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| In Memoriam |
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January 23 to March 21
Willis Eugene “Bill” Brand
Friend of the University of Saint Francis
Willis Eugene “Bill” Brand, 85, of Fort Wayne, died on Feb. 20. He was born on May 19, 1938, in Fort Wayne, a son of the late Willis H. and Margaret L. Brand. He retired from the University of Saint Francis.
Surviving family includes his sons Stewart (Eileen) and Charles, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Naomi Nancy Brand and sister Patricia “Patty” Glover. Access the obituary.
Joshua Todd
Friend of the University of Saint Francis
Joshua Todd, 44, died on Feb. 19. He is survived by his loving parents Mark and Janet Butkus; siblings Mark (Lindsay) Butkus, Zack (Kristen) Butkus, Matt Butkus and Maggie (Brad) Hardin; nephews Hunter, Liam, Grayson, Asher and Tyler Butkus; and nieces Adeline, Stella, Whitley and Elliana Butkus. He was preceded in death by his father Scott Todd.
Josh was born Dec. 10, 1979, in Munster, and was a 1998 graduate of Griffith High School where he was a member of the 1997 Griffith Panthers Football State Championship team and went on to attend the University of Saint Francis where he played football. Access the obituary.
Jayden Morris
Student at the University of Saint Francis
Jayden Lamont Morris, 19, died Feb. 3. Born Aug. 31, 2004, to Natasha Morris and Detonio Hawkins, Jayden was a remarkable young man, passionate about the games of football and basketball. He left his imprint at his alma mater South Side High School and as a freshman at the University of Saint Francis, where he showcased his incredible talent and skills as a student-athlete. Jayden loved sports, excelling in school and being with his family. Access the obituary.
Richard Butt ’58
Richard “Coach” Butt, 87, of Fort Wayne, died on March 2. Richard was born July 30, 1936, to Don and Mary Butt in Andrews. Richard graduated from Huntington High School in 1954. He graduated from Manchester College with a degree in education. He earned a master’s degree from Ball State University and St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis). On June 14, 1959, he married Karen Lee (Good), his wife of 64 years.
He is survived by his wife Karen; brother David; children Randall (Sonia Agosto) Butt and Renée (Christopher) Schwartz; grandchildren Natalia, Natasha and Nacharlee Butt, Christopher (Ali) Schwartz and Cameron (Delaney) Schwartz; and great-grandchildren Maïa, Liam and Evelyn. Access the obituary.
Dr. Joyce Schelling ’62
Dr. Joyce Schelling (née Schmeling), 86, died on Feb. 20. She was born and raised in Allen County, graduating from New Haven High School in 1956. She entered the convent of the Poor Sisters of Saint Francis in Mishawaka in 1959. As Sister M. Jude, OSF, she completed her bachelor’s degree in English at St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis) and her master’s degree in drama at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She taught English and drama in various Catholic schools in Indiana, including St. Mary’s (Griffith), Huntington Catholic High School and St. Francis College.
Dr. Schelling is survived by her sister Jann Prince and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Access the obituary.
Father Gregory Poser ’65
Fr. Gregory Poser, OSC, 76, died in Onamia, Minnesota, on March 5. He was the oldest child of Raymond and Elizabeth (Welle) Poser and was born in Little Falls, Minnesota, on Aug. 27, 1947.
Fr. Greg grew up on the family farm in Lastrup, Minnesota, and attended Crosier Seminary in Onamia, Minnesota, for high school and junior college. He graduated from St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis) and the Crosier House of Studies in Fort Wayne. He joined the Crosiers as a novice in 1967 and professed religious vows on Aug. 28, 1968, in Hastings, Nebraska. He was ordained a Crosier priest on May 10, 1975, in Fort Wayne.
Fr. Greg is survived by his Crosier confreres; his siblings Clete, Sev (Mary), Gene (Sue) and Laura; his in-laws David Tripp and Maher Kadmiry; and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by grandparents Herman and Teresia Poser and George and Martha Welle; his parents; his sisters Lois Poser, Gladys Tripp and Eileen Kadmiry; and a still-born brother. Access the obituary.
Marilyn Bennett ’71
Marilyn F. Bennett, 80, of Marion, died on March 4. She was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on March 13, 1943, to Helge and Mary (Settles) Victorsen. On June 17, 1967, she married David Duane Bennett, and they shared 43 years together before he passed away.
Marilyn graduated from Worthington High School, Worthington, Ohio, in 1961. She received bachelor’s degrees from Nyack College, Marion College and Ball State University, and a master’s degree from St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis). She taught 33 years with Marion Community Schools, one year in Huntertown, five years in Florida and one year in Illinois.
Survivors include her daughters Tambra Lynn (Eric) Williamson of Crown Point and Tonya La’Nee Bennett of Marion; grandchildren Bella L. DiGia, Jonathon Williamson and Lyla Williamson; sister-in-law Beth Ann Rigney of North Vernon; beloved cat Maggie; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Richard Victorsen; sister Marcia Ann Brosey; and companion of 10 years Gary Rice. Access the obituary.
Sister Mary Kay Leuschke ’71
Sister Mary Kay Leuschke, Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ (PHJC), died on Jan. 20, at the Hospice Center of Cincinnati. Mary Catherine was born in Alton, Illinois, as the second of two children of Ralph Albert and Elizabeth Mary Leuschke (Elsie Rotter). Her parents and brother Ralph Joseph preceded her in death. She is survived by her long-time House of Peace community member Lucy Juarez and her PHJC Sisters.
Sister Mary Kay entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ on Aug. 22, 1959, and the following year received the name of Sister Mary Elissa. She professed vows on Aug. 22, 1962. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Alverno College, Milwaukee. She received a master’s degree in education from St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis) and a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois. Access the obituary.
Shirley Powell ’75, ’82
Shirley M. Powell, 91, of Fort Wayne, died on Feb. 8 at Saint Anne Home. Born on Sept. 22, 1932, in Hoopeston, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Bonnie (Boyer) Powell. Shirley earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis).
She is survived by nieces Karen Fisher and Crystal McGee, both of Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Bill Powell; sisters Eileen and Pamela Richardson; and nephew Danny Crawford. Access her obituary.
James Wright ’77
James Marvin Wright II was born in Rushville on Oct. 10, 1944, and died Feb. 12. He graduated cum laude from St. Francis College (now the University of Saint Francis) with a bachelor’s degree in 1977, and IPFW with a master’s degree in 1981.
He was preceded in death by his parents James and Virginia Wright and brother Harry. He is survived by his wife of 30 years Linda Gianfagna Wright; son James E. Rieser; and brother William Alan Wright. Access the obituary.
Randy Short ’85
Randy E. Short, 73, of Paulding, Ohio, died Jan. 24, at Lutheran Hospital. He was born on June 19, 1950, in Wauseon, Ohio, to the late Ronald L. and Martha J. (Leupp) Short. Randy was a graduate of Archbold High School and obtained a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University, and a master’s degree from the University of Saint Francis.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Sherry; brother Roger; son Robert (Michelle) Borland; grandchildren Tyler (Demetrius), Christian, Madison and Daniella; great grandchildren Creed, Robert and Leonardo; and one niece and several nephews. Access the obituary.
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