Obituaries

Roberta M. Sims

January 11, 1938 to May 17, 2013

WINAMAC - Roberta M. "Bobbie" Sims, 75, of Winamac, formerly of Portage, passed away at 10:15 p.m., Friday, May 17, at St. Elizabeth East in Lafayette.

She was born Jan. 11, 1938 in Gary, to the late Glenn O. and Margaret L. Bush.

Survivors include:

Ralph L. (Kimberly) Smith, Jr., Winamac, Son
Colleen M. Durr, Chesterton, Daughter
Robin J. (Ronald) McCart, Portage, Daughter
Rebecca F. Smith, Valparaiso, Daughter
Shannon M. Gasaway, Winamac, Daughter
14 Grandchildren
16 Great-Grandchildren
Glenn O. (Jan) Bush, Jr., Carson City, NV, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Kathleen Howerton, Sister

Mrs. Sims lived most of her life in Portage before moving to Winamac in 2002. Throughout her life, she maintained close friendships with childhood friends. She enjoyed fishing, crocheting, collecting dolls and playing BINGO. She was an excellent oil painter. She was a loving mother and her greatest joy was her grandchildren.

No services will be held.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.   

Leon D. Wuethrich

December 22, 1921 to May 20, 2013

FRANCESVILLE - Leon D. Wuethrich, 91, of Selma, IN, formerly of Francesville, passed away at 3:20 p.m., Monday, May 20, in Liberty Village, Muncie.

He was born Dec. 22, 1921 to the late John William and Mary E. Pelsy Wuethrich and raised on the family farm in Jasper County. He married Mary Elizabeth Gerber on Feb. 14, 1942. She died July 16, 1969. He married Mabel Frey Pelsy on Nov. 3, 1974. She died Dec. 13, 2003.

Larry (Carol) Wuethrich, Son, Medford, NJ
Marcia (Tom) Hale, Daughter, Delaware, OH
Carol (Michael) Appleby, Daughter, Muncie
Trena (Mike)Garrison, Step-Daughter, Florissant, MO
Ryan (Lavonne)Pelsy, Step-Son, Francesville
Rhonda (Dr. Jon) Bertram, Step-Daughter, Crown Point
Dynelle (Andy) Pelsy-Bowyer, Step-Daughter, Indianapolis
15 Grandchildren
12 Great-Grandchildren
4 Great-great grandchildren
Nancy Klopfenstein, Sister, Leo
Bernice Houk, Sister, Peoria, IL
Marjorie (Fred) Hess, Sister, Valparaiso

Preceded in death by:
Cheryl L. Scheffer, Daughter
Thomas Koebcke, Son-in-law
Minerva B. Wuethrich, Sister
Catherine Elizabeth Neihouser, Sister
Hortense Brenneman, Sister
Joseph Wuethrich, Brother
John William Wuethrich, Jr., Brother
Herman C. Wuethrich, Brother
Marie Heinhold, Sister

Mr. Wuethrich was a farmer until his retirement in 1987.He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville. He enjoyed watching the Chicago White Sox. He will be sadly missed by his family.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville; and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. (Friday, May 24), at the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville, with the ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.   

Ralph Prater

August 29, 1947 to May 10, 2013

WHEATFIELD - Ralph ‘Punk’ Prater, 65, of Medaryville, formerly of DeMotte, passed away May 10, 2013, at his home.

He was born Aug. 29, 1947, in Rensselaer.

He is survived by wife: Betty, children: Julie (Berry) Baker, and Nicholas Prater, three grandchildren and siblings: Ronald Prater, Beverly Ann (Albert) McElroy, Francis Kay (Sherman) Wright, Marilyn D. (Don) Herald, Kathryn G (Bruce) Carroll, William H. (Becky) James Jr., and Michael G James.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother: Richard Prater.

Mr. Prater attended school at DeMotte. He worked at Fase’s, Ferrellgas, and Harv’s Welding. He was known and loved by all who met him. He loved junkin’ and helped at the DeMotte Fire Department. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday, from 2 to 8 p.m., at Boersma Funeral Home, 90 E. Grove St., Wheatfield. The funeral service will  begin at 7 p.m. (Friday, May 17), at the funeral home.

Mary M. Gutwein

October 10, 1918 to May 11, 2013

FRANCESVILLE - Mary M. Gutwein, 94, Francesville, formerly of Monon, passed away at 6:45 a.m., Saturday, May 11, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

She was born Oct. 10, 1918 on the family farm west of Francesville, to the late John L. and Regina Burris Kupke. She married Emil L. Gutwein on Oct. 18, 1936 in Monon. He died on April 22, 1994.

