All Obituaries

Ronald L. Shoemaker, age 76, a resident of Portland, passed away on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Dunkirk.       Ron was born on October 10, 1942, in Bluffton, Indiana, the son of Lamar and Maxine (Wright) Shoemaker.  He graduated from Portland High School in 1961 and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Earlham College and his Masters Degree in Education from Ball State University.  He was an educator,...

     Sammy Halstead, age 58, a resident of Bluffton, Indiana, passed away on Monday, November 12, 2018 at Visiting Nurse and Hospice in Fort Wayne.       Sammy was born on October 15, 1960, in Peytona, West Virginia, the son of Richard and Dessie (Halstead) Halstead.       Survivors include:      1 son:  Pete Goetz, Albany, Indiana      1 daughter:  Elizabeth...

Anthony Pettinichio, age 90, a resident of Ridgeville, passed away on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at St. Vincent Randolph Hospital in Winchester, Indiana.              Anthony was born on June 1, 1928, in Philadelphia, PA the son of Anthony Carmine and Marie (Ventrola) Pettinichio.  He honorably served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.  Upon returning from his military service he worked in...

     Clara L. Denney, age 87 a former Bryant resident passed away Saturday, November 10, 2018 at her granddaughter’s home in Ossian, Indiana.  She worked at Jay Garment Co. in Portland for 10 years and Kitco in Bluffton, Indiana.  She was a member of the Christian Worship Center in Fiat and loved her Lord Jesus. Clara and her husband, Bud helped raise their 3 grandchildren.  She was a hard worker and never shirked her...

     Luther D. Sockrider, age 89, a resident of Indianapolis, passed away on Friday, November 9, 2018 at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.  He was a former Portland resident.       Luther was born on July 4, 1929, in Portland, the son of Russell and Mabel (Cantrell) Sockrider.  He graduated from Portland High School in 1947.  Luther was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army honorably serving in Japan during the Korean...

    Kevin W. Taylor, age 56 passed away Friday, November 9, 2018 at his home in Pennville.  He was a truck driver for many years.      Kevin was born May 1, 1962 in Jay County the son of Larry Taylor and Karen (Platt) McFarland.  He was married to Patty Foreman. Survivors include: His wife- Patty Taylor, Pennville, Indiana 5 Sons Roy W. Taylor (wife-Kristy), Bluffton, Indiana             Kevin...

     Bert Ping, age 81, a resident of rural Bryant, passed away on Friday, November 2, 2018 at his home.       Bert was born on September 28, 1937 in Ferguson, Kentucky, the son of Willie and Pearl (Durham) Ping.  Bert was an avid reader and enjoyed body building.  He was awarded Mr. Kentucky in body building 2 years in a row.  He owned and operated Bert’s Carpet Installation for several years.  Bert married Shirley...

     Tammy S. Straley, age 48, a resident of Pennville, passed away on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at her home in Pennville following an illness.       Tammy was born on December 6, 1969, in Portland, the daughter of James “Hoss” Dale and Betty (Wright) Straley.  She worked as a foreman for UTA in Berne and at the Bryant Truckstop.       Survivors include:      Her...

Ray Litmer, age 59, a resident of Portland, passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis from injuries sustained in a car accident on October 1, 2018 in Jay County.              Ray was born on January 16, 1959, in Hamilton, Ohio, the son of Eugene and Rosemary (Link) Litmer.  He graduated from St. Henry High School in 1978 and worked for Cooper Farms in St. Henry, Ohio.  He married Jody...

Jeffery L. Shultz, age 28, a resident of Metamora, Indiana, passed away Sunday, October 7, 2018 in Metamora, Indiana. He was a former resident of Portland.           Jeffery was born October 9, 1989, in Portland, the son of Lewis and Joyce (Steveson) Shultz. He attended Jay County High School and worked at Pioneer Packing in Portland. Survivors include: Parents: Lewis and Joyce Shultz – Metamora, Indiana Fiancé: Ashley Stallo...