James E. Maxwell photo

James E. Maxwell, born to James W. Maxwell (deceased) and Freda M. Maxwell on April 29, 1970, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at 2:20 AM.

James loved spending time with his grandchildren, going to rock concerts, and watching Notre Dame football. He was always there to help a friend - especially with car engine issues.

He is survived by his girlfriend of 13 years, Stacey Shafer, his mother, Freda, his brother, Timothy Maxwell (Nappanee), and his sister, Kimberly Maxwell (Peru). He is also survived by three children: Alec Maxwell, Kaleb Maxwell, and Tristin Maxwell; and three step children: Kody Oliver, Kaitlyn Oliver, and Kurt Oliver. James had six grandchildren, many aunts, uncles, cousins and nieces, and nephews.

Joseph Koontz photo

Joseph Koontz, 80, of Peru passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Joseph was born in Peru on December 26, 1938, the son of Lloyd and Frances Koontz. He married Martha Hoover on May 16, 1959, and she survives.

Joseph served in the United States Navy and operated Fashion Cleaners since May 10, 1983. He was an avid mushroom hunter and enjoyed fishing and antique shopping.

In addition to his wife, Joseph is survived by his children, Terri (Mark) Kistler, Logansport, Fran (Randy) Hileman, Denver, Liz (Don) Ousley, Peru, Jennifer (Mark) Cardwell, Peru, Lori (Greg) Hartleroad, Peru; grandchildren, Chris Kistler, Josh Kistler, William Kistler, Sean Kistler, Jeromy Hileman, Amber Kercher, Christen Lowe, Jonathon Ousley, Rachael Colwell, Megan Perez, Justin Hartleroad, and Kaylie Hartleroad; a sister, Judy Dailey, Logansport; brothers, Tommy Koontz (Texas), Danny Koontz (Texas); a daughter-in-law, Barbara Koontz, and thirty-four great-grandchildren.

Dobie Lee Owen photo

Dobie Lee Owen, 67, passed away unexpectedly at Tall Sycamore Campground in Cass County, Indiana on Sunday, April 21, 2019.

He was born in Fort Worth, Texas on July 11, 1951, to Lee E. Owen and Ina (Bates) Rodriquez.

Dobie is a veteran of the Vietnam war (71-72). He served with distinction as a Specialist 4th Class, 101st Airborne Parachutist and Military Police, US Army. He loved spending time with Jack Russells ‘Lexy’ and ‘Rocky’, his dogs. Other favorite pastimes included fishing and deer hunting.

He is survived by his wife, Susie, and two children, Mary Karen Fuchs and Dobie L. Owen Jr.; and two stepchildren, Angela McCray, and Anthony King. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, as well as his mother, Ina (Bates) Rodriquez.

Oscar S. Hall photo

Oscar S. Hall, 77, of Peru passed away at 9:35 AM, Monday, April 22, 2019, at Autumn Ridge in Wabash, IN. Oscar was born in Winchester, KY on February 17, 1942, the son of Wm Shelby and Mary Hall. He married Nancy J. Hostetler in Mexico, IN on December 28, 1963.

Oscar graduated from Delphi High School and entered the US Army during the Vietnam era. He worked for Frito Lay and retired from Nickles Bakery. After his retirement, he worked at the Miami County Correctional Facility as a guard. He attended McGrawsville United Methodist Church and was a member of the Teamsters Union. Oscar was an avid Peru Athletics fan, especially boy basketball. He enjoyed watching the Kentucky Wildcats and playing softball and golf.

He is survived by his wife Nancy, son Mark Hall and his wife Kim, of Peru, daughter, Karla Kinzie of Peru; grandchildren, Shelbianna Fulton and her husband Christian, Samantha Hall, Brody Baker, Brandon Baker, Zachary Kinzie; great-grandchild, Landyn Baker; a sister, Juanita Wiseman of Lafayette; a nephew, Jeff Johnson; and nieces, Lynn (John) Harshbarger, Judy (Dave) Sieber, Leslie (Mike) Miller, and Lisa (Nick) Beaver. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Bertie Turner.

