Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret Funeral Home

John E. Nicholas, 83, Elkhart, died 1:30 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at his home. He was born December 10, 1939, in La Paz, to Norman A. & Margaret F. (Walterhouse) Nicholas. In 1987, he married Wanda (Fink) Nicholas in Mill Creek. Surviving are his wife, Wanda, Elkhart, children, Debbie (Bill) Lietzan, Chapel Hill, Tennessee, Kathy Nicholas, Madison, Alabama, Becky (James) Browder, LaPorte, Lori (Rick) Lane, Michigan City, step-children, Natalie (Lonny) Probst, Eddyville, Iowa, Michelle Nash, Columbus, Ohio, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Ziems, Coldwater, Michigan, Kurt Ziems, Noblesville, 7 grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren and a brother, William Nicholas, Arizona. Preceding him in...

Antje Ellen Smith, 82, Elkhart, died 2:43 p.m. Monday, March 6, 2023, at her son's residence in Osceola. She was born October 13, 1940 in Chemnitz, Germany, to Hans and Ellen C. (Schneider) Harzmann. On July 18, 1965 she married Charles "Tim" Smith, and he died November 27, 1992. Surviving are 2 daughters Coleen Atkinson, Garrett, and Caroline (Eric) Brewer, Bristol, a son, Timothy (Beth) Smith, Osceola, 6 grandchildren, Andrew (Brittany) Smith, Ian (Bailey) Smith, McKenna (James) Fockler, Delaney Atkinson, Sophia Murray, Casey Murray, 8 great-grandchildren, Declan, Conor, & Finnigan Smith, Adler & Reiner Smith, Ellianna Atkinson, Grayson & Layton Fockler and 2 siblings,...

Dennis A. Wise, 78, North Liberty, died 2:22 p.m. January 1, 2023 at the Center for Hospice, Raclin House. He was born January 27, 1944, in Goshen, to Lemuel & Pearl (Weaver) Wise. On June 14, 1969, he married Lynne (Strycker) Wise. Surviving are his wife, Lynne, North Liberty, daughters, Patti (Paul) Bailey, Wakarusa, Denise Auer, Warsaw, 6 grandchildren, Alley ,Nathan, Ben, Maddie, Matthew, Andrew and one great-grandchild, TJ. Preceding him in death are his parents and an infant sister, Patty Wise. Dennis served in the Viet Nam War in the Army from 1966-1969. He retired from Bendix in the Aerospace Division. Dennis was a member of the Baptist Church, Nappanee, and a lifetime...

On December 8, 2022, Martha Pease Hepler passed away peacefully with her daughter singing to her by her side, one of her greatest joys in life. She was preceded in death by her parents Neil and Nina Pease, her brother Oliver, her sister Mary Grace and her beloved husband, Robert J. Hepler. She is survived by her sister Ruth Willett of Lake Havasu, AZ, daughter, Susan Hepler Long (Douglas Long) of Goshen and her son, Robert J. Hepler Jr. (Melissa Hepler) of Shelbyville, Tn. grandchildren: Jennie (Dan) Grunseth, Kristyn (Colby) Taylor, Andrew (Tera) Yoder, Rebekah Monroe, and Philip (Amy) Hepler and 9 great-grandchildren: Brenna, Colin, Morgen, Gavin, Raegan, Kenadi, Ross, Milo, and...

Darlene Marie Stiver, 82, Elkhart, died 4:15 p.m. Sunday, November 13, 2022, at Elkhart General Hospital. She was born May 12, 1940, in Mishawaka, to Wilbert & Pearl (Pehlke) Anthony. On June 20, 1959, she married Dennis G. Stiver and he died October 3, 2013. Surviving are 3 children, Donna (Carl) Grathwohl, Bristol, Dan (Pam) Stiver, Austin, Texas, David (Joy) Stiver, Indianapolis, 4 grandchildren, Alex (Stephanie) Stiver, Hailey Stiver, Jarrod Stiver & Exavier Coleman. Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, Dennis, siblings, Donald Anthony and Mardell Strycker. Darlene worked at Whitehall Labs, Elkhart and for Phillip's Products, Elkhart, in their accounting...

