Obituaries

Rebecca A. Mueller

February 23, 1952 to November 16, 2017

FRANCESVILLE - Rebecca Ann Mueller, 65, of Francesville, passed away Thursday Nov. 16, surrounded by her family at Monticello Healthcare, Monticello.

She was born Feb. 23, 1952 in Indianapolis, to the late Jack Edward and Virginia Weltzin Lewis. She graduated from North White High School in 1970. She was formerly married to Alan Mueller.

Survivors include: 
Chris Mueller, Francesville, Son 
Darin (Gerri) Mueller, Holly Springs, NC, Son 
Kimberly (Sam) Stotler, Holly Springs, NC, Daughter 
Grandchildren: Daylan Mueller, Cameron Mueller, Madison Mueller, Marla Mueller,
Carson Stotler, Kyle Stotler, and Ethan Stotler.
Nick (Marilyn) Lewis, Monon, Brother 
Jackie Roy, Paxton, IL, Sister 
Tony ( Diane) Lewis, Riverview, FL, Brother 
Cindy McElroy, Monon, Sister 
Julie Beckefeld, Monon, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Mrs. Mueller enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandkids.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, at First United Methodist Church, Monon. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m., Tuesday (Nov. 21), at the church with Pastor Russ Alley officiating.

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

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

William L. Rater

April 12, 1932 to November 16, 201

FRANCESVILLE - William Lewis "Bill" Rater, 85, of Monon, passed away at 12:04 p.m., Thursday, Nov.16, at his home.

He was born April 12, 1932 in Denham, to the late John and Leila Rater, and was raised by the late Wayne Wood and Mary Catherine Fitz . He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1951, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On May 22, 1955, he married Eileen Kay Koebcke. She survives.

He is survived by: 
Victor (Charlotte) Rater, Monon, Son 
Mitchell Rater, Monon, Son 
Shelly Steinkamp, Monon, Daughter 
4 Grandchildren: Billy, Steven, Toni and Colson 
11 Great-Grandchildren 
3 Great-Great-Grandchildren 
Ann Rater Cowger, Sister 
Minnie Rater Ledford, Sister 
Mary Catherine Fitz Becker, Sister 
Wayne (Judy) Fitz, Brother 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Anthony Thomas Rater, Son 
Lorna DePoy, Sister 
Alberta Smith, Sister 
Gertrude Smirniotis, Sister 
John Rater, Brother 
Bob Rater, Brother

Mr. Rater was a truck driver for Jones Chemical for over 30 years. He was an avid car collector and enjoyed working with his hands. He was a member of Francesville First Christian Church. He was also a member of the VFW Post #1728 in Winamac. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. 
He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was looking forward to the birth of his first great-great-grandson. He will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 20, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville.  The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Francesville First Christian Church.

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

Alberta M. Smith

October 5, 1940 to November 15, 2017

FRANCESVILLE - Alberta Mai Smith, 77, of Francesville, passed away at 4:02 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15, surrounded by her family at St. Elizabeth East, Lafayette.

She was born Oct. 5, 1940 in Winamac, to the late Wayne Wood and Mary Catherine Neusbaum Fitz. She graduated from Pulaski High School in 1958 and earned an associate's degree from Ft. Wayne International Business College. On Oct. 15, 1961, she married Albert E. Smith in Winamac. He survives.

Survivors include: 
Albert E. (Kathy) Smith, Jr., Francesville, Son 
Rosa (Brian) Dahn, Winamac, Daughter 
5 Grandchildren: Dustin Dahn, Ryan Smith, Kassi Dahn, Kyle Smith and Levi Smith 
Minnie Rater Ledford, Winamac, Sister 
William (Kay) Rater, Monon, Brother 
Mary Catherine Fitz Becker, Winamac, Sister 
Wayne (Judy) Fitz, Winamac, Brother 
Several Nieces and Nephews 
Extended Family: Dr. Christopher & Trisha Rumsey, Kaitlyn Rumsey and John Rumsey

Preceded in death by: 
Caleb Michael Smith, Infant Grandson 
Lorna DePoy, Sister

Mrs. Smith was a retired bookkeeper and had worked for Francesville Cooperative Elevator, Novotny Insurance, Gutwein Seeds, and Herd Health Veterinary Services. 
She was a member of St. James Salem United Church of Christ where she played piano and organ, sang in the choir, and played bells. She and her sister, Lorna, enjoyed singing duets together. Mrs. Smith was a talented cook and baker and she loved to share her baked goods with others. She enjoyed blessing others with cards throughout the year and spoiling her grandkids with their favorite candies. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville; and one hour prior to services at the church Sunday. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, at St. James Salem United Church of Christ, Francesville, with Rev. Judith Doll and Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, Indiana Lions Cancer Control Fund, Inc., or St. James Salem United Church of Christ Ladies Guild.