Edward W. “Ned” North photo

Edward W. “Ned” North, 77, formerly of Peru, passed away at 6:00 P.M., Sunday, April 21, 2019, at Five Star Residences of Noblesville, IN surrounded by loved ones. Ned was born in Kansas City, MO, on June 28, 1941, the son of Edward Wesley North, Jr. and Lois Connally North.

Ned was a graduate of Peru High School and went on to a successful sales career. A horse lover, Ned bred and raised Egyptian Arabian Horses and attended horse shows throughout the country. He enjoyed golf, travel and the beach, but his favorite time was when he was with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving is his wife, Sandra Holdren North, sons Michael (Cynthia) North of Noblesville, Jeff (Amy) North of Anthem, AZ and Kirk North of Noblesville; grandchildren Michael (Laura) North of Westfield, David (Tiffany) North of Los Angeles, CA and Austin North of Melbourne, Australia and great-grandchildren Kyle North and Campbell North; a sister Edith ( Milan) Dakich of Merrillville, IN and brothers-in-law Roderick Daniels of Peru and Ed (Mary Jo) Holdren of West Carrollton, OH. Ned was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Martha Daniels.

Kyle Clemans photo

Kyle Clemans, 28, of Peru, passed away in the early morning hours of April 16, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Logansport on Jan. 19, 1991 to Richard and Barbara (Clemans) Dix.

Kyle really enjoyed skateboarding, video games, movies, drawing (anime), playing with kids and spending time with friends and family.

He is survived by his parents, sisters; Rachel Clemans, Peru and Courtney Dix, Winamac, brother; Zac Dix, Medaryville, nieces; Sawyer Clemans and Amyra Dix, nephews; Evan and Palmer Dix, paternal grandparents; Richard T. Dix and Linda Harkness, uncles; James (Nicole) Dix, Danny (Charmin) Bishop, Tom (Colleen) Bishop, Joe Bishop, Bill Bishop and Larry Joe (Kim) Hessling, aunts; Tandi (Alan) Landes, Michelle Pratt, Kim Haygood and Tina (James) Johnson.

Jennifer Ann Lehman (Kern) photo

Jennifer Ann Lehman (Kern), 47, of Peru, Indiana, went to be with the Lord after a recent struggle with cancer, in Fort Wayne, Indiana on April 15, 2019, at 1:33 am. Jennifer worked at Headstart at Elmwood where she worked in the cafeteria. She also attended the Church of Assembly of God and had a strong faith in Lord.

Jennifer is survived by her three children: Brooke N. Randle, Kelly D. Lehman, Jaye W. Lehman, and two grandchildren: Mathew W. Pulley and Emily R. Kern (deceased), her mother Nancy A. Kern, and father Tim L. Kern (deceased). Her three brothers: Terry Kern (Bobbi Jean Kern) of Peru, Brian Kern (Stacy Kern) of Wabash, Jason Kern of Peru. She also has numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Susan K. Elliott photo

Susan K. Elliott, 73, of Elkhart, died on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at her home at 10:48 pm after her two year battle with cancer under the care of John Gilbert and the Center for Hospice Care.

She was born September 24, 1945, in Elkhart to Jeanette M. Hapner. She married Michael Elliott on June 23, 1970, in Clintwood, Virginia. They made their home in Logansport, Indiana in 1981. He preceded her in death, as did her longtime companion, Frankie Higgins, a great-grandchild, Benjamin Leon Meeks, her mother, and adoptive father, Robert E. Malcolm of Elkhart.

Companion and caregiver John Gilbert survives along with one daughter, Michelle (Barry) Meeks of Peru, Indiana; two sons Drew Elliott of Galveston, Indiana and Dustin Elliott of Logansport, Indiana; 10 grandchildren (Berlin, Owen, Andrew, Lee, Barry, Samantha, Braxton, Kylie, Izaac, and Alexander; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Thomas (Jim) Malcolm of Walkerton, Indiana and Jim (Nita) Malcolm of Claypool, Indiana; and sister Dianna (Tom) Florea of Cassopolis, Michigan.