Obituaries

Oliver J. Ingram

June 3, 1937 to February 3, 2012

KEWANNA - Oliver Jay “OJ” Ingram, 74 of Indianapolis, formerly of Kewanna and Winamac, passed away peacefully Feb. 3, at his residence.

Born June 3, 1937 in Kewanna, he was the son of the late Charles Lee and Lillian Nelson Ingram.

Survivors include his wife, Marsha Arnold of Indianapolis; children, Debora Girton (Tim) of Winamac, John Jay Ingram (Carrie) of Winamac, Denise Hiatt (Troy) of Star City, Michael Lee Ingram (Holly) of South Bend; stepson, Randy Arnold of Indianapolis; sister, Shirley Bussert of Kewanna; and grandchildren, Christina Girton Kviz, Jeffrey Girton, Zachary Finley, and Shannon Finley. He is also survived by four step grandchildren, four step great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Woody Ingram, Dick Ingram, Bill Ingram and Donny Ingram.

Mr. Ingram had worked on the railroad his entire life. He formerly worked for Penn Central Railroad as a brakeman, firearm and engineer. He also formerly worked for Indiana High Rail as an engineer.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 6 p.m., Thursday, at Eternal-Life Tabernacle on Raymond St. in Indianapolis. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Saturday (Feb. 11), at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Home, Kewanna Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the time of service on Saturday at the Kewanna Chapel. Burial will be at Barnett Cemetery in Kewanna.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung and/or American Diabetes Associations.

Robert B. Polstra

October 8, 1955 to February 7, 2012

WINAMAC - Robert Bruce Polstra, 56, of Winamac, passed away at 5:20 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

He was born Oct. 8, 1955, in Logansport, to Gerald and Betty Button Polstra.

Survivors include:
Robert Bruce (Tanya) Polstra, Jr., Riverside, CA,  Son & daughter-in-law
Chad Polstra,  Atlanta, Son
Mandi Polstra, Rochester, Daughter
Brandi Osborn, Rochester, Daughter
Gerald & Betty Polstra, Star City, Parents
Michael Polstra, Winamac, Brother
Darlene (Alan) Daily, Star City, Sister
Elizabeth Button, Winamac, Maternal Grandmother
Several nieces & nephews

He was preceded in death by:
Forrest "Frosty" Button, Maternal Grandfather
C.J. "Abie" Polstra,  Paternal Grandfather
Roberta Gahagan Polstra Barnes, Paternal Grandmother

Mr. Polstra attended the Methodist Church. He worked as a welder at Galbreath Inc, in Winamac for 33 years. He was a member of ABATE.He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and loved his dog "Jack". He attended the Indiana State School for the Deaf for 10 years and was active in the Alumni Association.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m., (Monday, Feb. 13), at the funeral home with Pastor Ron Mabry officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac

Memorial donations may be given to Indiana State School for the Deaf Alumni Association or ABATE.

Mabel A. May

December 18, 1916 to February 2, 2012

KNOX - Mabel Alice Hutchinson May, 95, of Monterey, passed away Thursday, Feb. 2, at the home of her son in Crown Point.

She was born Dec. 18,1916, in Chicago.

She is survived by one daughter, Nancy L. Griffiths of Gary; one son, Larry H. (Betty) May of Crown Point; 13 grandchildren; many great and great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Harold L. May; daughters: Bonnie L. Warner, Pamella K. May; siblings: Bruce, Clark, June, Miriam and Varner.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. (CST), Saturday, at Pruzin & Little Funeral Service, 811 E. Franciscan Dr., (south of St. Rd. 231 on St. Rd. 55), Crown Point. Another visitation will be from 10 a.m. (CST), until the time of the service Monday, at Braman and Son Memorial Chapel, Knox. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. (CST), (Monday, Feb. 6), at the funeral home. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery, Knox.

Larry R. Rans

May 23, 1935 to February 6, 2012

KEWANNA - Larry R. Rans, 76, of Kewanna, passed away at 1:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 6, at his residence, surrounded by his family.

