The Berne Tri-Weekly News, Obituaries

2010-03-10T09:30:00.001-05:00

Herman Henry Martin Krueckeberg
Herman Henry Martin Krueckeberg, 99, a resident of Decatur, died on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur.
He was born on April 8, 1910, in Adams County, to William and Marie (Schroeder) Krueckeberg. He was married on October 3, 1935, in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, to Meta Wilhelmine Liebman.
He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Decatur, where he always had been active holding at one time or another nearly all of the offices of the church. He retired in 1983 as president of the First State Bank, following a career of 54 years with the bank. He joined the bank on March 15, 1929 as a bookkeeper. He had been executive vice president for many years, and as named president from June 2, 1970 until December 31, 1982. He retired on May 31, 1983 and was a consultant to the bank after retirement. He was active in banking circles, holding various positions in the American Banking Association for many years, and was active in Indiana State Banking Association Region I where he held all offices, including president.
He was a member of the Decatur Lions Club for over 50 years; American Bankers’ Association; former member of the board of directors of the Lutheran Homes Inc.; and currently honorary board member; former volunteer for the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod; the Associated College of Indiana; longtime member of the Anthony Wayne Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award; he was a longtime volunteer in 4-H activities and Future Farmers of America; the March of Dimes, where he was a founding member and longtime treasurer of the local chapter; the Society for Crippled Children and Adults; the Decatur Community Fund, of which he was the last surviving co-founder and the longtime head of the Special Gifts Division; he had been a member of the South Adams Art Council for many years, and also a former member of the North Adams Art Council. He received the Stephen L. Decatur Award for outstanding community service in 1990. He received the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Frank O’Bannon.
He is survived by one daughter-in-law, Sharon Krueckeberg of Woonsocket, Rhode Island; three grandchildren, Dr. Suzy Krueckeberg of Oak Park, Illinois; Adam (Jennifer) Krueckeberg of Newton, Massachusetts; and Anne (Jacob) Standish of Charlotte, North Carolina; three great-grandchildren, Emily Krueckeberg; and Aurora and Evan Standish; and nephew and primary care-givers, Tim and Norma Krueckeberg of rural Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on November 4, 1993; two sons, John; and Dan W. Krueckeberg; one daughter-in-law, Maryanne Krueckeberg; one brother, Edgar Krueckeberg; and one sister, Martha Simmons.
Visitation is from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 11 in the Porter Auditorium at Woodcrest Nursing Center, and from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the 11:00 a.m. service on Friday, March 12 at Zion Lutheran Church. Officiating are Pastor Phil Phifer and Pastor Daniel Gadbaw. Burial will be in Decatur Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Lutheran Life Villages Inc. or Herman and Meta Krueckeberg Trust at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne.

2010-03-10T09:28:00.001-05:00

2010-03-08T09:04:00.000-05:00

William Smith
William “Mac” Smith, 74, a resident of Geneva, died on Thursday afternoon, March 4, 2010 near Geneva.
He was born on June 28, 1935, in Adams County, to Godfred William and Laura Opal Smith. He was married on October 14, 1956 to Catherine M. Habegger.
He was a member of the First Mennonite Church in Berne. He was an accomplished mason and master craftsman. He was a member of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers. He was also a member of the Loyal Workers Sunday school class. He loved to travel, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an avid gardener.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Tony Smith of Indianapolis; and Fred (Lori) Smith of Fishers; one daughter, Becky (Kent) Werst of Geneva; seven grandchildren, Michael and Jessica Smith; Parker and Logan Smith; and Jackson; Jacob; and Isaac Werst; two brothers, Harold and Tim Smith; and two sisters, Grace Whetstone and Veda Edwart.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Catherine Summers; Mildred Boice; and Jane Knipstein; and two brothers, Walter; and Harry Smith.
Visitation was from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 7 at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne, and one hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. service on Monday, March 8 at the First Mennonite Church. Officiating was Rev. Jerry Flueckiger. Burial was in MRE Cemetery in rural Berne.
Memorials may be made to the First Mennonite Church Missions.

