Obituaries

Edward R. Puchalski

June 9, 1927 to August 31, 1927

DECATUR, Texas - Edward Raymond Puchalski, 90, passed away Thursday, Aug. 31, in Denton, Texas.

He was born June 9, 1927 to the late Edward and Genevive Wegner Puchalski in Chicago. He married Doris Ilene Green on Sept. 28, 1957 in North Judson.

Survivors include his son Brian Puchalski of Leakey, Texas; his daughters Brenda McHenry of Corinth; Belinda Puchalski of Greenwood, Briget Puchalski of Greenwood; his granddaughter Cassaundra McHenry of Plano; his grandsons Luke Puchalski of Denton, Royce McHenry of Corinth; his sister-in-law, Carlyn Puchalski of Indiana; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

Mr. Puchalski was a retired machinist. He enjoyed farming and being outdoors. He loved making all types of jewelry. He served in World War II in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the American Legion in North Judson and the Fraternal order of Eagles in Winamac.

A memorial service will be at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to American Kidney Association.

Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur, Texas is handling arrangements.

Willis C. Wuethrich

April 3, 1927 to September 16, 2017

FRANCESVILLE - Willis Chris Wuethrich, 90, of Fishers (formerly of Francesville and Nevada Sun City) passed away at 10:04 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, at his home in Fishers.

He was born April 3, 1927 in Francesville to the late Christian and Barbara Pelsy Wuethrich. On Oct. 5, 1946, he married Marjean Gudeman. They shared almost 71 years of marriage together and she survives.

He is survived by: 
Sonja Wuethrich Hanna, Daughter 
Elaine (Ben) Williams, Daughter 
Melody Gutwein Braun, Daughter 
Willa Jean (Jack) Odle, Daughter 
7 Grandchildren and 12 Great Grandchildren 
Genevieve (Edward) Schambach, Sister 
Robert (Phyllis) Wuethrich, Brother 
Chris Lee (Ruth) Wuethrich, Brother 
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Joseph W. Hanna, Son-in-law 
Dr. Michael Gutwein, Son-in-law 
Ralph W. Braun, Son-in-law 
Barbara Ellen Wuethrich, Sister 
David Wuethrich, Brother 
Richard Wuethrich, Brother 
Mildred Huber, Sister 
Wilma Stewart, Sister 
Velda Overmyer, Sister 
Elizabeth Schambach, Sister 
Theresa Von Tobel, Sister 
Glendoris Huber, Sister 

Mr. Wuethrich was raised on a dairy and grain farm, the oldest of five sons, after seven sisters. At the age of 16, he attended Greer Mechanical Engineering School in Chicago. After marriage, he and Marjean continued the farming tradition, raising livestock and grain for almost 50 years. They were also instrumental in starting the First Baptist Church in Francesville, where he taught Sunday School and was a youth leader. He loved flying his small Cessna plane and was a member of the National Flying Farmers Organization. After retiring, he enjoyed golfing, and spending time with friends and family. He relocated cars for Enterprise Rentals and also delivered food boxes for the local mission. He loved the Lord and was a faithful servant who loved witnessing to those less fortunate. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 22, at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or CureSMA (an organization dedicated to finding a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy).

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

Joel E. Pence

January 22, 1953 to September 15, 2017

WINAMAC - Joel E. Pence, 64, of Winamac, passed away at 4 a.m., Friday, Sept. 15, at his home.

He was born Jan. 22, 1953 to Everett and Marian Bowdin Pence in Gary. On April 1, 1992, he married Vickie Lewis Bennett in Hobart. She survives.

He is survived by: 
Charles E. "Chuck" Bennett, Winamac, Son 
Debra K. "Debi" (Tim) Van Deraa, Winamac, Daughter 
Marian Bowdin Pence, Winamac, Mother 
Judy (Kelly) Keunn, Holiday, FL, Sister and Brother-in-law 
Stephanie, Niki, and Kyle, Nieces & Nephew 
Hannah, Great Niece 
Carol, Aunt 
Many Cousins

He was preceded in death by: 
Everett Pence, Father 
Martin Pence, Infant Brother 
Mark Pence, Brother 
Sam, Nephew

Mr. Pence was a member of the Hobart Jaycees. He enjoyed music, especially bluegrass and King Crimson. He was an outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. One of his favorite pastimes was needlepoint. He thoroughly enjoyed his recent cross-country trip with Vickie and "the cousins." He loved his family very much and will be sadly missed.

The family will host a celebration of life service at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the family or the National Park Conservation Service.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac. Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com. 

Leo E. Fox

December 22, 1925 to September 16, 2017

WINAMAC - Leo E. "Dud" Fox, 91, of Winamac, (formerly of Star City) passed away at 3:52 a.m., Saturday, Sept.16, at his home.

