Obituaries

Fred E. Foust

September 8, 1952 to June 16, 2020

MEDARYVILLE - Fred Eugene Foust, 67, of Monticello (formerly of Medaryville), passed away Tuesday, June 16, at IU Health Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born Sept. 8, 1952 in Winamac, to the late Fred and Simonette Fritz Foust. He graduated from West Central High School in 1972. On May 12, 1979, he married Linda Lee McKee in Culver. They recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Tammie (Barney) Calvert Bachman, Medaryville, Daughter
Steven (Stephanie) Foust, Medaryville, Son
Seth Bachman, Grandson
Brandon Bachman, Grandson
Trever Foust, Grandson
Devon Foust, Grandson
Donald (Leota) Foust, Truth or Consequences, NM, Brother
Patricia Foust, Medaryville, Sister
Richard (Shirley) Foust, Crown Point, Brother
Thelma Tanner, Medaryville, Sister
Judy Wise, Goshen, Sister
Shirley Scholz, Wheatfield, Sister
Kay (Doug) Warner, LaPorte, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Raymond Foust, Infant Brother

Mr. Foust was a lifelong truck driver. He began his career at Gutwein Mill in Francesville, and retired from Morning Song in Reynolds. In his retirement, he continued his passion for driving truck at RPC Enterprises in Reynolds. He was a former member of the Medaryville Jaycees and the Medaryville Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed fishing and loved his cat, Bootsie. Most of all, he loved his family. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandsons and pestering his sisters (as any little ornery brother does!). He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

A celebration of life event will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 19, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. Guests are reminded to practice social distancing.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

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

Harold O. Rife

June 25, 1946 to June 11, 2020

WINAMAC - Harold Orville Rife, 73, of Camby, passed away Thursday, June 11, following a short battle with lung cancer.

The oldest of seven children, he was born June 25, 1946 in Rochester, to the late Orville L. and Lucille Mae Goble Rife. He graduated from Star City High School in 1964 and earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University in 1970.

He is survived by:
Jennifer (Greg Whipple) Rife, Camby, Daughter
David (Kate) Rife, Indianapolis, Son
Derek (Kristie Kennedy) Rife, Indianapolis, Son
Grandchildren: Austin Rife, Chandler Rife, Cole Rife, Hope Rife, Lucy Rife, Karlie Dulworth, and Kassidy Kennedy.
Gertrude “Gert” Stout Rife, Winamac, Second Mom
Don (Jean) Rife, Winamac, Brother
John (Julie) Rife, Gonzales, LA, Brother
Carol (Mick) Hoffman, Winamac, Sister
Randy (Jill) Rife, Logansport, Brother
Sam (Connie) Rife, Winamac, Brother
Naomi (Joe) Murphy, Winamac, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Elnora Jordon, Winamac, Aunt
Shirley Beckner, Winamac, Aunt
Many Cousins
Brenda Rose Jagnandan, Indianapolis, Former Spouse

Preceded in death by:
Andrea Nicole Rife, Infant Granddaughter

Mr. Rife had a distinguished career with Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center Base in Crane, IN and retired in 1995. Following retirement, he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and went on to teach electrical engineering technology at IUPUI and ITT Technical Institute. He was the founder and board president of Lean Problem Solving Academy, a non-profit that taught soft skills for the workplace. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed genealogy, playing golf, and being outside. He lived an active life but never missed an opportunity to sit and have a good cup of coffee. He was a loving father, grandfather, son, and brother. He loved family gatherings, especially cookouts (you could always count on him to bring the veggie tray). He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 19, at the First Baptist Church in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 20, at the church with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. A recording of the funeral service will be uploaded to the funeral home website and Facebook page. Burial will be at Paul’s Chapel Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church in Francesville, or Paul’s Chapel Cemetery in Winamac.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Jerry D. Freeman

October 30, 1940 to May 27, 2020

ROYAL CENTER - Jerry D. Freeman, 79 of Winamac, passed away peacefully at 7:20 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, at his residence with family at his bedside.

