Climate is topic of MU Discussion Day

Manchester University’s Discussion Day is Wednesday, Feb. 15. This year’s topic is climate change and climate justice.

Discussion Day is a Manchester biennial tradition that brings the community together to engage in an immersive examination of an issue identified to be of significant relevance to the students, staff and faculty.

The event will extend through the week, with presentations on Monday and Wednesday in Cordier Auditorium as part of the Values, Ideas and the Arts (VIA) series.

The first VIA is 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13 with Sarah Jaquette Ray, professor of environmental studies at Humboldt State University in California. Ray will discuss how a new generation of activists is changing the climate movement and why it is important to know how to cultivate intellectual and existential skillfulness in our advocacy, no matter what type of work one does.

“Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet,” a documentary examining the collapse of the earth’s biodiversity, will be shown on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. in Cordier. Following the 75minute film will be a discussion led by a Manchester University panel.

The Discussion Day keynote address, “Imagine Justice, Transformation and Liberation,” is at 10 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 15. The keynote speaker is Denise AbdulRahman, the Climate Justice Alignment Initiative co-manager for the Chisholm Legacy Project.

Abdul-Rahman is a leader in organizing for just energy, shutting down coal operations and expanding solar access for lowincome families. She advocates for reducing harmful emissions, advancing energy efficiency and clean energy, and strengthening community

Beacon names Stites

VP of Retail Lending

Beacon Credit Union has named Emily Stites as Vice President, Retail Lending.

Stites brings more than 11 years of credit union and member service experience to her new role, as well as a passion for retail lending. She will be responsible for leading the organization in retail loan origination, underwriting and processing areas. She will also manage the Credit Union’s Retail Loan Processing Center, underwriting tools and support systems to ensure optimal performance and service for members.

Stites will work alongside executive leadership to support implementation and achieving corporate goals and objectives. Her leadership role will center on building a high performance culture around Beacon’s values.

Prior to her promotion, Stites served as Retail Lending Manager at the credit union. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Marketing and Business Administration from Indiana State University, an MBA from Anderson University and a Doctorate of Business Administration, Leadership from Liberty University.

Stites resides in Wabash.

resilience and livability.

All three events are free and open to the public.

After AbdulRahman’s presentation, concurrent sessions led by Manchester faculty, staff and students will take place from 1-2:50 p.m.

Members of the public who are interested in participating in Discussion Week events can register at https://manches- ter.advancementform.com/event/di scussion-day2023/register.

Jerry Long, 79 Known for his mustache

Feb. 3, 1943 – Jan. 30, 2023

Jerry Wayne Long, 79, of Wabash, died at 10:30 am, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

He was born on Feb. 3, 1943, in Wabash County, to Carl and Elizabeth (Grimm) Long.

Jerry was a 1962 graduate of Urbana High School. He married Lana A. Ball in Lagro, on Feb. 29, 1964. Jerry worked at Chrysler Corporation in Kokomo, Indiana, retiring after 23 years, and also worked 20 years at General Tire in Wabash. He was a member of the Urbana Yoke Parish, the Hanna Masonic Lodge 61, the Wabash Shrine Club, the Fort Wayne Scottish Rite and Mizpah Shrine, the Urbana Lions Club, and the N.R.A.

He enjoyed collecting tractors, coins, hats, and canes, and traveling in his RV. He and his wife, Lana wintered in Sebring, Fla., for five years. Jerry was well known for his mustache, and was a recipient of the Best Stash in the Bash award.

He is survived by his wife, Lana Long of Wabash; five children, Stephanie (John) Stambaugh of Wabash, Skyler (Rachel Hendrickson) Long of Lagro, Susan (Bryan) LaFerney of Urbana, Sara (Joe Haecker) Long of Roann, and Sam (Amy) Long of Wabash; ten grandchildren, Kenzie Thornsbury, Kassidy Stambaugh, Kasey Long, Kody Stambaugh, Kash LaFerney, Kane Long, Kaylee Long, Kiptyn Haecker, Kedryk Haecker, and Khloe Long; and his brother, Robert (Jane) Long of Wabash.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Scott Monroe Long who died in 1966, two brothers, Danny Dean Long and Donald Eugene Long, and his sister, Mercedes JoAnne Weaver.

Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Rev. Larry Wade officiating. Burial will be in Half Acre Cemetery, Urbana. Visitation was Thursday, at the funeral home, with a Masonic service.

Preferred memorials are the Shriner’s Hospital for Children or the Urbana Lions Club.

The memorial guest book for Jerry may be signed at www.grandstaffhentgen.com.

Janet Titus, 94

Enjoyed knitting, crocheting Oct. 16, 1928 – Feb. 2, 2023

Janet I. Titus, 94, of Wabash, died at 12:08 pm, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at Bickford Cottage in Wabash. She was born on Oct. 16, 1928, in Wabash, to Russell and Averilla (Robinson) Carter.

Janet was a 1946 graduate of Wabash High School. She married Jack Edward Titus in Wabash on June 5, 1948; he died Nov. 3, 1987. Janet was an insurance agent for Beauchamp McSpadden Insurance Company, retiring after 30 years. She was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, and working in her yard.

She is survived by two sons, Todd (Anne) Titus of Wabash and Tony (Beverly) Titus of Indianapolis; daughter-in-law, Judy Titus of Peru; three grandchildren, Ben (Ann) Titus and Blake Titus, both of Indianapolis, and Emily Titus of Peru; three great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Rosalie Nielson of Wabash, and Margie Powell of Burkett.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, son, Jeff Titus, and her sister, Elsie Rish. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash, with Brad Spaulding, Chaplain officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorial is Christ United Methodist Church. The memorial guest book for Janet may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.

Lurene Garst, 94 Member of Eastern Star

Oct. 23, 1928 – Jan. 30, 2023

Lurene Garst, 94, of North Manchester, Indiana, formerly of rural Somerset, died at 9:55 a.m., Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at Peabody Healthcare Center in North Manchester.

She was born on Oct. 23, 1928, in Somerset, Ky., to Melvin and Lola (Tarter) Tarter.

Lurene married Clarence “Chunk” Garst in Marion, on Sept. 16, 1950; he died May 8, 2006. She farmed along with her husband Chunk.

Lurene was a member of the LaFontaine Order of the Eastern Star chapter 301 and Woodlawn United Methodist Church in Somerset. She attended the Christian Heritage Church, in Wabash, before moving to Peabody. She enjoyed gardening and raising flowers, was an avid reader, and was well known for her peanut brittle.

She is survived by two grandchildren, Lindsay Long of Peru, and Jamie Degitz of Indianapolis; three great-grandchildren, Taylor Harrell of Wabash, Ashton Faust of LaFontaine, and Emree Reed of Indianapolis; great-great-grandson, Maxton Heckman of Wabash; and her sister, Kathleen (James) Riley, of Wabash.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Karan Degitz, three brothers, and two sisters.

Visitation and funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash, with Pastor Tim Prater officiating. Burial was in Mississinewa Cemetery, Somerset, at a later date.

Preferred memorial is Heart to Heart Hospice, Fort Wayne.

The memorial guest book for Lurene may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.

Norman Rogers Jr., 85

Served on Urbana Fire Dept. Nov. 26, 1937 – Jan. 31, 2023

Norman Rogers Jr., 85, of rural Urbana, Indiana, died at 5:00 pm, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at The Waters of Wabash East. He was born on Nov. 26, 1937, in Wabash, to Norman Sr. and Omadell (Osmon) Rogers.

