All Obituaries

Janet Franks-Perez, age 54 a resident of Bluffton and a former Portland resident passed away Friday, February 15, 2019 at her home.  She had worked at BRC, Pak-A-Sak and Peyton’s in  Bluffton.  She enjoyed camping and attending swap meets in the area.      Janet was born August 21, 1964 in Jay County, Indiana the daughter of Harry Franks and Shirley (Witchie) Pavey.  She was preceded in death by her parents, and 3 sisters- Teresa Shultz, Pam Waters,...

     Alta L. Slusser, age 88 a resident of Portland passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019 at IU Health Jay Hospital.  She was a housewife and enjoyed playing shuffleboard.  She was a member of the Bellfountain United Methodist Church and active in the ladies aid of the church.      Alta was born December 21, 1930 in Jay County, Indiana the daughter of Russell and Mabel (Cantrall) Sockrider.  She was married on March 6, 1948 to John E....

         Rev. Boyce E. Sharp, age 87, a resident of rural Portland, passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at IU Health Jay Hospital in Portland.       Boyce was born on August 22, 1931, in Jellico, TN, the son of Frank and Althea (Anderson) Sharp.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as a tank operator during the Korean Conflict.  Boyce worked as a Journeyman Electrician for IBEW Local 855 in Muncie for 60 years. ...

Leatha Kay Anderson, age 80, a resident of Portland, passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at Persimmon Ridge in Portland.      Leatha was born on January 7, 1939, in Dunkirk, Indiana, the daughter of Arthur and Margaret (Porter) Anderson.  She worked locally as a house cleaner and babysitter.       Survivors include:      1 daughter:  Karen Smith – Portland, Indiana      2...

Gale Hensley, age 79, a resident of Portland passed away Wednesday January 23, 2019 at IU Health Jay Hospital in Portland.      Gale was born October 11, 1939 in Salem, Indiana the son of Carter and Virginia (George) Hensley. Gale retired from Textron in Berne in 2001. He was a member of Kansas Church of Christ in Salem, Indiana and Portland Moose Lodge.      Gale married Pamela Lillard on May 30, 1969 they were married for 49 years. Survivors...

     Janni (Jan) Wilson, age 73 a resident of Portland passed away Sunday, January 20, 2019 at Persimmon Ridge Rehabilitation Center.  She worked at the Jayland Workshop and Standard Brush and Broom in Portland for over 20 years.       Jan was born January 8, 1946 in Mt. View, Arkansas the daughter of Luster R. and Clessie E. (Broyles) Wilson.  Survivors Include: 2 Brothers- Lavon Wilson (wife-Patti),  rural Portland,...

     Nancy Warren, age 78, a resident of rural Portland, passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at her home.        Nancy was born on March 22, 1940, in Portland, Indiana, the daughter of Roy and Martha (Brumbaugh) Craig.  She graduated from Bryant High School in 1958 and worked for First Federal Bank in Bluffton and K-Mart Distribution in Fort Wayne.  She was a member of the Bryant Alumni Association.      ...

     Nilah F. Wolford, age 92, a resident of Parker City, passed away on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at Parker Health and Rehab.  She was a former resident of Bryant, Portland and Muncie.       Nilah was born on November 26, 1926, in Adams County, the daughter of Melvin and Laura Doris (Hough) Runyon.  She graduated from Poling High School in 1944 and received an honorary diploma from Indiana University.  Nilah married John Wolford...

     Larry Flesher, age 63, a resident of rural Ridgeville passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at his home. He was a 1974 graduate of Portland High School, he was a life-long farmer in Jay and Randolph County. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Church on the Jay-Randolph County line, Tri State Gas Engine and Tractor Association, and the Randolph County Antique Tractor Association. Larry was a car enthusiast and enjoyed going to car...

Helen Joyce St. John, age 84, a former Pennville resident passed away Sunday, January 13, 2019 at River Terrace Retirement Community in Bluffton. She was born April 22, 1934 in Jay County the daughter of Truman and Dorothy (Winget) Shields. Helen graduated from Pennville high School in 1952. She and her husband farmed in Knox Township for many years and was a member of Hickory Grove Church of the Brethren and a former member of Penn 50 Home Economics Club.      ...