Oscar E. Andrews
Oscar E. Andrews, 82, a resident of Bluffton, died at 9:48 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
He was born on March 6, 1928, in Wells County, to Harold P. and Clara I. (Minnich) Andrews. He was married on November 1, 1946, in Bluffton, to Lorene Fosnaugh.
He attended the Park United Brethren Church. He was a 1946 graduate of Bluffton High School and worked at Franklin Electric for over 40 years as the head of Specialty Design Group. He later did consultant work for Franklin Electric. He had been a Boy Scout leader for troop #140.
He is survived by two sons, Chris A. Andrews of Camby; and Jon N. Andrews of Bluffton; one daughter, Ann Marie Pommer of Bluffton; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one brother, Kenneth Andrews of Washington.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on February 28, 2008; two brothers, Michael; and Earl Andrews; and three sisters, Janie Andrews; Bonnie Steffen; and Betty Bowman.
Visitation is from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, and one hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. service on Wednesday, March 10 at Goodwin Memorial Chapel in Bluffton. Officiating is Pastor Larry Taylor. Burial will be in Six Mile Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Anthony Wayne Council of the Boy Scouts, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or Disabled American Veterans.

2010-03-05T11:18:00.000-05:00

Naomi E. Macy
Naomi E. Macy, 88, a resident of Berne, died at 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at Swiss Village Retirement Community in Berne.
She was born on October 1, 1921, in Adams County, to William and Eva (Stauffer) Zurcher. She was married on November 16, 1945 to John Macy.
She was a member of the West Missionary Church in Berne. She was a former employee of CTS Corporation of Berne for twenty-seven years.
She is survived by one son, Dr. Warren (Connie) Macy of Greencastle; one daughter, Carol Ann Moore of Brownsburg; two brothers, Paul; and Joshua Zurcher, both of Monroe; one sister, Gladys Nussbaum of Berne; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1980; three brothers, Arthur; Vernon; and Dale Zurcher; and a grandson, Lance Moore.
Visitation is from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 5 at the Swiss Village Chapel, and one hour prior to the 2:30 p.m. service on Saturday, March 6 at Swiss Village. Officiating is Rev. Keith Rupp. Burial will be in MRE Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne.
Memorials may be made to West Missionary Church or to the Swiss Village Samaritan Fund.

William Smith
William “Mac” Smith, 74, of Geneva died on Thursday, March 4, 2010.
Arrangements are pending at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne.

2010-03-03T08:43:00.000-05:00

Wilma J. (Noble) Smith
Wilma J. Smith, 82, a resident of Berne, and a former resident of Bryant, died on Monday, March 1, 2010 at Chalet Village in Berne.
She was born on August 1, 1926, in Warren, to Marion A. and Luetta (Trout) Noble.
She is survived by one brother, James L. (Joyce) Noble of Bluffton; one sister, Glenna L. (Roger) Lee of Poneto; and one stepson, Roger (Peggy) Smitley of Bryant.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Ralph Smitley Jr. and Walter A. Smith; and one brother, Charles Noble.
Visitation is from 12:00 p.m. to the time of the 3:00 p.m. service on Wednesday, March 3 at Haggard and Sefton Funeral Home. Officiating is Pastor Jim Bontrager. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton.

Raymond L. Chamness
Raymond L. Chamness, 83, a resident of Jonesboro, Arkansas, died on Saturday, February 27, 2010 after a brief illness.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara (Yoder); three sons, Jerry (Carol) Chamness of Atlanta, Georgia; James (Deborah) Chamness of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Steven (Karen) Chamness of Elkhart; one daughter, Carolyn Chamness (Tom Corwin) of Centerville, Michigan; one sister, Coretta (Don) Sipe of Berne; one brother, Norval (Amor) Chamness of Sturgis, Michigan; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, with Rev. Jerry Chamness officiating. The location will be River Oaks Community Church, 58020 County Road 115 in Goshen. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to your favorite church or charity.
Crematory arrangements are being handled by Cox-Wayman Funeral Home in Pocahontas, Arkansas.