Junior was a graduate of Urbana High School, and was a US Army veteran. He married Reta Kay Branham in Urbana on Nov. 2, 1985; she died Sept. 14, 2006. Junior was a retired farmer, welder, and a jack of all trades. He was a retired member of the Urbana Fire Department. He enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing, and especially spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Mae (Jim Bailey) Piper of Wabash; two grandchildren, John Freeman Hatton Jr. of North Manchester, Indiana, and Cody Lothridge of Indianapolis, Indiana; sister, Donna Carr of Monticello, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents, brother, Jerry Rogers, and his sister, Karen Hoover.

Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash. Burial was in Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 4-8 p.m. Friday, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorial is Urbana Fire Department.

The memorial guest book for Junior may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.

Weekly Reports

Wabash County Sheriff’s Department Accidents

A vehicle driven by Josee M. Nieves Roldan, 57, Orlando, Fla., struck ice on U.S. 24, east of Old U.S. 24, causing the trailer he was pulling to jack-knife at 12:16 p.m. Jan. 25. The two eastbound lanes of U.S. 24 were closed because of the incident. Damage was estimated at between $2,501 and $5,000.

A vehicle driven by Michael R. Morgan, 39, Roann, struck a patch of ice on County Road 200 W at mile marker 800 at 9:18 a.m. Jan. 26. The vehicle ran off the east side of the roadway, struck a utility pole, snapping it in half, before overturning and coming to rest on the passenger’s side. Damage was estimated at between $5,001 and $10,000.

A vehicle driven by Justin A. Snyder, 31, Cont. on Pg. 10.

Kathi Spurrier

Former Indy car engineer

Nov. 11, 1971 – Jan. 17, 2023

Kathi D. Spurrier, 51, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 17, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Kathi was a two-year survivor of stage four kidney cancer. She was a role model to her daughters and to many others she took under her wing. Her daughter’s friends would refer to her as their second Mom. Kathi had a heart of gold and was fiercely loyal to those she loved.

Kathi was born Nov. 11, 1971, in Wabash, to Michael and DeAnn (Meyer) Rogers. She graduated from Southwood High School in 1990 and she later graduated from Ball State University with an engineering degree. She married Mark Spurrier on Aug. 15, 1998, and had two beautiful daughters together.

Kathi had a story book career as a female engineer in Indy car racing and Aerospace. She blazed the trail for other females that would follow in her footsteps. In 1996 and 1997, Kathi was a racing engineer for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing where she won two championship rings. She left the team two weeks before the Indy 500 to go to Players Forsythe Racing, which cost her an Indy 500 ring. Kathi won another championship ring in 2003 while at Players Forsythe Racing. Kathi eventually went part-time and left racing in 2007 to focus on her daughters and follow her husband to San Antonio, Texas, for work. Not being one to rest on her laurels, Kathi had multiple job offers and went back to work for 12 more years in Aerospace at Albany Engineered Composites as a tooling engineer before she was diagnosed with cancer.

Kathi loved life and her family dearly. Her husband and daughters were the light of her life. She was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, colleague, and friend. She touched the lives of so many people. She will truly be missed and will never, ever, be forgotten.

Kathi is survived and missed by her loving husband, Mark Spurrier, of 24 years; their two daughters, Marissa and Marlena; her parents, Michael and DeAnn Rogers; her two brothers, Rick Rogers (Shelby) and Ron Rogers (Holly); and sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

There are no words that can express how grateful and blessed we are to our friends, family, and neighbors who were there for us with food, prayers, and support during this difficult time. There were many trips to MD Anderson in Houston and stays in hotels and hospitals that were difficult. You stepped up big when we needed you most during the holidays and it is very much appreciated. As Kathi best put it, “We love you to the moon and back.”

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the family established college savings plans for Kathi’s daughters at UGift - College Savings Plan at www.ugift529.com. The following codes will be required: Marissa D Spurrier: P7Z-L7F Marlena K Spurrier: S4N-77P. Visitation was Jan. 20 at Ebensberger Fisher Funeral Home in Boerne, Texas. Services were Saturday, Jan. 21. To leave condolences for the family and to view a video of Kathi’s life, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com. Arrangements with Ebensberger Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.

