All Obituaries

Evelyn “Eloise” Helpingstine, 101, of Mishawaka, passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at Sprenger Healthcare of Mishawaka, Indiana. Eloise was born July 2, 1917 to Earl and Lucy (Crane) Bryant. On May 17, 1947 she married Otto Helpingstine and he passed away September 22, 1984. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and a daughter-in-law, Millie Redburn. Eloise is survived by her daughter, Jeannie (James) Holmes of Mishawaka; three sons, John Redburn of...

  Cecil “Ralph” Dietrich, 96, of Galena, Illinois and formerly of South Bend, passed away Saturday, November 10, 2018.   Ralph was born March 4, 1922 in Erie County, Pennsylvania, a son of the late George and Ildrie (Russell) Dietrich. Over the years he lived in Fort Wayne, South Bend and Rome City and in recent years with his daughter and son-in-law in Galena.   On July 4, 1942, Ralph married Anne Carlino at Christ the King Catholic Church and she preceded him...

  Rocco Joseph Zappia, Sr., 85, of Mishawaka, was called home to God in the early hours of November 7, 2018 after a battle with Alzheimer’s.   Rocco was born June 20, 1933 in Mishawaka, the son of the late Frank and Rose (Fotia) Zappia, Sr. He was a 1953 graduate of Mishawaka High School.  Rocco went on to serve our nation during the Korean War in the US Army.  On September 12, 1959, he married the love of his life, Sara J. Romeo of Massena, NY.   ...

  Marc L. Blume, 65, of South Bend, passed away Monday evening, October 22, 2018 at home surrounded by his family.   Marc was born March 23, 1953 in Quebec, Canada. He was the son of the late Lawrence and Thelma (Brown) Blume. Marc grew up in South Bend and was a graduate of Jackson High School. He spent most of his life in the Michiana area.   Marc was employed in sales. In his younger days he was talented in music and played the guitar and keyboard. He enjoyed building...

      It is with heavy hearts that we note the passing of our mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and aunt, Rosalie M. Allen. Rosie died Oct. 22 after a brief illness.   Rosie was the first of seven children born to the Rev. Kenneth Smoker and Rhoda (Newswanger) Smoker. The life of a Mennonite pastor meant that the family soon became accustomed to the challenges of packing up their lives and moving to another congregation. Rosie grew up in Pennsylvania, Missouri,...

  Shannon K. Warren, 47, of Mishawaka, passed away Monday, October 22, 2018 at home.   Shannon was born September 5, 1971 in South Bend, the daughter of the late Robert and Sharon (Hullinger) Warren. She grew up in Mishawaka and attended Penn High School. She lived most of her life in the area and at one time resided in California for seven years.   Shannon’s employment included Doc Pierce’s and Wander Inn in Mishawaka and Forest River in Elkhart. She was an...

Don L. Mroz of South Bend passed away Monday, October 22, 2018 in Memorial Hospital of cancer. In accordance with Don’s wishes cremation has taken place. No public service will be held. Arrangements are by Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, Mishawaka.  Don was born July 22, 1965 in South Bend to Mardell (Mardi) E. Mroz and the late Melvin M. Mroz. He attended Penn High School and Ivy Tech Community College. Proficient in all types of welding he worked generally in the RV...

  Mary F. Freel, 91, of Mishawaka, was born in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Rudolf and Rose (Varga) Markl. After the death of her father when she was three, her mother moved back to the South Bend-Mishawaka area. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1946 and attended IUSB receiving training with the South Bend Medical Foundation as a Laboratory Technician.  Later, Mary worked for several local doctors.   On June 26, 1948, Mary married Marvin Freel in St Patrick’s...

Sr. M. Arlene passed away on September 19 at Our Lady of Angels Convent, Mishawaka. She was born in Hammond to the late Edward Gonsiorowski and the late Ann Gonsiorowski Bielasko. Sr. Arlene entered the convent in 1955, shortly after graduating from George Rogers Clark High School. Sr. Arlene marked 62 years as a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, including 39 years in the education apostolate and 12 years in parish ministry. Survivors include two brothers, Dan...

  Helen Marie Harbin, 77, of Mishawaka, passed away Tuesday morning, September 11, 2018, at home.   Helen was born July 30, 1941 in LaPorte, Indiana, a daughter of the late Howard and Helen (Perkins) Cole. She grew up in Walkerton and was a 1959 graduate of Walkerton High School.   Helen married Lawrence “Butch” Harbin on January 30, 1965. The couple made Mishawaka their home where they raised their two children.   Helen was employed for over twenty years...