Obituaries

James M. Johnson

August 4, 1946 to September 29, 2024

FRANCESVILLE - James M. Johnson, 78, of Francesville, passed away Sunday, Sept. 29, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born Aug. 4, 1946 in Frankfort, to the late James Perry and Elsie May Weaver Johnson. He married Phyllis June Coomer on Nov. 25, 1967 in Frankfort. She preceded him in death March 12, 2023.

James Johnson

He is survived by:
James S. (Kim) Johnson, Jamestown, TN, Son
Rodney A. (Sheila) Johnson, Coal Center, PA, Son
Kathie M. (Brian) Armstrong, Lafayette, Daughter
Jay M. (Jennifer) Johnson, Francesville, Son
13 Grandchildren
9 Great-Grandchildren
Pat Johnson, Kokomo, Sister

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Mr. Johnson was a mechanic at Johnson Service in Francesville. He was a member of the Winamac Church of the Nazarene, the National Street Rod Association and the Indiana Street Rod Association. He enjoyed cars, car shows and racing. He enjoyed spending time with his family. He could frequently be found having coffee with his friends in his shop.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 3, at the funeral home with Pastor Martin Burns officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Winamac Church of the Nazarene.

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

Nancy A. Gazelle

May 5, 1936 to September 26, 2024

ROYAL CENTER - Nancy A. Gazelle, 88 of Winamac passed away at 5:21 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

Nancy Gazelle

Born on May 5, 1936 in Normal, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Orville and Mildred (Shaw) Hanks. She was a graduate of Normal Community High School and the University of Illinois.

Survivors include her husband Carlton Gazelle of Winamac; sons Dr. Brian (Cathy) Johnson of Winamac, Martin (Gayellen) Johnson of Tulsa, Okla. and Rodney (Marce) Johnson of Celeste, Texas; and grandchildren Karl (Molly) Johnson of Chicago, Kurt Johnson of Goshen, Grant Johnson of Tulsa, Okla., Caryn Johnson of Celeste, Texas and Brianne Johnson of Celeste, Texas.

She was also preceded in death by her first husband Bernard Johnson and son Bruce Johnson.

Mrs. Gazelle was a retired music teacher. She also formerly owned and operated a Christian book and gift shop in Illinois. She was a member of Heartland Church in Winamac and enjoyed playing piano and spending time with family and friends.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Sept. 30, at the Heartland Church in Winamac with Pastor Heath Hiatt officiating. A graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m. (CDT), Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Hudson Township Cemetery in Hudson, Ill.

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

Joy A. Hintz

May 25, 1937 to September 26, 2024

ROYAL CENTER - Joy A. Hintz, 87, of Winamac passed away at 12:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, at Pulaski Healthcare Center in Winamac.

Joy Hintz

Born May 25, 1937 in Winamac, she was the daughter of the late Theodore and Mildred (Robinson) Howe. On Jan. 27, 1957 she married William “Bill” Hintz. He preceded her in death on July 9, 2024.

Survivors include her son Steve (Betsy) Hintz of Winamac; daughter Jill (Terry) Rensberger of South Bend; grandchildren Terri (Eric) Alexander of Wheaton, Ill., Corey (Emily) Hintz of Winamac, Holly Rensberger of Chicago, Dylan Hintz of Indianapolis and Tyler Hintz of North Carolina; and great-grandchildren William and Claire Alexander and Skyler and Dakota Hintz.

Mrs. Hintz retired from Eastern Pulaski School Corporation where she worked in the office. She was an avid sports fan and was instrumental in founding the Hintz Farms Softball Teams over the years.

Per Mrs. Hintz’s wishes, there will be no services at this time.

Her 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.

Cheryl Scheffer

November 15, 1946 to September 25, 2024

ROYAL CENTER - Cheryl A. Scheffer, 77, of Star City passed away at 3:42 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25, at IU Health West Hospital in Avon.

Cheryl Scheffer

Born Nov. 15, 1946 in Winamac, she was the daughter of the late Gerald “Cal” and Elsie (Lebo) Scheffer. She was a Star City High School graduate and continued her education at Indiana State University earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Survivors include her brother Charles “Chuck” Scheffer of Star City; sisters Mary (Steve) Thomas of Brookston and Jean (Louis) Bangel of Winamac; sister-in-law Dessa Scheffer of North Carolina and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by brother Thomas “Tom” Scheffer.

