Obituaries

James Reid

February 9, 1959 to September 30, 2023

WINAMAC - James A. “Shoe” Reid, 64, of Star City, passed away Saturday, Sept. 30, at Hickory Creek in Winamac.

He was born Feb. 9. 1959 in East St. Louis, IL to the late Donald E. and Matilda J. [Rustemeyer] Reid. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1978.

James Reid

He is survived by:
Diana (Dean) Thomas, Winamac, Sister
Michael Reid, Star City, Brother
Donald E. (Connie) Reid, Star City, Brother
Linda Cowles, Winamac, Sister
David (Missy) Reid, Royal Center, Brother
10 Nieces and Nephews and their families
Several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins
Connie Denny, Star City, Companion

Preceded in death by:
Mark J. “Goob” Reid, Brother

Mr. Reid worked as a welder at Galbreath for over 40 years. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and floating the river. He also enjoyed playing pool and collecting Budweiser beer steins. He was an avid fan of NASCAR, Indianapolis Colts, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He lived his life to the fullest and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. (Sunday), at the funeral home with Rev. Dennis Faker officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac.

Online condolences may be offered in the guest book at www.frainmortuary.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center or Gentiva Hospice.

William J. Stolz

May 8, 1938 to September 30, 2023

ROYAL CENTER - William John Stolz Sr., 85, of Winamac passed away Saturday, Sept. 30, surrounded by family.  

He was born May 8, 1938 in Midlothian, Ill. on May 8, 1938 to Robert and Josephine Stolz. He moved to Indiana in 2014 with his wife of 27 years, Joanne Stolz. Together they became a part of the Winamac community, as well as the Broken Arrow Campground.

William Stolz Sr.

He is survived by his wife, his children William (Bonnie) Stolz, James (Michael) Stolz, Gina (Eric) Sedlack and Nikki (Robert) Reeves; grandchildren Andrew, Allison, Brooklyn, Christopher, Jacob, London, Myles; sister Roberta and brother Arthur.

As a youth, Mr. Stolz excelled at sports and was the student council president at  Bremen High School in Midlothian when graduated in 1956. He attended Carthage College to study business administration and graduated in 1962. He married Susan Donnelly soon after and they had two children, James and William. While working at Harris bank in Chicago, he accepted a job at Campbell Soup Company and moved his family to the east coast. While there he became very active in local groups, including becoming the youngest school board president in the nation. In his life, he was the president of four school boards in two different states. He was also a little league baseball coach for his sons’ teams for six years. Their home was very active with friends and family, with his home being the house where all the neighborhood children hung out. He loved old cars, Babe Ruth and hunting and fishing. He was a loving and supportive father, even allowing his sons to have multiple pets, including a pair of pet skunks. Bill moved back to Illinois and met his wife, partner and soul mate Joanne (Cizmarik) Prez in 1994 and they married a few years later. He was a loving grandfather and enjoyed watching his granddaughter’s softball games and attended his granddaughter’s wedding just last month. He never lost his love of hunting and was out hunting in a tree stand until the age of 75. 

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6, at the First Christian Church, Winamac. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.

Bill’s online guestbook is available and condolences may be made to the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center.

Margaret J. Ledford

June 18, 1931 to September 28, 2023

FRANCESVILLE - Margaret Joan Ledford, 92, of Winamac, passed away Thursday, Sept.  28, surrounded by her family.

She was born June 18, 1931 in Headlee, to the late Willard and Pearl Dulin Geisler. She was a 1949 graduate of Buffalo High School. She married Robert Wesley Ledford on June 19, 1949 at Paul’s Chapel Church. He died Dec. 15, 1989..

Margaret Ledford

She is survived by:
Ricky (Anita) Ledford, Winamac, Son
Michael (Pam) Ledford, Francesville, Son
Chris (Annabelle) Ledford, Hopedale, IL, Son
Samantha Ledford Tucker, Chalmers, Daughter-in-law
20 grandchildren
37 Great-grandchildren
Eugene Geisler, Winamac, Brother

She was preceded in death by:
Randy Ledford, Son
Timothy Ledford, Son
Beverly Adair, Sister

Mrs. Ledford attended First Baptist Church in Francesville. She was a long time church song leader at Paul’s Chapel Church. She enjoyed gardening, especially caring for her flowers. She loved to attend her grandchildren’s sporting events. She loved her Lord and she loved her family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6, at the First Baptist Church in Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., (Friday), at the church with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Burial will be at Paul’s Chapel Cemetery in rural Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to LifeWise Academy, https://www.facebook.com/LifeWiseWestCentral/

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

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

Savannah B. Isom

August 12, 2001 to September 26, 2023

FRANCESVILLE - Savannah Belle Isom, 22, of Battle Ground, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Sept. 26, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette.

She was born Aug. 12, 2001, in Lafayette to Freddie and Gretchen Overmyer Isom. She was a 2019 graduate of Harrison High School where she enjoyed being in choir, cheerleading, dance, and FFA.

