Obituaries

Kay Widup

October 25, 1937 to April 14, 2012

ROYAL CENTER - Kay Widup, 74, of Winamac passed away at 8:05 p.m., Saturday, April 14, at her residence.

Born on October 25, 1937 in Winamac, she was the daughter of the late Harold “Bud” and Virginia (Johnson) Widup.

Survivors include sister, Joyce McKinley (Charlie) of Winamac, brothers, Robert M. Widup of Winamac, George Widup (Kathy) of Kingwood, Texas, Joe Widup (Cheryl) of Valparaiso, B. Karl Widup (Jeannie) of Rohnert Park, Calif. and Bill Widup (Debby) of Winamac. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by nephews, Adam Widup and James Needham.

Ms. Widup was a graduate of Winamac High School and Eastern Kentucky University. She was a former state parole officer in South Bend for 10 years, and a former state correctional officer at the Medaryville Youth Camp for several years. She was a Pulaski County probation officer from 1995 to 2000. She implemented GED classes at the Fayette County City Jail in Lexington, Kentucky and planned, organized and trained employment skills to inmates going up for parole at the Kentucky State Reformatory in the mid 1970s.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Winamac where she was a Stephen’s minister, puppeteer assistant and Prayer Warrior. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star Tippecanoe Chapter #96 where she also served as secretary. She also helped establish the Pulaski-Starke County Habitat for Humanity Chapter, and she was a former member of Smiles Unlimited Clown Ministry.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday (April 17), at Winamac Cemetery with Pastor Matt Landry officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and/or the First United Methodist Church, Winamac.

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

John Koleszar

July 11, 1917 to April 10, 2012

KEWANNA - John Koleszar, 94, of Winamac passed away at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 10, at his residence.

Born July 11, 1917 in Chicago, he was the son of the late Anton and Elizabeth (Kaszu) Koleszar. He married Pauline Jenczalik in 1940 and she preceded him in death 1990.

Survivors include his son, Marvin Koleszar (Lillian) of Salem, South Carolina and daughter, Bonita Kiser (Rex) of Geneseo, Illinois. He is also survived by grandchildren, Cori Koleszar (Jeff Ball) of Atlanta, Georgia, Ali Treon (Eric) of Atlanta, Georgia, Jon Kiser (Monica) of Chicago, Illinois and Andy Kiser (Jessica) of Chicago, Illinois and great grandchildren, Drew Ball, Jake Treon, Abby Treon and Evan Kiser.

He was also preceded in death by 3 brothers and 1 sister.

Mr. Koleszar was a World War II U.S. Army veteran serving in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, receiving three Bronze service stars. He was a local farmer most of his life and also worked for the Indiana State Highway Department, retiring as a general foreman. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac, and was an avid Chicago White Sox and Notre Dame fan.

Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m., Monday until the time of the service at Harrison- Metzger & Rans Funeral Homes, Kewanna Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., Monday (April 16) at the funeral home with Father Martin Sandhage officiating. Burial with military rites will be performed at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice of Fulton County, P.O. Box 621, Rochester, IN. 46975

Lynn A. Gutwein

December 7, 1956 to April 9, 2012

FRANCESVILLE - Lynn Allen Gutwein, 55, of Francesville, passed away at 12:25 p.m., Monday, April 9, at his residence. 

He was born Dec. 7, 1956, in Lafayette, to John J. and Charlene Rogers Gutwein Jr.

Survivors include: 
John J. & Charlene Rogers Gutwein, Rensselaer, Parents 
Kristy (Clinton) Mays, Lowesville, VA, Daughter 
Kelly Gutwein, Long Beach, CA, Daughter 
Karla Gutwein, Rome, GA, Daughter 
Lynn Allen Gutwein II, Lake Village, Son 
Jacob Gutwein, Rensselaer, Son 
Colton Gutwein, Medaryville, Son 
Curtis (Helen) Gutwein, Rensselaer, Brother 
Jennifer (Mark) Ritter, Valparaiso, Sister 
Julie (David) Malone, Rensselaer, Sister 
Several Nieces & Nephews 

Mr. Gutwein graduated from Rensselaer Central High School in 1975. He enjoyed working on old cars. He loved his children.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (April 14), at the funeral home, with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to the family. 

