Obituaries

Sandra L. Deem

September 11, 1949 to April 22, 2019

KNOX - Sandra L. Deem, age 69, of Winamac, passed away Monday, April 22.

She was born Sept. 11, 1949 in Oak Park, Illinois. She had worked as a teacher’s aide. On Sept. 13, 1968 she married Gregori Deem. He preceded her in death in 2008.

She is survived by her children, Robert Deem (Sharon) of Palm Coast, Fla, Wayne Deem of Winamac, and Christopher Deem (Jennifer) of Knox; a brother, John Crain (Nina) of Shell Knob, Mo.; and grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Carter, Sarah and Leo. …

She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis Crain and Felicija Jurewicz Crain, and a son, Joseph Deem.

The funeral service will be at 7 p.m. (CT), Thursday, April 25, with visitation starting at 3 p.m. (CT) until time of services at M.C. Smith Funeral Home, Knox.

Phyllis J. Whiting

September 2, 1943 to April 21, 2019

CULVER - Phyllis J. Whiting, 75, of Monterey, passed away Sunday, April 21, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Culver.

She was born to Harold and Lucille (Faulstich) Sellers on Sept. 2, 1943 in Rochester. She was a graduate of Knox High School. On Nov. 17, 1962, she married Vernon F. Whiting in Monterey. He survives.

Also surviving are sons Chris and Gregory Whiting, both of Monterey; brother Randy
Sellers of Monterey; sister Carol Ely of Monterey; and a few nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Thomas Sellers, and sister Barbara Hall.

Mrs. Whiting enjoyed canning, gardening and all kinds of flowers. She also liked sewing and embroidery, and worked as a seamstress before her marriage. She had a love of animals, especially birds, and enjoyed watching the hummingbirds scrapping over the feeder. She had a kind heart and never said a cross word about anyone. She was also said to be a very good cook.

A time of visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Friday, April 26, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Monterey. Father Michael McKinney will officiate a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon. Burial will follow at St. Anne’s Cemetery, Monterey.

Memorials may be given to the Dementia Society or to St. Anne’s Catholic Church.

Curley Conley

June 25, 1945 to April 6, 2019

WHEATFIELD - Curley Conley, 73, Winamac, passed away Saturday, April 6.

He was born June 25, 1945, in Rensselaer, to the late Jeff and Vina Smith Conley. He married Susie Daniels on Sept. 10, 1966; they were divorced in August 1976. On Oct. 4, 1976 he married Marilyn L. Wolford in Clintwood, Va.

He is survived by children: Bill Conley, Bobby Conley, Kathy Conley, Rodney (Myra) Wolford, Bonnie Conley, Jackie (Douglas) Hines, Curley (Angala) Conley; 24 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, and 17 siblings.

Mr. Conley worked as a welder for Galbreath for 21 years. He loved to go fishing with the grandkids, and float on the river.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 3 to 6 p.m. (ET). Wednesday, April 10, at Boersma Funeral Home, 90 E. Grove St., Wheatfield. The funeral service will follow at 6 p.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Doug Salyers officiating. Interment will follow at White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

Gayle M. Conner

February 7, 1952 to April 17, 2019

WINAMAC - Gayle M. Conner, 67, of Winamac, passed away in the company of her family at 9:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, at Woodbridge Health Campus, Logansport. She fought a brave battle with cancer.

She was born Feb. 7, 1952, in Chicago, to the late John W. "Jack" and Ruth A. Wangerin Raybould. In 1970, she graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School in Chicago. On March 10, 1973, she married John M. Conner in Chicago. He survives.

She is also survived by: 
Lori (Jason) Lee, Trafalgar, IN Daughter 
Jennifer (Timothy) Zimmer, Zionsville, IN Daughter 
Dana (fiance: Romondo Thomas) Conner, Indianapolis, IN Daughter 
6 Grandchildren: Grace & Chloe Lee, Colin & Ian Zimmer and Omari & Josiah Thomas 
Gary (Paula) Raybould, Fisher, IN Brother 
Several Nephews

