All Obituaries

Robert James “Jim” Pontius October 25, 1943 – July 27, 2021     OSCEOLA- Robert James “Jim” Pontius, 77, of Osceola, died Tuesday July 27, 2021, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born October 25, 1943, in Elkhart Indiana to Donald R. & Mary Florence (Jones) Pontius.      Surviving are 4 children, Craig J. Pontius of Trinity, AL, Douglas R. Pontius of Elkhart, Robin J. Wirick of Osceola, Michelle R. Pontius of Union; 5...

JOHN H. MARKLEY July 17. 1944 – July 26, 2021       ELKHART- John H. Markley, 78, of Elkhart, died Monday July 27, 2021, at Eastlake Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Elkhart.  He was born July 17, 1944, in Elkhart to John M. & Betty (Schrock) Markley.      Surviving is a son, Michael J. Markley of Elkhart; a granddaughter, Stephanie (Adam) Marcolini of Broadview, IL and 2 great-grandchildren, Vinnie and Samantha...

William E. O’Brien April 29, 1931 – July 21, 2021       GOSHEN- William E. O’Brien, 90, of Goshen, died Wednesday July 21, 2021, at Elkhart General Hospital.  He was born April 29, 1931, in Pottsville, PA to Maurice and Mary (Powers) O’Brien.      He married Mary Bryan and she preceded him in death.  He then married Doris J. (Oaks) Krawiec on January 2, 1982, in Elkhart.  He is survived by his wife Doris; 2 sons,...

DEAN R. LEHMAN September 16, 1950 – July 20, 2021       EDWARDSBURG, MI- Dean R. Lehman, 70, of Edwardsburg, died Tuesday July 20, 2021 at Elkhart General Hospital.  He was born September 16, 1950, in Imlay City, Michigan to Russell and Cleo (Weldy) Lehman.      On July 9, 1997, in Elkhart he married Darlene D. Eternicka.  She survives along with a daughter, Amy (Brian) Hardy and their 2 children Maicey and Cooper Hardy of Middlebury,...

EDWARDSBURG, MI- Ronald M. VanKirk, 81, of Edwardsburg, passed away on July 19, 2021 peacefully in his sleep at home.  Ronald is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sandra K. (Mark) VanKirk, son Patrick (LuAnne) VanKirk, of Cassopolis, Michigan, daughter, Belinda (Zack Carmichael) VanKirk of Kuna, Idaho; and his 4 grandchildren Alex, Avery, Grace and Jayne.   Ronald was born August 24,1939 in Knawl, West Virginia to Oscar Edmund and Golda Edith (Casto) VanKirk. He has a sister...

Miss Angela Sue Johnston was born March 30,1965 in Martinez, California and passed away at home July 14, 2021 in Elkhart Indiana. She had two children; Tanner (Montayne) Vigren born November 11th, 1994 at Elkhart General Hospital and proceeding 6 years later, Tiangela Louise Elaine Knapp born March 12th 2000. Also surviving is her mother, Janice Rodgers, born March 28,1945. They lived side by side in a home for around 7 years now up until the passing. Loved by siblings Donald Johnston (wife...

Ruth Ivy Lehman, 49 of Bristol passed away Monday July 12, 2021 at home of natural causes.  She was born in Elkhart to George Ray Lehman (deceased) and Pam Zirkle on July 25, 1971. She graduated from Northridge High School and received an Associates Degree in Computer Information Systems at Portland Community College in Oregon.  Ruthie (Ivy Jean) enjoyed working with the elderly, as well as working at the auto body shop. She was a funny, kind spirited soul who knew how...

Vera Wilkerson March 28, 1948 ~ July 11, 2021   Elkhart-  Vera Wilkerson, 73 of Elkhart, was found dead on July 11, 2021.  Vera was born March 28, 1948 to William and Valentina (Lubarsky) Allen in Caracus, Venezuela.  She married Larry R. Wilkerson who passed away August 2020.  She was also preceded in death by her parents.   Surviving are 2 sons, Stephen R. Hibshman of Elkhart, Indiana, and William A. Hibshman of Goshen, Indiana, 5 grandchildren; 4 great...

Kenneth E. Fritz February 27, 1930 – July 9, 2021   ELKHART- Kenneth E. Fritz, 91 of Elkhart, died Friday, July 9, 2021, at Elkhart General Hospital.  He was born February 27, 1030, in Wyatt, Indiana to Clifford Fritz and Esther M. (Moser) Holderman.    Surviving are 2 sons, Byron Fritz of Elkhart, IN., Karl Fritz of Utah, several grandchildren.  A brother, Herbert Fritz of Elkhart, Indiana, numerous nieces, and nephews.  He was preceded in death by...

ROBERT J. NISWANDER, JR. SEPTEMBER 11, 1947 – JULY 6, 2021     UNION, MI- Robert J. Niswander, Jr., 73, of Union, died Tuesday July 6, 2021, at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka.  He was born September 11, 1947, in Elkhart, Indiana to Robert J. and Betty L. (Baker) Niswander, Sr.      Surviving are 2 sons, Robert J. (Susanne) Niswander, III of Jones, MI, Patrick L. Niswander of Bristol, IN; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren...