Obituaries

Lamonte Boykins

December 30, 1948 to May 1, 2017

SOUTH BEND - Lamonte Boykins, 68, passed away at 11:11 p.m., Monday, May 1, at his residence surrounded by his family. 

He was born Dec. 30, 1948, in Chicago to the late Willie and Mary White Boykins. He married Shirley McMillan, on Sept. 2, 1993, in South Bend. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Andre Boykins of Georgia and Lamonte Boykins, Jr., of Illinois; two step-daughters, Latoya and Alicia Williams, both of Illinois; one stepson, Aaron Harris of South Bend; six grandchildren, including Mario, Amijha, Arijanae; two brothers, Darryl and Thomas Boykins, both of South Bend; one sister, Fran Boykins of Atlanta, Ga.; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Charles McMillan, Aaron and Burnill McMillan, Cletus and Carol McMillan and Maurice McMillan and sisters-in-law, Della McMillan, John and Eloise Chorney, Pamela Harrell, Terry and Zan King and Lizzie McMillan-Hudson. 

Mr. Boykins was a graduate of Monterey High School where he excelled at basketball. He was also a basketball player at Dunbar High School in Chicago. After graduating, he attended engineering school and Rydell College in Fort Wayne. Later, relocating back to Illinois, he worked for Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and years later, worked for ADT Security Company as a supervisor. He and his wife decided to return to South Bend, where he was employed by the Signature Group, Americall, and Press Ganey Associates where he retired as a security guard. His favorite pastime was listening to classical music, watching sci-fi, renting cars, and barbequing for family and friends.  He and his wife attended the Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church. 

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, May 8, at Palmer Funeral Home, West Chapel, 2702 Lincolnway West, South Bend. Evangelist Lizzie McMillan-Hudson will officiate.  Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to the Boykins family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

Kathryn Britt

July 6, 1938 to April 28, 2017

BROOKSTON - Kathryn "Katie" Britt, 78, of Wolcott passed away at 12:15 a.m., Friday, April 28, at Vibra Hospital, Crown Point.

She was born July 6, 1938 in Lee, Ind. to the late Lloyd and Louella Waymire Overton. She attended Francesville and Medaryville schools. Her marriage was to James Britt on April 13, 1956 in Rensselaer. He survives.

Also surviving are a son, Tim Britt of Remington; daughter Leann (Donald) Corbin of Francesville; grandchildren, Angala (Duke) Conley and Erin (Antonio) Gomez; and great-grandchildren, Tyler, Allie, Aiden, Keegan, and Kendall.

Preceding her in death, along with her parents, is a son James Britt, and a brother Jack Overton.

Mrs. Britt was an employee of Dwyer Instrument and Indiana Ribbon. Being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother was her most treasured role in her life. Her hobbies included penny slots, and taking cruises with her husband. Their travels included countries all around the world. She was avid rock collector, she loved reading and drinking iced tea on her back deck, and watching the world go around.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 30, for a celebration of life memorial service at the Wolcott Cafe, 201 N Range St, Wolcott. Private burial will be at a later date.

The family is asking memorials be made to the Riley Children's Hospital.

Share memories and online condolences at www.clapperfuneralservices.com

James E. DeArmond

December 22, 1933 - May 4, 2017

MUNSTER - James E. DeArmond, 83, of Chicago, formerly of Winamac, passed away Thursday, May 4.

He was born Dec. 22, 1933 in East Chicago, to Samuel and Mabel DeArmond. He married Audrey Campbell on Jan. 9, 1954.

He is survived by his children Daniel DeArmond, Timothy (Cindy) DeArmond, Laura Rathburn, and Jill DeArmond; grandchildren, John (Whitney) DeArmond, Heather (Alex) Ostrowski, Christopher DeArmond, Dillon Hott, Michael DeArmond, and Sarah Perez; great grandchild, Lila DeArmond.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; sisters Jeanette Lehmann and Norma Harmon and brother Don DeArmond; and daughter-in-law Becky DeArmond.

Mr. DeArmond grew up in the Marktown neighborhood of East Chicago and was a graduate of Lowell High School. He worked as a lithographer and supervisor at the American Can Company until retiring after 36 years of service. He and his wife were longtime residents of Crown Point. In 1997, they moved to Winamac where he later served on the Town Council. They traveled extensively, touring Mexico, Alaska, Europe, and Africa. He was an avid outdoorsman and sports fan. He coached Babe Ruth League baseball for many years winning the state championship in 1970. He enjoyed meeting people and was loved by everyone. His incredible sense of humor often made him the life of the party. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He will be dearly missed.

The DeArmond family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the staff at Norwood Crossing for their care of James. They also wish to thank Susan and Randy Van Kley and their daughters Amber, Amy, and Ashley (Josh) for their love and support over the years.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. (CT), Friday, May 12, at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Ave., Munster. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. (CT), Saturday, May 13, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery Hammond. 