Survivors include:
Philip (Julie) Gutwein, Monticello, Son & Daughter-in-law
Linda (Dr. Robert) Griffin, Terre Haute, Daughter & Son-in-law
Kristie Gutwein, Francesville, Daughter
Paul (Caroline) Gutwein, Las Vegas, Son & Daughter-in-law
Dr. Emil Edward (Dr. Belinda) Gutwein, Monticello, Son & Daughter-in-law
Pamela (Don) Vogt, Francesville, Daughter & Son-in-law

Grandchildren: Bradley (Kaye) Gutwein, Joetta (Brian) Harvey, Matthew (Jane LLD) Gutwein LLD, Philip (Tori LLD) Gutwein LLD, Dr. Robert (Darcy) Griffin Jr., Dr. Mark (Ann) Griffin, Jonathon (Gigi) Griffin, Aaron (Alicia) Gutwein, Ross Gutwein, Donald (Chris) Vogt Jr., Stephen (Dorene) Vogt, Jeremy (Andrea) Vogt, and Jenean (Spence) Stuckey

34 Great grandchildren
1 Great Great Granddaughter
Alta Mae Stewart Rensselaer, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Dr. Melvin Kupke MD, Brother

Mrs. Gutwein was a graduate of Francesville High School. She and her husband resided in Monon for 57 years. After his death, Mrs. Gutwein continued to live in Monon until the fall of 2009 when she and her daughter Kristie moved to Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville. She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville and the Monon Homemakers Club. She was active in all of her children's school activities. She loved her family, her garden and especially her flowers.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville, and one hour before the service Thursday at the church. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday (May 16), in the Apostolic Christian Church, Francesville, with ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to Parkview Haven Retirement Home, 101 Contitution Drive, Francesville, IN 47946. 

Jerry J. Weese

October 1, 1942 to May 9, 2013

ROYAL CENTER - Jerry J. Weese, 70, of Star City passed away peacefully at 12:45 a.m., Thursday, May 9, at St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo.

Born on Oct. 1, 1942 in White County, he was the son of Edward and Dorothy (Logan) Weese.

Survivors include his mother, Dorothy Weese of Logansport, sons, Troy Weese (Janet) of Sierra Vista, Ariz. and Brad Weese (Lupita) of Anchorage, Alaska, companion, Nancy Smock of Royal Center and her children and grandchildren, brother, Doug E. Weese of Royal Center, grandson, Nathan Weese of Sierra Vista, Ariz., niece, Tracy Mitchell (Gregg) of Chicago and nephew, Ryan Weese (Vickie) of Logansport.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Weese.

Mr. Weese had formerly worked for NIPSCO for 12 years as a plant mechanic. He formerly co- owned and operated S & W Equipment in Winamac and was a farmer and auctioneer. He was a member of Royal Center United Methodist Church, Royal Center Masonic Lodge, Past Associate Patron of the Mentone Order of Easter Star, Ft. Wayne Scottish Rite, Royal Center Lions Club and the Indiana Auctioneers Association. He enjoyed traveling, visiting with friends and handing out suckers to the kids at church.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, at the Royal Center United Methodist Church Family Life Center. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday (May 14), at the church's Family Life Center. Pastors Kevin Drane and Marcia Cline will officiate. Burial will be at Davis Cemetery, Burnettsville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Royal Center United Methodist Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Homes. 

Carol M. Ingram

August 24, 1945 to May 7, 2013

KEWANNA - Carol M. “Mama” Ingram, 67 of Winamac, died at 4:16 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, at her son Richard’s residence in Francesville, surrounded by her loving family.

Born Aug. 24, 1945 in LaPorte, she was the daughter of the late Edward Park and Margaret Katherine (Fisher) Wiles. On Nov. 26, 1968, she married Richard Ingram. He preceded her in death Oct. 19, 1988.

Survivors include her companion, Carl Bolen of Winamac, her children, Michelle Neace (Calvin) of Knox, Heather Anderson (Mike) of Winamac, Carla Estes of Winamac, Barbara Rumsey (Rob) of Monticello, Susan Ames (Cory) of Francesville, Richard Ingram (Janelle) of Francesville, Charles Ingram (Missy) of Buffalo, Kevin Ingram (Alana) of Winamac, Chad Bolen of Georgia and Charlie Bolen (Angie) of Francesville. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

She was also preceded in death by 4 brothers, 1 sister, son-in-law, Walter Estes Jr. and grandson, Trevor Dylan Ingram.

Mrs. Ingram was a 1964 Knox Community High School graduate. She formerly worked at Miller’s Merry Manor in Rochester and also Austin All Manufacturing in LaPorte. She was also a homemaker. She enjoyed helping others and had volunteered at the Red Cross in Winamac for many years. She also enjoyed singing karaoke and spending time with family.

Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Home, Kewanna, and also one hour before the time of service on Saturday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (May 11), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Barnett Cemetery in Kewanna.

Memorial donations may be made to the Ingram family.