Obituaries

Jesse E. Spurgeon

April 17, 1927 to December 17, 2015

WINAMAC - Jesse Eugene Spurgeon, Jr., 88, a lifelong resident of Winamac, passed away at 3:36 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 17, at his home, after a year-long battle with various maladies of old age. 

He was born April 17, 1927 on the family farm in Jefferson Township, Pulaski County to the late Jesse Alvin and Maude Grace Rees Spurgeon. He married Thelma Marlene Shank of Dayton, OH on June 2, 1951. She preceded him in death on Oct. 2, 1992.

The couple raised five children to adulthood, including Katherine S. (1955-1982), Sally S. Weeks (Harmon “Mickey”) of Attica, Charles W. “Charlie” of Winamac, Jesse Andrew “Andy” (Laurie) of Winamac, and Matthew of Chesterton. There are also five grandchildren: Krista (Nathan) Hardebeck, Jennifer “Biffer” Spurgeon (deceased), Kelly Spurgeon, Mason Spurgeon, and Audrey Spurgeon.

His only sibling, Mary Irene Irven, preceded him in death. 

Mr. Spurgeon was a longtime dairy and grain farmer, retiring in 1994. For many years, he was recognized as one of the top small dairy farmers/breeders in Indiana in terms of overall milk production. On the rare occasions that he could escape milking duties and field work, he sincerely enjoyed flying and fishing; the latter activity regularly took him to Canada with family and friends. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946-47 in the 185th Engineer Combat Battalion as a demolition expert. While serving at Camp Campbell, Kentucky (now Fort Campbell), he was involved in an accidental mine detonation that caused permanent, partial hearing loss. He was a member of the VFW Post #1728 and American Legion Post #71 in Winamac. He will be remembered for his quick “Spurgeon humor” and generosity to many.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Wednesday, Dec. 23) at the funeral home  The American Legion and VFW will conduct military honors at the funeral home. 

Memorial donations may be given to Wounded Warrior Project.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary. Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

William A. Hickman

March 30, 1923 to December 17, 2015

WINAMAC - William A. "Will" Hickman, 92, of Winamac, passed away at 10:04 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 17, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

He was born March 30, 1923 in Lacrosse, to the late Clifford and Edna Sizelove Hickman. Hel married Margaret Currier on June 15, 1947 at Pretty Lake in Plymouth. She passed away Sept. 30, 2001.

Survivors include:

Diane (Keith Franz) Bair, Winamac, Daughter
Nikki (Brian Ditmire) Keller, Culver, Granddaughter
Heather (Eric) Billiard, Logansport, Granddaughter
Derek Keller, Grandson
Lindsey Keller, Great Granddaughter
Derek J. Keller, Great Grandson
Owen Keller, Great Grandson
Ethan Keller, Great Grandson
Zac Di tmire, Great Grandson
Teagan Billiard, Great Granddaughter
Taylon Billiard, Great Granddaughter
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:

Iva Garbison, Sister
Ray Hickman, Brother
1 Infant Sister
1 Infant Brother

Mr. Hickmanl was a longtime member of the Ora Gospel Chapel in Ora. He was retired from McCords Radiator in Plymouth. He enjoyed hunting and woodworking. He loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren. He be will dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Dec. 21, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be follow at 1 p.m., (Monday, Dec. 21), at the funeral home with Rev. Don Franklin officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Zion-Franklin Township Cemetery, Winamac.  

Memorial donations may be given to Ora Gospel Chapel.

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

Mary K. Haschel

January 25, 1925 to December 14, 2015

WINAMAC - Mary K atherine Haschel, 91, of Winamac, died at 2:05 p.m., Monday, Dec. 14, at the Pulaski Healthcare Center, Winamac.

She was born Jan. 25, 1924, in Yale, IA to the late Ernest Chester and Clara Edith Heater Clements. She married John F. Haschel on May 27, 1950 in Attica. He died Jan. 9, 1996.

Survivors include:

Christine K. (Angel) Mendiola, Winamac, Daughter
Troy D. (Alex) Haschel, Winamac, Son
Connie S. Haschel, Winamac, Daughter-in-law    
Grandchildren: Tammy Graham, Kim (Brooks) Johnson, Jason Crissinger, Brittany Mendiola, John Henry (Elaine) Haschel, Rick (Crystal) Haschel Jr., Michael (Emily) Haschel, Winston Haschel, Edwin Haschel and India Haschel.
Great Grandchildren: Misty Graham, Kloee Graham, Baylee Graham, Zoee James, Aaron Heims, Zach Schmicker, Damien Fiscus, Emma Sizemore, Brody Sizemore, Sierra Haschel, Hunter Haschel, Kali Haschel, and Lana Haschel.

Preceded in death by:

Rick W. Haschel, Sr., Son
Brandon D.J. Graham, Great Grandson
Cody Heims, Great Grandson
Brady Graham, Great Great Grandson
1 Brother and 5 Sisters

Mrs. Haschel was a cosmetologist and homemaker. She owned and operated her own beauty shop in Winamac for over 40 years. She was a member of Winamac Church of the Nazarene, Pulaski County REACT, and the Pulaski County Underwater Recovery Unit. She was active in various political and social organizations. She enjoyed traveling, fishing, mushroom hunting, and snowmobiling. She also enjoyed reading and researching topics of interest so that she could advocate for people in need. She and her husband John enjoyed frequent fishing trips to Spooner, WI. She was a great mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed by her family. She loved and was loved.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 19, at the funeral home with Harold Smith officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. 

