Journal and Courier

James George Smith, age 91, of Murrells Inlet, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the Palmettos of Garden City. He was born February 6, 1933, in Lafayette, Indiana, a son of the late George & Stella Smith. Jim was a loving father, husband and grandfather. He served his country in the Korean War in both the Army and the Navy and retired from the Navy with an honorable discharge. He also retired from the United States Postal Service after many years of dedicated service as a mail carrier. Jim was known to be a man with a sense of humor and in his free time, enjoyed traveling, reading, and studying and learning history. He is survived by his wife, Donna Harbin McMahan, who he...

Connie Schreckengast, a cherished wife, mother, Grammy, daughter, and sister, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2024, at Poudre Valley Hospital, concluding a nearly two-year, harrowing fight against ALK-positive lung cancer. Born Connie Luck on February 22, 1963, at Home Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana, to Kenneth Virgil Luck and Myrna Jane (Norman) Luck, she lived a life filled with love, dedication, and warmth. Connie's beautiful love story with Jim began in Lafayette, Indiana, where they first met while he was attending Purdue University, and she was working at Zales Jewelers as a salesperson and bookkeeper. Their love story, filled with joy and laughter, blossomed over four years,...

Louise McNelly of St. Joseph, Michigan passed away at Caretel Inns St. Joseph on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the age of 95. A celebration of Louise's wonderful life will be held later in the Summer or Fall of 2024, with a Luncheon Reception to follow. The family requests any Memorial contributions be made to the Dowagiac Historical Museum or the Dowagiac Public Library. Arrangements were entrusted to Clark Chapel and Cremation Services -Starks Family Funeral Homes. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com. Louise was born on the Family Farm in Davis County, Iowa, on a snowy frigid winter day; February 16, 1929, to Wilbur Ross and Vera Larue (Stookesberry)...

Kent D. Gard, 71, of Noblesville, IN, passed away on March 1, 2024. He was born on September 29, 1952, in Logansport, Indiana. Kent was known for being warm-hearted and kind, leaving a positive impact on all those around him. He will be deeply missed by his children: Jason M. Gard of Noblesville, Jill A. Gard of West Lafayette, and Nolan C. Gard of Cicero. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren: Kolton Gard, Cameron Loy, Carson Gard, and Claire Pulley. Kent is survived by his ex-wife and mother to his children, Michelle (Lester) Hetsko of Flora. Kent is also survived by his sibling, Dawn Gard-Long. Kent graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School and furthered his...

James Robert Ritenour, age 77, of Clarksville, TN passed away on February 12, 2024. He was born on August 4, 1946, in Williamsport, Indiana to the late , Robert and Alberta Sturgeon Ritenour. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Linda Johnston Ritenour, and his sister Nancy Johnston. James leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond his professional career. He was a dedicated family man who adored his children and grandchildren deeply. He is survived by his son Troy Ritenour and wife Wanda; his daughters Misty Reece and husband Casey, and Brenda Taylor- Gould and husband Mikel. James also leaves behind...

Madaline L. (Fisher) Sommers, 90 of Star City passed away peacefully at 4:35 a.m., Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Woodbridge Health Campus in Logansport. Born on March 22, 1933 in Logansport, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Leal (Hall) Fisher. On November 25, 1951 she married her high school sweetheart, Richard L. Sommers. He preceded her in death on January 19, 2014. Madaline was a 1951 Star City High School graduate. She worked in various bookkeeping positions while Richard served in the U.S. Army. She was an active member of Star City United Methodist Church and the Fletchers Lake Church. She enjoyed playing Euchre, playing golfed, wintering in Florida and Texas, being a...

Wendell Carter Swartz (Wendy) passed away peacefully on January 24, 2024 after a long and colorful life of nearly 99 years. Wendy was born on May 26,1925 in Louisville, Kentucky to Wendell and Clara Carter Swartz. After graduation from high school in Indiana, Wendy was inducted into the US Army Air Force in October, 1943 in the middle of World War II. As luck would have it, he was trained as a tail gunner on a B-24 Bomber in the Central Europe theater, flying over 30 missions. The most harrowing mission, which he volunteered for, was air support to troops in the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944. He was honorably discharged in October 1945, having received 4 Bronze Star citations. Wendy...

