All Obituaries

Gloria A. Kovatch, 87, of Elkhart, died Monday, September 20, 2021 at the Golden Living Center in Elkhart. Gloria was born on November 6, 1933 in South Bend to the late John and Julia (Caman) Kovatch.  Gloria is also preceded in death by her siblings: Mary Grimm, Julia Black, John Kovatch, Andrew Kovatch and Robert Kovatch. She is survived by her close friend Dona Stout, as well as her nieces and nephews. A service for Gloria will be held Friday September 24, 2021 at 12:30pm with an...

Vernon R. Reames, 85, of Elkhart, died at Elkhart General Hospital on Friday, September 17, 2021. He was born August 23, 1936 in Elkhart, IN to the late Cecil and Helen (Smith) Reames.  He was also preceded in death by two grandsons, Paul Brown II and Jonathan Reames; a sister, Marion Rittenhouse and a brother, Melvin Reames. On November 13, 1976, Vernon married Jeanette E. Payne.  She died July 23, 2019.  Surviving him is his blended family of: Brian Reames of Elkhart,...

Robert T. Kiefer, 88, of Elkhart, passed away in his home on Thursday, September 16, 2021. He was born November 23, 1932 in Elkhart, IN to the late Austin and Edna (Fischer) Kiefer. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Betty (Haines), his son Robert Jr., his parents, his sisters Elaine, Phyllis, Patricia, Joyce, and his brother Edward. He is survived by his children, Deborah (Mike) Martin, Pamela (Jeff) Kendell, Stephen, Theresa, James (Cathy), Kevin; his sister Betty Pletcher, and...

Larry D Phoebus, 82, of Carmel, formerly of Elkhart died Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Majestic Care of Carmel. Larry was born on September 22, 1938 in Elkhart to the late Glenn and Edith (Grooms) Phoebus.  He married Rita Baskerville on January 19, 1963. She preceded him in death on July 22, 2002. Larry is also preceded in death by his daughter Julie Phoebus and a sister Linda Frick. He is survived by his son: David (Joani) Phoebus and two grandchildren: Nick and Alex. Larry worked...

Juanita "Nita" Marie Smith, 84, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Goshen Hospital. Nita was born on September 11, 1936 in Normal, Illinois to the late Clarence and Lucille (Ogden) Hany.  She married Harold Richard Smith on June 30, 1955. He preceded her in death on March 9, 1977. Nita is also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Dan Franklin and an infant grandson, Rusty Steven Smith. Nita is survived by her children: Steve (Leslee) Smith, Randy...

Bartt E. Smith, 58, of Union, MI, formerly Elkhart, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. Bartt was born on November 13, 1962 in Elkhart to the late Henry L. “Hank” and M. Rosetta (Hicks) Smith. On October 3, 2003 he married Kristine Weliver in South Bend.  She survives along with three children: Connor Smith of Charleston, SC, Macy Lynn Smith of Edwardsburg and  Rhiley McIntire of Mishawaka; three brothers, Brian Smith...

Gracielee Ann Platt, 84, of Goshen, formerly of Bristol passed away unexpectedly  on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Goshen Hospital. She was born December 30, 1936 in Gary, IN to the late Harold and Grace (Barrow) James.  Also preceding her in death was a sister, Patricia M. James and a step-daughter, Karen L. (Platt) Eichhorn. As Gracielee James, she married Donald L. Matz on September 14, 1957.  Don died on September 30, 1989.  She then married Harold D. Platt Jr. on...

Helen M. Rinehart, 90, of Elkhart, died at the home of her granddaughter on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was born on July 7, 1931 in Kendallville, IN to the late Perry O. and Louise (Johnson) Gaff.  Also preceding her in death are two grandsons, Scottie and Doug Fisher: a sister, Eleanor Brock and a brother, Perry Gaff Jr.  She was also preceded in death by her longtime companion, Warren B. Smith. On November 24, 1951, Helen married J. J. Rinehart in...

Belva L. “Bev” Cloud, 95, of Elkhart, died at home on Sunday, August 29, 2021. She was born July 1, 1926 in Goshen, IN to the late Samuel and Alice (Emerly) Wagner.  Belva was also preceded in death by a daughter, Theresa Parker, two sons: Raymond Scheetz and Roger Scheetz, three sisters and three brothers. On September 5, 1946, Belva married Clarence Scheetz.  He died in 1955.  She then married Donald Cloud on October 26, 1985.  Donald died on November 18,...

Judith Ann Cook, 84, of Elkhart, died Friday, August 27, 2021 at Greenleaf Health Campus in Elkhart. Judith was born November 17, 1936 in Elkhart, Indiana to the late John D and Helen (Grimes) Pfister. She married Gilford Cook in Elkhart on July 12, 1958. She is survived by her husband Gilford Cook; Three sons: Michael (Sheila Smith) Cook of Niles, MI, Douglas Cook of Elkhart and Christopher (Jennifer Thomas) Cook of North Carolina. A brother David (Karen) Pfister of Elkhart. Judith is...