Memorial donations may be given to Pulaski County REACT .

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

Phyllis E. Gourley

May 1, 1924 to December 9 2015

WINAMAC - Phyllis E. Gourley, 91, of Winamac (formerly of Wheatfield) passed away at 12:55 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Monticello Healthcare Center, Monticello.

She was born May 1, 1924 on the family farm in rural Beaver Township, Pulaski County, to the late Laban D. and Gertrude Davis Nice. She married Robert W. Gourley on June 13, 1942. He passed away Feb. 5, 1989.

Connie (Stan) Myers, Monterey, Daughter 
Doug (Beulah "Billy") Gourley, Sr., Winamac, Son 
Clyde (Lena) Gourley, Winamac, Son 
Rocky (Laurie) Gourley, Winamac, Son 
17 Grandchildren
32 Great Grandchildren 
19 Great Great Grandchildren 
1 Great Great Great Grandson

Preceded in death by:
Deola Cloud, Sister
Byron Nice, Brother 
Arlo Nice, Brother

Mrs. Gourley graduated from Pulaski High School in 1942. She was a member of Paul's Chapel Church She enjoyed reading poems at church and read her Bible daily. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially hummingbirds, country life, hunting, fishing and was considered a "Champion Noodler" of the Tippecanoe River in Pulaski County. She enjoyed playing Euchre, especially Sunday nights at St. James Salem Church. She enjoyed working in her yard and her flower garden.She was an avid mushroom hunter. She loved her family very much, especially her many grandchildren. She will be dearly missed. 

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac; and one hour prior to the service which will begin at 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, at the funeral home with Rev. Phillip Messer officiating. Burial will be at Clark Cemetery, Monticello.

Memorial donations may be given to the funeral home to help with funeral expenses. 

Harold E. Margison

April 5, 1935 to December 6, 2015

WINAMAC - Harold E. “Pete” Margison, 80, of Pulaski, (formerly of Hebron) passed away at 4:40 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 6, at Monticello Healthcare, Monticello.

He was born April 5, 1935, in Momence, IL to the late Harry and Dora Williams Margison. He married Donna Cloud on Oct. 26, 1957 in Pulaski. She survives.

Also surviving are:

Eileen (husband: Joseph Doucette) Boroski, Tracyville, New Brunswick, Canada, Daughter
Katrina (husband: Jerry) Szalmasagi, Valparaiso, Daughter
Jeffrey (wife: Barbara) Margison, Anna, OH, Son
Sandra Miller, Ft. Wayne, Daughter
Diane (husband: Doug) Brewer, Shelbyville, Daughter
Frederick Margison, Indianapolis, Son
Nancy (husband: Lee) Boronka, Chicago, Daughter
Delores Margison Hathaway, Wolcott, Sister
15 Grandchildren
2 Great Grandchildren
7 Step Grandchildren
6 Step Great Grandchildren
1 Step Great Great Grandson

Preceded in death by:
Barbara Margison, Sister
Several Step Brothers & Sisters  

Mr. Margison attended Wolcott High School in Wolcott. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked as a welder for Thrall Car Manufacturing in Chicago Heights, IL for 40 years. He retired to Pulaski in 2000. He was a member of the Boilermakers Union. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski and had been a member of St. Helen Catholic Church in Hebron for over 40 years where he also served as church caretaker. He enjoyed fishing as well as watching football, baseball, and basketball. He was an avid Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and Indiana Hoosiers fan. He loved his family very much and was very proud of them.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m., at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 11, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pulaski, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West, Pulaski. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to Alzhiemer’s Association or St. Joseph Catholic Church.  

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

Doris Teyner

April 4, 1917 to December 7, 2015

WINAMAC - Doris Teyner, 98, of Lucerne (formerly of Winamac) passed away at 12:38 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7, at Peabody Retirement Community Health Center in North Manchester.

She was born April 4, 1917, in Hillsdale, MI, to Frank and Ethel Lape Battenfield. She married Earl J. Teyner on April 27, 1946 in Hillsdale. He died Dec. 1, 1971.

Survivors include:

Michael (Carolyn) Teyner, Lucerne, Son and Daughter-in-law
Tim (Bev) Teyner, Findlay, OH, Son and Daughter-in-law Susan
(Jim) Iding, North Manchester, Daughter and Son-in-law
8 Grandchildren 
8 Great Grandchildren

Preceded in death by: 
Clarence Battenfield, Brother
Kenneth Battenfield, Brother
Donald Battenfield, Brother

Mrs. Teyner moved to Winamac in 1960. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and Christian Mothers in Winamac. She was a volunteer at the Good Samaritan Store and Pulaski Memorial Hospital for many years. She was an administrative secretary at Pulaski Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 1984. She was also a member of the Tri-Chi Sorority in Winamac.

A graveside service will be held in April 2016 at St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Visiting Nurse Hospice in Fort Wayne.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac, IN.