Obituaries courtesy of the News-Banner Publications, posted with permission.

Lela M. Dunwiddie, 81
Lela M. Dunwiddie, 81, who was employed for 38 years as a secretary and payroll clerk for Sterling Casting Corp., died at 12:18 a.m. today, Nov. 11, at Christian Care Retirement Center, where she had been a resident for 14 years. She had been in declining health for the past several years. Miss Dunwiddie was a graduate in 1939 of Bluffton High School and a member of Bluffton Professional Women and the First Baptist Church. She was born in Bluffton June 23, 1921, a daughter of Henry and Grace Dyson Dunwiddie. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Harold (Elizabeth) Meyer of Bluffton and Mrs. Glen (Vera) Morehouse of Milford; two brothers, Lloyd Dunwiddie of Allegan, Mich., and George Dunwiddie of Bluffton; and 13 nieces and nephews. A brother, Gerald, is deceased. Services at 10 a.m. Wednesday will be at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home, where calling hours will be Tuesday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday for one hour prior to services. Rev. Bud Abrams will officiate and burial will be in Six Mile Cemetery. Memorials to First Baptist Church or Christian Care.

Naomi M. Vernon, 85
Naomi M. Vernon, 85, a resident of Fort Wayne since 1975 and mother-in-law of Rev. Walter Graeflin of Bluffton, died at 1:01 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. Mrs. Vernon was a resident of the Arbor Glenn Retirement Center in Fort Wayne. She was an employee of the federal government for nine years and was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Bluffton for many years. Surviving, in addition to her son-in-law, are three sons, Ronald Kline of Longwood, Fla., David Kline of Whetstone, Ariz., and Gary Kline of Lake Ariel, Pa.; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. A daughter, Iris Graeflin, three brothers and five sisters are deceased. A graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Elm Grove Cemetery with Rev. Graeflin officiating. Funeral arrangements are by Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home in Bluffton. Memorials to WBCL Christian Radio.

Hilda Lesh, 97
Hilda Lesh, 97, a school teacher for four decades, died at 3:15 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. at the United Methodist Memorial Home at Warren. Miss Lesh taught primarily in the Chicago area for 40 years. She was a member of Tri Delta Sorority and was involved in making educational tapes for the blind. She was born in Wells County July 22, 1905, a daughter of Douglas and Lillian Kelsey Lesh. Survivors include two nephews, Charles LeMaster of Fort Wayne, and Doug LeMaster Sr. of Howe, and a great-nephew, Doug LeMaster Jr. of Bluffton. Two sisters are deceased. Services were at 2 p.m. today at St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Uniondale, following visitation with Rev. Otto E. Dorsch officiating. Interment was in Horeb Cemetery near Uniondale. Memorials to St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Richard G. Rader, 74
A former employee of the Town of Warren, Richard G. Rader, 74, of rural Warren, died at 9:12 p.m. Friday at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Mr. Rader retired in 1985 after 40 years from Anaconda Wire & Cable at Marion and was a former employee of Warren. He served as a fireman second class with the U.S. Navy during World War II, his time of duty running from Nov, 19, 1945 to June 9, 1946. He was a 50-year member of the Samaratian Masonic Lodge 105 and a 40-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, in which he served as a past worthy matron, both lodges in Marion. He was born at Marion Jan. 10, 1928 to Forest Glen and Leatha Hurlock Rader. Surviving are a companion of 25 years, Christine Adams; two daughters, Mrs. Marc (Linda) Cole of Cincinnati and Mrs. Scott (Kathy) Averys of Leesburg, Va.; a son, Richard G. Rader of Orlando, Fla.; a brother, Robert Rader of McCall, Ida.; three stepdaughters, Mrs. Jose (Patsy) Quiles and Mrs. Ron (Pam) Huffman, both of Marion, and Mrs. Delrey (Paula) Boyer of DeMotte; a stepson, Caryl Gosnell of Marion; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; 11 stepgrandchildren; and 15 stepgreat-grandchildren. Two brothers and a stepdaughter are deceased. Services at Glancy Funeral Homes - H. Brown & Son Chapel in Warren will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday with Rev. John Wallace officiating. Burial will be in Masonic Cemetery at Warren. Calling hours at the funeral chapel are today from 6 to 9 p.m.

