Obituaries

Margaret A. Freeman

January 27, 1939 to August 9, 2015

WINAMAC - Margaret A. "Marge" Freeman, 76, passed away at 1:16 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 9, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Ft. Wayne, following a brief illness.

She was born Jan. 27, 1939 at Lake Bruce, to the late Raymond and Opal C. Hurlburt Button. On Jan. 27, 1961, she married Jerry R. Freeman in Knox. He survives.

Also surviving are:  

Larry J. "LJ" Freeman, Royal Center, Son 
Marla M. Freeman, Winamac, Daughter 
Scott R. Freeman, Winamac, Son 
Michelle (Vincent) Pratt, Granddaughter 
Justine Hewitt, Granddaughter 
Kalin Freeman, Grandson 
Linae Pratt, Great Granddaughter 
Jerry L. Pratt, Great Grandson 
Thelma (Harold) Hopkins, Winamac, Sister 
Lena (Clyde) Gourley, Buffalo, Sister 
Jerry (Janet) Button, Winamac, Brother 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Renee N. Freeman, Granddaughter 
Gerald Button, Brother 
Shirley Button, Sister-in-law 

Mrs. Freeman attended school in Winamac.She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Winamac. She taught SundaySchool for many years. She was a faithful reader of her Bible and Our Daily Bread devotionals. She enjoyed participating in the Christian Woman's Fellowship. She enjoyed camping and watching Jerry race at Shady Hill. 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 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 13, at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Pilger officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to First Baptist Church.

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

Louanne K. Rich

October 31, 1940 to July 31, 2015

FRANCESVILLE - Louanne Kay Rich, 74, Canyon Lake, TX, passed away at 9:14 p.m., Friday, July 31, at the home of her son, Jon Rich, in Francesville.

She was born Oct. 31, 1940.

No local services will be held. 

Cremation arrangements were handled by Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. 

Marjorie E. Nicolas

August 27, 1935 to August 3, 2015

WINAMAC - Marjorie Ellen Heintz Nicolas, 79, Winamac, passed away at 10:40 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

She was born August 27, 1935, in Winamac, IN, to Elmer and Catherine Button Field. Marjorie was married to Jack R. Heintz on November 15, 1953, in the First Christian Church, Winamac. He passed away on November 17, 1994. She then married Joseph J. Nicolas on February 14, 2003, in Winamac. He survives.

Survivors include:

Joseph J. Nicolas, Winamac, IN, Husband
Richard Heintz, Winamac, IN Son
Nancy (Doug) Kline, Hartford, AL Daughter
Neva (Sam) Wank, Winamac, IN Daughter
Kristin (Joe) Nies, Logansport, IN Granddaughter
Kayley (Bob) Draper, Logansport, IN Granddaughter
Holly (Scott) Bishop, Monticello, IN Granddaughter
Rex (Julie) Wank, Winamac, IN Grandson
Cory (Pam) Wank, Winamac, IN Grandson
Lance (Nicole) Wank, Star City, IN Grandson
Walker Wank, Winamac, IN Grandson
4 Great Grandchildren
5 Step Children
Many Step Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren
Marilyn Henning, Winamac, IN Sister
Marshall (Gloria) Field, Winamac, IN Brother
Pauline Field, Twelve Mile, IN Sister-in-law

Preceded in death by: 
Elmer A. Field, Father
Catherine M. Button Field, Mother
Jack R. Heintz, First Husband
Evelyn Davis, Sister
Garold Field, Brother
Harold Field, Brother

She lived all of her life in Pulaski County. She was a graduate of North Judson High School and received a degree in Cosmetology. Marjorie had worked as a cosmetologist and also taught cosmetology.Marjorie was known as Granny to her grandchildren and their friends.She enjoyed working puzzles, crocheting, and her flowers.

Visitation will be from 4-8PM EDT Sunday, August 9, 2015 at Frain Mortuary. Funeral Services will be held at 11AM EDT Monday, August 10, 2015, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, with Pastor Rick Abbott officiating. Burial will take place in Star City West Cemetery, Star City, IN.

Jean Martschink Buyer

November 19, 1932 to July 26, 2015

MONTICELLO - Jean Martschink Buyer, 82, of Monticello, passed away at 7:10 a.m., Sunday, July 26, at the White Oak Health Campus of Monticello, surrounded by her family.

She was born Nov. 19, 1932, in Charleston, S.C., to the late Gustav Charles and Karen Elizabeth Larisey Martschink. She married John Joseph Buyer on Dec. 27, 1950, at the St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Charleston.

Surviving are husband, John Joseph Buyer, Sr., D.D.S. of Monticello; daughters, Karen Buyer Burkhardt of Kokomo, and Diane Buyer D.D.S. (Timothy Yale) of Indianapolis; sons, John J. Buyer, Jr. D.D.S., MPH, MS, (Col. USA D.C. ret.) (Christine) of Blacksburg, Virginia, and former Congressman Steve Buyer (Col. USAR ret.) (Joni) of Carmel; grandchildren, Colleen Buyer, Ryan Buyer (Ashlyn), Joseph Buyer (Molly), and Jeremy Buyer (Lauren); 3 great grandchildren; sister, Barbara Martschink Mobley (Jack) of Charlotte, North Carolina; and brother, Gustav C. Martschink, Jr. (Linda) Huntersville, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and son-in-law, Toby Burkhardt.

