FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Sept. 9, 2025 – When a loved one passes away, grief can be overwhelming and isolating. While each person experiences grief in their own way, getting support to understand your grief and find companionship with others can help you navigate your feelings and move forward.
Parkview Hospice counselors facilitate bereavement support groups across the region. Any community member who has experienced the loss of a loved one, recently or longer ago, and seeks a compassionate, supportive environment in which to heal is welcome to attend.
The groups focus on concepts in the book, “Understanding Your Grief,” by noted author, educator and grief counselor Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Wolfelt’s exploration of grief, self-compassion and practical steps toward healing has been a helpful guide for thousands of people nationwide.
Support group members will receive a free copy of the book, which they will read and discuss during the meetings as they explore the normal emotional responses to illness and death and ways to cope with loss.
Support group meeting times and locations
LaGrange County
4 – 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 16 – Nov. 18, at First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Michigan St., LaGrange.
Noble County
4 – 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 11 – Nov. 13, at the Kendallville Public Library, 221 S. Park Ave., Kendallville.
DeKalb County (two groups)
• 4 – 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Sept. 10 – Nov. 12, at Miller’s Merry Manor, 1367 S. Randolph St., Garrett
• 1 – 2:30 p.m. on Mondays, Sept. 8 – Nov. 10, at the Heimach Center, 1800 E. 7th St. in Auburn
Steuben County
• 1 – 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Sept. 10 – Nov. 12, at the Stroh Church of Christ, 4540 S. 1100 W., Hudson
At the church, enter door 2 and go to Room 208.
• The Angola group will not meet this fall but will resume in January 2026.
Whitley County
6 – 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept 11 – Nov. 13, at the Big Lake Church of God, 6955 State Road 109 N. in Columbia City. Call 260-373-9800 for information.
Experienced hospice social workers encourage group members on their grief journey. Rev. Ken Weaver, LCSW, LMFT, hospice chaplain, and Cathy Petrie, LCSW, MSW, bereavement counselor, have led support groups together in Noble and LaGrange counties for 16 years. Other helpful group leaders include Angela Beer-Walker, LCSW, hospice social worker; Amber White, LCSW, hospice social worker; HaEun “Sam” Cho, hospice chaplain; and Cathy Buckler, MSW, LSW, social work leader (Whitley County).
Participants in Understanding Your Grief meetings have commented that the group gave them a safe place to express their thoughts and equipped them with the tools to share their feelings with friends and family members so they feel less alone in their grief. Group leaders strive to create a warm, accepting, non-judgmental atmosphere. Participants may attend as often as they like.
For inquiries and enrollment in a LaGrange, Noble, DeKalb or Steuben group, call 800-292-9894. For the Whitley group, call 800-373-9800. Groups can also be arranged for Zoom or conference call format.
Bereavement support groups are also available on an ongoing basis in Allen and Huntington counties on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.
Allen County support group
5:30 – 7 p.m., PACH Conference Room at Parkview Randallia Hospital, 2200 Randallia Drive, Fort Wayne. Participants should use ground floor entrance 2 to access the PACH room.
Huntington County support group
5:30 – 7 p.m., Parkview Hospice, 2708 Guilford St., Huntington.
Participants should enter the Parkview Walk-In Clinic/Parkview Ortho Express in the Kroger Plaza. The meeting room is on the right.
For information about the Allen or Huntington County groups or other bereavement support, call 260-373-9800.
