Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel

Charles E. Rusher, age 68, of Three Rivers, died Thursday, January 26, 2023. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis.

Marilyn Jeanne Hunt, 83, of Cassopolis, died peacefully Wednesday, January 25, 2023 in the comfort of her family's presence. Her life began March 29, 1939 in South Bend, Indiana one of four children born to John and Madilyn Harper. She married Robert E. Hunt July 25, 1959 in South Bend, Indiana. After forty-seven years of marriage, he preceded her in death December 24, 2006. Marilyn will forever have a place in the hearts of many people, especially her family and loved ones. She was loved and respected by many as she returned that love and respect as well. Her grandchildren were her everything and she loved them unconditionally. She enjoyed old movies and playing cards. She and...

Marilyn J. Hunt, age 83, of Cassopolis, died Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis.

Patricia Ann Williams, 91, died peacefully Tuesday, January 24, 2023 in the comfort of her family's presence. Her life began November 22, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana, the youngest child born to Arthur and Grace Rohrbaugh. She married William Reed Williams July 29, 1950 in South Bend, Indiana. After almost forty-seven years of marriage, he preceded her in death in 1997. Patricia loved her family and cherished spending time with them. She raised four boys, five including her husband, and was a fantastic mother and teacher. Her boys say that she was the best cook in the world. Patricia taught her children discipline, respect, and to treat everyone equally. She also enjoyed refinishing...

Patricia A. Williams, age 91, of Cassopolis, died Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis.

Hazel "Gert" Myrtie Cooper, 70, of Cassopolis, died peacefully Friday, January 20, 2023, in the comfort of her family's presence. Her life began June 30, 1952, in Dowagiac, Michigan, the daughter of Ted and Fareda Owen. Gert will forever be known as someone who fiercely protected those she loved. She never minced words and shared her thoughts openly. She was a strong woman of faith who regularly sought comfort from the Bible. She had the best green thumb; always able to make anything green, grow, and thrive. Gert will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her son, Jess E. Cooper; three grandchildren, Owen Cooper, Breece Cooper, Devon "Arkie" Stracener; three...

Joseph Malec, age 65, of Bangor, formerly of Chicago, died Wednesday, January 18, 2023. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis.

Rodney Leslie Buck, 55, of Vandalia, died peacefully Sunday, January 8, 2023, in the comfort of his family's presence. His life began August 20, 1967 in Niles, Michigan, one of four children born to David Sr. and Barbara (Vaughn) Buck. Rodney loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and mushroom hunting. He was mechanically inclined and enjoyed working on cars and trucks. He was employed by American Axle for over seventeen years. Rodney cherished spending time with his family. Rodney will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his father, David Buck Sr. of Jones; one sister, Tanya (Michael) Bonds of Elkhart, Indiana; two brothers, David (Debbie) Buck, Jr....

Donald Lee "Don" Allen, 69, of Elkhart, formerly of Edwardsburg, died Wednesday, December 28, 2022. His life began April 6, 1953 in Cherry Point, North Carolina the first of three children born to Robert and Mary Allen. Don was an avid Michigan sports fan. He enjoyed investing and following the stock market. He loved his cup of coffee and friendships at Callahan's. After retiring from Aacoa, he cherished spending more time with family and friends. Don will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his sister, Donna Gushwa of Milford, Indiana; his brother, David (Stacy) Allen of Cassopolis; three nephews, Joshua (Jennifer) Allen of Elkhart, Frank Allen of Los...

Donald Allen, age 69, of Elkhart, died Wednesday, December 28, 2022. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis.

Lee W. Poynter, age 72, of Dowagiac, died Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis.

Mary Jane Runyon Higby, 82, of Cassopolis, went to be with the Lord peacefully Tuesday, December 27, 2022 in the comfort of her family's presence. Her life began October 22, 1940 in Lehigh, Iowa, one of nine children born to Merle and Alberta Runyon. She married Thomas Dal Higby December 11, 1959 in Lehigh, Iowa. After more than forty-six years of marriage, he preceded her in death July 18, 2006. Mary graduated from the American Institute of Business with a degree in keypunch and worked the next twenty-plus years at Hormel Foods in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She retired from the Lehigh Valley Co-Op Telephone Office. Mary was proud of her Runyon heritage and loved and cherished each and...

