Obituaries

Juanita Koekenberg

March 24, 1926 to July 18, 2018

MEDARYVILLE - Juanita Koekenberg, 92, of Medaryville, passed away at 8:16 a.m., Wednesday, July 18, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

She was born March 24, 1926 in Tazwell, TN, to the late Porter and Mary Fletcher Ellison. On July 28, 1943, she married Bernard F. Koekenberg. He passed away Sept. 8, 1980.

She is survived by: 
Vicky (Sam) Alva, Medaryville, Daughter 
Rick (Karen) Koekenberg, Monticello, Son 
Stephanie (Kevin) Miller, Francesville, Granddaughter 
Tiffany (Chad) Jones, Ft. Wayne, Granddaughter 
Whitney (Geoff) Lentner, Monticello, Granddaughter 
4 Great Grandchildren: Henry, Charlie, Marlie and Aria 
3 Siblings: James, Loretta and Stanley 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Nathan Alva, Grandson 
4 Siblings: Reaford, Buford, Thomas and Beverly

Mrs. Koekenberg was a member of the Medaryville Christian Church. She had been employed by the West Central School Corporation for 46 years and retired at 84 years old. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening and feeding the birds. She loved her family very much, especially spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 21, at the Medaryville Christian Church with Pastor Don Nedza officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Private burial will take place at a later date at White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Medaryville Christian Church.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville.

Bradley A. Ringen

September 9, 1962 to July 18, 2018

WINAMAC - Bradley A. "Brad" Ringen, 55, of Winamac, passed away at 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, July 18, at Franciscan Health Lafayette East.

He was born Sept. 9, 1962 in Monticello, to Clarence and Patricia Danaher Ringen.

Survivors: 
Patricia Danaher Ringen, Winamac, Mother 
Laura Hilt, Knox, Sister 
Dale (Min) Ringen, Gainesville, FL, Brother 
Karen (Kevin) Smith, Whiteland, Sister 
Brenda (Mike) Wildmon, Forest, VA, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Clarence Ringen, Father 
Maurice and Bertha Danaher, Maternal Grandparents 
Grover and Anna Ringen, Paternal Grandparents 

Mr. Ringen was a talented contractor and landscaper. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He especially enjoyed barbequing and was known for his deep fried turkey on Thanksgiving. He loved his dog, Maggie. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, July 22, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac.
Final disposition will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center, Winamac, or Perfect Paws Pet Rescue in Ft. Wayne.

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

Robert J. Sommers

May 24, 1944 to July 14, 2018

WINAMAC - Robert Joseph "Papa" Sommers, 74, of Winamac, passed away at 1:07 a.m., Saturday, July 14, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born May 24, 1944 in Chicago. He married Linda Lorene Heck on July 24, 1965 in Chicago. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Glenn Sommers, Winamac, Son 
Dylan Sommers, Winamac, Son 
Karen Visinaiz, Hammond, Sister 
Robin Weston, Hammond, Sister 
5 grandchildren 
8 great grandchildren 
Cathleen Sommers, Rensselaer, Daughter-in-law 
Many nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Robert J. Sommers, Father 
Loretta Adamczyk, Mother 
Robert John Sommers, Son 
Jon Heck, Brother-in-law

Mr. Sommers was a roofer and a member of Chicago Local 11 Roofers Union. He enjoyed working in his garage making arts and crafts. He also enjoyed working in his yard and spending time with his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 24, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 7 p.m., (Tuesday), at the funeral home with Pastor Ryan Eaton officiating.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.

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

Brenda C. Shank

August 30, 1946 to July 7, 2018

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. - Brenda C. Shank, 71, of Casa Grande, Ariz., died Saturday, July 7, in Casa Grande.

She was born Aug. 30, 1946, in Winamac, a daughter of the late Neal and Bonnie Hiatt. She was raised in Star City. In her youth, she was a championship baton twirler, winning many awards, marching in parades, and teaching younger girls. She was very active in 4-H and was 4-H Queen in 1964. On June 21, 1969, she married Nicholas R. Shank in Winamac, and for 49 years they lived in Winamac, Rochester and Casa Grande. He survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Paige Shank and Cindy Clark; two sons, Nicholas R. Shank Jr. and Samuel Shank; a brother, Herb Hiatt; and 10 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Heather Shank; a brother, Dale Hiatt; and her first husband, Randall J. Nightingale (lost in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Viet Nam War).

