Obituaries

Shirley Hancock-Suns

Septemer 25, 1956 to September 13, 2017

KOKOMO - Shirley Hancock-Suns, 60, of Francesville, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 13.

She was born in Kokomo, to John and Maxine (Burton) Hancock on Sept. 25, 1956.

She is survived by her beloved furbabies Emma Jean and Bella; brother, Charles "Chuck" Hancock of Kokomo; sister, Sandra Hills of Elkhart; daughters, Betty (Anthony) Sutton-Conklin of Kokomo, Tammy Sutton –Hines of Kokomo, Jamie Nichols of Logansport, and Nicole (Travis) Johnson of Francesville; grandchildren, Brianna, Izaiah, Kandace, Ethan, Peyton, Trayton, Nick, Tanner, Adam, Angela, Dezaray, Alesha, and Zach; 17 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, She is preceded in death by her brothers, John Hancock, Kevin Hancock and William Hancock; sisters, Saundra Hancock-Busch, Sharon Hancock-Hawkins; son, Matthew Nichols; and grandchildren, Angel, Trent and Kaylee.

Mrs. Hancock-Suns worked for several years at Crane Hill Machine in Seymour, where she was the first female machinist on the line. After she moved to Logansport, she was employed at RBM as a factory worker. In her spare time she loved spending time with her kids and grandkids, solving crossword puzzles, collecting and rolling loose change for savings, and dancing. She would dance whereever she was as long as she was able to get on her feet. She also loved to play corn hole and binge-watch Lifetime movies.

Family will receive friends at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, Kokomo, from 1 to 3 p.m., Monday, Sept. 18, with a funeral service following at 3. Pastor Michael Alley of Woodland Church of God will officiate.

Rev. Herbert R. Woolson

January 17, 1948 to September 29, 2017

WINAMAC - Rev. Herbert R. "Father Bert" Woolson, 69, of Winamac passed away Friday, Sept. 29, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

He was born Jan. 17, 1948 in Lawton, OK to the late John and Betty McLellan Woolson.

He is survived by: 
Anne (Gary) Campbell, Allen, TX, Sister & Brother-in-law 
Milagros Woolson, Centerville, VA, Sister-in-law 
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Catherine Woolson, Sister 
John Woolson, Jr., Brother 
Richard Woolson, Brother

Father Bert was a graduate of Brunnerdale High School Seminary and Walsh College both of North Canton, OH. He received a Masters of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and was ordained on June 12, 1982 in Celina, OH. Father Bert was currently serving as pastor of St. Anne Catholic Church, Monterey and St. Ann Catholic Church, Kewanna. He was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Monterey Assembly. For many years, he served as chaplain for St. Joseph Medical Center in Ft. Wayne, Indiana Canine Assisted Crisis Team, Indiana State Police, Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Pulaski Memorial Hospice, and Pulaski County Coroner's Office. Along with his trusted dogs, Rain and Leisel, he was an active member of the Indiana Department of Mental Health. Most recently, his dog Zeke was being trained to join the department. He enjoyed serving others, wherever the need was. He had a gentle demeanor and brought a calming peace to those around him. Father Bert will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 2 p.m., and Knights of Columbus Service will be at 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Additional visitation will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 5, at the funeral home.

A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 5, at St. Peter Catholic Church, Winamac, with Most Rev. Bishop Emeritus William L. Higi and priests of Lafayette-in-Indiana Diocese officiating.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 6, at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery (9001 Haverstick Rd. Indianapolis) with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Interment will be at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery,Indianapolis.

Memorial donations may be made in the form of Mass Intentions to the Catholic Church of the donor's choice.

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

Douglas L. Capper

January 18, 1954 to September 27, 2017

ROCHESTER - Douglas L. Capper, 63, of Rochester, passed away at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 27, in Winamac.

He was born Jan. 18, 1954, to Jack and Berneice Haselby Capper. He married Angie Andrews on March 28, 2003 in Phoenix. She survives.

Also surviving are daughter Karen Steuer and husband Matthew of Indianapolis; a son, Christopher Capper of Indianapolis; five grandchildren: Jackson, Amelia, Liam, Grant, Katelyn, Miriam; a sister, Colleen Capper of Madison, WI; two brothers: John Capper IV and wife Jill of Crawfordsville, Barry Capper and wife Karen of Plymouth; and several nieces and nephews.  

Preceding Doug in death are his parents.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30 at Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester; and one hour prior to a celebration of life service which will begin at 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 1, at the funeral home. Pastor Rick Abbott will officiate. Interment will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Infant Karter B. Harlan

February 17, 2017 to September 25, 2017

WINAMAC - Infant Karter Blaze Harlan, 7 months, of Winamac, passed away Monday, Sept. 25.

He was born Feb. 17, in Winamac, to Heather Hurlburt and Guy Harlan. They survive.

Also surviving are his brother, Austin Hurlburt and sister, Trinity Harlan, both at home; his Nana, Ruth (Doug Scheffer) Crissinger in Pulaski; his aunts and uncles, Georgette Shepherd, Heidi Shepherd, Mindy (Rex) Trainer and Sheri (Dave) Waldon Balser; his cousins, Max Button, Shelly Button, Bryce Trainer, Valerie Trainer, Nathan Blasco and Jake Waldon; his very best friend, Mike Combs; as well as many beloved family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Wanda Parks and Max Harlan; his maternal great grandparents, George and Leona Crissinger; and a dear family friend and cousin, Brandon Graham.