Mrs. Conner retired after 29 years at Winamac Community High School where she had served in various roles. Many will remember her as the study hall monitor, aka "The Warden," however, she also worked as a substitute school bus driver and cook. She truly loved her students and was a faithful volunteer for many different school activities. She had also worked in the Pulaski County Assessor's Office for several years. She was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Winamac and was a past-president of the Christian Mothers. She was one of the founding members of Pulaski County Quilts of Valor and was also a member of the Patchwork Pals Home-Ec Club. She enjoyed quilting and sewing, especially making pillow cases for Riley and quilts for veterans. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and going on road trips with her friends. She also enjoyed baking and cooking for others. Most of all she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday, April 22, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 8 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home, followed by a Christian Mothers service and rosary service. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Winamac, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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

Melvin E. Button

July 18, 1941 to April 18, 2019

WINAMAC - Melvin Eugene "Mike" Button, 77, of Winamac, died at 2:10 a.m., Thursday, April 18, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

He was born July 18, 1941 in Winamac, to the late Forrest Melvin and Elizabeth Verona Sera Button. He married Cleta Sue Smith on Dec. 1, 1962 in Winamac. She survives.

He is survived by: 
Debra Kay (Frederick) Smidler, St. Joseph, MI, Daughter 
Bunnie Elizabeth (Curt) Daugherty, Star City, Daughter 
Melvin Forrest (Karen) Button, Winamac, Son 
Michael H. Smidler, West Lafayette, Grandson 
Natasha N. Daugherty, Star City, Granddaughter 
Brooke M. (Luke) Rudicel, Rochester, Granddaughter 
Thomas J. Button, Winamac, Grandson 
Kayleen M. Button, Winamac, Granddaughter 
Elizabeth R. Button, Winamac, Granddaughter 
Drake Button, Winamac, Great-Grandson 
Damien Button, Winamac, Great-Grandson 
Geneva McKinley, Winamac, Sister 
Robert (Chris) Smith, Winamac, Brother-In-Law

Proceeded In Death: 
John Melvin Button, Grandson 
Alicia Marie Smidler, Granddaughter 
Dorothy Beaver, Sister 
Betty Polstra, Sister 
Judy Hoover, Sister

Mr. Button was a farmer. He was a founding member of Indiana Pullers Inc. (IPI), and a member of National Tractor Pulling Association. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Winamac. He was a member of the White Dominos Car Club. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sports events. He frequently attended tractor pulls, especially when his nephew Doug McKinley was competing. He competed in many tractor pulls with his Case 700 known as "The Pouncer." He was an avid mushroom hunter and euchre player. He was happiest when surrounded by his children and his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A memorial Service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 24, at the funeral home with Pastor Dave Marty officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens, Winamac.

Memorials may be given to the Alicia Marie Smidler Animal Rescue Fund (AMS).

Rebecca S. Schultz

August 3, 1944 to April 14, 2019

WINAMAC - Rebecca Sue "Becky" Schultz, 74, of Indianapolis (formerly Star City) passed away Sunday, April 14, at her daughter's home.

She was born Aug. 3, 1944 in Marion, to the late Kenneth A. and Kathryn R. Hull Groom, Jr. She spent her childhood in Swayzee, and graduated from Swayzee High School. She met her future husband, Timothy C. "Tim" Schultz, while visiting and working at Groom's Drugstore in Star City. On Jan. 26, 1964, the couple were married in Swayzee. He passed away May 5, 2006.

She is survived by:
Troy (Hollie) Schultz, Culver, Son
Todd (Susan) Schultz, Star City, Son
Amy (Mark) Cleary, Indianapolis, Daughter
Tucker Dane (fiance: Carly Baker) Schultz, Grandson
Levi John Schultz, Grandson
Tatum Elizabeth (Caleb) Herrema, Granddaughter 
Tristan Cole Schultz, Grandson
Maverick John Schultz, Grandson
Lucas Henry Clark, Grandson
Logan John Schultz, Grandson 
Gay (John) McWhorter, Sister-in-law 
Dorothy E. Fritz Schultz Nice, Mother-in-law 
Peggy (Gary) Yeary, Sister-in-law
Michael (Cynthia)Schultz, Brother-in-law
Douglas (Patricia) Schultz, Brother-in-law 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Kenneth A. Groom III, Brother

Most of the Schultzes' life was spent farming. They also owned and operated the Indian Head Restaurant in Winamac for many years. Mrs. Schultz was well known for her cooking, and she enjoyed browsing through recipe books. She enjoyed watching and supporting her sons and grandsons play football. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and she will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 20, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A graveside service will follow at 12 noon, Saturday, at Star City West Cemetery, Star City. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be made to the Winamac Community High School Athletic Fund or Culver Community High School Athletic Fund.

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