Jorjianne D. “Jan” Sprague, 73, of Auburn, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Parkview DeKalb Hospital in Auburn. She was born March 12, 1950, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Robert and Elizabeth A. “Betty” (Mizer) Brandt. Jan was raised as a Lutheran. Jan married James R. Sprague on May 29, 2004, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. She worked for 27 years as a supervisor for Electric Motors in Garrett. Jan enjoyed cross-stitching and loved to cook, especially for her...

Graegory A. Beber, 61 of Auburn, passed away at home on Thursday, September 21, 2023.  He was born on January 9, 1962 in France to Larry and Barbara Ann (Wilson) Beber.  Graeg worked at DeKalb Molded Plastics in Butler for 28 years.  He supported the United Way of DeKalb County for many years serving as the co-chair for the annual day of caring.  He loved golfing, waterskiing, being at the ocean and listening to music, especially Kid Rock.  He was a big fan of the...

Thomas L. Rosebrock, age 72, passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at Lutheran Life Villages in Fort Wayne Tom was born June 1, 1951 in Hicksville, Ohio to Robert and LaRayne Rosebrock. He graduated from Fairview High School in Sherwood, Ohio and worked at Tri-Wall Containers in Butler, Indiana and Nucor Fasteners in St. Joe, Indiana.  He was a school bus driver for Edgerton Local Schools. Tom also worked as a part time mechanic. Tom had a passion for...

Phyllis Rosalin Gratz Poff, of Auburn passed away on September 18, 2023 with her family by her side.  The Longest Practicing Female Attorney in the State of Indiana, she was notably the first female attorney in Dekalb County; the DeKalb County Bar Association’s first female member; the first woman to serve as Police Commissioner for the city of Auburn; and the first woman elected to the Auburn Common Council. Additionally, she served 12 years as Auburn City Court Judge, several...

Jack V. Smith, 75, passed away on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, at his home in rural Hudson, Indiana. He was born Jan. 8, 1948, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Robert N. and Ilene (Bercot) Smith. He was a 1967 graduate of Fort Wayne Central High School. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during the Vietnam War. Jack married Carol A. Wooton on Oct. 19, 1979, in Fort Wayne. Jack worked for his parents, Smith Wrecker Service for several years. He also worked as a mechanic for L &...

Butler – Jerry L Brown, 70 of Butler, died Sunday September 17, 2023 at Laurels of DeKalb in Butler. He was born October 28, 1952 in Auburn to Almon and Jessie M (Kester) Brown. Jerry retired in 2018 after 30 years at Metal Dyne in Edon, Ohio. He attended the Hamilton Wesleyan Church. Jerry was a former race car driver, primarily racing at Avilla Raceway. He loved to fish and was an avid hunter. He enjoyed fixing and restoring cars and was a fan of NASCAR Racing. He married...

Sherry A. Bell, age 78 of Garrett passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at her Garrett home. She was born on December 27, 1944 in Garrett to Albert and Thelma (Neible) Bertsch.  She was a 1963 graduate of Garrett High School.  Sherry worked at the Dana Corporation in Churubusco for 38 years retiring in January of 2005.  She was a member of the Waterloo Freewill Baptist Church.  Her family was her life, she loved doing things for and spending time with her family,...

Auburn – John Henry Irelan, 63 of Auburn died Sunday September 17, 2023 at Auburn Village in Auburn. He was born in Hartford City, IN on August 26, 1960 to Mose and Mildred Ruth (Hornbaker) Irelan. John worked at the former BRC Rubber Plant in Churubusco and then the Kendallville Foundry. He was a member of the Kendallville American Legion. He loved to fish, the outdoors, and listen to music. He liked playing bingo, watching NASCAR racing, and football, especially the New...

Garrett – David W. Williams, 79, of Garrett died Saturday September 16, 2023 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. He was born February 29, 1944 in Marion, Ohio to Donald and Margarete Jean (Burns) Williams. In retirement David volunteered at Sunshine Ministries and Eckhart Public Library. He also did some substitute teaching for area high schools. He was a member of Pine Hills Church in Fort Wayne and served as safety director for GWRRA (Gold Wing Road Riders...

Decatur – Barbara Sue Koehler, 86, of Decatur and formerly of Berne and Corunna. She died Saturday September 16, 2023 at Adams Woodcrest Nursing Home in Decatur. She was born November 27, 1936 in the family home in DeKalb County near Corunna. Her father was Paul Zonker and her mother and step father was Virginia (Deetz) and Karl Meyer. Barbara worked at CTS in Berne, Berne Dime Store, Central Soya of Fort Wayne and retired in 1997 from Service America of Muncie. She loved...