Obituaries

William E. Ledford

March 2, 1927 to February 12, 2017

FRANCESVILLE - William E. "Bill" Ledford, 89, of Francesville passed away at 2:15 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 12, at Lakeview Village Senior Living, Monticello. 

He was born March 2, 1927 in Monticello to the late Paul and Margaret Conwell Ledford. On Nov. 9, 1947, he married Minnie Alvera Rater, at Tippecanoe Christian Church in rural Winamac. She survives.

He is also survived by:

Several Nieces and Nephews

Donald “Don” Ledford, Brother

Mr. Ledford served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He was a lifelong farmer in Beaver Township, Pulaski County. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. He had also worked construction at the steel mills in Northwest Indiana and was a member of the Construction Workers Union Local 81. He was a loving and devoted husband who loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren very much.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapelj, Francesville; and one hour prior to services at the church Monday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 20, at Tippecanoe Christian Church, Winamac, with Rev. Ed Clark officiating. Burial will be at Tippecanoe Cemetery ,Winamac. The American Legion will conduct military graveside aervices.

Memorial donations may be made to Tippecanoe Christian Church.

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

Isabella S. Day

December 8, 2016 to February 10, 2017

WINAMAC - Infant Isabella Sue Ann Day, two-months-old, of Denham, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Feb.10, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac. 

She and her twin brother Isaac were born Dec. 8, in Winamac to Natasha Nicole "Tasha" Matthews and Donald Bryce Day.

Left to cherish her memory are her parents, her siblings at home, Brycen, Bryleigh, and Isaac; her maternal grandmother, Connie (James Matthews) Clemans; her maternal grandfather, John Matthews, Jr.; her paternal grandparents, Kevin (Peggy) Day; her maternal great grandparents, Delmer (Shirley) Grigsby and John (Reathey) Matthews; paternal great grandparents Lee (Katherine) Day, Don Minix, and Helen Swigart; her aunts and uncles, Kimberly, Tyson, Katie, Shiann, Samantha, Elijah, Candace and Cara; as well as many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her uncle, Brandon Day; her cousins, Leyton Matthews and Bentley Button.

Although her life on Earth was short, Isabella brought a lot of joy to those who loved her.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the funeral home with Rev. Thomas Hopewell officiating. Burial will be at the Alexander Heinemann Memorial Cemetery, Ora.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with funeral expenses.

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

Robert V. Ransburg

October 30, 1946 to February 1, 2017

KENDALLVILLE - Robert Vern Ransburg, age 70, of Medaryville died Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Indiana University Health Arnett Hospital, Lafayette.

He was born Oct. 30, 1946 in Kendallville to the late George Dawson and Imo Jewel (McDonald) Ransburg. He married Peggy Annette Godsell on Nov. 28, 1975 in Kendallville. She survives.

Survivors also include:
Daughter, Dawn and David Hodges of Nolensville, Tenn.
Son, Tim Ransburg of Angola.
Son, Shawn and Joy Landez of Fort Wayne.
Son, Tony and Rebekah Landez of Fishers.
Daughter, Nicki and Doug Kovach of Wheatfield
15 grandchildren.
Sister, Karen and Andy Carter of Louisville, Ky.
Sister, Sharon and Lynn Reinking of Syracuse
Sister, Joyce and Jann Jannuzzello of Avilla.
Sister-in-law, Elizabeth Douglas of San Diego, Calif.
Mother and father-in-law, Margaret and Allen Godsell of Kendallville.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Rick Ransburg and Ron Ransburg.

Mr. Ransburg was employed with Advanced Business Equipment in Lafayette for the past 20 years. He was an avid golfer and member of the Moss Creek Golf Club for many years. 

Visitation will be from 110 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, at Hite Funeral Home, Kendallville. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., at the funeral home. Burial will be at Lake View Cemetery in Kendallville.

Memorial donations may be made to the donor’s choice.

