Obituaries

Elma L. Brewer

March 25, 1931 to October 29, 2019

KNOX - Elma Lou Brewer, 88, of Winamac (formerly of San Pierre), passed away Tuesday, Oct. 29, in Winamac, surrounded by her family who kept a loving vigil for the past several weeks.

She was born March 25, 1931 in Salyersville, Ky., the daughter of the late RB and Betty Stevens Hale.

Surviving are sons Lloyd (Kathy) Brewer of Westville, John (Denise) Brewer of Morton, Ill., and Chris (Terri) Brewer of Plymouth; daughter, Tina Barnett of Winamac; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Don (Jackie) Hale of Winamac, Arnold Hale of Springfield, Mo.; and sister, Faye Back of Winamac.

She was preceded in death by brothers James, Billie, RB, Myrl and John Hale, and sister Mary Calbrese.

Mrs. Brewer enjoyed gardening and her flowers. She never missed a John Wayne movie and was even know to stay up to the early morning watching his movies. She enjoyed her country music, especially Conway Twitty. Her greatest passion, beside her salt-and-pepper collecting, was her family. She loved to read books to her grandchildren and spend time with her family. She worked as a cook, before her retirement, for Little Company of Mary and Pulaski Health Care Center.

Friends will be received from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (CT), Friday, Nov. 1, at the at the Braman & Son Memorial Chapel, Knox. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., Friday, at the memorial chapel, with Rev. Eddie Trusty officiating. Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery, North Judson.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Nancy C. Stone

April 3, 1940 to October 25, 2019

KNOX - Nancy Catherine Stone, 79, of Indianapolis (formerly of Monterey), passed away Friday, Oct. 25, at Brownsburg Memorial, Indianapolis.

She was born Wednesday, April 3, 1940 in LaPorte, at Holy Family Hospital, and was adopted by the late Lawrence "Curley" and Pauline Tanner Hall. She married Stephen Stone on June 7, 1959 in Knox. He preceded her on Dec. 15, 2011.

Survivors include sons, Richard (Cheryl) Stone of Medaryville, and Stephen (Deana) Stone of Indianapolis; Daughter, Shelly (Heather) Stone of Indianapolis; five grandchildren, April Stone of Indianapolis, Brandi (Ryan) Hurd of Rensselaer, Jordan Stone of Indianapolis, Tori (Noah) Wilson of Pensacola, Fla. and Caleb Stone of Indianapolis; and three great-grandchildren, Dreygon Hurd, Stephen Orion Stone and Samzon Hurd. Also surviving are four siblings, brother, Pete (Diana) Hall of Knox; and sisters, Judy (Wilgus) Puckett of Knox, Nettie (Arnold) Hale of Springfield, Mo., and Ginger Turney of Monterey.

She was preceded in death by her brother Larry Hall.

Mrs. Stone loved her family very much and was a great homemaker. She loved to cook and bake. She also was very active in her church as a Sunday School teacher, and in the choir as she loved to sing, and she was just a great helper where needed. She will be missed by many.

Friends will be received 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturday, Nov. 2, at Liberty Baptist Church in Indianapolis, with a celebration of life service following at 12 noon at the church. A graveside service will be at 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 4, at Riverside Cemetery, Monterey. Interment will follow.

Braman & Son Memorial Chapel of Knox is in charge of arrangements.

Shirley A. Williams

March 9, 1950 to November 14, 2019

WINAMAC - Shirley A. Williams, 69, of Winamac, passed away at 4:32 a.m.,Thursday, Nov. 14, at Ascension St. Vincent Carmel Hospital.

She was born March 9, 1950 in Knox, to the late Ernest B. and Florence C. Thompson. She was a graduate of Knox High School.

She is survived by:
John H. Williams, Winamac, Husband
Frank Thompson, Elkhart, Son
Terry Howerton, Lafayette, Son
Toby Williams, Winamac, Son
3 Grandchildren: Justin, Daniel and Emma
2 Great-Grandchildren: Peyton and Noah

Preceded in death by:
Atheleen P. Thomas, Step-Mother

Mrs. Williams was the owner of Diamond Lil's in Winamac, alongside her husband. She enjoyed cooking and visiting with her patrons. She was an avid collector of many unique items. She also enjoyed traveling and visiting her granddaughter, Emma, on the lake as often as possible.
She was full of personality and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A celebration of life will be from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov.17, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, followed by a Gathering at Diamond Lil's.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary.

Janice A. Grubbs

October 25, 1953 to November 12, 2019

WINAMAC - Janice A. "Jan" Grubbs, 66, of Winamac, passed away at 3:55 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born Oct. 25, 1953 in LaPorte,  to the late Elgy and Mary Irene Dolan Lawton. She graduated from North Liberty High School in 1972. On March 7, 1973, she married James L. "Jim" Grubbs in Knox. He survives.

