Obituaries

Feb 21, 2016

Helen Fay Jones, 99, of Mishawaka, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2016, in Hospice House, South Bend.

Helen was born December 8, 1916 in Syracuse, Indiana, a daughter of the late John and Carrie (Smith) Gordy. She was a graduate of Syracuse High School. She was a homemaker.

On December 12, 1936, Helen married Charles...

Feb 19, 2016

Helen J. Buck, 90, of South Bend, passed away Friday evening, February 19, 2016.

Helen was born March 1, 1925 in South Bend, a daughter of the late Tom and Lela (Swift) Helpingstine. She was a 1943 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in South Bend.

During Helen’s life, besides South Bend, she also lived...

Feb 9, 2016

Sally Elayne Conrad, 79, of Mishawaka, passed away Tuesday morning, February 9, 2016 in Signature Health Care, Bremen.

Sally was born November 6, 1936 in Mishawaka, a daughter of James and Lucinda (Chivington) Battles. She was a 1954 graduate of Mishawaka High School and lived in the Mishawaka area her entire life. Sally enjoyed being a homemaker....

Jan 30, 2016

Sister M. Florence Wenda, OSF, 96, of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration in Mishawaka, passed away Saturday, January 30, 2016 in Our Lady of Angels Convent.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 am on Thursday, February 4, in St. Francis Convent with burial following at St. Francis Cemetery.

Arrangements...

Jan 19, 2016

Jeanne J. Pietrzak, 82, of Mishawaka, passed away Tuesday morning, January 19, 2016, in her home surrounded by her family.

Jeanne was born July 18, 1933 in Niles, a daughter of the late Fay and Millicent (Smith) Johnson. She grew up in Niles and was a graduate of Niles High School. She has lived in Mishawaka since...

Jan 17, 2016

Mary S. Portolese, 87, of Mishawaka, passed away early Sunday morning, January 17, 2016, in North Woods Village in Mishawaka.

Mary was born May 1, 1928 in Massena, New York, a daughter of the late Rocco and Anna (Trimboli) Romeo. She graduated from Massena High School in 1946.

On October 8, 1949, Mary married Ross...

Dec 11, 2015

Donna M. Leniski, 86, of Mishawaka, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday evening, December 11, 2015.

Donna was born October 11, 1929 in Mishawaka, a daughter of the late Donald and Marie (Ramsey) Hirsch. She was a 1947 graduate of Mishawaka High School and lived her entire life in Mishawaka.

On February 24,...

Nov 26, 2015

Geraldine “Sherry” Chrzanowski, 85, of South Bend, passed away Thursday evening, November 26, 2015, in Miller’s Merry Manor, Warsaw.

Sherry was born July 11, 1930 in South Bend, a daughter of the late David and Lottie (Zmudzynski) Arpasi. She was a graduate of Washington High School. On November 19, 1966 she married Eugene “Gene” J. Chrzanowski.

Nov 25, 2015

John Elmer Phillips, 73, of Mishawaka, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2015, in his home.

John was born May 15, 1942 in Mishawaka, a son of the late Charles and Ada (Oleck) Phillips. He spent most of his life in Mishawaka but did live for 21 years in Las Vegas.

John was employed for nearly...

Nov 21, 2015

Sara Witt, 93, of South Bend, passed away Saturday afternoon, November 21, 2015, in the Sanctuary at St. Paul’s.

Sara was born August 15, 1922 in LaPorte, the daughter of the late Edwin and Genevieve (Newlin) Schurz. She grew up in LaPorte and was a graduate of LaPorte High School. Sara furthered her education graduating from Columbia...

Nov 20, 2015

Willimay E. (Gist) Gray, 88, of South Bend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday morning, November 20, 2015.

Willimay was born December 7, 1926 in South Bend, daughter of the late Willie and Dillie (Whisenhunt) Gist. She grew up in South Bend, Niles and Mishawaka and was a 1944 graduate of Mishawaka High School.

Nov 14, 2015

Darlene Ann Boyer, 62, of Lakeville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 14, 2015 in her home.

Darlene was born March 25, 1953 in South Bend, a daughter of Lawrence and Eva “Grace” (Galloway) Kiefer. She grew up in Niles and was a graduate of Brandywine High School.

On October 31, 1971, Darlene married Earl...

Nov 5, 2015

Theodore “Ted” H. Derksen, 77, passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2015 in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Ted was born March 12, 1938 in Mishawaka, a son of the late John and Louise (Newhouse) Derksen. He grew up and spent most of his life in Madison Township. He was a graduate of Madison Township High School.

Oct 30, 2015

Brittany Justine Jesensky, 33, of South Bend passed away Friday, October 30, 2015. She was born December 8, 1981 in South Bend.

Brittany is survived by her mother, Courtney LeBlanc; five children, Connor Wasmer, Jeffery Jesensky, Jr., Cameron Jesensky, Jada Jesensky and Chantel Jesensky; two brothers, Anthony LeBlanc and Brandon LeBlanc; grandparents, John and Judy Colpetzer and...

Oct 18, 2015

Geraldine “Gerry” M. Skevington, age 94, of Mishawaka, passed away Sunday, October 18, 2015.

Gerry was born October 27, 1920 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Zuber) Carr. She grew up in Fort Wayne.

On May 2, 1941, Gerry married John Skevington. The couple lived in Fort Wayne until...

Oct 10, 2015

US Army Major (retired) Raymond Victor Blanford, son of Joseph and Loretta Blanford, Mishawaka, Indiana cashed in his 9th life on Saturday, October 10th, 2015 and finally won, getting what he’d wanted for so many years. He was 81. Age, sickness and a desire to rest in peace finally won over the strong heart that kept beating, but the...

Oct 6, 2015

Lois Ann Claeys, 83, of Osceola, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2015, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Lois was born September 23, 1932 in Mishawaka. She grew up in South Bend and was a 1950 graduate of Adams High School.

On August 26, 1954, Lois married Frank J. Claeys. The couple lived most of...

Oct 6, 2015

William Thomas Scott Southwick, 70, of Mishawaka, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, October 6, 2015, in the home he loved.

“Bill” was born June 8, 1945 in Jackson, Michigan, a son of the late Alva Franklin and Dorothea (Caird) Southwick. He was a graduate of Jackson High School. Bill lived in Jackson until moving to Okemos,...

Oct 1, 2015

Alvin Wilson Lancaster, 90, of Mishawaka, passed away Thursday afternoon, October 1, 2015, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

“Al” was born October 28, 1924 in Greensboro, North Carolina, a son of the late Boaz Walter and Flora Mae (Stevenson) Lancaster. He grew up in North Carolina and moved to Mishawaka at the age of 17. He...

Sep 25, 2015

Angela C. Bliha, 82, of Mishawaka, passed away Friday afternoon, September 25, 2015, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Angela was born on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1933, in Mishawaka, a daughter of the late Joseph B. and Theresa K. (Hums) Ernst. She grew up in Mishawaka and was a graduate of St. Joseph Academy, South Bend....