Obituaries

Apr 16, 2022

Byron “Barney” Blankenbaker, age 85, a resident of Pennville, passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Persimmon Ridge in Portland.

Barney was born on January 30, 1937, in rural Jay County, the son of O.B. “Bill” and Cornelia (Fenton) Blankenbaker.  He graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1955 and served in the U.S. Army Reserve.  Barney...

Apr 10, 2022

Larry Lanning, age 81, a resident of North Manchester, passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at Peabody Nursing Home in North Manchester.  He was a former resident of Portland and Goshen.

Larry was born on April 22, 1940, in Portland, Indiana, the son of Leon and Audrey (Miller) Lanning.  He graduated from Portland High School in...

Apr 9, 2022

Betty J. Abbott, age 73, a resident of Portland, passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Persimmon Ridge in Portland.

Betty was born on December 17, 1948, in Jay County, the daughter of Ed and Anna Margaret Abbott.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 1-2 p.m. at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in...

Mar 30, 2022

Linda Hamilton, age 74, a resident of rural Ridgeville, passed away Wednesday March 30, 2022 at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Anderson. Linda was born in Jay County on March 22, 1948 the daughter of Francis Leon Sr. and Mary (Cummings) Denney. Linda was a 1967 graduate of Redkey high school. She worked in quarries in Fairview, Ridgeville, and...

Mar 24, 2022

Christian Crossland, age 5, a resident of Portland, passed away on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at his home in Portland.

Christian was born on July 12, 2016 in Muncie, the son of Chelsea Crossland.

Survivors include:

His mother:  Chelsea Crossland – Portland, Indiana

2 sisters:  Chloe Costello and Mackenzie Costello –...

Mar 23, 2022

Beth Smith, age 37, a resident of Fortville, Indiana passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at Community Hospital East in Indianapolis, Indiana.  She was a former resident of Portland.

Beth was born August 5, 1984 in Key West, Florida. Beth graduated from Jay County High School 2003.

Survivors Include

Her brother: Jack Smith...

Mar 19, 2022

Bobbie Jean (Harris) Penrod

Grandma Sugar

Those we love don’t go away,

they live on in our children every day.

We see you in their dreams

we see you in their mannerisms, their eyes, their smiles.

You were always there,

always taking care.

...

Mar 15, 2022

Juanita L. Groce, age 56 a resident of Portland passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at her home.  She was previously employed as a secretary at Holmes Lumber in Columbia City, Indiana.

Juanita Groce was born on August 22, 1965 the daughter of David and Carolyn (Kramer) Perkins.

Survivors Include:

1 Daughter- Stephanie...

Mar 14, 2022

Jean Stanfill, age 66, a resident of Portland, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022 at Persimmon Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Portland.

Jean was born January 9, 1956 In Michigan the daughter of Rose LaFond. She worked  at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation for many years. She was married to Vick Stanfill who preceded her in death.

Mar 12, 2022

Jessica Ashely Kincaid Cruz, age 37, a resident of Portland, passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2022 from injuries sustained in a car crash in Clay County, Arkansas.

Jessica was born on July 30, 1984, in Richmond, Indiana, the daughter of Regina Kincaid Doolin and Jack “Jackie” Rader.

Jessica was a tender heart; she loved...

Mar 6, 2022

Connie Archer, age 67, a resident of Portland, passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at her home in Portland.

Connie was born on September 21, 1954, in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Clarence Barron and Sharon Keller.  She was a member of Family Worship Center in Portland.  Connie married James Archer on November 25, 1978 and...

Mar 5, 2022

Gary Charlton, age 63, a resident of Dunkirk, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.

Gary was born on March 11, 1958, in Muncie, Indiana, the son of Forrest and Evelyn (Fears) Charlton.  He graduated from Delta High School and earned a certificate from IVY Tech in autobody work. ...

Mar 2, 2022

Florida C. Pyle, age 87, a resident of Portland, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Persimmon Ridge in Portland.

Florida was born on July 2, 1934, in Farmers, Kentucky, the daughter of Willie and Nannie (Herley) Grayson.  Florida worked as an Aide at Community Care West in Portland for over 30 years.  She was a...

Mar 1, 2022

Theodore “Ted” Allen Davis, age 67, a resident of rural Portland, passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.

Ted was born on November 11, 1954, in Celina, Ohio, the son of Vane Alexander Winfield and Hazel A. (Stump) Davis.  He graduated from Portland High School in 1973

...

Feb 25, 2022

Gary W. Kelly, age 71, a resident of Portland, passed away on Friday, February 25, 2022 at his home in Portland.

Gary was born on August 28, 1950, in Portland, Indiana, the son of Malcolm and Patty Jo (Derringer) Kelly.  He graduated from Portland High School in 1968 and retired from The Portland Forge in Portland.  Gary...

Feb 25, 2022

Barbara Mills, age 77, earned her angels wings and is resting in the arms of Jesus.  She passed away on February 25, 2022 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.  She was a resident of Pennville.

Barbara was born on May 15, 1944, in Union City, Indiana, the daughter of Charles and Marie (Garringer) Burk.  She...

Feb 24, 2022

Kate Smith, age 27, a resident of Pennville, passed away on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at her home.

Kate was born on December 11, 1994 in Portland, the daughter of Eric Smith and Angie Smiley.  She graduated from Jay County High School in 2012.  Kate loved animals and volunteered at the Jay County Humane Society.  She married...

Feb 19, 2022

Vernia Mae Bailey, age 94, a life-long resident of rural Portland, passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Cardinal Care in Muncie.

Vernia was born on February 9, 1928, in Jay County, the daughter of Clyde and Jennie (Smith) Corle.  She and her husband owned and operated Bailey Furniture in Portland from 1959-1999.  She married Frederick...

Feb 16, 2022

Brian Brown, age 48, a resident of Portland, passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at his home in Portland.

Brian was born on July 3, 1973 in Portland, the son of John Wetendorf and Juanita (Brown) Clark.  He graduated from Jay County High School in 1992 and was a truck driver for High Tech Express in...

Feb 15, 2022

Terri Moser, age 60, a resident of rural Bryant, passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at her home following an extended illness.

Terri was born on July 31, 1961, in Decatur, Indiana, the daughter of Howard “Don” and Shirley (Rauch) Bash.  She graduated from Jay County High School in 1979 and worked as a caretaker for...