Beatrice "Beadie" Weade died peacefully in her sleep at home on September 6, 2022. She was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on July 14, 1923, and raised on the farm of her parents--Oscar and Nila (Oswalt) Wenger. She was a farm kid who milked cows, drove the tractor and cleaned the barn. On Saturday nights, the family drove to the picture show in Wakarusa where she became a lifelong fan of Western movies?the more horses the better. In 1947 she met the love of her life, World War II combat veteran Keith Eugene Weade. They were married on August 21, 1948. Keith and Beadie were an inseparable couple, working, playing, and loving together for sixty-three years, until Keith's death on February 5,...

Richard L. Carpenter, 81, Elkhart, formerly of Mishawaka, died 12:30 p.m. Monday, August 29, 2022, at Hubbard Hill Estates. He was born February 9, 1941, in Elkhart, to DeWayne L. & Letha Arlene (Christophel) Carpenter Sr. On April 3, 1965, he married Janet (Welty) Carpenter, and she died December 19, 2014. Surviving are 3 sons, Eric (Mandy) Carpenter, Savannah, Tennessee, Ted (Joy) Carpenter, Carmel, James Carpenter, Goshen, grandchildren, Andrew, Landon, Lauren, Jayden, Mitchell, Noelle, Sarah, siblings, Jerry (Pat) Carpenter, Goshen, Janice (Orv) Miller, Wolcottville and a sister-in-law, Ruby Carpenter, Goshen. Preceding him in death are his parents, wife, Janet and a brother,...

Dr. Ralph "Gordon" Bacon, 98, of Elkhart, Indiana passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Hubbard Hill Healthcare Center in Elkhart, Indiana. Dr. Bacon was born August 11, 1923, in Colgate, North Dakota, the son of Ralph Paul and Violet Mae (Orser) Bacon. He graduated from Colgate High School and then moved to Chicago where he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Literature degree from Vennard College. Dr. Bacon received a B.A. from Bethel College and pursued additional academic studies at Goshen Biblical Seminary, Wheaton College Graduate School, and the Master Degree program at Bethel College. Dr. Bacon was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Bethel College in 1977. Dr. Bacon...

Sheila Dawn Boyer, 56, South Bend, died 5:25 a.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. She was born February 10, 1966, in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Billy Owen & Bonnie (Brown) Boyer. Surviving are her mother, Bonnie, South Bend, siblings, Billie Lynn Croymans, Walkerton, Billy Owen Boyer II, South Bend, niece, Brittany (Josh) Dunbar, South Bend and nephew, Kevin Boyer, South Bend. Preceding her in death is her father. Sheila was a graduate of Ferndale High School and worked as a secretary at the hospital. She enjoyed 80's music, genealogy and quilting. Sheila loved her cat, Tinker. A family graveside service will be 2 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2022, at Whitehead...

Beverly Fisher, 92, Mill Creek, died 9:06 a.m. Sunday, May 29, 2022, at Robin's Nest, where she had been a patient since November. She was born May 1, 1930, in Elkhart, to the late Orrin and Wilma (Stewart) Abbott. She married Frank Fisher in Wakarusa, on January 19, 1949. He preceded her in death on March 15, 1999. Also preceding her in death were stepfather, Kenneth Kline, sisters, Joan Doering, Bonnie Lambka and grandson, Reid Fisher. Surviving are sons, Steven (Betty) Fisher, South Bend, Richard Fisher, Wakarusa, James Fisher, Boise, Idaho, daughter, Jan Fisher, Rolling Prairie, 4 grandchildren, Kris, David, Cindy, Ashley, 4 great-grandchildren, Justin, Kody, Haley & Delany...

