OBITUARIES DEATH NOTICES Wednesday, December 21, 2005 E4 South Bend Tribune mirop DEATH NOTICES AND OBITUARY INDEX OBITUARIES Curtis E. French Oct. 16, 1934- Dec. 18, 2005 Legend: Obituary in listings A Death noticePending BOURBON Cloud, Mildred BRISTOL Humbarger, Steven F. BUCHANAN Kettelhut, Callie M.
Walker, George W. CASSOPOLIS Frazier, Robert L. Lewis, Louise ELKHART Chandler, James D. Crain, Dale L. lemma, Lillian M.
Mowrer, Nellie V. Naquin, Thomas C. Walker-Pasley, Reather C. GOSHEN McLish, Rosalie I. HAMLET Gordon, James E.
Humes, Kaine Nathaniel LAGRANGE Kresse, Lawrence A. Wiley, Bernice J. LAPORTE Checolo, Mary S. AHarris, William L. MEDARYVILLE Nielson, Edward R.
MICHIGAN CITY Krusinski, Sylvester Travis, Robert D. Sr. ARRANGEMENTS PENDING Crain, Dale 71, of Elkhart, died Tuesday; Walley-I Arrangements are being handled by Haverstock Funeral Home, 602 Maple Avenue, LaPorte, Indiana, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2005. Funeral service will be at Haverstock Funeral Home at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 22, 2005, with Rev. Kevin Galloway officiating. A private family graveside service will be held on Friday (12232005) at Pine Lake Cemetery in LaPorte, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, One Hanover Park, 1 6633 N. Dallas Pkwy, Addison, TX 75001 or to the LaPorte Pre-School Project.
Family and friends may sign the register at www.haverstock-funeralhome. com. Robert E. Hatfield Dec. 21 1932 Dec.
19, 2005 South Bend Robert E. Hatfield, 72, residing in South Bend, passed away at 3:00 a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2005, in his home. Mr. Hatfield was born on December 21, 1932, in Mishawaka, and had been a lifelong resident.
Mr. Hatfield is survived by his wife, Judy A. (Basker) Hatfield; two daughters, Susan M. (Mike) Husen of West Olive, Ml, and Patricia J. (Jeff) Lubelski of South Bend; four sons, Gregory E.
(Jenny) Hatfield, Donald E. Hatfield, John W. (Dawn) Hatfield and James R. Hatfield, all of South Bend; nine grandchildren, Christine Engel, Ashley Hatfield, Ryan, Kyle and Carter Lubelski, Marissa, Andrew, Natalie and Joshua Hatfield; his mother, Jane G. Hatfield of Donaldson, IN; and a brother, Charles T.
(Janet) Hatfield of South Bend. Mr. Hatfield was self-employed for over 20 years with Weaver Heating and Air Conditioning and retired in 1997. He was a private pilot for 30 years, owning several aircraft, the last of which was the construction of an English Tiger Moth biplane. This aircraft received many compliments on quality of construction, including from the FAA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 22, 2005, in St. Matthew Cathedral, 1701 Miami Street, South Bend. Rev. Michael Heintz will officiate.
The family will receive guests one hour prior to Mass on Thursday in the cathedral. Per his wishes, cremation will take place and private burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, is assisting the Hatfield family with arrangements. Contributions in memory of Robert E. Hatfield may be made to The Center for Hospice Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to the Cathedral of St.
Matthew, 1701 Miami Street, South Bend, IN 46613. Kaine Nathaniel Humes July 19, 2001 Dec. 17, 2005 Home, Elkhart. Lewis, Louise, 89, of Cassopolis, died Tuesday; Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis. Mowrer, Nellie 80, of Elkhart, died Monday; Zimmerman-lnman Funeral Home, Elkhart.
Tompert Nighta 69, of Winamac, died Tuesday; Frain Mortuary, Winamac. December 19, 2005, at his home in South Bend, Indiana. Judd was born on November 26, 1910, in South Bend, to Walter and Alice Leighton. Judd's father, Walter Leighton, was born in Han ley-Staffordshire, England, and emigrated to the United States in 1 882; his mother Alice was born in Toledo, Ohio. Judd was raised in South Bend where he lived with his parents, two brothers (Walter and James) and a sister (Alice) who have predeceased him.
