Richard C. Morris
February 6, 1970 – December 10, 2019

 

Richard C. Morris, 49, of Oak Road, South Bend, Indiana, passed away ar 9:40am on Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 at his home. He was born on February 6th, 1970 in South Bend, Indiana to Gaylen and Janet (Toth) Morris. Richard was employed as a Construction Worker until he was disabled. He was an avid Notre Dame Fan , loved his family, loved going to the casino and was also an animal lover. His sister Stephanie was his best friend. He is survived by his mother, Janet Long of South Bend. His son, Skyler Morris also survives with four stepchildren: Alex, Amanda, Stephanie and Gabe. His brothers and sisters: Michael, Stephanie, Jennifer, Danny and Bill. Friends will be received from 1 until 3pm on Saturday, December 14th, 2019 at Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 North Main Street, Mishawaka, Indiana. Burial will take place at a later date at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. The family wishes memorial contributions to be made to Bubb Funeral Chapel to assist the family with the funeral expenses.

Verna Mae Martin
September 24, 1940 – December 10, 2019

 

Verna Mae Martin, 79, passed on December 10, 2019, at the Center for Hospice Care in South Bend, Indiana. She was born September 24, 1940 at St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka, Indiana, and was the youngest daughter of Edward and Minnie (Berger) Zahner. Verna was a proud graduate of Madison Township High School where she participated in marching band as a twirler. She also participated in 4H and was a proud 10-year member, having won many trophies and awards. After graduating high school, Verna attended Carnegie College in Cleveland, Ohio.  One of her proudest achievements was working for St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka (later St. Joseph Medical Center) for her entire career. Verna worked in the Medical Records department retiring in 2013 after 53 years of service.

Verna married Jerry Martin on June 1, 1963 and together they had four children. She and Jerry dedicated many years of service to the Lions Club and Verna served as Secretary and President of her club. She travelled on many missions to Guatemala and Mexico with the Lions to provide eye glasses to those in need. After Jerry passed away at age 55, Verna became a model of independence, strength and resilience. As her children left the nest, Verna enjoyed travelling with her sister, Rosemary, and often visited her children as they spread out across the country. She loved the freedom of going where she wanted when she wanted and did so without fear. After retirement she enjoyed every moment spent with her grandchildren and family. She became an avid reader and could get lost for hours in a good story. Verna fought a long and hard battle with cancer. Throughout her illness she remained positive and became the favorite patient of so many who treated her. In true Verna fashion, she chose to end her treatment on her terms and waited to leave this world until it was just the right time. She will be remembered for her kindness and thoughtfulness and as a loving sister, wife, sister-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. Verna was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother, Eugene. She is lovingly remembered by her children: Kevin Martin (Jodi), Todd Martin (Robin), Amy Mayfield (Derek) and Teresa Martin-Taggart (Ronald); grandchildren: Collin Jimenez, Jake Martin, Ava Mayfield, Shannon Iaus, Alisa Bell (Jason) and Erick Taggart (Ashley). She is also survived by her siblings: Rosemary Deardorff, Margaret Copp and Jerry Zahner; Siblings-In-Law: Sue Holderread, Rebecca Fournier, Carolyn Lewis, Patricia Zahner, Cathy Zahner, and Gary Martin; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Her family would like to extend a sincere thank you to all who have kept Verna in their thoughts, provided transportation to appointments, sat with her during treatment, offered words of encouragement, checked in on her and prayed for her. A special thanks to the caring staff at the Center for Hospice Care in South Bend.

Visitation for Verna will be on Sunday, December 15, from 2:00 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka, where funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 16, with Rev. Scott Bowie officiating the services with burial to follow at Rest Haven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Center for Hospice Care in Verna’s honor, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545-5234

Geron “Jerry” Reynolds
June 17, 1927 – December 9, 2019

 

Geron “Jerry” Reynolds, 92, of Osceola, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9th, 2019 at St. Joseph Medical Center, Mishawaka, Indiana.Born to Mr. Neal and Ollie Reynolds in Iuka, Mississippi.  Geron, “Paw” was a passionate man who enjoyed spending time with family and friends above all else.

