Obituaries
Dorothy M. Morgan
January 6, 1932 to April 25, 2019
FRANCESVILLE - Dorothy M. Morgan, 87, of Francesville, passed away at 4:07 a.m., Thursday April 25, in Indianapolis.
She was born Jan. 6, 1932 in South Bend, to the late Arthur "Jim" and Gladys Burkett Davis. She was a 1950 graduate of Monterey High School. On June 30, 1956 she married Glenn Morgan in Francesville. He died Nov. 21, 1994.
She is survived by:
Janice (Jim) Vollmer, Indianapolis, Daughter
Bruce Morgan, Francesville, Son
Bob Morgan, Lebanon, Son
9 Grandchildren
14 Great Grandchildren
Preceded in death by:
Jorene Morgan Daughter
Jack Davis, Brother
Jim Davis, Brother
David Davis, Brother
Mrs. Morgan loved her family, faith and community. She was an active member of the First Christian Church of Francesville. She especially enjoyed mission trips and vacation Bible school. She had served with the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary since 1964 and served as president for six years. She was Midwest chairman for two years and was honored as the Midwest Auxiliary Person of the Year. She also dedicated her time and talents as the gift shop chairperson at Pulaski Memorial Hospital for two years. She was also a former member of the Pulaski County Human Services Board of Directors. She was a co-chair (with Rosie Pfledderer) of the Francesville Fall Festival Citizen of the Year Committee and was overjoyed and humbled to be selected as Citizen of the Year in 2000. She was a member of the Francesville American Legion Auxiliary and was a charter member of the Red Hats. She also had served on the Community Foundation of Pulaski County Board.
Mrs. Morgan was an amazing homemaker and filled her home with love for anyone who visited. She and her husband opened and operated a flower shop in Francesville. She worked in the florist industry for 24 years. She leveraged every talent she had and poured her heart into cooking, quilting, flower arranging and spending time with her family and friends. She doted on her cat, Meow and cherished her time with him. She had an adventurous bucket list and accomplished a lot. During her lifetime she went on a hot air balloon ride, skydiving at the age of 80, and at the age of 82, she rode 180mph in a NASCAR car ride at Kentucky Raceway. At the age of 87 she flew alone to Seattle, Washington to visit family. She lived an amazing life!
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, April 29, at Francesville Christian Church, Francesville. The funeral Service will follow at 2 p.m., Monday, at the church with Jim Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.
Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or First Christian Church of Francesville.
Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville.
Leroy Rater
June 5, 1954 to April 22, 2019
HAMLET - Leroy “Big Mac” Rater, 64, Medaryville, passed away Monday, April 22, at his home.
He was born June 5, 1954 in Winamac, to Leroy “Roy” and Virginia (Schultz) Rater and lived in the area all of his life. On May 28, 1983 in Medaryville, he married Susie Shepperd. She survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Tina Cantu of Iowa, Carrie Oliver and Jenny Rater, both of Rensselaer; three sons, Philip Rater of Medaryville, Leroy “Little Mac” Rater of Michigan City and Kanyon Whitrock of Medaryville; 22 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Jeannie Nelson of Logansport, Gerri Rater of Winamac, Linda Kucera of Bourbon and Peggy Riddle of Akron.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert.
Mr. Rater was a member of Souls Harbor Church of North Judson. He owned and operated Leroy’s Tree Service. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and basketball fan. He was a true man of God who would drop everything to help anyone, including being a missionary for inmates at the county jails and feeding the homeless across the U.S.
Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m., Friday, at Souls Harbor Church, North Judson; and Saturday one hour prior to the service. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. (ET), Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the church. Burial will follow at White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Souls Harbor Church.
Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel, is handling arrangements.
Sandra L. Deem
September 11, 1949 to April 22, 2019
KNOX - Sandra L. Deem, age 69, of Winamac, passed away Monday, April 22.
She was born Sept. 11, 1949 in Oak Park, Illinois. She had worked as a teacher’s aide. On Sept. 13, 1968 she married Gregori Deem. He preceded her in death in 2008.
She is survived by her children, Robert Deem (Sharon) of Palm Coast, Fla, Wayne Deem of Winamac, and Christopher Deem (Jennifer) of Knox; a brother, John Crain (Nina) of Shell Knob, Mo.; and grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Carter, Sarah and Leo. …
She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis Crain and Felicija Jurewicz Crain, and a son, Joseph Deem.
The funeral service will be at 7 p.m. (CT), Thursday, April 25, with visitation starting at 3 p.m. (CT) until time of services at M.C. Smith Funeral Home, Knox.
Phyllis J. Whiting
September 2, 1943 to April 21, 2019
CULVER - Phyllis J. Whiting, 75, of Monterey, passed away Sunday, April 21, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Culver.
She was born to Harold and Lucille (Faulstich) Sellers on Sept. 2, 1943 in Rochester. She was a graduate of Knox High School. On Nov. 17, 1962, she married Vernon F. Whiting in Monterey. He survives.
Also surviving are sons Chris and Gregory Whiting, both of Monterey; brother Randy
Sellers of Monterey; sister Carol Ely of Monterey; and a few nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Thomas Sellers, and sister Barbara Hall.
