Palmer Funeral Home - Guisinger

David C. Krathwohl, 88, of Elkhart, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday April 9, 2025. David was born in Rochester, IN to Robert and Ruth (Casper) Krathwohl, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Rochester High School, then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University, and a master's degree in business administration from Indiana University. He proudly served two years of active duty in the Army Signal Corps as a commissioned officer. He retired from Allied Signal (Bendix) in Mishawaka after thirty years of service. He was a member of the American Institute of Plant Engineers and was a past President of the St. Joseph Valley...

Luella Joan (Albrecht) Gerig, 93, of South Bend passed away on Monday February 10, 2025, at the Hubbard Hill Assisted Living in Elkhart. Luella was born on January 29, 1932, in Middlebury, IN to the late Aaron and Kathryn (Hooley) Albrecht. Luella married Eldon Lavern Gerig on August 8, 1954, sharing nearly 60 years of marriage before his passing in 2014. Luella is survived by her children; Nita (Tim Johnson) Gerig of New Carlisle, Winston (Sibyl Graber) Gerig of Goshen, and Kevin (Beth Good) Gerig of Mishawaka. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Her brother, Willard (Mary) Albrecht also survives. Luella was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon Lavern...

Janet "Jan" L. Clapper of Bremen, IN passed away at her home Saturday, January 25, 2025. Services for Jan will be held Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 11:00am at Trinity Church, 61770 Miami Rd., South Bend, IN. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Trinity Church from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. A private graveside service will be held at Porter Rea Cemetery, North Liberty, IN. Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Hazel Lavera Huffman, 93 of South Bend passed away on January 11, 2025 at her residence. She was born on February 20, 1931 in Rensselaer, IN to the late Ernest and Gladys (Smith) Rees. She married Donald Huffman and he preceded her in death on October 15, 2014. Hazel spent the majority of her life in Peru, IN retiring from Peru Community Schools after 34 years where she worked in the cafeteria. She was a longtime member of Parkview United Methodist Church in Peru and she also enjoyed crocheting and sewing. Hazel is survived by daughters; Cynthia (Paul) Brehmer, South Bend, IN, Beverly Miller, South Bend, IN and son; James Huffman, Elkhart, IN. She is additionally survived by grandchildren;...

Cynthia K Benassi, 69, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2024, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, bonus grandma/auntie (Cici), and teacher who touched the lives of many with her kindness, compassion, and humor. Cindy was born on April 24, 1955, in South Bend Indiana to Patricia and Faye Durbin. She grew up with a passion for education and helping others, especially children with special needs. She was a graduate of East Noble High School in Kendallville, Indiana in 1973. She graduated from Ball State University, Muncie Indiana with a masters degree in special education. During college Cindy met, and later married, her husband of 33 years, Ed...

Robert E. Bennett, 87, residing in South Bend, formerly of Granger, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, August 4, 2024 in his home. He was born March 28, 1937 in South Whitley, Indiana, a son of the late Clifford E. & Dorothy (Shaffer) Bennett. On August 20, 1960 in South Bend, IN he was united in marriage to Kay Holland, and they have enjoyed nearly 64 years of marriage. Along with his loving wife Kay, he is survived by his two daughters, Natalie (Brian) Holt of Darlington, IN, and Beth (Rick) Morton of Lakeville, his son, Michael E. (Mari) Bennett, of Okatie, SC. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Rachel Artz, Garren Holt, David Bennett, Daniel Bennett, Kimberly...

Ronald James Booker, 67, passed away on Wednesday June 5, 2024 at his home. Ronald was born on September 22, 1956 in Benton Harbor Michigan to the late James and Alvira (Austin) Booker. Ronald worked as a truck driver but was a dedicated and loving family man most of all. He was caring and would do anything for anyone. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed all the time he could spend with them. Ronald loves sports, cars, working in his yard, and the Chicago Bears. He also enjoyed traveling and cooking along with Chinese food. Ronald is survived by his children; Shawnette Booker (Deshaun Clark), Kimberly (Mark Arms) Booker Arms, Aimy Gordon, Dwight (Georgette)...