Born on Oct. 30, 1940 in Winamac, he was the son of the late Denzil and Imogene (Lane) Freeman. He was a 1959 Winamac High School graduate.  He was a U.S. Army veteran. On Feb. 11, 1972, he married Nancy Sehstedt. She preceded him in death on Jan. 2, 2018.

Survivors include his daughters, Connie Bair of Winamac and Lisa (John) Foy of Buford, GA.; grandchildren Lacy Bair, Colleen Foy and Sean Foy; brothers John Freeman and Carl Freeman, both of Winamac; and sister Joan Byer (Mac) of Knox. He is also survived by his beloved boxer, Wrigley.

Also preceding in death are brothers Tom, Willard and Willis Freeman, sister Ruth Freeman and granddaughter Cassandra Bair.

Mr. Freeman retired in 1991 from Chrysler in Kokomo. He was an outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting deer and quail, fishing and camping. In his younger years, he enjoyed golfing. He also liked to watch westerns on television. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and loved animals, especially his cats and dog. He was a member of the UAW and a member and song leader at Thornhope Church of Christ.

Per Mr. Freeman’s wishes, there will be no services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center (PAC), 13 E. Indian Hills Rd., Winamac, IN 46996

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center.

Natalie M. Gudeman

November 7, 1922 to June 4, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Natalie Marie Gudeman, 97, of Fort Myers, FL (formerly of Elgin, IL) passed away peacefully at 5:15 a.m., Thursday, June 4, at the Pavilion Memory Care unit at Shell Point Village in Fort Myers, where she had resided for more than 20 years as an independent resident and in assisted living.

She was born Nov. 7, 1922, in Francesville, to the late Joseph B. and Huldah Getz Gudeman of Medaryville.  After graduating from high school, she worked at the VonTobel Lumber Company. She attended both Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and Wheaton Bible College in Wheaton, IL. 

She is survived by:
LeRoy (Kay) Gudeman, Brother
Many nieces and nephews 
Many great-nieces and great-nephews

Preceded in death by:
Marion (Bertha) Gudeman, Brother
Marjean (Willis) Wuethrich, Sister 

 After moving to Elgin, IL, Ms. Gudeman worked for Scripture Press in Glen Ellyn, and gained much knowledge in Bible literature. She also worked for the David C. Cook Publishing Company in Elgin. Later, she taught elementary school in Elgin. She had a great passion and a positive influence in the lives of many children before retiring. She served homemade Thanksgiving dinners to her class every year, and decorating the classroom was one of her many special talents. In her everyday life, she was always teaching. Manners and grammar were of utmost importance to her, as her nieces and nephews can well remember. She and her longtime friend, Irene Guth, loved traveling the world extensively, visiting many countries and missionaries along the way.

Ms. Gudeman also spent many Sunday afternoons passing out gospel tracts at O’Hare International Airport, or to anyone she wanted to share her love for the Lord. She had a special way to turn her conversations toward Jesus Christ (John 3:16), and wanted others to know Christ, bringing glory to God.  She is remembered as always having a witty sense of humor, always a jokester making others laugh. She had a love for reading with an open mind to learning. Many enjoyed her eloquent speaking and her lovely clothes and style. She loved music and enjoyed singing and playing her favorites, the organ and accordion.  She attended Wheaton Bible Church, and was a faithful servant of God. She sang in the church choirs and served on many church committees, always willing to lend a helping hand. She had a heart for people; she was generous and enjoyed entertaining in her home. She supported missionaries, and graciously opened up her home to them. She will always be loved and remembered for her kind and caring heart and being “always grateful” to God.

