Obituaries

Joyce A. Smith

October 29, 1946 to March 16, 2011

WINAMAC - Joyce Ann Smith, 64, of Galveston, passed away at 7:20 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, at her residence.

She was born Oct. 29, 1946, in Detroit, to the late Lloyd Ridley and Vera Mae Jones Lening. She married W. Edward Smith, on June 27, 1998, in Kokomo. He survives.

Also surviving are:
Scott (Dyna) Clark, Gilbert, AZ, Son
Randy (Karen) Clark, Walnut Creek, CA, Son
David (Nancy) Clark, House Springs, MO, Son
Brian Smith, Newburgh, Son
Michael (Tae Won) Smith, Chicago, Son
Troy (Elly)Turley, Warsaw, Son
Tom (Tammy) Turley, Kokomo, Son
15 Grandchilren

 Preceded in death by:
Ashton Smith, Granddaughter

Mrs. Smith graduated from Franklin High School, Livonia, MI, in 1964. While living in Midland, MI, she owned a clothing store she named "Joyce." She was a former district director of the Miss America contest in Michigan and coached young women in the Miss Indiana and Miss America contests. She served as a wardrobe consultant in the movies Hoosiers, Push To Far, and The Perfect Gift. In 1984, she moved to Kokomo, and was the co-owner of the Green Acres Golf Club.

She was currently a member of the Indiana State Republican Central Committee, serving as the chairwoman of the Second Congressional District Republican Committee. Previously she served as the vice chair of the Second District Committee. She also was the former chairwoman of the Cass County Republican Party.  She was a former chairwoman of the Indiana Federation of Republican Women and also was elected first vice president of the National Federation of Republican Women.

Mrs. Smith was appointed by Gov. Daniels to serve on the State of Indiana Medical Licensing Board for Hospitals and Nursing Homes. She had served as a delegate to the two most recent Republican National Conventions in 2004 and 2008. She served on the 2008 Platform Committee for the convention. She was the recipient of the Ronald Reagan Award from the National Federation of Republican Women in 2005. She was also named the Woman of the Year in 2006 by the Indiana Federation of Republican Women. She was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Mitch Daniels in November, 2009.

Mrs. Smith and her husband were founding members of the French Brittany Gundog Association, now known as Club Epagneul Breton-US. She served as the original editor of the club newsletter, a member of the board of director's for 8 years, and co-hosted the national meeting in Indiana in 2003.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Galveston.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Galveston United Methodist Church, Galveston, on a date to be announced. Pastor Karen Koelsch will officate at the service.

In lieu of flowers and plants, the family requests memorial contributions be given to a fund being established in Joyce's memory to provide a college scholarship for a Republican woman in need. Donations may be made payable to NFRW-Memorial Fund-Joyce Smith, in care of Ed Smith, 13264 S 1025 E, Galveston, IN 46932. The fund is a 501(C)3 and a tax deductable donation.

Richard W. Jacobs

March 23, 1947 to March 9, 2011

WINAMAC - Richard William Jacobs, 63, of Star City, died at 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, at the U.S. 20 Bypass at U.S. 31, South Bend.

He was born March 23, 1947, in Lafayette, to the late Richard Benjamin and Marjorie LaGene Lappin Jacobs.

Survivors include:
Penny Steele, Star City, fiance
Richard William "Rick" (Sandy) Jacobs II, Attica, Son
Jennifer (Ted) Jonkman, Medaryville, Daughter
D.J. Steele, Star City, Son
Rusty Steele, Star City, Son
8 Grandchildren

Mr. Jacobs was a truck driver. He lived in Lafayette until 1958 when his parents bought a place on Lake Freeman, and there he spent the rest of his school years at Twin Lakes. He also served in the National Guard after high school. He lived most of his life in the Monticello and Delphi communities and had lived in the Winamac and Star City area for the past eight years.

Friends may call after 10 a.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., (Thursday, March 17), at the funeral home, with Pastor Ron Mabry officiating. Burial will be in Concord Cemetery, Lafayette, at 2 p.m.,Thursday. The VFW will conduct military graveside rites at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.

Morris L. Eshleman

April 29, 1921 to March 9, 2011

FRANCESVILLE - Morris L. “Morrie” Eshleman, 89, of Francesville, formerly of Rensselaer, passed away at 2:45 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, at the Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

He was born April 29, 1921, in Rensselaer, to the late Leonard and Susan Lee Eshleman. He married Helen Geyer on Aug. 8, 1942 in New Orelans. She died Feb. 29, 2008.

Survivors include:
Sharyn (Gregory) Verdon, Rancho Murieta, CA, Daughter
Michael (Karla) Eshleman, Rensselaer, Son
Gary (Ronda) Eshleman, Carmel, Son
7 Grandchildren
3 Great-Grandchildren

He was preceded in death by:
Dorothy (Wilmer) Hershberger, Sister
Esther (Bert) Spain, Sister
Fritz (Myla) Eshleman, Brother
Daryl Eshleman, Brother
Betty Eshleman, Sister

Mr. Eschleman and his wife lived in Rensselaer throughout their lifetime, until moving to Parkview Haven Retirement Home. Morris served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church, Francesville. He had been a self-employed carpenter and electrician after he worked many years at St. Joseph College and Eshleman's Electric.

