Obituaries

Kathryn Eileen Sommers

December 21, 1939 to May 19, 2023

KEWANNA - Kathryn Eileen Sommers, 83, of Grass Creek passed away May 19, in Brownsburg, Ind., following a recent illness. 

She was born Dec. 21, 1939 to, Harry and Ruby Rice Quinn. Raised on the family farm in Liberty Township, Carroll County, she graduated from Delphi High School in 1958 and attended Indiana Business College. On June 23, 1963, she married David Lee Busch in Calvary Presbyterian Church in Logansport. They celebrated 34 years of marriage until his death on Dec. 6, 1997. On Jan. 15, 1999, she married Carl D. Sommers, who preceded her in death on Aug. 19, 2019.

Eileen Sommers

She is survived by her two sons, Michael David Busch of rural Rochester, and  Steven (Tammy) Busch of Brownsburg;  stepson, Randy (Lisa) Sommers of Grass Creek; grandchildren, Joshua (Shaun-Marie) Busch of Fort Hamilton, NY, and Elisabeth Busch of Brownsburg, currently with the U.S. Army; step-grandchildren, Kaitlin (David) Peraino of Findlay, Ohio and Kyle (Amanda) Sommers of Grass Creek; great-grandsons; Dean Phillips and Charles Busch step-great-grandchildren Addison Peraino, Alex Peraino, and Callum Sommers; brother David R. (Lori Klein) Quinn of Tomball, Texas; nieces and nephews in Texas, Georgia, and Ohio;  and a stepson and stepdaughter. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and husbands, an infant daughter, brother Harold E. Quinn of San Antonio, Texas, sister Rebecca J. Quinn of Tomball, Texas, and step-great-granddaughter Alaina Peraino.  

Mrs. Sommers worked for GTE, various local tax preparers, Smith Office Supply, and the Cass County Assessor’s office. She was widely known in the region for her position as an outside sales representative for Barton’s, visiting businesses in Logansport, Winamac, Rochester, Flora, and Monticello for over 30 years. She was a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church for 41 years, where she served as an elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Communicants Class leader.  Following her move from Logansport to Grass Creek in 1999, she attended the Grass Creek United Methodist Church and was active with many church activities, including making loaves of bread for military service members overseas and preparing funeral dinners for members of the church and the Grass Creek community. Eileen and Carl were beloved for hosting church members after their annual Christmas caroling, serving a bountiful assortment of Christmas cookies and hot chocolate topped with her delicious homemade marshmallows.  

Eileen was active in numerous volunteer and civic efforts throughout north central Indiana, including the Cass County Historical Society, the Logansport School Board nominating committee, the Logansport Lioness Club, the Grissom Air Force Base Community Council, the Indiana Canal Society, the Elks Lodge, and the Grass Creek Lions Club, where she focused on grant writing to improve the community park and preserve the historic Grass Creek Depot. She was a founding board member of the Friends of the Fulton County Parks and Recreation Department, Inc., and a 52-year member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, most recently as a member of the Preceptor Delta Beta chapter. She was an avid reader and loved assembling jigsaw puzzles. She collected Heisey glassware, accumulating hundreds of pieces during a 40-year span of attending auctions and yard sales. She enjoyed tending to her garden that yielded vegetables for her family and neighbors. Her favorite activity was traveling with family and friends to China, Germany, Hawaii, Cancun, Alaska, and scores of places all over the U.S.   

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, at Rans Funeral Homes, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 24, at the funeral home. A private family graveside service will be held at Woodville Cemetery in Carroll County.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Grass Creek Lions Club, the Fulton County Community Foundation, or a charitable organization of one’s choice.

Nicholas J. Diment

February 18, 1948 to May 18, 2023

WINAMAC - Nicholas John “Nick” Diment, 75, of Winamac, passed away Thursday, May 18, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

Nick Diment

He was born Feb. 18, 1948 in Croydon South, England to the late Reginald James and Beryl Marguerite [Preater] Diment. On May 2, 1948, he was baptized at St. Matthew’s Church in Croydon, England.  On Sept. 21, 1968, he married Evelyn Payne, at St. Matthews Church in Manchester. She survives.

He is also survived by;
Michelle (Dennis) Arnold, Winamac, Daughter
Kaylee Evans, Mishawaka, Granddaughter
Pamela Diment, Kent, England Step-Mother
9 Siblings: Ruth, Geoff, Stephanie, Rachel, Maria, Andrew, Jeremy, Paul, and Hayley

Preceded in death by his parents

At age 14, Mr. Diment joined the British Royal Navy. He served aboard HMS Eagle for five years and also aboard HMS Porpoise and HMS Repulse for five years. In 1981, he and his wife moved to the U.S., living in Huntington Beach, CA and Lake Elsinore, CA until moving to Winamac in 2018. He enjoyed cooking and watching TV. He loved his family very much and will be dearly missed.