A nephew, Walter M. Leighton, also preceded him in death. Surviving are nieces, Nancy Crook of Littleton, Colorado, and Nancy Leighton Buttermore of Westlake, Ohio. Judd graduated from South Bend High School in 1 930 and attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, where he received his liberal arts degree. After graduation Judd served his country in the United States Navy.
He received his juris doctor from Northwestern University Law School, Chicago, IL, in 1947, and worked as a law clerk in a Washington, D.C., law firm. Judd returned to the South Bend area where he pursued a career in business and banking. He became chairman of First Interstate Bank of Northern Indiana and chairman of Benicia Industries in California, and served as a director of Gulf Western Industries, Paramount Communications, and Associates Corporation of North America. Judd married Mary Lou Oare in New York City on May 20, 1961. Surviving are stepchildren, Nancy Oare Butler of Niles, Michigan, and Ernest M.
Oare Sr. of Warrenton, Virginia; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Stepson, Robert L. Oare passed away on October 9, 2001 Judd's beloved Mary Lou passed away on March 16, 2001. Judd was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in South Bend.
He was active on the Advisory Council of Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame and became a member of the Visiting Committee of Northwestern University School of Law. He held memberships in the American Bar Association, Indiana Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association. He was a directortrustee of Memorial Health System, and Memorial Hospital of South Bend. He was a director emeritus of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra Association, and served on the board of directors of Morris Entertainment. He belonged to the National Gallery of Art Collectors Committee and was a life member of the Northern Indiana Historical Society.
He was a founding member of the board of directors of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, and was a trustee for Project Future. After the passing of Mary Lou Leighton, Judd became chairman of the Leighton-Oare Foundation that was established to encourage and promote education, medicine, music and the arts. An auditorium and cardiovascular lecture hall at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, bear the Leighton name. The Leighton Hall at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, bear the Leighton name.
The Leighton Memorial Heart and Vascular Center in South Bend opened in 2005. Prior to that, Judd was instrumental in facilitating an improved trauma center at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. The Memorial Leighton Senior Center serves seniors in the community and the See OBITUARIESPage E5 Punky was a member of the Children's Bible Study group of the House of the Lord, Plymouth. He is survived by his heartbroken parents, Melissa and Ed, and by his five-month-old sister, Kendra Sue Humes, all of Hamlet, Ind. Martha and Jack Guerra, Punky's maternal grandparents, Plymouth, and Ed E.
Humes his paternal grandfather, also of Plymouth, survive, together with his paternal grandmother, Nancy (Roger) Hudson of Claypool, Ind. Daniel and Edna Guerra, maternal great-grandparents of South Bend, several aunts, uncles and cousins survive as well. Cousins Gabby, Anna and best friend, Tyler, also will deeply miss their Punky. The love and comfort of friends will be welcomed by the family today, December 21 2005, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N.
Michigan Plymouth, Ind. Funeral services for Punky will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2005, in the funeral home. The Rev. Steven Patrick, pastor of the House of the Lord, will officiate.
Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth. Memorial gifts to the family, made in Punky's name, will be appreciated. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via www.john-son-danielson. com. Callie M.
Ketteihut June 1, 1906- Dec. 19, 2005 Callie M. Kettelhut, 99, of 203 Harlan Avenue, Buchanan, Michigan, died of natural causes at 9:55 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 2005, at Red Wood Manner in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She was born on June 1, 1906, to Clayburn and Zilla (Schemwell) Gooch Sr.
in Lecenter, Kentucky. On April 8, 1961, in Buchanan, Michigan, Callie married Otto Paul Kettelhut, who preceded her in death on December 25, 1 969. She is survived by a brother, Clayburn (Barb) Gooch of Buchanan, Ml. A sister, Mildred G. Gooch, preceded her in death in 2001 Callie is also survived by a niece, Peggy (Gib) Matson of Buchanan, Ml; a nephew, Michael Gooch of Clio, Ml; a great-niece, Melissa Matson of Winchester, CO; and two great-nephews, Robb (Midge) Gooch of Flint, Ml, and Mathew (Meggan) Matson of Naperville, IL.