She is also survived by:
Edward L. "Ed" (Kylie) Grubbs, Star City, Son
Michelle A. (Brian) Browning, Star City, Daughter
Cierra Grubbs, Granddaughter
Ashlee Grubbs, Granddaughter
Hunter Browning, Grandson
Olivia Browning, Granddaughter
Harlow Titus, Great-Granddaughter
Gracie Clapper, Sister
Jeanne Davis, Sister
James Lawton, Brother
Alfred Lawton, Brother
Vernon Lawton, Brother
George Lawton, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Patty Lawton, Sister

Mrs. Grubbs was retired from Sanders Grocery, Winamac, where she worked in the deli for 24 years. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and adult coloring books. She also enjoyed playing cards and BINGO, as well as going to the casino. She loved her family very much, especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

No services will be held.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Ernie D. Armstrong Jr.

April 23, 1960 to November 9, 2019

ROYAL CENTER - Ernie D. Armstrong, Jr., 59, of Winamac passed away unexpectedly at 12:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at his residence.

He was born April 23, 1960 at St. Joseph Hospital in Logansport.

Survivors include his son, Zach (Ashley) Armstrong; his partner, Vickie Kaczmarek and her daughter, Rhiannon Armstrong of Winamac; grandsons, Nathaniel and Jackson Armstrong. He is also survived by all past and present members of the ISIS Theater staff which he highly regarded as loved ones and family.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Joseph Armstrong; father, Ernest D. Armstrong Sr.; and son, Ernest D. Armstrong III.

Mr. Armstrong was a 1979 Winamac Community High School graduate. In his own words, he “beat on cars and showed shadows on the wall,” working at Goble GM in Winamac, and owning/operating the ISIS Theater in Winamac. He had many passions in life, including repairing and collecting vehicles, as well as providing endless entertainment through the ISIS theater. He also enjoyed collecting antiques, visiting swap meets and hunting. He believed in a strong family bond, and most loved spending time with his two grandsons, which allowed him to once again be a big kid himself.

A graveside service will be at 11a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at Winamac Cemetery with a gathering to follow.

Memorial donations may be made to the Ernest D. Armstrong III Scholarship Fund in c/o the Community Foundation of Pulaski County.

Please sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence for the Armstrong family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center.

Elsie M. Short

July 12, 1931 to November 4, 2019

WINAMAC - Elsie M. Short, 88, of Winamac, passed away peacefully at 8:15 a.m., Monday, Nov. 4, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born July 12, 1931 in Marion, to the late Rev. V. Kenneth and Alice Earle Brown. She married Warren D. Short on Aug. 24, 1951. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by:
Evelyn R. (Bernard) Regier, Newton, KS, Daughter
Leonard M. (Carol) Short, Winamac, Son
Leonard W. Short, Grandson
Jacob K. Short, Grandson
Abigail E. Regier, Granddaughter
Gretchen R. (Kailas) Chapman, Granddaughter
Bernard K. Regier, Grandson
Michelle A. (Tim) Bowyer, Granddaughter
Natalie L. Shidler, Granddaughter
17 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Grandson
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Bryan Jeff Shidler, Grandson
Rev. V. Kenneth Brown, Jr., Brother
Rev. David Brown, Brother

When she was four years old, Mrs. Short’s father contracted tuberculosis, and he lived in a sanitarium for four years. It was a difficult time for the entire family. They remained in Berlinville, OH where her father was a pastor at Berlinsville Friends Church. In 1949, the family moved to Arba, IN when her father accepted the pastorate at Arba Friends Church. In that same year, she met Warren D. Short whose family also attended  the Arba church. Warren's mother encouraged him to ask Elsie out, and so he did. She was attending Marion College at that time. The couple later married with Elsie's father presiding. They then moved to Franklin. She continued h her education at Franklin College until their children were born.

Mrs. Short supported her husband in his work as Purdue Extension Agent in Johnson, Blackford and Grant counties. In 1960, the couple accepted a call to the mission field to serve as agricultural missionaries in Kenya, East Africa for eight years. Mrs. Short thrived in this beautiful country and threw herself entirely into the mission work. She led the choir at the Kaimosi Bible School for one year, home-schooled her children for one year, and spent weekends doing church visitation and ministry at remote villages. As an educator, she enriched her family's lives with bird and wildlife watching; raising exotic pets, including a Colobus monkey; and planning many exciting vacations in the African bush. She worked with her husband in establishing the Farmer's Training Center at Lugari, Kenya where they hosted many meals for visiting government officials.

The Shorts returned to Indiana in 1968. She returned to Marion College where she resumed religious studies and received the Outstanding Student of the Year Award. In 1970, they moved to Winamac, where she served as the mental health assistant director for Pulaski County. She also worked at the Pulaski County Public Library and was a volunteer with the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She served as Nazarene Mission Committee chairman, Methodist Mission Committee chairman and led Bible study for her Sunday school class. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Winamac and a lifetime member of the Arba Friends Church.

Mrs. Short's last years were spent as a resident of the Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac where she led an active life, busy with activities and visiting with other residents. This last summer, she was in charge of the flower program with the staff of the nursing home, which brought her much joy. The staff and residents will greatly miss her. Her lifetime commitment was to serve the Lord and her family. Her memory will be treasured by her family and by all those whom her life touched.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at Arba Friends Church (10632 S. Arba Pike Lynn, IN 47355) with Rev. Gene Moser officiating. Burial willbe at Arba Friends Church Cemetery in Lynn, IN. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Warren, at the place where it all began for them.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mission Program at Arba Friends Church or Winamac First United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.