James Henriott passed away on January 21, 2024, following complications from COVID. James was born November 20, 1929 in Logansport, IN to John and Edna (Tabler) Henriott. His parents, brother (Paul Henriott), and sister (Catherine Horban), preceded him in death. Jim was raised on a farm in Fulton County and attended Rochester High School, where he graduated in 1947. He then enrolled at Indiana State Teacher's College in Terre Haute, IN majoring in Mathematics and Industrial Arts. While at Indiana State, Jim was a basketball student manager for Coach John Wooden his freshman year, and his sophomore year he was a manager for Coach John Longfellow. He was also a baseball player all 4 years and...

Donald Lucius Dunaway (Don) passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Naples Baker Hospital at 86 years of age. Don was born March 8, 1937 in Omaha, Nebraska to Lucius and Dagmar Dunaway. He attended Shawnee Mission North High School in Mission, Kansas where he lettered in track and cross country. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1959 with a BS degree in Business Administration Majoring in Marketing. Don served actively in the US Army in 1959 and then became a member of the Kansas National Guard. Don married Betty Jo Kipp in 1957 and had two children: Catherine and David. Betty passed away in 2010. Don joined the A.O. Smith Corporation in 1963; served in many areas,...

Phyllis Irene Brost, age 77, passed away on December 5, 2023 in Franklin, Indiana. Born on January 22, 1946 in Clinton, Indiana to Ira "Keith" and Virginia Prickett, Phyllis celebrated a loving union with Gerald "Gerry" V. Brost in 1964. A graduate of Purdue University's Krannert School of Business, she made her career in Lafayette, notably enriching the Community Health Center with her dedicated service. Phyllis also brought her warmth and leadership to the Lafayette Junior Women's Club, readily forging many friendships and helping the community. A loving, devoted, and gracious mother, Phyllis's memory is treasured by her children, Todd Brost (wife Mary), Michelle Dial (husband Chris), and...

The Honorable Douglas Lynn Gutwein, Indiana State Representative, Retired, 75, of Cary, NC (formerly of Francesville, IN) went to rest with the Lord on Friday, December 1, 2023 after a year-long battle with cancer. Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM EST Friday, December 8, 2023 at the Apostolic Christian Church (210 US 421 Francesville, IN 47946) with Ministers of the Church officiating. Burial with Military Honors will take place at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville, IN. Visitation will be from 2-8 PM EST Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the Apostolic Fellowship Center (409 N. Morton St. Francesville, IN 47946) and two hours prior to services at the church on Friday. Memorial Contributions...

Stanley G. Boehning, 88, a lifelong farmer from Francesville passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Parkview Haven Retirement Home. He was born at the family home place on March 9, 1935 in rural Francesville to the late George H. and Emma P. [Schmid] Boehning. Stanley graduated from Francesville High School in 1953. He served in the US Army Reserves following high school. On September 2, 1956, Stanley married Maxine J. Boze in Monon. Stanley worked the land his family had before him and raised livestock. He also drove a semi for several years and enjoyed traveling the country. Stanley was a member of the Francesville Apostolic Christian Church where he had attended since his...

Rosalie Nelson Richardson, 84, of Greenfield died November 17, 2023. She was born March 16, 1939 in Lafayette to the late Walter and Rose Nelson. She was a member of the Hancock County Council for 12 years, a member of the Greenfield-Central School Board for eight years and was the Center Township Trustee for four years. In addition she was a member of the Community Corrections Board, the Hancock County Tourism Commission, the Hancock County Public Defender Board and the Greenfield-Central Middle School Building Corporation. She was a board member of Greenfield Historic Landmarks for more than three decades and an original member of the Hancock County Historical Society, where she had...

Joan Goodwin, a beloved sister, cherished aunt, and friend to many, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2023, at The Villages at Oak Ridge in Washington, IN. It was Joan's wish to be cremated without public services. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine is in charge of these arrangements. In her memory, donations may be made to the "American Diabetes Association" or to the "American Heart Association". To view her full obituary, or to share a memory or condolence online, please visit www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com.

