Obituaries

Thelma Pugh

November 18, 1918 to October 21, 2014

FRANCESVILLE - Thelma Pugh, 95, Francesville, passed away at 11:35 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Indiana University Health White Memorial Hospital, Monticello.

She was born Nov. 18, 1918 in Reynolds, to the late Calvin and Minnie Mae Byrd Jones. On March 16, 1940, she married Arthur W. Pugh in Winamac. He passed away on June 22, 1991.

Survivors include:
Connie J. (Kirk) Runk, Francesville, Daughter
Calvin L. (Cheryl) Pugh, Buffalo, Son
Arthur H. (Beverly) Pugh, Kokomo, Son
8 Grandchildren
13 Great Grandchildren
Virgil Howard Jones, Buffalo, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Martin Russell Pugh, Grandson
Joseph Jones, Brother

Mrs. Pugh and her husband were longtime residents of Monon where she was active in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Monon Volunteer Fire Department. She was a devoted wife and mother who enjoyed cooking, canning, and crocheting. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service which will be at 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville with Pastor Alvin Smith officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to a charity of the donor's choice.

Rodger D. Seats

April 7, 1958 to October 13, 2014

FRANCESVILLE - Rodger D. Seats, 56, Francesville, passed away at 7:46 a.m., Monday, Oct. 13, at Jasper County Hospital, Rensselaer.

He was born April 7, 1958, in Muncie, to the late Ernest and Shirley Ann Myers Seats. He married Trudy J. Burgess on Feb. 16, 1980 in Muncie. She survives.

Survivors include:
Shawn D. (Larry) Parish, Vincennes, IN Daughter & son-in-law
Hannah M. Seats, Valparaiso, Daughter
Lindsey M. Seats, Francesville, Daughter
Hunter O. Parish, Grandson
Beth Ann Seats, Muncie, Sister
Larry B. (Gina) Seats, Matthews, IN, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Diane Seats, Sister

Mr. Seats was the assistant principal at Rensselaer Central Middle School, Rensselaer. Throughout his career, he served as an athletic director, assistant principal, and a teacher. He coached football, baseball, cross country and wrestling. He was a former driving instructor. He had also worked at other schools, including West Central, North Judson, Kankakee Valley, Wes-Del, Delta, and Union Schools. He received bachelor's and master's degrees from Ball State University.

Mr. Seats enjoyed fishing, playing Wa-shoos, and listening to music, especially classic rock. He also liked to search sales for collectables. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cubs. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandson.

Visitation will be from 10 a,m. to 2 p.m. (CT) Saturday, at Rensselaer Central Middle School. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (CT), (Saturday, Oct. 18), at the school (1106 Bomber Boulevard, Rensselaer), with Pastor James Ketchen officiating.

Memorial donations may be given to Rensselaer Middle School Student Fund.

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

Beverly Baker

November 10, 1929 to September 25, 2014

MONTICELLO - Beverly "Jean" Baker, 84, Buffalo, passed away at 11:44 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at her residence.

She was born on Nov. 10, 1929, in White County, to the late Vernon and Mary Ethel (Calvin) Hinshaw. On Aug. 17, 1949, at the home of Rev. Hall in rural White County, she married Donald R. "Bake" Baker; he passed away on Oct. 14, 2012.

Survivors include daughters, Terri Lee (John) Neff, Winamac and Beverly Ann (Rick) Lucas, Monticello; grandchildren, Robert "Rob / Robbie" (Stephanie) Blackman, Zionsville, Stacy (Michael) White, Star City, Aaron (Catherine) Jachim, Pulaski, Ryan Blackman, Idaville, Justin (Jennifer) Lucas, Idaville, Ricki (Matt) Westerhouse, Buffalo, Nathan (Lisa) Jachim, Winamac, Joe (Aubrie) Lucas, Winamac, Leslie Jachim, Indianapolis, and Brittany (Todd) Toole, Greer, S.C.; 14 great-grandchildren; 13 step-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Shirley (Henry "Hank") Balcomm Lancaster, Pa., Carole (Jerry) Stinson, Monon, Mary Jane Baker, Monticello, Karen Baker, Greenwood, Ida Mabel Hinshaw, Monon, and Evelyn Clemons, Buffalo; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by daughter, Donna J. Blackman; brother, Kenneth Wayne Hinshaw; and brothers-in-law, William "Bill", Earl, Joseph "Joe", and Jerry Baker.

Mrs. Baker had lived in the Buffalo area all her life and was a 1947 graduate of Buffalo High School. She had worked at the former RCA Factory in Monticello for several years, the former Bowsher Grocery Store in Buffalo for several years, and the Buffalo Post Office for several years. She was a member of the Buffalo Christian Church and was very active with in the ladies fellowship.She enjoyed playing Bunco, euchre, and other card games. She especially loved and enjoyed going on outings with her daughters and granddaughters and going to watch her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's activities. She used to enjoy going on fishing trips to Minnesota with her late husband, Bake.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Miller – Roscka Funeral Home of Monticello, and from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Buffalo Christian Church in Buffalo. Celebration of Life Service will be at the Buffalo Christian Church at 10:30 a.m. Monday (Sept. 29) with Tom Haynie of the Buffalo Christian Church officiating. Burial will follow at the Buffalo Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials are given to the Buffalo Christian Church.

