Obituaries

Harold C. Crater II

June 10, 1932 to March 23, 2015

WINAMAC - Harold C. Crater II, 82, of Winamac, passed away at 12:39 p.m., Monday, March 23, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born June 10, 1932, in Lafayette, to Harold C. I and Frances Helene Williams Crater. He married Betty Jean Russell on June 16, 1954 in Winamac. She died June 22, 1998.

Survivors include:

David R. (Kim) Crater, Butler, PA, Son
William F. Crater, Winamac, Son
Rebecca H. Crater, Winamac, Daughter
Patricia C. Balcolm, Winamac, Daughter
Grandchildren
Jeramie (Shelli) Crater
Donald (Liz) Crater
Peter (Andi) Crater
Jason (Laura) Crater
Brent Crater
Kelley (Ben Enge) Crater
Matthew Crater
Elizabeth Crater
Nicholas Balcolm
Brian (Chantel) Balcolm
14 Great grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Harold C. Crater III Son
Landon Matthew Crater Great grandson

Mr. Crater was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Winamac. He served in the Indiana Army National Guard. He was a former radio broadcaster and broadcast manager for WSJM Radio in St. Joseph, MI. He had worked for the Van Wert, OH Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce and for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He was also an engineer's assistant for INDOT. He and his wife returned to live in Winamac in 1986. 

Mr. Crater loved singing in the church choir. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles, sitting in his backyard enjoying nature and watching Cubs baseball. He liked watching the radio controlled aircraft at Braun Field in Winamac.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac; and one hour prior to services at the church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, March 27, at First United Methodist Church, Winamac, with Barbara Kleinofen officiating. Private burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to First United Methodist Church of Winamac.

Freda J. Bartlett

March 22, 2015

WINAMAC - Freida Jane Bartlett, 96, of Chicago, (formerly of Winamac) passed away at 2:30 a.m., Sunday, March 22, at the GlenCrest Healthcare Nursing Home in Chicago.

She was born July 28, 1918 in Kentland to the late Bernard and Gertrude Goff Hopkins, and grew up in Hammond. She married James Dorsey of Wilmington, Ill., and later Dean Bartlett of Winamac. Both preceded her in death.

Survivors include:
 
Diane Dorsey, Chicago, Daughter 
Marcia Dorsey, Kankakee, IL, Daughter 
Bridget Justen, Dubai, UAE, Daughter
 
Susan Brucker, Noblesville, Step Daughter
 
Kathy Sheppard, Winamac, Step Daughter
 
Karen Price, Winamac, Step Daughter
 
Ian Pucek, Grandson
 
Tara Harrington, Granddaughter
 
Sabrina Justen, Granddaughter
 
Dale Fahnstrom, Grandson
 
Bret Fahnstrom, Grandson
 
8 Great Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
 
Liza Jane Goff, Grandmother 
Leo Hopkins, Brother
 
Ethel Clark, Sister 
Christoph Justen, Son-in-law 

Mrs. Bartlett and her first husband raised three daughters. She attended the Presbyterian and the Baptist churches, organized the Little Women 4-H Club, and threw the best birthday parties any daughters could ever want. In 1956 she graduated from the Joliet School of Beauty Culture and ran a successful shop in her home before moving to Kankakee, Ill. where she established the Freida Jane Styling Center. She received her advanced cosmetology degree from Southern Illinois University and became a highly-regarded color specialist. In the winter of 1972, she enrolled at West Kankakee High School to finish up needed credits and proudly received her high school diploma. For relaxation and continued education she studied oil painting and sketching, as well as courses in government and public speaking. She was an active member of the Immanuel Baptist Church, the National Business Women’s Club as well as the National Beauty Salon Association.

After relocating to Winamac, she married long-time resident Dean Bartlett. For several years they shared many celebrations with their combined families and enjoyed wintering in Florida before he passed away. During her 30-plus years in Winamac, she served as deaconess for the Christian Church and leader of the Women’s Bible study group, was active in Christian Women’s Fellowship as well as the Monroe Modern Home Extension Club, and was a faithful member of Bethel Bible Church. She continued to paint, won county fair ribbons for her pickles, and loved waving at passersby from the front porch of her home with her dog Joy barking alongside.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 31, at the funeral home with Rev. Thomas Hopewell officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Bethel Bible Church.


