Obituaries

Jeffrey C. Henderson

August 13, 1967 to December 20, 2023

WINAMAC - Jeffrey Charles “Hubba” Henderson, 56, of Monticello, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Northwest Health Portage Hospital in Portage.

He was born Aug. 13, 1967 at Beale AFB in California to Charles L. “Ron” and Rayanna [Clouser] Henderson. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1986 where he was active in football and wrestling, as well as track and field.  He enjoyed Scouting and proudly achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. After high school, he studied automotive technology at Northwest Ohio Technology School. He married Viola Mae Floyd on Sept. 27, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church in Winamac. She survives.

Jeffrey Henderson

He is also survived by:
Jeffrey Carl (Micah) Henderson, Valparaiso, Son
Mara Henderson, Royal Center, Daughter
Jeffrey T. Henderson, Grandson
Athena Henderson, Granddaughter
Rayanna Henderson, Valparaiso, Mother
Jennifer (Jeremy) Pape, Valparaiso, Sister
Josie (Scott) McLaughlin, Chesterton, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews
Donald (Nancy) Clouser, Winamac, Uncle
Elizabeth (Stan) Machaj, Dyer, Aunt
Ronald Henderson, Shelbyville, Uncle
Numerous Cousins

He is preceded in death by:
Charles  Henderson, Father
Charles T. “Tom” Floyd, Father-in-law
Ernest and Alladean [Kroft] Clouser, Grandparents
Clifford and Elizabeth [Avery] Henderson, Grandparents
Donald R . Henderson, Uncle

Mr. Henderson was a longtime truck driver for Tippecanoe Beverage and Hopkins Trucking. He was currently employed at Van Meter Trucking. He was a member of Pulaski County ABATE and was a motorcycle enthusiast. He was an outdoors man who enjoyed camping, hunting, shooting, and riding around the neighborhood on his golf cart. He was an “avid golfer,” playing one round a year at the Clouser Open. He loved spending time with his friends and family, as well as his dogs. He will be deeply missed.

The family will host a celebration of life service at a later date. Private family graveside services and burial will be held at Winamac Cemetery (Southlawn Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the family (c/o Viola Henderson) to help with recent medical expenses for Jeff.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Bryan L. Fitz

November 7, 1970 to December 18, 2023

ROYAL CENTER - Bryan Lynn Fitz, 53 of Phoenix, AZ (formerly of Winamac), passed away Monday, Dec. 18, at home.

Born Nov. 7, 1970 in Winamac, he was the son of Garry and Marsha (Hunt) Fitz. He was a 1989 West Central graduate. He married Sage Hanson on Feb. 8, 2002. She preceded him in death in 2023.

Survivors include his parents, Garry and Marsha Fitz of Winamac; son Justin Fitz of Texas and sisters Lucinda and Joel Christenson of Montana, and Lisa.  He is also survived by 4 nephews, 2 nieces and 1 great-nephew.

He is preceded in death by two sons Stelllan and Baynen Fitz.

Mr. Fitz formerly worked on a ranch in Colorado and also worked construction for 12 years in Hawaii.  Most recently he worked on Harley Davidson motorcycles.  He also spent 10 years in the U.S. Army.

A graveside service with military rites will be at Paul's Chapel, rural Winamac, at a later date.

Mr. Fitz’s online guestbook is available and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes Royal Center.

Clara L. Smith

August 29, 1929 to November 17, 2023

Clara Smith

WINAMAC – Word has been received of the death of Clara Louise Smith, 94, Friday, Nov. 17, in Gilbert, AZ. 

She was born Aug. 29, 1929 in Buffalo, IN and was a native of Monticello where she graduated from high school in 1947.  On June 24, 1951, she married Richard Devon Smith of Francesville. After 56 years of marriage, he died in 2008.

She is survived by two sons, Mikel J. Smith and Steven D. Smith; three grandchildren, Kellie Smith, Earl Smith and Eric Smith; three great-grandchildren; and her sister, Alberta Miller.

In 1963, Mrs. Smith and her husband purchased the Indian Head Road House in Winamac and converted it into a restaurant, lounge and Rathskeller (bar in the basement). Later they built a 20-unit motel. They sold the business in 1976 and retired. She will be forever loved and remembered. The family appreciates the love and remembrance of Clara.

Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Jennifer L. Peterson

August 9, 1968 to December 14, 2023

WINAMAC - Jennifer L. Peterson, 55, of Lucerne, passed away Thursday, Dec. 14, at her home.

She was born Aug. 9, 1968 in Chesterton, to the late Paul K. and Jill A. [Rietesel] Ashbaugh. She graduated from Chesterton High School and Ball State University. On Oct. 30, 2015, she married Mark A. Peterson at Lawton Christian Church in Lawton, IN. He passed away Nov. 29, 2022.

