Obituaries

Dec 14, 2023

Jalen Keashaun Young, age 24, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 14, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories.  Jalen was born September 21, 1999, in Elkhart, Indiana. A graduate of Elkhart Memorial High School, Jalen excelled in sports, particularly football, basketball, and baseball. He was employed for over 6 years with Crystal Clear Pools...

Dec 8, 2023

Glen Bernard “Sonny” Ridenour, age 72 of Mishawaka, passed away on December 8, 2023, at Elkhart General Hospital.  Sonny was born July 13, 1951, in South Bend, Indiana to the late Glen and Donna (Platz) Ridenour.  On June 12, 1982, he married Mary Abel. They recently celebrated 41 years of marriage.

Mary survives, along with their sons...

Dec 8, 2023

Douglas “Doug” Briner, 73, of Elkhart died Friday, December 8, 2023, with family at his bedside. He was born on November 22, 1950, in South Bend to the late Lee Howard Briner and June Pearl King. On March 3, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Terri Hunter in Adamsville, MI.

She survives along with their children...

Dec 4, 2023

John “Pete” Thomas Jenkins Jr., age 87 of Mishawaka, formerly of Apple Valley, Minnesota, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, December 4, 2023.  Pete was born November 30, 1936, in Abington, Pennsylvania to the late John Thomas Sr. and Delores (Wood) Jenkins.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Janice...

Dec 2, 2023

Linda Gail Chidister, 78, of Goshen passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023, with her family by her side.

She was born September 9, 1945, in Savannah, TN to the late Carmack and Fay (Wolfe) Willoughby and moved to the area during her school years. After graduating from Mishawaka High School, she married Greg Chidister on February 19,...

Nov 30, 2023

Lillie Darnell O’Dell-Rose, age 57 of Granger, passed away unexpectedly at Memorial Hospital on Thursday, November 30, 2023.  Lillie, or “Darnell” as she loved to be called, was born March 9, 1966, in Mishawaka, Indiana to Kelly and Margaret (Richardson) Hall. Following graduation from Penn High School, Darnell took a position with Maxi-Blast in South Bend where she dedicated...

Nov 30, 2023

Anna Louise (Hann) DeLater, age 97, passed away surrounded by her family at her home in Osceola on Thursday, November 30, 2023.  Anna was born April 20, 1926, in Peoria, Illinois.  On January 27, 1943, she married Henry A. “Hank” DeLater.  They celebrated 73 years of marriage before his passing on August 11, 2016.

Anna is survived...

Nov 29, 2023

Mia Gabriella Church, age 23 of South Bend, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.  Mia was born July 22, 2000, in South Bend, Indiana.  She was a graduate of Penn High School where she stood out as an exceptional athlete, particularly in the sport of Softball. Her passion and skill on the field earned...

Nov 28, 2023

Mary Jane (Schwaderer) Ritchie, age 79 of Mishawaka, passed away at the Center for Hospice, Raclin House with her family by her side on November 28, 2023.  Mary was born March 16, 1944, in Clio, Michigan to the late Ted and Margaret (Silvernail) Schwaderer. Following her graduation from high school, Mary earned her degree in dental hygiene and cared...

Nov 28, 2023

Frederick H. Shearer, Jr. Rick is celebrating Christmas with his Lord and Savior, Jesus. He died on November 28 after a brief and courageous battle with liver cancer. From the moment he entered St. Joseph Hospital, he told friends and family that he was at peace and God was in control. Rick was born in South Bend, Indiana, to...

Nov 23, 2023

Valentin Bravo-Sanchez was born into Heaven on November 23, 2023. He is survived by his parents Fernando Bravo and Norma Sanchez and his siblings Fernando and Ximena Bravo-Sanchez, who had eagerly awaited his arrival, as well as his maternal grandparents Salvador Sanchez and Delia Hernandez, and his paternal grandparents, Fernando Bravo and Yara Lopez.

Although his time...

Nov 23, 2023

Faustino Jose Alcantara Caraballo, age 79 of Osceola, passed away at Memorial Hospital on Thursday, November 23, 2023.  He was born December 4, 1943, in Zulia, Venezuela to the late Jovito and Julia Carabello Alcantara.  On May 13, 1971 he married Irma Lopez Yajaira.

He is survived by his wife Irma Lopez and his children Faustino “Javier”...

Nov 18, 2023

Liliana Marie Gaona was born into Heaven on November 18, 2023.

Liliana’s arrival brought a sense of joy and anticipation into the lives of her parents, Edgar David and Emily Ruth (Peterson) Gaona and her big sisters Todriyana and Isabella Gaona, as well as her maternal grandparents Darrell and Leslie Peterson, and her paternal grandparents, Arturo and...

Nov 15, 2023

James Richard Byrnes II, 42, of Elkhart died unexpectedly the morning of November 15, 2023. He was born September 4, 1981, to Brian William, Sr. and Margaret Hester (Golden) Byrnes in Bristol, PA. On July 21, 2023, he married Lisa Samuel in Key West, FL.

She survives along with their children; James Byrnes III, Aubrie (Adam) Davies, ...

Nov 11, 2023

Cecil “Bus” Ray Kelver (96) passed away peacefully on November 11, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.  Bus was born in Osceola July 9, 1927, to William and Francis (Ray) Kelver.  One of five children, four boys and one sister (Kenneth, Leo, William and Kay “Cookie”). Bus never knew a stranger and always had a friend close by,

...

Nov 9, 2023

Joseph “Joe” Douglas Mott, 62, of Osceola died peacefully at home, surrounded by family on November 9, 2023.

He was born in Flint, MI on July 19, 1961, to the late Thomas Edward and Gale (Johnson) Mott and married the love of his life, Tina Riffle in South Bend on June 28, 1986.

She survives...

Nov 2, 2023

Victor Dewane Bailey, age 60 of Bristol, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 2, 2023.  Dewane was born March 3, 1963, in Manchester, Tennessee.  He was employed for many years as a service technician in the RV industry throughout the Elkhart area.

He is survived by his parents, Bill R. and Donna (Pendleton) Bailey...

Nov 1, 2023

Edward N. Krutul Jr., age 65 of Elkhart, passed away November 1, 2023. Ed was born April 26, 1958, in Valparaiso, Indiana.  He was employed as a carpet layer and later worked for several factories in the Elkhart area.

Surviving are his children Josh Krutul of Orlando, Florida and Tiffany Harlacher of St. Petersburg, Florida. Ed is...

Oct 26, 2023

Thomas J. Haas, age 71 of Mishawaka, passed away October 26, 2023.  Tom was born January 3, 1952, in South Bend, Indiana to the late Joseph F. and Margaret A. (Foley) Haas.

Services will be private.

Cruz Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with his care.

Oct 25, 2023

Ethan Gurich, the son of Aaron Gurich and Kimberly (Cunningham) Shaw was born on October 26, 1989, passed away on October 25, 2023. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers Ray Gurich and Larry Cunningham. He is survived by his grandmothers Karen Gurich, Carol (Cunningham) Coop, and Judy Cunningham, Aaron (Reverie) Gurich, Kim (Jerry) Shaw, Robert (Ashley) Gurich,...