Obituaries

Steven L. Fulmer

September 3, 1968 to November 29, 2019

WINGATE - Steven Lee Fulmer, 51, of Winamac, passed away at 2:10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac, following a courageous battle with Glioblastoma. 

He was born Sept. 3, 1968 in Rensselaer, son of the late Richard Eugene and Patricia Marie Hilton Fulmer. He was a 1987 graduate of West Central High School and soon after joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Operation Desert Storm. He was discharged with the rank of corporal. He married Trina Dawn Crist, Oct. 8, 1994 in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are sons Gavin (Destiny Crawford) Fulmer of Winamac and Cooper Fulmer at home; a brother, Eugene Fulmer of Indianapolis; sister Cathy (Scott) Vollmer of Francesville; and brother-in-law Dave Scott of  Winamac. Other survivors include his in-laws Wayne and Phyllis Crist of Winamac; sisters-in-law Tasha (Parish) Foerg of Arizona, Tiffany (Steve) Davis) of Indianapolis and Tennille Calabrese of Winamac. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Kim Scott.

Mr. Fulmer was employed the past nine years by Wastequip in Winamac as a sales representative. He twice earned ‘Salesman of the Year’ award. He was very customer service oriented and went out of his way to accommodate their needs. He was previously employed by Braun Corporation and Pentair-Krystil Klear. He was a proud Marine and served as past commander at the Winamac VFW Post 1728 where he was an active member. He enjoyed following his sons, Gavin as he played football at Anderson College and as a football coach at Winamac High School, and Cooper as he played football and basketball. He coached girls softball summer league for many years, and loved all sports. He was an avid fan of the Black Hawks, Redskins, Cubs, NASCAR with Bill Elliott his favorite driver. He enjoyed watching Notre Dame football, IU basketball, and his favorite college team was anyone playing Purdue!  Most of all, he loved his family, his VFW family and his dog Denver.

Visitation hours are 11a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at First Christian Church, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., Saturday, at the church with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating.  Burial will follow in McKinley Memorial Gardens, with military honors by VFW Post 1728. 

Memorial donations may be directed to Glioblastoma Reasearch or VFW Post 1728.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate.  Visit online at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guest book or leave a condolence.

Marjorie B. Thompson

September 4, 1923 to November 29, 2019

WINAMAC - Marjorie B. Thompson, 96, Winamac, passed away, surrounded by family, at 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at Hickory Creek Nursing Home in Winamac.

She was born Sept. 4, 1923 at the old Galbreath homestead along the Tippecanoe River, south of Winamac, to the late Frederick Walter and Emma Ellen Galbreath Brinker. She was a 1941 graduate of Winamac High School. She married Norman S. Thompson on June 8, 1941, and they celebrated 73 years of marriage before he passed away Oct. 31, 2014.

She is survived by:

Donald (Jean) Thompson, Winamac, Son
Larry (Jean) Thompson, Conyers, GA, Son
Richard (Denise) Thompson, Plano, TX, Son
June (Tom) Roth, Star City, Daughter
9 grandchildren: Angie Crawford, Tracy Brandenburg, Rebecca Riordan, Randy Thompson, Natalie Roth, Joe Roth, Kyle Roth, and Wyatt Roth.
16 great-grandchildren: Bekah and Abby Brandenburg, Alex, Margo and Hannah Riordan; Trevor Thompson and Victoria Coldiron; Aria and Owen Roth, Griffin, Holden, Cameron, and Finley Roth; Colin, Brodie, and Hensley Roth.
2 great-great-grandchildren: Macy and Leeland

She is preceded in death by:
Mildred Powers, Sister
Mary Ellen Cook, Sister
Donald Paul Brinker, Infant Brother
Jennifer Jo Thompson Terry, Granddaughter

Mrs. Thompson worked at United Telephone Company as a telephone operator after high school and then stayed home to raise her family. In 1964, she went to work at Winamac schools as a secretary for Lamoin Nice and Richard Irven. Later she became a secretary at Eastern Pulaski Elementary School until she retired in 1983. She always had a large garden and canned and preserved all of the extra produce that wasn't eaten. She loved working in her flower garden and was known for all of her beautiful flowers. She was a former member of the Monroe Modern Homemakers Extension Club. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Winamac. She and her husband traveled to Florida to their winter home for many years where she enjoyed getting together with their Winamac friends. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her dog Mitzi.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the First Christian Church or to the Pulaski Animal Center.

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

Gerald E. Kruger

January 25, 1937 to November 22, 2019

MONON - Gerald E. Kruger, 82, of Francesville, passed away at 12:20 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, in Francesville as a result of an automobile accident.

He was born Jan. 25, 1937 in Francesville, to the late Everett Kruger and Edith Garling Kruger Tucker and was a 1954 graduate of Francesville High School. He was a lifelong resident of Francesville. His marriage of 63 years was to Carolyn Stoll. They married on July 7, 1956 at St. James United Church of Christ, Francesville. She survives.

Also surviving are a son, Jerry L. (Lorie) Kruger of Rossville; a daughter, Jana L. (Jack) Drone of Rensselaer; and a sister, Marilyn Chafey of Indianapolis. His grandchildren are Tylyn, Tate, Graham, Beck and Merrick, plus a great-granddaughter Avery.

Mr. Kruger served in the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Ala. for over three years. He was honorably discharged. He trained to become a carpenter after high school. He completed many projects in the area during his 50-plus-year career. He fondly remembered helping with the addition to his church and the raising of the new steeple. He was rarely without his wooden ruler and a truck full of tools. He lived on and farmed the family farm most of his life.

