Obituaries

Rebecca S. Dixon

March 5, 1970 to December 4, 2021

WINAMAC - Rebecca S. “Becky” Dixon, 51, of Star City, passed away peacefully Saturday, Dec. 4, at IU Health Hospital in Lafayette.

She was born March 5, 1970 in Winamac to the late Robert W. and Mary Lou Podell Swartzell. She graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1988. On Nov. 12, 2005, she married Bobby Dixon in Winamac. He survives.

Becky Dixon

She is also survived by:
Mallory (Alvin) Fry, Star City, Daughter
Macy Bischoff, Star City, Daughter
Travis Dixon, Star City, Son
Diane Fry, Granddaughter
Alvin “Tate” Fry V, Grandson
Haylie Fry, Granddaughter
Jennifer (Bruce) Adamski, Winamac, Sister
Tom (Cindy) Kasten, Winamac, Brother
Terri (Tim) Gilman, Logansport, Sister
Kathy (Fabian Calisto) Brown, Lafayette, Sister
Tim (Sherri) Kasten, Rochester, Brother
Robin (Tracy) Shull, Rochester, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews
Numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Kenneth R. Kasten, Brother

After high school, Mrs. Dixon graduated from Knox Beauty School in Knox. After earning her cosmetology license, she operated her own hair salon in Winamac for many years. Later in life, she earned an insurance license and was employed at Knebel Insurance in Royal Center. She was also a co-owner of Mill Creek Boer Goats. She was always on top of her work-game and loved serving others. Becky and Bobby loved their children very much and their grandchildren even more. She enjoyed relaxing in her pool on hot summer days and watching Hallmark Christmas movies on cold winter nights. She also enjoyed traveling to various goat shows throughout the country. Her favorite time of year was kidding season for the goats. She was a loving wife, an awesome mom, and amazing Nana. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 10, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski County 4-H.

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

E. James Mullins

September 7, 1945 to December 2, 2021

MEDARYVILLE - Ervin James “Jim” Mullins, 76, of Medaryville, passed away at 9:37 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, at Aperion Care in DeMotte.

He was born Sept. 7, 1945 in Rensselaer, to the late William and Gracie Wireman Mullins. He graduated from Green Township School in Ironton, OH. On April 11, 1966, he married Joyce Frinkel, in New Castle. She survives.

E. James Mullins

He is also survived by:
Jenny (Grover) Umphryes, Medaryville, Daughter
Rendy (Patrick) Chalifoux, Medaryville, Daughter
Jimmy Mullins, Medaryville, Son
Thomas Benesh, Portage, Son-in-law
Jason Umphryes, Grandson
Curtis Chalifoux, Grandson
Brent Benesh, Grandson
Brett Benesh, Grandson
Thomas Chalifoux, Grandson
8 Great-Grandchildren
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Sandra Benesh, Daughter
Corey Chalifoux, Infant Grandson
Dalton Benesh, Grandson
Dillon Benesh, Grandson
10 Siblings

Mr. Mullins served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a lifetime member and past-commander of the American Legion Post #96 in Medaryville. He was retired from Westville Correctional Facility where he had worked as a correctional officer. He worked as a millwright in the steel mills for several years and later owned his own welding shop in Medaryville before going to work at Westville. He was a kind and humble man. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. More than anything, he loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Dec. 6, at Goodway Baptist Church in Medaryville. The funeral Service will follow at 1 p.m., Monday, at the church. Burial will be at Goodway Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to the family to assist with funeral expenses.

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

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

Nicholas E. Rowe

September 24, 1989 to December 2, 2021

MEDARYVILLE - Nicholas Eugene “Nick” Rowe, 32, of Winamac (formerly Medaryville), passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Dec. 2.

He was born Sept. 24, 1989 in Rensselaer, to Rickie and Frances Allen Rowe, who survive.

Nick Rowe

He is also survived by:
Brandon (Gabrielle) Rowe, Brother
Felicia Rowe, Sister
Sara Frinkel-Miller, Bonus Sister
Allie Rowe, Niece
Connor Rowe, Nephew
Braylinn Rowe, Niece
Colton Rowe, Nephew
James and Unnie Rowe, Paternal Grandparents
Wanda (Kenny) Neeley, Paternal Aunt
Teresa (Todd) Albrecht, Paternal Aunt
Ronnie (Jami) Rowe, Paternal Uncle
Sadie Wireman, Maternal Aunt
Sylvania (Brian) Chadwick, Maternal Aunt
Countless Great-Aunts and -Uncles, Cousins and Friends

Preceded in death by:
Nichole “Nikki” Grigsby, Bonus Sister
Tony “TJ” Grigsby Jr., Bonus Brother
Dillon West, Brother-in-law
Ethel (Newton) Campbell, Maternal Grandmother
James Allen, Maternal Grandfather
Homer and Mary Wireman, Maternal Great-Grandparents
Feldon and Flora Rowe, Paternal Great-Grandparents
Pearlie Wireman, Paternal Great-Grandmother
Susie (Alvin) Bailey, Maternal Aunt
Ronnie Allen, Maternal Uncle
Countless Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Mr. Rowe was a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, grandson, cousin, and friend. He was formerly employed at Tyson Foods and enjoyed working there. He also enjoyed music and dancing. He loved spending time with family and friends, especially his best friend, Erica. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Goodway Baptist Church in Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the church. Burial will be at Goodway Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with funeral expenses.

