Brenda Rose, 56, North Manchester, died at 5:40 p.m. Nov. 28, 2017, in Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. She was born Aug. 19, 1961, in Wabash, to Bill and Martha Eloise Foster Rose.

Willard “Buck” Prater Jr., 50, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, in his home at Sellers Lake.

Leonard Devon Sellers, 92, formerly of Pierceton, died at 12:13 a.m. today, Nov. 30, 2017, at his daughter’s residence in Oregon, Wis.

Willard “Buck” Prater Jr., 50, Sellers Lake, died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, in his home.

James S. Hicks, 74, Rochester, died at 4:07 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, at his residence.

Minnie Louise Wise, 90, North Webster, passed away at 6:25 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, at her residence.

Ronnie Lee Anderson passed away at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was 77.

NORTH WEBSTER — Jerry D. Rensberger, 85, North Webster and Fort Wayne, passed away at 9:10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.  He was born March 7, 1932, in Goshen, to Jay G. and Wilma M. Weaver Rensberger. He graduated in 1950 from North Webster High School and received an associate degree in 1953 from Giffin College in Van Wert, Ohio; a bachelor of science degree in 1955 from Defiance (Ohio) College; and a master’s degree from The Ohio State University.  He was a United States Army veteran, serving during Vietnam. He grew up in the Goshen/North Webster area and lived in Ohio, Alaska, Hawaii and Fort Wayne.  On June 25, 2000, in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii he married Nancy L. Clem Bischoff, who survives.  He retired in 2006 as a teacher in education and travel. He not only taught but was a coach, guidance counselor, pilot-4 instructor and economics professor in Paulding, Ohio; Mansfield, Ohio; and Shawano, Wis. After retirement he served as a travel guide, counselor and agent, traveling to 48 states. He also was a substitute teacher in Wainae, Hawaii; Seward, Alaska; and Moose Pass, Alaska; totaling 49 years of teaching.  He was a member of United Methodist Church in New Haven, North Webster Church of God, North Webster YMCA and American Legion Post 253 in North Webster. He was a former member of New Haven Kiwanis Club, Jaycees Club in Shawano and Toastmasters Club in Paulding.  He enjoyed all lake activities, collecting over 10,000 license plates, over 700 Hard Rock Café shirts and classic automobiles. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Rensberger, Fort Wayne; two daughters, Rhonda L. (Richard) Williams and Cynthia A. (Bud) Bogantz, both of Lexington, Ohio; two stepdaughters, Lisa (Chuck) Gladieux, Woodburn, and Linda (Brent) Romines, New Haven; one stepson, Greg Bischoff, Fort Wayne; five grandchildren: Malory Yockey, Michael Bogantz, Spencer Williams, McKenzie Williams and Taylor Williams; seven stepgrandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; and a brother, Larry E. (Janelle) Rensberger, Syracuse. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Luella C. Mullins; and two brothers, Jack L. and Jay B. Burdell Rensberger. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at Owen Family Funeral Home, Ind. 13 and C.R. 500N, North Webster.  Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home, with Rev. Tom Mullins officiating. Military rites will be performed by the North Webster American Legion immediately after funeral services at the funeral home.  Private burial will be in Stewart-Griesinger Historical Cemetery, Larwill. ***** Memorials to the United Methodist Church, 630 Lincoln Highway East, New Haven, IN 46774; or Mohican Outdoor School, 5370 Bunker Hill Road, Butler, OH 44842.  ***** To send condolences to the family in Mr. Rensberger’s memory, visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com.

John B. Vance, 91, Dowagiac, Mich., passed away at 11:35 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, at Lakeland Regional Health Systems, St. Joseph, Mich.   He was born Sept. 2, 1926, to William Harvey and Lola Iealea Shores Vance in Des Arc, Ark.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving more than 20 years and receiving the rank of chief petty officer (E7). After his military career, he worked for St. Joseph Hospital and The Strand, both of Michigan. He has lived in Michigan for 50 years. He married Mildred Minnix and she preceded him in death. John loved to hunt and was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed gardening. He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Linda Minnix,  Niles, Mich.; two granddaughters, Valerie Minnix, Wichita, Kan., and Daniel Minnix Jr., Niles; three great-great-grandchildren: Brain Pompa, Serra Minnix and Ethan Pompa; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters.  Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, with the funeral service following the visitation at 2 p.m., at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. The Rev. Ken Chupp will be officiating.  Interment will be in Tippecanoe Cemetery.  ***** Memorials to the Miller’s Vets Homeless Shelter, 747 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601.  To sign the guest book or send a condolence, go to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.   

