Obituaries

Violet L. Wilson

March 19, 1925 to October 27, 2016

WINAMAC - Violet L. Wilson 91, of Francesville, formerly Winamac, passed away at 6:55 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27, In Francesville.

She was born on March 19, 1925 in Bruce Station, IN to the late George and Hallie Guise Bitterling.

She is survived by:
Joyce ( William) Robison , Winamac, Daughter
William "Wes" (Linda) Wilson, Winamac, Son
Luke A. (Connie Smith) Wilson, Winamac, Son
Brian (Pattie) Robison, Grandchild
Kathy ( Curt) Jackson, Grandchild
John Walker, Great-grandson
Brandon Robison, Great-grandson
3 Great-great grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
John "Jr" Wison, Husband
Daniel Gene Wilson, Son
2 Brothers and 1 Sister

Mrs. Wilson was a member of the St. Luke Lutheran Church, Winamac. She was a member of the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for many years. She was a farm wife. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed eating out and going to yard sales. She loved spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed watching baseball and Gunsmoke on TV.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac; and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Winamac with Pastor Tom Woodley officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the American Heart Association.

Virgil R. Myers

June 21, 1917 to October 28, 2016

FRANCESVILLE - Virgil R. "Bud" Myers, 99, of Francesville, passed away at 2:27 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28, at White Oak Health Campus, Monticello.

He was born on June 21, 1917 in Francesville to the late Roy Jacob and Edith Anna Grock Myers. On July 15, 1941, he married Rachel Bosse in Winamac. She preceded him in death on Aug. 23, 2011.

Survivors include:
Jennifer (Neil) Anderson, West Lafayette, Daughter
Kathleen Woodworth, Angola, Daughter
Laurel Myers, Francesville, Daughter
Kristin (Brad) Chesterman, Granddaughter
Brian (Diana) Anderson, Grandson
Jessica Anderson, Granddaughter
James (Heidi) Woodworth, Grandson
Anthony Woodworth, Grandson
Jenna Chesterman, Great Granddaughter
Ty Chesterman, Great Grandson
Cole Anderson, Great Grandson
Kade Anderson, Great Grandson
Drew Woodworth, Great Grandson
Maudelene Allyn, San Antonio, TX, Sister
Jeanne Hawn, Lakewood, CO, Sister
Norma Hammel, Angola, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death:
Stanley Myers, Infant Brother
Ruth Leibert, Sister
Alyce Onken, Sister
Gertrude Godbout, Sister
Mabel Brown, Sister

Mr. Myers graduated from Francesville High School in 1935. Following graduation, he went to work at Myers Garage in Francesville. As one of the "Greatest Generation", he spent three years (1942-45) in Europe serving with the 825th Engineers of the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a longtime member of the American Legion Jesse Engle Post #228 in Francesville. Upon returning from the war, he again worked at Myers Garage alongside his brother Don until 1958. During this time, he also drove a school bus for the Francesville School. He also served as Francesville Postmaster from 1958-1961. From 1962-1977, he and his wife owned and operated the V&R Market in downtown Francesville. In 1977, he went to work for the Indiana State Board of Health as a meat inspector. He retired from the state in 1985. For nearly 75 years, he served the community and played an important role as an assistant to five generations of funeral directors. He had worked alongside Claude Burson, Harry Querry, Bob Ulbricht, and most recently Dan, Sam, and Jon Frain. On his 97th birthday, he regretfully retired due to poor health. 

Mr. Myers was a member of Francesville First Christian Church. He was a charter member of the Francesville Volunteer Fire Department where he served for over 50 years. He was the first fireman to the drive the 1938 Pumper Truck. He was a proud member of the Pulaski County Republican Central Committee where he held various office and also held the office of Salem Precinct Committeeman. He was a former member of the Francesville-Salem Township Library Board. In 1988, he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Robert Orr. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan as well as a Purdue fan. He enjoyed yardwork, refinishing antiques, and restoring his old home place in Francesville. He enjoyed going to the coffee shop and visiting with his friends. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially all of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his "granddog". He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, as well as many generations of the community.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville; and one hour prior to services at the church Wednesday. The funeral service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Francesville First Christian Church, Francesville, with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Francesville First Christian Church or the Francesville-Salem Township Public Library.

Paul J. Cooley

February 11, 1954 to October 24, 2016

FRANCESVILLE - Paul Jeffery Cooley, 62, of Francesville, passed away at 12:22 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, at IU Health Arnett, Lafayette.

He was born Feb. 11, 1954 to the late Bob and Jane Cooley.

Mr. Cooley was raised in the Monticello area and attended Indiana University at Bloomington. He was retired from Alcoa, Lafayette.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. Private burial will be at Riverview Cemetery, Monticello.