2010-03-01T08:52:00.000-05:00

Robert J. Heyerly
Robert J. Heyerly, 65, a resident of Decatur, died on Friday evening, February 26, 2010 at Adams Memorial Hospital.
He was born on October 24, 1944, in Adams County, to Clifford A. and Helen M. (Maller) Heyerly. He was married on May 2, 1970 to Mary L. Hooper.
He worked for a while for International Harvester in Fort Wayne, and was the former owner of the Aqua Blast Corporation, of which he retired in July 2009 after 19 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post #43 in Decatur, a former Decatur Chamber of Commerce Board member, and was inducted into the Adams County Men’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame. He was very active in bowling, horseshoes and golfing. He was an avid IU and National Hot Rod Association fan, and an original competitor of the National Tractor Pull Association. His tractor was the “Shaker.”
He is survived by his wife; one son, Craig N. (Holly) Heyerly of Decatur; one daughter, Erika M. Heyerly of Fort Wayne; two brothers, Kenneth (Deb) Heyerly of Monroe; and Von (Diana) Heyerly of Bluffton; two sisters, Jane (Curt) Mann of Springfield, Ohio; Lois Brown (fiancé Tom Baxter) of Willshire, Ohio; two granddaughters, Bobbie N. Heyerly (named after Grandpa); and Bailey N. Heyerly; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Tom Heyerly.
Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 1, and from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2 at Haggard and Sefton Funeral Home in Decatur, and one hour prior to the 11:00 a.m. service on Wednesday, March 3 at Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren. Officiating is Rev. Jay Carter. Burial will be in Decatur Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or United Cerebral Palsy of Indiana.

Donald G. Buuck
Donald G. Buuck, 65, a resident of Decatur, died at 12:21 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2010 at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.
He was born on October 3, 1944, in Fort Wayne, to Herman E. and Velma L. (Doehrman) Buuck. He was married on October 1, 1966, in Berne, to Patty J. Liechty.
He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen, where he was the former president, vice-president, elder and trustee of the church. He was an active choir member for several years and in the Men’s Club of the church. He served in the United States Army Reserves during the Vietnam War. He was a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in mechanical engineering technology and worked as a process engineer for the Dana Corporation for over twenty years. He was previous employed by Navistar for seventeen years. He was a past member of the Hoagland Area Advancement Association and the Adams Post #43 American Legion. He was a Hoagland Little League coach for several years, and an avid fisherman who enjoyed the outdoors.
He is survived by his wife; two sons Troy D. (Melissa); and Todd A. (Tina) Buuck, both of Fort Wayne; one brother, Kenneth D. (Linda) Buuck of Fort Wayne; and three granddaughters, Kylie; Alyssa; and Addison Buuck.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation is from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, at Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, and one hour prior to the 11:00 a.m. service on Friday, March 5 at St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen. Officiating is Pastor John Dreyer. Burial will be in St. Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Worship for Shut-Ins or the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization.

Elizabeth W. Troyer
Elizabeth W. Troyer, 88, a resident of Berne, died at 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at her daughter’s residence in Carlisle, Kentucky.
She was born on May 8, 1921, in Monroe, to Joe L. and Elizabeth (Wickey) Schwartz. She was married on January 1, 1942 to Simon C. Troyer. She was a member of the Old Order Amish.
She is survived by four sons, Joe E.; and David E. Troyer, both of Berne; Neil E. Troyer of Geneva; and Jerry E. Troyer of Campbellsburg, Kentucky; five daughters, Mrs. Enos A. (Emma) Schwartz; and Mrs. John N. (Susie) Schwartz, both of Monroe; Mrs. Wilson R. (Lizzie) Yoder of Berne; Mrs. Ben A. (Lydia) Eicher of Carlisle, Kentucky; and Mrs. John R. (Bertha) Schwartz of Monroe; three brothers, Andy W.; Menno W.; and Dan W. Schwartz, all of Monroe; one sister, Mrs. Josiah (Becky) Beachy of Berne; 88 grandchildren; and 299 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on December 6, 2006; one brother; and five sisters.
Visitation is from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 1, and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2 at the David E. Troyer residence, 3127 South, CR 200 West in Berne. Service is at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3 at the residence. Burial will be in Schwartz Cemetery.

Wilma Smith
Wilma Smith, 82, a resident of Berne, died Monday morning, March 1, 2010 at Chalet Village.
Arrangements are pending at Haggard and Sefton Funeral Home in Decatur.