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Virginia Carol Railsback Watts
PLYMOUTH — Virginia Carol Railsback Watts, 83, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s
home in Plymouth, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008.
Virginia was born on May 14, 1925, at her parents’ home in Argos. She was the daughter of
Victor Caillat and Mae Agnes (Dunlap) Railsback. She was a descendant of the Railsback,
Barnhill, Caillat, Cruzan, and Dunlap pioneer families, of Marshall County, Ind. Virginia
graduated from Argos High School, in the Class of 1943, and lived in Marshall County most of
her life.
Virginia was a Christian, having put her trust in Jesus Christ as a child, she was ready to meet
her Savior.
Surviving are her children: Anita (Michael) Kopetski of Mishawaka, Nancy Watts of Plymouth,
and Duane (Norene) Watts of Middlebury her grandchildren: Noel Watts, Viktor Cieplinski, and
Crystal Watts; three great-grandchildren; her sisters: Ruby Smith of Argos, and Vera Ellert of
Holiday, Fla.; and 16 nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sisters: Dorothy Harper, Evelyn Overmyer, Norma Staton;
and two infant siblings: Harold and Linda Watts.
A time of visiting with the family will be Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, from 4 to 7 p.m.
There will be no visitation Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008.
Funeral services will be Friday, Sept. 12, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the Van Gilder Funeral, 300 W.
Madison St., Plymouth, IN, 46563, with the Rev. Herb Claar officiating. Burial will be in Maple
Grove cemetery, Argos.
Max Kehoe
BOURBON — Max Kehoe, 84, of 14128 Beech Rd., Bourbon peacefully entered into rest,
Monday, Sept. 8 at 6: 15 p.m. in Mason Health Care Center of Warsaw.
Max was born the son of Paul Kehoe and Irene Peterson Kehoe on Jan. 19, 1922 at Plymouth.
He had been a resident of Bourbon most of his life.
Max was joined in marriage to Jo Ann Albrecht on June 19, 1976, she survives. Max was a
faithful member of the Tippecanoe Community Church. He was a retired truck driver, delivering
trucks all over the country. Max’s memberships include: the Masonic Lodge, Bourbon American
Legion #424 and the Teamster’s Union. He was also a graduate of Bourbon High School class
of 1941 and was a veteran of the United States Navy serving during World War II.
A funeral service to celebrate Max’s life will be Friday, Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. in the Tippecanoe
Community Church with Rev. Doug Fritzel officiating.
The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until the time of the services on Friday in the Church.
Burial will follow in the Oak Hill cemetery at Plymouth.
The family requests any memorial contributions be made to: Gideon’s International or the
Tippecanoe Community Church in his memory.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Ruth L. Newberg
SOUTH BEND — Ruth L. Newberg, 85, of South Bend, passed away at 8: 15 a.m. Monday,
Sept. 8 at Southfield Village Nursing Center after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mrs. Newberg was born Feb. 10, 1923 in Mishawaka and resided in the Michiana area her
lifetime. On Jan. 3, 1940 in Plymouth as Ruth L. Hayn, she married
Wayne H. Newberg, who
survives.
Also surviving are a daughter, Rebecca E. (Stanley) Nooe of Bradenton, Fla.; and a son, Larry
W. (Marleta) Newberg of Kokomo. Also by five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, whom
she loved and cherished. A sister, Mildred Kruse of Pinellas Park, Fla. and by two brothers: Paul
(Dorothy) Hayn of Plymouth and Don (Mary) Hayn of Argos.
She was preceded in death by two sisters: Helen O’Hara and Mary Rutherford.
Ruth was a homemaker and loved to travel, gardening, church work, camping and flying with her
husband.
She was a true Christian and served the Lord faithfully.
She will be sadly missed by a loving family, her church family and all who had the opportunity to
know this wonderful lady.
Ruth was a former member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Plymouth and South Bend
Central United Methodist Church. She and her husband are presently members of Southlawn
United Methodist Church.
Visitation hours will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 at Southlawn United Methodist
Church located at 60756 U.S. 31 S., South Bend.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday in the church with Pastors Joseph R.
Baunock and Ron Dixon officiating. Burial to follow at Southlawn cemetery.
The family requests, please, in lieu of flowers, please make all memorials to the Southlawn
United Methodist Church.
The HANLEY & Sons “Southwest Chapel” Funeral Home handled arrangements and extends its
deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Newberg family.
