Obituaries

Joseph H. Cramer

September 20, 1941 to March 16, 2017

HAWKINSVILLE, GA. - Joseph Harold “Joe” Cramer, 75, of Eastman, GA passed away Thursday, March 16, at the Regency Hospital, Macon, GA after a brief illness.  

He was born Sept. 20, 1941 in rural Franklin Township, Pulaski County, to the late Arthur and Lucille Riggleman Cramer. He was raised in the Winamac area and attended Winamac High School.

Survivors include:
Hazel Cramer, Wife
3 Daughters and 3 Sons
Robert “Bob” (Sharon) Cramer and Gerald “Jerry” Cramer, Brothers
Many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
1 Grandson

In 1962, Mr. Cramer answered the call to serve his country. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1982 as a Master Sergeant with 20 years of service. He served two tours in Vietnam as well as a tour in the Philippines. His military career took him many places and also afforded him the opportunity to receive his GED. In 2016, he was proud to receive a Quilt of Valor honoring his service.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, Mr. Cramer began working for the U-Haul Rental Company, first as a field manager, then as a general manager, and upon retirement he had attained the position of senior staff vice president of South Georgia U-Haul Company. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, canning, and collecting just about anything. He especially enjoyed reminiscing and telling stories. His close friends and family all received unique nicknames over the years. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor and smile. He loved his family very much and will be sadly missed.

Funeral services and burial with full military honors took place at Georgia Veterans Cemetery in Milledgeville, GA, on Monday, March 20.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski County Quilts of Valor.

Arrangements were entrusted to Clark Funeral Home in Hawkinsville, GA.

Luella A. Shideler

November 10, 1938 to March 28, 2017

WINAMAC - Luella Ann Shideler, 78, of Winamac, passed away at 1:38 a.m., Tuesday, March 28, at her residence.

She was born Nov. 10, 1938 in Beardstown to the late Ralph Bernard and Florence Viola Mays Heims. On March 30, 1968 she married Frank Kenneth Shideler. He preceded her in death on July 26, 1998.

She is survived by: 
Faith M. (John) Jones, Daughter 
Deborah L. (Roger) Miller, Daughter 
Stuart "JR" Siebenhaar Jr., Son 
11 Grandchildren 
9 Great Grandchildren

Preceded in death by: 
Marcia Louise Siebenhaar, Daughter 
Johnnathon S. Siebenhaar, Grandson 
Kenneth Ray Miller, Grandson 
Estella Barnett,Sister 
Eva Jean Heims, Sister 
Ray Heims, Brother 
Ralph Bernard Heims Jr., Brother

Mrs. Shideler was a member of the First Baptist Church Winamac. She was a Sunday School teacher and had served as a teacher at the Lighthouse Christian Academy in Knox. She was a member of the Logansport YMCA and was active in the senior water aerobics classes. She enjoyed reading, studying her Bible and praying. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, March 31, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Pilger officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Winamac.

Wynona Fitz

January 19, 1946 to March 27, 2017

WINAMAC - Wynona Fitz, 71, of Winamac, passed away suddenly Monday, March 27, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Ft. Wayne.

She was born Jan. 19, 1946 in Salyersville, KY to the late Langley and Francis Minix. On May 2, 1975, she married Jon W. Fitz. He preceded her in death on April 11, 2001.

She is survived by: 
Jonwood (Julie) Fitz, Son 
Jonathon Fitz, Son 
Courtney (Matt) Artist, Daughter 
7 Grandchildren 
JC (Nila) Minix, Brother 
Billy Joe (Katie Jackson) Minix, Brother 
Leatrice Hochstedler, Sister 
Edna (Adrian) Richie, Sister 
Loretta (Arnold) Craft, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Sean Fitz, Son 
Peyton Fitz, Grandson 
Reagan Artist, Granddaughter 
Oliver Artist, Grandson 
Denver Minix, Brother 
Donald Minix, Brother 
Juanita Howard, Sister

Mrs. Fitz was an Indiana Hoosier Basketball fan and loved to watch March Madness.She enjoyed shopping and listening to country music. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 29, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Private burial will be at Winamac 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 P. Tennell

GREENWOOD - William Parker Tennell, 91, formerly of Bloomington, passed quietly away Thursday, March 16, at The Hearth at Stones Crossing, Greenwood.

He was born in Francesville, on June 11, 1925, and was the son of the late William and Hazel Parker Tennell. He married Lou Ada Volkers in Bloomington. She preceded him in death in 1978.

He is survived by his daughter and best friend Claire Alt (husband Charles) of Greenwood, his grandsons Eric Andrew Alt and Ryan Connor Alt. He is also survived by his niece Diana Coulis (husband Paul) of Bloomington, two nephews Robert Harrer (wife Janis) of San Francisco, and James Harrer (wife Kathy) of Evansville, and his companion of 12 years, Wanda Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his son Jay, his sister Mary Jo Harrer, and three siblings who died in infancy: Mary, Elizabeth and Robert.

