Obituaries

Imogene Richie Bell

April 11, 1934 to March 21, 2015

RENSSELAER - Imogene Richie Bell, 80, of Rensselaer passed away Saturday, March 21, at the VNA Horton Hospice Center in Valparaiso.

She was born in Elmrock, Ky. on April 11, 1934, the daughter of the late Coet and Hattie (Messer) Dobson. Her first marriage was to Frelin Richie on Oct. 4, 1952, and he passed away on Feb. 20, 1980. On Aug. 26, 1989, she married Thomas Jefferson Bell, and he passed away on Oct. 23, 1993.

Surviving are her loving children, Loretta Heidler of DeMotte, Karen Harding of Crown Point, Colleen (Charles) DeMoss of Wheatfield and Douglas (Tina) Richie of Rensselaer; nine grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers, Hobart (Adna) Dobson of Rensselaer and William (Diane) Dobson of Florida; sisters Claudine Childers of Francesville and Gladys (Larry) Stonebraker of Brookston; brother-in-law, Cecil Williams of Rensselaer; and two sisters-in-law, Jean Dobson of Winamac and Alice Dobson of Rensselaer.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Vicky Lynn Richie; brothers, John and James Dobson; and a sister, Erma Williams.

Mrs. Bell graduated from the Gillam Township School. She was an employee of Sealy Spring manufacturing for the majority of her working years and was also employed as a secretary at Jim Dobson Ford in Winamac before entering into retirement. She was a member of the Hamlet Lions Club, the Starke County Historical Society, and the Better Homes Home Economics Club in Knox. She was a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Skills for Success Course, and was voted "Best Public Speaker" by her fellow participants. Never one to be idle, she served as a volunteer with the Pulaski County Hospice and with the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was a member of the Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. (CT) Tuesday, at Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 25, at the funeral home with Elder Thurman Ritchie officiating. Burial will follow at Richie Cemetery in Rensselaer.

Memorials may be made to the Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church.

Alaina Crosby Simpler

April 9, 1981 to March 28, 2015

MONTICELLO - Alaina Crosby Simpler, 33, of High Point, N.C., passed away on Saturday, March 28,  at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

She was born on April 9, 1981 in Winamac. In 2010 she married Chris Simpler, who survives

Also surviving is her father, Steve and wife Annie Crosby of Star City; her mother, Gabrielle and husband Robert Chini of San Diego; her sons, Stone and Dylan Simpler, both of Thomasville, N.C.; her daughter, Alora Simpler of the home; her brothers, Nicholas and wife Amanda Crosby of Dayton, Adam and wife Michelle Chini, and Jordan Chini, both of San Diego; her sister, Kayla Crosby of Evansville; her maternal grandmother, Gertraud Felker and husband Norman Clyde of Royal Center; her niece, Eliza Crosby of Dayton; her mother-in-law, Barbara Sheffield, and father-in-law, Dave Sheffield, both of Thomasville, N.C.; and her four brothers-in-law, Tom, Rich and Brad Sheffield, all of Thomasville, N.C., and David Sheffield of Indiana. 

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Everett and Genevieve Crosby.

Mrs. Simpler was a 1999 graduate of Pioneer High School of Royal Center. She later attended Purdue University and Indiana Business College. A resident of the High Point, N.C. area since 2007, she worked with Purolator Filters and attended The Summit Church, where she exercised her strong faith. She loved sports and was a diehard Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Friday, at Buffalo Christian Church of Buffalo. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 3, at the church. Interment will be at Pro Cemetery. Additional services were held Wednesday in North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Alaina's Angel Fund at www.gofundme.com. Envelopes will also be available at the church. 

Miller - Roscka Funeral Home of Monticello is handling arrangements.

Danny L. Arthurhultz

June 23, 1952 to April 1, 2015

WINAMAC - Danny L. Arthurhultz, 62, of Culver, passed awayat 2:35 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, at his residence. 

He was born June 23, 1952, in LaPorte, to the late Raymond and Charlene Garn Arthurhultz.

Survivors include: 
Daniel J. "Jamey" (Nickole) Arthurhultz, Culver, Son 
Jason L. Arthurhultz, Culver, Son 
Cayla Arthurhultz Granddaughter

Preceded in death by: 
3 Brothers 

Mr. Arthurhultz was a bass player in a band in the Chicago area for many years. He enjoyed camping and spending time with his sons and granddaughter.He enjoyed NHRA drag racing, He was an avid Notre Dame football fan. 

A private family service will be held at a later date. 

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Frank L. Tanner

October 29, 1926 to April 2, 2015

MEDARYVILLE - Frank L. Tanner, 88, of Medaryville, passed away, with his family by his side, at 7:58 a.m., Thursday, April 2, at his residence following a short illness.

He was born Oct. 29, 1926 in Francesville, to the late Willard and Golden Wolfe Tanner. On Dec. 12, 1948 he married Ruth E. Watson at Medaryville Christian Church. She preceded him in death on Sept. 1, 2012.

