Pinnington Funeral & Cremation Services

01/10/2026

Jason E. Ritchie, age 51, of Auburn, quietly slipped out the back door of this world on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Born on March 4, 1974, to Billy “Bill” and Lillian Ritchie, Jason arrived as the third child and only son. He was the long-awaited crown jewel, the tie breaker, and the one who would bravely attempt to fix anything with a motor, a plug, or a questionable rattle. Success was never guaranteed, but his patience was endless and his determination legendary, qualities he clearly inherited from parents who spent ten years trying to land the plane with a son and produced three children spaced neatly five years apart. From the very beginning, he carried a steady presence that made life feel a little more grounded for everyone around him.
A lifelong DeKalb County resident, Jason was a proud graduate of the DeKalb High School Class of 1992. He mastered the art of doing exactly what needed to be done, no more and no less, and he always carried a quiet smirk that suggested he knew something you did not.
Jason spent his working years doing what he did best. He showed up, worked hard, and never made a fuss about it. He put in time at Nucor Fasteners, Rieke Corporation, and most recently C&A Tool Engineering. He was known for his reliability, his steady determination, and a boundless patience with people, offered to those he loved and to the occasional soul who tested that patience so thoroughly it could have been considered an endurance sport.
Jason was also a faithful member of Auburn Presbyterian Church, where he once served as a deacon. His faith grounded him and connected him to a church family he genuinely cherished. He was never loud about his beliefs. Jason was not loud about much. Instead, he lived his faith with the same quiet consistency he brought to everything else.
He cherished time spent with his family. His devotion to his parents as their caregiver was one of the clearest expressions of his love. Jason also showed love through food. He smoked meats with the seriousness of a man preparing for a county fair competition. He guarded the family recipes like state secrets. He served as the unofficial historian of Ritchie folklore, retelling stories steeped in Appalachian roots with the perfect blend of accuracy, exaggeration, and charm.
Jason grew up cheering for Reds baseball. He rooted for Purdue Boilermakers basketball, partly to keep the household arguments lively. He remained a Pittsburgh Steelers loyalist to the very end rarely missing a chance to support his teams, and rarely missing a chance to rub it in your face when one of them beat yours. This was a spiritual gift he exercised with great enthusiasm and absolutely no remorse.
He also had a lifelong love affair with Jeep Wranglers. Jason owned more than one over the years, each one driven with the pride of a man who believed a vehicle should be both fun and capable of climbing a mountain if the mood struck, but the mood never struck because… dents or scratches.
Jason leaves behind his mother, Lillian Ritchie of Auburn. He also leaves behind his sisters, Tammy Corey of Wi******er, Virginia, and Laura Gerald of Amissville, Virginia. His nieces, Diedre Matheny, Anneke van Straten, Kyndall Gerald, Skyler Gerald, and Claire Gerald will forever miss his steady presence, his dry humor, and his ability to make a meal feel like a family reunion.
He was preceded in death by his father, Billy “Bill” Ritchie. Bill is no doubt thrilled to have Jason nearby again, the son shaped by his teachings returning to him like a story circling home through the hills, carrying the same boundless patience he once showed not only for broken things but for the people he loved.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Auburn Presbyterian Church, 112 West 12th Street, Auburn. Rev. David Lawrence will officiate. Burial will take place in the Jason Ritchie Cemetery in Knott County, Kentucky. It is a fitting resting place for a man who carried his Appalachian heritage with pride.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Parkview Hospice.
Jason lived simply, loved quietly, and worked hard. He never needed attention to make an impact. He will be remembered for his loyalty, his grit, his storytelling, his smoked meats, his unwavering sports loyalties, and the way he made the people around him feel steady and safe.

