Hess Funeral Home and Cremation Services

08/26/2026

Veleria Monique Carlisle, age 70, of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at her residence. She was born on July 12, 1956, in Chicago, IL, to the late Alfred and Betty (Jackson) Carlisle.

Veleria graduated from Heritage High School in Fort Wayne. She was a devoted homemaker and mother who cherished her family. She enjoyed drawing, shopping, walking, singing and spending time outdoors, especially riding bikes.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Shanitra Carlisle and Sylvia Giddens; grandchildren, Quiane (Kristian) Crews, Nastasia Crews, Lloyd Jr. (Alexis) Crews, Shacreia Crews, Nevaeh McKing, Isaiah Carlisle, Lacarreon Crews, Joey Crews, Jalen Crews, Marque Hill, Shaconna Giddens, Tacori Giddens, Zakiyren Giddens, Aries Swapshire, and Aerielle Swapshire; great-grandchildren, Adrian Crews, Rylan Crews, Kamiah Crews, Jabreen Crews, King Crews, Kamir Crews, Lovelyn Crews, Simya Moore, Niala Giddens, Amyah Banguil, Kameron Banguil, Ashton Giddens,, Mya Giddens, Anna Giddens; two siblings; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loved ones.

Veleria was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings.

There are no services scheduled at this time. Cremation will take place.

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

You raised us in the love of the Lord, Teaching us to trust His holy Word. You showed us kindness, grace, and light, And led our hearts to what is right.

Your gentle prayers, your faithful way, Still guide our hearts from day to day. Though tears may fall and hearts may ache, God’s precious promises will never break.

The Lord has called you home above, Wrapped forever in His endless love. Though we must walk this road apart, You’ll always live within our hearts.

We hold to hope, so strong and true, Of Heaven’s gates we’ll one day view. When Christ returns with trumpet’s sound, May we all in His grace be found.

Until that day, we’ll carry on, Trusting God from dusk till dawn. We’ll meet again beyond all care, When the Lord calls us in the air.

So rest in peace, your race is won; Your faithful servant’s crown is done. We’ll cherish all you gave so freely, And love you now—and through eternity.

View Veleria Monique Carlisle's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/24/2026

08/21/2026

Charles Allen Boyd, age 85, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at his residence.

There are no services scheduled at this time and upon Mr. Boyd's wishes, cremation will take place.

Private interment will take place at a later date.

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

View Charles Allen Boyd's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/21/2026

The more personal a funeral service is, the more meaningful it will be for the entire family. To help your family brainstorm possible ways to create a truly one-of-a-kind final goodbye, check out this list of 10 ideas to consider. And if you don't find something that feels right, this list is only the beginning. We're happy to sit down with you and come up with even more ideas to create the perfect sendoff.

To be meaningful and healing, a funeral must be personal. Check out this article for 10 ideas to create a truly unique final tribute.

08/19/2026

JC (Conger) Sloan, age 62, passed away on August 18, 2026, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. JC was born in Geneva, NY on July 8, 1964, to Gloria (Kinney) Niles and Stanley Conger. After high school, she graduated from Bryant & Stratton College with a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Throughout her life, JC was known to have a huge care-giving soul. She volunteered at St. Andrews Soup Kitchen in Fort Wayne for many years. In fact, a manager of the Soup Kitchen said, “JC was one of the best volunteers there.” But her role as care giver did not end there; she dedicated her life to providing care to her children, grandchildren, and anyone who needed it.

JC is survived by a daughter, Brandy (Wesley) Pruitt; a son, Corey (Amanda) Sloan; and a daughter, Shanna Sloan. She also leaves behind a grandson, Noah (Tatyana) Sloan; a granddaughter, Tanya (Landon) Vernon; a granddaughter, Alexis Pritchard; a grandson, Shayden Sloan; and a granddaughter, Navaya Sloan. She also leaves behind two great-grandchildren, Willow Kelsey and Atticus Sloan. Seven brothers, two sisters, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews also survive.