Wendy Lou Hebron, 82, of Cassopolis, died peacefully Monday, December 26, 2022 in the comfort of her family's presence. Her life began March 27, 1940 in Peru, Illinois, one of two girls born to Ralph and Marjorie Baker. Wendy's interests were animals and nature. She used to frequent Indian pow-pows and she collected Native American jewelry and turquoise. She enjoyed knitting and would make gifts for others. Wendy will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by one daughter, Toby Hebron of Cassopolis; one son, Daniel Hebron of Cassopolis; one granddaughter, Schyler (Chris) Pellett of Niles; four great grandchildren, Jennifer, Layton, Penelope, Rowena; one sister,...

Marie Elaine Walawender, 84, of Dowagiac, died peacefully Tuesday, December 20, 2022. Her life began April 13, 1938, in Dowagiac, Michigan, one of four children born to Charles and Florence Spencer. She first married Don Carter in Dowagiac. He preceded her in death in 1996. She later married Arthur John Walawender, who preceded her in death in 2015. Marie went to the South Bend Farmer's Market for forty years. Her and her husband, Don, farmed for several years and then they owned and operated the Dowagiac Auction. Don was the auctioneer and Marie was the clerk, and their family helped them. Marie loved to go out to eat with her family and friends. She loved her angel collection. Marie...

Marie E. Walawender, age 84, of Dowagiac, died Tuesday, December 20, 2022. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis

Donna Mae Adams, 94, of Cassopolis, died peacefully early Monday December 19, 2022 in the comfort of her family's presence. Her life began October 12, 1928 in Pleasant Lake, Indiana, the third of four children born to Clarence "C.H." and Dessa Wolf. She married Samuel George Adams September 8, 1948 in Pleasant Lake, Indiana. He preceded her in death just two days before their forty-ninth wedding anniversary in 1997. Donna graduated from Pleasant Lake High school in 1947 in a class of seventeen students (with only three being boys). She worked at Kroger's after graduation, then the Weatherhead Factory in Angola, Indiana. Donna learned to sew from her mother and became a great...

James Ester "Skipper" Dishmon, Jr., 66, of South Bend, died peacefully Saturday, December 17, 2022. His life began February 16, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest of four children born to James and Emma Dishmon, Sr. Skipper cherished his family and enjoyed taking his grandchildren to the park. He was a generous man who never knew a stranger. He and his mother would always talk about the Chicago Bears. Skipper enjoyed do-it-yourself projects and doing things with his hands. He liked trying new foods and experiencing new things. His family says his favorite hobby was taking naps. Skipper was a great role model who can never be replaced. Skipper will be greatly missed by family...

James E. Dishmon, Jr., age 66, of South Bend, died Saturday, December 17, 2022. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis

Darryll Jones, 62, of Three Rivers, died peacefully Friday, December 16, 2022. His life began July 24, 1960, in Gary, Indiana, one of three children born to Floyd Hoskin and Pauline Jones. He married Teal Denise "Half-Pint" Gillam July 4, 1980, in Cassopolis, Michigan. After more than forty years of marriage, she preceded him in death April 24, 2021. Darryll enjoyed fishing and helping others, volunteering frequently, especially for the County Closet. He cherished spending time with his family and his dog, Hercules. Darryll will be greatly missed by family and friends. He leaves to mourn his passing one daughter, LaShandra Jones of Niles; two sons, Darryll Jamar (Katie) Jones and Jevon...

Esther May Mead, of Edwardsburg, formerly of Decatur, died peacefully Thursday, December 15, 2022, in the comfort of her family's presence. Her life began June 18, 1934, in Elkhart, Indiana, the youngest of eighteen children born to Arlie and Lillian Eaglebarger. She married Carroll Lee Mead December 24, 1950, in Cassopolis. After almost fifty years of marriage, he preceded her in death July 19, 2000. Esther was a loving mother and grandmother. She woke up early and worked hard along-side her husband. She was a respected and trustworthy pillar in her community, serving as the Volinia Township Treasurer for over thirty years. She also humbly cleaned Volinia Baptist Church for decades...

Esther M. Mead, age 88, of Edwardsburg, formerly of Decatur, died Thursday, December 15, 2022. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis.