Northeast Indiana- The Indiana State Police is leading an initiative to help resolve long term missing persons cases in Indiana. Investigative technology has advanced significantly over the past several years allowing us to use science to help resolve some of these cases for the involved families. Initially we are starting with northeast Indiana but will soon expand this initiative incrementally in other parts of the state. We are asking families in northeast Indiana that have a long-term missing person in their family, to please contact us using a dedicated hotline (833)466-2653. This is a recorded line. Family members calling the hotline are asked to leave your name, phone number, the name of your missing relative, and the city/county from which they were reported missing. A detective with the ISP Cold Case Investigative Squad will then reach out to you as soon as possible to discuss your case. Family members can also email the requested information to: ispcoldcase@isp.in.gov
Jody “Joe” Nickerson, 50, Akron, Indiana, passed away August 14, 2024 at his home. Born October 17, 1973 in South Bend, Indiana, Joe was the son of Albert L. Nickerson and Cathy (Bollman) Moody.
On March 26, 1995, Joe married Laura Culp. During their twenty-nine years together, Joe and Laura were blessed with two children, Austin and Susan. For the past five years, Joe followed his passion for work and owned and operated J&L Fencing alongside his wife Laura in Akron, Indiana. He took pride in his work ethic and enjoyed engaging in conversations with people from all walks of life. Joe’s kind heart and eagerness to assist others will remain a testament to his character. Beyond his work, Joe had a passion for spending time in the pasture, caring for his cattle.
The loving memory of Joe Nickerson will be forever cherished by his mother and step father, Cathy and Tom Moody, Milford; wife Laura Nickerson, Akron; son, Austin Nickerson, Akron; daughter, Susan Nickerson, Indianapolis; brother, Shane Nickerson, Milford; sisters, Amy (Matt) McFarland, Warsaw and Tina Seabolt, Nappanee; father and mother-in-law, Lynn and Peggy Culp; sisters-in-laws, Leah Culp and Molly (Marlin) Crist. Joe was preceded in death by his father, Albert L. Nickerson.
Family and friends may call Sunday, August 18, 2024 from 2:00 to 5:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester. Funeral services will begin August 19, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at McKee Mortuary and at 10:30 at the Eel River Old German Baptist Brethren Church, 2128 East 1200, Silver Lake, Indiana. Burial will take place at the Eel River Old German Baptist Brethren Cemetery following the service at the Eel River Old German Baptist Brethren Church.
For those who wish to honor the memory of Joe Nickerson, memorial contributions may be made to Beaver Dam Community Church, in the memo line, Wheels on Fire, 9798 West 1000 South, Akron, Indiana 46910.
The family of Joe Nickerson has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jody “Joe” Nickerson, please visit our flower store.
Jean Ann Klutz, a beloved member of the Liberty Mills Church of the Brethren community, passed away on August 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on December 30, 1945, to Dale and Mary (Grey) Parker, in Huntington, Indiana, Jean dedicated her life to serving others and making a positive impact on those around her.
After graduating from North Manchester High School in 1964, Jean found fulfillment working as a cook in the Dietary Department at Peabody Retirement Community for eighteen years. Her passion for cooking and serving others extended far beyond her professional career, as she was actively involved in various charitable endeavors, including volunteering with the Wabash County Cancer Society, serving on the church board at Liberty Mills Church of the Brethren, and participating in mission trips to Guatemala with Hands of Hope in Warsaw, Indiana.
On October 17, 1964 Jean married Carl E. Klutz. The two were wed for fifty-seven years before Carl passed away on May 19, 2004. During their time together, they were blessed with three children, Michael, Debby, and Janet.
The loving memory of Jean Ann Klutz will be forever cherished by her son, Michael W. Klutz, Surfside Beach, South Carolina; daughter, Debby (Harry) Barrett, Liberty Mills; brother, Roger (Marcie) Parker, North Manchester; sister, Linda Parker, North Manchester; grandchildren, Josh (Marisa) Barrett, North Manchester and Kim (Ryan) Parrett, Roann; great-grandchildren, Easton Barrett, Jameson Parrett, and Emma Kinnett; and her church family. Jean was preceded in death by her parents; Dale and Mary Parker; husband, Carl Klutz; daughter, Janet Klutz; and sister, Peggy Iholtz.
Family and friends may call Friday, August 16, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. with calling beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Liberty Mills Church of the Brethren, 103 North 3rd Street, Liberty Mills, Indiana, with Pastor Kelly Beutler will officiate. Burial will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester.
For those who wish to honor the memory of Jean Klutz, memorial contributions may be made to Arthritis Foundation, Indiana Chapter, 1355 Peachtree Street Northeast, Suite 600, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.
The family of Jean Klutz has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jean Ann Klutz, please visit our flower store.
Michael “Mike” Francis Johnson, 70, of Peru passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
He was born in Peru, Indiana to the late Dr. Owen and Marion Frances (Morell) Johnson on March 7, 1954. He married Melinda “Mindy” Lees on August 20, 1977 and she survives.
Mike’s family and grandchildren brought him the most joy in life. He enjoyed being outdoors walking the Nickel Plate Trail, hunting, and ice fishing. He was also known as an avid cat and dog lover. Mike loved leaving special treasures in unexpected places for people to find.