Mrs. Shank was co-owner of Shank's Ladies Store in Winamac for 20 years, provided child daycare in her home for 10 years, and was director of religious education at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac. Upon moving to Rochester, she sold advertising for the Rochester Sentinel and was director of religious education for St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She retired with her husband to Casa Grande in 2008 and was a charter member of Catholic Daughters of America, St. Anthony's Court in Casa Grande. She founded Brenda's Backpacks to distribute items through St. Vincent de Paul to the homeless, to be continued by Catholic Daughters. (Brenda's Backpacks also has a branch in the Toledo, OH area started by her daughter, Cindy.) She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

Visitation will begin at 3 p.m., Monday, July 16, at St. Anthony's Church, with rosary recited at 3:30 and a funeral mass celebrated at 4 p.m. by the Rev. Ariel Lustan. A reception will follow at St. Anthony Community Center.

A celebration of life service will be held in Winamac at Church of the Heartland at 12 noon, Saturday, July 28; followed by some Pizza King pizza.

Private burial will take place at St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to: Catholic Daughters Court 2651, 1110 N. Henness Road, No. 1272, Casa Grande, AZ 85122.

Angels in Waiting Cremation & Burial, Casa Grande, is in charge of arrangements.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Jeffrey A. Siemion

August 20, 1956 to July 5, 2018

WINAMAC - Jeffrey A. "Jeff" Siemion, 61, of Winamac died Thursday, July 5, in Winamac.

He was born Aug. 20, 1956 in North Charleston, SC, the son of Edmund "Ed" and Faye Montgomery Siemon.

Survivors include hisfather, Ed (Carol) Siemion, Chesterton; a sister, Jodie Hatfield, Chesterton; and his son, Justin A. Siemion, Portage.

His mother, Faye, died Jan. 17, 2009.

Mr. Siemion was a talented welder and had formerly owned and operated a body shop in Valparaiso. He shared his skills as a welding teacher at Ivy Tech and loved his students. He was a talented artist who loved working on paintings and wood carvings and had a passion for music. He enjoyed nature, especially searching for gemstones, panning for gold and fishing. He also enjoyed spending time on the scenic Tippecanoe River. He loved life as much as nature's beauty. His spirit will carry on like the flowing water of a river and the beauty of a sunset. He liked great conversations with friends. He will be remembered for putting smiles on people's faces and bringing out the best in others.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. (CT), Monday, July 16, at Graceland Cemetery (1505 Morthland Dr., Valparaiso). He will be laid to rest with his grandparents, Franklin and Olie Montgomery, at Graceland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Health Care Center or Tippecanoe River State Park.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

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

Infant Alaina R. Peraino

July 4, 2018

FINDLAY, Ohio - Alaina "Lainey" Rose Peraino was born to heaven at 37 weeks on Wednesday, July 4, at 9:15 p.m., 7lbs 11 oz, 20 ¾” long.

Her parents, David and Kaitlin Sommers Peraino, grandparents, and big sister Addison got to hold their beautiful girl for a while, even though she was taken from them too soon. Lainey looks just like her big sister, except with dark brown hair and less chubby cheeks.

Survivors include grandparents Randy and Lisa Sommers of Kewanna.

The family thanks the wonderful nurses and doctors at Findlay Women’s Care/ Blanchard Valley Hospital, Pastor Dan Metzger at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (who was able to baptize Lainey), family, and friends who have taken such great care of the family these past few days.

A memorial service will be at 12 noon, Saturday, July 14, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Findlay, followed by a luncheon at the church. A private family burial will be held at a later date at Grass Creek Cemetery, Grass Creek.

Memorial donations may be made to the Auxiliary Team at Blanchard Valley Hospital who provide beautiful dresses made from wedding gowns, Tiny Purpose, and/or Sufficient Grace Ministries.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, Findlay.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Kewanna Chapel.

Sign the online guest book or leave condolence for the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com