Obituaries

Mildred I. White

April 5, 1928 to March 1, 2025

WINAMAC - Mildred I. White, 96, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, March 1, at White Oak Health Campus in Monticello.

She was born April 5, 1928 in Culver, to the late Vance and Daisy (Burris) Kiser. She graduated from Monon High School in 1946. She married Carl A. White on Dec. 28, 1946 in Wolcott. He passed away June 5, 1995.

Mildred White

She is survived by:
Linda Laffoon, Mulberry, Daughter
Joyce White, Winamac, Daughter
Sue (Donald) Hall, Kentucky, Daughter
James White, Lafayette, Son
7 Grandchildren
18 Great-Grandchildren
Several Great-Great-Grandchildren
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Tyler Lee Floyd, Great-Grandson
Destiny Marie Floyd, Great-Granddaughter
Wayne Kiser, Brother
Betty Wooldridge, Sister
Don Kiser, Brother
Jack Kiser, Brother
Keith Kiser, Brother
Tom Kiser, Brother
Judy Leach, Sister

Mrs. White was a longtime member of Tippecanoe Christian Church in Winamac. She was a proud homemaker who enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, baking, and quilting. She also enjoyed fishing. Most of all, she loved her family dearly, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, March 6, at Tippecanoe Christian Church in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., (Thursday), at the church with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will bw at Tippecanoe Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Tippecanoe Cemetery in Winamac.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Janice M. Whybrew

May 12, 1945 to February 28, 2025

WINAMAC - Janice M. Whybrew, 79, of Winamac, passed away Friday, Feb. 28, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

She was born May 12, 1945 in Royal Center, to the late Charles and Marie (Schultz) Carlson. She graduated as valedictorian from Burnettsville High School in 1963. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Ball State University. On Nov. 17, 1984, she married Arnold Lane Whybrew in Monticello. He survives.

Janice Whybrew

She is also survived by:
Bonnie S. (Mel) Holder, Elida, OH, Sister
Sarah Carlson, Monticello, Sister-in-law
Amber (Clayton) Healy, Niece
Kelly Holder, Niece
Brian (Kim) Carlson, Nephew
Greg (Kim) Carlson, Nephew
Sue (Ron) Kennedy, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Gordon (Sandy) Whybrew, Lebanon, Brother-in-law
Julie (Darwin) Field, Lafayette, Sister-in-law
Many Other Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Fred W. Carlson, Brother
Joan Marie Carlson, Infant Sister
Priscilla (Terry) Lehman, Sister-in-law
Myron Whybrew, Brother-in-law

Mrs. Whybrew taught at Meadowlawn Elementary School in Monticello, for over 20 years. She and her husband attended Bethel Bible Church in Winamac for many years. They enjoyed going out to eat together. She also enjoyed quilting and reading.

Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Friday, March 7, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. (Friday), at the funeral home with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (Southlawn Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Parkview Haven Retirement Home or Dementia Society of America.

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

Beverly J. Field

 June 28, 1937 to February 28, 2025

WINAMAC - Beverly J. Field, 87, of Winamac passed away at 3:38 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

Beverly J. Field

Born June 28, 1937 in Winamac, she was the daughter of the late Richard and Leora (Hartwick) Olson. She married H. Devon Field March 3, 1957. He survives.

Survivors also include sons Duane and Cathy Field of Winamac, Darwin and Julie Field of Lafayette and Darrin and Dana Field of Winamac; plus eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by son Darl Field, grandson Daniel Field, brother Larry Olson and sister Bonita (Olson) Jensen.

Mrs. Field was a homemaker, and also a former employee at Shultz Brothers, GL Perry and Ben Franklin dime stores. She attended Bethel Bible Church, Winamac, and enjoyed taking care of her flowers and spending time with family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 4, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Winamac Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery, McKinley Addition.

Memorial donations may be made to Bethel Bible Church.

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

Dorothy M. Callahan

October 2, 1934 to February 28, 2025

WINAMAC - Dorothy Margaret Callahan, 90 of Winamac passed at 5:37 a.m., Friday, Feb. 28, at Logansport Memorial Hospital, surrounded by family after a brief, recent illness.

She was born Oct. 2, 1934 to the late Leo and Marie (Kreusch) Weisenburger at home in a little area known as Indian Creek. She graduated from Winamac High School in 1952 and then attended South Bend College of Commerce. She began her secretarial career at the St. Joe Valley Dairy Company while living with her sister, Donna. She married John Callahan on June 25, 1955. He preceded her in death on June 6, 2004.

Dorothy Callahan

Survivors include her children Debra (Dennis) Johnston of Portage, Timothy (Laura) Callahan of Winamac, Patrick Callahan of Star City and Heather (John) Wheeler of Winamac; grandchildren Jennifer Johnston, Erin Roell, Ryan Damron, Tyler Callahan, Jamie Callahan, Nicole Johnston, Lexi Callahan, Wyatt Wheeler and Cody Wheeler; and great-grandchildren Samantha, Ryker, Will, Dawson and Zayden.