Mrs. Buyer dedicated 50 years to the American Legion Auxiliary.She was a member of the Thornton Williams American Legion Post #81 of Monticello.She was a partner of La Boutiques Des Huit Chapeaux et Quarante (8 & 40) Femmes Salon 135 and the American War Mothers. In 1991-1992, she was the American Legion Auxiliary, Second District president and in 1997-1998 the Department (State) president of the American Legion Auxiliary. She served on the American Legion Auxiliary National Legislative Council.In July of 1998, Indiana Governor James O'Bannon presented her with Indiana's prestigious award, "The Sagamore of the Wabash" for the 43 years of volunteerism in the support of Indiana military personnel and their families.She was a Girl Scout Leader and Sunday School teacher. In addition, she enjoyed playing Bridge, gardening, crafts, sewing, politics, and people being the people person she was. She also enjoyed fishing on the Tippecanoe River and collecting cookbooks. Her philosophy was "Strangers are friends I have not met yet."

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary and the 8 & 40 will hold their Farewell Service along with Pastor Gary Roberts officiating at 5:30 p.m., Friday, July 31, at the Miller - Roscka Funeral Home of Monticello. Members and friends are welcome immediately following the service until 8 p.m. Burial will be private for the family at the Roseland Cemetery in Francesville

In lieu of flowers, donations to Indiana Veterans Home, 3851 N. River Road, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47906, Attn: Jim Clouse, MacArthur Building Renovation/Dining Halls in Memory of Jean Buyer, PDP American Legion Auxiliary. 

Loretta J. Widup Lees

November 12, 1939 to July 21, 2015

ROUNDUP, MT - Loretta Judith Lees, 75, passed away Tuesday, July 21, in Roundup, MT.

She was born Nov. 12, 1939 to the late Cyril and Mildred Costello Widup in Winamac. She married Fred Crist and with this union they had three children. She later married Richard Dellos and they had one son.

She is survived by her children Rhonda (Phil) Schmeltzer of Worland, WY, Valerie Crist of Boulder, CO, and Kurt (Diane) Dellos of Ft. Collins, CO. She is also survived by siblings Mary Lou (Branson) Hiatt of Walkerton, Betty (Kermit) Parcel of Winamac, Jim (Eunice) Widup of Billings, MT, Terri (Glenn) Pipes of Midland, TX, Ruby (Ted) Ondo of Worland, WY, Merlin (Val) Widup of Waukesha, WI, and Cyrlin Green of Tuscon, AZ. She is also survived by five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and the daughter of her special companion, Juleen Moore.

Judith was preceded in death by her son Eric Crist, brother Paul Widup, and husband David Lees. She was also preceded in death by her special companion, Vern Moore. 

Mrs. Lees attended school in Walkerton and Star City.

Cremation has taken place and services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Worland, WY. A celebration of life service will be held Aug. 29, at Roundup, MT.

Donations in Mrs. Lees's memory may be made to ASPCA. -

Arthur R. Chamness

March 27, 1921 to July 26, 2015

WINAMAC - Arthur R. "Art" Chamness, 94, of Francesville, passed away at 2:30 a.m., Sunday, July 26, at Hickory Creek Nursing Home, Winamac.

He was born on March 27, 1921 in Denham, to the late Romie and Sylvia Grace Poisel Chamness. On Jan. 12, 1947, he married Nola Mae McCarty in Medaryville. She preceded him in death on June 17, 1989. He married Violet Marchand Disinger on Feb. 14, 1999 at Pleasant Ridge Bible Church in Francesville. She survives. 

Also surviving are: 

Beverly Wittmer, Valparaiso, Daughter 
Larry (Daina) Chamness, Greenwood, Son 
David (Pamela) Chamness, Kouts, Son 
7 Grandchildren 
5 Step Grandchildren 
23 Great Grandchildren 
Mildred Stoll, Avilla, IN, Sister 
Lydia Kennedy, Winamac, Sister

Preceded in death by: 
Barbara Chamness, Daughter 
Dorothy Tuley, Sister 
Elsie Kersey, Sister 
Ruth Garling, Sister 

Mr. Chamness lived most of his young life in the Francesville and Medaryville areas. He was a 1939 graduate of Medaryville High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 during World War II and was stationed overseas in 1943 to Africa and Italy. He was a medic and surgical technician. He served 38 months in the Army and was awarded the Combat Medical Badge. He was honorably discharged in September of 1945. Mr. Chamness was employed for 28 years at Indiana General Titan Corporation in Valparaiso, and retired as an inspector on May 5, 1983. He attended Pleasant Ridge Bible Church. 

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., (Tuesday, July 28), at the funeral home with Elder Alan Fritz officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to St Jude's Children's Hospital.