Savannah Isom

She is survived by:
Gretchen Isom, Battle Ground, Mother
Freddie Isom, Lafayette, Father
Scarlett Virginia Isom, Battle Ground, Sister
Freddie Collier Isom, Battle Ground, Brother
Beverly Bell Overmyer, Francesville, Maternal Grandmother
Gary (Kathleen) Overmyer, Battle Ground, Maternal Uncle
Alexander Overmyer, Battle Ground, Cousin
Alivia Overmyer, Battle Ground, Cousin
Numerous Beloved Extended Family Members and Friends

She was preceded in death by:
Richard Overmyer, Maternal Grandfather

Miss Isom was a talented singer with a beautiful voice. She participated in numerous state solo and ensemble contests – always winning gold with a perfect score. She had the privilege to perform at the Elliott Hall of Music at Purdue University and once auditioned for The Voice television show. She enjoyed the hymns and fellowship of the Apostolic Christian Church where she often attended with her grandparents. One of her greatest joys was working on the farm with them. She was a loyal friend and companion to her mother and an amazing big sister to her younger siblings whom she loved dearly. Savannah brought joy and comfort to everyone; her life was a light to others. She was beautiful in every way, and we will miss her always.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville, with ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Apostolic Christian Church.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Barbara A. Guy

November 23, 1941 to September 23, 2023

WINAMAC - Barbara A. Guy, 81, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, Sept. 23.

She was born Nov. 23, 1941 in Chicago to the late John and Barbara [Reiss] Wierzbicki. On July 12, 1969, she married Robert D. Guy in Chicago. He passed away Dec. 1, 2010.

Barbara Guy

She is survived by:
Regina Baran, Winamac, Daughter
Jessica Baran, Peru, Granddaughter
Natalie Baran, Winamac, Granddaughter
Nicole Baran, Winamac, Granddaughter
Margaret Semich, Delray Beach, FL, Sister
Marlene (Howard) Root, Chicago, Sister-in-law
Lyndell (Karen) Guy, Brother-in-law
Jim Guy, Poplar Grove, IL, Brother-in-law
Richard Klein, Rockford, IL Brother-in-law
Thomas Guy, Poplar Grove, IL, Brother-in-law
David Guy, Elkhorn, WI, Brother-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Cheryl Guy, Sister-in-law
Carol Klein, Sister-in-law

Mrs. Guy retired from Milwaukee Railroad in Chicago after many years. She had also worked downtown at Banker’s Life. She enjoyed life in Chicago and often went shopping and dining with her friends. They caught plays and musicals whenever they could. She had many hobbies over the years such as ceramics, reading, and watching TV. She and her family moved to Winamac in 2002. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

No Services will be held at this time.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Betty L. DeSabatine

October 20, 1932 to September 22, 2023

WINAMAC - Betty Louise [Reutebuch] DeSabatine, 90, of Winamac, passed away at 9:10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, in Winamac.

She was born Oct. 20, 1932, at home in Pulaski, to the late John and Cora [Link] Reutebuch. She was the fifth child in a family of 13. She graduated from Pulaski High School. On Oct. 20, 1951, she married Paul “Rusty” DeSabatine at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. He passed away April 18, 2017.

Betty DeSabatine

She is survived by:
Barbara (Steve) Rausch, Winamac, Daughter
Robert (Sandy) DeSabatine, Winamac, Son
Ronald “Rudy” (Cindy) DeSabatine, Winamac, Son
Donna “Guba” (Alan) Nicholson, Winamac, Daughter
David “Butch” (Monica) DeSabatine, Winamac, Son
Joan (Tim) Murray, Winamac, Daughter
John “Chopper” (Robin) DeSabatine, LaPorte, Son
Rhonda “Weez” (Dave) Parcel, Winamac, Daughter
Thomas DeSabatine, Culver, Son
45 Grandchildren
54 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Granddaughter
Marlene (Ron) Roth, Monticello, Sister
Kay Ann (Tom) Derheimer, Columbia City, Sister
Sharon (Jerry) Cloud, Indianapolis, Sister
Marcia Lehman, Indianapolis, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

She is preceded in death by:
Ida DeSabatine, Daughter-in-law
Bill (Babe) Reutebuch, Brother
Junior (Evelyn) Reutebuch, Brother
Richard Reutebuch, Brother
John (Janet) Reutebuch, Brother
Gerald “Popcorn” (Georgette) Reutebuch, Brother
Marjorie “Chiz” (Chester) Hanus, Sister
Dorothy (Melvin) Linback, Sister
Ronald Reutebuch, Infant Brother
Alfonso and Anna [DePirro] DeSabatine, In-laws
Rich Lehman, Brother-in-law

Mrs. DeSabatine worked from the early age of 10 babysitting and cleaning for a couple of her schoolteachers. She also did ironing for an aunt. She worked in a sewing factory after graduating from high school. She was the bookkeeper for 65 years for her husband’s excavating business, DeSabatine Brothers Excavating. While helping with the family business, she had nine children in 10 years and did a wonderful job raising them. She was very active at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac where she was a CCD teacher for many years. She was also a member of the Christian Mothers and Ladies of Charity. She was proud to be a part of the first group of parishioners allowed to distribute the Eucharist at St. Peter’s. Aside from raising her family, Betty loved to work in her garden, read, cook for her family, play Euchre on Friday nights, and watch her family swim in her pool. A day did not go by without her watching her favorites on TV, The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy.

Visitation will be from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 29, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Winamac (enter through north door off of parking lot). A scriptural wake service will be at 8 p.m., Friday. The rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, at the church, and will be followed by the prayers at the closing of the casket. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, at the church with Rev. Andrew DeKeyser officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Dup15q Alliance Mission which helps fund Autism research. Mrs. DeSabatine held this charity close to her heart to help her great-grandson Beau. Donation envelopes will be available through the funeral home.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.