Florence M. Finnegan

March 26, 1917 to March 18, 2015

FRANCESVILLE - Florence Mildred Finnegan, 97, of Monticello, formerly of Francesville, passed away at 7:45 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, at White Oak Health Campus in Monticello.

She was born March 26, 1917, in Rensselaer, to James and Eliza Hunter Culp. She married James Edward Finnegan on April 2, 1940 in Rensselaer. He died Feb. 27, 2006. They farmed together in Pulaski County until retiring and moving to Monticello in 1985.

Survivors include: 

Nancy (James) Laumeyer, Rice, MN, Daughter 
Conda Toops, Port North, FL, Daughter 
Donald (Joan) Finnegan, Goodland, Son 
James P. Finnegan, Chalmers, Son 
Michael (Brenda) Finnegan, Francesville, Son 
7 Grandchildren 
4 Great Grandchildren

Preceded in death by: 
Ann Laumeyer, Granddaughter 
Tony Toops, Grandson 
Russell Culp, Brother 
Ora Culp, Brother 
Frances Culp, Brother 
Walter Culp, Brother 
Russell Culp, Brother 
Gladys Johnson, Sister 
Esther Owens, Sister 

Mrs. Finnegan was a longtime resident of Francesville.She was a member of St. Francis of Solano Catholic Church, Francesville, and Our Lady of the Lake CatholicCchurch in Monticello. She loved her family and grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook, noted for her pies and noodles. She loved to quilt and made many beautiful quilts. In her earlier days she sewed clothes, curtains and other items for her family. She loved gardening and flowers. She loved to go to auctions and was a collector of many items, such as trivets, eye cups, pie birds, mustache mugs, glass slippers, and antique furniture. She and her husband loved going to dance on Saturday nights. They were regulars at the Monticello American Legion. The end of her life was made special by her devoted caregivers. 

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. A scriptural wake service will be held at 4:30 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home.  A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 23, at St. Francis of Solano Catholic Church, Francesville, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to St. Francis of Solano Catholic Church, Francesville. 

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

Dorothy M. Fox

September 15, 1928 to March 13, 2015

WINAMAC - Dorothy M. Fox, 86, of Royal Center, formerly of Francesville, passed away at 6:15 p.m., Friday, March 13, at her daughter’s residence in Francesville.

She was born Sept. 15, 1928, in Pulaski County, to the late Grover and Anna Garling Ringen. She married William C. Fox on Oct. 23, 1948, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pulaski, He passed away April 18, 2011.

Survivors include:

Raymond W. (Robin) Fox, Brownsburg, Son
Richard E. (Marcia) Fox, Edwardsburg, MI, Son
Douglas F. Fox, Royal Center, Son
Kay A. (Don) Allen, Francesville, Daughter
Ronald J. (Laura) Fox, Star City, Son
Grandchildren: Shonn (Chrissie) Fox, Greenwood; Lisa (Vaughn) Kubert, Dowagiac, MI; Wesley (Maureen) Allen, West Lafayette; Luke (Abby) Allen, Dayton; Jordan (Liz) Allen, Indianapolis; Erica (Mark) Field, Kewanna; Matthew Fox, Royal Center; Katy Fox, Royal Center; Ross Fox, Royal Center; Taylor Fox, Star City; and Jessica Fox, Star City.

Great-Grandchildren: Kaiden Fox, Sierra Fox, Jacob Kubert, Justin Kubert, Jadyn Field, Ali Field, McKenna Field, Cooper Allen, Quinn Allen, and Ramona Allen.

