It will be a living tribute to her for years to come.
Vada is survived by her sister, Myrtle Miller, Mishawaka, and a brother, Dr. Wayne Musser,
Petaluma, Calif. She had numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and two sisters: Olive Reed and
Blanche Martin.
Visitation to celebrate the life of Vada Musser Reiff will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept.
24, 2009, at the Plymouth Church of the Brethren, 1130 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
A funeral service for Vada will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, in the Church, with the Rev. Ruth
Yoder officiating.
Burial will be in New Oakhill cemetery.
The Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial gifts in Vada’s name may be made to the Plymouth Church of the Brethren or to the
donor’s favorite charity.