Preceding JC in death were her parents, Gloria (Kinney) Niles and Stanley Conger.

A visitation will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Hess Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 7633 Maplecrest Road, Fort Wayne, IN. A memorial service will begin at 5:00 p.m., following the visitation.

The service will be officiated by Donnie Foster of Misfits Ministry in Fort Wayne, IN.

Memorial donations may be directed to Misfits Ministry (Venmo: -ministry) or St. Andrew’s Soup Kitchen.

To sign the online guestbook or to share a memory, visit www.hessfuneralhome.com or find us on Facebook.

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

View JC Sloan's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/19/2026

After losing someone you love, you’ll have to make dozens of decisions, but you don’t have to do everything on your own.

With our tight-knit staff by your side, you will not only receive the best professional care possible, but you will be known by name and your every need will be heard and addressed. You can count on it!

To learn more about us, go to the staff page at www.hessfuneralhome.com/about-us/our-staff or stop by to visit with us in-person!

08/19/2026

Asuzeta Margarita Suarez Figueroa, age 79, of Goshen, IN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange, IN.

Asuzeta was born on February 12, 1947, in Porlamar, Venezuela, to the late Ildefonzo Suarez and Maria Figueroa. She graduated from high school and went on to devote her life to being a loving mother and grandmother.

Asuzeta was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Goshen, IN. She enjoyed reading the Bible, cooking, and spending time on Facebook. Above all, she cherished her family and the time she spent with those she loved.

Survivors include her daughter, Maria Suarez (Luis Mata); and grandson, Fabian Mata.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Adriana Suarez, Bruan Suarez, Luis Suarez, Ildefonzo Suarez, Humberto Suarez, and Victor Suarez.

There are no services scheduled at this time. Interment will take place in Venezuela at a later date.

To sign the online guestbook or share a memory, please visit www.hessfuneralhome.com or find us on Facebook.

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

View Asuzeta Margarita Suarez Figueroa's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/19/2026

Jann Marie Janda, 68, of Ligonier, Indiana, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026. Jann was born in Watseka, Illinois, and raised in Kankakee, Illinois with her twin sister Jill by their amazing parents, Inez and Royal Schroeder. She was proudly the mom of six children, and beloved owner of Gibbs, the Australian Shepherd. Jann lived life fully, always there to help her children when they needed her most. She worked hard in many roles for multiple trucking companies, from transportation manager to operations manager, service team coordinator, assistant terminal manager/dispatch manager, and in her final role as dispatch manager of Ag Trucking.

Beloved mom of her six children, Aaron (Crystal) Pieri, Ethan (Anna) Pieri, Natasha (Greg) Rasmussen, Steven Janda, Corrinne Janda, and Jacob Janda. Beloved grandma to Hayden, Alexis, Lilly, Garrett, Melanie, Jeremiah, Charisma, Eve, Fiona, Gwyneth, Caleb, Brandon, Jemma, and Jaxon. Great grandma to Elena, Jalen, Naomi, and Landyn.

She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Jill Schroeder-Campbell in April 2022, and her loving parents, Inez Jane Schroeder in January of 1991, and Royal Walter Schroeder in May of 1998.

Jann was loved by so many, and will be remembered for her razor-sharp wit, her resilience, for always taking on a challenge headfirst, for being dedicated to her job, her love of her animals, of coffee, baking, her garden, and most important, her love of her children. She will be missed dearly and remembered always.

A celebration of Jann's life will take place on August 30, 2026, at Dallas Lake Park Lodge, 505 West 700 South Wolcottville, Indiana 46795 from 1p.m. - 6p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption in LaGrange, Indiana, in honor of Jann's love of animals, or donor's choice.

To sign the online guestbook or to share a memory, visit www.hessfuneralhome.com or find us on facebook.

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

View Jann Marie Janda's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/17/2026

Today is the perfect day to give pre-loved items a second chance. Step into your favorite thrift shop and discover fashion, home goods, and memories waiting to be made!