Obituaries

Marcella McCray

April 15, 1923 to February 16, 2013

WINAMAC - Marcella M. McCray, 89, of Winamac, passed away at 1:45 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac. 

She was born on April 15, 1923 in Tomahawk, WI to the late Claude and Jeanettie Hare Shidler. 

Survivors include:
Jeanettie M. "Sis" (Art) Fox, Winamac, Daughter
Marge (Darrell) Ries, Tyler, TX, Daughter
Linda Craig, Winamac, Daughter
Ronald (Marie) Craig, Grovertown, Son
Steven (Sandy) Craig, Winamac, Son
Brenda Craig, Winamac, Daughter-in-law
24 Grandchildren
Several Great Grandchildren & Great-Great Grandchildren
4 Sisters

Preceded in death by:
William Brent Craig, Son
7 Sisters
3 Brothers

Mrs. McCray lived many years in Florida and Texas before moving back to Winamac two years ago.  She enjoyed nature, especially bird watching. She was loved by her family and will be missed.

A private family burial will take place at Mt. Zion-Franklin Township Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Winamac VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Peggy Tiede Goss

September 3, 1950 to February 15, 2013

FRANCESVILLE - Peggy Tiede Goss, 62, of Greenwood, passed away on Friday, Feb. 15. 

She was born Sept. 3, 1950 in Francesville, to the late Richard and Florence Tiede.

She is survived by her husband, Eugene “Chip” Goss of Greenwood, and two aunts, Betty Doll and Sylvia Doll both of Francesville. 

Mrs. Goss was retired from Greenwood Public Library. She was a member of the St. James-Salem United Church of Christ.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Feb. 19,  from 5 to 8 p.m., at G. H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Avenue, Indianapolis. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Thursday (Feb. 21), at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel Francesville, with visitation one hour prior to the service.   She will be laid to rest at St. James-Salem Cemetery. 

Memorial donations may be made to the St. James-Salem United Church of Christ, Francesville.  
 

Dolores Mae Wagner

June 14, 1927 to February 12, 2013

MEDARYVILLE - Dolores Mae Wagner, 85, of Medaryville, passed away at 3:27 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Whispering Pines in Monticello.

She was born June 14, 1927 to the late Alfred Paul and Anna Meta Turner Schultz. She married Fred Eugene Wagner Sr. on May 17, 1947 at the Medaryville United Methodist Church. He passed away Sept. 30, 2012.

Survivors include:
Fred Eugene (Patricia) Wagner, Jr., West Lafayette, Son
Bruce Allen Wagner, Winamac, Son
Susan Elaine (Fred) Jungels, Medaryville, Daughter
Grandchildren Glendon Jungels,  Ryan Jungels,  Brett (Greta) Jungels, Kurt (Megan) Jungels, Lori Wagner,  Amy Wagner, April (Kirby) Wuethrich and Corey (Lori) Wagner.
Great-grandchildren Abigail Wuethrich, Cale Wuethrich and Emma Jungels.
Paul (Joan) Schultz, Medaryville, Brother

Preceded in death by:
William Schultz, Brother
Elsie Raynec, Sister
Edward Schultz, Brother
Dorothy McIlvain, Sister
Herbert Schultz, Brother
Robert Schultz, Brother

Mrs. Wagner graduated from Medaryville High School. She was a member of the Medaryville United Methodist Church and participated in the ladies group. She also was a member of the Medaryville OES #310 and the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter. She had worked several years at the Medaryville Garment Factory. She and her husband owned and operated Wagner's Pizza in Medaryville for 12 years. They also shared several hobbies together including gardening, China plate painting, and making porcelain dolls. She enjoyed crocheting and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday (Feb. 18), at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. An Eastern Star Services will be at 2 p.m., followed by the funeral service with Pastor Susan Jennys and Pastor Tom Dewlen officiating. 
Burial will be in White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to Medaryville United Methodist Church. 

Ralph W. Braun

December 18, 1940 to February 8, 2013

WINAMAC - Ralph William Braun, 72, founder and CEO of The Braun Corporation, Winamac, passed away at 4:45 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8, at his residence in Winamac.

He was born Dec. 18, 1940 in Winamac to Joseph J. and Olive M. Braun.

Survivors include his wife of eight years, Melody; his children Cherie (Paul) Braun-Diaz, Todd (Amy) Braun, Brent Braun, Drew (Lisa) Braun, Melissa (Nathan) Dennis; and eight grandchildren Nathan and Alison Diaz, Brittney and Brady Braun, Quentin, Justin, and Caitlin Haley, and Lindy Dennis.

Also surviving are his step-children Aaron (Carrie) Gutwein, Anthony (Jennifer) Gutwein, Allison (Daryl) Starr, Adrienne (Nick) Vollmer, seven step-grandchildren, and one sister Joan Heath.