Lorene E. Fenstermaker, 88
Lorene E. Fenstermaker, 88, formerly of Geneva, who was active in many state and district events as well as local affairs, died at 6:52 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at Swiss Village in Berne. She had retired after many years as secretary of the South Adams Schools. Mrs. Fenstermaker served as a vice president of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, curator of the Limberlost Cabin Memorial, secretary of the 4th District Democratic Central Committee, secretary of the Indiana State Home Economics Clubs, member of the Indiana Tourism Committee, member of the Adams County Extension Service and 4-H Building Committee and was a 4-H leader. She also was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Geneva, where she taught Sunday school, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was born at Geneva Aug. 23, 1914 to Lee and Nellie Eckrote Schell. Her marriage on Jan. 6, 1934 in Adams County was to Theron “Ted” Fenstermaker, who died Nov. 25, 1988. Surviving are two sons, Larry J. of Bluffton and Michael W. of Ossian; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A daughter, Mrs. Larry (Shirley) Miller, and a brother are deceased. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Downing Funeral Home in Geneva with Rev. Keith Schreffler and Father Richard Thompson officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery at Geneva. Visitation hours are today at the funeral home from 2 to 8:30 p.m. and on Tuesday for one hour prior to services. Memorials to the Geneva Police Reserves or to the Adams County Crisis Shelter.

Anna C. Berkheiser, 90
Anna C. Berkheiser, 90, formerly of Ossian and DeLand, Fla., died Sunday, Nov. 10, at Woodcrest Nursing Center in Decatur. Mrs. Berkheiser was a beautician and operated a beauty shop in Ossian. She was born in Decatur June 9 , 1912, a daughter of Charles and Lilly Deihl Johnloz. Her marriage in Allen County on July 11, 1932 was to Russell F. Berkheiser, who died Sept. 24, 1996. Surviving are a son, Lester Berkheiser of Willis, Texas; a daughter, Rita Curry of Milford, Kan.; two brothers, William Johnloz of Bluffton and Robert Johnloz of Craigville; three sisters, Florene Decker of Bluffton, Geraldine Woodward of Ossian and Marie Brown of Decatur; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Three brothers and a sister are deceased. Services at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home in Ossian will be at 11 a.m. Thursday with Rev. Sylvester Martin officiating. Interment will be in the IOOF Cemetery at New Haven. Visitation hours will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Memorials to Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana or to Alzheimers Research.

Myron Simmons, 80
Myron Simmons, 80, of Geneva, died at 9:25 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at Chalet Village in Berne. Mr. Simmons was manager of Geneva Milling Co. and retired from the Adams County Farm Bureau. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. Mr. Simmons was a member of the First United Methodist Church and of the Lions Club at Geneva. He was a graduate of Butler University, where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He was born in Henry County, Indiana, Dec. 23, 1921, a son of Frank and Ina Jones Simmons. His marriage at Geneva on Feb. 23, 1946 was to Vena Egly, who survives. Additional survivors are a son, Stephen P. of Fort Wayne; a sister, Edythe Snider of Peru; and two grandchildren. There will be no calling or services. A private graveside service will be conducted at a future date at the Evangelical Mennonite Cemetery at Berne. Downing Funeral Home at Geneva is in charge of arrangements. Memorials to the First United Methodist Church at Geneva.

Edith J. Clark-Augsburger, 70
A retired Franklin Electric Co. employee, Edith J. Clark-Augsburger, 70, died at 12:33 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at her residence in New Haven following an extended illness. Mrs. Clark-Augsburger retired in 1992 after 19 years at Franklin Electric. She was born Nov. 19, 1931 in Mercer County, Ohio, to William H. and Tereva A. Garwood Clark. Surviving are two sons, Gregory A. Eyanson of Monroe and William D. Augsburger of Las Vegas, Nev.; three daughters, Mrs. Thom (Darlene) McFaul and Mrs. Kurt (Lena A.) Flesher, both of New Haven, and Mrs. Gary (Linda K.) Hodle of Bluffton; three brothers, Robert Clark of Decatur, William Clark of Howe and Roger Clark of LaFountain; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren. A sister and a brother are deceased. Services at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday will be at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur with Chaplain Karen Kossberg officiating. Burial will be in Decatur Cemetery. Visitation hours are today from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, to Riley Children’s Hospital or to Parkview Home Health & Hospice.