She was preceded in death by her siblings Bud, Richard, Marjorie, Jean, Donna, Virginia, Betty and infant Bobby and granddaughter Angela, and many in-laws.

Although Dorothy met her future husband and soul mate John when they were 13, they started dating in 1951 and became engaged in 1953 while he was stationed in Germany. She started working at the Kingsbury Ammunition Plant in LaPorte where she was employed for five years. She was a stay-at-home mom for several years before returning to work in 1969 at the Singer Control Plant (later known as Eaton) where she served as the employment manager in human resources for 28 years. She retired in 1998 to spend time with her husband. They enjoyed some years of travel, before his health failed, on bus trips and wandering Indiana together. After John’s death, she kept busy volunteering at St. Peter’s Catholic Church and the Good Samaritan Store, babysitting, playing cards, Bunco club, baking and reading. She was famous for her wonderful pies which she shared with many and won many ribbons at the county fairs.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 6, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Winamac Chapel, 110 N. Sally Dr., Winamac where there will also be a rosary service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, March 7, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association and/or Tunnels to Towers.

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

Darlene K. Mellon

March 30, 1949 to February 25, 2025

FRANCESVILLE - Darlene K. (Rich) Mellon, 75, of Francesville, passed away at 8:57p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette, with her husband, son, and daughter by her side.

She was born March 30, 1949 in Decatur, to the late Harold and Marjorie (Roe) Rich. She graduated from Adams Central High School with the class of 1967, completed her undergraduate studies at Purdue University, and earned a Master’s of Education from Purdue in 1975. On November 24, 1972, Darlene married Charles R. “Chuck” Mellon Jr. in Monroe (IN). He survives.

Darlene Mellon

She is also survived by:
Tyson (Jennifer) Mellon, Francesville, Son
Tiffany (Michael) Holle, Francesville, Daughter
Brooklynn Mellon, Granddaughter
Sydney Mellon, Granddaughter
Carson Mellon, Grandson
Makylah Holle, Granddaughter
Teagen Holle, Grandson
Tait Holle, Grandson
Larry (Pam) Rich, Carmel, Brother
Cynthia Strahammer, Monroe, Sister
Karla () Davis, Leesburg, VA, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Josef Strahammer, Brother-in-law

Mrs. Mellon was a lifelong educator with a career that spanned 36½ years. She taught Kindergarten at Clinton Central for 3½ years and was instrumental in starting the Kindergarten program at North White, where she taught for four years. She retired from West Central in 2012 after teaching and inspiring elementary students for 29 years. She was a devoted wife and mother, but the best part of life was being a grandma. She supported her kids and grandkids in all of their sports and activities. She enjoyed decorating her home for the various holidays. She also enjoyed cooking and baking (especially cheesecakes). She loved encouraging others with cards and notes. She served on numerous local boards and committees and volunteered countless hours of her time for the betterment of others. She had a servant heart for her community but most of all, she was a servant of the Lord.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, March 2, at the First Christian Church of Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, March 3, at the church with Elder Kyle Zarse officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to LifeWise Academy – West Central, or West Central Schools Educational Foundation.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville.

Charlotte Ward Tillett

March 18, 1934 to February 23, 2025

LAFAYETTE - Charlotte A. Ruch Ward Tillett, 90, of Chalmers, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, at Franciscan Health East, Lafayette. She served as Pulaski County Sheriff in the 1980s.

Charlotte Ward Tillett

She was born March 18, 1934, in Lafayette, to the late H. Willis and Alma (Wein) Ruch. She graduated from Linden High School in 1952. She was married to W. Bayne Ward who preceded her in death on Oct 1, 1983. She later married Donald Tillett who also preceded her in death.

Surviving are her sons Gary B. (Dian) Ward of Chalmers and Kerry W.  (Susan Runnels) Ward of Omaha, Neb.; grandchildren Kristy Morgan (Jake Witkus) and their sons Callen and Cruze, David Green Jr., Steve and Misty Richard, Misty's son Blake Watts (Shianne Holsclaw) and their children Sebastian and Finnick Holsclaw. Also surviving are her siblings Cheryl Blickenstaff, Connie Ruch, Bill (Roberta) Ruch, Josephine (Wayne) Buck and Mary (Larry) Payton.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Rebecca J. Morgan, grandson Benjamin Mathew Ward and sister Pat Cox.

Mrs. Tillett served as sheriff of Pulaski County for seven years and retired in 1990. She was appointed sheriff in 1983 following the sudden death of her husband Sheriff Bayne Ward. She was a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church and the Indiana Sheriffs Association and the Red Hat Society. She was an animal lover, especially her constant companion for many years Abby her pet cockapoo. She enjoyed nature, quilting, Indiana history and farm life in general.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m., Monday, March 3, at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 3305 Longlois Dr. Lafayette. Rev. Kevin Bowers will officiate. Interment will be at Winamac Cemetery, at 3 p.m. Monday.

Memorial donations may be made to Bethany Presbyterian Church in Charlotte's memory.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. – Lafayette Chapel.