Obituaries

Gerald L. Ash

October 21, 1938 to May 14, 2020

WINAMAC - Gerald L. “Jerry” Ash, 81, of Kewanna, passed away at 11:32 p.m., Thursday, May 14,  at the Auburn Village Skilled Nursing Facility in Auburn, IN.

He was born Oct. 21, 1938 in Winamac, to the late Argyl and Kathryn Graffis Ash. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1956 and earned his bachelor’s degree at Indiana State University in 1961. He married Judith Lebo on Feb. 5, 1961 at the Methodist Church in Winamac. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Greg (Sue) Ash, South Bend, Son
Brian Ash, South Bend, Son
7 Grandchildren: Teigan Ash, Mishawaka, Macenzie Ash, Bloomington, Haley Ash, Granger, Madison Ash, Granger, Wyatt Ash, South Bend, Brodie Ash, South Bend, and Dane Jordan, South Bend.
Judy (Steve) Skersick, Greenwood, Sister

Mr. Ash taught at Willowdale Elementary, the smallest elementary school in the Elkhart school system, for four years. He was teacher and coach to fifth and sixth graders. One of those years his team won the city championship. While teaching, he was a candidate for “Teacher of the Year.” He went on to work at CTS Corporation in Elkhart for 14 years as personnel director. While employed there he was voted “Boss of the Year” by the American Business Women’s Association. After leaving CTS he was employed by Miles Laboratories which later became Bayer Cooperation. He served as a human resources director/security in their diagnostic division. For many years, he also coordinated their executive development program, a joint venture with the University of Notre Dame. He retired from Bayer Corporation in 2000.

Mr. Ash served on the following boards: Elkhart Industrial Club, president; Elkhart Career Center (also teaching a class at night); United Way, chairman; Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, board member (16 years); Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, president (7 years); St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Elkhart, board of trustees; Granger Community Church, administrative board; Lake Bruce Association, board president; Mahseh Center, board of directors; and Newmar Kountry Klub, Indiana state director (with wife Judy for 2 years).

After retirement, the Ashes traveled extensively in their motor home. They moved to Lake Bruce, from Granger, in 2006. He loved the Lord and his family. He loved telling his made-up stories of “Sarah and Levi” to his grandchildren and playing catch with his grandsons. After having brain surgery in 2013, his struggles were many. But, he fought the good fight. We love you Jerry, Dad, and Grandpa; God loves you more. You will be greatly missed. We will see you again in Heaven. “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you” – Deuteronomy 33:27

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 21, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 22, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at 2 p.m., (Friday), at Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Mishawaka.

Memorial donations may be made to Focus on the Family.

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

*Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitation will be limited to groups of 10 guests and social distancing. You may sign up for visitation at www.frainmortuary.com or by calling the funeral home at 574-946-3222. While there are no longer limitations on the number of guests for funeral services, social distancing must be observed at all times.

Kathleen A. McGriff

May 10, 1934 to May 13, 2020

WINAMAC - Kathleen A. McGriff, 86, of Winamac, passed away at 2:55 a.m., Wednesday, May 13, at the Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born May 10, 1934 in Pulaski County, to the late Arthur and Virgie Rowles Bowers. She was raised in Pulaski, and graduated from Pulaski High School.

Survivors include:
Terry (Debra) Ruff, Star City, Son
Linda (Butch) Sehstedt, Winamac, Daughter
Keith (Carmen) Ruff, Grandson
Michael (Alison) Sehstedt, Grandson
Julie (Johnny) Tijerina, Granddaughter
Steven (Heather) Sehstedt, Grandson
Brett (Kelsie) Zellers, Step-Grandson
Kyle (Sabrina) Zellers, Step-Grandson
17 Great-Grandchildren: Steph, Dillon, Tyler, Hollie, Grady, Adley, Bailey, Rees, Joshua, Karli, Olivia, Tate, Audrey, Lynden, Rylie, Alan and Brooks

Preceded in death by:
Harold “Bud” Ruff, Former Husband

Mrs. McGriff enjoyed needlework, reading, and playing the piano. She was an avid gardener; a love she passed on her to her family. She especially enjoyed being a member of the Red Hat Society and spending time at the Von Tobel Senior Center. She will be dearly missed. The family extends its appreciation for the care Pulaski Health Care Center has provided Mrs. McGriff over the years.

No services will be held.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Health Care Center.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Harold J. Oechsle

March 14, 1929 to May 9, 2020

FORT WAYNE – Rev. Harold J. Oechsle, 91, of Fort Wayne (formerly of Winamac), passed away Saturday, May 9.

