Bernard Boener

Gerald Benko      

Fredrick T. Insco 

Lynn R. DeFries

Bernard Boener
Feb. 16, 1935 – June 27, 2009
    PLYMOUTH — Bernard Boener, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend died of natural causes Saturday, June 27, 2009, at the age of 74, surrounded by his family.
    Bernard was born in Roxel, Germany Feb. 16, 1935 to Heinrich and Antonia (Willege) Bertels-Böner. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents and sister Maria Peter, and survived by his brother Heinrich Böner (spouse Charlotte) of Roxel, Germany and sisters Antonia Büse-Lotte (spouse Antonius) of Lippetal, Germany and Agnes Holtken (spouse of Bernhard) of Dülmen, Germany.
    Bernie immigrated to the Plymouth area in 1956. On February 15, 1958, at St. Michael Catholic Church, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Mary Elizabeth Glose.
    Surviving are seven children: John and spouse Marcella Boener, Mike and spouse Cindy Boener, Richard and spouse Diane Boener, Joseph and spouse Mary Boener, Pauline Boener and spouse David Richardson, Larry and spouse Elizabeth Boener, and Heidi; 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: Zach, spouse Leslie, and children Zach, Anastasia, and Noel Hutchings; Heather, spouse Mike, and children Myah, and Michael Tatay; Crystal Hutchings; Ben, spouse Emily, and children Carter, Ben and Madeline Hutchings; John Boener; Stephen and Anthony Boener; Karas and Kassidy Boener; Katherine and Ellen Boener; and Geoffrey and Erik Boener.
    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Parish, 612 N. Walnut St. Plymouth, IN 46563 and/or Center for Hospice, 112 S. Center St., Suite C, Plymouth, IN  46563.
    Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 1, at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St. from 4 to 8 p.m. with the Rosary at 7:30 p.m.
    The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 2 at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, 615 N. Center St., Plymouth where Bernie was a longtime member. Pastor William Kummer will officiate.
    Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Oak Road, Plymouth.
    Messages of condolence may be sent to the family via:  www.johnson-danielson.com

Gerald Benko             
March 26, 1947-June 25, 2009
    KNOX — Gerald Benko, 62, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend. 
    Mr. Benko was born March 26, 1947 in South Bend, to Joseph and Margaret (Horvath) Benko Sr. and lived in the Knox area for 28 years, coming from South Bend. On March 6, 1982 in Knox, he was married to the former Cathy Ewing, who survives. 
    Also surviving are four sons: Raymond Manns of LaPaz, Jerry Manns of Culver, Brian Manns of Culver and Stephen Benko of Knox; five grandchildren and two brothers, Joseph Benko Jr. and John Benko, both of South Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents.
     Mr. Benko was an employee of Stanz Food, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of the Teamsters Union Local #364.
     Friends may call Thursday, July 2, 2009 from 4 to 8 p.m. CDT and Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel.
    Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will be at the Eagle Creek Cemetery, Knox , where military graveside services will be conducted. 

Fredrick T. Insco               
April 17, 1927-June 28, 2009
    PLYMOUTH - Fredrick T. Insco, 82, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2009 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth. 
    Mr. Insco was born April 17, 1927 in Huntington, W.V. to Floyd and Nancy (Martin) Insco and lived in the Plymouth area since 1954. On May 24, 1952 in Catlettsburg, Ky., he married the love of his life, Rosie Fitzpatrick. 
    Surviving are his wife, Rosie; one daughter, Patty (Dan) Hatter of Culver; four grandchildren: Bill (Theresa) Hatter of Winamac, Letha (Larry) West of LaPorte, Tony Hatter of Plymouth and Stephanie (Brett) Bunton of Plymouth; 13 great-grandchildren; three sisters: Elouise Sullivan, Annie Woolum and Irma Holderby, all of W.V. and one brother, Bob Insco of W.V.      He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Dwight, two sisters and two brothers.
     Mr. Insco was a retired lineman with C&O Railroad. He loved fishing, gardening, his church, the Community Gospel Baptist Church of Knox, but most of all he loved his family. He was a Deacon at the church.      He accepted the Lord November 15, 1959 and was baptized November 22, 1959.
      Friends may call Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at the Community Gospel Baptist Church of Knox from 2 p.m. CDT until the time of services.
    Funeral services will be Tuesday at 4 p.m. (Central Time) at the church with Pastor Paul Bagley officiating.  
    Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel is handling arrangements.

Lynn R. DeFries
June 4, 1937 — June 27, 2009
    ELKHART — Lynn R. DeFries, 72, of Elkhart, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2009, at home, after a long illness.
    Lynn was born in Chicago, Ill., to Richard and Vera (Myers) DeFries June 4, 1937. Lynn graduated from LaPaz High School in 1956 and also attended IUSB. On April 30, 1957 he married Judy (Schaefer), who survives.
    He is also survived by two daughters: a son, Chuck (Cami) and grandchildren; and one sister, Vera Mae Howard of Hammond, Ind. Mr. DeFries with his wife Judy owned and operated Garbers Decorating Center in Elkhart from 1971 to 1997, also Home Decorating of Goshen for a time.
    The couple began with the two small stores selling primarily paint and wallpaper, then expanded the products and services to include window treatments and floor covering, becoming a leading store of that type in the area. The couple were high school sweethearts and naturals for this type of business.
    The soul mates spent many hours giving clinics and "How-To" demonstrations of their products, informing the customers and public both young and old regarding to their use. The loyal, hard working staff supported this effort, making the store a success.
    Lynn served on numerous boards as past director and/or past president of many local organizations such as the Credit Bureau, Better Business Bureau, Elcona Country Club, Downtown Elkhart Association, Elkhart Improvement Association, Elkhart Centre, Life House, Chamber of Commerce, and Elkhart Redevelopment Commission. And served also as past member of Trinity United Methodist Church, and was a Cub Scout leader. In Plymouth he was also past president of the Jaycees and past chairman of the Marshall County Young Republican Organization.
    Mr. DeFries also served as past president and director of the National Decorating Association of America and was founder of the Michiana Decorating Products Association. The DeFries were considered outstanding in their chosen careers.
    As a veteran, Lynn served in the U.S. Army with a tour of duty in Korea, maintaining equipment to be shuttled both to North and South Koreans into their respective countries. He enjoyed music of all kinds.
    His favorite songs were "Walk Alone," "My Way," and "Unchained Melody" and Judy's music from the New Horizon Band and country music. He also enjoyed art, NASCAR, and was a member of the NRA, and enjoyed to water ski, snow ski, play tennis and hunt.
    Loving the outdoors, his favorite tree was the Red Bud; the bush, Peony and flower, the Bachelor Button.
    Visitation will take place at Stemm Lawson Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart Tuesday, June 30, 2009 from 5 to 8 p.m.
    There will be no funeral service. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care Inc., 22579 Old U.S. 20, Elkhart, IN 46516. The online guestbook may be signed at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.