Obituaries

Kim M. Baker

August 29, 1957 to November 25, 2021

WINAMAC - Kim Michael Baker, 64, lifelong resident of Winamac, passed away at 8:12 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 25, at home while holding his sister’s hand. He had battled multiple forms of cancer since 2009.

He was born Aug. 29, 1957 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lafayette, to the late Ralph W. and Dorothy A. Weaver Baker. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac where he attended grade school as well. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1975. Later in life, he earned an associate’s degree from Ball State University. On Dec. 23, 1995, he married Judy Kay Lovely, at the Smokey Mountain Wedding Chapel in Sevier County, TN. She passed away on April 13, 2001.

He is survived by:
Michael Mollencup, Bruce Lake, Son
Tonya Williams, Hazard, KY, Step-Daughter
Sonya Terry, Beech Grove, Step-Daughter
Grandchildren: Gavin Mollencup, Rylenn Hathaway, Patrick (fiancée: Julie) Tuley,
Zack Tuley, Katelynn Tunis, Kyia Snider, and Amyia Terry.
5 Great-Grandchildren
Deborah (Jody) Stillwell, Sister
Brenda S. Baker, Sister-in-law
Alvin Stamper, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews
Mary Baker, Aunt
Mary Pratt, Aunt
Catherine (Ed) Pratt, Aunt
Numerous Cousins
Judith Tunis, Mother-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Paige Swartz, Granddaughter
Casin Tuley, Great-Grandson
Randy E. Baker, Brother
Monica Stamper, Sister
Brenda Baker, Infant Sister

Mr. Baker was a hard worker, a trait he inherited from his father. Over the years, he worked at Switches, Winamac Steel, Dietrich’s, Braun’s, and Subway. No matter where he worked, he always made good friends. He was an avid fisherman and was fondly known to many as “Fish”. He enjoyed antiquing, flea markets, flower and vegetable gardening, playing pool, and cooking. He was also an incredibly talented woodworker and enjoyed making unique items for others as gifts. He loved to spend time with his family, especially fishing with his grandson and sister. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 7 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating, followed by a rosary service. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac, with Rev. Andrew DeKeyser officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (Town Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Heart Association, or American Cancer Society.

Joseph G. DesJardins Sr.

August 4, 1936 to November 25, 2021

WINAMAC - Joseph G. DesJardins Sr., 85, of Winamac (formerly of Knox), passed away at 5:45 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 25, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac. 

He was born Aug. 4, 1936 in Harvey, IL to the late Gilbert J. and Ann DesJardins. He served in the U.S. Army.

He is survived by:
Billy DesJardins, Son
Debbie DesJardins, Daughter
Joseph G . DesJardins Jr., Son
7 Grandchildren

No services will be held. Burial will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Ethel E. Johns

September 19, 1927 to November 22, 2021

WINAMAC - Ethel Eunice Johns, 94, of Winamac, passed away at 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 22, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born Sept. 19, 1927 in Edgerton, WI to the late Frank and Hilda Locke Banker. On June 17, 1948 she married Charles Pearl Johns. He died March 20, 1985.

Ethel Johns

She is survived by:
Donna (Kenny) Dorn, Waterloo, WI, Daughter
Dianna Tiede, Beaver Dam, WI, Daughter
Charles Gary (Tammy) Johns, Chesterton, Son
8 Grandchildren
16 Great-Grandchildren
5 Great-Great-Grandchildren
Hilda Witt, Edgerton, WI, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Sharon Johns, Daughter
Donald Tiede, Son-in-law
1 Sister
3 Brothers

Mrs. Johns was a homemaker. She had also worked at Harris Garment Factory in Winamac and had been a housekeeper. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and attended Crocker Bible Church in Crocker, IN. She enjoyed Gospel singing, crocheting and crossword and picture puzzles. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and family especially her grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. Dec. 4, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 4 p.m., (Dec. 4), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to help with final expenses.

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

A. May Miller

September 19, 1927 to November 19, 2021

ROYAL CENTER - A. May Miller, 97, of Royal Center passed away at 3:02 a.m., Friday, Nov. 19, at Millers Merry Manor in Logansport.

Born on June 12, 1924 in Winamac, she was the daughter of the late Galen and Sylvia Baker Girton. She was a 1942 Winamac High School graduate. In March of 1944 she married Melvin Leroy Welsh. He died in the Battle of Iwo Jima in February of 1945. She later married Clifford E. Miller of Royal Center in April of 1948, and they were married for 65 years until his death in May of 2013.

May Miller

Survivors include her daughters Elaine Funk of Royal Center, Julie (John) Gunn of Greenwood and Lori (Dan) Sylvester of Walton; grandchildren Jeffrey (Kathy) Funk of Royal Center, Ryan (Holly) Funk of Royal Center, Eric (Lena) Sylvester of Logansport, Alyson (Brian) Tucker of Argos and Brian Gunn of Greenwood; great-grandchildren Bryce Funk, Jacob Funk, Kaylee Funk, Erica Sylvester, Kaidan Sylvester, Leah Sylvester, Johnathan Tucker, Wesley Tucker, Orian Tucker, Kyrin Tucker, Josiah Tucker and Lexi Baker; and brother, Gene Girton of Colorado.

She was also preceded in death by brothers, Francis Girton, John Girton, Arwine Girton, Guy Girton, Frank Girton, Don Girton and Clarence Girton; and son-in-law, Conrad Funk.