No services will be held.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Dennis E. Pitcher

May 15, 1941 to May 15, 2023

WINAMAC - Dennis E. Pitcher, 82, of Winamac, passed away Monday, May 15, surrounded by his family.

He was born May 15, 1941 in Stevens Point, WI to the late Glen L. and Lahoma N. [Skoor] Pitcher. On Aug. 16, 1986, he married Elizabeth “Ann” Cottrell in Winamac. She survives.

Dennis Pitcher

He is also survived by:
Irene (Bob) Surma, Daughter
James (Chris) Pitcher, Son
Dennis C. (Stella) Pitcher, Son
Betty (Steve) Winn, Step-Daughter
Bob (Tammy) Lovely, Step-Son
16 Grandchildren
21 Great-Grandchildren
Carol (Jerry) Stackhouse, Sister
Connie (Bob) Brady, Sister
June (Chuck) Peterson, Sister
Janet Amick, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Tammy Lee Pitcher, Daughter
Roy Lynn Lovely, Step-Son
Donna Pratt, Sister
Arnold Pitcher, Brother
Nialetta “Edie” Hall, Sister
Eugene Pitcher, Brother
Linda George, Sister
Clayton Pitcher, Brother

Mr. Pitcher was a lifelong truck driver, having worked for Galbreath and later DH&W in Winamac. He was a former member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, and Eagles. He was an amazing craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and carving. He collected vintage items with history behind them. He was always willing to help anyone in need (including family home remodel jobs). He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his best friend and wife, Ann. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac .The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, May 19, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Bell Center Cemetery in Bell Center, IN.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

Helen L. Peters

October 8, 1928 to May 9, 2023

WINAMAC - Helen L. Peters, 94, of Winamac, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 9, at Hickory Creek in Winamac.

She was born Oct. 8, 1928 in Winamac to the late Carroll H. and Esther K. [Wiesjahn] Skinner. She grew up in rural Harrison Township and lived her entire married life within a mile of where she was raised. She attended Fairview School and graduated from Winamac High School. She married Willard H. Peters, on Dec. 5, 1948 at Pleasant Hill Church. He passed away Sept. 14, 2019.

Helen Peters

She is survived by:
Connie (Don) Reid, Star City, Daughter
Joan (Ray) Schultz, Medaryville, Daughter
Linda (Dan) Ruhl, Star City, Daughter
11 Grandchildren
32 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Granddaughter
Several Nieces and Nephews (and their families)

Preceded in death by:
Will Powlen, Infant Great-Grandson
Harry C. (Belva) Skinner, Brother
Marion G. (Leona) Skinner, Brother

Mrs. Peters was a founding member of Tippecanoe Twirlers and the Twilight Twenty Home-Ec Club as well as a 50-year member of Tippecanoe Chapter #96 OES. She was a lifelong member of Pleasant Hill Church where she faithfully played the organ for over 60 years. In their later years, she and her husband enjoyed traveling all over the U.S. They took numerous bus trips to places like to Branson, MO and Washington, D.C. On their first flight, they flew to Australia to visit their exchange student, Ann Palfreyman Houston. Their most cherished trips were to Redbird Mission and Henderson Settlement in Kentucky where they served the Lord as missionaries. The couple treasured time spent with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had previously worked as a teller at First National Bank in Monterey as well as a cook at the Pulaski County Jail in Winamac. She enjoyed quilting, spending time at Lake Bruce, and baking pies. Most of all, she loved to serve the Lord by serving others. She will be dearly missed but forever remembered.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 15, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Eastern Star Services will be at 3:30 p.m., Monday at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 16, at Pleasant Hill Lake Bruce Community Church at Lake Bruce, with Chaplain Todd Wilson officiating. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church Tuesday. Burial be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Lake Bruce.

Memorial donations may be made to Pleasant Hill Cemetery Maintenance Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice.

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

Jeanette G. Pfledderer Zaring

April 14, 1931 to May 8, 2023

FRANCESVILLE - Jeannette G. [Pfledderer] Zaring, 92, of Mulberry (formerly of Monon, and Monticello), passed away peacefully Monday, May 8, at Mulberry Health - having moved there from Glasswater Creek Assisted Living in Lafayette.

She was born April 14, 1931 in Rensselaer, to the late George C. and Marie L. [Remm] Pfledderer. She graduated from Francesville High School in 1950. On Oct. 3, 1958, she married William C. Zaring in Winamac. He passed away April 1, 2010.

