Obituaries

Regina M. Kupke

December 21, 1933 to November 12, 2021

WINAMAC - Regina M. Kupke, 87, of Winamac (formerly of Lake Bruce) passed away at 7:10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 12, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born Dec. 21, 1933 in East Gary to Reggie and Mildred Friedel Jones. She graduated from East Gary Edison High School in 1952. She married Arthur R. Kupke on Sept. 25, 1954 in East Gary. He survives.

She is survived by:
Mike (Jackie) Kupke, Goshen, Son
Stephanie (Mike) Malchow, Star City, Granddaughter
Hillary (Brandon) Nissley, Goshen, Granddaughter
Great-Grandchildren: Kaitlyn Malchow, Luke Malchow, Isaiah Hattery, Abram Hattery,
Cole Nissley, Ethan Kupke, Mason Kupke, Harrison Kupke, and Finn Kupke.

Preceded in death by:
Reggie Jones and Mildred Friedel Jones Corter, Parents
Robyn Kupke, Daughter
Daniel Kupke, Son
Jack Kupke, Grandson
Richard Jones, Brother
Verl Jones, Brother
Edna Mae, Half Sister

Mrs. Kupke was a proud homemaker and beloved daycare provider. She enjoyed reading, cooking, traveling and art. She also enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially being by the Tippecanoe River. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. (Thursday), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Lake Bruce.

Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Swinging Bridge Project.

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

Phyllis M. Nawrocki

October 4, 1951 to November 11, 2021

WINAMAC - Phyllis M. Nawrocki, 70, of Winamac (lifelong resident of Westville), passed away Thursday, Nov. 11, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born Oct. 4, 1951 to the late Eugene and Rosemary Greening Nawrocki. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class from Jackson Township High School in Valparaiso, and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University.

She is survived by:
Alan Conrad, DeMotte, Brother-in-law
Rose Flinchum, Valparaiso, Cousin
John Shuey, Valparaiso, Cousin
James Shuey, Michigan, Cousin

Preceded in death by:
Donna Rose Targonski Conrad, Sister
Paul E. Nawrocki, Brother
1 Niece: Tuesday

Ms. Nawrocki grew up on the family farm and loved being a farm girl. She enjoyed crafting and reading. She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chesterton. She was a retired deli clerk from Town and Country Market in Valparaiso. She will be dearly missed.

Private burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Chesterton.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Raymond W. Miller

December 21, 1933 to November 12, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Raymond W. “Ray” Miller, 95, of LaCrosse, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Northwest Health Hospital in LaPorte.

He was born March 26, 1926 in Gary, to the late Frank and Rena Etchison Miller. He married Lucille McCormick on Aug. 10, 1949 in Valparaiso. She passed away on Jan. 2, 2013.

Survived by:
Cheryl Kay Miller, Wooster, OH, Daughter
Connie Maxine McMeans, Wooster, OH, Daughter
Rex Elliot Miller, Wooster, OH, Son
Dave (Kelly) McMeans, Grandson
Faye Miller, Granddaughter
4 Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Ronald Alan Miller, Son
1 Great-Granddaughter

Mr. Miller enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and was known to say “riding free since 1943.”

Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

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

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

Marjorie M. Conn

October 13, 1940 to November 8, 2021

WINAMAC - Visitation and services will be Sunday, June 12 for Marjorie M. “Marge” Conn, 81, of Winamac, who passed away Monday, Nov. 8, at Woodbridge Health Campus in Logansport.

She was born Oct. 13, 1940 in Knox to the late Arthur and Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Hanson Hoffman. After graduating from Winamac High School in 1958, she attended classes at Ball State University. Prior to returning to Winamac, she briefly lived and worked in Chicago. She married Robert E. “Bunny” Conn, on Oct. 22, 1960 at the Methodist Church in Winamac. He died Dec. 22, 2020.

