Obituaries

James S. Neely

January 22, 1963 to March 20, 2022

MEDARYVILLE - James S. Neely, 59, of Medaryville, passed away Sunday, March 20, at Porter NW Health Hospital in Valparaiso.

He was born Jan. 22, 1963 in Gary, to Daniel G. and Lois J. McCoy Neely.

James Neely

He is survived by:
Lois McCoy Neely Wilcoxon, Medaryville, Mother
Daniel G. (Barbara) Neely, Brother
Robert A. (Heidi) Neely, Brother
Harvey (Colleen) Wilcoxon, Step-brother
Willie A. (Janet) Wilcoxon Jr., Step-brother
April (Mark) Berg, Step-sister
Phillip Wilcoxon, Step-brother
Barbara A. Tracy, Step-sister

Preceded in death by:
Daniel G. Neely Sr., Father
Dawn Marie Neely, Sister
Willie A. “Bill” Wilcoson Sr., Step-father

Mr. Neely was a retired owner/operator truck driver. He served in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed motorcycle riding on his Harley and repairing motor vehicles. He loved to go fishing and he was always ready to help family and friends.

To honor Mr. Neely’s wishes, no services will be scheduled.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

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

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

Thomas E. Saltsman Sr.

November 30, 1939 to March 17, 2022

MEDARYVILLE - Thomas E. “Tom” Saltsman Sr., 82, of Medaryville, passed away Thursday, March 17, at IU Health Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born Nov. 30, 1939 in Medaryville, to the late Hallie and Edna Mae Brick Saltsman. He married Karma Jean Hughes on Sept. 14, 1958 in Medaryville. She died Sept. 6, 2012.

Thomas Saltsman Sr.

He is survived by:
Thomas E. (Penny) Saltsman Jr., Winamac, Son
Gary D. (Sandy) Saltsman, Medaryville, Son
Teresa L. (Tom) Bryant, Winamac, Daughter
8 Grandchildren
16 Great-Grandchildren
Peggy (Bill) Coburn, Logansport, Sister
Mary Margaret (Art) Coburn, Monticello, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Benjamin Bryant, Grandson
Helen Wrench, Sister
Doris June Saltsman, Sister
Evelyn Nelson, Sister
Mildred Bennett, Sister
Lucille Dunn, Sister
Ruth Ann Terry, Sister
Violet McCoy, Sister
Archie”Skip” Saltsman, Brother
Donald Saltsman, Brother
Raymond Saltsman Sr., Brother

Mr. Saltsman was a life member of NRA, and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150. He was retired from Vulcan Materials in Francesville after 35 years. He enjoyed woodworking and working on cars. He also enjoyed fishing. He especially enjoyed spending time with friends and family.

A celebration of life event will be at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 20, at Meadow Springs in Francesville. A dinner will be served following services. Friends may visit with the family from 1 p.m. until the time of services Sunday.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

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

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

Betty L. Hughes

November 10, 1929 to March 13, 2022

Betty Hughes

PALMETTO, Fla. - Betty L. Hughes, 92, of Palmetto, Fla, passed away Sunday, March 13, at her home with her family around her.

Born Nov. 10, 1929 in Pulaski, Ind., she was one of seven children of the late Rowe O. and Iva Mae Wilson Degner. She was married for 52 years to Marion B. Hughes who preceded her in death.

She will be remembered and missed by her children Kaye (Mike) Beal, Bruce (Lee Ann) Hughes, Kimberly Hughes, and Craig (Mari) Hughes; 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

After receiving her master’s degree from Ball State University, Mrs. Hughes taught at the high school level for over 30 years, the majority of which were at Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation. She enjoyed traveling, fishing, card playing, painting, and craft work. As one friend stated, “she will be remembered for her wonderful way of living.”

For those individuals so desiring, the family asks that donations be made to that individual’s favorite charity in memory of Betty.

A private family memorial service with interment at Pulaski Presbyterian and Community Cemetery, Pulaski, is scheduled for later this year.

