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Matthew “Matt” Fred Thompson
ARGOS — Matthew “Matt” Fred Thompson, 29, of 17199 Oak Rd., Argos, died Tuesday, Sept.
2, 2008 at 7: 42 p.m. at Memorial Hospital of South Bend from injuries following a motocross
accident at Red Bud race track in Buchanan, Mich. Monday, Sept, 1, 2008.
He was born March 9, 1979 in Indianapolis to Gregory Lee and Patricia A. (Cherry) Thompson.
He lived most of his life in the Argos community. Matt worked for Planetechs at AAR,
Indianapolis, where he was a Airfram & Powerplant mechanic. He was a member of the
American Motorcycle Association and Sons of the American Legion Post #68 of Argos. He was
a graduate of Argos High School with the class of 1997, where he earned a varsity letter in
basketball and golf.
He is survived by his mother, Patty Thompson of Indianapolis; son, Ryley D. Sears of Rochester;
paternal grandfather, Dale V. Thompson of Argos; maternal grandmother, Dorothy Cherry of
Indianapolis; and several aunts and uncles and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gregory Thompson on March 2, 1979; grandmother,
Lois Thompson; and grandfather, William Fred Cherry Jr.
Friends may visit with the family Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Earl-Grossman
Funeral Home, 208 N. Michigan St., Argos.
Graveside services will immediately follow visitation at the cemetery with Rev. Richard Troyer
officiating.
Burial will be at Maple Grove cemetery, Argos.
Memorial contributions may be made to a trust fund that has been set up for his son Ryley at 1st
Source Bank, 518 N. Michigan St., Argos, IN 46501. Envelopes will also be available at the
funeral home.
Arrangements have been entrusted with the Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos.
Floyd E. Burkholder
NAPPANEE — Floyd E. Burkholder, 83, of Nappanee, died at 8: 30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3 at home.
He is survived by his wife, Clara Burkholder; daughters: Betty (Ernie) Schwartz and Jeanne
Grove, both of Nappanee; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters: Annabelle Cripe
of Goshen and Lydia Mae Miller of Nappanee; and sister-in-law, Anna Mae Burkholder of Nappanee.
Visitation was after 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4 and all day Friday at the Ernie Schwartz residence,
13106 N. 950 W., Nappanee. Funeral services are Saturday, Sept. 6 at 9: 30 a.m. at the Ernie
Schwartz residence. Burial will be at Weldy cemetery.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is assisting with the arrangements.
Laveda B. Rogers
ARGOS — Laveda B. Rogers, 87, of Argos, died Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 6: 50 a.m. at home.
She is survived by her children: Steven (Sharon) Rogers of New Tazewell, Tenn., Owen
(Priscilla) Rogers of Riverdale, Ga. and Frances Jo (Greg) Elkins of Spring Valley, Ariz.; 16
grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters: Arlene
Davis of Swifton, Ark. and Rosemary Bradshaw of Searcy, Ark.; and brother, John Charles and
wife Frankie Hamilton of Giddings, Texas
A funeral service will be held Saturday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. in Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home,
115 S. Main St. Bourbon. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until time of funeral services Saturday in the
funeral home.
Ronald Mark Alber
ROCHESTER — Ronald Mark Alber, 63, of Rochester, died at 5: 50 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 at home.
He is survived by his wife, Jill Daulton Alber; daughters: Traci (Michael) Benzing of Rochester
and Peggy Hurst of Rochester; sons: Mark (Shelly) Alber of Warsaw, Paul (Holly) Alber of
Rochester, Nathan Alber of Rochester, Dustin (Robin) Overmyer of Rochester and Eric (Valerie)
Hammell of Rochester; 16 grandchildren; sister, Elaina (Bruce) Henry of Indianapolis; and
brother, Joe Alber of Rochester.
There will be no local visitation or funeral services. He will be buried at sea.
The Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester, is in charge of the arrangements.
Clara Lavina (Miller) Dickson
PLYMOUTH — Clara Lavina (Miller) Dickson, age 99, of Parkview, Plymouth, Ind., passed away
at 2: 55 a.m., Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, at Pilgrim Manor Nursing Home in Plymouth.
