Obituaries

John C. Keller

November 5, 1939 to April 16, 2021

KEWANNA - John C. Keller, 81, of Winamac passed away Friday, April 16, at his home. 

Born Nov. 5, 1939 in Monterey, he was the son of the late Clem and Marjorie Prendergast Keller. He was a 1958 Monterey High School graduate. On Sept. 21, 1989, he married Colleen G. Foust. She survives.

Survivors also include son, Michael Keller (Marielle) of South Bend; daughters, Susan Maes (Mark) of Culver, Sheila Broeker (Tim) of Monterey, Nancy Davis (Rob) of New Jersey, and Becky Risner (Boyd) of Plymouth; brothers, Thomas Keller of Nappanee, Robert Keller of Monterey, James Keller of Monterey, Jerry Keller of Monterey, and Danny Keller of Culver; sisters, Pat O’Donnell of Francesville, Ruth Zehner of Monterey, Mary Personett of Logansport and Marjorie Wise of Monterey; sister-in-law, Jean Keller; grandchildren, Meagan Maes Hladik, Mark Robert Maes, Mitch Maes, Jonathan Broeker, Jordan Broeker, Chloe Broeker, Hannah Davis, Ben Davis, Noah Risner, Luke Risner, and Monroe Keller; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Clem Keller Jr.

Mr. Keller owned and operated the Keller Advisory Group in Winamac for 35-plus years. Throughout his life, he enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, playing cards, especially Euchre, and spending time with family and friends.  He was a strong advocate of No Child Should Go Hungry in a Farming Community.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 22, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Leiters Ford Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski County Community Foundation, John C. Keller Memorial Ag Scholarship and/or a local community food pantry.

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

Haley M. Fox

January 24, 2000 to April 13, 2021

WINAMAC - Haley Marie Fox, 21 of Winamac, passed away at 7:01 a.m., Tuesday, April 13, surrounded by her family at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, following a courageous battle with leukemia.

She was born Jan. 24, 2000 in Winamac to Darrell and Angie Nelson Fox. She was baptized at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. She was a 2018 graduate of Winamac Community High School, and was a student at the University of Indianapolis where she was studying nursing.

She is survived by:
Angie (fiancé: Matt Taberski) Fox, Granger, Mother
Darrell Fox, Winamac, Father
Parker (girlfriend: Michaela Ingram) Fox, Winamac, Brother
Taylor Fox, Cannelton, Half-Brother
Jim Scott, Clearwater, FL, Paternal Great-Grandfather
Brenda Hadley, Winamac, Maternal Grandmother
Mike Nelson, Fish Lake, Maternal Grandfather
Melissa Hanson, Winamac, Paternal Grandmother
Fran (Marlene) Fox, Winamac, Paternal Grandfather
Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Paul and Mary Lou Bonnell, Maternal Great-Grandparents
Lindy and Barb Nelson, Maternal Great-Grandparents
Joe and Noan Fox, Paternal Great-Grandparents
Cleona Scott, Paternal Great-Grandmother
Marilyn Nelson, Maternal Grandmother
Gary Hanson, Paternal Grandfather
Jason Fox, Uncle

In high school, Haley was active in cross country, volleyball, track, and cheerleading, as well as Sunshine Society, Athletic Leadership, and National Honor Society. She worked at Dairy Queen in Winamac and also at MJ’s Sweets and Sally’s in Culver. She had a big heart, was always helping others, and never knew a stranger. She touched so many people in so many ways – from childhood to her most recent time spent at Riley’s. Despite the recent trials in her life, she continued to inspire everyone with her courage, her contagious smile, and zest for life. Haley deeply cherished her friendships, especially the special love she shared with Dylan who was a guiding light to Haley in her darkest times. She loved her family very much, especially her brother, Parker. She made a lot of good memories with her many cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents. She enjoyed mushroom hunting, cooking, kayaking the Tippecanoe, and traveling. Upon receiving her diagnosis at age 19, Haley had a conversation with a dear friend and they came to this revelation, “disappointment isn’t proof that God is withholding good things from us, sometimes it’s His way of leading us Home.” The family wishes to thank Haley’s entire health care team and the community for all of their love, prayers, and support.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 8 p.m., Sunday, April 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, April 19, at the funeral home with Pastor Teri White officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West in Pulaski, with Rev. Daniel Shine officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Christmas Lights or Haley Fox Memorial Scholarship at Alliance Bank. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Sandra Perez Blanco

February 18, 1932 to April 6, 2021

WINAMAC - Sandra Perez Blanco, 39, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, April 6, surrounded by her loved ones at her home in Winamac.

She was born  Feb. 18, 1982 in Los Reyes de Juarez, Puebla, Mexico, the youngest of seven children.

She is survived by:
Indalecio Perez Flores and Esperanza Blanco Machorro, Parents
Teodulfa Noemi Perez Blanco, Sister
Jose Raul Perez Blanco, Brother
Jaime Perez Blanco, Brother
Georgina Perez Blanco, Sister
Miguel Angel Perez Blanco, Brother
Analia Perez Blanco, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Ms. Perez Blanco attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rochester. She was a hardworking woman and set a good example for others. She enjoyed painting, doing puzzles, and traveling. Most of all, she loved animals, especially cats. She was a good friend, excellent daughter, and loving sister who will be dearly missed.