Ms. Scheffer taught high school math, starting at Twin Lakes School Corporation and retiring from Pioneer Junior/Senior High School. While teaching she also sponsored numerous clubs, coached sports and math teams, and was a senior class sponsor. She spent many hours helping with school activities during afternoons, evenings and weekends. She received several honors for which her students nominated her. She was also a member and past president of Delta Kappa Gamma Society. After retiring from teaching, she attended tax school and has worked for various CPAs during tax time. She loved the outdoors and spent many hours helping on the family farm, gardening and taking care of the yard.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. Burial will be at the Winamac Cemetery, McKinley Memorial Gardens Addition.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

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

Joseph K. Holmes

January 15, 1952 to September 21, 2024

SOUTH BEND - Joseph Kevin “Joe” Holmes, 72, South Bend (formerly of Winamac), passed away Sept. 21.

He was born Jan. 15, 1952 to Bert and Rosemary Holmes in his hometown of Winamac. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1970 where he fondly remembered helping his basketball team win their sectional championship in his senior year. He attended Indiana State University where he enjoyed intramural sports and a multitude of other activities with his Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brothers.

Joe Holmes

He is survived by his wife Marcia, sister Pamela (Pat) Patrick, brother-in-law Randy (Cindy) King, children Jeanne (Nick) Foster, Kyle Wilson, Jennifer (Brian) Chance, and Joni (Ivan) Balicky. Also surviving are nieces and a nephew, and grandchildren Noah Wilson, Brooklyn Foster, Jasmine Foster, Gabriel Wilson, Braedyn Foster, Olivia Balicky, Peyton Harris, Lucas Balicky, Kenzie Foster, Eli Harris, Kameron Foster, Abel Wilson, Thaddeus Wilson, Kaylie Balicky and Claire Balicky. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law Ronnie and Silva Holmes, his father- and mother-in-law Edsel and Nell King, and brother-in-law Jeffrey King.

Mr. Holmes was naturally athletic and very competitive. Although he didn’t raise his dream basketball team in his kids, he enjoyed living out his glory days with his grandkids. He enjoyed seeing people laugh and used his sarcastic sense of humor to get a smile out of anyone he talked to. A well-respected man of God and a prayer warrior for his family and friends, he expressed often that he was “blessed and highly favored.”

A time of visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a 12 noon celebration of life service Saturday, Sept. 28, at Winamac Nazarene Church with Rev. Paul Commons officiating.

Palmer Funeral Home, Guisinger Chapel, in South Bend is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered to the Holmes Family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

William L. Huffman

April 21, 1943 to September 20, 2024

WINAMAC - William L. “Bill” Huffman, 81, Winamac, passed away Friday, Sept. 20, at IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born April 21, 1943 in Logansport, to the late James F. and Malinda M. [Zarse] Huffman. After graduating from Francesville High School in 1961, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He married Joyce F. Coogle on Sept. 13, 1964 in Monon. She survives.

Bill Huffman

He is also survived by:
Kevin W. (Kara) Huffman, Versailles, KY, Son
Sheila F. Lamb, Avon, IN, Daughter
Janet L. (Chad) Inman, Noblesville, Daughter
Tina M. Huffman, Monticello, Daughter
Grandchildren: Ryan (Anna) Huffman, Ashlyn Huffman, Sean Lamb, Sydney Lamb, Josh (Emani) Inman, Jeff (Chelsey) Inman, Matt Inman, Michael Skaggs, and Samantha Riddle.
1 Great-Grandson: Matthew
Marilyn L. (Lee) Kizlik, Sister
Carolyn M. Shivley, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Jeffrey D. Huffman, Infant Son
Austin M. Huffman, Grandson
Donald J. Huffman, Brother

Mr. Huffman was a lifelong farmer in Pulaski County. He was a member of Paul’s Chapel Church and Gideon’s International. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had a great sense of humor and was full of “good jokes”. He loved his family dearly and especially cherished time spent with his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, at the funeral home with celebrant Ashley Young officiating. Burial will be at Paul’s Chapel Cemetery in rural Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to Gideon’s International.

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