Cleatis “Jack” Allen
WALKERTON — Cleatis “Jack” Allen, 79, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 in Rose Arbor Hospice
Residence, Kalamazoo, Mich.
Survivors include three children: Carolyn Allen of Portage, Mich., Dennis (Vicki) Allen of
Centerville, Mich. and Vicki Hooley of Portage, Mich.; three step-daughters: Cindy (Irvin) Linse of
Grovertown, Sandy Calhoon of Plymouth and Pat Eberly of Calif.; 22 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren;
sisters: Mildred Bays, Mazie Heister, Eva Rice, Ruth Howard, Ruby Minix and
Madge Whickcar, all of Walkerton; brothers: Warren Allen of Walkerton; Clifford Allen of
Plymouth and William Allen of Florida.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. Eastern Time at Rannells Funeral Home, Koontz
Lake Chapel. Burial will be in the Woodlawn cemetery, Walkerton. Visitation is Friday from 5 to
8 p.m. EDT and Saturday after 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to Rose Arbor Hospice, 5473 Croyden Ave., Kalamazoo,
MI 49009 or The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Ct., South Bend, IN 46637.
William (Doug) Douglas Bickerstaff
MESA, Ariz. — William (Doug) Douglas Bickerstaff passed away Sept. 9, 2008 at Banner
Hospice House in Mesa, Ariz. with his wife Geneva, and his father and his step-mother by his side.
Doug was born May 17, 1951 in Stubenville, Ohio, to William (Bill) and Dorothy Bickerstaff.
He graduated from Toronto Ohio High School.
He married
Geneva Ricks May 13, 1995 in Rochester.
Survivors include his wife, Geneva of Mesa, Ariz.; three daughters: Kristy, Kelly, and Kisha all of
Toronto, Ohio; nine grandchildren; eight nephews; two step-sons: Greg and Doug Deon; and a
step-daughter Tracey Deon.
His father and step-mother Bill and Petie Bickerstaff survive as well along with a sister Debbie
Hesler and Dave Roush; two brothers: Dan and Cindy Bickerstaff of Valparaiso, and John and
Gloria Bickerstaff of Three Oaks, Mich.
Doug was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 in the chapel at New
Oakhill cemetery, Plymouth.
Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home is assisting with local arrangements.
Robert “Bob” D. Campbell
ARGOS — Robert “Bob” D. Campbell, 43, of 322 Fremont St., Argos, passed away at 8: 08 a.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at his mother’s home, in Argos.
Bob was born on July 28, 1965, in Hazard, Ky., to Bobby Dean and Shirley (Miller) Campbell
Vires. Bob married
Connie Allen and together they had three children. Bob was employed by
Mike’s Construction, in Argos. He proudly served his country in the United States Army.
Bob is survived by his mother and step-father, Shirley and Ewen Vires of Argos; his children,
Kayla Renee Campbell of Argos, Kasey Marie Campbell of Argos, and Bobbie Justine Campbell
of Louisiana; his brothers and sisters, Michael (Julie) Campbell of Argos, Tammy (Vires) and
Jeff Sneed of Bourbon, Ewen Joseph Vires of Argos, Jennifer (Vires) and Chad Conley of
Plymouth, and Stephen Vires of Argos; and his granddaughter, McKenzie Jo Lawton.
Bob was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Dean Campbell and his brother, Anthony
Campbell.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, at the Plymouth Church of Jesus Christ,
12th Road, Plymouth, at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Olan Howard officiating.
Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, at the Plymouth Church of Jesus
Christ.
Van Gilder Funeral Home, 300 W. Madison St., Plymouth, IN 46563, is handling the arrangements.
Lora Lowe Olmsted
ROCHESTER — Lora Lowe Olmsted, 84, of Rochester, died at 8: 25 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9,
2008 at Life Care Center of Rochester.
She is survived by her husband, Don Olmsted of Rochester; son, Stephen (Susan) Olmsted of
Rochester; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Olmsted; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a
brother, Warren Lowe of Hiawatha, Kan.
Visitation is Friday, Sept. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester.
Funeral services are Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Nazarene, Rochester.
Burial will be at the Rochester IOOF cemetery.
Frank Poor
CULVER — Frank Poor, 87, of Culver, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 at Saint Joseph Regional
Medical Center, Plymouth.
He is survived his companion, Mary Garrison of Culver; nephews: Theodore Poor of Michigan
and Arthur Poor of Plymouth; and niece, Bonnie O’Donnell of Winamac.
There will be no services.