Janice Hoffman

March 18, 1952 to March 13, 2022

INDIANAPOLIS - Janice Hoffman, 69, Fishers, passed away Sunday, March 13.

Janice Hoffman

She was born March 18, 1952 in Winamac, the daughter of Harold and Helen Baker Bonnell. She was a 1970 graduate of Winamac Community High School and later graduated from Purdue University. She was married for 41 years to Timothy Hoffman. He survives.

Survivors also include two brothers, Leland (Megan) Bonnell and Kim (Kathy) Bonnell; her husband's siblings Teresa (Robert) Branstine, Michael Hoffman, Leslie (Linda) Hoffman, and Jeffrey (Beth) Hoffman. She is also survived by her cousins, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband's parents, Melvin and Joanne Hoffman.

Mrs. Hoffman was employed for 32 years by 21st Amendment. She liked jigsaw puzzles and travel.

Visitation will be from 1:30 to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 26, at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Good Shepherd Chapel), 9700 Allisonville Rd. Indianapolis. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m.

Online condolences may be shared at www.flannerbuchanan.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society for Hamilton County, 10501 Hague Rd, Fishers, IN 46038.

Diana L. Hopkins

November 20, 1945 to March 11, 2022

WINAMAC - Diana L. Hopkins, 76, of Winamac, passed away Friday, March 11, at her home.

She was born Nov. 20, 1945 in Gary, to the late Eugene and Harriett Hood Molnar. She was a graduate of William A. Wirt High School in Gary. On Jan. 30, 1967 in Miller, IN she married Richard C. Hopkins who survives.

Diana Hopkins

She is also survived by:
Richard A. (Suzi) Hopkins, Georgia, Son
Victoria L. (Carl) Banks, Arkansas, Daughter
Gene A. Hopkins, Valparaiso, Son
6 grandchildren
5 great grandchildren

Proceeded in death by:
Eugene Molnar, Brother

Mrs. Hopikins was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski and Christian Mothers. She was a longtime member and past president of the American Legion Auxiliary #502 in South Haven, IN, as well as past president of the American Legion Auxiliary for Indiana’s Second District. She was also a longtime member and first female member of the Lion’s Club in South Haven. While her accomplishments may not seem big to many, she was the world record holder for her family.

A rosary service will be at 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Visitation will follow from 3:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home. A scriptural wake service will be at 7 p.m., Wednesday, also at the funeral home, followed by a Christian Mothers’ service. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 17, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski, with Rev. Andrew DeKeyser officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West in Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be made to Boys Town (www.boystown.org) or Mercy Home for Boys and Girls (www.mercyhome.org). Envelopes will be available at the funeral home, or donations may be made online.

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

William C. Luebbert III

February 18, 1954 to March 9, 2022

FRANCESVILLE - William Conrad “Bill” Luebbert III, 68, of Francesville (formerly of Muscatine, IA), passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 9, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

He was born Feb. 18, 1954 in Mt. Pleasant, MI and grew up in Muscatine, IA. On April 25, 2011, he married Holly A. Long Tolzin in Gatlinburg, TN. She survives.

William Luebbert III

He is also survived by:
Jeanadette (Ben) Ayers, Daughter
William Conrad Luebbert IV, Son
Andrew Najafiarab, Step-Son
3 Grandchildren
Ken, Brother
Steven, Half-Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunt, Uncles and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
William Conrad and Beverly Peterson Luebbert III, Parents
Virginia Luebbert, Former Spouse
Chris Najafiarab, Step-Son

After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Mr. Luebbert worked as a mainframe computer operator for many years. He and his wife enjoyed attending the First Christian Church in Francesville. He was a proud member of the NRA and the Masonic Lodge. He liked family genealogy and Bible study. He really enjoyed living the country life in Indiana.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 26, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 4 p.m., March 26, at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. The American Legion will conduct military honors at the funeral home.

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

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