Obituaries

Jack D. Heidel

January 10, 1947 to August 20, 2024

WINAMAC - Jack Dean Heidel, 77, of North Judson, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 20, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

He was born Jan. 10, 1947 in La Porte, to the late William LeRoy and Thelma Adeline Heidel. He was a 1965 graduate of North Judson High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #748 in Knox.

Jack Heidel

He is survived by:
Jenny Hurt, Star City, Daughter
Melissa Gainer, Star City, Daughter
Kendra (Harlin) Manns, North Judson, Daughter
12 Grandchildren: Joshua, Caitlin, Cree, Kelsie, Morgan, Alexa, Brooke, Seth, Kruz, Maelee, Whitley, and Sarabeth
10 Great-Grandchildren
Mike Heidel, Bass Lake, Brother
Pat (Squeek) Liskey, North Judson, Sister
Cheri Heidel, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Lee Heidel, Brother

Mr. Heidel had an adventurous life with too many stories to tell. He enjoyed socializing with friends at local places like the Irish Pub and the Wooden Nickel. He also enjoyed watching old John Wayne Westerns and listening to music, especially classic rock and shared that passion with his family. Most of all, he loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Private burial will take place at Highland Cemetery in North Judson.

Memorial donations may be made to the Knox VFW.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Cynthia S. Hagen

December 1, 1960 to August 19, 2024

WINAMAC - Cynthia Sue “Cindy” Hagen, 63, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Aug. 19, at her home.

She was born Dec. 1, 1960 in Knox, to Garland and Carolyn Sue [Cornelius] Marsh. She graduated from Knox High School with the Class of 1978. On Aug. 5, 1988, she married Ricky Lee “Chief” Hagen. He passed away June 29, 2015.

Cindy Hagen

Cindy is survived by:
Joe (Ariel) Budka, Winamac, Son
Mia (fiancé: Rob Bennett) Hagen, Macy, Daughter
Erik (Becky) Budka, Winamac, Son
Daniel Budka, Winamac, Son
Hope (Adam) Kestle, Monticello, Daughter
23 Grandchildren: Noah, Madison (Russell), Eli, Kaleb, Tripp, Kain, Cole, Heather, Morgan (Ethan), Summer, Mercedes, Angel, Paige, Lily, Wyatt, Reece, Ivan, Grace, Cynthia Harmony, Lucas, Payton, Zachary, and Andrew
4 Great-Grandchildren (and two on the way)
Carolyn Marsh, Knox, Mother
Tom (Cathy) Marsh, Knox, Brother
Mike (Jeanie) Marsh, Knox, Brother
George (Evelyn) Marsh, Knox, Brother
Sandy (Scott) Sigler, Tipton, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews
Dorothy Hagen, Winamac, Mother-in-law
Cathy Hagen, Royal Center, Sister-in-law
Dawn Hagen, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Linda Lizenby, South Bend, Cousin-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Garland Marsh, Father
David Allen, Infant Brother
Francis Carol “Granny” Cornelius, Grandmother
Fred Hagen, Father-in-law
Rodney Hagen, Brother-in-law
John Hagen, Brother-in-law

Known to many as “Momma Cindy”, she had big heart for everyone and always had a welcoming home with open arms to all (despite her “organized clutter”). She had a passion for sewing and collecting rocks as well as spending time in her yard amongst her abundant amount of flowers. She was an avid Tik-Toker with lots of followers! Most of all, Cindy loved her family and friends. She was an amazing mom who loved spoiling her grandchildren. Cindy had a strong and unique presence that may have seemed like chaos to strangers, but to those who knew her she was an ostentatious and wonderful woman loved by so many.

Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 25, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 5 p.m. (Sunday), at the funeral home with celebrant Ashley Young officiating. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 26, at Winamac Cemetery (Southlawn Addition) in Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Warrior Youth Baseball or West Central Youth League or Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

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

James N. Shank

August 3, 1937 to August 17, 2024

WINAMAC - James Newton “Jim” Shank Sr., 87, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, Aug. 17, at his home.

He was born on Aug. 3, 1937 in Winamac to the late J. Kermit and Rose M. [Nicolas] Shank. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church where he also attended grade school. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1955 and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. On Oct. 8, 1960, he married Carol Jean Woods at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. She survives.

Jim Shank Sr.