Callie retired from Clark Equipment Company in Buchanan, Michigan, where she worked in the tool room. A private family service will be held at Knight Chapel, Oak Ridge Cemetery in Buchanan, Michigan, on Thursday, December 22, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of donor's choice. Friends may leave a condolence message for Callie's family by visiting her guestbook at www, swemfuneralhome. com.
Valentine John Klota Jr. Sept. 3, 1958 Dec. 20, 2005 Valentine John Klota 47, of South Bend, passed away at 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 2005, in Memorial Hospital.
John Jr. was born on September 3, 1958, in South Bend, to Valentine John Sr. and Juanita (Stedman) Klota. Valentine Sr. passed away in 1988.
He is survived by his mother, Juanita, his companion, Teresa Ratajczak, and her children, Rashelle and Kristen. He worked as a service tech at South Bend Sash and Door for over 20 years. He belonged to the Mruks Club. His hobbies included snowmobiling, ice hockey, watching NASCAR, mushroom hunting, fishing, and he was a skilled woodworker. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 22, 2005, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.
in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend, where a Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, December 23, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. in St.
Casimir Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be sent to www.sjfh.net. Judd Leighton Nov.
26, 1910 Dec. 19, 2005 Wright, Harold B. MISHAWAKA Gould, Louise Lemak, Charles H. Sr. AMoen, John D.
Seltzer, Gary L. NEW CARLISLE Descenzo, Shirlee A. AOsborn, Ward F. NILES Frepan, Irma L. Hines, Raymond E.
Lamberton, Robert J. Jr. Litty, Margaret J. Smetts, Arthur D. Jr.
PLYMOUTH Judd, Willma J. ROLLING PRAIRIE Tanner, Mildred M. SOUTH BEND Botka, Palmyra H. Deck, Mabel G. French, Curtis E.
Gibson, Annie Hatfield, Robert E. AKIota, Valentine John Jr. Leighton, Judd Nicks, Gerald D. Tessman, Edith SYRACUSE deSomer, Jerry B. WARSAW Kinney, Steve A.
WINAMAC Tompert, Nighta B. rZimmerman Funneral Jerry B. deSomer Dec. 11, 1948 -Dec. 17,2005 SYRACUSE Jerry B.
deSomer, 57, of Mareeba, Australia, formerly of Syracuse, died at 6:50 p.m. Saturday in a friend's home in Syracuse of natural causes. Survivors include his wife, Sandra, of Australia; four daughters, Tabatha and Cassandra, both of Australia, Heather Clevenger of Longview, Texas, and Jenna deSomer of Winter Haven, a son, Rob of North Webster; two stepsons, Todd and Adam both of Australia; his mother, Dorothy deSomer of North Carolina; and two brothers, Jay of Albuquerque, N.M., and John of North Carolina. Services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in Mishler-Eastlund Funeral Home, where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m.
Thursday. Robert L. Frazier June Dec. 19, 2005 CASSOPOLIS Robert L. Frazier, 61, formerly of Osceola, died at 9:40 a.m.
Monday in Westwood of Niles of natural causes. Survivors include a daughter, Angie Frazier of Elkhart; a son, Robert of Elkhart; three sisters, Joann Yawkey and Vola Weldon, both of Cassopolis, and Dorothy Breden of Osceola; and two brothers, David of Osceola and Harold of Edwardsburg. Memorial services will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation. Zimmerman-lnman Funeral Home, Osceola, is handling arrangements.
Irma L. Frepan April 14, 1949 -Dec. 18,2005 NILES Irma L. Frepan, 56, died Sunday in her home of natural causes. Survivors include her husband, James and a sister, Ericka Battrick of Avilla, Ind.