NORTH WEBSTER — Minnie Louise Wise, 90, North Webster, died at 6:25 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, at her residence.  Arrangements are pending at Owen Family Funeral Home, North Webster.

Ronnie Lee Anderson, 77, Warsaw, died at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. Arrangements are pending at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw.

ROCHESTER — Kenneth Fay Bathrick, 83, Rochester, went home to be with the Lord at 5:52 a.m. Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, at Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw.

FORT WAYNE — Jacob Ryan Walerko, 25, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Fort Wayne.   He was born in Columbia City to Mark and Cristy Walerko, who survive in Mentone.  He was a member of First Baptist Church of Mentone youth group.   A service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior.   Calling is also from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  ***** Memorials to the Allen County SPCA.   To sign the online guest book, go to www.mccombandsons.com.

PIERCETON — John B. Vance, 91, Dowagiac, Mich., died at 11:35 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, at Lakeland Regional Health Systems, St. Joseph, Mich. Arrangements are pending at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Pierceton.

NORTH WEBSTER — Jerry D. Rensberger, 85, Warsaw and New Haven, died at 9:10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.  Arrangements are pending at Owen Family Funeral Home, Ind. 13 and CR 500N, North Webster.

NORTH WEBSTER — John M. Kleinhen, 49, North Webster, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, at Parkview Hospital, Warsaw.  Arrangements are pending at Owen Family Funeral Home, North Webster.  

NORTH MANCHESTER — Sean L. Judy, 40, Wabash, died at 10:30 p.m. Nov. 26, 2017, in his residence. He was born March 2, 1977, in Wabash. His father, Ron (Stephanie) Judy, survives in North Manchester. His mother, Tracy Schultz, survives in Wabash. He worked at Oji, North Manchester. The funeral will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at McKee Mortuary, 1401 Ind. 114W, North Manchester.  Calling from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the mortuary. ***** Memorials to Salamonie, 9214 Lost Bridge West, Andrews, IN 46702 Condolences may be sent at mckeemortuary.com.

Maudie Ford, 89, Warsaw, passed away at 7:50 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Grace Village Health Care, Winona Lake.  She was born May 13, 1928, in Blue River, Ky., to Henry and Evelyn Gibson Slone. A longtime Kosciusko County resident, she was united in marriage to Jack Ford on July 31, 1965, in Clinton, Va. Jack preceded her on Nov. 11, 2015.  She was a homemaker. 

Lewis “Lewie” Lee Fruit, Warsaw, passed away at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, at his residence at the age of 88. He was born Sept. 29, 1929, in Claypool, to Violet Maurine McComb Fruit and Walter Homer Fruit. On June 19, 1949, he was married to Barbara Nel Schaaf, who survives. 

Nelva M. Verseput, 94, Winona Lake, died at 2:14 a.m. today, Nov. 27, 2017, in Grace Village Health Care, Winona Lake.   Arrangements are pending with McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.  

Theresa A. Lucas, 63, Silver Lake, died at 9:35 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in her residence.  Arrangements are pending with McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.

Lewis “Lewie” Lee Fruit, 88, Warsaw, died at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, at his residence.  He was born Sept. 29, 1929, in Claypool, to Violet Maurine McComb Fruit and Walter Homer Fruit. On June 19, 1949, he was married to Barbara Nel Schaaf, who survives.  He was a 1947 graduate of 

SYRACUSE — Katherine Beer, 97, Syracuse, passed away Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Syracuse.  She was born Aug. 29, 1920, in Rankin, Ill., to Joseph and Louisa Ault Kupferschmid. On Jan. 28, 1945, she married Levi J. Beer, who preceded her on Nov. 2, 2005.  She was a lifelong area resident. She was member of Wawasee Community Bible Church and was a homemaker.  She is survived by her three daughters: Virginia Beer, Milford; Cyndi (JB) Routh, North Webster; and Lisa Beer, Elkhart; four sons: Joe (Jan) Beer, Goodfield, Ill.; Tim (Courtney) Beer, Goshen; Eric Beer, Austin, Texas; and Anthony Beer, Mishawaka; 19 grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren; one sister, Mary Beer; and one brother, Ted Kupferschmid.  She was preceded by her husband, three sisters and five brothers.  Services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Wawasee Community Bible Church. Calling will be two hours prior from 1 to 3 p.m.  Burial will follow at Milford Cemetery.

Maudie Ford, 89, Warsaw, died at 7:50 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Grace Village Health Care, Winona Lake. Arrangements are pending with McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.  

AKRON — Lauretta Lee Moore, 93, rural Macy (Gilead), died at 3:12 p.m. Nov. 24, 2017, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. She was born Feb. 11, 1924, in South Bend, to Lynn L. and Rhea M. Rager Landis.