Memorial donations may be made to Mr. Cooley's caregiver, Dina Newkirk, and mailed to PO Box 372 Francesville, IN 47946.

Cremation arrangements entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel Francesville. 

Jessica M. Sturgell

July 9, 1978 to October 21, 2016

FRANCESVILLE - Jessica Marie Sturgell, 38, of Francesville, passed away at 4:49 a.m., Friday, Oct. 21, in Oceloa.

She was born July 9, 1978 in Valparaiso, to Dennis Sturgell and Rose Giesler Ricks. 

She is survived by: 
Ashley Swarens, Lowell, Daughter 
Allison Swarens, Lowell, Daughter 
Rose ( Mike) Ricks, Francesville, Mother 
Dennis Sturgell, North Pole, AK, Father 
Eric Sturgell, Francesville, Brother 
Harold and Mary Giesler, Rochester, Maternal grandparents 
Adam Swarens, Lowell, Father of the children

Preceded in death by: 
Millard and Marian Sturgell, Paternal grandparents 

Jessica enjoyed spending time with her daughters, the outdoors, and singing her favorite songs. She was a great story teller. She loved animals and visiting with her friends.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 27, at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. 

Shirley M. Boessel

October 28, 1933 to October 14, 2016

FRANCESVILLE - Shirley Mae Boessel, 82, of Francesville (formerly of Hobart and Monon), passed away at 7:18 p.m., Friday, Oct. 14, at IU Health Arnett Hospital, Lafayette.

She was born Oct. 28, 1933 in Waupun, Wis. to the late Melvin and Opal Stelter Kohn. She was a 1951 graduate of Hobart High School and later that year married William Brett "Bill" Hutchens in Hobart, where the couple raised their children. He preceded her in death.

She married Fred Boessel, Jr. who also preceded her in death. The couple owned and operated Boessel Camp Ground and Bait Shop for many years at Lake Shafer in Monon. Many lifelong friendships were made during this special time of their lives.

Mrs. Boessel was a proud member of the Republican Party. She was a homemaker and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her life was devoted to her family. She was always full of life and loved art, music, and dancing which was a big part of her life and she blessed all her children with these talents as well. She will be sadly missed.

She is survived by: 
Terry (Dennis) Robinson, Francesville, IN Daughter 
Franci Michael, Buffalo, IN Daughter 
Kelly Hutchens, Little River, SC Daughter 
Jacque Minicus, Buffalo, IN Daughter 
Gail (Keith) Toporski, Step Daughter 
Carole (Erwin) Schindel, Step Daughter 
Fred (Franci) Boessel III, Step Son 
Candice (Alan) Portis, Step Daughter 
15 Grandchildren 
8 Great Grandchildren

Preceded in death by: 
Jeffrey William Hutchens, Son 
Tommy George, Grandson 
Roy Kohn, Brother 
Merle Kohn, Brother 
Mert Kohn, Brother 
Ora Kramer, Sister 

The family will host a memorial service at 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17, at the Francesville First Christian Church.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Francesville, IN. Online Condolences may be left in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com. 

Ruby A. Cotner

June 18, 1932 to October 17, 2016

FRANCESVILLE - Ruby Ann Cotner, 84, of Winamac, passed away at 8:16 a.m., Monday, Oct. 17, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

She was born June 18, 1932 in Winamac to the late William E. and Effie R. Geiger Degner. She married Maurice E. Cotner on Oct. 14, 1953. He passed away Dec. 8, 2001. 

She is survived by: 
Ed Cotner, Winamac, Son 
Bob (Lisa) Cotner, Sunman, Son 
Doug Cotner, Winamac, Son 
Shaun (Molly) Cotner, Grandson 
Ryan Cotner, Grandson 
Kyle Cotner, Grandson 
Christina Cotner, Granddaughter 
Heather Cotner (Randy) Zins, Granddaughter 
Chad (Emilee) Cotner, Grandson 
Rebecca & Zachary Zins, Great Grandchildren 
Patty (James) Hoffman, Winamac, Sister 
Don Cotner, Winamac, Brother-in-law 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Roger Douglas Cotner, Grandson 
Tasha Cotner, Granddaughter 
Eula Cotner, Sister 
Vivian Degner, Sister 
Donna DeLorenzo, Sister 
Nila Degner, Sister 
Dale Degner, Brother 
Robert Degner, Brother 

Mrs. Cotner was a lifelong homemaker and farmer. She was skilled at driving the tractor and truck as well as cooking all while keeping track of her kids. She was active in her kids' lives, including serving as a leader of the Busy Beavers 4-H Club and supporting the county fair. She was a former member of the Happy Homemakers Home-Ec Club. She was an avid arrowhead hunter and enjoyed jigsaw puzzles. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 20, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 21, at the funeral home with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be at Tippecanoe Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the Francesville Volunteer Fire Department.

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