Thomas Gene Hague, 91, of Indianapolis, passed away on September 22, 2023. He was born on March 22, 1932 in Lafayette, IN to Vance E. and Edna (Pattee) Hague. Thomas was a graduate of Jefferson High School in Lafayette,IN. He graduated from Purdue University in 1960, where he was a member of Kappa Psi Professional Fraternity. Thomas was a member of the VFW and American Legion, and former member of The Elks, Kiwanis and Rotary. He volunteered at St. Francis (Peds and Ambulatory Surgery) and traveled a dozen times to the Collonas in Mexico to build houses for the poor with the De Colores organization. He played the double bass in a jazz quartet throughout Indiana and Texas. A prayer...

ynn George Wilfong, 84, of Kentland, IN, died unexpectedly on September 9, 2023, at Iroquois Memorial Hospital, Watseka, IL. Lynn was born on April 24, 1939, in Willow Branch, IN, to George Smith Wilfong and Florence Eileen Trees Wilfong. Growing up in that small town gave Lynn great joy. He graduated from Wilkinson High School (IN) in 1957; Lynn played basketball and baseball for the Wilkinson Bulldogs. On August 21, 1960, Lynn married Barbara Janice (Hughes) in Greenfield, IN. They recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary. At the age of 12, Lynn's father entrusted him to care for three harness horses at the KY State Fairgrounds during the summer. Lynn jogged and cared for the horses...

Alice M. Smith Livengood, Age 80, Passed away Friday, August 25, 2023 at her residence in Huntsville, KY. Alice was born on Wednesday, May 5, 1943 in Williamsport, IN to the union of the late Donald F. and June Harris Smith. She married Harry O. Livengood November 14, 1964, living in Indiana until 1996, they moved to Quality, KY to be closer to their daughter and help with their grandchildren. Alice was retired from Central Lab in Lafayette, IN and worked as a cook at the Tippecanoe Co. Jail in Lafayette, IN and Kuntry Kitchen in Morgantown. Over the years she enjoyed playing bingo, visits to Las Vegas, casino boats, lottery tickets and playing euchre which could often get quitte interesting...

Janice Elaine Harper (Wright) of Indianapolis passed away peacefully in her home on August 5, 2023. She was surrounded by family while listening to Amazing Grace. Her husband Ted Harper preceded her in death in 2008. She was born to R. Howard and Juanita (Williams) Wright in 1937. She grew up in Clarks Hill, Indiana and graduated from Clarks Hill High School. She is survived by four daughters. Karen Rosa of Florida, Lynne Walsh of Indianapolis, Janni Glover of Lafayette, and Sherry Lozon of Florida. Two brothers preceded her in death, Raymond Wright, and Roger Wright. She has one sister M. Elise Thoennes (Wright) of Lafayette, and James Wright of Clarks Hill. She is also survived by...

Marilyn Sue (Johnson) Wright, 85, formerly of Battle Ground, IN, passed away on Monday, June 19, 2023, at Lutheran Community Home in Seymour, IN, where she had resided since February. Marilyn Sue was born on June 26, 1937, in Vallonia, IN to Harry Leeland Johnson & Sarah Audra Valentine (Emmons) Johnson. After graduating from Vallonia High School in 1955, she worked in Indianapolis as a comptometer operator. On February 15, 1958, she married Ronald Mark Wright at the Vallonia Christian Church. When Ron joined the U.S. Air Force, they lived near several different military bases, including villages near Wiesbaden, Germany. After returning to the States, Marilyn Sue traveled with Ron all...

Raymond J. Peeters, age 92, passed away on May 30 in Bloomington IN. He was born on June 3, 1930, in Appleton WI to Raymond M. and Marie (Schommer) Peeters. Showing an early aptitude for music, he studied piano and academics at Lawrence University in Appleton. At Lawrence, he met his future wife, Vanevaryn (Van) Knoblauch, marrying in 1950. While raising 3 children with his wife of 71 years, Ray worked in retail store management in several midwestern areas including Interstate Dept. Stores in Flint MI. From 1973 until retirement, he was Vice Pres. of Rapps Stores, a chain based in Lafayette. He was an active member of the business and civic community with a 50 yr. Lafayette Rotary Club...

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...