Obituaries

Raymond T. Timmons

March 5, 1957 to October 22, 2024

MEDARYVILLE - Raymond T. “Lurch” Timmons, 67, of Wheatfield, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Rensselaer.

He was born March 5, 1957 to the late Orville M. and Georgia M. [Ream] Timmons. He attended the Gillam School, graduated from West Central High School in 1975, and completed courses at Nashville Diesel College.

Raymond Timmons

He is survived by:
Amy M. Looney, Wheatfield, Partner
Raymond N. (Jennifer) Timmons, Francesville, Son
Patrick M. (Ashley) Timmons, Wheatfield, Son
Katlyn R. (Kyle) Duryea, Peoria, IL, Daughter
6 Grandchildren
1 Great-Granddaughter
Jean K. (James) Meyer, Argos, Sister
Roger L. Timmons, Ora, Brother
Carol L. Richie Warran, Rensselaer, Sister
Marlene F. Collins, Monterey, Sister
LuAnn Allen, Medaryville, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Robert R. Timmons, Brother
Amos Richie, Brother-in-law
Rex Allen, Brother-in-law

Mr. Timmons retired from Chester, Inc. after over 40 years of service. In recent years, he enjoyed helping a local farmer whenever needed. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well as gardening and canning. He was an incredibly hardworking and talented man. There was nothing he couldn’t fix, and he could build anything out of little to nothing with no waste. It has been said that he could create a swing set with just a fork and a straw. He was a man of few words, but was also well-known to many as a practical joker with a sarcastic sense of humor. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 27, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. The family requests that visitors share a favorite story of Raymond with them. A collection box will be available at the funeral home. Visitors may  bring their own note, or use the note cards provided. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 28, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Independence Cemetery, Medaryville.

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

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

Mary E. Seidel

October 29, 1952 to October 22, 2024

WINAMAC - Mary E. Seidel, 71, of Winamac, passed away peacefully at 12:12 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette.

Mary Seidel

Born Oct. 29, 1952 in Logansport, she was the daughter of the late Francis “Butch” and Gertrude M. (Meyer) Rausch. She was a devoted caregiver for her mother “Granny.” She was a Winamac Community High School graduate of the class of 1970. After high school, she enjoyed playing softball as a member of the Rausch Farms women’s softball team with her friends. She married Thomas E. Seidel on Aug. 16, 1997. He survives.

Survivors also include brothers F. David (Linda) Rausch and Larry (Cloretta) Rausch of Winamac; sisters Helen Rausch of Logansport, Joyce Kelsey of Iowa; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, George and Marilyn Kreiger of Valparaiso and Allen and Shelia Seidel of Winamac. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by brothers John Rausch, Daniel Rausch and Mose Rausch and sister Gertrude “Trudy” Kruzick.

Mrs. Seidel was formerly employed by United Telephone for several years. She retired from Eastern Pulaski School Corporation after working 24 years as a custodian. She was a devoted farm wife and enjoyed helping Tom on the farm, driving her Gator. She liked gardening and collecting antiques. She could grow the best pumpkins and gourds. She enjoyed spending time at “Pigs,” and cheering on her nieces and nephews in their sporting events. She was a very talented cook and was famous for her “Heavenly Bars” and gumbo. With her husband It did not matter what they were doing, they just enjoyed their time together. She was a loving aunt and will be greatly missed by all her family.

A celebration of life service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Winamac Chapel, 110 N. Sally Dr., Winamac. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Northern Indiana Power from the Past (P.O. Box 78, Winamac, IN 46996), and the Winamac Girls Softball League. 

Mrs. Seidel’s online guestbook is available and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Betty E. Doll

June 10, 1926 to October 18, 2024

FRANCESVILLE - Betty E. Doll, 98, of Francesville, passed away Friday, Oct. 18, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born June 10, 1926 in Hammond, to the late Purl and Gladys Evernham Goble. On June 13, 1948 she married Gilford Doll in Francesville. He passed away Nov. 25, 1992.

Betty Doll

She is survived by:
Glen (Bobbi) Doll, Francesville, Son
Mary Ortman, Winamac, Daughter
Donna (Wayne) Rummel, Nappanee, Daughter
Evelyn (Ray) Cramer, Winamac, Daughter
Rev. Judith Doll, Francesville, Daughter
Grandchildren: Zachary Doll, Kelsey Doll, Kelly Ortman, Kathy Brackett, Kari (Micah) Combs, Kimberly (Kenny) Sanders, Andy (Emily) Rummel, Peter (Kelli) Rummel, Natalie (Jeremy) Lederhouse, Grace Rausch, and Keith Cramer Step-Grandson.
16 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Grandson
John “Jack” (Joyce) Goble, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Barbara Doll, Daughter
Brian Ortman, Grandson
Mark Rausch, Son-in-law
James Ortman, Son-in-law
Shirley Overman, Sister
Gareth Goble, Half-Brother
Carol Goble, Sister-in-law
Terri Goble, Sister-in-law

Mrs. Doll was a 1944 graduate of Francesville High School. She was a member of the St. James Salem United Church of Christ in Francesville where she served as a Sunday School teacher and was a member of the Ladies Guild. She was a member of the Metamonong Chapter DAR, Colonial Dames and the Happy Homemakers Home-Ec Club. She had worked at the Kingsbury ordinance plant and Von Tobel’s in Francesville. She had also worked as a teaching assistant in adult education at Portage Township Schools and as a cook at West Central Schools.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the funeral home with Rev. Judith Doll and Kay Bond officiating. Burial will be at St. James Salem Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Indiana State Talking Book and Braille Library, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

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

Ralph G. Fritz

April 17, 1927 to October 18, 2024

WINAMAC - Ralph Gordon Fritz, 97, of Winamac, passed away Friday, Oct. 18, at Hickory Creek Winamac.

