Obituaries

Adrienne S. Shidler

September 29, 1938 to April 23, 2012

MONTICELLO - Adrienne Sue Shidler, 73, of Reynolds, formerly of Winamac, passed away at 6:15 p.m., Monday, April 23, at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born Sept. 29, 1938 in Indianapolis, the daughter of the late Fred D. and Gayle ( Render ) Gillmer. She married Wayman "Bug" Shidler on March 1, 1958, in Francesville. He died May 1, 2005.

Survivors include: son John F. (wife Susan) Shidler of Reynolds, Indiana; grandchildren, Jenny Shidler, Brad (wife Ashley) Shidler, Shane (wife Melissa) Shidler, and Scotty Hughes; great grandchildren, Jordyn, Nolan, Naylee, Tatum, and one due in June; brother, Fred (wife Ann) Gillmer of Muskegon, Michigan; exchange student, Vio of Indonesia; her dog and special friend/companion, Toby.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Marlene Tiede.

Mrs. Shidler had lived in several local communities, including Winamac, Reynolds, Chalmers, Monon, and Francesville. While living in Chalmers, she enjoyed going to the Chalmers American Legion Post #268 to play euchre with her friend, Carol Flynn. She and her late husband, "Bug", had a trailer at Webb Lake in Wisconsin for over 20 years. She was a member of the Reynolds United Methodist Church and was baptized last August. She enjoyed camping with her son, John, and the grandchlidren. She loved camp fires, traveling to Michigan to spend time and visiting with her brother, and family reunions. Adrienne was an avid NASCAR fan, Jeff Gordon being her favorite driver. She was a humble and simple person. She lived her life for her son, John, and while she was living in Chalmers, they would drink coffee together every morning. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. After her retirement and while living in Winamac, she had worked at the former Brown Bag Liquor Store.

Visitation will be after 12 noon, Friday, at the Miller-Roscka Funeral Home in Monticello. A celebration-of-life service will follow at 2 p.m., (Friday April 27), at the funeral home, with Pastor Glenn Knepp of the Reynolds United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Buck Cemetery, Star City (Thornhope).

Memorials may be made to the Reynolds United Methodist Church or to the St. Elizabeth Hospice of Lafayette.

Donna L. Gutwein

October 15, 1924 to April 23, 2012

FRANCESVILLE - Donna Lou Gutwein, 87, of Peoria, IL, passed away at 6:50 a.m., Monday, April 23, at  Peoria, Il. She was a former resident of Francesville and Monticello.

She was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Francesville, to the late Octavius and Ethel Manning Getz. She married Raymond Gutwein on Aug. 26, 1945 in Francesville. He survives.

Survivors include:
Raymond Gutwein, Peoria, IL  Husband
Geri Ringelspaugh, Peoria, IL  Daughter
Rex (Linda) Gutwein, Jackson, MI Son & daughter-in-law
Doris Getz, Francesville, IN  Sister-in-law
6 grandchildren
3 great grandchildren

She was preceded in death by
Octavius Getz  Father
Ethel Manning Getz  Mother
Tom Ringelspaugh  Son-in-law

Donna Lou Gutwein, 87, of Peoria, IL, passed away at 6:50 AM Monday, April 23, 2012 at  Peoria, Il. She was a former resident of Francesville and Monticello, IN.

She was born October 15, 1924, in Francesville, IN, to Octavius and Ethel Manning Getz. Donna married Raymond Gutwein on August 26, 1945 in Francesville, IN. Raymond survives.

She worked as a secretary for Gutwein Seeds for many years.

Donna and Raymond enjoyed spending winters in Leesburg, Fl.

Also surviving are:
Geri Ringelspaugh, Peoria, IL,  Daughter
Rex (Linda) Gutwein, Jackson, MI, Son & daughter-in-law
Doris Getz, Francesville, Sister-in-law
6 grandchildren
3 great grandchildren

She was preceded in death by:
Tom Ringelspaugh,  Son-in-law

Mrs. Gutwein worked as a secretary for Gutwein Seeds for many years. She and her husband enjoyed spending winters in Leesburg, Fl.

Friends may call after 10 a.m., Tuesday (May 8), at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel-Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., (May 8), at the funeral home with Pastor Rex Gutwein officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Elsie Felker

February 23, 1918 to April 25, 2012

WINAMAC - Elsie Felker, 94, of Winamac, passed away at 11:32 p.m.,  Wednesday, April 25, at Hickory Creek, Winamac.

She was born Feb. 23, 1918, in Huntington, to the late William and Elizabeth Drabenstot Bowers. She married Joseph Adam Felker on July 20, 1935 in Huntington. He passed away Oct. 24, 1986. 