The Bonine-Odom Funeral Home, Culver, is in charge of the arrangements.
Lucille M. Cortez
PLYMOUTH — Lucille M. Cortez, 71, a Plymouth resident since 2004, coming from Midlothian,
Ill., died following an illness, at 2: 24 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, at Saint Joseph Regional
Medical Center, Plymouth.
Lucille was born in French Lick, Ind., March 3, 1937. She was the daughter of Fred and Genieve
Pinnick. Genieve’s maiden name was Anderson.
She attended Thorton High School in Harvey, Ill.
March 4, 1961, in Chicago, Ill., Lucille and Jesse A. Cortez were married
. Jesse died Oct. 31, 2004.
She had worked at Nabisco Foods in Chicago and later for White Castle in Midlothian, Ill. Lucille
loved to play Bingo and spend time with her family.
She was a member of the Midlothian Methodist Church.
Lucille is survived by two daughters: Marie Clark of Plymouth and Janet (William Jr.) Pietsch of
Culver.
Two granddaughters, Jessica R. Pietsch and Rachel C. Pietsch, both of Culver, and a grandson,
Ryan S. Clark of Plymouth, survive as well.
Three sisters also survive Lucille. They are Erma Lindeman, El Sobrante, Calif., Janet
Stofferahn, French Lick and Beverly Williams, Midlothian, Ill.
Lucille was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband.
Friends are invited to share memories of Lucille with her family Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, from
4 p.m. to 8 p.m., E.S.T. and Friday, Sept. 19, after 7 a.m., at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral
Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Funeral services for Lucille will be held at 10 a.m., E.S.T., in the funeral home on Friday, Sept.
19, 2008, following visitation.
Additional services will be at noon, C.S.T. Friday, Sept. 19, 2008, at Skyline Memorial Park,
Monee, Ill.
Memorial gifts in Lucille’s memory may be made to her family.
Diana Lynn Winegardner Dodson
Diana Lynn Winegardner Dodson, 53, of Logansport passed away at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept., 12,
2008, at her mother’s residence. She was born Nov. 26, 1954, in Logansport to Harold
Winegardner and Alma (Albrecht) Winegardner. She was married
to Dale Dodson, who survives
in Plymouth.
A 1973 graduate of Logansport High School, Diana was a member of All Saints Catholic Church.
She had been a substitute teacher for two years in the Plymouth School Corporation. She
enjoyed spending time with her son and his activities, and painting with watercolors.
She is also survived by her mother, Alma Winegardner of Logansport; her father, Harold
Winegardner of Logansport; son, Drew Dodson; stepsons: Dean Dodson, Derrick Dodson and
Dirk Dodson; brothers: Kenneth (Barbara) Winegardner and Edward (Marie) Winegardner, all of
Logansport; sister, Elizabeth (Ronald) Eurit of Flora; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles,
and cousins also survive.
Visitation is Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 9 to 10: 30 a.m. at Kroeger Funeral Home, 711 E. Market
St., Logansport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at All Saints
Catholic Church with Father Jeff Martin officiating. Burial will be at Metea Baptist cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Guardian Angel Hospice or Riley Hospital for Children.
Robert W. Johnson
KOONTZ LAKE — Robert W. Johnson, 92, passed away Friday, Sept. 12, 2008 at 10 p.m. at his
residence.
Mr. Johnson was born Jan. 22, 1916 in Chicago, to Eric and Ellen (Andersen) Johnson and lived
in the Koontz Lake area most of his life.
On Sept. 28, 1940 in South Bend, he was married
to Elizabeth Williams, who preceded him in
death. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Eric Johnson.
Survivors include: one daughter, Bonnie (Ed) Shea of Noblesville; one son, Don (Diane)
Johnson of Koontz Lake; four grandchildren, Elin (Ryan) Fair of Mishawaka, Britta Johnson of
Carmel, Megin Shea of North Salem and Kathy (Charlie) Glass of Noblesville, and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Johnson was the former owner and operator of Johnson Insurance Agency of Koontz Lake
and retired from the agency in 1972. He also retired from Associates Investment Company of
South Bend in 1958.
He was a lifetime member of the Walkerton Masonic Lodge #619 F&AM and a member of the
South Bend Valley of Scottish Rite.
Friends may call Monday, Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. EDT until the time of services at 1 p.m. Eastern
Time in Rannells Funeral Home, Koontz Lake Chapel.
Burial will be at the Grovertown cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to VNA Hospice of LaPorte County.