Mrs. Whiting enjoyed canning, gardening and all kinds of flowers. She also liked sewing and embroidery, and worked as a seamstress before her marriage. She had a love of animals, especially birds, and enjoyed watching the hummingbirds scrapping over the feeder. She had a kind heart and never said a cross word about anyone. She was also said to be a very good cook.
A time of visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Friday, April 26, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Monterey. Father Michael McKinney will officiate a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon. Burial will follow at St. Anne’s Cemetery, Monterey.
Memorials may be given to the Dementia Society or to St. Anne’s Catholic Church.
Curley Conley
June 25, 1945 to April 6, 2019
WHEATFIELD - Curley Conley, 73, Winamac, passed away Saturday, April 6.
He was born June 25, 1945, in Rensselaer, to the late Jeff and Vina Smith Conley. He married Susie Daniels on Sept. 10, 1966; they were divorced in August 1976. On Oct. 4, 1976 he married Marilyn L. Wolford in Clintwood, Va.
He is survived by children: Bill Conley, Bobby Conley, Kathy Conley, Rodney (Myra) Wolford, Bonnie Conley, Jackie (Douglas) Hines, Curley (Angala) Conley; 24 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, and 17 siblings.
Mr. Conley worked as a welder for Galbreath for 21 years. He loved to go fishing with the grandkids, and float on the river.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 3 to 6 p.m. (ET). Wednesday, April 10, at Boersma Funeral Home, 90 E. Grove St., Wheatfield. The funeral service will follow at 6 p.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Doug Salyers officiating. Interment will follow at White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.
Gayle M. Conner
February 7, 1952 to April 17, 2019
WINAMAC - Gayle M. Conner, 67, of Winamac, passed away in the company of her family at 9:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, at Woodbridge Health Campus, Logansport. She fought a brave battle with cancer.
She was born Feb. 7, 1952, in Chicago, to the late John W. "Jack" and Ruth A. Wangerin Raybould. In 1970, she graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School in Chicago. On March 10, 1973, she married John M. Conner in Chicago. He survives.
She is also survived by:
Lori (Jason) Lee, Trafalgar, IN Daughter
Jennifer (Timothy) Zimmer, Zionsville, IN Daughter
Dana (fiance: Romondo Thomas) Conner, Indianapolis, IN Daughter
6 Grandchildren: Grace & Chloe Lee, Colin & Ian Zimmer and Omari & Josiah Thomas
Gary (Paula) Raybould, Fisher, IN Brother
Several Nephews
Mrs. Conner retired after 29 years at Winamac Community High School where she had served in various roles. Many will remember her as the study hall monitor, aka "The Warden," however, she also worked as a substitute school bus driver and cook. She truly loved her students and was a faithful volunteer for many different school activities. She had also worked in the Pulaski County Assessor's Office for several years. She was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Winamac and was a past-president of the Christian Mothers. She was one of the founding members of Pulaski County Quilts of Valor and was also a member of the Patchwork Pals Home-Ec Club. She enjoyed quilting and sewing, especially making pillow cases for Riley and quilts for veterans. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and going on road trips with her friends. She also enjoyed baking and cooking for others. Most of all she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be dearly missed.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday, April 22, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 8 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home, followed by a Christian Mothers service and rosary service. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Winamac, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter Cemetery, Winamac.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
Melvin E. Button
July 18, 1941 to April 18, 2019
WINAMAC - Melvin Eugene "Mike" Button, 77, of Winamac, died at 2:10 a.m., Thursday, April 18, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.
He was born July 18, 1941 in Winamac, to the late Forrest Melvin and Elizabeth Verona Sera Button. He married Cleta Sue Smith on Dec. 1, 1962 in Winamac. She survives.
He is survived by:
Debra Kay (Frederick) Smidler, St. Joseph, MI, Daughter
Bunnie Elizabeth (Curt) Daugherty, Star City, Daughter
Melvin Forrest (Karen) Button, Winamac, Son
Michael H. Smidler, West Lafayette, Grandson
Natasha N. Daugherty, Star City, Granddaughter
Brooke M. (Luke) Rudicel, Rochester, Granddaughter
Thomas J. Button, Winamac, Grandson
Kayleen M. Button, Winamac, Granddaughter
Elizabeth R. Button, Winamac, Granddaughter
Drake Button, Winamac, Great-Grandson
Damien Button, Winamac, Great-Grandson
Geneva McKinley, Winamac, Sister
Robert (Chris) Smith, Winamac, Brother-In-Law
Proceeded In Death:
John Melvin Button, Grandson
Alicia Marie Smidler, Granddaughter
Dorothy Beaver, Sister
Betty Polstra, Sister
Judy Hoover, Sister
Mr. Button was a farmer. He was a founding member of Indiana Pullers Inc. (IPI), and a member of National Tractor Pulling Association. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Winamac. He was a member of the White Dominos Car Club. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sports events. He frequently attended tractor pulls, especially when his nephew Doug McKinley was competing. He competed in many tractor pulls with his Case 700 known as "The Pouncer." He was an avid mushroom hunter and euchre player. He was happiest when surrounded by his children and his grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A memorial Service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 24, at the funeral home with Pastor Dave Marty officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens, Winamac.
Memorials may be given to the Alicia Marie Smidler Animal Rescue Fund (AMS).
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