Private family services will be held. There will be no visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home handled arrangements. James E. Gordon Dec.
20, 1914 -Dec. 20, 2005 HAMLET James E. Gordon, 91, died at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday in Countryside Place Nursing Rehabilitation Center, LaPorte, of natural causes. Survivors include his wife, Louisa (Hayter); and a son, James R.
of South Bend. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Cutler Funeral Home, LaPorte, where friends may call two hours before services. Louise Gould Oct. 2, 1913 -Dec.
19,2005 MISHAWAKA Louise Gould, 92, of Carmel, formerly of Mishawaka, died Monday in Summertrace Nursing Home, Carmel. Survivors include three sons, James H. Jr. of Sheboygan, William W. of Chicago and Richard D.
of Carmel; and two brothers, William Smith of Washington, D.C., and Jefferson S. Smith of Ladysmith, Va. Services will be at 1 1 a.m. Friday in Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N.William St, South Bend, where friends may call two hours before services. See NOTICESPage E5 Curtis E.
French, 71, of Newbern, TN, formerly of South Bend, passed away on Sunday, December 18, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. Curtis was born on October 16, 1934, in Dyersburg, TN, as the son of the late James L. and Mattie A. (Robinson) French. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary Lee; and five brothers, Farris, Jim, Faye, George and Billy.
Surviving Curtis are his two daughters, Kimberly (James) Reeder of Granger, IN, and June M. Bridegroom of Winamac, IN; two sons, Tony (Gloria) French of Mishawaka and Curtis R. French of Middlebury, IN; six grandchildren, Damien, Whitney, Courtney and Hailey French, and Jessica and Rachel Reeder; and a sister, Sarah (Pat) Noel of Memphis, TN. Curtis was a member of Local 292 Ironworkers in South Bend. He retired in 1996, then moved to Tennessee.
He was a veteran of the United States Army. Curtis enjoyed going fishing, playing cards and doing crossword puzzles in his spare time. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. today Wednesday, December 21, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W.
8th Street, Mishawaka. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 22, in the funeral home, with Rev. Mark Pope officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.
Annie Gibson Dec. 16, 2005 Mrs. Annie Gibson, beloved aunt, who resided on West Washington Street, South Bend, Indiana, passed away in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center on Friday, December 1 6, 2005. Annie was born to Ruffus and Elizabeth (Boykins) Thompson in Drew County, Arkansas. They both preceded her in death.
Two brothers, David Thompson and Nathaniel Thompson, also preceded her in death. At the age of 17 Annie moved to South Bend from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. In 1934 she was united in Holy Matrimony to Walter Gibson. Annie was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church. Surviving family members left to cherish her memory include three nieces, Blanch Causey of Buffalo, New York, Francis Carter and Mary Fuller, both of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; and a great- nephew, Anthony B.
Witt of South Bend; along with other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2005, in Alford's Mortuary, with burial following at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka, Indiana. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Bereavement messages may be e-mailed to Attn: Gibson family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary. William Harris Aug. 17, 1941 Dec. 18, 2005 Mr. William L.
Harris, 64, of 220 Belden Street, LaPorte, Indiana, died at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, December 18, 2005, in his residence. He was born August 1 7, 1 941 in LaPorte, Indiana, to the late Cecil Harris and Helen (Heath) Harris, who survives. He had lived in the LaPorte area all of his life. William worked at Harris Burial Vault and Kovenz Memorial in LaPorte.
Bill looked forward to the fall football season so he could enjoy his favorite team, the Chicago Bears. On June 16, 1961, in LaPorte, he married Patricia D. Laderoot, who preceded him in death on July 25, 2005. Surviving are his mother, Helen Harris of LaPorte; a son, Scott (Lisa) Harris of LaPorte; three daughters, Crystal (Doug) of LaPorte, Jamie Garrett of LaPorte and Leea (Tom) Galloway of LaPorte; a brother, Bob Harris of LaPorte; eight grandchildren, Jordan, Bobby, Zoya, Payton and Jamie, Sunny, Karielle and Ryan; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded by his father and wife, and by a son, Rick Allen Harris.