Letitia "Letty" Ann (Blaess) Foster, 84, of South Bend passed away on Sunday April 28, 2024, at Primrose Retirement Community in Mishawaka. Letty was born on April 11, 1940, in Howell, Michigan to the late Walter and Dorothy (Hoover) Blaess. Letty married Robert Foster on December 21, 1959, in Lansing Michigan, Sharing over 60 years of marriage before his passing in 2020. Letty was the first female bus driver for the Penn Harris Madison School Corporation. She drove for over 30 years. She took pride in safely getting children to and from school and worked to train other bus drivers. She obtained her Real Estate Brokers license in 1975. Besides enjoying the company of her grandchildren,...

Judy L. Stevens, passed away on April 9, 2024, in Mishawaka, Indiana, at the age of 76. Born on June 26, 1947, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Donavon and Betty Wolfe. Judy's devotion to helping others led her to pursue and achieve a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. Judy is survived by her three children: Jennifer (Alan) Smith of Lakeville, Indiana, Colleen McCullough of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Jason Wolfe of Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Alyssa (Ryan) Haeb of Mishawaka, Indiana, Joseph Garrage of South Bend, Indiana, and Mackenzie McCullough of Virginia. Judy is also survived by her brother Jeff (Teresa) Wolfe. Judy had a passion for...

Margaret L. (Young) Wright, 90, passed away peacefully after a hard-fought battle with ALS on Tuesday December 12, 2023 at Signature Healthcare in Bremen. Margaret was born on July 5, 1933 in Florence, Alabama to the late Sam and Robbie (Ragan) Young. Margaret completed the 8th grade before ending her schooling to help take care of her siblings, the trait of caring for others that she continued to practice her entire life. Margaret met and married Joel Wright on January 22, 1950 in Iuka, Mississippi, sharing 56 years of marriage before his passing in 2006. Margaret spent her life as a caring mother, raising three children and helping them become the people they are today. She continued...

Services took place on December 5th with burial at Southlawn Cemetery. Please see www.palmerfuneralhomes.com for the full obituary.

Evelyn Mary (MacGowan) Blondeau, 97, passed away on Sunday September 24, 2023. Evelyn was born on January 31, 1926 in Sault Ste Marie, MI to the late Thomas and Ethel "Mae" (MacGowan) Stafford. She was adopted and raised by Mary and Pauline MacGowan, her maternal aunts. She attended the Loretto Academy in Sault St. Marie and Bishop Baraga High School in Marquette. In 1946, Evelyn married Louis Blondeau in Marquette. Evelyn worked as an office manager in the real estate business for over 25 years, retiring in 2004. She was an Elder of Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. She moved from Marquette, MI to the South Bend area in 2014. Evelyn is survived by two daughters, Marie (Kerry) Hyde and...

Eugene (Pete) Price, 88, of North Liberty, IN passed away at his home on Sunday September 10, 2023. He was surrounded by his family and wife of 66 years. Pete was born, May 14, 1935 in Waterloo, AL to William "Will" Franklin and Mary Ellen (Sharp) Price. He was proud of his southern heritage along Bumpus Creek in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Pete later moved to Mishawaka, IN in 1953 at the age of 18 to find work. He rode a city bus to Dodge Mfg. each day and that's where he met the love of his life, Nancy Marie Talbott, who took the same bus to Mishawaka High School. They dated four years and married on June 29, 1957. Over the next several years they lived in Fort Knox, KY where Pete...

Dorothy F. White (Ruskino), 92, of South Bend passed away on Sunday July 9, 2023 at Southfield Village, South Bend. Dorothy was born on August 4, 1930 in East Brunswick Twp. Pennsylvania to the late Michael and Mary (Brutosky) Rusinko. Dorothy was the 9th of 11 children. She graduated from Orwigsburg High School in 1948, the Ford School of Business in 1949, and served in the Women's Army Corps from 1953-1956. Dorothy met the love of her life, John, at a dance before they two worked together at Claey's Candy in South Bend. On December 27. 1958 she married John Wm White who preceded her in death on June 20, 1997. She retired in 1995 from the former South Bend Sash and Door after 17 years...

