All Obituaries

Douglas A. Hamilton, 71, passed away peacefully November 28, 2023, at Memorial Hospital under the care of Heart to Heart Hospice. Born February 10, 1952 in South Bend, he was the son of the late Clifford and Betty (Krusinski) Hamilton.  A lifetime resident of South Bend, he lived on the southside and was able to fulfill a lifetime dream of building a log cabin with his late wife in 1997. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Julie (Robert) Billingham of Evergreen, CO; his...

Jean Fuehrmeyer of South Bend crossed over on November 25, 2023, after a long journey with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Preceding her in death were her parents, Elizabeth (McHale) Bitunjac and John G. Bitunjac, as well as her in-laws, Lorene (Emig) Fuehrmeyer and James L. Fuehrmeyer Sr.  She leaves behind her husband of over 50 years, Jim; daughters, Erika Fuehrmeyer Myette and Katie (James Webb) Fuehrmeyer; son-in-law, Michael-John Myette; brother, John (Nyla) Bitunjac; sister,...

Heaven is a little brighter and more joyful now because Jim Whitfield’s spirit was escorted there by the angels on November 24, 2023, when he passed away peacefully. James Lee Whitfield was one of eight children born to the late Herbert G. and Juanita Rose (Bryce) Whitfield. He was born on September 19, 1957. Jim had a very full life. He worked full time at Logan Industries, until a few years ago when he transitioned to participating in Logan’s Studios Program.He participated...

Jerry Jay Taylor passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on November 18, 2023. He was born to the late Raymond Egbert and Edna Mae (Bolinger) Taylor in South Bend, Indiana on December 24, 1938. Left to cherish Jerry’s memory are his wife of 52 years, Marilyn; his sons, Jason Taylor and Jeff (April) Taylor; grandchildren, Adelaide and Zachary Taylor; brother, Otto (Irene, deceased) Taylor; and many nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his sister, Rosemary Gregory and...

Jami Lee Daniels passed away at his home on November 18, 2023. He was 52. Jami was born on December 17, 1970 to David Albert Saunders Sr. and the late Linda (Daniels) Phebus in South Bend, Indiana. Jami was an avid lego collector, enjoyed watching horror movies and traveling to the Disney Parks in Florida. He could also be found spending many hours gaming on his phone. Jami will be remembered by daughter, Chrystina Daniels (Austin Mannell); grandson, Kaiden Mannell; sisters, Samantha...

John Robert Christiansen passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on November 15, 2023. He was 85 years old. John was born to the late Paul Peter and Anna (Hansen) Christiansen on December 19, 1937 in Etna Green, Indiana. John’s memory will live on with his daughters, Christine Christiansen, Kellie (Scott) Greene and Amy (John) Huchko; his grandchildren, Alexis, Logan, and Elizabeth Huchko; brother, Tom (Sue) Christiansen; former wife, Kathleen Christiansen; and...

Irma Jean Murphy passed away peacefully at her home on November 13, 2023, at 92 years old. Jean was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on October 3, 1931, to the late Edward and Hazel (Potts) Steffens. She married Leo Joseph Murphy on June 5, 1949. Jean and Leo had ten children. They adopted numerous collie dogs and stray cats. Late in her life, Jean developed a deep fondness for horses, and an outing to a local stable where she could observe the horses brought her joy. Jean loved to...

Naomi Lynn Bidlack, 55, of Mishawaka, IN, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023. Naomi was born on November 4th, 1968 to parents, Alice Ferguson and Jack Harris. She graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1987. While Naomi lived the majority of her life in Indiana, she never forgot her roots in the wonderful wilds of West Virginia. After high school, she continued on her journey through the university of life. In 1993, she met husband, Timothy Paul Bidlack, and the two were married....

Thomas John Schlereth was born on March 23, 1941 on Troy Hill in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the north hills of Pittsburgh; he died at the Raclin House on the St.Joseph River in Indiana on November 11, 2023. He was the eldest child of what would be John and Gertrude Schlereth’s five children. Educated at his local parish school and North Catholic High School, he left the hills of Pennsylvania for the University of Notre Dame in the fall of 1959, to become a graduate of the Class...