Clara was the youngest child born to Frank O. and Julia (Chart) Miller, May 15, 1909, in Marshall
County, Ind. She was raised in the Tyner Community, along with her brothers and sister: Floyd
C. Miller, Cleo F. Miller, Henry R. Miller and Nettie May (Miller) Filley.
She was the last surviving child of her family.
Clara married
James O. Dickson June 25, 1927. James passed away in 1976. Their married
life
was spent in, Plymouth; Orlando, Fla. and Warsaw, Ind.
Clara is survived by her three children: Phyllis (Robert, deceased) Cartwright of Plymouth,
James E. Dickson and Leon (Doris) Dickson of Plymouth; her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
Clara’s family would like to thank the staff of Pilgrim Manor Nursing Home, for the love and care
given to her, during her many years as a resident.
A time of visiting, with the Dickson family, will be Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, from 11 a.m. until the
time of the service at 1 p.m., at the Van Gilder Funeral Home, 300 W. Madison St., Plymouth,
IN, 46563.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the Van Gilder Funeral Home,
with the Rev. Steven Voelker officiating.
Burial will be in New Oak Hill cemetery, Plymouth.
Kathryn G. Geisler
WINONA LAKE —Kathryn G. Heisler, 103, of Wooster Rd, (Grace Village) Winona Lake, Ind.,
died Friday, Sept. 5 at 5 a.m. in Grace Village Assisted Living.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Verona Gaskill; a sister, four brothers and a grandson.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Sept. 8 at Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home,
115 S. Main St. Bourbon.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Robert
Jarboe, Hospice Chaplin officiating .
The family requests any memorial contributions be made to Kosciusko County Hospice in her memory.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Crystal S. VanParys
WALKERTON — Crystal S. VanParys, 75, died Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 in Hospice House, South
Bend, Ind.She was preceded in death by her husband, Rene M. VanParys and her parents,
three sisters and one brother.
She is survived by two sons: Greg Graddy of Heber Springs, Ark. and Mark (Beth) VanParys of
South Bend; two grandsons, Major Bryan (Jessie) Graddy and Justin (Chrissy) Graddy; three
great-grandchildren and one sister, Doris (Al) VanDenHeuvel of Minn.
Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Rannells Funeral Home, Koontz Lake
Chapel after 10 a.m. until the time of services.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. Eastern Time at the funeral home with
Father Michael Winkowski officiating.
Cremation has taken place.
Memorial contributions may be given to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111
Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN, 46637.
Charles, Jr. Weiger
INDIANAPOLIS — Charles Jr. Weiger, 84, Indianapolis, passed away Friday, Sept. 5, 2008.
Charles was born March 3, 1924 in Culver, Ind. to the late Charles Oscar Theodore and Elsie
Louella (Kendall) Weiger.
During his career, Charles was a self-employed general contractor. He was a member of Grace
United Church of Christ in Culver, Ind. and the Odd Fellows Lodge in Argos, Ind.
In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by one sister, Helen Weiger and three
brothers: Robert, Vern and Raymond Weiger.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred M. (Clingler) Weiger; daughter, Louellen (John) Kowatch;
sons, Terry Weiger and Robin (Tina Pierce) Weiger; granddaughter, Barbara Kowatch; great-grandson,
Jacob “Jake The Snake” Kowatch and sisters, Faye Gilbert and June Dunnuck.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, 2008 at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral
Center-Broad Ripple. Calling was held from 4 until 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008 at the
funeral center. Burial will be at a later date in Culver Masonic cemetery, Culver.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lupus Alliance of America, 26507 Harper Avenue,
Saint Clair Shores, MI 48081.
Edna M. Yoder
ETNA GREEN — Edna M. Yoder, 80, of S.R. 19, Etna Green, died Friday, Sept. 5 at 6: 40 p.m.
at her home, after a four-year battle with cancer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Menno and Fannie (Miller) Kuhns; a son, LaVerne,
three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, four brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by her husband Edwin J. Yoder; three sons: Omer (Irene) Yoder of Pheonix,
Ariz., Galen (Theresa) Yoder of Montgomery, Ind. and Stanley (Anita) Yoder of Etna Green; four
daughters: Katherine (Atlee) Yoder of Middlebury, Laura (John) Eicher of Wakarusa, Fannie
(Chris) Yoder of Nappanee and Nancy (Edward) Miller of Nappanee; a daughter-in-law, Linda
Yoder of Etna Green; 39 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren; three brothers: John Henry
(Pat) Kuhns of Nappanee, Menno (Esther) Kuhns of Wisconsin and Bill (Carol) Kuhns of Elkhart;
three sisters: Elizabeth (Alfred) Shrock of N.D., Leona (Marvin) Stutzman of Nappanee and
Fannie Mae (Ralph) Stichter of Wakarusa.
