Ralph Edward Jones
Sept. 8, 1929 - May 24, 2009
    ARGOS — Ralph Edward Jones, 79, of Argos died Sunday, May 24 at 7:10 p.m. at his residence following a two-year illness.
    He was born Sept. 8, 1929 in Dectaur, Ill. to Revie E. and Myrtle (Shoemaker) Jones.
    He had lived in the Argos community for 40 years, moving from Cerro Gordo, Ill. in 1969.
    On April 2, 1960 in Berne, he married Caro J. (Moser) Jones.
    He was a life-long farmer. He attended the Argos United Methodist Church.
    He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Caro J. Jones; daughters, Sara A. (Jeff) Smith of Argos and Sandra L. (Jim) Ringer of Plymouth; son, Randall S. (Cammy) Jones of Plymouth; grandchildren, Brooke Stults of South Bend; Justin Stults, Courtney Ringer and Kirsten Ringer, all of Plymouth; step-grandchildren, David Messer of Culver and James Messer of Knox; four step-great-grandchildren; brothers, Ivan Jones of Cerro Gordon, Ill. and Denver (Lucille) Jones of Plymouth; sisters, Helen Jones of Champaign, Ill. and Evelyn (Francis) Barr of North Manchester.
    He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister.
    Friends may visit with the family Thursday, May 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, 208 N. Michigan St., Argos and one hour prior to the funeral services.
    Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 29 at the Argos United Methodist Church, 540 N. Michigan St., Argos, with Rev. Ken Walker of the church officiating.
    Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Argos.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 112 S. Center St., Plymouth.
    Electronic condolences may be sent to the family at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Anna Lehocky
March 11, 1920 - May 20, 2009
    PLYMOUTH — Anna Lehocky ,89, of 16476 West 12 B Road, Plymouth, passed away at 8:50 a.m., on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Grace Village Healthcare Center in Winona Lake.
    Anna was born on March 11, 1920, in Czechoslovakia to Aloys and Maria (Dugat) Laurinc. Anna and Steve F. Lehocky were united in marriage on November 23, 1940, in Gary. Steve preceded Anna in death on Jan. 12, 1989.
    Anna came to the United States when she was 16 years old and had been a resident of Plymouth since 1977, moving from Gary. Anna was a homemaker and belonged to the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association and the Zenska Jednota Organization. She was a member of Saint Michael Catholic Church, where she helped with meals for the church, and also helped with the Swiss Steak Dinner Fund Raiser. She helped at the Pilot News by stuffing inserts into the newspapers, another way that provided funds for the church.
    Anna always had a large garden and wanted to share the produce with everyone she could.
    Anna is survived by her daughter, Karen (Mark) Schneider of Warsaw; her son, Lawrence (Rita) Lehocky of Broomfield, Colo.; and her daughter-in-law, Kathleen Lehocky of Portage. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Steve; her son, Steve Lehocky; and her daughter, Helen Minnich.
    The Mass of Christian Burial, for Anna, will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Michael Catholic Church, Friday May 29, 2009, with the Rev. Father William Kummer officiating. Burial will be in Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville. 
    A time of visiting with the Lehocky family will be on Thursday May 28, 2009, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the VAN GILDER FUNERAL HOME, 300 W. Madison St., Plymouth.
    Rosary will be prayed on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
    Friends and family may sign the guest book and share memories with the Lehocky family at www.vangilderfuneralhome.com

Howell “Holly” E. Hemminger
June 19, 1925 - May 23, 2009
    BREMEN — Howell “Holly” E. Hemminger, 83, of Bremen died Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 12:03 a.m. at his home.
    He was born June 19, 1925 in Bremen to Floyd and Ruth (Strycker) Hemminger.
    He married Cathaleen Rouch on June 29, 1947.
    He was a World War II Army veteran, serving in Japan. He was a previous employee and owner of Kenny’s Super Foods, and former Marshall County Assessor.
    He was a member of the Bremen Church of the Brethren where he was a deacon for more than 50 years.
    Survivors include his wife, Cathaleen; daughters, Marianne (Tobby) Hubbs of Bremen; Kelley Leeper of Goshen; son, Scott (Marisa) Hemminger of Florida, 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, as well as a brother, Jerry Hemminger of Goshen.
    He was preceded in death by an infant son, Dan, and one brother, Carlyle.
    Services will be private for the family. Burial will be in Bremen Cemetery.
    Visitation was Tuesday, May 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Mishler Funeral Home, Bremen.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Bremen Church of the Brethren Building Fund or the Center for Hospice.
    Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mishlerfuneralhomes.com .

Norma E. Kosmalski
March 8, 1916 - May 24, 2009
    RIPLEY, W. Va. — Norma Elaine Kosmalski, 93, of Ripley, W. Va., went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, May 24, 2009 at the Ravenswood Care Center, Ravenswood, W. Va. She was a former resident of South Bend.
    Norma was born on March 8, 1916, in Fulton. She was the daughter of the late Walter A. Wood and Gladys F. Harpster Wood Dean.
    In addition to her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Matthew B. Kosmalski; two sons, Gerald D. McIntyre and Don S. McIntyre; grandsons, Tom Burcham and Zackary Vaughn; a sister, Nova Bordner; and brother, Jack Wood and many nieces and nephews.
    Norma worked as a waitress in South Bend for many years. She was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, unit #26 in LaPorte and of the American Legion Auxiliary, unit #0357.
    Norma is survived by her daughters-in-law, Mary McIntyre of Bourbon and Dianne McIntyre, of Ripley, W. Va. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Tammy Sauer, Timothy McIntyre and Todd McIntyre, all of Bourbon; Denice Lloyd and Shawn McIntyre of Rochester; Don S. McIntyre of Chesterton, W. Va.; Beverly Paul of Elkhart; Julie Milliser of Plymouth; many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and a special niece, Marsha Causey of Kokomo.
    Graveside services will be Friday, May 29 at 11 a.m., Highland Cemetery in South Bend, by Kaniewski Funeral Home.

Esther Hernandez
August 9, 1912 — May 22, 2009
    PLYMOUTH — Esther O. Hernandez, 96, 11th Road, Plymouth, passed away Friday, May 22, 2009, at 8:20 a.m., at Miller's Merry Manor, in Plymouth. 
    Esther was born August 9, 1912, in Santa Rosa, Texas, to Ecayetno and Emilia (Sanchez) Olwarez.  She moved to Plymouth, from Texas, in 1967.
    Esther worked for Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center and Holy Cross Parkview Hospital, Plymouth, in the housekeeping department. She retired from the hospital after 30 plus years of employment.
    Esther was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.  She was a member of Saint Michael Catholic Church.  
    Esther is survived by her daughters, Juanita Marquez of Plymouth and Rebecca Rodriquez of Plymouth; her brother, Cruze (Elefenia) Olwarez of Santa Rosa; 13 grandsons; four granddaughters; many great-grandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marcos Hernandez; her daughter, Herminia Montemayor; four brothers; and four sisters. 
     A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Thursday, May 28, 2009, at 10:30 a.m., at  Saint Michael Catholic Church with the Rev. Father William Kummer officiating. Burial will be in Santa Rosa.  
     Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the VAN GILDER FUNERAL HOME, 300 W. Madison St., Plymouth, IN, 46563.  The rosary will be prayed, on Wednesday at 7 p.m., at the funeral home.
   Friends and family may sign the guest book and share memories with the Hernandez family at  www.vangilderfuneralhome.com .