Services will be held in Mexico at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in the form of Mass Intentions to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rochester.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Jeannetta Houston Davis

September 29, 1930 to April 7, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Jeannetta Houston Davis, 90, of Indianapolis (formerly of Francesville), passed away Wednesday, April 7, at Community Health North Hospital in Indianapolis.

She was born Sept. 29, 1930 in Monticello, to the late Andrew and Vera Timmons Houston. She grew up on a Francesville farm and was the oldest of seven children. She married Kenny Davis on July 29, 1950, at the Methodist Church in Medaryville. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by:
Rachelle (Richard) Fay, Indianapolis, Daughter
Tayler Mikosz, Indianapolis, Granddaughter
Emily Davis, Minneapolis, MN, Granddaughter
Luke Seitz, Step-Grandson
Audrey Weltzin, Sister
Roberta Geyer, Sister
Norma (Herman) Smidler, Sister
Robert (Sharon) Houston, Brother
Nancy Dickinson, Sister
David (Jill) Houston, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Timothy Davis, Son

As a youth, Mrs. Davis worked on the farm with her father, and he always said, “she was the best tractor driver; she never took out a fence.” After high school she moved to Medaryville where she lived with her mother’s parents, Grammy and Grand Dad Timmons. While working in the fields she met her future husband who worked for her father. She worked at both the Francesville grain elevator and Peoples State Bank in Francesville. She continued taking American Institute of Banking classes and became an officer at Lafayette National Bank in Lafayette.

Mrs. Davis loved volunteering in her community and was always busy helping with the Francesville town-wide garage sale and the Francesville Fall Festival. She was a longtime member of the Methodist Church. She was a writer, always sending her family little notes and poems. When the Davises retired, they purchased a second home in Florida where they spent the winters for several years. They enjoyed the weather, community and being close to his brother Bill and her sister Norma. They always enjoyed when their children and grandchildren were able to visit during spring break. Several years ago, they moved to Indianapolis to be closer to their daughter so she could provide the care they needed. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt who will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 10, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., Saturday, at the funeral home with Pastor Douglas Thompson officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Francesville Fall Festival.

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

James M. Kennedy

December 18, 1960 to September 20, 2019

WINAMAC – A service will be held in June to memorialize the life of James M. Kennedy, 58, of Austin, TX, who passed away Sept. 20, 2019 in Austin. 

He was born Dec. 18, 1960 in Indiana.  He grew up in Winamac and moved to Texas with his parents, the late Urban and Doris Hunt Kennedy, in the early 1970s. 

He is survived by his siblings, Jean (Larry) Thompson of Conyers, GA, Janet McWherter of Merritt Island, FL, and John Robert (Diana) Kennedy of Fate, TX; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family will gather at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac, to share memories of James at  2 p.m., Monday, June 21. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

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

Local arrangments have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Jean A. Crissinger Dixon Scheffer

August 25, 1956 to April 5, 2021

WINAMAC - Jean Ann Crissinger Dixon Scheffer, 64, of Rochester (formerly of Star City), passed away Monday, April 5, at IU Health Hospital in Lafayette.

She was born Aug. 25, 1956 in Winamac, to the late George A. and Leona E. McClellan Crissinger. She graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1974. She married Robert Lee Dixon on June 5, 1976 in Star City. He passed away Oct. 8, 2008. She later married Gary Scheffer on Oct. 12, 2013 in Leiters Ford. He survives.

She is also survived by:
Brett (Jessica) Dixon, Lafayette, Son
Bobby (Becky) Dixon, Star City, Son
Bessie (Andy) Proffet, Indianapolis, Daughter
Robert Lee (Fiona) Dixon Jr., Step-Son
Lori Clinger, Step-Daughter
Bobbi Jo (Ferris) Scheffer, Step-Daughter
Paul Scheffer, Step-Son
21 Grandchildren
Many Great-Grandchildren
Virginia “Ginny” Keehn, North Judson, Sister
James “Jim” Crissinger, Star City, Brother
Ruth Crissinger, Star City, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Brenda Fenske, Step-Daughter
One Great-Granddaughter
Richard “Dick” Crissinger, Brother

Mrs. Dixon Scheffer worked many years at North Express in Winamac. She was always the primary caregiver for her first husband, and when he received his transplant, she was given the opportunity to complete EMT training. She was active with the local Girl Scouts for many years, having held many roles. She was a member of Tippecanoe Christian Church in Winamac. She was a collector of many things, especially Garfield and Minions memorabilia. She enjoyed Facebook and shopping as well as playing pool and Bunco. Following her marriage to Mr. Scheffer, the couple enjoyed living on the river and watching the floaters pass by. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 17, at Tippecanoe Cemetery in Winamac, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to American Kidney Foundation or Tippecanoe Christian Church.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.