Mrs. Miller graduated from The Approved Beauty College of Indianapolis in 1946. She owned and operated the Mary May Beauty Shop in Winamac with her lifelong friend, Mary Haschel from 1947-50. She also worked in the Pioneer Elementary Cafeteria from 1963-80. She also worked for several years for Seidel’s Catering in Star City. She was a member of the Baptist Christian Church and taught Sunday School for years. She also served as a deaconess, financial secretary and organized many funeral dinners for grieving families. She enjoyed sewing clothes for her daughters and grandchildren and spending time with her family.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service which will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, Nov. 27, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center with Pastor Joel Sharp officiating. Burial will be at Kistler Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Baptist Christian Church.

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

Wendall R. Stewart

August 22, 1938 to November 18, 2021

WINAMAC – Wendall Ray “Wendy” Stewart, 83, of Grand Rapids, MI passed away Thursday, Nov. 18, at St. John Ascension Hospital in Detroit, following a brave battle with COVID-19.

He was born Aug. 22, 1938 in Pontiac, MI to the late William David and Minnie Mae Haycraft Stewart. He left high school to enlist in the U.S. Navy where he served for six years received an honorable discharge on Dec. 4, 1961. He married Olivia Jeanne Gordon, on June 12, 1970 in Comstock Park, MI. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Shannon Casey, Granddaughter
Ruth Puthael, Sister
Michele (Sam) Faccone, Sister-in-law
Dolores Gordon, Sister-in-law
Jaqueline (Daniel) Frain, Sister-in-law
James (Mary) Gordon, Carmel, Brother-in-law
Mark (Debra) Gordon, Rochester, Brother-in-law
Nieces and Nephews: Mike Livermore, William (Brenda) Neuveck, Linda Fauble, Chuck Thoman, Eric (fiancée: Heather) Thoman, Dana (Matt) Kantowski, Stefanie Frain, Jon Frain, Lindsay (Mike) Trotta, Lenna (Kyle) Ostenson, Kurt Langdon, Bethany (Justin) Leroux, Chantal (Kyle) Rensberger, and Vanessa Gordon
Many Great-Nieces and Nephews
Lani and Scott Sovereen, Dearest Friends

Preceded in death by:
James William and Jeanne Helen Teller Gordon, In-laws
Patrick Gordon Casey, Son
Jennie Jean Neuvek, Sister
Jay Daniel Frain, Infant Nephew

Mr. Stewart spent his life working as an auto body repairman. He loved rock-and-roll music, his memories of being a drummer, and his “forever” friend, Zoey. He cherished his son, Patrick, who passed away Sept. 14, 2010 from complications related to Huntington’s disease.

Private family burial will be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac at a later. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Swinging Bridge Project. For more information, please visit www.memorialswingingbridge.com.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Thomas A. Halleck Sr.

October 27, 1936 to November 14, 2021

WINAMAC - Thomas Abraham “Tom” Halleck Sr., 85, of Winamac, passed away surrounded by his family at 12:40 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 14, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

He was born Oct. 27, 1936 in Logansport, to the late Dr. Harold J. and Bernice L. Carson Halleck. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1954. He attended Purdue University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1959 and a master’s degree in 1971. On June 12, 1960, Tom married Barbara Jean Dickey, in Indianapolis. She survives.

Thomas Halleck Sr.

Survivors also include:
Thomas A. (Tammy) Halleck Jr., Star City, Son
Beth A. (Brad) Ruff-Crawford, Winamac, Daughter
Jennifer L. (Dan) Knebel, Winamac, Daughter
Cynthia H. (Joe) Garnett, Westfield, Daughter
Edwina (Pooh) Murray, Fort Covington, NY, Daughter
Marie Mulcare, Massena, NY, Daughter
10 Grandchildren: Tiffany (Evan) Howe, Jake (Jenna) Ruff, Taylor (Grant) White, Garrett (Katelyn) Knebel, Josh (Hayley) Ruff, Catherine (Brent) Evans, Tabatha (Anthony) Chapman, Alyssa (Greg) Burns, JT (Lindy) Garnett, and Kelsey Crawford.
10 Great-Grandchildren
2 special nephews: Jim and Kurt

Preceded in death by:
Jeff Ruff, Son-in-law
Shirley (Richard) Reidelbach, Sister
Marilyn (Jim) Cory, Sister

In addition to being a well-respected teacher at Winamac Community High School for 38 years, Mr. Halleck was also a lifelong farmer. He was fondly known to many as “Big Dog” and was famous for his fruit fly genetics project. He and his wife were avid supporters of the Winamac Music Boosters program and started the moon crater and lemon shakeup fundraiser; which continues today. His hobbies included cheering on the Purdue Boilermakers, playing board games, and fishing. He often fished in Minnesota, with a lifelong goal of catching the elusive prize bass fish he called Walter. He was a longtime member of Star City United Methodist Church, as well as a supporter and fundraiser for Winamac’s July 4th fireworks. In his youth, he was recognized with a Certificate of Heroism from the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America for having saved the lives of three mothers and their three children, who were drowning in the Tippecanoe River just behind his home on Riverside Drive. He did this despite not knowing how to swim. His greatest passion was his family. In addition to raising their own children, he and his wife opened their home to many others and loved them as their own.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac; and one hour prior to services at the church Thursday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at Star City United Methodist Church in Star City, with Pastor Tom Richards officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donatons may be made to Winamac Fireworks Fund or Star City United Methodist Church.

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