DEATH NOTICES Palmyra H. Botka March 1, 1919 -Dec. 19, 2005 SOUTH BEND Palmyra H. Botka, 86, died Monday in her home of natural causes. Survivors include three daughters, Janice Putz of South Bend, Barbara Skarbek of Bristol and Dolores Wcisel of Flossmoor, a sister, Alice Sieczko of South Bend; and three brothers, Ted Morrow of Los Angeles, and Frank Morrow and Alfonse Mrowczynski, both of South Bend.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St, where friends may call an hour before services. James D. Chandler Dec.
18, 1 929 Dec 1 7, 2005 ELKHART James D. Chandler, 75, of St Cloud, formerly of Elkhart, died at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in his home. Survivors include his wife, Rosemary "Mickie" (Berry); two daughters, Carol Santoro of Mountain Home, Ark. and Dedri Chandler of Lititz, a stepdaughter, Cindy Baker of Goshen; his mother, Lareata Walter of Elkhart; and a brother, Bruce of New Berlin, Wis.
Services will be at 1 1 a.m. Friday in Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home Crematory, where friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Mary S. Checolo Oct.
22, 1914 -Dec. 19, 2005 LAPORTE Mary S. Checolo, 91, died Monday in LaPorte Hospital. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in St.
Peter Catholic Church. Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday in Essling Funeral Home, where a rosary will be said at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Mildred Cloud July 26, 1910 -Dec. 20, 2005 BOURBON Mildred Cloud, 95, died at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday in her home. Survivors include a brother, Tom Eby of Plymouth. Services will be at 1 1 a.m.
Friday in First United Methodist Church, where friends may call an hour before services. Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Mabel G. Deck Sept. 28, 1918- Dec.
20, 2005 SOUTH BEND Mabel G. Deck, 87, of Fort Wayne, formerly of South Bend, died Tuesday in Hospice Home in Fort Wayne. Survivors include a daughter, Judy Myers of Fort Wayne; and a brother, Paul Rexstrew of South Bend. Services will be at 1 1 a.m. Friday in Covington Memorial Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, where friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, and one hour before services. Shirlee A. Descenzo July 22, 1922 -Dec. 17, 2005 NEW CARLISLE Shirlee A. Descenzo, 83, died Saturday in Hamilton Communities.
Private graveside services will be held at a later date. HAMLET Little Kaine Nathaniel "Punky" Humes ran into the arms of the Lord at 9:20 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2005. Kaine Nathaniel Humes, 17 West Davis Hamlet, the beloved son of Edward Earl Jr. and Melissa Leah Guerra Humes died in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, from injuries sustained in a one-vehicle accident on December 15th.
He was 4Vz years old. His smile could light up a room. He was the only one who could make his baby sister laugh. Despite the pain, Punky's family have beautiful memories of the light brown golden-haired boy with the beautiful brown eyes. He will be missed and remembered forever.
Punky was born in the hospital where he died on July 1 9, 2001 He was a student at the Starke County Head Start Pre-school, and enjoyed every minute. He loved to give hugs to everyone and he delighted in making people laugh. His favorite toy was his 4-wheeler he called his 'Nen He had a hearty appetite for life and for food, and enjoyed going to Chucky Cheese's and eating Chinese out with his special Aunt D. He was an active, energetic child, loving to be outdoors fishing, skate boarding and sledding and riding his 4-wheeler. He was a Spiderman and Ninja Turtle fan and had a great imagination.
IN MEMORIAM Pamela J. Holmes Dec. 12, 1954 Dec. 20, 1995 Ten years ago you left this earth. You did not go alone.
A piece of all of us went with you. Pam, you will always be the love of my life. You were the best sister, daughter, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend ever. We miss you so much. Rest in peace girl! The Holmes Family Judd Leighton, 95, of South Bend, passed away on Monday, MAGENTA BLACK EDITION 50R.