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

Mary Ann Webb

January 25, 1934 to November 13, 2017

WINAMAC - Mary Ann Webb, 83, of Winamac, passed away at 9:47 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

She was born Jan. 25, 1934 in Winamac to the late Willard O. and Ruth H. Sims Hauser. She graduated from Star City High School. On July 24, 1953, she married Charles R. "Chuck" Webb in Winamac. He passed away Sept. 14, 2015.

Survivors include: 
Julie A. (Sam) Hicks, LaGrange, Daughter 
Alison N. (Marc) Peterson, Kendallville, Granddaughter 
Charles E. (Brandi) Schlabach, Logansport, Grandson 
Steve (Terri) Hicks, Angola, Grandson 
Jeff (Retha) Hicks, Angola, Grandson 
Jennifer (Nicholas) Pack, Angola, Granddaughter 
Randall Hicks, Ashley, Grandson 
9 Great-Grandchildren 
Olive P. Dalka, Medaryville, Sister 
Several Nieces & Nephews 
Tom & Barb White & Family, Winamac, Extended Family

Preceded in death by: 
Willard A. Hauser, Brother 
Bruce E. Hauser, Brother 
James K. Hauser, Brother 

Mrs. Webb was a talented seamstress and touched more lives through her work than she ever knew. She was a true a homemaker who enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, candy making, flower gardening, and canning. She also enjoyed socializing, especially playing cards with friends and playing Yahtzee with Chuck. She and her husband loved to travel and visited 46 states together. They also enjoyed going to Four Winds Casino and listening to live music. Mrs. Webb was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was supportive of her entire family and extended family. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac; and one hour prior to services Friday at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 17, at the funeral home with Rev. Laura Bailey officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Riley Children's Foundation http://www.rileykids.org/

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

Esther Irene Tilden

January 27, 1928 to November 12, 2017

WINAMAC - Esther Irene Tilden, 89, of Winamac, passed away at 4 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 12, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born Jan. 27, 1928 in Moores Creek, Ky. to the late Abe C. and Lettye A. Hacker Cunigan. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Robert L. "Bob" Tilden. 

She is also survived by children, Judy (Ralph) Williams of Pulaski, Bobby (Valerie) Gilbert of Griffith, Freddy (Kathy) Gilbert of Lake of Four Seasons, David (Wendy) Tilden of Woodbury, Minn., and Darcy (Patrick) Grieger, of Hanna; 21 Grandchildren; many great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Bill and Dana Alliss.

She was preceded in death by son, Larry Gilbert and 10 siblings.

Mrs. Tilden was retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was a member of the American Postal Workers Union. She was a member of the Winamac First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 17, at First United Methodist Church, Winamac, with Rev. Dave Marty officiating.  A graveside service will be at 3:30 p.m. (ET) Friday, at Memory Lane Memorial Park, Schererville.

Memorial donations may be made to Winamac First United Methodist Church or Guardian Angel Hospice or Pulaski Health Care Center.

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

Fred W. Davidson

December 3, 1947 to November 7, 2017

MOMENCE, Ill. - Fred Wayne Davidson, 69, of Winamac and Grant Park, Ill., passed away peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 7.

He was born Dec. 3, 1947, the son of the late Charles and Clara Davidson.

He is survived by sister and brothers, Patricia Paris, Tom Krynock and Ricky Krynock, plus several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by sisters and brothers, Helen Spencer, Leroy Davidson, Linda Wilson and Roger Davidson.

Mr. Davidson was an employee of Sanders Foods in Winamac. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13, at Smits Funeral Homes, Momence Funeral Chapel, 203 N. Locust St, Momence, Ill. 60954. Committal service will be at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Ill.