Obituaries

John Ray Bontrager, 73 of Elkhart, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2023 in the comfort of his home, after fighting and battling pancreatic cancer for nearly 5 years. He was born July 24, 1949 in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Elman and Edith (Jantze) Bontrager. He married Raquel Chavez in October of 1981, who survives along with his children John M. (Brenna) Bontrager, Jennifer E. Bontrager (Patrick Lopez), Jacqueline L. (Joshua) Wise, Raquel M. (Gary) Middleton, Joseph A. Bontrager, and David W....

John S. Turk, 75, of Elkhart, passed away Monday May 22, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on June 12, 1947 in Elkhart to Phil and Jane Turk. On September 11, 1971 in Elkhart, he married Gwen S. Sawyer. After graduating from Elkhart High School, Class of 1965, John attended North Texas State University for 2 years. He then served his country in the US Navy on a nuclear submarine during the Viet Nam War where he received the Bronze Star. He was the owner of American...

Fortunato “Freddy” Porpiglia passed away Sunday, May 21st, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Fortunato was born on April 8th, 1935 in the village of San Roberto in Reggio, Calabria Italy. Fortunato was an ambitious soul from a very young age. In his early 20’s, he left his native southern Italian land to work in Northern Italy. in 1965, with the help of his uncles, aunts and cousins, his ambition and optimistic nature led him to immigrate to the United States to pursue...

Carol Jean Hartranft, 94, of Union, MI passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Carol was born on March 9, 1929 in Goshen, IN to Lloyd and Audrey DeWitt. She married the love of her life, Robert Hartranft on June 17, 1950 in Elkhart, IN. Carol was a beautician. She loved to spend time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. Carol is survived by her daughters Cheryl Philips and Janet (Thomas) Redding; grandsons Wyatt (Bevin) Redding and...

  Joanne Adelle Ball, 90, of Elkhart passed away on Monday, May 15, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family. Joanne was born on September 6, 1932 in Cromwell, IN to William Arthur and Pauline Rosella Reed. She married the love of her life Tom Edgar Ball on July 8, 1951 at Evangelical United Brethren Church in Elkhart, IN. He preceded her in death on December 2, 2019. Joanne loved being a mom to her children and a grandma to her grandchildren. She would throw the best birthday...

Janet F. Myers, 94, of Elkhart, passed away Sunday May 14, 2023 at Greenleaf Health Campus, Elkhart. She was born March 3, 1929 in Chicago to Henry and Marion Hall. She married Bruce Smith he preceded her in death, she married her 2nd husband Neil V. Sailor, who also preceded her and death, she married Daniel Myers who preceded her in death on February 1, 1986. Janet started her career as a switchboard operator for Indiana Bell Phone Company, to Miles Laboratory where she worked on the...

Juananthony Mendoza, 18, of Elkhart passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023. Juananthony was born on September 12, 2004 in Elkhart, IN to Juan Mendoza and Martha Reynaga. Juananthony worked for RC Industries as a welder and sander. He enjoyed his friend group The Power Rangers and playing video games with his friends. He liked the finer things in life such as his new car, yeezy shoes and good music. Juananthony is survived by his mother Martha Reynaga of Elkhart and his father Juan Mendoza of...

Miguel Angel Perez, 54, of Elkhart, passed away Saturday May 6, 2023 at his home. He was born August 1, 1968 to Hilarion and Celia Perez in Cueramaro, Guanajuato, Mexico and he was raised in Watsonville, CA. Miguel was a welder at Marson International in Elkhart, IN. He enjoyed working on cars doing mechanic work or body shop work.  His favorite time was the time he spent listening to good music, especially bumping oldies and freestyle, bar-b-que with his family and friends, or just a...

John Charles Musselman, 78, of Bristol passed away on Monday, May 1, 2023 surrounded by his family at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, FL. John was born on July 30, 1944 in Fort Sill, OK to Merl and Dorothy Ellen Musselman. He married the love of his life Janice Kaye Cupp on January 27, 1967 in Markleville, IN. John graduated from LaPorte High School, Class of 1963. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Indiana University in 1968. He honorably served his...

Gwendolyn P. Groves, 92, of Goshen, formerly of Bristol, passed away Tuesday April 18, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family.  Gwendolyn was born on October 26, 1930, to the late Wendelin and Minnie (Till) Lenz in South Bend, Indiana.  On April 5th, 1948 she married Thomas K. Groves and they enjoyed 58 years of marriage before his passing on April 10, 2006. Gwendolyn is survived by her 9 children, Michael (Carolyn) Groves, Greg (Lea) Groves, Gail (Dottie) Groves, Rick (Barb)...