Marge Conn

She is survived by:
Brad (Judi) Conn, Winamac, Son
Jason (Stacey) Dunderman, Grandson
Austin (Heather) Dunderman, Grandson
7 Great-Grandchildren: Katie, Adeline, Lucy, Lizzy, Alek, Natalie, and Jason
Arthur (Barb) Hoffman Jr., Winamac, Brother
Howard Hoffman, Rochester, Brother
Betty Jean Reinhold, Francesville, Sister
Tom (Linda) Hoffman, Asheboro, NC, Brother
Dan (Dawn) Hoffman, Lansing, MI, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Brian D. Conn, Son
John Hoffman, Brother

First and foremost, Mrs. Conn was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She served a teacher’s aide for several years at Guidance Nursery School in Winamac. She also served numerous years as the administrative assistant at the Winamac First United Methodist ChurchShe was a longtime member of the Winamac Methodist church where she served on numerous boards, committees and as a Sunday school teacher. She also served several years the secretary of the Winamac Alumni Association. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, as well as traveling to St. Joseph, MI and Orange Beach, AL. She also enjoyed reading and had a passion for sharing her Christian faith. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m., Sunday, June 12, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.  A celebration of life service will follow at 2 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home. Burial be at a later date at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition), Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the Brian D. Conn Memorial Scholarship at the Community Foundation of Pulaski County.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Howard L. Miller

February 19, 1932 to November 7, 2021

WINAMAC - Howard Leslie “Les” Miller, 89, of West Lafayette, passed away Sunday, Nov. 7, at Franciscan Health East Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born Feb. 19, 1932 in Star City to the Esther Ruth Corts and Howard David “Knute” Miller Jr. Following his graduation from Star City High School in 1950, he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. On Aug. 19, 1967, he married Nancy Eileen Cain in Oaklandon, IN. She survives.

Howard Miller

He is also survived by:
Cheryl (Gary) Feece, Winamac, Daughter
Kurt Miller, West Lafayette, Son
Kelly Sapp, West Lafayette, Daughter
Grandchildren: Russell (Amy) Abbott, Chase (Ashley) Miller, Ali (Evan) Jimenez, Kerrigan Miller, Kiersten Miller, Kole Miller, Tyler (Brittany) Sapp, Taylor (Devin Hutchins) Sapp, and Torie Sapp.
Great-Grandchildren: Jada Abbott, Gabi Abbott, Savannah Abbott, Thatcher Jimenez, Charlotte Jimenez, Daxton Hutchins, and Rhoen Hutchins.
Vern (Joan) Miller, Cincinnati, Brother
Larry (Bev) Miller, Winamac, Brother
Joe (Luanne) Miller, Auburn, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Mr. Miller was a self-taught man of many talents. In early 1960s, he was a professional umpire for the New York Yankees. He also spent several years farming as well as building and selling grain dryers. He took part in many successful endeavors throughout his life. He was innovative, creative, artistic, and tech-savvy. He completed his studies at Purdue University and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1969. He and his wife owned and operated a Charles Chips franchise and later in life, they ran Porky’s BBQ concessions. He was a former president of the National BBQ Association. He never really retired. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Purdue University fan. He enjoyed watching old westerns and war movies. He especially enjoyed riding around on his scooter at the fairs with his dog Lilly. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother. His legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 19, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 20, at the funeral home with Pastor Jim Cain officiating. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery in Star City. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to Star City West Cemetery or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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

Jennifer L. Kilgore Lawson

February 12, 1979 to November 6, 2021

WINAMAC - Jennifer L. Kilgore Lawson, 42, of Winamac, passed away at her sister’s home Saturday, Nov. 6, following a brave battle with cancer.

She was born Feb. 12, 1979 in Columbiana, AL to Timothy and Mariella Gawell Kilgore. From early on, she was a tomboy who loved being outdoors. She attended Winamac Community High School.

Jennifer Kilgore Lawson

She is survived by:
Damion (fiancé Summer Moore) Stone, Philadelphia, Son
Dustin Stone, Winamac, Son
Donavan Lawson, Lafayette, Son
Mariella Gawell Kilgore Redlin, Winamac, Mother
Billy Kilgore, Monticello, Brother
Kelly (husband Rick Owen) Kilgore, Winamac, Sister
Taylor Kilgore, Niece
Colton Kilgore, Nephew
Alec Owen, Nephew
Aidan Owen, Nephew
Numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Robert and Violet Green Gawell, Maternal Grandparents
Marietta Gawell DePoy, Maternal Aunt
Edwin Gawell, Paternal Uncle

Ms. Lawson held many jobs locally where she served others with a smile. She enjoyed making jewelry, painting, story writing and spending time at the Tippecanoe River State Park. She loved to spend time with her family, especially her sons. She battled cancer for five years. On Oct. 23, 2021, she gave her life to the Lord and was baptized at home by Pastor Heath Hiatt. She fought the good fight and has finished her course; she is at home with Jesus.

In keeping with Jennifer’s wishes, no funeral services will be held. The family will gather for a celebration of her life at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.