Obituaries

Apr 5, 2026

Tristan Emmanuel Lane Boyles age 25 of Kendallville, IN passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026 in Garrett, IN due to a vehicle accident. Tristan was born September 28, 2000 in Ft. Wayne, IN to Nathan J. Boyles and Tara L. Chaffin. He married Allison B. Cunningham on June 3, 2023 in Lafayette, IN. He was an automotive technician at...

Mar 30, 2026

Shelby Lynn Flauding age 31 of Auburn, IN passed away Monday, March 30, 2026 at Parkview DeKalb. Shelby was born November 21, 1994 in Munster, IN to Shannon A. Flauding.

Shelby is survived by her fiancé: Dallas Fugate, Auburn, IN; aunt and uncle: Suzette and James Rodgers, Garrett, IN; Brother: D.J. Doeing; half -brother: James Thomas; sisters: Dawn Henze and Sarah...

Mar 30, 2026

Joann Kovets age 87 of LaOtto, IN passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. Joann was born February 2, 1939 in Kendallville, IN to Homer and Berniece H. (Woodruff) Moody

Joann married William F. Kovets on September 25, 1960 in Avilla, IN and he survives in LaOtto.

Joann had worked in the cafeteria at the LaOtto School...

Mar 29, 2026

Joshua Wayne Ramirez age 39 died Sunday, March 29, 2026 in New Castle, IN. Joshua was born October 1, 1986 to Timothy Poertner and Patricia L. Ramirez. He had been a factory worker.

Joshua is survived by his father: Timothy W. Poertner, and Timothy's wife: Reba Poertner,  Garrett, IN; Mother: Patricia L. Schlabach, Milwaukee, WI; daughter: Arielle Ramirez, Elkhart, IN; sister:...

Mar 27, 2026

Rebecca Diederich age 56 of Kendallville, IN passed from this life on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Kendallville Manor Nursing Home. Becky was born April 26, 1969 in Auburn, IN to David M. Diederich and Joyce A Woods and they preceded her in death.

Becky had worked as a cashier at Walmart and was a member of the Kendallville Eagles.

Becky is...

Mar 23, 2026

Judith Diane Johnson age 84 of Garrett, IN passed away Monday, March 23, 2026 at Miller’s Merry Manor – Garrett, IN. Judith was born July 23, 1941 in Garrett, IN to Kenneth L. and Lova “Blondie” (Studebaker) Smith and they preceded her in death.

Judith married Walter Johnson in 1978 and he passed away in 2015.

She attended Mercy Tree Ministries –...

Mar 20, 2026

Tammy R. Johnson age 61 of Ft. Wayne, IN passed away from this life on Friday, March 20, 2026 at University Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare. Tammy was born May 3, 1964 in Garrett, IN to Elbert Hugh and Dorthea A. (Berkas) Chittenden.

Tammy is survived by her son: Blake Johnson, Ashley, IN; 4 grandchildren; brother: Michael Chittenden, Garrett, IN; sisters: Sandra...

Mar 1, 2026

William “Bill” Willis, 80, of Spencerville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2026, surrounded by family in his home in Spencerville. Bill was born on September 29, 1945, to Roy Reed Willis and Nellie Jane (Craft) Dean. Bill grew up in the hills of West Virginia, then served in the United States Army in Vietnam in 1967. He...

Feb 23, 2026

Linda Lou Davis, 83, of Garrett, Indiana, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Linda was born on June 11, 1942, in Garrett, Indiana, to John and Genevieve “Jenny” (Reavis) Freeze. On August 20, 1960, she married Steven E. Davis Sr. in Garrett.

Linda worked at the family business, Freeze TV Shop,...

Feb 22, 2026

Joanne Teresa Davis, 85, of Bronson, Michigan, formerly of Garrett, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at her home. She was born on October 15, 1940, in Scranton, PA, to Francis and Mildred (Martin) Nolan. 

Joanne was a registered nurse and certified rehabilitation therapist. She cared for patients at the Garrett Hospital, Sacred Heart Nursing Home, and at DeKalb Memorial...

Feb 20, 2026

Clarence William Warstler, 83, of Garrett, Indiana, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026, in his home in Garrett. Clarence was born on February 28, 1942, in Garrett, to Charles and Elsie (Wilhelm) Warstler. In 2019, he married Sandi Frain, in Garrett. Clarence retired from BAE Systems in 2002.

Surviving Clarence are his wife, Sandi; son William Warstler, of Phoenix, Arizona;...

Feb 18, 2026

Lawrence Calvin Lantz age 89 of Garrett, IN passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at Miller’s Merry Manor – Garrett, IN with his loving family by his side. Lawrence was born October 10, 1936 in Garrett, IN to Clarence J. and Dorothy B. (Roach) Lantz and they preceded him in death.

Lawrence was a 1954 Garret High School graduate and worked...

Feb 11, 2026

Barbara L. O'Connor, a loving mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026, in Ft. Wayne, IN, at the age of 79. Born on December 5, 1946, in Chicago, IL, her journey through life left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

Barbara's career was a testament to her hardworking spirit; she drove a semi and dedicated...

Feb 7, 2026

Rhonda R. Bradin, a dedicated and compassionate registered nurse, passed away on February 7, 2026, in Garrett, Indiana, surrounded by her loving family. Born on October 3, 1962, in Kendallville, Indiana, Rhonda devoted more than 30 years of her life to caring for others at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Her kind heart and genuine empathy touched the lives of...

Jan 30, 2026

Chris L. Gilbert, age 64, of Garrett, Indiana, passed away on January 30, 2026, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Born on May 8, 1961, in Columbia City, Indiana, Chris was a dedicated maintenance man at Dana Manufacturing in Columbia City, where he was respected for his work ethic and commitment.

Chris was a proud husband to Taresa A. Gilbert, whom he married...

Jan 29, 2026

Kimberly K. Shirk age 56 of Auburn, IN passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at The Cedars – Leo, IN. with her loving family by her side.

Kimberly was born January 29, 1970 in Auburn, IN to Eugene M. and Patricia Ann (Walker) Shirk and they preceded her in death. Kimberly worked as a support manager...

Jan 17, 2026

Shirley Ann Henderson age 73 of Wawaka, IN and formerly of Garrett, IN passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026. Shirley was born December 4, 1952 in Bryan, OH to Adam J. and Florence E. (Gambler) Little and they preceded her in death. Shirley married Ray VanDeVoorde on August 16, 1975 in Bryan, OH. She later married Gerald "Bill" Henderson...

Jan 8, 2026

Jason Paul "J.P." Smith age 50 of Garrett, IN passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Parkview Regional Medical Center – Ft. Wayne, IN. Jason was born November 28, 1975 in Ft. Wayne, IN to Noah Lee and Sandra Sue (Bierbaum) Smith and they preceded him in death.

Jason is survived by his son: Cameron Herbst-Smith, Garrett,...

Jan 6, 2026

Janet L. "Baldy" Zeider age 89 of Garrett, IN passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. Baldy was born June 27, 1936 in Garrett, IN to Harold W. and Inza C. (Pyatt) Zeider. Baldy worked as a grinder operator at Electric Motors – Garrett, IN for 44 years, retiring in 1999. She also worked at...

Dec 29, 2025

Kay Louise Bugert age 82 of LaOtto, IN passed away Monday, December 29, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. Kay was born August 5, 1943 in Garrett, IN to Oscar Lee and Leah M. (Smith) Johnson and they preceded her in death. She married Robert M. Bugert on August 29, 1964 in Churubusco, IN and he passed way February...