Obituaries

Thomas W. Osby

April 11, 1933 to April 17, 2014

WINAMAC - Thomas W. "Tom" Osby, 81, of Winamac passed away Thursday, April 17, at his home in Winamac.

He was born on April 11, 1933 in Hebron, to the late William Robert and Lucille Bryant Osby. He married Nancy L. Sloan on May 5, 1956 in Crown Point. She passed away Dec. 29, 2010.

Survivors include:
Laura A.( Ron) Barney, Portage, Daughter & Son-in-law
Carrie S. (Chris) Melton, Valparaiso, Daughter & Son-in-law
Grandcildren: Michael Osby, Kyle Osby, Holly VanDeVelde, Pam (Tim) Leyden, Steve Melton, and Val Melton.
Great-grandchildren: Tommy Vandevelde, Olivia Vandevelde, Jasmin Flores, Maurice Vandevelde, Nicholas Leyden, and Ava Osby.

Preceded in death by:
Michael T. Osby, Son
2 Brothers and 1 Sister

Mr. Osby served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a life-long plumber and a member of the plumbers and pipe fitters union. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and working with his hands. He loved his family and will be dearly missed.

No services will be held.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Wanda L. Bailey

January 2, 1945 to April 17, 2014

WINAMAC - Wanda L. Bailey, 69, of Star City, died at 11:50 a.m., Thursday, April 17, at Rivercrest Specialty Hospital, Mishawaka.

She was born Jan. 2, 1945, in New Chicago, IN, to the late John and Ruby Schwartz. She married Lee Winfield Bailey on Jan. 3, 1963 atLake Station. He died Sept. 8, 2013. 

Survivors include: 
Doug W.(Carrie) Bailey, Star City, Son & daughter-in-law 
5 grandchildren: Josh Bailey, Nicole Bailey.Thad Stewart. Carrie Burgman and Charles Stewart.
13 great grandchildren 
Harvey Schwartz, LaPorte, Brother 
Doris Belt, Lake Station, Sister 
Esther Antisdale, Bangor, MI, Aunt

She was preceded in death by: 
2 Sons

Mrs. Bailey enjoyed crocheting and spending time with her family. She was a former member of the Moose Lodge.

No services will be scheduled. 

Karen S. Kripisch

July 15, 1956 to April 15, 2014

MEDARYVILLE - Karen Sue Kripisch, 57, of Winamac, formerly of Medaryville, passed away at 5:32 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, at Rensselaer Care Center, Rensselaer.

She was born on July 13, 1956 in Winamac to the late Harold C. and Edna Wells Kripisch.

Survivors include:

Fred (Sandy) Kripisch, North Judson, Brother
Joan Deplantius, Houston, TX, Half Sister
Stella (Bob) Ludwig, Winamac, Half Sister
Jim (Patti) Stout, Valparaiso, Half Brother
Several Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

Gene Stout, Half Brother
Doug Stout, Half Brother

Ms. Kripisch lived in Medaryville for 29 years with her parents and moved to Winamac in 1985 when her mother passed away. She worked at PEAK Community Services for many years and enjoyed the social events they sponsored. She especially liked bowling, dancing, and parties. She was a member of Soul's Harbor Church in North Judson, and enjoyed praise and worship. She was a blessing to all that knew her.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. The funeral service will at 2:30 p.m., Friday (April 18), at the funeral home with Tom Kripisch officiating. Burial will be at White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to PEAK Community Services or Soul's Harbor Church.

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

Leon E. Onken

April 16, 1926 to April 4, 2014

BROWNSBURG - Leon Eldon Onken, 87, passed away Friday, April 4.

The eldest son of Herman George Onken and Malinda Koebcke, he was born near Francesville, on April 16, 1926. He married Doris Anne McNary in 1953. She survives.

Also surviving are sons Todd (Andrea), Lance (Carol), daughter Melinda (Rich) Diesslin, and eight grandchildren: Logan Onken; Grady, Sally, Neil Diesslin; and Sarah, Seth, Luke, Rachel Onken. He is also survived by sisters: Nelda Garrett, Tootie Cummins, Ruthie Vollmer, and brothers: Buddy Onken; Freddie, Bob Vollmer. 

Upon graduation from Francesville High School, Mr. Onken moved to Indianapolis and was employed by General Motors Allison. He continued his education through the work/study coop and graduated from General Motors (GM) Institute in 1949 with a degree in mechanical engineering. The Onkens moved to Brownsburg in 1956. They became active members of the Calvary United Methodist Church where he served in various capacities. He was also involved in Boy Scouts leadership and Little League Baseball.