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

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

Raymond W. Daugherty Jr.

November 28, 1942 to November 29, 2021

WINAMAC – Word has been received of the death of Raymond W. “Ray” Daugherty Jr., 79, of Inola, OK who passed away Monday, Nov. 29, in Jenks, OK.

He was born Nov. 28, 1942 in Winamac, to the late Raymond W. and Betty Ricks Daugherty Sr. He did not complete high school, but instead enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam War as a Seabee.

Ray Daugherty

He is survived by:
Tina (Steve) Brown, Monticello, Daughter
Jim (Pam) Daugherty, Plymouth, Son
Curt (Bunnie) Daugherty, Star City, Son
Leah Gannon, Scottsdale, AZ, Daughter
Grandchildren: Mark (Alyssa) Brown, Delphi; Steve (Katlin Berkshire) Brown, Royal Center; Brandi (Bobby) Lewark, Francesville; Heather (Danny Randolph) Daugherty, Francesville; Courtney (Brandon) Daugherty, Francesville; Rylee Daugherty, Winamac; Natasha Daugherty, Logansport; Brooke (Luke) Rudicel, Rochester; Maximus Gannon, Weston, OR; Megan Nelson, Phoenix, AZ; and Andrea Marinakis, Phoenix, AZ.
12 Great-Grandchildren
Iona Collins, Sister
Kathy Roby, Step Sister
Many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

He was preceded in death by:
Joan Weaver Daugherty, Former Spouse
Susan Harrelson Daugherty, Wife

Mr. Daugherty was a lifelong truck driver and enjoyed attending antique tractor pulls. He was an avid collector of two cylinder tractors, but especially enjoyed his John Deere tractors. He will be deeply missed.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 30, at the Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Swinging Bridge Project or American Cancer Society.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

John C. Reiss

July 21, 1947 to November 29, 2021

WINAMAC - John Charles Reiss, 74, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Nov. 29, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born July 21, 1947 in Chicago, to the late William Charles and Carmelita Mercedes Ginter Reiss. He served in the U.S. Navy as a PT boat operator and saw combat during the Vietnam War. On March 25, 1977, he married Mable Thacker. She survives.

John Reiss

He is also survived by:
William (Andrea) Reiss, Lakevilla, IL, Son
Randy Williamson, Denver, CO, Son
Karla Reiss-Sitko, St. Charles, IL, Daughter
Russell (Anna Armstrong) Carrico III, Winamac, Son
Cheryl (Eric) Browning, Richlands, NC, Daughter
12 Grandchildren: Tommy, Jonathan, Austin, Claudia, Darien, Aidan, Connor, Brennan, Randy, Aaron, Rayann, and Amber.
5 Great-Grandchildren: Elena, Andrew, Jonathan, Trevor, and Colby
Kathy Kitzmiller, Sister
Beth (John) Paul, Sister
Christine Bailey, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Ed (Betty) Reiss, Brother

Mr. Reiss was the plant manager at Raguard Printing in Chicago for over 20 years. In1994, he and his wife moved to Knox. The next year, they moved to Winamac, where he started John’s Painting. He was fondly known to many as “John the Painter.” He enjoyed sitting on the front porch and leading the “neighborhood watch.” He was outgoing and social, having never met a stranger. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He was a proud member of the Republican Party and supporter of President Trump. He loved his family very much and will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 10, at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

DeAnna K. Pletka

February 7, 1947 to November 27, 2021

WINAMAC - DeAnna K. Pletka, 74, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly at 7:16 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 27, at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

She was born Feb. 7, 1947 in Winamac to the late Henry W. and Annabelle Bitterling Sparks. She was a 1965 graduate of Winamac High School. On Aug. 30, 1970, she married Dennis F. Pletka in Logansport. He passed away on July 29, 2017.

DeAnna Pletka

She is survived by:
Scott E. Pletka, Logansport, Son
Bryan C. (Shanan) Pletka, Logansport, Son
Brennan Pletka, Grandson
Sadie Pletka, Granddaughter
David H. Sparks, Winamac, Brother
Douglas A. (Catherine) Sparks, Winamac, Brother
Mary (Donald) Bowman, San Pierre, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Daniel Sparks, Brother
Carol J. Sparks, Sister-in-law

Mrs. Pletka was a devoted wife and provided special care for her husband in his later years. She was retired, having served the community for 30 years as a deputy clerk at the Winamac Town Hall. She made many dear friends during her time working there. She had several passions in life including raising cats (since childhood), baking, and visiting the Pulaski County Public Library. She enjoyed watching TV, reading books, and taking shopping trips with her friends. She was a loving mother and grandmother. Her grandchildren always brought a smile to her face. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 30, at Winamac Cemetery (Town Addition) in Winamac, with Rev. David Broad officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the Winamac Volunteer Fire Department or Pulaski County EMS.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.