Margaret Kenaga, 101, Wakarusa, formerly of Elkhart, died 10:35 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at Miller's Merry Manor. She was born May 3, 1920, in Wakarusa, to Clem & Maude (Schalliol) Hunsberger. On August 28, 1943, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, she married Ernest Leroy Kenaga and he died January 31, 2017. Surviving are a son, Mike (Helen) Kenaga, Elkhart, daughter, Candy (John) Sewell, Winter Park, Florida, 2 granddaughters, Stacy Kenaga, Houston, Texas, Molly Sewell, Wellington, Florida and a sister, Starley Morrison, Waldorf, Maryland. Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, Ernest, siblings, Winfred Hunsberger, Robert Hunsberger, Nancy Ummel and Lois Turnock. Margaret...

Norma Jean Miller, 89, Wyatt, died 7:35 a.m. Sunday, April 24, 2022, at Center for Hospice Ernestine Raclin House, Mishawaka. She was born May 30, 1932, in South Bend, to Theodore & Bertha (Bischoff) Reidenbach. On June 5, 1955, she married James Ivan Miller and he died June 20, 1998. Surviving are a son, Jim (Julia) Miller, Wyatt, daughter, Beth (Paul) Collar, Wyatt, 4 grandchildren, Christina (Jeff) Paul, Amanda Sappenfield, Chuck (Rebecca) Kinnison, Ashlee (Brent) Vance, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter. Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, grandson, Rian Collar, 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Norma was a homemaker and rug weaver. She was a member of...

John A. Mikel, 96, Wakarusa, died 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at the Maples at Waterford Crossing. He was born March 5, 1925, in St. Joseph County, to Virgil & Florence (Hawkins) Mikel. On December 30, 1950, at the Wakarusa Church of the Brethren, he married Dora Marie (Holmes) Mikel and she died April 3, 2001. Surviving are a daughter, Jane (Jeffrey) Jacobs, Goshen, sons, James (Tina) Mikel, Wakarusa, Steve (Sandy) Mikel, Wakarusa, 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way, 4 great-great-grandchildren, 3 brothers Charles Mikel of Arkansas, William Mikel of Florida, George Mikel of Bremen, 3 sisters Virginia Smith of Elkhart, Carolyn (Marvin) Rutherford of...

Fredric J Eby, 83, Bremen, died 8:54 a.m. Sunday, January 23, 2022, at Miller's Merry Manor Assisted Living, Wakarusa. He was born May 5, 1938, in St. Joseph County, to Charles E. & Mildred "Millie" (Barkey) Eby. On December 29, 1984, he married Sandy Eby. Surviving are 3 children, Annette Sharkey, Mishawaka, Ronald (Jennifer) Eby, Osceola, Angela (Michael) Borman, Del Ray Beach, Florida, 3 step-children, Staci (Tim Kulczar) Hendricks, Bremen, Corky Hendricks, Bremen, Misti Hendricks, Plymouth, 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, siblings, Donald Eby, Centerville, Michigan, Margaret Yoder, Wyatt and Merlin (Kathy) Eby, South Bend. Preceding him in death are his parents, wife,...

Eleanor J. Shoup, formerly of South Bend, Indiana passed away in Oskaloosa, Iowa on Dec 31, 2021. She was born in Madison Township in St Joseph County on March 31, 1931 to Otis and Mary (Enders) Davidhizar. She was united in marriage to Owen E. Shoup on May 23, 1954 at Holdeman Mennonite Church in Wakarusa, IN. They had two sons, Steven and Michael. Michael died shortly after birth. Steven (Cindy) have two children, David (Abby) Shoup with a son Liam of Des Moines, Iowa, and Rosanna (Derrick) Bailey with daughter, Jane of Helena, Montana. Eleanor is survived by her brother and his wife James (Shirley) Davidhizar of Huntsville, Texas as well as brother-in-law, Don Parcell of Wakarusa,lN She...

Ernestina "Tina" M. Wenger, 67, Goshen, died 1 a.m. Monday, December 13, 2021 at IU Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis. She was born July 6, 1954, in Ilo Ilo City, Philippines, to Ireneo & Marcelina (Catabas) Munoz. Surviving are children, Carl E. Young III, Elkhart, Alyssa M. Young, South Bend, Abigail F. Wenger, Goshen, grandchild, Freya L. Young, siblings, Marie, Dorothea and Antonio (Fe) Munoz. Preceding her in death are her parents, 3 sisters and 2 brothers. Tina served on the Elkhart County Council for 5 years. She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church, NACO and a huge advocate of the AAPI community. Tina enjoyed traveling, shopping, photography, trying new restaurants and...