Charles R. Fahler

May 1, 1947 to April 7, 2012

ROYAL CENTER - Charles R. Fahler, 64, of Star City passed away on Saturday, April 7,  at Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Medical Center in Indianapolis.

Born on May 1, 1947, he was the son of the late Richard and Ida Ruth (Miller) Fahler.

Survivors include his sister, Cathy Schmicker of Medaryville, uncle, Harry Miller of Indianapolis, nephew, Kevin Schultz of Medaryville, niece, Lori Schultz of Medaryville, great nieces and nephews, Riley Schultz of Killeen, Texas, Maddison Schultz of Medaryville, Mason Schultz of Medaryville, Sadie Ruth Schultz of Killeen, Texas and Eli Schultz of Medaryville. He is also survived by several cousins.

Mr. Fahler was a 1966 Star City High School graduate and a U.S. Army veteran where he was a medic at the 14th Fld Hospital 56th General in Germany. He was formerly employed at Winamac Steel for over 20 years. He was also a former Advanced EMT for Pulaski County EMS and Starke County EMS. He was a former Pulaski County Deputy Coroner and a dedicated Star City Volunteer Fireman for many years. He was a member of the Winamac V.F.W #1728 and he enjoyed fishing. He was also instrumental in starting the 14th Fld Hospital 56th General reunion committee.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., Wednesday, at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center Chapel.  The funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m., (Wednesday, April 11),  at the funeral home with Pastor Kevin Drane officiating. Burial with military rites will be performed at Star City West Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Kidney Foundation.

Judith D. Maxwell

February 12, 1939 to April 9, 2012

WINAMAC - Judith D. Maxwell, 73,  of Winamac, died at 4:50 p.m., Monday, April 9, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac. 

She was born Feb. 12, 1939, in Gary, to the late Leonard and Violet Miskimins Wignall. She married William Maxwell on Oct. 19, 1957, in East Gary. He survives. 

Also surviving are:
Connie D. Perkins, Winamac, Daughter 
Becky J. Havard, Lake Station, Daughter 
George E. Maxwell, Bedford, TX, Son 
Peter Havard, Grandson 
Stacey (Randy) Price, Granddaughter 
Skyler Perkins, Grandson 
Tracey Havard, Granddaughter 
Shannon Maxwell, Granddaughter 
7 Great Grandchildren 
Jackie (Bud) Bishop, Valparaiso, Sister 
Melodee (Jeff) Martin, Valparaiso, Sister 

Mrs. Maxwell graduated from Edison High School in 1957. She lived in East Gary for 27 years before moving to Winamac in 1966. She was a former member of the East Gary Fire Department Auxiliary. She worked at Eaton Corporation in Winamac for 30 years. She enjoyed gardening, bowling, puzzles, and going to the boat.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Friday (April 13), at the funeral home with Rev. Edward Clark officiating.  Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. 

Memorial donations may be given to the American Lung Association. 

Frank H. Johnson

June 18, 1929 to March 31, 2012

KEWANNA - Frank H. Johnson, 82, of Kewanna passed away at 7:38 p.m., Saturday, March 31, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Ft. Wayne.

Born on June 18, 1929 in Vanceburg, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Bruce and Salana Johnson. On Jan. 31, 1958 he married Juanita Hughes, she survives.

Also surviving are children, Sheila G. Seidel (Allen) of Winamac, Donna A. Dugan (Robert Rans) of Kewanna, Julia F. Brainerd of Warsaw and Frank H. Johnson (Wendi) of Rensselaer, brothers, Allen Johnson of Vanceburg, Kentucky and Nick Johnson of Vanceburg, Kentucky and sister, Nettie Johnson of Vanceburg, Kentucky. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Hope, Jessica, Gavin, Brock, Bobby, Peggy Sue, David, Brenna and Holly and 9 great grandchildren, Kennedy, Graysen, Jackson, Alli, Alexis, Kylie, Aubrie, Carter and Laynie.

He was also preceded in death by brothers, Clarence, Herbert, Buck and Gabbie, sisters, Katherine, Pearl and Grace, son-in-law, Richard Brainerd and a grandson, Tavin.

Mr. Johnson was a lineman for the C&O Railroad for 38 years, retiring in 1986. He was also a farmer.
He enjoyed going to auctions, cutting wood, tinkering, socializing and most of all spending time with his family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Homes, Kewanna Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday (April 4), with Pastor Denny Wilson officiating. Burial will be at Bruce Lake Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.