All Obituaries

     Susan J. Eidem (Duckstad), 80, passed away peacefully at home with her loving husband at her side on Monday, March 1, 2021. Susan was born November 12, 1940 in St. Paul, Minnesota to the late Walter and Ursula (Colton) Duckstad. On September 23, 1961 in St. Paul, Minnesota she was united in marriage to Daniel E. Eidem; this past September they celebrated 59 years of marriage together.      Susan graduated from Visitation High School in St. Paul,...

Jo Ann M. Steele entered eternal life on Saturday, February 27, 2021. Her spirit is carried on by her loving husband, three children, eight grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and an extended family of friends and relatives from every walk of life.  She was born to Joseph and Laura Weber on September 1, 1938 in Patchogue, New York where she went on to become prom queen and valedictorian of her high school. On her sixteenth birthday, Jo Ann went on her first date with a Coast...

Cynthia Jo Herron, 59, of MIshawaka, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 27th, 2021, surrounded by family at home, after a little over a year battling cancer. Cindy was the first child born to Joseph and Martha (Clark) Hunsberger on August 15, 1961, in South Bend. On August 18,1990, Cindy married David A. Herron. Cindy cherished time spent with family and friends, especially when it included her grandchildren. During the summer months, she enjoyed tending to the flowers in her...

Rita Mae Egenhoefer, affectionately known by those who knew and loved her as Bonnie, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on February 27, 2021.  Although diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she enjoyed life at home while being lovingly cared for by her devoted husband, until additional medical problems resulted in her surrendering to the Almighty. Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents, Barbara and Theodore Kenowski, sisters Lorraine Koraleski and Diane Kenowski,...

Michael Peli Sr., 85, of Mishawaka, IN., passed away at 10:45 p.m. Saturday, February 27, 2021 in his residence with his family by his side. Michael was born on September 28, 1935 in South Bend, IN. to John and Elizabeth (Kovach) Peli. On October 28, 1956 in South Bend, Michael married Barbara Joyce Rushlow. Barbara preceded Michael in death on February 4, 2012. Michael is survived by two daughters, Laura (David) Szianfucht and Patricia (Kurt) Andrzejewski, three sons, Daniel (Lori) Peli,...

Robert Arthur McNerney, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, February 27, 2021 at Healthwin in South Bend, IN. He was born on April 22, 1926 in South Bend, to Joseph G. and Theresa M. (Nagy) McNerney, both of whom preceded him in death. On June 10, 1950 at St. Patrick Church in South Bend, Robert married Dorothy Schmanske, who preceded him in death on August 21, 1999. In October 2002, Robert then married Diane Howard, who preceded him in death on June 21, 2018. Robert is...

Robert L. Herbster, 92 years old, passed away at 5:02 a.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at his home in Warsaw surrounded by his family.  Mr. Herbster was born on August 7, 1928 in Lakeville to the late Jacob Arthur and Carrie Olive (McBride) Herbster.  On June 27, 1954, at Pine Creek Church of the Brethren in North Liberty, Robert “Bob” and Elsie Marie Rowe were united in marriage.  After 62 years of marriage, Elsie preceded her husband in death on September 5,...

Patricia Louise Cholasinski, age 86, residing in South Bend, Indiana passed away at 4:45 p.m. Friday, February 26, 2021 at Sanctuary at St. Paul’s.  She taught school at Hay, German and Harrison Elementary Schools in South Bend. Patricia was born on October 20, 1932 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Joseph ad Winifred (Kendziorski) Abraham.  On February 8, 1959 in South Bend, Indiana she was united in marriage to Ronald Earnest Cholasinski, who preceded her in death in...

Walkerton – Roy French, 67, passed away 1:30 pm on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at his home. Roy was born December 6, 1953 in (Tuckerman), Arkansas to the late (Billy W.) French and Edith E. (Isbell) Nichols. Roy was united in marriage to the former Cindy Sue Berger, who passed April 1, 2008.  Roy leaves behind daughters, Amy Jo (James) Aschenbrenner of North Liberty, IN and Angy Dee French of Ishpeming, MI; three grandchildren: Noah, Elijah, and Beau Aschenbrenner; a brother,...

Wilma Louise Habart, 82, of South Bend passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, IN. She was born on February 27, 1938 in Peru, IN, to the late Charles and Doris (Griffith) Harris. On August 18, 1957 in South Bend, IN, she married Herbert Wesley “Wes” Habart, who preceded her in death on July 26, 2009. Surviving are her two sons, Steven Habart of Kalamazoo, MI and Kent Habart of Niles, MI; six grandchildren, Courtney...