01/06/2026

Erma J. Wappes, 89, of Auburn, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Betz Nursing Home in Auburn.
Erma was born on June 11, 1936, in Auburn, to Angeline and Louis Muzzillo. She spent her life rooted in the community she loved, surrounded by family, faith, and friends.
On September 6, 1958, Erma married the love of her life, Max Wappes, in Auburn. Together they shared many years of marriage until Max preceded her in death. Erma was a devoted member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where her faith guided her throughout her life.
Erma will be lovingly remembered by her son, Mark Wappes and his companion, Dana Robbins, of Auburn; her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Dennis Arnold, of Auburn; five grandchildren, Adam Arnold, Andrew Arnold, Kyle Wappes, Nathan Fredrick and Alyssa Zerns; and eight great-grandchildren, who brought her immense joy; and her brother, Pete Muzzillo, of Auburn.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Max Wappes; a daughter, Donna Fredrick; her parents, Angeline and Louis Muzzillo; brothers, Ralph, Stanley, Art, and Louis Muzzillo; and sisters, Sue Kelly, Louise Shanabarger, and Marge Weaver.
Visitation for Erma will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Pinnington Funeral & Cremation Services, 502 N. Main Street, Auburn.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, with visitation one hour prior, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 500 E. Seventh Street, Auburn. Father Drew Curry will officiate. Burial will follow in Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Auburn.
Memorial donations may be made in Erma’s memory to Masses or the American Diabetes Association.

01/06/2026

We highly recommend the movie "The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet" for children and families grieving. After losing a twin from a tragic accident, young T.S. Spivet goes on a journey to Washington D.C. On his adventure, he learns how to begin healing and helps his family grieve the loss of their son.

Have you seen the movie? What did you think?

01/05/2026

Thomas E. Shawver, 76, of Auburn, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Betz Nursing Home in Auburn.
Tom was born on July 22, 1949, in Portland, Indiana, to Worley and Mabel Shawver. He spent his working years employed in various factories, most recently retiring from Tower Automotive in 2015. In addition to his factory work, Tom was a barber for many years. He owned his own barbershop in Auburn and later cut hair from his home, a vocation he truly loved. Through his work as a barber, Tom built lifelong friendships and connections within the community.
Tom was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Auburn. He was known for his friendly, outgoing nature and his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone. Always quick with a joke, Tom brought laughter wherever he went. He was deeply caring and compassionate, continually striving to better himself, qualities that earned him the respect and affection of many friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lou Shawver of Auburn; his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Rob Schultz of Trumbull, Connecticut; his son, Adam Shawver of Auburn; his granddaughter, Talon Schultz of Trumbull, Connecticut; and his sisters, Virginia Trimbach and Sandi Talbott; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Wanda Fullenkamp; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Fullenkamp.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Worley and Mabel Shawver, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Modana and Coletta Fullenkamp.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Pinnington Funeral & Cremation Services, 502 N. Main Street, Auburn. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 500 E. Seventh Street, Auburn, with Father Drew Curry officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Eckhart Public Library or to the donor’s choice. Burial will take place at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in Auburn at a later date.

01/01/2026

12/26/2025

Who are you grateful to have in your life and why?

12/22/2025

Betty A. Collins, 86, of Auburn, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Auburn Village.
Betty was born on September 19, 1939, in Pennington Gap, Virginia, the daughter of the late Rex and Willie Sarver.
She worked as a practical nurse at the Garrett Hospital in Garrett, where she greatly enjoyed caring for others. After leaving the hospital, Betty was employed at Ball Brass Aluminum in Auburn for 13 years.
Betty was a faithful member of Auburn Baptist Church and cherished her church family. She had a deep love for her husband, Carl, who preceded her in death, and found her greatest joy in spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was well known for making Christmas candy to share with church members and friends. Betty also enjoyed visiting with her neighbors, sharing stories of the past, and took great pride and joy in mowing her yard.
She is survived by her children, Debra (Larry) Kimmel of Auburn, Gloria (Carl) Hansen of Auburn, Michael Collins of Auburn, and Karen (Kevin) Likes of Auburn; grandchildren, Julie Kimmel, Bryan Kimmel, Christopher (Daniel) Hansen, Christopher Collins, Megan (Allen) Sexton, Chase (Yoon) Likes, Garrett Likes, Chandler (Keirston) Likes, and Reagan Likes; and great-grandchildren, Mae Kimmel, Gavin Sexton, Drake Sexton, Addison Sexton, Madalynn Sexton, and Charlotte Snider.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Carl Collins; her parents; and her siblings, Charles Sarver, Billy Sarver, Jennie Engle, and Bobbie Jo Garrett.
A service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Pinnington Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 502 N. Main Street, Auburn, with visitation from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service. Pastor Bill Weaver will officiate. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Auburn.
Memorial donations may be made to Auburn Baptist Church or the DeKalb Humane Society.

