Wade Weaver MIAMI COUNTY, IN- A large multi-agency investigation which began in late 2024 has concluded after a 15-month effort targeting illicit narcotics, firearms, and U.S. currency. During the course of the investigation, more than 20 search warrants were executed across Howard, Grant, Miami, and Fulton counties. These search warrants resulted in the seizure of approximately 3,575 … Read more
Dr. Eric Laurence Smitt, 77, of Marion, formerly of Melbourne, Florida, passed away at 12:13 am on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Marion. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, February 21, 1948, to Morris and Sara (Brasloff) Smitt. On June 8, 1989, he married Sylvia F. Rubin Wortman, and … Read more
Russell L. Beckett, 87, of Marion, passed away at 3:13 pm on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Wesleyan Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Marion. He was born in Muses Mills, Kentucky, on Monday, October 31, 1938, to Archie and Virginia (Hinton) Beckett. On March 3, 1957, he married Priscilla Snyder, and she preceded him … Read more
Stephanie Lynn Rude, 46, of Marion, passed away at 11:03 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in Marion. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 29, 1979, to John and Janell (Bunch) Henderson. On January 14, 2008, she married Derrick Rude, who survives. Stephanie graduated from Mississinewa High School in 1997 and devoted her … Read more
Stevie Ray Brown, 77, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 4:48 am, Monday, February 2, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on February 22, 1948, in Wabash, Indiana, to Thomas Edward and Maralyn Mae (Rinearson) Brown. Steve married Nilsa Aviles at the First Baptist Church in Wabash on September … Read more
HUNTINGTON COUNTY, IN- A Medicolegal Death Investigation was conducted at the Huntington County Jail by the Indiana State Police and the Huntington County Coroner’s Office early Tuesday morning. Huntington County Confinement officers requested emergency response by first responders and EMS reference an inmate that was discovered hanging in his one man cell. The inmate, Kurtis … Read more
MIAMI COUNTY, IN – On January 26th, shortly before 9:00 p.m., Trooper Adam Kirk, along with other troopers from the Peru District and deputies from the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a report of a man requiring medical assistance. The individual was later identified as Adrian A. Arvizu, 38, of Argos, IN. Officers located … Read more
Frances “Fran” Stapleton, a beloved member of the community and a follower of her faith, passed away on February 2, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Born on September 17, 1961, in Fort Wayne, to Raymond F. and Naomi J. (Barbour) Stapleton, Fran dedicated her life to her family, career, and … Read more
Donovon “Donny” L. Blocher, born on December 4, 1951, to Ray and Lucile (Wray) Blocher, in Wabash, Indiana, passed away on February 2, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was 74 years old. A graduate of Manchester High School, class of 1970, Donny embarked on a diverse career path that … Read more
Donna Lynn Harmon, 74, of Wabash, Indiana, passed away at 1:50 p.m., on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at her residence. She was born on April 24, 1951, to William Burger and Jewell (Anderson) Butcher in Tennessee. Donna retired from United Technologies in Huntington, Indiana. She loved camping, hiking, the beach, and lighthouses. Most of all, … Read more