Obituaries

Robert L. Tilden

January 8, 1934 to January 14, 2018

WINAMAC - Robert L. "Bob" Tilden, 84, of Winamac, passed away at 4 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 14, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

He was born Jan. 8, 1934 in Gary, to the late Robert A. and Myrle Mitchell Tilden. He graduated from Hammond High School in 1952 and attended Purdue University Calumet Campus. In his younger years, he worked for his parents at their diner, Kwik-Kee-Snax in Hammond where he met his late wife of 55 years, Esther Irene Tilden. She died Nov. 12, 2017.

Survivors include five children, Judy (Ralph) Williams of Pulaski, Bobby (Valerie) Gilbert of Griffith, Freddy (Kathy) Gilbert of Lake of Four Seasons, David (Wendy) Tilden of Woodbury, MN, and Darcy (Patrick) Grieger, of Hanna; 21 Grandchildren; Many Great Grandchildren; sister, Sharron (Paul) Kleihege of Chicago and brother, John (Elaine) Tilden of Shipshewana; Several Nieces and Nephews; and Special Friends, Bill & Dana Alliss and Bob & Joyce Kellie of Winamac.

He was preceded in death by a son, Larry Gilbert.

Mr. Tilden served in the U.S. Navy on the destroyer USS Frank E. Knox and was very proud to receive a Quilt of Valor in 2017. He was retired from NIPSCO where he had worked as a powerhouse operator. He was a member of the United Steelworkers Union and Winamac First United Methodist Church. He was an avid IU Hoosiers fan. He enjoyed quiet time on the Tippecanoe River and evenings in the yard with his neighbors. 

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 18, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 19, at the First United Methodist Church, Winamac, with Pastor Tom Richards officiating. A graveside service with military honors will be at 3:30 p.m. (ET), Friday, Jan. 19, at Memory Lane Memorial Park in Crown Point.

Memorial donations may be made to Winamac First United Methodist Church or Guardian Angel Hospice or Pulaski Health Care Center or LaPorte County Small Animal Shelter.

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

Trellie Ritchie Kruger

March 1, 1933 to January 8, 2018

FRANCESVILLE - Trellie Ritchie Kruger, 84 , of Michigan City, passed away Monday, Jan. 8, at Franciscan St. Anthony Hospital, Michigan City.

She was born on March 1, 1933, in Vest, Ky. to the late Dillard D. and Elizabeth Shepherd Ritchie. She married Paul Herman Kruger on Oct. 20, 1956 in Medaryville. He died April 22, 2012.

She is survived by: 
Michael Kruger, LaPorte, Son 
Timothy (Ronda) Kruger, Chesterton, Son and daughter-in-law 
1 Grandchild 
Lovelie Joseph, Wheatfield, Sister

Preceded in death by: 
Cassie Beverly, Sister 
Shirley Piazza, Sister 
Tressie Ritchie, Sister 
Arthur Ritchie, Brother

Mrs. Kruger was a member of Great Faith Baptist Church, Michigan City. She enjoyed crocheting, writing poetry and tending to her flowers. She especially enjoyed visits from her family and her church family. She had worked as an assembler at Gateway Industries, Michigan City.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Richardson officiating. Burial will be at St. James Salem Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Great Faith Baptist Church.

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

Melissa I. Lamb

October 29, 1965 to January 6, 2018

WINAMAC - Melissa Irene "Missy" Lamb, 52, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, Jan. 6, at her home.

She was born Oct. 29, 1965 in Middletown, OH to the late Lonnie and Judy Hall Gayhart. She moved from Ohio to Indiana in 2007.

She is survived by: 
Tim (Ashley) Davis, Jr., Winamac, Son 
Brandon (Kimberly) Davis, Winamac, Son 
6 Grandchildren: Ashlynn Fritz, Mitchell Davis, Colton Davis, Gavin Taylor, Brandon Davis, Jr., and Kendra Davis. 
Eddie Lamb, Former Husband 
Eddie Lamb, Jr., Step-Son 

Preceded in death by: 
Clayton Robert Davis, Grandson 
Lonnie Gayhart Jr., Brother 
Tim Davis, Former Husband

Mrs. Lamb worked most of her life as a CNA. She enjoyed camping and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m (Thursday), at the funeral home with Pastor David Norris officiating. Private burial will be at Idle Cemetery, Winamac.

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. 

William G. Irven

August 8, 1948 to January 4, 2018

WINAMAC - William G. "Bill" Irven, 69, of Winamac, passed away Thursday, Jan. 4, at his residence.

He was born Aug. 8, 1948 in Lafayette, to the late Keith L. and Betty J. Morgan Irven. On Sept. 19, 1991 he married Sheila Funk in Winamac. She survives.

