Obituaries

Russell E. French

January 18, 1960 to May 24, 2024

KEWANNA - Russell E. French, 64, of Winamac passed away at 9 p.m., Friday, May 24, at home.

Born on Jan. 18, 1960 in Logansport, he was the son of the late Jerald and Nancy (Ingram) French. He was a 1978 Kewanna High School graduate.

Survivors include his former wife Spring J. Rose of Lafayette; children Jake (Sarah) Wilson, Geanie Lee Wilson, Jesse Wilson, Kaylee (Scott) Ray, Emily (Clayton Cates) French, Matthew and Alanny Perez and their mother Ashlyn “Niki” Perez, Alyssa Martin and her mother Brittany Martin; brothers James (Jan) French, Robert (Rikki) French French; sisters Michele Gold, Kristine (Gary) Goodwin; and grandchildren Heavin, Dakota, Brooklyn, Cayden, Heidi Duckett, Arabella, Lilly Sallee and Daliela Ray, Aaron Wilson, Lemmy Smith, Remi, Naminé Wilson and Ben Cates.

He was also preceded in death by sister Jean Marie French and son-in-law Shawn Duckett.

Mr. French was a former member of Kewanna Union Twp. Volunteer Fire Department and retired from BraunAbility in Winamac in 2019.

A memorial service will be at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the donor’s local volunteer fire department.

Mr. French’s online guestbook is available, and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Kurt N. Smolek

September 7, 1973 to May 24, 2024

MEDARYVILLE - Kurt N. Smolek, 50, of Westfield, WI (formerly of Francesville and Medaryville) passed away peacefully Friday, May 24, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI, following a brief illness.

He was born Sept. 7, 1973 in Denver, CO to Theodore and Phyllis [Ewing] Smolek. He was a 1992 graduate of West Central High School in Francesville and a 1995 graduate of Purdue University. He continued his education at Madison Area Technical College and University of Wisconsin.  He married Katie, on Sept. 14, 2002. She survives.

Kurt Smolek

He is also survived by:
Trevor (Emily) Hammond, Son
Hannah Smolek, Daughter
Bret Smolek, Son
Jack Hammond, Grandson
Arden and Phyllis [Ewing] Bathke, Parents
Many beloved relatives and friends

He was preceded in death by:
Theodore Smolek, Father
Lisa Bathke, Infant Sister
Robert and Alma Ewing, Grandparents
James and Opal Smolek, Grandparents
Otto and Hilda Bathke, Grandparents
Many beloved relatives and friends

Mr. Smolek lived in northwest Indiana until 2008, and in 2009, the family joined him in Wisconsin.  He was an inventor, author and business owner. He was a proud father to his three children and an even prouder papa to his grandson. He loved fishing and couldn’t wait for the yearly family fishing vacation. He also loved football, sports cards, and just being by the water somewhere. He enjoyed meeting and talking to everyone, especially in the shop he and Katie created two years ago - Sasquatch’s Variety Shop in Princeton, WI.

A celebration of Kurt’s life will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. (CT), Sunday, June 2, at Steinhaus-Holly Funeral Home in Westfield, WI.

A celebration of Kurt’s life will also be held from 2 to 6 p.m. (ET), Monday, June 10, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family c/o Katie Smolek.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville.

Vera M. Ward

November 22, 1938 to May 20, 2024

VALPARAISO - Vera M. Ward, 85, of Valparaiso passed away Monday, May 20.

Vera Ward

She was born Nov. 22, 1938 in Winamac, to Kenneth and Roseanna (Rater) Kasten. She married William J. Ward on Aug. 25, 1956 in Denham, He preceded her in death Sept. 18, 2023.

She is survived by her sons, W. Mark Ward and Kirk (Tammy) Ward; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and brothers, John and Dan Cooper. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Ken Kasten; mother, Roseanna Cooper; daughter, Michelle Nightingale; and siblings, Tom Kasten and Betty Podell

Mrs. Ward worked for 20 years as a respiratory therapist in the NICU at Porter Hospital. A member of the Calumet Crank Club and the Moose Lodge of Valparaiso, she enjoyed traveling, especially on cruises with her husband. Most of all, she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

A visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. (CT), Friday, May 24, at Moeller Funeral Home 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso. The funeral service will follow at 6 p.m.  Burial will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso.

Kimbal H. Cummins

December 27, 1953 to May 16, 2024

BRADENTON, FL - Kimbal H. “Kim” Cummins, 70, of Bradenton, FL, passed peacefully Thursday, May 16, surrounded by his wife and sisters, and held in the hearts of those who loved him dearly.

