Obituaries

Sara Despot

August 3, 1980 to October 1, 2022

ROYAL CENTER - Sara Allison Despot, 42, of Winamac passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at 1:15 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1, at home.

Sara Despot

Born on Aug. 3, 1980 in Beech Grove, she was the daughter of Thomas A. Despot and Cynthia E. Shipley. She was a 1999 Winamac Community High School graduate where she also was a proud marching band member.

Survivors include her parents, Thomas (Rebecca) Despot of Monterey and Cynthia (Kevin) Mongan of Greenwood; brother, Jake (Amber) Despot of Star City; sister, Abigail Mongan of Greenwood; grandfather, Robert (Jan) Shipley of Greenwood; and step-sister, Jessica Norris of North Judson.  She is also survived by numerous, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by grandparents, Barbara Shipley, and John and Shirley Despot.

Ms. Despot was a former certified nursing assistant at Otterbein Franklin Senior Life Community. She enjoyed taking care of her house plants, photography and crafts.

The funeral service will be at 2  p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be at Franklin Twp. Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and/or Riley Children’s Hospital.

Sara’s online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Teresa A. Ortman

June 22, 1953 to September 27, 2022

ROCHESTER - Teresa A. Ortman 69, Winamac, formerly of Rochester, passed away at 8:36 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27, at her residence.

Teresa Ortman

She was born June 22, 1953 in Rochester, the daughter of John Max and Marian (Smith) Miller. She graduated from Rochester High School in 1971 and continued her studies at Indiana University School of Nursing. On Sept. 8, 1990 at the First Baptist Church in Rochester, she married Donald E. Ortman, and he survives.

Also surviving are step-children, Sherry (Charles) Creasy, Star City, and Kenton S. Ortman, Winamac; step-grandchildren, Kyle D. Ortman, Winamac, and Khloe L. Ortman, Winamac; sisters, Cindy Dunkerley, Worthington, Ind., and Lisa Jane (Steve) Sperry, Avon, Ind. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Mrs. Ortman worked as a registered nurse for many years, having worked in hospitals in Kokomo and Rochester, and nursing homes in Winamac, and Logansport before retiring from Chase Center, Logansport. She had been a member of the Retired Nurses Association. She enjoyed gardening and flowers, loved her dogs and spending time with her grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday Oct. 1, at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester. Friends may visit from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday and one hour prior to service Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Plainview Cemetery, Macy, Ind.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center or Fulton County Animal Adoption and Education Center.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com

Joan M. Biedron

November 17, 1936 to September 25, 2022

WINAMAC - Joan Marie Biedron, 85, of Winamac (formerly of Beardstown), passed away Sunday, Sept. 25, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born Nov. 17, 1936 in Chicago, to the late Joseph and Anna [Stefaniak] Biedron. In 1950, she earned an eighth-grade diploma from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Chicago. That same year, she and her family moved from Chicago to Beardstown.

Joan Biedron

She is survived by:
Colleen Good, Winamac, Sister
Jeff (Shirley) Good, Winamac, Nephew
Hunter Good, Great-Nephew
Caleb Good, Great-Nephew 
Lera (Jackson) Jewell, Great-Niece

Preceded in death by:
Ralph Good, Brother-in-law
Michael Good, Nephew

Ms. Biedron was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. She retired from Dr. Kaminski’s dental office in Winamac where she worked as a receptionist for over 40 years. She enjoyed flower gardening and raising tropical/saltwater fish. She was an avid Cubs fan and attended many Cubs games. Most notably, she and her sister attended the first night game at Wrigley Field. Most of all, she loved her family very much and will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 29, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A memorial mass will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 30, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac with Rev. Daniel Shine officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

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

Madge Gutwein

August 17, 1937 to September 21, 2022

FRANCESVILLE - Madge Gutwein, 85, of Francesville, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac, surrounded by family.

She was born Aug. 17, 1937 in Magoffin County, Ky. to the late Bob Arnett and Wava Banks Arnett Davis. The family moved to Indiana in 1947. Madge attended and graduated from Wheatfield High School in 1956. That year she married Luther Allen and they had three children together. On April 3, 1976, she married Robert Gutwein. He survives.

Madge Gutwein

She is also survived by:
Donnie (Kay) Allen, Son, Francesville
Marsha (Jim) Minkert, Daughter, Monticello
Kim (Blake) Wuethrich, Daughter, Noblesville
Kristy (Cary) Hoffman, Daughter, DeMotte
14 Grandchildren – Wes, Luke (Abby) and Jordan (Elizabeth) Allen, Jeremy (Alexis) Minkert, Brooke(Jonas) Burgett, McKinsey Minkert, Tiara (Bill) Fairchild, Blair (Ryan) O’Reilly, Shawna (Cory) Reed, Nicolle (Danny) Legere, Dan (Holly) Nannega, Sean Nannega, Mandy Hoffman, and Sara (Josh) Garcia.
25 Great-Grandchildren
Helen Fay (Allyn) Onken, Sister, Francesville
Marvin (Lola) Arnett, Brother, Wheatfield
Orben Ritchie, Brother-In-Law, Wheatfield
Freeda Arnett, Sister-In-Law, Medaryville
Many nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by:
Kile Davis, Step-Father
Craig Allen, Son
Miles W. Allen, Great-Grandson
Elsie Ritchie, Sister
Tom Arnett, Brother

Mrs. Gutwein was a faithful Christian woman with a servant’s heart. She was a member of First Christian Church in Francesville. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening and canning and was well known for her delicious pies. She spent much of her time golfing and vacationing with her husband and friends. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother who loved her family dearly. She especially loved spending time with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Madge is now resting in the arms of Jesus, her Lord and Savior.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23, at the First Christian Church in Francesville. Visitation will also be from 1 to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sep. 24, at the church. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the church with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church of Francesville.

