Obituary Collection

Forest Edward Varvel November 18, 1931 - January 25, 2014 Forest Edward Varvel 82, of Plainfield passed away January 25, 2014. He was born November 18, 1931 to the late Virgil and Zelah Tarr Varvel. Forest was married on January 19, 1952 to Priscilla Hutsell Varvel. He was employed at Central Supply for over 40 years retiring in 1995. Forest was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Avon and an Army veteran of the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Priscilla; sons, Gary Carol Varvel, and Terry Tonya Varvel; granddaughters, Ashley Daron Day, and Alivia Varvel; grandsons, Brett Christina Varvel, Drew Varvel, and Alec Varvel; great-granddaughters, Kherington Varvel and Lily Day; great-grandson, Liam Day; and sister, Dorothy Bill Beams. Services will be at Faith Baptist Church 7090 U.S. Highway 36, Avon, IN on Thursday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m. with viewing at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be at Conkle Funeral Home 76 North State Road 267, Avon, IN on Wednesday, January 29, fr...

Margaret E. Platz, 70, of South Bend, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2013, in Memorial Hospital. Margaret was born July 7, 1943 in Elkhart, a daughter of the late Floyd and Martha Louise (Webster) Platz. She has lived in Elkhart, Mishawaka and South Bend. At one time she worked for Logan Center/Industries. Margaret is survived by three brothers, Robert Platz of Auburn, Paul Platz of Edwardsburg and Raymond Platz of Lakeville; and a sister, Betty Walker of South Bend. Margaret was preceded in death by brothers, William Platz, George Platz and Larry Platz; sisters, Roberta Nation, Evelyn Glanders, Lola Blocher and Lenora Tribbey; and infant sisters, Gertrude and Marguerite. Services will be held Monday, November 4, at 1 pm in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, with Pastor Bob Vale officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, South Bend.

Bryan Lee Taylor, 40, of Goshen, died unexpectedly Monday morning, April 22, 2013, at a friend’s home. He was born July 4, 1972 in Goshen to Charles W. “Bill” and Rolene (Weldy) Taylor. They survive along with a daughter, Jenna Marie Taylor, and his partner and best friend, Jennifer Compton Miller, all of Goshen; two sisters, Carolyn (Dennis) Kern and Robin (Kevin) Yoder, both of Goshen; and a brother, William “Bill” (Carol) Taylor, Roswell, Georgia. A 1990 graduate of Northridge High School, Bryan was an avid outdoorsman, especially enjoying fishing and camping around a big bonfire with his friends. He attended NASCAR races with his father and brother. He was also a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. He worked as a final finisher at Supreme Corporation since 1999 and part time as a bartender at Double D’s. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, 2013, and one hour prior to the 4:30 p.m. funeral on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. His ...

PATRICIA ANNE "PATTY" VINSON, 85, of Plainfield, passed away Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013. She was born Sept. 7, 1927 the daughter of the late Frank and Elizabeth Wharton in Oberlin, Ohio. She earned her B.A. at Oberlin University in 1949 and her M.A. at St. Francis University in 1970. She married Leonard B. "Vinny" Vinson on Dec. 15, 1951. He preceded her in death on Feb. 16, 1989. She worked for the Fort Wayne Community Schools as an Elementary Education Teacher and later as a Consultant for 29 years retiring in 1989. She was a member of the Plainfield United Methodist Church where she served as Trustee and was involved in the Stephen Ministries. She was also a member of the P.E.O. as a "Golden Girl" 60 year member, Chapter C.M. Plainfield. She was a volunteer at St. Marks Episcopal Church Lion's Den Hot Lunch Program and a volunteer at the Van Buren Elementary School reading program. Patty is survived by three children, Christine (Victor) Fuller, David (C...

Mary Louise Shroyer, 83 Born: Aug. 9, 1930 Died: Jan. 30, 2013 Mary Louise (Kempton) Shroyer, 83, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, at Forest Glen Assisted Living in Dowagiac. Mary Lou was born Aug. 9, 1930, in Chicago, to Henry and Mary Elfreda Kempton. Orphaned at three years old, Mary Lou was taken in and raised by her maternal grandparents, Oswald and Otillie Schwartz on their Decatur farm. She was a graduate of Dowagiac Public Schools (1946) and Western Normal School (for teachers). On Aug. 22, 1947, she married Richard Hobart Shroyer in South Bend, Ind. They began married life in her grandmother’s farm house, Route 2, Decatur, where they lived for the next 45 years before moving into a custom-built cottage overlooking the pond at the back of their farm. Mary Lou first taught at a country school in Keeler Township. After the consolidation of area country schools, she began a long career as elementary librarian for Decatur Public Schools. She made t...

Herbert R. Maust, 84, Goshen, died 3 p.m. Mon. Jan. 21, 2013 at his residence. He was born May 18, 1928 in Goshen to Douglas & Amanda (Martin) Maust. He married Rosemary (Slabaugh) Maust on Oct. 23, 1949 at North Main Mennonite Church, Nappanee. Surviving are his wife, Rosemary, children, Ronda (Steve) Chupp, Goshen, Rick (Tammy) Maust, Wakarusa, Becky (Dave) Schwartzentruber, Goshen, Rene (Mafra) Maust, Goshen, 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death are sisters, Berniece Short, Arvilla Anglemyer and Anabel Hartman. Herb was a 1946 graduate of Wakarusa High School and attended one year at Chicago Technical College. He was founder & owner of Wakarusa Farm Center for 40+ years, Wakarusa Fence Co. and in retirement worked at PolyVinyl Sales. He was 45+ year member of the Elkhart County 4-H Board, serving as president in 1980 and heavily involved in many activities and events including being the rodeo producer for 30+ years; volunteered for Switchbo...

Dec. 13, 1916 - Dec. 4, 2011 WAKARUSA - Anabel Hartman , 94, died Sunday evening, Dec. 4, 2011, at Miller's Merry Manor where she had been the last two years. She was born in Goshen Dec. 13, 1916, to the late Douglas and Amanda (Martin) Maust. She married Lowell H. Hartman Dec. 19, 1943, in Goshen. He died Jan. 2, 1997. Survivors include four daughters , Wanda (Lloyd) Balsley and Paula (Jimmie) Clark, both of Elkhart, and Donna (Tom) Caskey and Regina Hartman, both of Goshen; two sons , Phil (Linda) Hartman of Wakarusa and Max Hartman of Goshen; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a brother , Herbert Maust of Goshen. She was preceded in death by an infant son , Lyle; two sisters , Bernice Short and Arvilla Anglemyer; and a daughter-in-law , Kathleen Hartman. A homemaker, Mrs. Hartman was a member of Yellow Creek Mennonite Church where she served on the hostess committee. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday ...