Palmer Funeral Home - River Park

Joyce D. Carpenter, aged 78, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2025, in Bremen, Indiana. Born on June 11, 1946, in Battle Creek, Michigan, Joyce was a cherished daughter to the late Burrell and Mary Kidney. She was the beloved wife of the late Eugene Carpenter and is survived by three nephews, Edward Michela (Battle Creek, MI), Todd Kidney (Mountain Home, AK), and Mark Kidney (Houston, TX). She was preceded in death by her sister Sharon Michela and brother Roger Kidney. Joyce's early years in Michigan were filled with the warmth of a close-knit family. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to complete four years of college, which paved the way for a fulfilling career. Joyce dedicated eight...

Kathleen Ellen (Shields) Gallivan, 91, a faithful servant of our Lord was called home to Heaven Sunday, November 10, 2024, in Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI. Born on May 14, 1933, in Muskegon, MI, to the late William J. and Dorothy V. (Suchon) Shields. In 1955 her heart found Phillip Gallivan of Traverse City, Michigan, their nearly 60-year union was filled with love, laughter and cherished memories until Phillip's passing in March 2015. Together they built a beautiful family. Debra Jean (Jay) Nelson, Linda Gallivan (Deceased), Brian (Karla) Gallivan, Patricia Greaney, Michele (Robert) Gallivan-Swanson. Kathleen's life was enriched by 11 grandchildren and 16 great...

Rev. Donald Ray Francis, 84, a man of faith and compassion, passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Copperas Cove Nursing and Rehab in Copperas Cove, Texas. He was born on July 21, 1939, in Bryan, Texas, to the late W.G. and Opal (Sommerville) Francis. Donald's life was a testament to his commitment to his family, his community, and his God. He was a graduate of Bryan High school and attended Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas as a Ministerial Student, and Bethel College in South Bend, Indiana. Donald's journey through life was marked by love and devotion. He married Elizabeth (McPherson) Kelsey, now of Little River, Texas on November 27, 1963, and is survived by her and their...

Mark E. Pierce, a beloved family member, friend, and community member, passed away tragically on July 22, 2023, along with his girlfriend, Jane Bennett Ryall, in his hometown of South Bend, Indiana. Born on June 4, 1964, to Lloyd E. Pierce, Jr. and Constance Barbara (Przybylski) Pierce. Mark lived a life full of adventure, love, and service. Mark was known for his kind heart and laid-back style. He knew no strangers as his lighthearted and genuinely kind nature was instantly recognized and created instant friends out of those in his presence. Mark was a devoted son, brother, father, uncle, and of course, friend. He was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd E. Pierce, Jr. and his son, Corey...

Brigitte K. Morton, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2023, in South Bend, Indiana. Born on January 10, 1945, in Lauingen, Bavaria, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Heinz and Karolina (Schwarz) Kugelmann. She began her career as a MAN Diesel assembly person in Germany, where she worked diligently and made lifelong friends. Later, she moved to the United States and became a waitress at L&G Restaurant, where she was known for her warm smile and spirited demeanor. In her free time, Brigitte was an avid gardener who took great pride in her beautiful flowers and plants. She also enjoyed horseback riding, which allowed her to...

Lloyd Kerr Sr., of Bolingbrook, IL. departed on May 29, 2023 in Adventhealth Bolingbrook Hospital, formally of South Bend. Funeral Service is 12 noon EST on Friday, June 16, 2023, in Greater St. John's Missionary Baptist Church 101 N. Adams St. South Bend, IN 46628. Family and friends may gather in the Church beginning at 11am EST on Friday. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Palmer Funeral Home - West Chapel 2702 Lincolnway West South Bend, IN 46628 is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit the Palmer Funeral Home website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com for full obituary and to leave condolences for the family.

August 3, 1935-April 20, 2023 Nancy S. Riegle lived and worked in Indianapolis for over 20 years. See www.palmerfuneralhomes.com for full obituary.

Joshua Paul Martin Garlathy, 51, residing in South Bend, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at his home. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 21, 1971 to Frank Garlathy and Mary (Campbell) Garlathy. Joshua graduated from Indiana Area Senior High School and subsequently studied philosophy and political science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He was an avid musician. He played the saxophone and guitar, and he was a prolific singer songwriter. He lived in Maui for most of his adult life where he had a strong community of friends and was a part of the Makawao church. Joshua struggled for decades with the physical pain of psoriatic arthritis which significantly...

Joel Richard Pearon, Sr., 77, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2023. He was born on January 6, 1946, in Columbus, Ohio to the late Paul and Mae (Denny) Pearon. On November 24, 1966, in West Union, Ohio, he was united in marriage to Joan Brewer. Along with his wife Joan, Joel is survived by his son Joel (Karen) Pearon, Jr. of Columbus, OH; daughter Jill (Alex Gomez) Pearon of South Bend, IN; three grandchildren, Lindsey, Emiliano, and Garrett; his brother James (Sandy) Pearon of Peebles, OH; sister-in-law Skye West of West Union, OH; and one niece and four nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Janis (Ray) Buda. He received his Bachelor of Accounting degree from University of...

Keith Larry Sr. was born May 11, 1967 in Benton Harbor, Mi to Shirley Jean White. Keith attended Benton Harbor High School and then went on to further his education while playing basketball for Glen Oaks Community College in Centreville, Mi. Keith accepted Christ before his transitioning. He acquired his Commercial Drivers License in 2020, then went on to become a truck driver traveling across the country for CR England. Keith became ill and could no longer drive trucks and started working at Frankies BBQ as the General Manager. Keith would light up the room with his smile and his BudLight Beer in his hand. You could count on him to talk crazy with his favorite lines "Now Run and Tell...

Lois W. Gregg, 92, passed away Sat., Dec. 17, 2022. Born June 2, 1930, in Acton, Indiana to the late Paul & Cecil (Harmon) Wulf; also preceded by a brother, Carl Wulf. Survived by husband, Robert A. Gregg; 4 children; & sister Elsie Wulf. Service: 1:00 PM Fri., Jan. 6, 2023, Sunnyside Presbyterian, 115 S. Frances, South Bend, IN. Condolences: www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Karl Doyle, 60, of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away Sunday, November 20, 2022 at the Center for Hospice. Karl was born in England on May 21, 1962 to Frances and Hilda Doyle, who both survive. He was a huge car enthusiast especially for Corvettes and Camaros. The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Thompson for his wonderful care and treatment of Karl before he passed. Along with his parents, Karl is survived by his daughter, Erica (David) Hough of Mishawaka; his son, Killian Doyle of Niles, Michigan; his grandchildren, Justin Hough, Dylan Hough, Sean Elwell, Megan Haubold, Madisyn Hough, Landyn Hough, Brooklyn Hough; and his sister, Maxine Craft of South Haven, Michigan. Karl is...

GRANGER - Sally McKinney Bassett, 90, passed away at 8:00 PM on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at StoryPoint Granger. Sally was born on February 3, 1932 in Dowagiac, Michigan to the late Palmer E. and Elizabeth (Hiler) Beebe. She grew up on the Beebe farm in Dowagiac and moved to South Bend in the early 1950's after her marriage to Charles F. McKinney, Jr. who preceded her in death in 1977. In 1986, she married Edward J. Bassett, who also preceded her in death in 2015. Sally enjoyed camping trips with her young family and later with many good friends. Through the years, many activities kept her active: dancing, bowling, playing cards, relaxing at the beach and traveling. She enjoyed...

Ruth Thompson Abram's survivors include: loving husband of 65 years, Emerson "Abe" Abram; children, Mark (Jewel) Abram-Copenhaver of South Bend, IN, Rebecca (Paul) Kreider of Morgantown, WV, and Jennifer (Mark) Altemose of Bethlehem, PA. Served as United Methodist missionaries to Malaysia; later served United Methodist churches in Wayne, Willistown, and Havertown, PA; retiring at Riverwoods Community, Lewisburg, PA. Celebration of Life Service is being planned in Pennsylvania. See www.palmerfuneralhomes.com for information.

