All Obituaries

Russell A. Chapman, 60, of Peru, passed away at 1:15 A.M., Sunday, November 22, 2020 at Hospice Home, Ft. Wayne. He was born in Bryan, TX on February 25, 1960, the son of James R. and Beverly Shoemaker Chapman. Russ earned his BA in Education at IU of Kokomo, but in later years, he was the main caretaker for his parents. He enjoyed fishing, golf, mowing the lawn and generally just being outdoors. Russ was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan and loved dogs. He was a cooking enthusiast,...

Maureen O. Miller Fenske went into her Saviors open arms on November 19, 2020. She died at Dukes Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family.   She was born in Rochester, MN on July 2, 1935 to George and Georgia Aney Miller.   She graduated from Pine Island H.S. in Pine Island, Mn, while also working at the Kahler Hotel in Rochester, MN where she met the love of her life, David. The were married February 5, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN. Pastor Eifert...

Grace Webb, 61, of Peru, IN passed away at 2:17 P.M. Thursday, November 19, 2020 at her residence. She was born on April 21, 1959 in Wabash, IN the daughter of Bill and Sandra Hancock and married Comer J. Webb Jr. on October 3, 1977 and he survives.   Grace graduated from Peru High School in 1977. She was a press operator for United Tech and a member of the Church of the Nazarene. Grace was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who adored spending time with those she...

Joanne M. Malott Birkey, 88, of Peru, passed away at 3:20PM on November 19, 2020 at the Blair Ridge Health Campus in Peru. Joanne was born in Aza, Missouri on June 9, 1932, the daughter of Edward Hierholzer and Genevieve Jirik. She married Clifford Malott Jr. on July 9, 1948 and he preceded her in death on July 25, 1981. She then married Richard Birkey on August 12, 1989 and he preceded her in death on November 3, 2001. Joanne graduated from Clay Township High School and was a lifelong...

George Glosser, 80, of rural Bunker Hill, passed away on Monday, November 16, 2020 at Countryside Meadows in Avon, IN. He was born in the community of Pine Snag, Cleburne County, Ark. on August 2, 1940, the youngest child of Joe and Gurthia Holliman Glosser. George worked on Titan II Missile Base in Central Arkansas and later worked for Davidson Construction in Kokomo and Hanks Construction, in Wabash, as a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 103. He...

Robert Arthur Peters, 69, of Holiday, Florida passed away on November 14th after a long battle with cancer.    Robert was born on November 15th, 1950 to Robert K. Peters and Mary M. Peters in Peru, Indiana. He graduated from Peru High School in 1969.    After graduation, he went to work for Norfolk & Western Railroad, where he was employed as a brakeman and a conductor for over 20 years.     Upon retiring from the railroad, Robert started Peters...

Tobias "Toby" Seiler Jr., 95, Rochester, died at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at Woodlawn Hospital. Born April 6, 1925, in Oak Park, Ill., to Tobias A. and Nellie (Bradley) Seiler, he was the couple's ninth child and the first to be delivered in the hospital. He was brought into the world by Dr. Clarence Hemingway, father of the novelist Ernest. On Dec. 24, 1943, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty J. Brittain, whom he met at age 12 at a skating party. Their...

Carol Chamberlain, 81, of Peru, passed away at 3:30 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at her daughter Cyndi’s residence.  She was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 8, 1939, the daughter of Thomas and Veronica Ankiewicz Rybarczyk.  Carol married Titus L. Chamberlain on November 18, 1961 and he preceded her in death on June 1, 2010. Carol was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church, a 1957 graduate of Peru-LaSalle High School in Peru, Illinois and received her Bachelor of...

Dorothy Jean Higgins, 93, of Peru passed away at 8:50 AM, Saturday, October 31, 2020 at the Blair Ridge Health Campus. She was born in Pulaski County, IN on January 8, 1927 the daughter of William Ray and Goldie Nickels Siddall. Jean married William L. Higgins in Logansport, IN on October 10, 1952 and he preceded her in death on April 4, 2014.   Jean was a 1946 graduate of Lucerne High School and a member of the First Baptist Church in Peru where she was the kindergarten Sunday School...

Meriell (Mert) J. Turnpaugh, 83, of Peru passed away at 9:05PM on October 31, 2020 at her residence. She was born in Peru, IN on May 3, 1937, the daughter of Joseph Donat and Wilma See. Meriell married Larry J. Turnpaugh at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Peru on August 17, 1957 and he preceded her in death on July 18, 2001.   Meriell graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1955 and attended Ball State University. She and her husband owned and operated Leonda Mobile Home Park in...