Born March 14, 1929, in Battle Creek, Mich., he was a son of the late Harold T. and Helen (Wertz) Oechsle. He was a 1947 graduate of Albion High School, a 1952 graduate of Taylor University, and received his masters of theology in 1958, from Wesley Theological Seminary. He married Martha L. Slagg who preceded him in death in 2017. They were married 66 years.

He is survived by his children, Elaine (David) Stowell of Tarzana, Calif., Barbara Oechsle of Columbia City, Douglas Oechsle of Burnsville, Minn., and Janis (Kevin) Davidson of Fort Wayne; daughter of the heart, Joyce Rinker of Marion; sister, Martha L. Counterman of Lakeland, Fla.; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Rev. Oechsle was a member of Covenant United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, and retired in 1994 from the Northern Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church after more than 45 years of service serving as senior pastor of Good Shepherd UMC, Fort Wayne, district superintendent of the Elkhart District, and director of Professional Human Resources for the district. The First United Methodist Church of Winamac was among the churches he served, from 1970-78

A celebration of life service will be held at Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne, at a later date. Private family burial will be at Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City.

 Memorial donations may be given to Covenant United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, or the United Methodist Foundation for Northern Indiana Conference.

For online condolences, visit www.mccombandsons.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Wayne.

Joan Smith

April 8, 1931 to May 5, 2020

WINAMAC - Joan “Joanie” Smith, 89, of Winamac, passed away at 6:48 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, at her home.

She was born April 8, 1931 in Logansport, to the late Joseph E. and Dorothy H. Gray Nazerine. She was a 1949 graduate of Logansport High School. On June 26, 1955, she married Arthur L. “Art” Smith in Logansport. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by:
Deborah (Tim) Senesac, Logansport, Daughter
Tracy (Brian) Harper, Winamac, Daughter
Alison Senesac, Atlanta, Granddaughter
Hayley (Josh) Ruff, Fishers, Granddaughter
Ron Nazerine, Logansport, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Hannah Harper, Infant Granddaughter

Together, Mrs. Smith and her husband operated Smith Insurance Agency in Winamac for nearly 25 years. She was a member of the Winamac First United Methodist Church. She lived a very active life and was a member of numerous card clubs. She enjoyed going to Bunco and socializing with her good friends. She and her husband were avid Purdue basketball fans and enjoyed traveling. Most of all she loved her family very much, especially her granddaughters.

A private service will be held at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Private bBurial will take place at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Logansport.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center.

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

Billie Jo Matthews

December 9, 1971 to April 30, 2020

WINAMAC - Billie Jo Matthews, 48, of Headlee, passed away Thursday, April 30. 

She was born Dec. 9, 1971 to William Matthew and Ruby May Davis Toosley.   

She is survived by:
Tausha (Kyle) Wilson, Daughter
Ricky Howard, Son
Dennis Matthew Howard, Son
Damon (Janel Minix) Howard, Son
10 Grandchildren
Ruby May (Larry) DeWeese, Mother and Step-Father
Bobbie Jo Fleming, Sister
Brian Matthew (Jennifer Crowder) Toosley, Brother
Jerry Thompson, Maternal Grandfather
Many Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
William O’Neil Toosley, Brother
William Matthew Toosley, Father
William Anthony and LaVerne Toosley, Paternal Grandparents
Virginia Thompson, Maternal Grandmother

Mrs. Matthews enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren.  She will be dearly missed.

The family will hold a memorial service at a later date.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Marion H. Damore Jr.

July 14, 1927 to April 29, 2020

WINAMAC - Marion H. “Harry” Damore Jr., 92, passed away Wednesday, April 29, at the Gulf Coast Veterans Center, Biloxi, Miss.

He was born July 14, 1927, in Chicago. His wife, Elsie Damore, of almost 70 years, passed away February 2018.

He is survived by his children: Michael H. (Sharon) Damore, Ft. Myers, Fla.;
Margaret (Robert, deceased) Selander, Richmond Hill, Ga.; Mark (Becky) Damore
Sr., Culver; and Matthew (Toni) Damore, Ft. Myers, Fla. He also leaves behind a large, loving family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Damore was raised and worked in Chicago. He served his country in the Army Air Corp. His life was dedicated to family, and operating his business, Original Chicago Produce, at South Water Market, in Chicago. He was a member of Ridgemoor Country Club, Chicago and Olde Hickory Country Club, Ft. Myers, Fla.

A memorial tribute to Harry and Elsie is planned for July 2020, at Damore Gardens in Culver.

Memorial donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation www.jdrf.org