He was born Easter Sunday, April 17, 1927 in Winamac to the late Burley E. and Lydia Lucretia [Sparks] Fritz. He attended Winamac Elementary and High Schools. At age 18, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and spent six months at camp in Georgia and one year in Germany. On May 1, 1948, he married Charlene Olson in Winamac. They were married for 76 years. She survives.

Ralph Fritz

He is also survived by:
Darl Dean (Linda) Fritz, Winamac, Son
Jill Ann (Ed) Sowards, Allegan, MI, Daughter
Gail Sue (William) Tetzloff, Winamac, Daughter
Amy Jo (Chris) Cantu, Winamac, Daughter
Grandchildren: Daniel Fritz, Kari Moore, Megan Zimmerman, Clay Ashby, Jeff Tetzloff, Brad Tetzloff, Tami Gaillard, Magdalena Hershman, Shane Hounchell and Molly Hounchell.
20 Great-Grandchildren
4 Great-Great-Granddaughters

Preceded in death by:
James Fritz Brother

Mr. Fritz was owner of Fritz Fire Equipment and part owner of Snow White Laundry. He was a former president and worker at the Pulaski County Historical Society. He received the “Quilt of Valor” for his military service on June 13, 2015. He has a room-sized layout of HO trains and made many kits from scratch. He loved mowing with his small John Deere tractor and woodworking. He attended Kewanna Church of Christ. He will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Oct. 22), at the funeral home with Jon Frain officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski County Historical Society.

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

Mark G. Graves

December 8, 1964 to October 17, 2024

ROYAL CENTER - Mark G. Graves, 59, Winamac, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Oct. 17, at his home.

Born Dec. 8, 1964 in Winamac, he was the son of the late Eugene Graves and Nancy (Galbreath) Hoffmann. He was a 1984 Winamac Community High School graduate.

Mark Graves

Survivors include his son Kolton Mark Graves of Winamac, brother Chris (Lisa) Graves of Winamac, sisters Cindy Koepkey of Louisiana, Lisa (Rick) Foerg of Monticello, Valerie Larson of Winamac and Maribeth (Jerry) Benesh of Winamac; and aunts Terry (Bill) Raderstorf of Louisiana, Debbie Shidler of Winamac and Margaret Clements of Missouri. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He is also preceded in death by paternal grandparents Helen and Coby Graves, maternal grandparents Nellie “Babe” and Ralph Galbreath, brothers-in-law Paul Koepkey, Paul Larson and Jerry Braun.

Mr. Graves worked at Galbreath Inc. for over 40 years. He loved getting out and about with his sister Valerie. Backgammon, Battleship and Ship, Captain, Crew were his go-to games to play with family. He enjoyed getting the garden planted so that he could supply pickles to his friends and family. One could often find Mark in his garage drinking his cold beer and listening to the radio blaring classic rock. He most certainly loved having the “you need to do this” talks with his son to make sure he was on the right path. Most of all, he loved the time he spent with friends and family.

A celebration of life gathering will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, at the V.F.W. in Winamac.

Mr. Grave’s online guestbook is available, and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center.

Martha J. Bane

October 21, 1937 to October 13, 2024

WINAMAC - Martha J. Bane, 86, of Westville, passed away Sunday, Oct. 13, at her residence.

She was born Oct. 21, 1937 in Conahatta, MS to the late Ben and Ludie Rucker Nicholson.

Martha Bane

She is survived by:
Charles Bane, Oconomowoc, WI, Son
Steve (Julie) Bane, Lake Station, Son
James Keith Bane, Winamac, Son
Pamela Bane, Westville, Daughter
Amber Bane, Granddaughter
Jonathon (Susan) Kallok, Grandson
Kaitlyn Kallok, Granddaughter
Lester Bane, Former Husband

Preceded in death by:
Karen Bane, Daughter
Ruby Walters, Sister
Ella Ruth Boler, Sister
Etoil Goss, Sister
Mildred Webb, Sister
Francis Prestige, Sister
Miller Nicholson, Brother

Mrs. Bane was a seamstress at a shirt factory in Union, MS for a number of years. She had also worked at a convenience store in Texas and Massachusetts. She was a member of the Valley Baptist Church in Valparaiso. She enjoyed crocheting, coloring and games on her tablet. She will be sadly missed by friends and family.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.  The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. (Oct. 18), at the funeral home with Chaplain Tom Wetselaar officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

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