He was preceded in death by his father Joseph J. Braun in 1986 and mother Olive M. Freeman Braun in 2012.

Mr. Braun was a pioneer in the mobility industry, struggling with SMA from a young age. Out of a need to improve his own mobility, he built his first three-wheel scooter in 1962. Realizing that there were many others like him, he started his own company developing and manufacturing several mobility products. This began in 1963 when he started Save-A-Step Manufacturing, which eventually grew into The Braun Corporation in 1972. What began as a solution to his own mobility needs grew to a company that would eventually change thousands of lives. In 2006, The Braun Corporation adopted the brand name, BraunAbility for its products. Today his company has grown into a world-wide corporation, with its headquarters still based in Winamac.

In 2010, Mr. Braun released his autobiography, Rise Above. He then started The Ralph Braun Foundation as a way to assist the disabled population with purchasing mobility equipment. As a recipient of many awards and honors, his recognition began in 1979 when he received the Employer of the Year Award from the Commission for the Handicapped and the Indiana State Board of Health. Since that time, he has been featured on television and in many newspaper and magazine articles for his success and drive to improve the lives of others with disabilities. In 2012 he was awarded the “Champion of Change” from The White House. He was also honored with the Support of the Guard and Reserves Patriot Award. This award is for his dedicated support and flexibility offered to employees serving in the military. His most recent award was a bronze plaque from the Adaptive Driving Alliance for being the leader and pioneer for mobility products. 

Mr. Braun was also a life-long model airplane enthusiast and member of the Winamac Aero Modelers Club. He was a loving father, dedicated husband and wonderful friend to many. Over the years, his involvement and donations to the community have been too numerous to mention. He will be greatly missed. 

Friends may call at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Winamac, from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday; and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday. A funeral mass will be at 12 noon, Saturday (Feb. 16), at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Winamac. Entombment will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to The Ralph Braun Foundation at P.O. Box 310, Winamac, IN 46996.

George H. Dunker

May 12, 1936 to February 6, 2013

FRANCESVILLE - George Henry Dunker, 76, of Francesville, passed away at 4:15 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the Rensselaer Care Center, Rensselaer. 

He was born May 12, 1936 in Francesville to the late Henry and Martha Popp Dunker.  He married Evelyn Myers on Jan. 2, 1971 in Francesville. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Tonya M. Dunker, Monon, Daughter
Louise (Charles) Hoagland, Bargersville, Sister
Isabelle (Robert) Stout, Lake Hamilton, FL, Sister
Marilyn (Larry) Stout, Lafayette, IN Sister
Several Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Gertrude Rose, Sister
Henrietta Criswell, Sister
Viola Baker, Sister
Carl Dunker, Brother

Mr. Dunker was a member of the St. James-Salem Church, Francesville.  He and his wife attended Bethel Bible Church, Winamac. He was retired from Talbert Manufacturing. He enjoyed trap-shooting, hunting, and fishing. He liked to collect toy farm tractors and playing SKIP-BO. He loved his family and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville; and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (Feb. 9), at Bethel Bible Church, Winamac, with Rev. Thomas Hopewell officiating. Burial will be in St. James Salem Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to Bethel Bible Church Mission Funds or American Lung Association.

Charlotte A. Austin

March 7, 1933 to February 4, 2013

FRANCESVILLE - Charlotte A. Austin, 79, of Monon, died at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 4, at the IU White Memorial Hospital, Monticello.

She was born March 6, 1933 in Indianapolis, to the late Joseph and Irene Kottkamp Weilhammer. She married Gene L. Austin on Oct. 16, 1954 at St. Roch's, Indianapolis. He survives.

Also surviving are:
Rochelle Diane Austin, Indianapolis, Daughter
Keith Andrew Austin, Lafayette, Son
Elizabeth Ann Elson, Muncie, Granddaughter
Keaton James Lyons, Rensselaer, Grandson
Dr. James D. (Katherine) Weilhammer, Tallahssee, FL Brother
Several Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Angela Rena Austin, Daughter
Joseph Michael Weilhammer, Nephew

Mrs. Austin and her husband were longtime members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Reynolds. She had taught catechism at St. Joseph's for many years. Her family and friends were always on her mind. She checked in with all of them regularly to make sure all was well with their spouses, children, pets, and if they were getting enough to eat. She loved spoiling all the special cats she had through the years. She worked meticulously on her beautiful yard and house. She enjoyed cooking big jars of soups and chili for everyone or buying gifts she thought they might need even if there was no special occasion. She was also the family geneologist and could tell the story of each Weilhammer, Kottkamp, Austin, and Stark. She had a special network of area friends and enjoyed sharing stories (especially via email with her very slow computer) about their families and pets. Mrs. Austin was loved and will be missed forever.

A private funeral service will be held at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville, with Rev. John Cummings officiating. Burial will be at Chapel Cemetery, Monon.

Memorial donations may be given to the American Cancer Society or local Humane Society.