Friends may call from 12 noon to 2 PM EST Saturday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., (Saturday, March 12),at the funeral home with the ministers of the Apostolic Church officiating. Burial will take place in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. 
Military graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion.

 Memorial donations may be given to Parkview Haven Retirement Home.

D. Gene Bennett

October 28, 1927 to March 7, 2011

WINAMAC - D. Gene Bennett, 83, Winamac, passed away at 1:50 p.m., Monday, March 7, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 28, 1927, in Culver, to the late Carl and Lillian Armfield Bennett. He married Eileen Jarvis on Aug. 28, 1948 in Culver. She died Jan. 24, 1994. Gene then married Betty Davis Vollmer on May 25, 1994 in Lafayette. She survives.

Survivors include:

Kevin G. (Susan) Bennett, Winamac, Son
David L. (Patsy) Bennett, Winamac, Son
Adam (Mandy) Bennett, Winamac,Grandson
Karl Bennett, Lafayette, Grandson
Kate (John) Sullivan, Indianapolis, Granddaughter
Lauren Bennett, Minneapolis, MN, Granddaughter
Diane Bennett, Winamac, Granddaughter
Carson Bennett, Great Grandson
Lily Bennett, Great Granddaughter
Leon Bennett, Culver, Brother
Eileen Bennett Johnson, Kokomo, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Eileen A. Jarvis Bennett, First Wife
Christine Marie Bennett, Granddaughter

Mr. Bennett resided in Winamac since 1960 coming here from Goodland. He owned and operated Winamac Blue Flame Gas Company from 1960 until his retirement in 1985. He was a private pilot most of his life and was involved in the development of Arens Field in Winamac. He was a member of the Pulaski Pilots Association for many years. He had a talent for woodworking that was displayed in the numerous keepsakes and furniture that he made for family and friends. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Winamac.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday (March 10), at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac

Memorial donations may be given to the charity of the donor's choice. 

Kenneth G. Kersey

February 24, 1947 to March 4, 2011

WINAMAC - Kenneth G. Kersey, 64, Monticello, died at 9:25 p.m., Friday, March 4, at St. Elizabeth Central Hospital, Lafayette.

He was born Feb. 24, 1947, in Logansport, IN, to the late Kenneth and Mable Cowger Kersey. He married Karen L. Morgan on March 19, 1972, in Star City. She survives.

Also surviving are:: 
Kristopher J. (Heather) Kersey, Monticello, Son
Kathleen R. (Kurtis Hammond) Mitchell, Monticello, Daughter
Kristopher Kersey, Monticello, Grandson
Morgan Kersey, Monticello, Grandson
Tristan Mitchell, Monticello,  Grandson
Dylan Mitchell, Monticello, Grandson
Cheyenne Mitchell, Monticello, Granddaughter
Rick (Debbie) Kersey, Fredricksburg, VA, Brother
Faye (Hank) Hoelscher, Tipton, Sister
Susan (Sam) Kochel, Headlee, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Joe Kersey, Brother
Kenneth Bradlee Mitchell, Grandson
Michael Kersey, Nephew

Mr. Kersey served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam as a Spec. 4 radio operator. He was a member of the DAV where he had served as the state commander in 1996-97. He was awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Frank O'Bannon. He was a volunteer for many years with the White County Emergency Management Agency and the White County REACT.

Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday (March 8), at the funeral home, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be in Winamac Cemetery, Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

 Memorial donations may be given to the family.

William K. Thompson

June 28, 1930 to March 4, 2011

WINAMAC - William K. Thompson, 80, Camden, formerly of Thornhope, passed away at 4:45 a.m., Friday, March 4, at Hickory Creek, Winamac.

 He was born June 28, 1930, in Thornhope, to the late Adam and Vivian Phillips Thompson.

 Survivors include:
Linda Kay Bowsher, Celina, TX, Daughter
Lesley (David) Evans, Tioga, TX, Granddaughter
Jamie Bowsher, Celina, TX, Grandaughter
Cooper Evans, Tioga, TX, Great grandson
Mary M. Powers, Winamac, Sister
Several nieces & nephews

 Preceded in death by: 
Richard W. Thompson, Brother
Carol Werneke, Sister
Barbara Velligan, Sister

Mr. Thompson was born and raised in Thornhope and graduated from Star City High School. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He farmed for many years in the Thornhope area. After retiring from farming he was a long distance truck driver. He was a member of the Royal Center Masonic Lodge.

Friends may call after 1 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., (Sunday, March 6), at the funeral home with Pastor Ron Mabry officiating. Burial will be in Star City West Cemetery, Star City. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the American Cancer Society.