Kim Cummins

He was born Dec. 27, 1953 in Logansport, the son of Roscoe “Bud” and Alice Cummins Jr. of Medaryville. He married his wife Kathleen “Kathi” in 1984.

He is survived by his wife, Kathi Cummins; daughter Melissa Cummins; grandchildren Sylvie and Leo Robinson; his parents; mother-in-law Carol Murphy; sisters Barb [Steve] Bonnet, Patti [Jim Wolpert] Cummins, Dolly Cummins; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was predeceased by his brother Chris Cummins.

Mr. Cummins grew up in rural Medaryville. He told stories of farm life, hard work and the importance of family, especially his maternal grandparents who lived nearby. He played basketball, as any good Hoosier would, and attended Indiana University, Bloomington. In early adulthood, he worked in management for Coca-Cola, and later became a successful insurance agent, landing them in Bradenton. He continued his career as vice president at DesChamps & Gregory and didn't retire. He said there was only so much golf to play and so many fish to catch, so he may as well work.

To know Kim was to love him. He was someone you could count on in good times and bad, ever the optimist, always laughing (often at himself). He loved his family and friends, and the magnitude of our grief is softened by knowing he was loved in return, and memories of time spent with Kim will be forever carried in our hearts.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Mr. Cummins' life will be at 2 p.m., Friday, June 14, at Shannon Funeral Home, 1015 14th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to an animal shelter or to the family.

Otto J. Ruff

May 15, 1939 to May 16, 2024

WINAMAC - Otto James “Ott” Ruff, 85, of Star City passed away peacefully Thursday, May 16.

He was born May 15, 1939 in Logansport to the late Herald Francis “Hap” and Gertrude Regina [Shultz] Ruff. He was a proud graduate of Star City High School Class of 1957. After a strong pursuit, he married Donna Joann White on Nov. 12, 1960 in Lafayette. She survives.

Otto Ruff

He is also survived by:
Ricky Joseph Ruff, Son
James Jay (Sheila) Ruff, Son
Robert Jon (Shamay) Ruff, Son
Beth Ann Ruff-Crawford, Daughter-in-law
Grandchildren: Jacob (Jenna) Ruff, Joshua (Hayley) Ruff, Jennifer (Ryan) Ledford, Justin (Katy) Ruff, Jami Ruff, Madison Ruff, Andrew “AJ” Ruff, Megan (Tyler) Denniston, and Morgan (fiancé: Tyler Walker) Ruff.
11 Great-Grandchildren: Calvin, Brooks, D’Arcy, Hunter, Bowen, Lyla, Alayna, Logan, Rosanna, Stevie, and Happ
Nancy M. Ruff, Sister
John J. White, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

He was preceded in death by:
Jeffrey James Ruff, Son
Rosemary Weaver, Sister
Margery Ann Penn, Sister
Harold F. “Bud” Ruff Jr., Brother
Joan G. Rater, Sister
Jerrald White, Brother-in-law

Following their marriage, Mr. Ruff and his wife continued their lives in the Star City area and raised four sons. He was very involved in his sons’ lives and enjoyed coaching Star City Little League and serving as a 4-H Leader. He had a legendary Little League reputation, and especially enjoyed showing livestock with his sons and grandchildren. He was fondly known by many as the “oldest 4-H’er in Pulaski County”. He had a strong work ethic - a trait he passed on to his sons. He was employed at Dean Foods and then Wilson Foods. Later in life, he and Donna ran a vending route together where they encountered many new friends. He spent as much time as he could helping out on the family farm - proudly keeping track of the loads of grain for the boys. He was an avid IU Basketball fan and an animal lover. He enjoyed fishing in Northern Minnesota with family and playing a contentious game of marbles. He savored many large bowls of ICE CREAM over the years and even had a triple scoop cone named after him. He spent many summers competing in area antique tractor pulls (with a cigar in his mouth). Mr. Ruff was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski and longtime member of the Star City Volunteer Fire Department. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday, May 20, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski with Rev. Dennis Faker officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West in Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Animal Center or Warrior Youth Baseball.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Bonnie M. Crist

March 13, 1944 to May 15, 2024

WINAMAC - Bonnie M. Crist, 80, of Winamac passed away Wednesday, May 15, at home.

She was born March 13, 1944.

She is survived by her husband James A. Crist of Winamac; four daughters C. Sue Crist of Star City, Catherine M. Postma of Winamac, Charlotte A. Scott of Winamac and Lily R. Mansfield of LaPaz; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Private burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery South in Pulaski.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.