Mr. Tennell joined the U.S. Navy, becoming a lieutenant at the young age of 19. He served in the Navy from 1943-1946 in the South Pacific on an attack cargo ship, the USS Kenmore. He was a graduate of Indiana University. He was a wedding photographer for over 40 years in Bloomington. He was an avid reader, loved I.U. basketball, fishing, working in his yard, telling jokes and dancing every Friday night at the American Legion. Bill never met a stranger and was a loving, hands-on grandfather and wonderful role model to his two grandsons. He was a member of the Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, Burton Woolery Post #18 American Legion, VFW Post 604, Free Mason Monroe Lodge 22, The Monroe County YMCA, IU Alumni Association and Sigma Phi Epsilon. He enjoyed spending his winter months in Florida, walking the beach.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, March 19, at Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, 4150 E. Third St., Bloomington, IN 47401. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m.,  Monday, March 20, at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E. Rogers St., Bloomington, IN 47401 with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Clear Creek Cemetery with the Monroe County Honor Guard performing military honors.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association , 50 E. 91st St. STE 100, Indianapolis, IN 46209-4830.

Online condolences may be made to www. Day DeremiahFrye.com

Willie M. Parish

March 2, 1936 to March 24, 2017

RENSSELAER - Willie “Mitch” Mitchell Parish, Sr., 81, of Francesville, passed away at his home Friday morning, March 24, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Tompkinsville, Ky. on March 2, 1936. He was the son of the late Eddie H. and Thelma J. Strode Parish. He graduated from Medaryville High School and had been a resident of Francesville for over 50 years. On Aug. 25, 1962, in Medaryville, he married D. Jean Neely. They were married for 54 years and had recently renewed their wedding vows on Feb. 2. He was also baptized the same day at 80 years of age.

He is survived by his wife Jean Parish; three daughters: Jennifer (Mike) Tetzloff, Christina (Steve) Shorter, and Marilyn (Jonn) Bernal; one son, Willie M. (Nonie) Parish, Jr.; 11 grandchildren: Katie (Isaac), Joey, and Rachel Tetzloff; Trent and Tiffani Shorter; Sara and Jonn Bernal; Kayla Jean (Tyler) Fox, Morgan, Christopher, and Jared Parish; three great-grandchildren: Wyatt and Hudson Fox; and Emmett Tetzloff; two brothers: Herman (Janet) Parish and Alvin (Rana) Parish; three sisters: Wilma Miller, Olene Dahler, and Nancy (Jim) Aldridge; one sister-in-law: Elaine Parish; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Lawrence “Sam” Parish; and one brother-in-law, John Dahler.

After high school, Mr. Parish enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years while stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He was a manager for the Farm Bureau Co-op. He retired from the Indiana State Highway Dept. He was a reserve deputy for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s office, a volunteer EMT, and an active fireman for 49 years. He was past president of the Indiana Volunteer Firefighter’s Association from 1992-1994, and was an active member of the National Volunteer Fire Council. He was a 50-year member of both the Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite, and was a former Shriner. He attended the United Methodist Church. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing horseshoes and games, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. (ET), Sunday, March 26, at Steinke Funeral Home, Rensselaer. A Masonic service will be 6:30 p.m. (ET); and an Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Memorial Service will be at 7 p.m. (ET), all in the funeral home chapel. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. (ET), Monday, March 27, at the funeral home with Rev. Joe Spear officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association. For memorials to the IVFA, make checks payable to: "Bridgeport Scholarship Fund".

Share memories and condolences online at www.SteinkeFuneralHome.com.

Jason L. Shorter

July 30, 1974 to March 4, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS - Jason Lee Shorter, 42, of Indianapolis passed away Saturday, March 4, surrounded by his family.

He was born July 30, 1974, in Winamac.

He is survived by his parents, Gerald and Patricia Shorter; his partner of 15 years, Casey Vannorsdall; his sister, Stacy Renee Adams (Austin); as well as numerous extended family and close friends.

Among his many interests Mr. Shorter enjoyed gardening (he was known for cultivating orchids among many other plants), he was also known to entertain family and friends; he brewed his own beer and enjoyed cooking for others. He also collected antique military medals, and enjoyed tending to his salt water fish tank. His love of travel led him to the Bahamas, California, and Washington, D.C., to name a few. He will be remembered for his upbeat personality……. 

 A celebration of Jason’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 29, at the home of Casey Vannorsdall.

Arrangements and care provided by Lauck and Veldhof Funeral & Cremation Services, Indianapolis. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.lauckfuneralhome.com