12/19/2025

"For what it's worth: It's never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you're proud of, and if you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start over." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

What are you proud of in your life?

12/17/2025

Rory Grams, 63, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Rory was born on September 2, 1962, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Rory worked as a flagger for road construction projects with Area Wide Protection, where he was known for his dedication and strong work ethic.
In his free time, Rory enjoyed riding motorcycles, listening to rock music, and playing his bass guitar. His cat, Sophie, was his constant companion and best friend. Rory had a deep love for God and cherished the time he spent with his family.
He is survived by his daughter, Megan Grams of Fort Wayne; his granddaughter, Octavia Grams of Fort Wayne; and his brother, Marty Grams of Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Casey and Mary Grams, and his sister, Tracy Grams.
In keeping with Rory’s wishes, no services will be held.

12/16/2025

Lynn D. Moore, 75, of Auburn, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025.
Lynn was born on October 28, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois, a daughter of the late Victor and Alice Moore.
She was a 1968 graduate of Munster High School and later earned her degree in accounting from Ball State University. Lynn spent 18 years as an accounting executive with Meijer before retiring. Following her retirement, she continued to stay active by working at the Auburn Home Depot beginning in 2017.
Lynn had a deep love for fishing. After retiring, she moved to Northeast Indiana to enjoy the many lakes that allowed her to pursue her favorite pastime.
She is survived by her sister, Vicki Fleming of Auburn; her nephew, James Rorer of Washington, D.C.; and her great-nieces, Katharine Rorer of Washington, D.C., and Ellie (Corrine) Rorer of Chesapeake, Virginia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Alice Moore, and her nephew, Chris Rorer.
Visitation for Lynn will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Pinnington Funeral Home, 502 N. Main Street, Auburn.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. CST on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, 8178 S. Cline Avenue, Crown Point, Indiana. Burial will follow in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.

12/14/2025

The importance of memorialization to the living has been noted in nearly every culture throughout history. Learn more about this vital tradition.

12/08/2025

James D. “Jim” Hodge, 71, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center. He was born on March 3, 1954, in Garrett, Indiana.
Jim proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps and later continued to share his skills and discipline as a shooting range instructor. An avid outdoorsman, he had a deep love for guns, shooting, and hunting. He also enjoyed riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and took great pride in his 100th Anniversary Harley-Davidson, serial number 1050. Known for his talents in the kitchen, Jim was also a skilled and enthusiastic cook.
Jim was deeply devoted to caring for his family’s cemetery, Mott Cemetery. Tending to it meant everything to him, and he took meticulous pride in ensuring it was always well maintained.
A journeyman electrician by trade, Jim worked at Saint Anne Home and Retirement Community, where he was valued for his dedication and craftsmanship.
He is survived by his wife, Marcella Hodge of Fort Wayne; daughter, Roberta “Bobbie” Hodge of Fort Wayne; brother, Eric (Vicki) Hodge of Midlothian, Virginia; sister, Elaine (Larry) Bolinger of Corunna; and grandchildren, Kai Fyock and Atehaia Fyock, both of South Carolina.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, Robert H. Hodge, and his mother, Lois Anne Winget.
A graveside service for Jim will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Mott Cemetery in Auburn.