Karter was diagnosed was Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in August which is considered the highest genetic death in infants. He loved balloons as well as humming while being sung to. He was smart and observant. His infectious smile and piercing blue eyes could light up a stadium. Karter was loving and focused on everyone and everything around him. One could see his deep understanding, despite his age. He was loved by all and will be sadly missed. Hold your head high now, Karter, we will see you again.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 6 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home with Pastor David Norris officiating. Final disposition will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with funeral expenses.

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

Melvin R. Streitmatter

May 5, 1955 to September 25, 2017

FRANCESVILLE - Melvin Richard "Mel" Streitmatter, 62, of Rensselaer, passed away at 2:13 p.m., Monday, Sept. 25, at IU Health Hospital, Lafayette. 

He was born May 5, 1955 to his parents Richard Keith and Marlene (Torbet) Streitmatter of Rensselaer. He married Julie Snelling on Aug. 21, 1976 in Middletown, Ohio.

He leaves behind his parents, his wife of Rensselaer, his daughter Shanna (Eddie) Bradley of Flintstone, GA, his son Seth (Iryna) Streitmatter and his two granddaughters Allison and Michelle of Cincinnati, and his daughter Shelly Streitmatter of Mount Vernon. Also surviving are sister Marla (Doug) Swafford of Dayton, OH, brother Mark (Becky) Streitmatter of Rensselaer, and brother Mike (Cheri) of Rensselaer. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Jean (RC) Saunders, Hamilton, OH, his sister-in-law Meliss "Missy" (Jaye) Livingston of Cincinnati, and his brother-in-law Jay Snelling of Cincinnati. Also surviving are his aunts and uncles: Dale (Barb) Streitmatter, Irvin Yaggie, Joan Gutwein, Jeryld (Tina) Torbet, Jackie (Jim) Owsley, and Joni Snively, plus additional uncles and aunts.

He is preceded in death by his son Sam Streitmatter, his father-in-law Claude Snelling Jr., his brother-in-law Ron Miller, his grandparents Charles and Gladys Torbet, and Richard and Zura Streitmatter, his aunts Doris Vass, Lois Yaggie and Edith Streitmatter, and his uncles Ward Vass and Scott Sniveley.

Mr. Streitmatter graduated from Rensselaer Central High School and was captain of the track team at Cedarville College in Cedarville, OH. He recently worked for Dr. Dave Dixon and Stock Vets. He loved God and his family. He was an amazing husband. He was a great Dad and a strong Christian. He loved his church, the First Baptist Church of Rensselaer. He loved his cattle. Most of his life revolved around cattle and the farm. He was known as the Bull Man and helped out others whenever he could. He never met a stranger. He loved people and he loved to talk to people and tell stories and jokes. He loved to make others smile. He wanted everyone to know that he went to Heaven, not because he was a good person, but because he accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 12.

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. EDT (3-8 p.m. CDT), Thursday, Sept.28, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. EDT (2 p.m. CDT), Friday, Sept. 29, at the funeral home with Pastor Daniel Hester officiating. Burial will be at Rensselaer Memory Gardens Cemetery, Rensselaer.

Donations may be made in his name to First Baptist Church of Rensselaer or the Gideons. 

David W. Barr II

May 22, 1931 to September 25, 2017

WINAMAC - David Wallace "Dave" Barr II, 86, of Winamac, passed away Monday, Sept. 25, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born May 22, 1931 in Winamac to the late David W. and Clara C. Dilts Barr. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1949 and attended Purdue University. On April 7, 1951, he married Virginia Olson in Winamac and they were married for 66 years. She survives.

Also surviving are: 
Randy (Debbie) Barr, Montgomery, TX, Son 
Christine (Mike) Gilman, Winamac, Daughter 
Craig (Pam) Barr, Winamac, Son 
7 Grandchildren: Chad (Kristy) Gilman, Natalie Gilman, Justin (Megan) Barr, Heather (Ronald) Perry, Angela (Travis) Kovar, Lauren Barr and Emily Barr. 
4 Great Grandchildren: Landon, Aubrey and Kylie Barr and Blair Perry 
Marjorie Barr Thompson, Kettering, OH, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Mr. Barr with his wife operated Winamac Cleaners and Snow White Laundry for 34 years, which they purchased from his father in 1959. He also held an insurance and security license for many years. He was a member of Bethel Bible Church in Winamac where he had previously served on the church board. He was a volunteer fireman with the Winamac Fire Department for 40 years and served as fire chief for 11 years. He also was a deputy under former Sheriff George Riley. He was a member and past president of both the Winamac Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Jaycees. In 1972, he was chairman of Winamac school board during the construction of the new elementary school. In 2013, his dedication and years of service to the community were honored with the presentation of the Chamber's H.J. Halleck Community Service Award. He was a proud supporter of Purdue athletics and a member of the John Purdue Club for 45 years.

Mr. Barr held a pilot's license and enjoyed flying small planes. He enjoyed traveling, golfing and boating. Many summers were spent at the family cottage on Bass Lake where family and friends have gathered since 1904. He enjoyed socializing with local friends, especially over morning coffee (at various restaurants) for many years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He faithfully attended his grandchildren's activities and was a proud supporter of Winamac athletics. He loved his family and community very much and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 28, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 29, at Bethel Bible Church, Winamac, with Rev. Thomas Hopewell officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Bethel Bible Church or Baptist Children's Home or Winamac Community High School Athletic Department.

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