Rick Stephens, 69, passed away in South Bend, IN on July 9, 2023. He was born on July 25, 1953 in Fort Smith. He is survived by his wife Neva and daughters Jennifer Stephens and Marcia (Greg) Tatay. See www.palmerfuneralhomes.com for the full obituary.

Penny Lou Brown, known to her friends and family as Penny, passed away on May 28, 2023, in South Bend, Indiana. She was born on November 3, 1962, in LaPorte, Indiana, to her loving parents, Charles Zila Sr. and Audrey (Rozean) Zila. Penny was preceded in death by her sister, Sue Burns, and her parents. She is survived by her brother, Charles Zila Jr. (Jan), sister Kathy Howard (Aldon), and her only child, 1LT Henry Pollock (Hillary), as well as her cherished granddaughter, Gwynn Pollock. A proud graduate of Westville High School, Penny was a hardworking and dedicated individual. Most recently, she worked as a cashier at Kroger, where she was known for her warm and welcoming demeanor. Penny...

Jack Feaster, formerly of South Bend, unexpectedly went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in his Fort Wayne home on May 26, 2023 at the age of 92. He was the son of the late Mildred and Herman Feaster. Jack graduated from Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana and then from Purdue University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Jack was particularly proud to serve his country in the Navy on the USS Worcester. He was treated to an Honor Flight in 2019. He married his bride and love of his life, Nancy Reichard on October 25, 1959. Jack worked at Bendix in Mishawaka for almost 20 years and retired from Trinetics, Inc in Mishawaka in 1996. Anyone who met Jack...

Frederick M. Carpenter, Sr., 77 years old, passed away at 2:22 a.m. on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. Fred was born on November 30, 1945 in LaPorte,IN to the late Robert and Mary Lou (Beauchamp) Hans, Sr. He has lived in Rochester, IN for the past 20 years. On August 28, 1982 in Koontz Lake, Fred and the former Linda Amor were united in marriage. Along with Linda, his loving wife, Fred is survived by his three sons, Frederick (Jacki Dollins) Carpenter, Jr. of Rochester, Scott (Rhonda Elder-brown) Carpenter of Spartanburg, SC, and Paul (Kristin) Carpenter of Rochester; three step-children, Jim (Connie) Lawton of Rochester, Melinda (Sam) Ahlenius of Knox and...

Dorothy Johnson Covington passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 28, 2023 in the home of her loving daughter Barbara Ann Mosby. Dorothy was born on June 21, 1931 to Laura Smith and Chester Johnson in Natchez, MS. She was the youngest of nine children, who all preceded her in death. On a beautiful Christmas day in 1947, she was united in marriage to Henry Covington, Sr. They were married for 55 years before his passing. From this union, five beautiful children were born: Henry Covington, Jr, Barbara (Philip - deceased) Mosby, Terry (David) Covington, Doris (Perry) Townsend, and Donnie Covington (deceased). Dorothy also had a special niece & nephew Betty & Freddie Ward; a nephew...

A celebration of Mandy's Purchiaroni's life will be held in the Spring of 2023 in the Detroit, MI area. See the Palmer Funeral Home website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com for the full obituary.

Armanda "Mandy" Purchiaroni, 86 years old, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023, in Elkhart, IN. Mandy was born on January 29, 1936 in Castelfidardo, Italy to the late Fernando and Iris (Sora) Zoppi. On June 25, 1955 Mandy and Eugene "Gino" Purchiaroni were united in marriage. Many was preceded in death by her husband Gino, son, Leo and her brother Enzo. Mandy is survived by her daughter; Debra (Phil) Jerome; son Mark (Paula) Purchiaroni; daughter-in-law, Linda (Craig) Bailey; six grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; sister Rosanna Castiglione and brothers Carlo and Gabriel Zoppi. A celebration of Mandy Purchiaroni's life will be held in the Spring of 2023 in the Detroit, MI...