Mr. Onken retired from GM in 1986. He served on the Brownsburg School Board from 1964-1976. He also served on the Brownsburg Library Board during the planning and construction of Brownsburg’s present day library facilities. He was on the committee for planning the Northfield bypass. In his later years, he volunteered at Hendricks Regional Health and delivered Meals-On-Wheels. 

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday (April 9), with visitation one hour before, at the Calvary United Methodist Church.

Leslie A. Bucher

July 8, 1920 to April 13, 2014

FRANCESVILLE - Leslie A. "Les" Bucher, 93, Monticello (formerly of Francesville), passed away at 12:40 p.m., Sunday, April 13, at his residence, surrounded by his family..

He was born on July 8, 1920 in LaCrosse, to the late Albert J. and Marie Stortz Bucher. He married Florence M. Gutwein on July 4, 1943 in Francesville. She survives.

Also surviving are:
William "Bill" (Maureen) Bucher, Monticello, Son
Laurel "Lolly" (Julian "Bing") Hare, Wichita, KS, Daughter
Michael (Della) Bucher, St. Augustine, FL, Son
Roxann (Tom) Burghardt, Monticello, Daughter
Bridgit (Brady) Bucher-Smith, Granddaughter
Leslie (Claudio) Corenchuc, Granddaughter
Troy (Nicole) Hare, Grandson
Dawn (Frank) Oliver, Granddaughter
Jeremy (Jacqueline) Bucher, Grandson
Chad (Maggie) Franscoviak, Grandson
Jason (Michel) Burghardt, Grandson
Stacy (Richard) Pollard, Granddaughter
Travis (Rebekah) Burghardt, Grandson
17 Great Grandchildren
Elmer Bucher, Rensselaer, Brother
Ken (Carol) Bucher, LaCrosse, Brother

Preceded in death by:
1 Infant Granddaughter
9 Siblings

Mr. Bucher served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After returning from the service, he resided with his young family in LaCrosse, later moving to Francesville where they were members of the Apostolic Christian Church. He enjoyed farming until his retirement in 1986 when he and and his wife moved to Rensselaer. He was a pastor at Milroy Community Bible Church where he faithfully served his Lord for many years. In 2001, the couple moved to Monticello where they attended Zion Bethel Church. He loved his family very much and will be dearly missed by all.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday (April 18), at the funeral home with Pastor Otto Beer officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to Hoops of Hope (www.hoopsofhope.org) or Gideon's International or charity of the donor's choice.  

Donald C. Wilson

July 15, 1943 to April 7, 2014

WINAMAC - Donald Chester Wilson Jr., 70, Winamac, passed away at 9:45 a.m., Monday, April 7, at his residence in Winamac.

He was born July 15, 1943, in Indianapolis, to the late Donald Sr. and Violet Hershey Morgan Wilson. He married Shirley Ann Butcher on May 24, 1963, in Indianapolis. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Terry L. Sutton, Winamac, Daughter
Donald C. Wilson III, Winamac, Son
Robert M. (Lorrie) Wilson, New Braunsfel, TX, Son
Rhonda (Paul) Culbertson, Indianapolis, Daughter
19 Grandchildren
8 Great Grandchildren
Violet D. Sparks, Martinsville, Sister
Cynthia D. (Terry) Bowington, Gig Harbor, WA, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Michael L. Wilson, Brother
Kenneth E. Wilson, Brother
Gregory A. Wilson, Brother
Pamela S. Caine, Sister

Mr. Wilson was a former resident of Indianapolis. He graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1961. He was employed at Chrysler Corporation for 38 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Winamac, where he faithfully served in many positions and jobs. He was a former member of the Broadway Baptist Church, Indianapolis, and First Baptist Church, Winamac. He also served for five years as a Webelo Scout Leader for Pack #420 in Indianapolis. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, bowling, camping, building, collecting 50's memorabilia model cars and listening to 50's music. He was a terrific family man. His faith in Jesus Christ, his lord and savior, was important to him as the spiritual head of his household as well as the salvation message and prayer.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 7:30 p.m., (Wednesday, April 9), at the funeral home with Rev. Matt Landry officiating. Additional visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m., Thursday at the Flanner-Buchanan Funeral Center at Memorial Park, 9350 East Washington St., Indianapolis. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday (April 11), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Indianapolis.

Memorial donations may be given to First United Methodist Church Missions or the American Cancer Society.