Phoebe Faith McCartney passed away at birth at 6:09 a.m. Thursday, February 25, 2021 at St. Joseph Health System Mishawaka. Phoebe is survived by her parents, Gary and Brooklyn (Ankin) McCartney, one sister, Paislee McCartney, two brothers, Phoenix and Parker McCartney, her paternal grandparents, Kimberly and Gary McCartney and her maternal grandparents, Katina and Ken Jr., Ankin.. Cremation will take place. There will be no services at this time. Palmer Funeral Home...

Aphrodite Pappas of South Bend, fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.  Aphrodite was the second of four daughters born to Pantelis & Helen (Eleni Gregoriou) Pappas (Pappamihael) on January 26, 1923, in St. Louis, MO.  In 1928, the family moved to South Bend, IN where she lived her entire life except for a six-year period from 1950 to 1956.  She was preceded in death by her parents in 1971, by her older sister, Coola Pappas Philippis in 2000, by her...

Dorothy “Marie” Kruk, 65, residing in South Bend, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. She was born on April 19, 1955 in Lydick, Indiana to John and Dorothy Simon. On April 21, 1979 in South Bend, Indiana, Dorothy was united in marriage to Richard Kruk, who survives. In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her daughter, Melissa Kruk of South Bend, Indiana; her grandchildren, Kyana and Kierra Watford; her...

Ms. Ruthianittia Barnes, 64, passed away at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 24, 2021. She was born on June 19, 1956 in South Bend, IN to the late Thomas Amos Taylor and Erma Jean (Battle) Watson. Ruthianittia was a life-long resident of Michiana and spent her time as a homemaker, caring for her loved ones. She was a devoted and loving mother and friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Ms. Ruthianittia Barnes is...

Herb S. Tebo, 68, residing in Mishawaka, Indiana passed away at 9:09 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at his residence.  Herb worked as a mechanic and maintenance supervisor at Gates Chevrolet for fifty-two years.  He was born on March 23, 1952 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Harold R. and Florence A. (Fritz) Tebo and remained a lifelong resident. On June 15, 1996 in Middlebury, Indiana Herb was united in marriage to C. Sharon (Burks) Tebo, who survives.  Along with his...

Morris D. Mathews, 94 years old, peacefully passed away Monday, February 22, 2021 at Sanctuary at St. Paul’s in South Bend. He was born April 29, 1926 in South Bend, IN to the late Morris M. and Hazel (Ridenour) Mathews. On November 23, 1946 in South Bend, Morris married the love of his life, Wanda Anderson, who preceded him in death in 2004. Morris was a lifelong resident of South Bend. Morris proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II in the 6th Armored...

Julie A. Flanagan, 62, passed away unexpectedly at her residence on February 22, 2021.  Julie attended Jackson and Riley High Schools, earned a B. Ed. at Indiana University Bloomington and an M. Ed. from IUSB. During her long career in education in South Bend, she taught at St. Jude's Elementary School, a juvenile detention facility, and Navarre and Jackson Middle Schools. Although illnesses and the school system often made it difficult in recent years, she never gave up trying to...

Mercedes A. DePoy, 91, passed away at her home on Sunday, February 21, 2021.  She was born on March 6, 1929 in South Bend to the late Curtis A. and Dorothy (McFall) Gallert.  On August 2, 1952 in South Bend she was united in marriage to Aubrey DePoy who preceded her in death in 1968.  Mercedes worked for Slicks Laundry for 28 years and delivered newspapers for the Chicago Tribune and New York Times for 30 years. Mercedes is survived by her son, Claude R. DePoy (Nancy Morgan)...

Willie Weeks, 86, of Granger passed away at 5:00 a.m. Sunday, February 21, 2021 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center from heart complications.  Willie was born September 24, 1934 in Cypress Inn, TN to the late Lily C. (Burns) and Charley Weeks and had lived in the Michiana area since 1949 coming from Tennessee.  He was preceded in death by his five brothers and sisters, Paul, Eugene, Virginia, Juanita, and Catherine.  On November 17, 1952 in South Bend he married...

Eleanor Jeanne Clauser (Fettel) was born on June 7, 1931, and she entered the presence of her Lord, Jesus Christ, on February 21, 2021.  She joins her beloved husband, James Clauser, as well as her mother, Helen Fettel, her father, Linn Fettel, and her sister, Bonnie Whiteford.  Jeanne is survived by her sons, Gary Clauser, and Brian (and Sandy) Clauser, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jeanne spent her life humbly serving the Lord; she was a faithful organist...