A graveside service and interment will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 20, at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville, with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Navigators International Ministry of Jim and Karen Getz. To give online, go to: navstaff.org/give/79665. Or, checks payable to The Navigators with a note for the ministry of Jim and Karen Getz (79665) may be mailed to: The Navigators, PO Box 6079, Albert Lea, MN 56007

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

Joanne C. Elam Sambrooks

December 26, 1940 to May 30, 2020

WINAMAC - Joanne C. Sambrooks (Elam), 79, of Winamac, passed at 1:35 p.m., Saturday, May 30, at Hickory Creek at Winamac.

Born Dec. 26, 1940 in Chicago, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Christine Miller. She grew up in Illinois, where she married her first husband, and they had six children. They raised their family in Chicago.

She is survived by:
Five children: Dean, Michael (Anna), William (Debra), Allen and Katherine (Jason).
Six grandchildren: Jean, Christina, Megan, Michelle, Michael, and Jennifer.
Seven great-grandchildren: Braidyn, Kattalina, JoeJoe, Andrew, Abigail, Ariana and Annalise.
Numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by:
Former husband, but lifelong friend, Allen Edward Elam Sr.
Daughter, Linda Joyce
Granddaughter, Megan Ann
Five sisters, Marilyn Klopp, Muriel Zizzo, Dolores Steinman, Geraldine Leverenz, and Roberta Miller
Three brothers, Marshall Miller Sr., Phillip Miller, Robert Miller
Two half-siblings, Billy and Dorothy Miller
One niece Sandra Klopp
Two nephews, Marshall Miller Jr. and Robert Leverenz.

Mrs. Sambrooks spent about 45 years in Chicago before seeking a new adventure. She made her final home in Winamac where she spent nearly 34 years living on the Tippecanoe River. She was jovial; she had a laugh and a smile that was contagious. While people say these things all the time, she was truly one of a kind. Her life was full of hardships, yet she always persevered for her family. She was well known and admired. She was strong, stubborn and fiercely independent. She lived for others and thrived on being the “center of attention,” not for herself but to make others happy. She was a fan of her daytime TV, where she spent hours watching Jerry Springer and was a Dr. Phil enthusiast. She also was an avid Olympics watcher; she loved watching the figure skating and told tall tales to her grandkids about her “Olympic skating days” being the reason she had bad knees. And after a long day, likely spent outside, she hoped to wind down with a classic Lifetime movie and her pups. She really enjoyed the outdoors and was an absolute animal lover. Camping was one of her most treasured passtimes, where she spent weekends with her family. The Luau weekend at the campground was something she would look forward to all year and the best memories were made. She would ride around on her golf cart for hours looking for big rocks for her garden. She loved the peace her home brought her; it was a place the flock could gather. She went by many names: Mom, Gramma Sam, Grandma Jo, Aunt Joanie, Aunt Jo, Mama E. She was one who said “you can call me anything but don’t call me late for dinner!”

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, June 12, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A private graveside service will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL. Burial will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL.

Memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or Hickory Creek at Winamac.

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

Kenneth A. Smith

June 16, 1953 to June 1, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - A graveside service with military honors for Kenneth Argyl "Kenny" Smith, 66, Monticello, will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3, at Bell Center Cemetery in Bell Center, IN.

He passed peacefully with his sister by his side, Monday, June 1, at IU Health Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born June 16, 1953, in Winamac to Donald R. and Betty J. Weaver Smith. He attended West Central High School in Francesville. He left school to join the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War.

He is survived by:
Betty J. Weaver Smith, Francesville, Mother
Pamela M. (Lonnie) Joseph Sr., Winamac, Sister
Dona K. (James) Heater, Logansport, Sister
Mary Ann Good, Sawyer, MI, Sister
Loyal M. “Junior” Good, Winamac, Brother-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews; Great-Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Donald R. Smith, Father

Mr. Smith was a lifelong truck driver and a talented handyman. He was a kind man, always willing to lend a helping hand to his neighbors. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and tree trimming. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Memorial donations may be made to Parkview Haven Retirement Home.

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

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