Share a memory or send a condolence at www.hitefuneralhome.com

Juan M. Knarr

April 23, 1925 to February 6, 2017

WINAMAC - Juan Margaret Knarr, 91, of Winamac passed away at 12:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born on April 23, 1925 in Minneapolis to the late Elliott and Margaret Lenzner Brady. On Aug. 6, 1949, she married Spencer E. Knarr in South Whitley, IN. He passed away on June 17, 1977.

She is survived by: 
Tom Ortman, Indianapolis, Son 
Charles (Barbara) Knarr, Winamac, Son 
Kenneth (Doreen) Knarr, Catharpin, VA, Son 
18 Grandchildren 
Many Great Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Phillip (Patricia) Knarr, Son & Daughter-in-law 
Virginia Rausch Koepkey, Sister 
Bonnie Rausch, Sister 
Franklin Brady, Brother 
William Brady, Brother 
Bryant Ortman, Great Grandson

Mrs. Knarr was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Christian Mothers and Ladies of Charity. She was also a member of the Monroe Modern Home Ec Club and the Eagles Auxiliary #2580. She worked many years on the county election board. She loved to sew and quilt for others. She helped to organize the quilt show at the annual Power From the Past show. She was a talented cook and had worked for Winamac High School and Pulaski County Jail as well as Dorothy Seidel Catering. She had also been a secretary for the Soil & Water Conservation District. She was an avid card player. She was the proud mother of four U.S. Marines. She loved her family very much and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A Christian Mothers prayer service will be at 7:30 p.m., followed by a scriptural wake service. The funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 10, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Health Care Center Activities Fund.

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

Theresa M. Joseph

October 30, 1927 to February 5, 2017

WINAMAC - Theresa M. Joseph, 89, of Winamac passed away at 10:15 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 5, at Hickory Creek, Winamac.

She was born Oct. 30, 1927 in Cicero, Ill. to the late Robert and Agnes Pavlak Mroczek. On June 3, 1946, she married Clyde Joseph in Rensselaer. He passed away on June 26, 2001.

She is survived by: 
Rodney (Carol) Mroczek, Son 
Susan (Glenn) Sheffer, Daughter 
Ellen (Jack) Coley, Daughter 
Clyde (Sheryl) Joseph, Jr., Son 
Clinton (Mary) Joseph, Son 
Clifford (Arlene) Joseph, Son 
Clayton (Wanda) Joseph, Son 
Stanley Joseph, Son 
Edward (Patricia) Joseph, Son 
Jeffery Joseph, Son 
Many Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren 
Stephania Watkins, Sister

Preceded in death by: 
7 Siblings

Mrs. Joseph proudly obtained her GED from Winamac High School in 1979. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac and was active in the Christian Mothers and Ladies of Charity. She faithfully volunteered at the Good Samaritan store. 
She was retired from Torans in Rochester and also had worked as a home health aide for Pulaski Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed gardening (vegetable and flower) and puzzles. She was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She took great pride in her seven sons who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. She loved her family very much, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Visitation will be from 10 to11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 9 at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Private burial will be at St. Jacobs Cemetery, North Judson.

Memorial donations may be made to the Ladies of Charity at St. Peters Catholic Church.

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

Billy R. Coldiron

November 8, 1953 to February 3, 2017

MEDARYVILLE - Billy R. Coldiron, 63, of Medaryville passed away at 6:58 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital,Winamac.

He was born Nov. 8, 1953 in Knox to the late Cecil and Joyce Shepherd Coldiron.

He survived by: 
Billie Joe (Teddy) Bachman, Daughter 
Sherry (Bobby) Tuten, Daughter 
Christy (Jason) Bitterling, Daughter 
8 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren 
Dottie (Maynard) Plank, Sister 
Bobby (Bunny) Coldiron, Brother 
Randy (Jennifer) Coldiron, Brother 
Gloria (Rick) Elkins, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Mr. Coldiron was a 1972 graduate of North Judson San Pierre High School. He had previously worked construction for local contractors and also as a lineman at Modeans in LaPorte. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with his family. He was a talented woodworker and craftsman. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

No services will be held. Private burial will take place at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with cremation expenses. Donations accepted at the funeral home or at www.gofundme.com.

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

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