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

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

Bradley A. Hartwell

October 26, 1985 to September 21, 2022

WINAMAC - Bradley Alan Hartwell, 36, of Lee, IN (formerly Winamac), passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 21.

He was born Oct. 26, 1985 in Winamac to LeAnn Hartwell. He attended Winamac Community High School and later in life, earned a GED.

He is survived by:
Madisen Hartwell, Monterey, Daughter
LeAnn and Don Tunis, Winamac, Parents
Natasha (Brian) Lewis, Monterey, Sister
James “Jim” Lucas, Flora, Step-Grandpa
Bernadette “Bernee” Hartwell, Winamac, Step-Grandma
Eliza Colõn, Monterey, Step-Daughter
Bianca (Chris) Williford, Mishawaka, Step-Daughter
4 Step-Grandchildren and one on the way
Danny (Judy) Galbreath, Locust Fork, AL, Biological Father
Jeanette (Michael) Reid, Locust Fork, AL Half Sister
Carson Rearick, DeMotte, Half-Brother
Anastasia Vaden, Huntsville, AL, Half-Sister
Jeanettie “Sis” Galbreath Fox, Winamac, Grandmother
Many Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Letitia “Tish” Lucas, Grandma
Lewis “Lew” Hartwell, Grandpa
David Galbreath, Step-Grandpa
Lorraine Tunis, Step-Grandma
Theodore “Pete” Tunis, Step-Grandpa
John Galbreath, Grandpa
Arthur “Art” Fox, Step-Grandpa

Mr. Hartwell enjoyed tinkering on cars and helping friends with projects of any kind. He -especially enjoyed spending time with his daughter and nieces – he was pretty much one of the kids himself. He was outspoken with no filter and would give the shirt off of his back to help a friend. He loved his pit bull, Odin, and his family who will miss him deeply.

Mr. Hartwell’s wishes were to be cremated and for his family and friends to remember him as he was in life.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to LeAnn Tunis for the benefit of Bradley’s daughter, Madisen. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. No flowers, please.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Marjorie Barr Thompson

January 24, 1927 to September 13, 2022

WINAMAC - Marjorie Barr Thompson, 95, of Springboro, OH (formerly of Winamac) passed away Tuesday, Sept. 13, surrounded by her family.

She was born Jan. 24, 1927, in Winamac, to the late David Wallace and Clara [Dilts] Barr. She married Kenneth George Thompson on Sept. 1, 1949 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He passed away Feb. 10, 1995.

Marjorie Thompson

She is survived by:
Ann Thompson (Tim) Cornell, Kettering, OH, daughter
Ruth Thompson (John) Twenty, Zionsville, daughter
Kyle Douglas (Beth) Twenty, grandson
Patrick O’Donnell Cornell, grandson
Erin Thompson Twenty (Gregory) Benedict, granddaughter
Blair Thompson (Katherine) Cornell, grandson
Sarah Ann Cornell (Casey) Holsapple, granddaughter
Great-Grandchildren: Samantha Michelle Twenty, Jackson Gregory Benedict, Madison Ruth Benedict, Alexis Joanne Twenty, William Maxwell Benedict, Benjamin Douglas Benedict, Catlin Marie Cornell, Carter Thompson Cornell, Brady Matthew Cornell, Davis William Cornell, Henry Mark Holsapple, Ellis Ann Holsapple,  and George Timothy Holsapple.
Randy Lee (Debbie) Barr, nephew
Christine Lynn Barr (Mike) Gilman, niece
Craig Douglas (Pam) Barr, nephew
Many great-nieces and great-nephews

Preceded in death by:
David Wallace (Virginia) Barr II, brother

Mrs. Thompson was a 1945 graduate of Winamac High School and graduated from DePauw University in 1949 with a bachelor of arts degree. She received her master’s degree in education from Purdue University in 1965. She taught English, literature, speech and drama in the Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation for 28 years before retiring in 1986. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she served on the administrative board, the council of ministries and was president of the United Methodist Women. She was a member of Tippecanoe Chapter OES #96 and Alpha Omicron Pi Social Sorority at DePauw University, where she served as the area president of DePauw University Alumni Association. She was a member of the Indiana State Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed spending time at the cottage at Bass Lake, reading, and playing Bridge. She was an avid Indiana Hoosiers basketball fan and a proud member of the Republican Party. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23, at the First United Methodist Church in Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. (Sept. 23), at the church with Rev. Donald Solin and Rev. Jeff Herron officiating. Private burial will be at Winamac Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Community Foundation of Pulaski County (for a scholarship to be created in memory of Marjorie Barr Thompson that will benefit a Winamac Community High School graduate pursuing a degree in education).

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.