Timothy J. Pugh

August 6, 1952 to October 5, 2014

WINAMAC - Timothy Joseph Pugh, 62, of Kewanna, passed away Sunday, Oct, 5, at his residence.

He was born Aug. 6, 1952 in Winamac, to the late Lawrence C. and Gladys Marie Strand Pugh.

Survivors include:

Alice M. (Jerry) Rankin, Winamac, Sister
Mary Ann (Jimmy Mullins) Fields, Winamac, Sister
Timothy Joseph Pugh, Jr., Reynolds, Son
Jeremy J. Pugh, Monticello, Son
Jeremy J. Pugh, Jr. Grandson
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Robert William Pugh, Brother
John Raymond Pugh, Brother
Jerry Joe Rankin, Nephew
Philip Edwards Fields, Nephew

Mr. Pugh attended St. Peter's and Monterey Schools. He worked at RCA in Monticello, for many years. He also worked for a local sawmill. He and brother Robert worked together on the construction of Navy Pier in Chicago. He enjoyed going for drives and visiting with friends and family. He was a smart man, with a sense of humor and always a good joke. He will be dearly missed by all.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., (Wednesday, Oct 8), at the funeral home with Pastor David Norris officiating. Private burial will be at Mt. Zion-Franklin Township Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.

Joann M. Howe

May 6, 1933 to October 4, 2014

KEWANNA - Joann M. Howe, 81 of Rochester passed away at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

Born May 6, 1933 in Kewanna, she was the daughter of the late George W. and Donna M. (Rans) Smith. On Oct. 20, 1956, she married John Hoffman. He preceded her in death May 4, 1990. She later married Jerry R. Howe on Aug. 4, 1993. He survives.

Also surviving are son, Jeffrey Hoffman and fiancé Kristi Musselman and her sons; daughter, Julia Ann Middleton and husband, Dan; sisters, Martha Lee Smith and Janet Sue Arnold (Jerry); and nephew, Jason Arnold (Holly). She is also survived by her step-children and their families, Rob and Connie Howe, Don and Sue Howe, Mike and Sherry Howe and daughter-in-law, Julie Howe; and numerous step-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by step-son, Lee Howe.

Mrs. Howe was a 1951 Kewanna High School graduate. She and John formerly owned and operated the Swirley Top Drive-In in Winamac. She also worked on their farm with her late husband for many years.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service, Saturday, at the Winamac Nazarene Church. A celebration of life service will follow at 11 a.m., (Saturday, Oct. 11), at the church with Pastor Brett Smith officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the Winamac Nazarene Church Building Fund.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Kewanna Chapel.

David A. Ward

June 8, 1947 to September 23, 2014

MONTICELLO - David Allen Ward, 67, of Monticello, passed away at his residence at 12:25 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23.

He was born June 8, 1947 in Francesville to the late Russell Emmet and Lena (Honegger) Ward. On June 4, 2011, he married the former Karen (Meyer) Cowger at the Lake Shafer Christian Church in Monticello, and she survives.

He is also survived by his children, Heath (Natalya) Ward of Springdale, AK, Daniel Ward of Springdale, AK, Heather Cowger (companion Rob Davis) of Yeoman, Heath Loren Cowger of Lowell, FL; sisters, Nola and Barb Weutrich both of Francesville; brothers, Dale (Ann) Ward of Francesville, Roger (Sandi) Ward of Francesville; grandchildren, Austin, Allison, Camellia, and Noah Ward, Carmyn Cowger, and Miles Davis; two brothers-in-law, Jeff (Karen) Meyer of Ann Abor, MI and John Carter of Monticello; and a sister-in-law, Denise (Mike) Brown Vincz.

He was also preceded in death by a sister, Mary Ann Sanders; two brothers-in-law, Robert and Chuck Meyer; and a sister-in-law, Linda Carter.

Mr. Ward was a 1965 graduate of Francesville High School and served as an electrician in the U.S. Air Force. He attended Lake Shafer Christian Center where he volunteered and served in any capacity where he could be of assistance. He enjoyed working with the church youth group. For a period of time, he farmed and built houses locally. He enjoyed restoring old rail cars and most recently worked as a museum curator at Monon Connection. He raised Lhasa Apso puppies, loved Indy car racing, and went to the Indianapolis 500 several times. He enjoyed watching the NFL and NCAA basketball. He was an avid fan of the Michigan basketball team. He loved his family, but he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, at Lake Shafer Christian Center with Rev. Nate Pyle officiating. The church is located at 1765 N. West Shafer Drive, Monticello, IN 47960

Memorial donations may be given to the Lake Shafer Christian Center with envelopes available at the church.

Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello is entrusted with care.

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