Jennifer Peterson

She is survived by:
Matt Peterson, Monterey, Step-Son
3 Cousins: Curt, Kevin and Jeff Waugh
Jenny (Michael) McGraw, Zionsville, Sister-in-law
Judy (Doug) Hartz, Plymouth, Sister-in-law
Ginger (James) Boys, Valparaiso, Sister-in-law
Jarrel (Pam) Hartle, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews
Numerous Beloved Pets

Preceded in death by:
Amos J. and Sarah K. [Reinholt] Peterson, In-laws
Jane Hartle, Sister-in-law

Mrs. Peterson was a social worker with a heart of gold. She had previously worked at Camelot Care Center in Logansport, and served on the board of the Cass County Youth Services Bureau. She was a member of the Lions Club in Lucerne for many years. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, snowmobiling, boating and reading. She will be deeply missed.

No services will be held.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Ralph M. Loehmer

November 11, 1932 to December 11, 2023

CULVER - Ralph M. Loehmer, 91, of Monterey passed away peacefully at 3:53 p.m., Monday, Dec. 11, surrounded by his family and friends at his residence.

He was born Nov. 11, 1932, in Chicago Heights, Ill. to Nicholas and Veronica (Schutz) Loehmer. He was the oldest of nine children. The family moved to Monterey in the early 1940s. Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951 at age 18. He sailed on the USS Gilbert Island during his tour of duty. He married Ethel Reinholt, on April 11, 1959 at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Monterey. Together they raised seven children.

Ralph Loehmer

He is survived by his wife and children Maurice (Julie Girton) Loehmer, Lawrence Loehmer, Mary (Greg) Zehner, all of Monterey, Marie (Terry) Christian of Lafayette, Chris (Honey) Loehmer of Monterey and Veronica (Eric) Boardman of Winamac, siblings Raymond Loehmer of Portage, Irene (Dan) Forest of Monterey, Daniel Loehmer of Logansport, Loretta Watkins of Fort Wayne and Loren (Angie) Loehmer of Monterey, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Michael Loehmer, daughter-in-law Connie Loehmer, sisters Virginia Mutt, Virgidelle Weasel and Vivian Reinhold, and sister-in-law Anne Loehmer.

Mr. Loehmer had a great work ethic. He proudly talked about painting the elevator in Monterey, driving a school bus, bone truck and milk truck. He worked at Plymouth Tube for 12 years, along with farming. In 1979 he and his wife began milking cows. They continued until their retirement in 1993. He enjoyed traveling and collecting tractors and old tools. He loved rough-housing with his 19 grandkids and 14 great-grandkids. He was a great storyteller and harmonica player. He always enjoyed a good card game. His grandkids loved to listen to stories of all the places he had seen and experienced. He was also a member of the Collins-Tasch American Legion Post 399 and St. Anne's Catholic Church, both of Monterey.

A mass of Christian burial will be conducted at St. Anne's Catholic Church, Monterey, at 12 noon Saturday, Dec. 16. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Burial will follow at St. Anne Cemetery, where military rites will be performed by the U.S. Navy and the Collins-Tasch American Legion Post 399 of Monterey.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Odom Funeral Home, Culver.

Donald E. Galbreath

April 2, 1932 to December 10, 2023

ROYAL CEN TER - Donald E. Galbreath, 91, of Winamac and Columbus, passed away peacefully Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Belmont Health and Rehabilitation Center in Columbus.

Born April 2, 1932 in Winamac, he was the son of the late Chester and Orilla (Lincoln) Galbreath. He was a 1950 Winamac High School graduate. 

Don Galbreath

Survivors include his wife Darlene “DJ” Galbreath of Columbus; son Stephen (Deborah) Galbreath of Plymouth; grandchildren Douglas (Wendy) Galbreath, David (Sheila) Galbreath and Gregory Galbreath; great-grandchildren Aidan Galbreath, Logan Galbreath, Evan Galbreath and Faith Galbreath; step-daughter Laura Jaehnke and step-grandchildren Rashell Jaehnke and Mario Jaehnke, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Delores “Dee” Galbreath, daughters Rhonda Galbreath and Vickie Galbreath, brother John Galbreath and sisters Betty Kloenne, Shirley Howard and Myra Jordan.

Mr. Galbreath began working in his father’s blacksmith shop in Winamac on farm equipment and ended up becoming an innovator in the waste handling industry for over 60 years when he founded Galbreath Inc and Galfab Inc. in Winamac. He is nationally recognized for inventing the most user-friendly roll-off hoist in the industry. He was instrumental in many community projects through the years and donated his time and money for the good of Pulaski County. He recently formed The Galbreath Family Charities to continue to benefit the community in his absence.

A celebration of life event will be held Saturday, Feb. 3, at Jack’s Celebration Station, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Galbreath Family Charities, PO Box 342, Winamac.

Mr. Galbreath’s online guestbook is available, and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center.