Survivors include:

Charlene (Ron) Warner, Princeton, Daughter
Patrice (Terry) Freestone, South Bend, Daughter
Raymond Tanner, Medaryville, Son
Jerry (Cathy) Tanner, West Lafayette, Son
Kathy (Bruce) Wuethrich, Rensselaer, Daughter
Margaret (Doug) Leman, Francesville, Daughter
Marsha (Richard) Jurek, Naperville, IL, Daughter
Richard (Darlene) Tanner, Francesville, Son
Douglas (Suzanne) Tanner, Phoenix, AZ, Son
27 Grandchildren
41 Great Grandchildren
4 Great Great Grandchildren
Lela Sandifur, Florida, Sister
Delos (Jackie) Tanner, Grand Rapids, MI, Brother
Donald (Judy) Tanner, Francesville, Brother
Dean (Wilma) Tanner, Lincoln, IL, Brother
Reba (Everett) Kopka, Winamac, Sister
Johnny Ringen, Winamac, Brother-in-law
Lois Tanner, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Bill Watson, LaPorte, Brother-in-law
Ben (Linda) Watson, Paulding, OH, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Jordan Wuethrich, Grandson
Margaret Hazelett, Sister
Shirley Ringen, Sister
Vern Tanner, Brother
Floyd Tanner, Brother
Ezra Tanner, Brother
Lester Tanner, Brother
J.D. Tanner, Brother
Stephen Dornhecker, Son-in-law

Mr. Tanner was a longtime member of Medaryville Christian Church where he quietly served in numerous roles. He was a lifelong farmer in Pulaski and Starke counties, as well as a school bus driver and custodian at West Central School Corporation for almost 40 years. He enjoyed working with his hands and being outdoors. He and his wife enjoyed many camping trips over the years, especially the Tanner Family Campout. He loved his family very much, especially spending time with his many grandchildren. He was a loving and faithful husband, father, and grandfather. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville; and one hour prior to services at the church Tuesday. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 7, at Medaryville Christian Church, Medaryville, with Don Nedza officiating. Burial will be at White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to Jasper County Hospice.

Thelma L. Murray

March 2, 1935 to March 31, 2015

WINAMAC - Thelma L. Murray, 80, of Winamac, died at 5:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 31, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born March 2, 1935, in Bringhurst, IN, to the late Russell and Pearl Wallace Mocherman. She married Thomas E. Murray, who survives.

Also surviving are: 

Tom J. Murray, Winamac, Son 
Timothy J. (Joan) Murray, Winamac, Son 
Theresa (Patrick) Blankenship, Winamac, Daughter 

Grandchildren 
Jamie L. (Mike Craft) Murray 
Amy J. Murray 
Anne (Kent) Wamsley 
Wade Berger 
Chance Blankenship 
Emerald Blankenship 
Madeline Murray 
Mary Murray 
Max Murray 

Great Grandchildren 
Robert Collins 
Laini Joseph 
Kamden Long 
Baylor Fritz 
Isaiah Wamsley

Preceded in death by: 
Russell “Lewie” (Dean) Mocherman, Brother 
Brooklyn Collins, Great granddaughter

Mrs. Murray was an example of beauty and elegance in the way she lived her life. Her devotion to her family was insurmountable. She nurtured her children and grandchildren to love nature. In particular, she loved birds, nests, rocks, sunsets, lighthouses, shells, and simply a clear blue sky with billowing clouds. She was extremely creative and used her talents to sew, knit, crochet, paint, carve wood, cook, and work in her flowers. She also enjoyed collecting antiques and was an avid reader. There was a feeling of love and tenderness that welcomed her family home each day. She also created a beacon in the Murray home that welcomed and warmed the hearts of her children’s friends as well. 

Mrs. Murray had a deep spiritual belief in the Lord and nurtured her children in doing for others. She lived her life teaching her children the Golden Rule and would recite it often. She was a blessing to her children from childhood through adulthood. She was a great listener and always seemed to know the perfect thing to say or do to make life’s challenges a smooth transition. She and her husband loved to travel. They were very fortunate to be able to travel many places throughout their marriage and truly enjoyed that together. Probably the thing she loved the most was family get-togethers and just being surrounded by the chatter and laughter of her children and grandchildren. She was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. 

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at Winamac Event Center, located at the corner of Adams and Logan streets, Winamac. Immediately following, the family will host a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m., (Saturday, April 18), at the Event Center,with Pastor Tami Boggs officiating.

Memorial donations may be given to Riley’s Children’s Hospital.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac. 

Ernest S. Kopka

October 27, 1931 to March 27, 2015

WINAMAC - Ernest S. “Ernie” Kopka, 83, of Winamac, passed away at 4:32 p.m., Friday, March 27, at his home.

He was born Oct. 27, 1931, in Francesville, to the late Milo and Mary Krohn Kopka. He married Martha A. Hoffman on Dec. 30, 1972, in Winamac. She survives.

Survivors include:

Linda (Terry) Gordon, Logansport, Daughter
Vicki (Ron) Kling, Kansas City, MO, Daughter
Brenda Walker, Mooresville, Daughter
Randy (Allison) Kopka, Winamac, Son
Kerry Kopka, Francesville, Son
19 Grandchildren
Several Great Grandchildren
Henry Kopka, Winamac, Brother
Everett (Reba) Kopka, Winamac, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Peggy Webb, Daughter
Lenora Kopka, Daughter
Kaitlin Kopka, Granddaughter
Emma Johns, Sister
William Kopka, Brother
Fred Kopka, Brother
Kenneth Kopka, Brother
Milo Kopka Jr., Brother

Mr. Kopka was a life-long mechanic in Pulaski County, working for J.I.Case in Winamac for many years, as well as owning and operating his own shop. He farmed and raised hogs for a number of years. In the last 15 years, he worked for the Pulaski County Recycling Center where he operated the transfer station. He had also been employed for the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Pulaski County Highway Department. He enjoyed spending time at Shadyhill Speedway watching his son race. He seldom missed any sporting events of his children and grandchildren. He loved being outdoors and working on anything with a motor. He was a self-made man. He deeply loved his family and his friends. He will be remembered with much love and missed by all.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 1, at the funeral home with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be at Idle Cemetery, Francesville. 

Memorial donations may be given to Tippecanoe Christian Church.

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