Ralph Bricker, 85 WHS graduate

June 25, 1937 – Jan. 10, 2023

Ralph M. Bricker, 85, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 5:08 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. He was born to Robert Morris and Mildred (Jackson) Bricker on June 25, 1937.

Ralph was a 1955 graduate of Wabash High School. He then attended Valparaiso Technical Institute receiving an Associate’s Degree as an Electronic Technician. He worked for WANE T.V. in Fort Wayne, then worked for Datapoint Corporation in San Antonio before retiring in the late 1990’s. In 1972 Ralph purchased a new BMW Bavaria and enjoyed driving and maintaining that car, with the car now having over 400,000 miles. He also enjoyed going out to eat and having pizza for lunch at his favorite places around San Antonio.

Ralph is survived by one brother, Lee (Janice) Bricker of San Antonio, Texas. He is proceeded in death by his parents and one sister, Lois Bricker, who passed away on April 19, 2022.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, January 18, 2023, from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Funeral Caring USA 2621 Mossrock, San Antonio, Texas 78230.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Falls Cemetery in Wabash with Pastor David Phillips officiating.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Ralph Bricker’s final arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com.

Milton ‘Bud’ Shultz, 80

Retired from Square D

March 13, 1942 – Jan. 30, 2023

Milton “Bud” Fonzo Shultz, 80, of Peru, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, January 30, 2023 at Wellbrooke of Wabash.

Bud was born to Luther Shultz and Carrie Griffitts Shultz on March 13, 1942, in Macy. He married Judy Drumheller on Aug. 13, 1960. Bud and Judy built a beautiful life together and raised their four children on the same farm in Erie Township where Bud grew up.

Bud attended Erie Township School and Peru High School. He worked for Norfolk and Western Railway prior to joining Square D / Schneider Electric in 1961. He retired from Square D in 2006 after joining 45 years of dedicated service.

An outdoorsman at heart, Bud’s favorite pastime was spending time in nature, especially gardening, chopping firewood, and hunting mushrooms in the woods on his farm. He also enjoyed reading, listening to country and gospel music, finding flea market “treasures,” and taking road trips across the United States with his family (one infamous cross-country trip to the Pacific Coast in 1967 involved six people packed into the family’s Volkswagon Beetle). Bud was an adventurer, an animated storyteller, a practical joker, and a culinary enthusiast. Most importantly, he was a loving and devoted husband, “Dad,” “Gramps,” and “Great-Gramps” to his adoring family.

Bud was a man of strong Christian faith and attended First Assembly of God, Calvary Church, and Independent Fellowship. He led many people to the Lord because he was never afraid to share his testimony about how God transformed his life for the better. His family finds comfort in the knowledge that Bud is now at rest in his heavenly home, wrapped in the loving arms of his Savior.

Bud is survived by his wife and sweetheart of 62 years, Judy, and their canine companion, Pickles; his sisters, Joyce (Bob) Midkiff and Carolyn “Sue” Case both of Peru; his children, Valerie Hiers of Peru, Stan (Sabrina) Shultz of Fishers, Dion (Brenda) Shultz of Peru, and Dawn (Jeremy) Wayman of Wabash.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Elise (Adam) Michalek, Carly Hiers, Todd (Jody) Weller, David (Elizabeth) Shultz, Julie (Domingo) Uceda, David Lee, Alisha Shultz, and Rebekah Shultz; and six great-grandchildren, Maxwell Michalek, Arden Michalek, Chloe Weller, Jack Weller, Hayden Weller, and Finn Weller.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, MaryHelena Shultz, Sarah-Elizabeth Shultz, and Fawntilla Reddy; and one brother, Marion Shultz.

The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to Wellbrooke of Wabash and Adoration Hospice for their loving care throughout Bud’s final days.

Visitation was Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 W. Third St., Peru. A celebration of life followed with Pastor Kevin Palmer officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the Wabash County Animal Shelter.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

DUSTIN BROWN ERIC FETROW DR. HARRIET HAMER