Jeanette Zaring

She is survived by:
Richard L. (Melissa) Zaring, Lafayette, Son
Lorena A. (Bill) Lucy, Monticello, Step-Daughter
Martin C. Lamberti, Rockford, IL, Step-Son
Chris (Susan) Quade, Grandson
Amy (Patrick) Mellon, Granddaughter
Stephanie Fritz, Granddaughter
Joshua (Alyssa) Zaring, Grandson
Justin Zaring, Grandson
8 Great-Grandchildren: Jameson, Jonathon, Isabelle, Ryan, Sarah, Juvia, Samara, and Emerson.
Numerous Nieces and Nephews (as well as their families)

Preceded in death by:
Kathrine Beckhoff, Granddaughter
William H. Pfledderer, Brother
Kathrine L. Rosenkranz, Sister
Albert G. Pfledderer, Brother
Paul F. Pfledderer, Brother
Roy Pfledderer, Infant Brother
John C. Pfledderer, Brother
Marie M. Spaeth, Sister
Ann T. Henzler, Sister
Adam R. Pfledderer, Brother
Clara M. LaHue, Sister
Robert H. Pfledderer, Brother
Raymond E. Pfledderer, Brother
Leslie E. Pfledderer, Brother
Donna R. Faris, Sister
Alice M. Kopka, Sister

Mrs. Zaring attended the Methodist Church. She worked at Alloy Rods in Monticello from 1969-1984. After her time there, she worked at Monticello Health Care as an aide. She was a former member of White County AMVETS where she also worked as a custodian during her retirement years. She enjoyed reading and dancing. She was also an avid BINGO player and frequent winner. She loved her family very much. She lived a good full life. She was the last born of 16 children and was the last to pass away.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, May 15, at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville with Pastor Trey Garner officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to White County AMVETS.

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

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

Robert W. Wuethrich

October 25, 1928 to May 7, 2023

FRANCESVILLE - Robert W. “Bob” Wuethrich, 94, of Francesville, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 7, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home.

He was born Oct. 25, 1928 in Rensselaer, to the late Christian and Barbara [Pelsy] Wuethrich. He graduated from Francesville High School in 1946. On March 11, 1951, he married Phyllis Haab in Milford, and recently celebrated 72 years of marriage. She survives.

Bob Wuethrich

He is also survived by:
Rebecca (Dan) Gudeman, Westfield, Daughter
Bruce (Kathy) Wuethrich, Francesville, Son
Bobbi (Kent) Erb, Westfield, Daughter
Blake (Kim) Wuethrich, Noblesville, Son
Bonnie (Mark) Vollmer, Westfield, Daughter
Reggie Wuethrich, Roanoke, IL, Son
Andy (Jill) Wuethrich, Peoria, IL, Son
22 Grandchildren
38 Great-Grandchildren
Nola Wuethrich, Francesville, Sister-in-law
Numerous Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Jordan Wuethrich, Grandson
Theresa (Paul) Von Tobel, Sister
Wilma (Jack) Stewart, Sister
Velda (Lee) Overmyer, Sister
Mildred (Eugene) Huber, Sister
Elizabeth (John) Schambach, Sister
Glendoris (Lester) Huber, Sister
Genevieve (Ed) Schambach, Sister
Willis (Marjean) Wuethrich, Brother
David (Barb) Wuethrich, Brother
Barbara Ellen Wuethrich, Sister
Richard Wuethrich, Brother
Chris Lee (Ruth) Wuethrich, Brother

Mr. Wuethrich farmed with his dad and brothers until May 1951 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He spent six months at Ft. Meade in Maryland where he received medical basic training and 18 months at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas where he received advanced neuropsychiatric training. He completed his military career serving as corporal in the 323rd U.S. Army Band. He was a member of the Francesville American Legion and honored fallen veterans for over 20 years by playing Taps at their funerals. After service in the Army, Mr. Wuethrich and his wife returned to Francesville where they were blessed with seven children whom they raised on the family farm. He was a hard worker and instilled that same value in the lives of his family. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always cherish time spent with Grandpa and Grandma Wuethrich on the farm. He was a member of the Francesville Apostolic Christian Church. He gave his life to the Lord in 1948 and served Him faithfully in many ways - primarily through his love and passion for music. Mr. Wuethrich’s reverence and respect for the Holy Scripture will always be treasured by his children and grandchildren. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” -Psalm 100: 1 & 2

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 10, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 11, at the Francesville Apostolic Christian Church with ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to Apostolic Christian HarvestCall.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com