Bernease S. Stonebraker

August 18, 1944 to May 10, 2017

ROYAL CENTER - Bernease S. Stonebraker, 72, of Winamac, passed away at 4:42 a.m., Wednesday, May 10, at IU Arnett Hospital in Lafayette.

Born in Aug. 18, 1944 in Ameagle, W. Va., she was the daughter of the late Henry and Mamie (White) Ward. On March 18, 1963 she married Roy D. Stonebraker. He survives.

Also surviving are son Christopher S. Stonebraker (Heather) of Winamac; brothers Dean Ward of Crown Point, Glen Ward (Marlene) of Thornhope and Marvin Ward (Linda) of Tennessee; sisters Babe Kopaczewski of  Crown Point and Carol Wolf (Tom) of California; and grandchildren, Lilly, Dominick, Garrett, Brenee, Haylee and Nathaniel.

She was also preceded in death by sisters, Enal Cantly and Opal Fraze.

Mrs. Stonebraker was formerly employed at Staumbaugh’s Drug Store in Winamac.  She also worked for CVS in Winamac and Culver for many years. She enjoyed traveling, fishing, reading, mowing the yard with her husband and spending time outdoors with family and friends. She also enjoyed taking care of her horses in her younger years.

A celebration of Mrs. Stonebraker’s life will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 13, at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Royal Center Chapel. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

Patricia C. Skillen

February 26, 1928 to April 17, 2017

WINAMAC - Patricia C. Sturm Skillen of Hartford City (formerly of Spring Hill, Fla. and Leesurg) passed away at the Trails of Orono Assisted Living Facility, Orono, Minn. on Monday, April 17.

She was born Feb. 26, 1928 in Jasper, Ind. to the late Victor and Clara Sturm. She married John D. Skillen on July 17, 1954 in Jasper. He preceded her in death in 2013.

Survivors include sons Jeffrey Charles Skillen and Steven Victor Skillen; daughter Ann Clare (Tom) Lockwich and grandchildren Natalie Skillen and Blake Skillen

She was preceded in death by sisters Marianne Fritch and Ruth Suttmiller; and brother George Sturm.

Mrs. Skillen graduated from Jasper High School in 1946. A year later, she left with $50 and two dresses for Indianapolis to attend St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing. She was a student council representative and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1950. After graduation she worked for Western Electric in Indianapolis as an industrial nurse where she met her husband. After marriage they moved to Dayton, OH for his work. They later moved to Hartford City, and then to Keokuk. Upon her husband's retirement in 1989, they moved to Tippecanoe Lake in Leesburg where they enjoyed many fine years with friends and family on the lake. In 2000, they moved to Spring Hill, Fla. to reside at the Timber Pines golfing community. After her husband's passing, she stay stayed in Florida with her daughter, and later in Orono, Minn. with her youngest son.

Mrs. Skillen was an excellent, lifelong golfer playing in the weekly women’s golf league at the Blackford Country Club in Hartford City, competing and winning in invitational golf tournaments in the regional area. She was also was a member of the Keokuk, Iowa Country Club league. She achieved her first hole-in-one when she was 72 years old while playing in the weekly league at Timber Pines in Spring Hill, Fla. She and her husband were avid bridge players, belonging to a couples bridge club, and she belonged to a women’s bridge club as well. She was an active member in Psi Iota Xi Sorority in Hartford City. She and her husband were active supporters of charitable and church organizations. She became a real estate agent in 1976 and worked as a realtor in Hartford City and in Keokuk. She was also the consummate homemaker; an accomplished seamstress, anexcellent cook and baker. Patricia had an artistic side to her and painted water colors, sketched women’s profiles and landscapes. She had a knack for interior decorating. Most of all she was a beloved wife and cherished mom who brought her sense of humor and love to her home and family's lives. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by all.

A memorial service will be held on May 20, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, followed by mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Winamac. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be given to Wounded Warrior Project or to Hospice Care for Veteran’s directed to the Henry B. Melrose Veterans Honor Fund.

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

Dennis H. Burger

October 20, 1943 to May 7, 2017

MEDARYVILLE - Dennis H. Burger, 73, of Hammond, passed away Sunday, May 7.

He was born Oct. 20, 1943 in Winamac, to the late Harold and Ada Tetzloff Burger.

He is survived by: 
Rodney Burger, Son 
Randy Burger, Son 
Scott Burger, Son 
Bree Burger, Granddaughter 
Elaine Parish, Sister

Mr. Burger was a 1961 graduate of Medaryville High School. He enjoyed horse racing. 

A private graveside service will be held at St. John's Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ, Medaryville.

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

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

Vern Planck

July 7, 2016

WINAMAC - Vern Planck, 95, of Goshen, died July 7, 2016.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 6, at St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac. 

Frain Mortuary, Winamac, is in charge of local arrangements.