Visitation took place at the family residence (8804 N. S.R. 19) after 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 and
all day Sunday, Sept. 7.
Funeral services will take place at the home Monday, Sept. 8 at 9: 30 a.m. with burial to follow at
Graber cemetery.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, was in charge of arrangements.
Gregory R. Gard
ROCHESTER — Gregory R. Gard, 61, of 788 W. S.R. 14, of Rochester passed away on
Saturday, Sept. 6 at 2: 47 p.m. in Woodlawn Hospital unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack.
Greg was born the son of Lowell T. Gard and JoHannah Slough Gard on May 28, 1947 at
Warsaw. He was a resident of the Rochester area since 1981. He was employed by the City of
Rochester, working with the Street Department.
Greg was a graduate of Triton High School class of 1965. He was active in ABATE of Fulton
County, he was known as “Gard Dog”. He was also a Veteran of the United States Navy serving
in Vietnam. His memberships include; Moose Lodge, Eagles Lodge, VFW and American Legion
all of Rochester. He enjoyed and loved motorcycles, animals of all kinds and fishing.
Greg is survived by Diane Wheadon of Rochester, his four children: Heath(Gwenda) Gard of
Middlebury, Fla., Trina Gard of Bourbon, Laurie Wheadon of Ligonier and Jim Wheadon of
Rochester. He was also blessed with three grandchildren. Along with his mother, JoHannah
Gard of Bourbon and his two brothers: Jeffery (Joyce) Gard of New Carlisle, and Eric (Janie)
Gard of Carmel. Greg also has two nieces, a nephew and his beloved dog, “Rail”.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lowell and his sister, Janice who passed away only a
week ago.
A funeral service to celebrate Greg’s life will be held Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 10: 30 a.m. in Etna
Green United Methodist Church with Pastor Joe Lampton officiating.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home,
115 S. Main St. Bourbon, Indiana and for one hour before services in the church on Wednesday.
Burial will follow in Etna Green cemetery at Etna Green, Indiana with Military Graveside Honors.
The family requests any memorial contributions be made to ABATE of Fulton County (Toys for
Tots) or Hilltop Kennels of Akron in his memory.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Joseph E. Miller
LEESBURG — Joseph E. Miller., 62, of Leesburg, died Saturday, Sept. 6 at 6: 44 a.m. at his
home on Banning Lake.
He is survived by his wife Janet (Wiegand); a sister, Jo Ann (Dupont) Klodzinski of Mishawaka,
Ind.; 12 nieces and nephews and many cousins.
Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel,
2290 Provident Court Warsaw, Ind. with a rosary service at 7: 30 p.m.
Funeral services will take place Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. at the chapel.
Private internment services will follow.
Michael D. Sporner
BOURBON – Michael “Mike” D. Sporner, 52, Bourbon, died of natural causes at his home on
Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008.
Born in Plymouth on Feb. 24, 1956, Mike was the son of Carl D. and Patricia Luse Sporner.
He graduated from Triton High School with the class of 1974.
From 1976 to 1980, Mike served in the United States Marines. He attended boot camp in San
Diego, Calif., and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.
An avid golfer, he could often be seen at the Tri-Way Golf course as well as many other area
courses.
He was an active member of the Moose Lodge in Plymouth and of the American Legion and the
Eagles Lodge.
Mike is survived by his mother and by a sister, Susan M. and Michael Krantz, Bremen and five
brothers: Brian and Trisha Sporner, Bourbon: Patrick D. and Margaret Sporner, Plymouth: Phillip
L. and Daniel Sporner, both of Bremen and Scott Sporner of Osceola, Ind.
Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by his father, Carl.
Friends are invited to share their memories with Mike’s family at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral
Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Moose Lodge funeral services will follow visitation at 2 p.m in the funeral home.
Burial will be in New Oakhill cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial gifts in Mike’s memory may be made to the Moose Family Center, Plymouth.
