Hess Funeral Home and Cremation Services

01/10/2026

Elisabeth Hillman, 83, of LaGrange, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange, IN.

Elisabeth was born on May 21, 1942, in Germany. After completing grade school, she continued her education and earned both her certification and degree in Culinary Arts in Germany. On May 24, 1966, she married the love of her life, American soldier James Eugene Hillman, in Frankfurt, Germany.

Elisabeth devoted her life to hospitality and service through her passion for cooking. For 20 years, she managed and operated the LaGrange County Country Club. From 1980 to 1985, she owned and operated Liesel’s Gast Stube in LaGrange. She later worked for 23 years at the Golden Buddha on the Indiana-Michigan border, where she served guests and assisted in many roles throughout the restaurant.

A highly skilled chef, Elisabeth found great joy in preparing meals for others. She especially loved baking cakes and catering weddings. In her free time, she enjoyed knitting and reading. Elisabeth was known for her kind spirit, good nature, and ability to get along with everyone. Above all, she deeply loved her family.

Survivors include:

Spouse, James Hillman.

Daughter, Andrea and Henry James Repeta.

Daughter, Yvonne Hillman.

Son, Mark Hillman.

Grandchildren, Ellen (Matthew) Casciani, Nick (Cassie) Hillman, Zach Hillman, and Alexandria Hillman.

Great-grandchildren, Poppy, Claire, Bentley, Amelia, Jaxxon, and Luka.

Also surviving are a host of cousins.

Elisabeth was preceded in death by her brother, Heinz Nitsch.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 11:30am with visitation for the public from 10:30am-11:30am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 50 North 100 East, LaGrange, IN 46761.

Burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery following the funeral mass.

Officiating the services will be Fr. Raul Marroquin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the family for final expenses.

Arrangements and final care entrusted to Hess Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Fort Wayne, IN.

View Elisabeth Hillman's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/09/2026

Music can help us express our feelings in a way words alone often can’t, which is why personalizing the music at a funeral or celebration of life is so important. If your loved one grew up in the 1940s – or just loved 1940s music – here are 10 songs you can incorporate into their service.

Want to incorporate music from the 1940s in your loved one's celebration of life? Check out our list for 10 beautiful options.

01/06/2026

Tyler Keith Troxell, age 49, of LaGrange, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly January 5, 2026. Tyler entered the world on March 19, 1976, and immediately began perfecting his lifelong talents: being funny, witty, and always ready for a good time. If you ever found yourself in a room Tyler walked into, don’t worry, you noticed. Within minutes, he could capture the room, leaving everyone laughing, enjoying the moment, and waiting patiently (or not so patiently) for the next joke or some wonderfully useless, crazy piece of information.

Tyler was the proud father of Tayler, Tyler, and Sophia Troxell, whom he loved deeply. He was "Grandpa Mr. T or Boss man" to Aiden Po***ck and Kadence Todd. He was the beloved son of Gary and Vicki Troxell of LaGrange, Indiana, and the brother of Casey and (Dusty) Wilhelm of Hudson, Indiana. Tyler liked to refer to himself as the "pretty" Uncle to Cal and Mya Wilhelm.

Family meant everything to Tyler, and that love extended just as easily to his many friends and his best four-legged friend, Harley.

Tyler wore his emotions on his sleeve and always made sure you knew he had your back. He truly knew no strangers. His laughter, loyalty, and larger-than-life personality will be missed beyond measure, but the stories, smiles, and moments he gave us will live on, probably retold with a punchline he’d insist was important.

Tyler leaves behind a world that’s a little quieter, a little less funny, but forever better for having had him in it. We will have a Celebration of Life Open House on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 1:00pm-4:00pm at the LaGrange American Legion Post #215, 100 Industrial Parkway, LaGrange, IN 46761. Please be casually dressed, come and give your best shareable stories.

If you would like to contribute to his Memorial Account. You can contribute by using the numbers 8889 at Farmers State Bank.

Arrangements and final care entrusted to Hess Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Fort Wayne, IN.

View Tyler Troxell's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/06/2026

Did you know that cuddling not only makes you feel warmer, but it also releases oxytocin? This feel-good hormone helps reduce heart disease and lower blood pressure, stress, and anxiety. That’s a lot of benefits! So, grab your favorite cuddle partner - human or animal - and enjoy the day!

01/05/2026

01/02/2026

Grief shows up in all areas of our lives, including the workplace. If you have a grieving colleague, check out these helpful suggestions for offering support and encouragement at a time of loss.

Grief touches all parts of our lives, including the workplace. If you'd like to support a grieving colleague, check out these suggestions!

01/01/2026

We wish you a new year filled with new friends, new joys, new adventures, and new triumphs!

12/31/2025

The winter blues can be tough on mental health, but small acts of self-care can make a big difference! Here are some tips to help you through this season.

12/31/2025

Did you know that family-owned funeral homes often have better pricing and offer better family care and assistance throughout the funeral planning process? With us, you aren’t just a number – you’re a friend and neighbor with specific wants and needs for a meaningful service. To receive the kind of care you deserve following the loss of a loved one, contact us today.

12/26/2025

Jamie E. Woods, age 54, of Wolcottville, Indiana, passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Jamie was born on June 30, 1971, in Sturgis, Michigan, to Rick Woods and Connie (Cundiff) Woods. He attended Lakeland High School in LaGrange, Indiana. Jamie worked diligently for many years as a roofer in the R.V. industry, where he was known for his strong work ethic and dedication.

In his free time, Jamie enjoyed the outdoors. He found peace in fishing and kayaking and appreciated time spent in nature.

At this time, no services are scheduled. Cremation will take place.

Arrangements and care have been entrusted to Hess Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

View Jamie E. Woods's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/26/2025

There’s a lot to think about when you start estate planning! That’s why having a checklist can be so helpful. Read the article below to learn how you can make your own estate planning checklist.

Estate planning can be intimidating, but a checklist can help! Click here to learn how to make a personalized estate planning checklist.