Nancy A. Parcell, 83, Wakarusa, died 12:10 a.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at her residence where she was born, August 22, 1938, in St. Joseph County. On November 17, 1956, she married Donald D. Parcell. Surviving are her husband, Donald, Wakarusa, children, Bill (Eva) Parcell, Wakarusa, Donna (Lee) Leatherman, Goshen, 5 grandchildren, Laura (Jason) Slabach, Wakarusa, John (Alyson) Leatherman, Goshen, Joshua Leatherman, Goshen, Sarah Parcell, Wakarusa, Zachary Parcell, Wakarusa, 3 great-grandchildren, Leon, Logan, Luke Leatherman, sister, Eleanor Shoup, Oskaloosa, Iowa and a brother, James (Shirley) Davidhizar, Huntsville, Texas. Preceding her in death are her parents and sister, Imogene...

Phyllis Arlene Billman, 90, Wakarusa, died 9:10 a.m. Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at her home. She was born April 23, 1931, in St. Joseph County, to John & Audrey (Berkey) Laidig. On October 29, 1949, she married Richard Charles Billman in St. Joseph County and he died June 6, 1995. Surviving are children, Rick (Cathy) Billman, Goshen, Greg (Janet) Billman, Brownsburg, Patti (Don Richmond) Aller, Wakarusa, Jane (Richard) Phillips, Richmond, Virginia, Anne (Timothy) Reece, Wakarusa, 10 grandchildren, Shannon (Russ) Davis, Travis (Kristen) Billman, Laura (Chad) Hibbard, Ashley (Matt) Keck, Emily (Jake Jensen) Billman, Jessica Crew, Andrew (Nicole) Phillips, Luke (Jennifer) Phillips, Tim...

Elta Louise Ehret, 99 of Wakarusa, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at her son Jerry's home. She was born October 21, 1921 in Washington, IL to Walter E. and Matilda (Schertz) Yoder. She was married to Robert D. Ehret December 24, 1948 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Elta graduated from La Junta Mennonite School of Nursing in 1945. She then returned to Goshen College to finish her degree in music. After being accepted by the Mennonite Mission Board she was assigned to a hospital in Aibonito, Puerto Rico where she met Robert Ehret. Twelve years after establishing their business (Ehret Funeral Home) in San Juan they moved their family back to the farm in...

Elaine Marie Truex, 67, Wakarusa, met her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in her home. She was born on September 28, 1953, in Bremen, to Lyle Z. & Wilma Evelyn (Brechtel) Weldy. On June 15, 1973, she married the love of her life, Mark Truex. They celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary this past June. Surviving are her husband, Mark of Wakarusa, daughters, Michan (Ryan) Eby of Wakarusa, Carissa (Brent) Renner of Mishawaka, Melaine (Jason) Gough of Tucson, Arizona, Alysha (Casey) Yerger of Goshen, 8 precious grandchildren: Laura, Heather, Titus, Mark, Chad, Grayson, Adeline, and Evelyn. Also surviving are sister, Eva Baugham of Taylors, South Carolina, brothers, Douglas...

Leland K. Weldy, 85, Elkhart, passed away 8:25 p.m. Monday, July 19, 2021 at Elkhart General Hospital surrounded by the love of his family. Leland was born November 30, 1935, in Wakarusa, Indiana, to Maynard Weldy and Edna (Weaver) Weldy, both deceased. Leland's two brothers and sister, Loren Weldy, Paul Weldy and Elaine Hostetler preceded him in death. He was joined in the union of marriage to his best friend, Sigrid (Swanson) Weldy on August 25, 1962, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Elkhart, Indiana. He is survived by his two daughters, Suzanne (Tom) Jones of Osceola, Indiana, and Nora Weldy-Reed of Elkhart, Indiana. He has been blessed with five grandchildren: Kiersten, Madison,...