All Obituaries

Deborah A. “Debby” Poorbaugh, 88, of Elkhart, died on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at Hubbard Hill Estates in Elkhart. She was born March 7, 1936, in Rochelle, IL to the late Daniel and Edna Mae (Coleman) Heltness.  She was also preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey E. Poorbaugh in 1985. She attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison before graduating from San Diego State University in 1960, however, she always remained a lifelong prideful Badger.  Debby was an...

Ruth L. Ziems, 98, of Elkhart, died on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at her home at Brentwood Independent Living Facility in Elkhart. Ruth was born May 12, 1925, in Bourbon, IN to the late Wilbur L. and Mary E. (Baugher) Silvius.  She was also preceded in death by three sisters: Margaret E. Squires, Josephine E. Albritton and Lila I. Powell and two brothers: Robert L. and John P. Silvius. On March 20, 1971, Ruth married Robert W. Ziems in Elkhart.  Bob died March 2, 2006.  Ruth...

Kenneth M. Quarandillo, 78, of Elkhart, died unexpectedly on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Elkhart General Hospital. Ken was born on November 1, 1945, in Elkhart, IN to the late Anthony and Lillian E. Borrelli.  Also preceding him in death are a brother, Guy Quarandillo, a nephew, Rob Quarandillo and a brother-in-law, Larry Derr. On February 10, 1979, in Elkhart, Ken married Karry Irwin.  Karry survives along with a sister, Margaret Derr of Naples, FL; a brother, Joseph (Judy)...

Talmer E. Curry Jr., 85, of Atlanta, GA, formerly of Elkhart, died on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta. Memorial services for Talmer will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11:00 am at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home with the family receiving visitors beginning at 10:30 am.  He will be laid to rest at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola where his father is buried.

Andrew McClelland Kirk, 57, of Vandalia, MI, formerly of Elkhart, passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Grantsburg, WI. Andrew was born October 17, 1966, in Abington, PA to Charles and Barbara (McClelland) Kirk.  Andy grew up in Elkhart, IN and attended Elkhart Central High School.  He also attended Indiana University in Bloomington and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History in 1992. He is survived by his son, Phillip Elswick, two grandchildren; Aiden and Avery...

George Webster Biddlecome, 75, passed away Sunday, March 10, at his Goshen home, surrounded by his loving family.  George was born August 30, 1948 to George Clark Biddlecome and Elizabeth Seibert Biddlecome (née Perry) in Elkhart, Indiana.  Following his graduation from Elkhart High School in 1966, George earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wittenberg University, with an emphasis on political science, and a Juris Doctor degree from Duke University.  He was also a...

Linda L. Unger, 86, of Elkhart, died on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at North Woods Village at Edison Lakes in Mishawaka. Linda was born on August 18, 1937, in Elkhart, only child to the late Dorvin and Kathryn (Moyer) Longfield.  She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Joe Manfredi, five brothers-in-law: Bill Unger and his wife, Pat Unger, Louie Kovach and Theresa Kovach, Jerry Seach, Stan Herman and Jerry Arend As Linda Longfield, she married the love of her life, Robert...

Steven C. Eldridge, born March 21, 1944, in Little Rock, Arkansas passed away on March 5, 2024. Surviving are his best friend and love of his life, Carol Ann Eldridge, daughter Stacey VanKleeck (David) of Lexington, KY and grandsons Nicholas (Heather) VanKleeck, Nathaniel VanKleeck, and Nolan VanKleeck; daughter Sara Esquivel (Mark) and granddaughters Isabelle Esquivel and Sophia Esquivel. Also surviving are sisters Pat Classen of Naples, Florida, Sherrod Deputy (Larry) of Scottsdale,...

Kevin A. Kiefer, 57, of Elkhart, passed away in his home on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Kevin was a loving, devoted father to his children, Elaine and Bobby Kiefer, and was actively involved in their daily lives.  He was a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks and Notre Dame, Van Halen, Pink Floyd, Hall and Oates and Steely Dan.  Kevin was old-school, with a heart of gold, who lived by the Golden Rule. Kevin was born February 24, 1967, in Elkhart, the seventh child born to Robert and Betty...

Merle O. Johnson, 92, of Elkhart, former owner and CEO of E.K. Blessing Co. Inc., passed away at home on Saturday, March 2, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born on December 7, 1931, in Grand Rapids, MI to the late Byron M. and Helen V. (Figley) Johnson.  He was also preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Bunn. Merle joined the United States Navy and after his honorable discharge in 1954, he attended the Carnegie School of Business.  He then went on to work at Richards Musical...