Obituaries

William Watts

January 31, 1937 to November 14, 2023

WINAMAC - William “Bill” Watts, 86, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Northwest Health Hospital in LaPorte.

He was born Jan. 31, 1937 in Royal Center, to the late Russell Dale and Genevieve Opal “Jerry” {Reinholt] Watts. He married Rosemary Catherine Hawkey on Aug. 5, 1966. She passed away Jan. 8, 2015.

Bill Watts

He is survived by:
Tammy (Jim) Button, Winamac, Daughter
John (Melissa) Watts, Winamac, Son
Grandchildren: Tommy Prophet, Shaun Prophet, Shawn Burns, Derrick Burns, Stephanie Burns, Richie Brown, Amber (Jacob Green) Watts, Nikki (Andrew Short) Watts and Dylan (Madison Arvin) Brown.
5 Great-Grandchildren
Richard “Dick” (Shirley) Watts, Buffalo, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Thomas Prophet, Son
Shelby Watts, Granddaughter
Judy (Ed) Marcinkowski, Sister

Mr. Watts worked at Von Tobel’s in Winamac until it closed and then went to work at Broken Arrow Campground in Winamac. He was a former member of the Winamac FOE #2580 and Pulaski County REACT. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and going to Shady Hill. He also enjoyed collecting recipes. He was a master story teller – especially the one where he roller-skated (with his brother Dick and their friend Bill Murray) from Logansport to Indianapolis to go to the Indy 500. He loved his family very much, especially his great-grandchildren, Madysen and Hunter. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 20, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Riverbank Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

Howard W. Hollenbaugh

August 24, 1924 to November 8, 2023

WINAMAC - Howard Wilburn Hollenbaugh, 99, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Plymouth.

He was born Aug. 24, 1924 in Gary, to the late George and Ora [Thompson] Hollenbaugh. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as an infantry rifleman.

Howard Hollenbaugh

He is survived by:
Jerry (Alice) Hollenbaugh, Son
Penny (Jeff) Taylor, Daughter
Scot (Pam) Hollenbaugh, Son
Nona (Jason) Jarman, Granddaughter
Lauren (Brian) Castleberry, Granddaughter
Julia (Lewis) Prebble, Granddaughter
Susan (Bryan) Harasty, Granddaughter
Hayden (Erin) Hollenbaugh, Grandson
Jordan Hollenbaugh, Grandson
10 Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Barbara [Rhynearson] Hollenbaugh, First Wife
Betty [Davis] Hollenbaugh, Second Wife
3 Siblings

Mr. Hollenbaugh retired from US Steel in 1975. He taught welding at El-Tip-Wa and retired in 1989. He had a love of old cars and belonged to the Winamac Old Auto Club for many years. He also loved to play the piano. His family was the pride of his life, and he leaves behind his legacy in all of their lives. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. (Thursday), at the funeral home. Burial be at Winamac Cemetery (Southlawn Addition) in Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Breast Cancer Society.

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

Sharon K. Calabrese-Shanks

February 7, 1946 to November 7, 2023

WINAMAC - Sharon Kay Calabrese-Shanks, 77, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Northwest Health Porter Hospital in Valparaiso.

She was born Feb. 7, 1946 in LaPorte, to the late Byron and Emma [Fry] Hazlett, and was raised in the North Judson area. She married her high school sweetheart, Rocco J. Calabrese, in 1964 and they had eight children. He passed away unexpectedly in 1979.

Sharon Calabrese

She is survived by:
Carmen Paul (Corrina) Calabrese, Rockwall, TX, Son
Regina M. Calabrese, Winamac, Daughter
Christina A. (Jason) Fritz, Ennis, TX, Daughter
Anthony M. (Dorinda) Calabrese, Winamac, Son
Domenick G. (Tiffany) Calabrese, Indianapolis, Son
Frank A. Calabrese, Winamac, Son
Ralph M. (Tennille) Calabrese, Winamac, Son
16 Grandchildren
Audrey Hernandez, Sister
Deborah (Javier) Silva, Sister
Michael Hazlett, Brother
Janet Reiss, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Rocco Joseph Calabrese, Son
Cameron Calabrese, Grandson

Mrs. Calabrese-Shanks was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac where she taught CCD and was active with the Christian Mother’s organization. She lived in Rockwall, TX for nearly two decades before returning to Winamac in 2020. She was a devoted wife and mother, as well as a beloved grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in memory of Sharon via www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Ivanka Vucic

February 12, 1973 to November 6, 2023

Ivanka Vucic

WHEATFIELD - Ivanka Vucic, 50, of Francesville, passed away Monday, Nov. 6.

She was born Feb. 12, 1973, to Ivan and Mary (Barunica) Vucic in East Chicago, IN.

She is survived by her parents, sister: Angela (Arturo) McDaniel, niece: Faith (Aaron) Maxwell, and nephew: Alex Cruz, and friend: Adam Kuss.

Ms. Vucic worked with Healthy Families in Jasper County as a secretary. She liked to collect Breyer Model horses, enjoyed camping, and loved her horses, cats and dogs. Her nieces and nephews said she made the best lasagna in the world.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 until 4 p.m. (ET) Wednesday, Nov. 15,  at Boersma Funeral Home, Wheatfield. Services will follow at 4 p.m. (ET) at the funeral home.

Melinda F. Mayer

Melinda Mayer

1968 to November 6, 2023

WINAMAC - Melinda Faye Mayer, 55, of Winamac, passed away Monday, Nov. 6. 

She was born in 1968.

Ms. Mayer loved nature, especially Monarch butterflies. She was a kind and caring woman who loved the Lord. Her last request was that her friends and family embrace one another and all of God’s creation in love and unity. 

There will be no services or burial.

Memorial donations may be made to Ascent 121 or Spark of Opportunity.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Corbett M. Stamper

January 13, 1963 to November 5, 2023

Corbett Stamper

KNOX - Corbett Michael Stamper, 60, Monterey, passed away Sunday, Nov. 5, at his home.

He was born Jan. 13, 1963. in Campton, KY, the son of McClellan Stamper Jr. and Peggy Pauline (Caudill), both of Kentucky.

He is survived by sisters: Pearlie Bailey of San Pierre, Edith Fletcher of Plymouth,  Sylvia Vician of Knox, Kathy Bailey of Knox, Myra Fawley of San Pierre, and Rhonda Salyer of Knox; brothers Kelly Stamper of Walkerton, Keith Stamper of Patterson MO, and Kendall Stamper of Knox.

He was preceded in death by one brother Calvin C. Stamper and two sisters, Ruthie May Stamper, and Janet C. Black.

Mr. Stamper was employed by Community Service of Starke County. He was an outdoorsman who was especially fond of fishing. He had two dogs and one cat that he loved dearly. His pets accompanied him in his heavenly ascent. He loved to eat, enjoyed family gatherings, listening to music, making others laugh and being the life of the party. He also loved his family and adored his nieces and nephews. He had a big heart and an affinity for helping those in need. Our loss is Heaven’s gain and he will be missed by all who knew him.

M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox is handling the arrangements.