He is also survived by: 
Candace "Candy" Irven, Indianapolis, Daughter 
Kimberly "Kim" (Brandon) DeLorenzo, Winamac, Daughter 
Kameron Miller, Grandson 
Patricia G. Robinson, Lafayette, Sister 
Keith Grove, Nephew

Mr. Irven was a farmer and truck driver. He and his wife were the owners of Beaver Bait worm farm. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing. He was a member of the Jefferson Twp. Conservation Club.

No services will be held.

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

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac. 

James B. Wolfe

March 12, 1959 to January 1, 2018

ROCHESTER - James Brian “Jim” Wolfe, 58 of Medaryville, formerly of Fulton County, passed away at 3:46 a.m., Monday, Jan. 1, at LaPorte- IU Hospital.

On March 12, 1959, he was born in Huntington, the son of the late Courtney and Marjorie A. Wallace Wolfe. He grew up in the Mexico and Macy areas and graduated from Caston High School in 1977. He married Geneva Elizabeth Waddon on May 24, 2002 in Medaryville. She survives.

Also surviving are daughter Holly Zartman and husband Paul of Rochester; two step- daughters, Jessica Tharpe and husband Chris of LaPorte and Hannah Czarnecki of Medaryville; two sons Chevy Wolfe of Kewanna and James Wolfe Jr. of Medaryville; two step-sons, Daniel Timm of Valparaiso and Matthew Timm of LaPorte; sister Pattie Wolfe-Newgent and husband Craig of Fort Wayne; father- and mother-in-law Harry and Joyce Waddle of Medaryville; two sisters-in-law Crystal Waddle of Knightdale, NC, and Maddie Calvert of Francesville; two brothers-in-law, James “Jimmy” Waddle and wife Tarrie of Deland, FL and Harry Waddle Jr. and wife Andi of  Deland, FL. Also surviving are aunts Margaret Wallace and Marilyn Cook, both of Ft. Wayne; uncles Bill Wolfe, Peru, Reggie Wolfe, Mexico and Ron Wolfe, Fort Wayne; aunts Patsy Plaue, Corydon, and Sharon Staller, Auburn. In addition are many grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; plus a canine companion, Max, a buff colored Cocker Spaniel.  

Preceding him in death are maternal and paternal grandparents.

Mr. Wolfe was a proud member of the Army Indiana National Guard from 1977-1985.  He was honorably discharged with the rank of Army Specialist 4. With a strong work ethic he worked in maintenance and machine repair at Caterpillar of Lafayette for the past decade. While residing in Fulton County he was a member of the Union Township Fire Department as a firefighter-EMT. He also served the county as a sheriff's deputy.  His memberships included American Legion Post # 96 of Medaryville, the Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society Inc, Tip Wa Antique Tractor & Engine Club of Walton, and the National Rifle Association. As a railroad buff, he and his dad built a railroad track on the family's property near Nyona Lake. More recently he restored the Monon antique scale model train that accommodated up to 20 passengers. As a photographer he also created an interesting portfolio of railroad related images including landmarks, bridges and various perspectives of track.

A celebration of the life of will be at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester. His family will greet friends from 2 p.m. until the time of the service.  

Lester A. Koebcke

October 5, 1931 to December 27, 2017

MONON - Lester A. Koebcke, 86, of Francesville, passed away at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 27, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 5, 1931 in Pulaski County to the late John and Anna (Tiede) Koebcke. He attended Francesville High School. His marriage of nearly 68 years was to Bonnie Beiswanger on March 5, 1950 in her family home; she survives.

Surviving with his wife Bonnie are four sons, Daryl Koebcke (Susan) of Williamstown, KY, David Koebcke (Debbie) of West Lafayette, Dennis Koebcke of Francesville and Dan Koebcke (Bonnie) of Francesville and one sister, Leona Bucher of Kouts. Lester’s pride and joy was his family, especially his 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death with his parents is a brother, Charles Koebcke and a sister, Carol Shidler.

Mr. Koebcke worked for Overmyer Tile Company for several years before beginning a 53-year career in farming. A true “family farm” Bonnie and the boys would help him perform the daily operations. After retiring from farming he worked as a press operator for Wabash National for 12 years retiring in 2008. A man of strong faith, he was a member of the Medaryville Christian Church where he was a former church elder and deacon. He and his wife were also youth leaders for 10 years.

Mr. Koebcke was a hard worker and instilled that value in his boys. More than anything he loved spending time with his family. He took pride in keeping his home, yard and vehicles clean and well maintained and enjoyed playing cards with family and neighbors. He also liked Chicago Blackhawk hockey, watching WWE Wrestling on television and growing his tomato plants.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 2, at the Medaryville Christian Church; Pastor Don Nedza to officiate.

Memorials are encouraged to Bonnie Koebcke to be used for a future good in Lester’s name.

Arrangements entrusted to Clapper Family Funeral Home, Monon.