Alphonso ‘Fonz” Smith was born November 10, 1955 to the union of Wilford and Almarie Smith (Mainer) in South Bend, IN. Alphonso graduated from LaSalle High School in 1975. During his high school career, he was the manager for the varsity basketball team. He then worked for the South Bend Parks Department for 15 years and the Western Ave. Goodwill Industries for 22 years. Alphonoso was also known for playing the bongos in the famous hit band known as Congressional Funk. Anyone...

William N. Thomas was born August 22, 1939 in Woodstock, Tennessee. He went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 3, 2021 in Elkhart Indiana. He was 81 years old. William worked for and retired from Cardwell Westinghouse Company following 35 years of service. William was preceded in death by his parents (mother, Emma Gates), lifelong companion Augustine Smith, sisters Diane Gates and Venasse Meade and a brother, Nathaniel Meade. Surviving to cherish his memory are sons, Elton...

Scott Jeffery Wilson was born in South Bend, Indiana on April 18, 1964 to the union of John L. and Mary Wilson.   Scott graduated from South Bend Clay High School and went on to follow his dream of serving the country; he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1982 and completed his Tour of Duty in 1986. Following the military he went on to attend Indiana University at South Bend.  His employment in the Catering Department at the South Bend Century Center gave Scott the...

Seifuddin Zahir El-Amin, 87, went home to be with His Lord and Savior on June 11, 2021. He was born to the late Silas and Hildegard Anderson on November 1, 1933 in Ponchatoula, LA Seifuddin, better known as “Mr. El-Amin,” was preceded in death by his deeply loved and greatly missed wife of 44 years, Amatullah Aneesah El-Amin. Seifuddin was born in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, but left home at the tender age of 13 by way of the railway to Michigan where we eventually met the love of...

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise: give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;    his    faithfulness continues through all generations.”              Psalms 100:4-5 NIV   Mr. Arthur “Perry” Bird of South Bend, Indiana, beloved son, brother, father, uncle and friend, completed his earthly...

Arrie Vickers nee Leonard of South Bend, Indiana passed away in the home of her daughter on, June 8, 2021. She was 86. Arrie was born on October 26, 1934, in Dothan, Ala. to Mary and Clarence Leonard. She graduated from Dothan’s Carver High School in 1953 and was the first in her immediate and extended family to graduate from college. She attended Alabama A&M University, graduating in 1957. Arrie was an educator for more than 30 years. As the consummate teacher, Arrie stressed...

“Live today like the person you want to be remembered as…” - Raymond E. Johnson    Raymond E. Johnson,74 years old, returned to our divine creator at his home on June 1st, 2021. Ray was born to Freeman and Emma (Borntreger) Johnson in South Bend, Indiana on April 14th, 1947. Raymond was a decorated 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army. He received 2 purple hearts and 2 bronze stars with oak leaf clusters for his service in Vietnam prior to honorable...

Cleveland Earl Jackson (71) of Elkhart made his transition at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 29, 2021, at Elkhart General Hospital. Cleveland was born on May 16, 1950, in Covington, Tennessee to Herman and Mae Ruby (Malone) Jackson.  Cleveland was the third child of nine children.  The family relocated to Elkhart when Clee (as he was affectionately called) was young.  He attended Pierre Moran Junior High School and graduated from Elkhart Central High School in 1970. Cleveland...

SOUTH BEND - DeeAnn Marie Slowiak (Oller) of South Bend passed away on Thursday, May 27th, at age 52 after a valiant battle with many health issues. She was born August 16th 1968, in Hammond, Indiana, the Daughter of Cheryl Oller (Chiles). Dee was an avid animal lover and would take in any cat or dog she saw in need. She married the love of her life who preceded her in death Donald Slowiak (2010) on June 17th, 1989 in Munster Indiana. Dee took great joy seeing her grandchildren and spending...

Mr. Stanley Leon Doaks, 70, of Indianapolis, Indiana, formerly of South Bend departed this life on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in South Bend on June 21, 1950 to the union of Leon and Lucy Doaks; they both preceded him in death.  Stanley grew up in a Christian home and confessed his hope in Christ at an early age. He was a member of Abundant Faith and Life Ministry in South Bend under the leadership of Rev. James B. Williams....