Geron was extremely loving, caring and devoted to his family. He served as a constant inspiration and symbol to generations of his family. Geron married Nellie Reynolds (Powell) on November 13th, 1948 in Osceola, Arkansas. Geron and Nell just celebrated 71 beautiful years of marriage. She survives along with their daughter, Cathy (Roger) Morris of Indiana and his sister, Marion Austin of Indiana and a brother, Aaron Reynolds of Mississippi. Six grandchildren, Shenna Crocker of Elkhart, Kelly (Norma) Reynolds of Elkhart, Mike Reynolds of South Bend, Karen Reynolds of Elkhart, Brittany (Bryan) Fitterling of Beeville, Texas and Ryan (Barbie) Morris of Mishawaka. 14 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren along with many friends and loved ones. There was nobody more genuine than Paw ( Geron).

He was preceded in death by his brother, Lavon Reynolds, sister,Addie Lee Spurlock and his daughter, Brenda Kemble, his son, Michael Reynolds and his mother and father, Ollie and Neal. Geron was a US Army veteran, serving in World War 2. The majority of his professional career, he worked at Uniroyal and retired in 1986. Friends will be received from 1-3pm on Friday, December 13th, 2019 at Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 North Main Street, Mishawaka, Indiana. Burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Indiana. The family has requested, in lieu of flowers, that memorial contributions be made to the Center for Hospice in Jerry’s memory

Esther Pearl Lemke
November 7, 1921 – December 8, 2019

 

Esther Pearl Lemke, 98 years old, passed away on Sunday, December 8th in the Village at Arborwood. She was born November 7, 1921 in South Bend, Indiana to Ira and Meta (Haiden) Gilbert. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Lois Melahn of South Bend and a brother, Roy M. Gilbert of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Esther graduated from Riley High School in 1939. On January 9, 1947, she married Woodrow T. Lemke who preceded her in death in 2001 after 54 years of marriage. She lived in South Bend and Granger until moving to Clearwater, Florida in 1976 to care for her ailing parents. She returned to Granger in 2008 after the death of her husband.

She is survived by two daughters, Sharon Diane (Richard) Butler of Elkhart, Indiana and Vicki Jo (Larry) Narup of Florissant, Missouri; a grandson, Jason (Esperance) Young of Ponca City, Oklahoma, one great-granddaughter, Emmanuel Grace, and five nephews and two nieces.

Esther was employed at I&M Electric, IBM in South Bend and Penn High School in Mishawaka, where she retired. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in South Bend until moving to Florida where she was a member of First Lutheran Church of Clearwater, Florida and upon her return to Granger, Indiana, she again became a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She was also a member of AT&T Pioneers.

Bubb Funeral Chapel is assisting with arrangements. Burial will be at the Sylvan Abbey Cemetery in Clearwater, Florida. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 51490 Laurel Road, South Bend, Indiana.

Sherry A. Raley

January 27, 1960 – December 7, 2019

 

Sherry A. Raley, 59, of Osceola, IN., passed away at 6:50 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019 in her residence. Sherry was born on January 27, 1960 in Elkhart, IN., to Howard and Mary (Truex) Ottman Sr. On June 17, 1978 Sherry married David L. Raley Sr.

David preceded her in death on March 31, 2010. Sherry is survived by her children, David (Renee’) Raley Jr., and Amanda (Michael) Raley, Thomas Szalewski, Amber Szalewski, Chase Bumpus and Christina Vinsant, her grandchildren; Payton Lung, Cali Raley, Adyson Raley, Chase David Raley and Brantley Raley, plus many more. Her mother, Mary Ottman and her siblings, Earl (Nina) Ottman, Howard Ottman, Pauline Ottman and Connie Ottman. Sherry was also preceded in death by her father, Howard Ottman Sr., and two brothers, Ben Ottman and Ronald Ottman.Sherry worked for Global Composites in Elkhart for 35 years and she was an avid race fan.

Visitation for Sherry will be on Friday, December 13, from 2 until 4:00 p.m. and 6 until 8:00 p.m. at the Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka, where funeral services will take place on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Neil Davis officiating the services with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka.