Obituaries

Thomas R. Girton

November 22, 1938 to September 7, 2022

WINAMAC  - Thomas R. “Tom” Girton, 60, of Monterey, passed away Wednesday, September 7, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. 

He was born June 24, 1962 in Winamac, to Albert R. and Elnora A. [Walters] Girton. He graduated from Culver Community High School in 1982. He served 6 years in the Indiana Army National Guard. On June 5, 1982, he married his high school sweetheart Julie A. Hulmes in Monterey. She survives.

Tom Girton

He is also survived by:
Megan A. (Matt) Carter, Monterey, Daughter
Casey L. (Whitney) Girton, Argos, Son
Sydney Girton, Granddaughter
Kaylee Girton, Granddaughter
Reese Carter, Grandson
Hunter Girton, Grandson
Breelyn Carter, Granddaughter
Elnora Girton, Monterey, Mother
Cindy (Mark) Jirjis, Sister
Lisa (Susan) Girton-Shipp, Sister
Eric (Heather) Hulmes, Brother-in-law
Janel Hulmes, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Albert R. Girton, Father
Leonard and Phyllis, Hulmes, In-Laws

Mr. Girton worked at Whitley Products in Plymouth, for almost 25 years. He was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Monterey. He was a soccer, baseball, and basketball coach/umpire/referee and also served as president of Culver Little League for several years. He was a man of many talents and skills. He enjoyed creating trails on the 17 acres of land where he built his self-designed dream home. If he wasn’t in the barn tinkering, he could be found out in the woods riding his Gator with the grandkids. He was the proud two-time winner of the Monterey Christmas Parade. He was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa who will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 12, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the funeral home with Don Good officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Cemetery in Monterey. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Culver Youth League.

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

Eliza M. Hopkins

November 22, 1938 to September 7, 2022

FRANCESVILLE - Eliza Marie Hopkins, 83, of Francesville, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

She was born Nov. 22, 1938 in Pike County, KY to John and Mintie [Wallen] Harris. Her father passed away when she was five and soon after, the family moved from Kentucky to Indiana. On Sept. 18, 1954, she married Hargis Hopkins Jr. at Bailey’s Corner Church. He passed away Aug. 13, 2013.

Eliza Hopkins

She is survived by:
H. Timothy Hopkins, Monterey, Son
Gregory G. (Michelle E.) Hopkins, Francesville, Son
Anthony Ray (Tina) Hopkins, Francesville, Son
Darrell (Linda) Hopkins, Rochester, Son
14 Grandchildren: Rick, Jennifer, Kelly, TJ, Greg II, Cody, Brett, Nathan, Taylor, Drake, Krista, DJ, Angel, and Jimmy
Numerous Great Grandchildren and Great-Great-Grandchildren
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
John Harris, Father
Mintie [Wallen] Harris Hill, Mother
Glenn Hill, Step-Father
Debra Marie Hopkins, Daughter
1 Granddaughter: Alicia
1 Great-Granddaughter: Skyler
3 Sisters: Jean, Jeanette, and Emily
3 Brothers: Joseph, Bobby, and Harry
1 Half-Brother: Willie

Mrs. Watkins worked many years as a CNA at Parkview Haven, Francesville. She also had worked at Schumacher Electric and Gehring Farms for numerous years. Most important to her were the years she spent as a loving and devoted homemaker. She was a humble Christian woman. She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking and mowing. She loved her family very much and will be dearly missed. Eliza and Junior are reunited and will be together forever.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept.14, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. (Wednesday), at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Private disposition will take place at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church in Francesville.

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

Royal G. Fites Jr.

September 3, 1930 to September 2, 2022

WINAMAC - Royal Garland “Jack” Fites Jr., 91, of Winamac, passed away Friday, Sept. 2, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac. 

He was born Sept. 3, 1930, in Winamac to Hazel A. [Hewitt] and Royal Garland “Jack” Fites Sr. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1948. He married Pauline Elizabeth Becker on Jan. 3, 1953 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. She passed away Oct. 10, 2017.

Jack Fites Jr.

He is survived by:
Diane (Bill) Moyer, Coldwater, MI, daughter
Jeff (Robin) Fites, Commerce Twp., MI, son
Andrea (Troy) Tennyson, Union City, MI, granddaughter
Erica (Chris) Saggau, Jacksonville Beach, FL, granddaughter
Scott (Megan) Fites, Waunkee, WI, grandson
Kateri (Ben) Gilliland, Carnation, WA, granddaughter
MaryBeth (Nathan) Deinlein, Denver, CO, granddaughter
Great-grandchildren: Emma Tennyson, Aubrey Tennyson, Peter Fites, Addilyn Tennyson, Paul Fites, Olivia Saggau, Elara Gilliland, Oliver Saggau, and Orion Gilliland.

Preceded in death by:
Royal Fites Sr., father
Hazel Fites Cassaday, mother

While in high school, Mr. Fites worked at the newspaper in town, and at Fitz’ Garage. He entered the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was proud to be a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division. After leaving military service, he attended business school to become an accountant. He then worked for Courier Newsome in Logansport, North Express in Winamac, and finally retired from Biggs in Lafayette. He loved his family and delighted in visits from them. He was also involved in many organizations in town including: The Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Knights of Columbus where he served as Grand Knight and was a 4th degree member, and the American Legion. He continued to attend St. Peter’s Catholic Church through the years. Those who knew him were aware of his love for tinkering with tools and engines, inventing gadgets, working in his yard, assisting Pauline with her garden, and his many woodworking projects. In recent years he enjoyed ordering pizza from the local Pizza Hut when family came into town, and conversing with local business employees regularly. Rumor has it t he earned notoriety as the devoted husband who walked to the cemetery daily to visit his beloved wife’s final resting place. He delighted in his constantly growing family. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him and loved him, and the many lessons he taught will live on for generations to come.

 A scriptural wake service will be at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Visitation will follow from 4 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Knights of Columbus service. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 23, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac with Rev. Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Cemetery or Memorial Swinging Bridge Fund.

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

Richard B. Knebel

May 12, 1942 to September 1, 2022

WINAMAC - Richard B. “Rich” Knebel, 80, of Winamac passed away Thursday, Sept. 1, at home.

He was born May 12, 1942 in Winamac, to the late Samuel W. and Thresa J. Nierzwicki Knebel. On June 16, 1962 in Cassopolis, MI he married Ellen J. Jachim. She survives.

Rich Knebel

He is survived by:
Mark Knebel, Winamac, Son
Dan (Jennifer) Knebel, Winamac, Son
Rich (Tina) Knebel, Winamac, Son
Grandchildren: Garrett, Catherine, Caitlin, Cole, and Schyler.
5 Great-grandchildren
George (Gladys) Knebel, Winamac, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Wesley S. Knebel, Brother
Pearl Becker, Sister

Mr. Knebel began his lifelong career in dairy farming with his brother George as “Knebel Brothers” just after graduating from high school. Together, along with his wife and three sons, they operated what is considered a small dairy farm (under 60 cows). With his exceptional knowledge and skills in cattle pedigrees and breeding, Knebel Holsteins earned No. 1 ranking in Indiana for dairy production among small dairy farm operations and a ranking of 23rd across the U.S.

Mr. Knebel later turned this passion and enthusiasm into an educational dairy experience for families across the U.S. For the past 30 years, he and his family have traveled the U.S. from Texas to New York operating and exhibiting an agricultural education center whereby people can experience firsthand the birth of agricultural livestock including cattle, sheep, and pigs. Mr. Knebel was taking the goodness of agriculture to the public 25 years before the term “Agri-tourism” was every coined.

Mr. Knebel’s greatest love was family. When not working together on the farm, they enjoyed trips to dairy shows and the beaches in Florida. He was best known for his humor and lightheartedness, which was enjoyed by everyone he had the opportunity to meet.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Winamac Nazarene Church in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon (Saturday), at the church. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Gleaners Winners Give Milk https://give.gleaners.org/campaign/winners-give-milk/c405021

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Barbara L. Jones

November 26, 1937 to August 31,2022

FRANCESVILLE - Barbara L. “Barb” Jones, 84, of Francesville, passed away Wednesday, Aug.31, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

She was born Nov. 26, 1937 in Mentone, to the late Harold R. and Florence W. “Betty” [Powers] Price. On May 28, 1976, she married Melvin L. Jones in Robertson County, TN. He passed away Oct. 23, 2018.

Barb Jones

She is survived by:
Bobbi Marshal, Daughter
Debra Clemons, Daughter
Brad Jones, Son
Ron Lowry, Son
Randy Lowry, Son
Abbey Clemons, Granddaughter
Frankie Clemons, Grandson
Jessica Younce, Granddaughter
Adam Younce, Grandson
Zayden Younce, Great-Grandson
Bev Carpenter, Sister
Bea Stephenson, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Joseph Edward Younce Jr., Son

Mrs. Jones was a beautician and also owned/operated the local tavern in Francesville for many years.

She left the following words for her family, “We have been through financial troubles, death of loved ones, additions, and illness, and have been there for each other to help in any way - making us a stronger family, and bringing us closer together. Not many families have been as lucky as ours. My journey through this life has been great. I have walked the fields of Gettysburg, fly-fished in the great Missouri River in the Rocky Mountains, sunbathed on the nude beaches, stood in the childhood home of John Wayne, walked in the house of George Armstrong Custer, and walked through the rooms of Ernest Hemingway’s home and sat at the typewriter where he wrote his famous novels on his boat, The Pillar. I had a beer at No. 14 Saloon in Deadwood (Wild Bill Hickok’s favorite tavern), flew over the Grand Canyon, and sat in the front row to watch Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park, visited Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments. Through all of these journeys I have enjoyed, the proudest is seeing our family reunion every year for 20 years - where cousins, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts have come together to meet and spend valuable time together. The journey is now over and I go on to my destiny, which I consider just another journey. So I leave you with these words, love one another, pray for one another, forgive one another. Life is very short, do not waste your time and love to each other. I am proud of all of you!”

No services will be held. Private burial will take place at Poplar Grove Cemetery in Culver. 

Memorial donations may be made to Humanitarian Distribution Center.

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

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

Richard A. Ruhnow

April 25, 1953 to August 31, 2022

KEWANNA - Richard A. Ruhnow, 69, of Monterey passed away peacefully at 1:40 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Majestic Care West Allen in Ft. Wayne.

Richard Ruhnow

Born on April 25, 1953 in Plymouth, he was the son of the late Emil and Mary Ann (Busart) Ruhnow. He was a Culver High School graduate.

Survivors include his wife Sheila Ruhnow of Monterey; children Matthew (Michelle) Ruhnow of Fishers, Andrew Ruhnow of Indianapolis and Troy Rose of Georgia; sisters, Margaret Bowersox, Denise Tharp and Gail Ruhnow; and grandchildren, Caden Ruhnow, Connor Ruhnow and TJ Sholes.

Mr. Ruhnow was a retired pipefitter and a member of Local 172 in South Bend.  He also owned and operated the Leiters Ford Tavern.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna.

Memorial donations may be made to the Fulton County Animal Shelter.

Mr. Ruhnow’s online guestbook and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.