Great-Great-Grandchildren: TJ Lillard and Tayvion Lillard.
John Ringen, Winamac,Brother

Preceded in death by:
Emmaline Hoover, Sister
Georgia Lee, Sister
Marian Tiede, Sister
Richard Ringen, Brother
Clarence Ringen, Brother
Nancy Fox, Daughter-in-law

Mrs. Fox was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pulaski, She was a former resident of Francesville, residing there for 39 years before moving to Royal Center 22 years ago. She retired from Eaton Controls, Winamac.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, March 16, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The scriptural wake service will be at 4 p.m., and the rosary will be at 7:30 p.m., at the funeral home.The funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pulaski, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pulaski.

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

Richard K. Burger

November 4, 1930 to March 12, 2015

WINAMAC - Richard K. Burger, 84, Knox, passed away at 2:31 p.m., Thursday, March 12, at IU Health Starke Hospital in Knox.

He was born Nov. 4, 1930, in Clayton, MI, to the late Cleo and Edith Opal Bishop Burger. He married JoAnn Mercer on Nov. 13, 1953, in Clayton, MI. She survives.

Survivors include: 
John Burger, Hillman, MI, Son 
Jack (Pam) Burger, Winamac, Son 
Julie (Dan) Burgess, Winamac, Daughter 
Jeff (Julia) Burger, Hillman, MI, Son 
Grandchildren: Michael (Laura) Burger, Joseph Burger, Karla (Justin) Rausch, Josh (Kim) Burgess, Rachel (Sam) Burns, Kyle (Amy) Burgess, Brandon (Shannon) Burgess, Jacob Burger, and Jeremiah Burger.
Great-grandchildren: Samuel Rausch, Molly Rausch, Haley Burns, Raegan Burns, Ethan Burgess, Evan Burgess, Katelyn Burgess, and Eli Burgess. 
Judy Cole, Adrian, MI, Sister 

Preceded in death by: 
Cleo Vernon Burger Jr., Brother 
Carol Burger, Daughter-In-Law 

A native of Michigan, Mr. Burger moved to Winamac in 1968 when Plymouth Tube closed in Adrian, MI. Following retirement, he and his wife spent the summers at Bass Lake and the winters in Brooksville, FL. They were very involved in many activities in their Florida community. He served in the U.S. Army stationed in Japan during the Korean War. Richard retired from Plymouth Tube Co. in 1995. He spent 45 years with the company in Michigan and Winamac. He enjoyed his work. He enjoyed fishing, football, and loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was always attending his grandchildren's sporting events and loved to watch them.

Visitation will be from 12 noon until the time of the service Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A celebration of life service will follow at 2 p.m., (Wednesday, March 18), at the funeral home, with Rev. Daniel W. Burgess officiating. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery, Star City. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to Winamac Community High School Athletic Department. 

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

Glenn Wood Jr.

March 28, 1931 to March 11, 2015

WINAMAC - Glenn Wood Jr., 83, Star City, passed away at 4:28 p.m., Wednesday, March 11, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born March 28, 1931, in Star City, to the late Glenn E. Sr. and Esther L. Boose Wood.

Survivors include: 
Martha (Clare) Karsten, St. Paul, MN, Sister 
Aaron Moon, Star City, Nephew 
Teresa Shaver, Kewanna, Niece 
Joe Moon, Winamac, Nephew 
Sharon Glasson, Logansport, Niece 
Carl Moon, York, PA, Nephew 
Paul Karsten, St. Paul, MN, Nephew 
Janene Heider, St. Paul, MN, Niece 

Preceded in death by: 
Della Moon, Sister 
Marshall Moon, Nephew 

Mr.Wood lived most of his life near Star City. He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1949. He attended Indiana University and then Purdue University, where he graduated in 1957. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Social Fraternity and Alpha Zeta Honorary Fraternity at Purdue. After graduation, he returned to the family farm where he was born. He was also engaged in a small business (Wood Sales, Inc.) selling grain storage, drying and handling equipment. He was a member of the Star City United Methodist Church where he served for a number of years as the church organist and in many other capacities. He was also a 4-H Leader for many years. Mr. Wood also traveled extensively in many areas of the world.

Visitation will be after 12 noon, Sunday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., (Sunday, March 15), at the funeral home with David Sommers officiating. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be given to Star City United Methodist Church, Star City West Cemetery, or a charity of the donor's choice. 

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