In addition to his wife, Mike is survived by his sons, Benjamin Owen (Karen) Johnson of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Abraham Martin (Lindsay) Johnson of Columbus, Georgia; grandchildren, Benjamin Maddux Johnson, Madelaine Grace Johnson, Carter Bailey Johnson, Aiden Spooner Johnson; and sisters, Karen Shelton, Kris Hayden, and Linda McCoy all of Peru.
A visitation will be held from 2pm to 3pm on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru. The funeral service will follow at 3pm with Pastor Adam Linkenhoker officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mike’s honor to the Nickel Plate Trail.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends can sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.
Mary Jean Carpenter, 84, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 5:46 pm, Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Parkview Wabash Hospital. She was born on May 31, 1940, in Wabash, Indiana, to Walter Henry and Edith Lucille (Aukschun) Horner.
Mary graduated from Wabash High School in 1958, and immediately started working for General Telephone Company as a telephone operator. She worked there until marrying her husband Edwin on April 2, 1961 at which time they moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he worked for United States Gypsum. They moved back to Indiana in 1963. Mary volunteered as a Candy Striper and Gray Lady for Wabash County Hospital in 1967 and was hired as an employee in the business office in 1968 where she worked until 1990. She then worked at Krafter’s Korner from 1990 until 1993, when they went out of business. She was also secretary to Joe Christle, City Court Judge and Insurance Adjuster for the City of Wabash. She was also employed at the Honeywell Center box office for 5 years and volunteered as office help and theater usher. Mary was a huge Elvis Presley fan and went to many Elvis Tribute Artist shows and concerts, where she met many of the performers. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Wabash, where she served as Financial Secretary for many years. Mary enjoyed bowling, crafting, sewing, crocheting, watching her kids, grandkids and great grandkids play baseball every summer, and most of all she enjoyed her time with her family.
She is survived by her husband, Edwin Carpenter, of 63 years, of Wabash, two children, Brad (Janet) Carpenter of LaFontaine, Indiana, and Jackie (Scott) Long of Wabash, six grandchildren; Tiffany Harrell of LaFontaine, Ariel (Artie) Wischman of Wabash, Caleb (Lauren Jones) Carpenter of Daleville, Indiana, Tyson (Natalie Border) Gotschall of Fairmount, Indiana, Kylie (Scott) Mercer of Marion, and Hayley (Ben) Brubaker of Bluffton, Indiana, 14 great-grandchildren, She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Christopher Scott Carpenter, great-granddaughter, Octavia Brubaker, brother, Nevin Horner, and 4 sisters, Evelyn Lester, Colleen Weesner, Bette Boyer, and Elsie Strickler.
Funeral services will be 11:30 am, Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Jay Driskill officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 10:00 – 11:30 am, Saturday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Animal Shelter of Wabash County.
The memorial guest book for Mary may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
Thelma Joan Cline, 92, Marion, went to be with the Lord at 4:35 am on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at Colonial Oaks Health & Rehabilitation Center in Marion. She was born in Marion, Indiana, on Sunday, September 27, 1931, to William and Ruth (Gay) Medlen. She married the first love of her life, K. Robert Smith, on June 6, 1953, and he preceded her in death in October of 1984. She then married Norman “Jack” Cline, who preceded her in death in October of 2020.
Joan graduated from Marion High School. She was a clerical worker at I & M Electric and also worked at Brown-Trueblood Dry Cleaners, which she talked about often. She had volunteered at Marion General Hospital (now Marion Health) for 17 years. Joan was a member of First Friends Church, where she was actively involved in women’s groups, Sunday school classes, and choir. Joan was just willing to help with anything.
Joan loved to read, used to knit, and loved to be with people. She was a true servant and always made sure everyone was fed.
Survivors include her daughter, Valerie K. (Tom) Bouwman of Saugatuck, MI; son, Greg (Paula) Smith of Zionsville; Jack’s daughters, Sally (Barry) Key of Swayzee and Nancy (Kevin) Souder of Grabill; Jack’s son, Mike (Kendra) Cline of Muncie; 7 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husbands; parents; sisters, Lillian Wolf and Mary L. Kinneman; and brothers, Eugene Medlen and Donald Medlen.
The family will receive visitors from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Immediately following the time of visitation, a service to celebrate Joan’s life will begin at 12:00 noon. Pastor Dwight Elliott will be officiating with burial taking place at Estates of Serenity.
Memorial contributions may be directed to First Friends Church, 2211 N. Wabash Ave., Marion, IN 46952.
A very special thanks to all the staff and residents at Colonial Oaks Health Care Center for their loving care and companionship towards Joan during her stay there.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
Philip J. Harris, 67, of Norman Oklahoma, formerly of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on April 30, 1957, to Jack Lee and Oneda “Dee” (Music) Harris in Wabash, Indiana. Philip was a 1976 graduate of Southwood High School. He worked at the Assembly Plant for General Motors. He also held a membership with the Church of Christ at Treaty in Treaty, Indiana. Philip was extremely athletic and in his free time he enjoyed golfing and bowling. Philip is survived by his mother, Dee Harris of LaFontaine, Indiana; one brother, Gregory Harris of Wabash, Indiana; one sister, Patricia Harris of LaFontaine, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his father, Jack Lee Harris. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Ryan Weaver officiating. Burial will follow at Falls Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana. Visitation for family and friends will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service on Friday, August 16, 2024, at the funeral home. McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Philip J. Harris’ final arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com
