Sharon E. Klinedinst
December 8, 1939 - March 24, 2021
Sharon E. Klinedinst, 81, of South Bend, passed from this earthly realm comfortably and with grace on March 24, in her beloved villa at Southfield Village.
Sharon was born on Dec. 8, 1939, in Denver, Ind. to the late Everett and Irene Ream.
She was a 1957 graduate of Walkerton High School, a 1961 graduate of Indiana State University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in music and performed in numerous operas and musicals. In 1975 she earned her Master of Science degree in education from Indiana University.
On June 17, 1961, Sharon was united in marriage at the Walkerton United Methodist Church to Kenny Klinedinst, who preceded her in death in 2019. During their 58-year marriage, she taught music for one year at Lapaz School prior to joining John Glenn School Corporation in 1968, where she taught elementary school music. Years later, she became the FIRST Director of Technology for JGSC until her retirement in 1998. In 1985, she was named Corporation Teacher of the Year. In addition to teaching music in the schools, Sharon taught private piano instruction in her home for 50+ years. For decades, she directed the Walkerton Community choir and served as music director at the Walkerton United Methodist Church. Her school children’s choirs performed on various stages and experienced extraordinary opportunities under her tutelage. It would be a hard pressed endeavor to find a child from Walkerton from that era who was not influenced by “Mrs. Klinedinst’s” dedication to children in the arts.
Sharon’s goals were “to continually discover, learn and grow to become the person God intended for me to be and to share with others any knowledge, skills and attitudes I have gained through performing, teaching and leading”. Indeed, she did. She was a lifetime member of Sigma Alpha Iota, national music fraternity for women; a member of Kappa Delta Pi, National Education Association, Indiana State Teachers’ Association, as well as a member of the Music Educators’ National Conference, and the Walkerton chapters of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, and the Order of the Eastern Star.
Having spent many years dedicated to her career, Sharon thoroughly savored retirement by traveling, visiting her son’s family in Tennessee, frequently engaging in tastings at her favorite cheese shoppes, and participating in Bingo and ice cream socials at “the big house” at Southfield Village. From the age of 75, her absolute jubilance and delight was achieved while singing with The Ripple Effect Vocal Visionary Project, Inc, with whom she radiated as a soloist both locally and on annual tours. Referred to as “choir mom”, she exemplified the love and acceptance mission of the organization through leading by example. A pivotal and shining achievement with the group culminated in December of 2019 when Sharon relished the moment of a lifetime to perform in Stern Auditorium at the world renowned Carnegie Hall.
Sharon is survived by her two children, Sherry Klinedinst of South Bend, and Mike (Martha) Klinedinst of Crossville, Tenn.; three granddaughters, Chloe, Katie and Carly; a sister, Jeanie Poston; a brother, Dennis (Robin) Ream, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place at Walkerton United Methodist Church,1000 Georgia St. on March 31, 4-7 p.m. EST. Due to current public health and safety standards for COVID-19, social distancing will be enforced and masks required.
A brief graveside service will be held April 1 at 12 p.m. EST at Woodlawn Cemetery, US-6, Walkerton. A celebration of life filled with music, memories, and all things “cheese” will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Sharon’s honor may be directed to The Ripple Effect Vocal Visionary Project, Inc. at https://www.rippleeffectchoir. org/make-a-donation, or Center for Hospice Care at https://foundationforhospice.org/donate/.
To leave on-line condolences please refer to her obituary at rannellsfuneralhome.com.
Max Edwin Haag October 5, 1929 – March 26, 2021
SOUTH BEND – Max Edwin Haag, 91, of South Bend, passed away 12:55 a.m., Friday, March 26, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. He was born Oct. 5, 1929 in Plymouth, to Byron and Bertha (Lautzenhiser) Haag. On June 10, 1954, in Plymouth, he married Dorothy (Hankes) Haag and she survives.
Max was a teacher at New Prairie School Corporation for 41 years retiring in 1989 where he was editor of the yearbook for 25 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 297, VFW, Delta Pi Epsilon Fraternity, National Education Association, Indiana State Retired Teachers, St. Joseph County Retired Teachers, and a receptionist for the American Red Cross in South Bend. He was a Sargent in the United States Army serving overseas during the Korean War. Max also was a freelance photographer.
Survivors include his wife Dorothy of South Bend; daughter, Tina and husband Jim Ruth of South Bend; daughter, Catherine Harwood of Peru; daughter, Cynthia Haag of South Bend. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Christopher Vlach, Bethany Heimbach, Jessica White, Brent Jankowski, eleven great grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Max was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Ned Haag to whom he was very close.
The family of Max would like to extend a special thank you to Memorial Hospital and Heart to Heart Hospice for their excellent care and concern.
A private family graveside service will be held on Tuesday at Swan Lake Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Michigan City with Rev. Ron Mummert officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the American Red Cross, 220 W. Colfax Ave #510, South Bend, Ind. 46601 or Heart to Heart Hospice, 620 W. Edison Rd. #122, Mishawaka, Ind. 46545. Palmer Funeral Homes – Guisinger Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the Haag family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Charles O. Lawrence October 13, 1940 - March 21, 2021
KOONTZ LAKE – Charles O. “Chuck” Lawrence passed away on Sunday March 21, at Trail Point Village, South Bend following an illness. He was born on Oct. 13, 1940 in Chicago to the late Herbert and Crystal (Del Morse) Lawrence, and was 80 years-old at the time of his death.
Chuck lived in the area most of his life. On Oct. 20, 1962 he married the love of his life, Gail Reid, in Walkerton. Together they spend 55 wonderful years together. Gail preceded his death on May 18, 2018, and this was a loss that Chuck never quite recovered from.
He retired from NIPSCO after over 30 + faithful years as an electrician. Chuck worked his way up from mechanic, to crane operator, then gas maintenance, and finally substation electrician. All of this while studying and getting certified for these positions. Chuck was a member of the Koontz Lake Fire Dept. where he served over 50 years and was the Chief for many years. He also served his community by working for Starke County EMS for many years. He was a member of the North Liberty Masonic Lodge #266, was an avid outdoorsman that loved to hunt and fish, and was the original Macgyver who could fix anything!
Chuck is survived by his four children Butch and Sharon Lawrence of Koontz Lake, Kelly Lawrence of Sequim, Wash., Jodi Snedeker of Plymouth, and Jack Lawrence of Nappanee; seven grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents and wife. Funeral Services will be at 2 EDT Friday, April 2 at the Rannells Funeral Home, Koontz Lake Chapel. Visiting hours will be from 5 to 8 EDT Thursday, April 1 and from 1 p.m. until the time of the Funeral, also at the Funeral Home.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Koontz Lake Fire Dept. Immediately following the service at the grave site, everyone is invited to go to Koontz Lake Missionary Church where a meal will be provided. To leave on condolences visit rannellsfuneralhome.com. at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.