He was born Dec. 22, 1925 in Pulaski to the late Edward and Stella Kuhn Fox. He was a graduate of Pulaski High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. On May 4, 1946, he married Mary Ellen Foerg. She passed away on May 15, 2010.

Survivors include: daughters Elaine K. (Glenn) Holmes-Cobane, Jones, MI; Ruth A. (Dale) Fox-Dietrich, Eagle River, AK; Catherine L. (Mike) Reifert, Montgomery Village, MD; and Rebecca J. (Richard) Cohrs, New Palestine; and sons John E. (Patricia) Fox, Huntington; and Thomas P. (Jean Ann) Fox, Star City. Also 10 Grandchildren, 8 Great Grandchildren, brother  Alvin "Red" (Susie) Fox, Rochester, and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: infant son Robert Fox; son Jeffrey Fox; sisters Helen Engels, Dorothy "Dotty" Roth, and Rita "Ribs" Fox; and brothers Robert Fox, Darl "Doc" Fox, and Joseph "Joe" Fox.

Mr. Fox was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski where he had served as an usher. He was a lifelong farmer. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards (especially euchre) and woodworking. He loved grilling and was well known for his barbeque chicken and homemade Christmas candies. He and his wife enjoyed traveling the world and spending their winters in Okeechobee, FL. He loved his family very much, especially spending time with his grandchildren. He will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 4 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home. The funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 22, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph South Cemetery, Pulaski. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kindred Hospice, or American Diabetes Association.

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

Paul P. Sommers Jr.

January 25, 1929 to September 9, 2017

WINAMAC - Paul P. Sommers Jr., 88, of Winamac, passed away at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9, at Pines Village, Valparaiso.

He was born Jan. 25, 1929 in East Chicago, to the late Paul P. Sr. and Mary Modric Sommers. On Jan. 19, 1963, he married Leona A. Kuhn in Winamac. She died April 5, 2017.

He is survived by: 
Nancy Sommers, Indianapolis, Daughter 
Marie (Tom) Hunt, Indianapolis, Daughter 
Tina (Dave) Bengs, Valparaiso, Daughter 
Steven (Danna) Sommers, Winamac, Son 
Nathan Sommers, Grandson 
Kathryn Sommers, Granddaughter 
Adam Sommers, Grandson 
Gabriele Bengs, Granddaughter 
Cassandra Bengs, Granddaughter 
Samuel Bengs, Grandson 
Joseph Bengs, Grandson 
Ann Hall, Fowlersville, MI, Sister 
Esther Corbat, Fort Wayne, Sister

Preceded in death by: 
Barbara Caldwell, Sister 
Elizabeth Kistler, Sister 
Dorothy Stalbaum, Sister 
Emil Sommers, Brother

Mr. Sommers was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac, as well as the Knights of Columbus. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 1728 and the American Legion Post 71 in Winamac, and the Indiana Flying Farmers and the International Flying Farmers. He became a pilot when he was 16 years old. He served as a member of the Pulaski County Aviation Board of Commissioners for 10 years. He was a former Pulaski County Councilman in the 1990s and served on the Jefferson Township Advisory Board. He was a retired farmer. He had also worked as a clerk at the American State Bank in North Judson from 1948-1950. He also worked as a substitute rural mail carrier for many years. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 until 1954.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 4 p.m., at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peters Cemetery, Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice of Valparaiso or the Friends of the Tippecanoe State Park.

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

Henry Mooi

March 2, 1927 to September 9, 2017

WINAMAC - Henry "Hank" Mooi, 90, of Rochester, formerly of Winamac, passed away at 8:08 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 9, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

He was born March 2, 1927 in Mount Greenwood, IL to the late Henry and Annie Mollema Mooi. On Oct. 19, 1957 he married Alice M. Asmus in LaPorte. She survives.

He is preceded in death by: 
Elizabeth Kelderhouse Mooi Step-mother 
John Mooi, Brother 
Herman Mooi, Brother 
Tena Jongsma, Sister 
Janette Regnerus, Sister

Mr. Mooi was a graduate of Tilden Tech High School in Chicago. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served on three aircraft carriers in the Pacific Theater and on one sea plane tender in the Atlantic theater. He was aboard the USS Cabot providing air cover during the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri. He was honored to meet and visit with famed journalist Ernie Pyle shortly before Pyle's 1945 death. He was proud to travel to Washington D.C. on a northeast Indiana honor flight in 2015. In 2016 he was honored with a Quilt of Valor for military service. 

Mr. Mooi was a retired farmer who specialized in raising gladiolas. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Winamac and was a Life Member of VFW Post 1728 in Winamac. He enjoyed woodworking, traveling and fishing.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m., (Wednesday), at the funeral home with Pastor Dave Marty officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations made be given to the First United Methodist Church of Winamac.