He served on the Carroll White REMC board of directors for over 20 years; serving as chairman for many years. He was the Trustee of Beaver Township for over 20 years. He was a lifetime member of St. James Salem United Church of Christ where he served on the board. He enjoyed riding horses with his kids, watching his grandsons play ball and following Purdue sports. Above all, he loved spending time with his family.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at St. James Salem United Church of Christ (10934 West 600 South Francesville). Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made in his name to St. James Salem United Church of Christ.

Clapper Family Funeral Home of Monon is entrusted with arrangements.

Share memories and online condolences at www.clapperfuneralservices.com

Joan Bucinski Scheffer

June 13, 1943 to November 23, 2019

ROYAL CENTER - Joan Bucinski Scheffer, 76, of Star City passed away at 6:15 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, at Woodbridge Health Campus in Logansport.

She was born on June 13, 1943 in Kewanna, the daughter of the late Leo and Virginia Bucinski. She was a graduate of Winamac High School and St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Lafayette. 

Survivors include her daughters, Tammy (Donny) Powers of Winamac, Patty (Brian) Scheffer of Star City, Judy (Jeremey) Rasmussen of Star City and Jo (Jim) Runk of Star City; grandchildren, Melissa Hickle, SaDonna Mayer, Tonya Kasten, Rose Criswell, Seth Barton, Bryce Rasmussen, Kallie Rasmussen, Hunter Peterson, Brennen Runk and Kaden Runk; sister, Mary (Joe) Wegner; and brother, Tom (Brenda) Bucinski. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by sister, Janice Shultz and brother, Joe Bucinski.

Mrs. Bucinski Scheffer was a registered nurse at Pulaski Memorial Hospital for many years. She was an avid Cubs fan who enjoyed bingo, reading, bowling and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.

Please sign Joan’s online guestbook or leave a condolence for the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Robert J. Meyer

November 10, 1948 to November 23, 2019

WINAMAC - Robert J. "Bob" Meyer, 71, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, Nov. 23, at his home with his wife and family by his side. He fought a long and courageous nine-year battle with cancer.

He was born Nov. 10, 1948 in Winamac, to Ralph and Donna Hoffman Meyer. He was a 1966 graduate of Francesville High School and attended Purdue University. On April 4, 1970, he married Kathleen "Kathy" Davis in Pulaski. They shared nearly 50 years of marriage. She survives.

He is also survived by children, Phillip (Jennifer) Meyer, Andrew (Cathy) Meyer, Kristine (John) Goodman, and Abby (Chris) Daniels. He was very proud to have 11 grandchildren, Alex and Aidan Meyer; Eli, Drew, Jordan, and Luke Meyer; Claire, Madelyn, and Alice Goodman; and Violet and Nora Daniels. He is also survived by his mother, Donna Meyer St. Clair; and his brothers, Dave (Holly) Meyer and Chuck (Bonnie) Meyer.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Meyer; his brother, Thomas Meyer; and infant grandchildren, Jacob and Sarah Meyer and Brady Meyer.

Mr. Meyer was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Winamac.  A farmer at heart, he raised hogs and crops for much of his life. He also became heavily involved in real estate properties near the Purdue campus when his four children began to attend Purdue. In 2006, he and his wife bought land in Eastern Montana. He enjoyed spending time on his property in Jordan, MT. He was very proud to say that all of his children graduated from Purdue and all are successful in their careers. He was an avid Purdue basketball fan and loved going to Mackey Arena to watch the team practice, often having conversations with coaches Gene Keady and Matt Painter. He was a hard-working man and never knew how to quit. Having cancer didn't change that.

All are welcome to attend a scriptural wake service at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 1, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Visitation will follow from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 2, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Winamac, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Private Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West in Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be made to Purdue University Center for Cancer Research online at www.purdue.edu/cancer-research or envelopes will be provided at the funeral home.

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

Violet L. Smith

July 9, 1921 to November 24, 2019

WINAMAC - Violet L. Smith, 98, of Winamac, passed away at 9:10 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born July 9, 1921, on the family farm east of Lawton to the late Luey W. and Frances E. "Fannie" Diffendal Smith. She graduated from Monterey High School with the class of 1938, and completed coursework at Moody Bible College some years later.

She is survived by:
Harold L. Smith, Nephew
Wayne E. (Marlene) Smith, Nephew
Richard W. (Pauline) Smith, Nephew
Michael E. Smith, Nephew
Many Great-, Great-Great and Great-Great-Great-Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death:
Nellie (Howard) Rock, Sister
Bertha M. (William F.) Baker, Sister
Harvey Leroy (Lillian May) Smith, Brother
Walter L. (Virginia E.) Smith, Brother
Martin Smith, Infant Brother
1 Infant Sister
Frances Ellen May Doty, Niece
Sue Ann Link, Niece
Cindy Kay Smith, Infant Niece
Everett L. Smith, Nephew
Maurice G. Rock, Nephew
William R. Baker, Nephew
Ralph W. Baker, Nephew
Louis R. Baker, Nephew
Kenneth L. Smith, Nephew
Herbert Glen "Herbie" Smith, Infant Nephew

Ms. Smith was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Winamac where she had taught Sunday school class. She was an avid supporter of Child Evangelism Fellowship, leading Good News Clubs from 1956 to 1972. She was a devoted Christian and faithfully served the Lord. She was a member of the Pulaski County Genealogical Society. She was a writer and contributor for the book they published, "People of Pulaski County.” She enjoyed honoring our forefathers and her family. She loved reading, gardening and flowers. She especially enjoyed fellowship with family and friends. "Aunt Violet" will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov.26, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 27, at the funeral home with Pastor Carl Lendermon officiating. Burial will be at Reed Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Slavic Baptist Mission, Inc. 4304 W. Petty Road Muncie, IN 47304.

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