Survivors include: 
Joseph W. (Henrietta) Felker, LaPorte, Son 
Carl E. (Paula) Felker, Columbiaville, MI, Grandson 
Curt E. (Brenda) Felker, LaPorte, Grandson 
Courtney L. Felker, LaPorte, Great Granddaughter 
Carl E. Felker Jr., Columbiaville, MI, Great Grandson 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Burl Bowers, Brother 
Dorman (John) Bowers, Brother 
Fred Bowers, Brother 
Rex Bowers, Brother 
Ruth Baker, Sister 
Edith Burnsworth, Sister 
Ida Crawford Dillon, Twin Sister 
Andrea Felker, Great Granddaughter 
Nicholas Felker, Great Grandson 

Mrs. Felker was a longtime volunteer at Pulaski County Human Services Von Tobel Senior Center, Winamac. 
She enjoyed embroidering, crocheting, singing, and making pancakes. She lived all of her adult life in Winamac. She was a very religous person. She also loved her family dearly. 

Friends may call after 12 noon, Monday at Frain Mortuary, Winamac.The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., (Monday, April 30), at the funeral home with Harold Smith officiating. Burial will be in Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Paul H. Kruger

May 18, 1932 to April 22, 2012

FRANCESVILLE - Paul Herman Kruger, 79, of Michigan City, died at 9 a.m., Sunday, April 22, at the Life Care Center in Michigan City.

He was born May 18, 1932, in Francesville, to the late Herman and Matha Popp Kruger. He married Trellie Ritchie on Oct. 20, 1956, in Medaryville. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Michael Kruger, LaPorte, Son
Timothy (Ronda) Kruger, Chesterton, Son & daughter-in-law
1 grandchild
Martha Williams, Columbia City, Sister
Dorothy Kruger, Lafayette, Sister
Della Kruse, Adrian, MI, Sister
Trelma Kruger, Kokomo, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Max Kruger,  Brother

Mr. Kruger graduated in the Class of 1951 from Francesville High School.He served in the U. S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He was a industrial mechanic in Michigan City for 35 years. He was certified in hydrolics and industrial fire safety. He had lived in the Michigan City area since 1963. He was a former Boy Scout Master and 4-H member. He was a member of St. James Salem United Church of Christ, Francesville.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday (April 25), at the funeral home, with Pastor Jim Mandelville and Pastor T.J. Jenney officiating. Burial will be in St. James Salem Cemetery, Francesville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer's Association.

Ernest A. Stepp

January 4, 1925 to April 18, 2012

MEDARYVILLE - Ernest Aaron "Ernie" Stepp, 87, of Wheatfield, passed away at 1:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, at Parkview Haven Retirment Home, Francesville.

He was born Jan. 4, 1925, in Salyersville, KY, to the late Arther and Karma Craft Stepp. He married Ethel Howard on April 3, 1946 in Winamac. She survives. 

Also surviving are:  
Karen Stepp, Wheatfield, Daughter 
Karolyn Fyda, Wheatfield, Daughter 
Pamela Nabors, Rensselaer, Daughter 
Ernest Anthony (Christine) Stepp, Royal Palm Beach, FL, Son 
David (Sandra) Stepp, Terre Haute, Son 
9 Grandchildren 
14 Great Grandchildren 
3 Great-Great Granchildren 
Gentry (Geraldine) Stepp, Brother 
Vernaden (Bill) Yeary, Sister

Preceded in death by: 
Clifford Stepp, Brother 
Robert Stepp, Brother 
Harold Stepp, Brother

Visitiation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Teaberry Hill Estates Church, Medaryville, and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (April 21), at the church, with Rev. Elmer Conley officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, North Judson. Military graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion.

Memorial donations may be given to Teaberry Hill Estates Church.

Newton H. Brown

April 2, 1925 to April 17, 2012

WINAMAC - Newton H. Brown, 87, of Star City (Pulaski), died at 6:40 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac. 

He was born April 2, 1925, in Pulaski, to the late Newton H. Sr. and Ethel Linn Brown. Newton married Gloria L. Getz on Aug. 1, 1954, in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Carla (Raymond) Miller, Valparaiso, Daughter & son-in-law
Newton (Kim) Brown III, Valparaiso, Son & daughter-in-law
Paula Stone, Valparaiso, Daughter
Julie Clifton, Crawfordsville, Daughter
Grandchildren: Lindsey, Natalie, Dane, Kirstin, Keely, Jason, Jackson, Joseph
Great Grandchildren: Emily, Isabelle, Grace, Samantha, Benjamin

He was preceded in death by
Margaret Ellen "Peggy"  Brown, Sister
Samuel George Brown, Brother

Mr. Brown was a graduate of Pulaski High School, and graduated from Purdue University in 1951 where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He received his master's degree from Purdue. He served as an educator, coach, and administrator in the Valparaiso Community School System.

He was a member of the Pulaski Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder. He also was a member of the Valparaiso Masonic Lodge, the ORAK Shrine of Michigan City, and the Winamac Kiwanis Club. He was a longtime trustee and Republican precienct committeeman for Indian Creek Township.

Mr. Brown was an avid golfer, Cubs fan, and Purdue Boilermakers fan.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A Kiwanis service will begin at 6:45 p.m., followed by a Masonic service at 7 p.m. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday (April 20), at the funeral home with Pastor Bill Kleymann officiating. Burial will be in Pulaski Presbyterian Cemetery, Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Presbyterian Church.