He is survived by:
Kim (Terry) Kline, Winamac, Daughter
James Shank Jr., Winamac, Son
Jerry Shank, Lafayette, Son
Danielle (Michael) Alexander, Granddaughter
Justin (Lauren) Kline, Grandson
Great-Grandchildren: Karsynn Alexander, Brenya Alexander, Lindy Alexander, Brooks Kline, Charlotte Kline, and Wells Kline.
Mary Baker, Winamac, Sister
John Shank, Tucson, AZ, Brother
Maxine Engel, Knox, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Karen Shank, Daughter-in-law
Thomas Shank, Brother
Nicolas Shank, Brother
Elizabeth Shank, Sister

In 1985, Mr. Shank and his wife began a small business known as Memories Captured. He retired in 1999 from a successful career in manufacturing and continued operating Memories Captured until 2021. He cemented his legacy in the lives of local graduating students by making countless senior videos and helped families commemorate a variety of occasions in the form of slides, videos and DVDs.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church Building Fund.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Connie J. Howard Bailey

February 25, 1952 to August 16, 2024

WINAMAC - Connie Jean (Howard) Bailey, 72, of Hamlet, passed peacefully Friday, Aug. 16, two weeks after suffering severe head injuries and medical complications following a home invasion and brutal attack.

Connie Bailey

She was born Feb. 25, 1952 in LaPorte to the late Thomas and Ardella Paulsen of Bass Lake. She grew up on a farm in San Pierre, and attended North Judson-San Pierre High School (class of 1970).

She is survived by her husband Hank Bailey who was also injured in the assault and stepdaughter Rosie Bailey of Hamlet. Other family members are son Thomas (Ann) Howard of Winamac, son Scott (Diana) Howard of Culver, sister Beverly (Marc) Santicola of Pittsburgh, Pa., and brother-in-law Buddy (Arlene) Bailey of Butler. She had five grandchildren, Samantha, Marisa, and Tolsen Howard of Culver, MacKenzie (Nic) Richter of Rochester, Brant (Serena) Howard of Winamac and three great-grandchildren, Abel, Lucy, and Harrison. 

Mrs. Bailey will be remembered for her selfless giving, acts of kindness, strong work ethic, and devotion to family. She worked for Del Monte Foods in Plymouth and retired from MPI Products in Knox after 24 years of employment. She was currently serving as an elected member of the Hamlet town council.

A celebration of life will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the Heartland Church in Winamac. A prayer service will follow from 7 to 7:30 pm.

Memorial donations may be made to Michiana Crime Stoppers to support future crime prevention work. Michiana Crime Stoppers, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The reward money paid out leading to the arrest of felons in our community is through fund raising efforts, and donations from concerned citizens and businesses. The family asks for help to make the community a safer place to live and work. Donate online to pay by credit card or send a check to Michiana Crime Stoppers, 701 W. Sample St., South Bend, IN 46601.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Herbert E. Johns

October 3, 1947 to August 12, 2024

WINAMAC - Herbert Edward “Ed” Johns, 76, of Winamac, passed away Monday, Aug. 12, at his home.

He was born Oct. 3, 1947 in Marion, IL to the late Loren Lee and Edna May [Walker] Johns. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during the Vietnam War. On Sept. 22, 2015, he married Lugina Maria “Gina” Ricchio. She passed away Feb. 25, 2017.

He is survived by:
Jason Scott Johns, Son
Anthony Ricchio, Step-Son
James Ricchio, Step-Son
Jewel Ricchio, Step-Daughter
Edna Johns, Sister
Raymond Johns, Brother
Cindy Palmer, Sister-in-Law
Nieces: Janey, Patty, Kathy, Sandy, Tiffany, Erica, and Tori.
Robby, Nephew

Preceded in death by:
Lucy Fout, Sister
Loren Lawrence Johns, Brother
Paul Fann, Half-Brother
Arbel Fann, Half-Brother
Laura May Gallagher, Half-Sister

Mr. Johns spent his 30-year career working as a firefighter at LTV Steel. He enjoyed grabbing coffee at Chiro Coffee, going out to eat at Cruiser’s and visiting with friends. He loved his cat, Bella, who was a faithful companion. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. (Aug. 24), at the funeral home. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military honors at the funeral home. A private scattering of cremated remains will take place at the Tippecanoe River in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church in Winamac.

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

Roy R. Wireman

September 8, 1951 to August 9, 2024

MEDARYVILLE - Roy Roger Wireman, 72, of Medaryville, passed away Friday, Aug. 9, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Crown Point.

He was born Sept. 8, 1951 in Rensselaer, to the late Chester and Minnie Wireman. On Sept. 18, 1999, he married Faye “Dee Dee” Rowe in Medaryville. She passed away Oct. 24, 2016.

He is survived by:
Melita (Bob) McClain, Daughter
Mona Lisa Chambers, Daughter
Billy (Tracy) Clemons, Son
Roy Roger Wireman Jr., Son
Wendy (David) Wireman, Daughter
Toby Wireman, Son
Numerous Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren
Troy (Mable) Wireman, Brother
Shirley (Delmer) Grigsby, Sister
Charlotte (John) Conley, Sister
Lisa Howard, Sister
Tammy Howard, Sister
Brenda Bailey, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Ruth Frinkel, Sister

Mr. Wireman was well-known to many as “dad.” He will be sadly missed.

Private burial will be at Goodway Cemetery in Medaryville.

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