Ruth Thompson Abram, our wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother, died on September 13, 2022, at the age of 91, in her home while surrounded by family. Ruth was born in 1931, and raised in Prospect Park, PA. She received her degree in sociology from Lycoming College in 1953, with graduate work at Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL and Hartford Seminary Foundation in CT. Upon graduation, Ruth was chosen by the United Methodist Missions Board as one of only 34 college graduates nationwide to serve as a three-year missionary to Malaysia. At 22 years old, with just six weeks of training in the language, she began teaching in Malaysia, eventually becoming principal of a girls'...

Frank Bryan Garlathy, age 76, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away August 25, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Garlathy; his son, Joshua Garlathy; daughter, Elizabeth Scott; son-in-law, Henry Scott; and six grandchildren. Frank graduated magna cum laude from Otterbein College, receiving a master's in divinity at the United Theological Seminary, and receiving a doctorate in theology from the Graduate Theological Foundation at Notre Dame. He served as a United Methodist minister in the Western Pennsylvania Conference for forty years. He was an avid musician, playing piano, singing and writing songs. He loved baseball and was a voracious reader - particularly science...

Garlathy Date of Birth: 5/6/1946 Date of Death: 8/25/2022 Garlathy Date of Birth: 5/6/1946 Date of Death: 8/25/2022 Frank Bryan Garlathy, age 76, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away August 25, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Garlathy; his son, Joshua Garlathy; daughter, Elizabeth Scott; son-in-law, Henry Scott; and six grandchildren. Frank graduated magna cum laude from Otterbein College, receiving a master's in divinity at the United Theological Seminary, and receiving a doctorate in theology from the Graduate Theological Foundation at Notre Dame. He served as a United Methodist minister in the Western Pennsylvania Conference for forty years. He was an avid...

Frank Bryan Garlathy, age 76, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away August 25, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Garlathy; his son, Joshua Garlathy; daughter, Elizabeth Scott; son-in-law, Henry Scott; and six grandchildren. Frank graduated magna cum laude from Otterbein College, receiving a master's in divinity at the United Theological Seminary, and receiving a doctorate in theology from the Graduate Theological Foundation at Notre Dame. He served as a United Methodist minister in the Western Pennsylvania Conference for forty years. He was an avid musician, playing piano, singing and writing songs. He loved baseball and was a voracious reader - particularly science...

Sherlyn Sue Flesher, 66, residing in Coralville, Iowa, passed away Friday, July 15, 2022, at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. Sherlyn was born September 9, 1955, in South Bend, Indiana to Grover Clifford Flesher and Wanda Daphine (Mock) Flesher. Along with her mother, Wanda Flesher of South Bend, Sherlyn is survived by her sister, Shirley (Robert) Peterson of Lakeville; her brother, Clifford Flesher of South Bend; and four nieces, Gail Peterson DDS of Indianapolis, Dr. Sara (Corey) Schrader of Greenwood, Indiana, Kimberly (Abel) Orelove of Plainfield, Illinois and Bethany (Mark) Holtz of Indianapolis as well as 8 great-nieces and nephews. Sherlyn was preceded in death by her father,...

Dr. Jack S. Williams passed away on June 15th, 2022. He was 66 years old. Born in San Diego to Jack and Louise, he grew up in Clairemont. He came into the world with two older sisters, Jackie and Nancy. He is survived by his sister, Jackie Williams Stewart and his one daughter, Louise Williams. Dr. Williams graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in history and anthropology. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Arizona in 1991. After conducting numerous archaeology projects throughout the American southwest, including major projects at the San Diego Presidio, he shifted his focus to educating retired folks through various continued learning...

Sandra Elaine Sherrod went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, June 10, 2022, at her home at the age of 87. She was born on October 9, 1934, to Cleve and Mary (Richhart) Lund. Sandra graduated from Chula Vista High School in Imperial Beach, California where she came to love the ocean. She moved to Mishawaka and that is where she met her husband of 60 years, Rodney Sherrod. Sandra earned her LPN nursing degree from Ivy Tech and her RN from Memorial Hospital School of nursing. She worked in several different medical facilities located in Three Rivers, Centreville, MI and the South Bend, Mishawaka area. Sandra loved her family and her large stuffed dog Cubby. She will greatly missed...