Born May 23, 1935 in Kewanna, he was the son of the late Delbert Roy and Ethel Faye (Rouch) Rans. On Sept. 25, 1953 he married Elaine E. Larkin; she survives.

Also surviving are sons, Robert L. Rans (Donna Dugan) of Culver and Larry David Rans (Barbara) of Culver; daughters, Susan E. Crawford (Kent Bonnell) of Winamac and Diana F. Sollars (Tom Moore) of Monticello; brother, Joe Rans (Joan) of Akron and sister, Virginia Agnew of Kewanna; grandchildren, Kyle Rans (Stacy) of Royal Center, Julie Robertson( Jimmy Vicsik) of Elkhart, Joshua Sollars of Flora, Benjamin Rans (Erin) of Elkhart, Cody Rans (Kati) of Mishawaka and Carol Prophet (Shaun) of Monticello. He is also survived by 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by 7 brothers, Billy Richard Rans, Harold Rans, Hubert Rans, Raymond Rans, Delbert Rans, Jr., Paul Rans and Lowell Rans and 4 sisters, Helen Worl, Lois Bell, Ethel Stipp and Lorene Wood.

Mr. Rans was a 1953 Kewanna High School graduate where he started on the basketball team for four years. He was a retired dairy farmer. He also retired after 15 years at Walmart in Rochester. He was a former Aubbeenaubbee Twp. 4-H leader for 10 years. He was an avid I.U. fan and Bob Knight fan. He was a former member of International Harvesters Collectors Club. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Home, Kewanna Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 9), at the funeral home with Pastor Bill Collins officiating. Burial will be at Citizens IOOF Cemetery in Kewanna.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hope Hospice of Fulton County and/or Kewanna Citizens IOOF Cemetery Association.

Chase A. Bonnell

November 21, 1984 to January 28, 2012

ROYAL CENTER - Chase Andrew Bonnell, 27, of Winamac passed away Saturday, Jan. 28, at his residence.

Born on Nov. 21, 1984 in Rochester, he was the son of Brad J. Bonnell and Michele A. Spoor.

Survivors include his father, Brad J. Bonnell (Tammy) of Winamac, his mother, Michele Willing (Chris) of Winamac, brother, Evan Bonnell of Winamac, step brother, Christopher Willing of Logansport, grandparents, Richard and Pauline Smith and Jay and Shirley Bonnell, all of Winamac, and Gary and Dorothy Spoor of Cookeville, TN., and great grandmother, Jean Spoor of Culver.

He was preceded in death by great grandparents, Lester Spoor, Ralph and Florence Heims, Frank and Evelyn Miller and Sherald and Verla Bonnell and cousin, Emily Bonnell.

Mr. Bonnell was an avid sports fan.

Services will be private. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the family in care of the Harrison Metzger Rans Funeral Home in Royal Center.

Raymond E. Pfledderer

July 15, 1922 to February 6, 2012

FRANCESVILLE - Raymond E. Pfledderer, 89, of Crown Point, formerly of Francesville and Rensselaer, passed away at 7:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 6, at Franciscan St. Anthony Health, Crown Point,.

He was born July 15, 1922, in Francesville, to the late George Carl and Marie Remm Pfledderer. He married Louise J. Graham on July 20, 1947, in the Francesville First Christian Church. She passed away July 16, 1987.

Survivors include:
Pamela J. (David) Jentz, Granger, Daughter
Jane L. (Chris) Geesman, Mishawaka, Daughter
John R. (Donna) Pfledderer, Crown Point, Son
Chris R. (Mary Beth) Pfledderer, Crown Point, Son
Shannon (Stephen) Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, Granddaughter
Elisabeth Ockermann, Lafayette, Granddaughter
Mary Ann (Mike) McDufford, Greenville, SC, Step Granddaughter
Timothy (Kate Linstrom) Geesman, New York City, Grandson
Matthew (Tonya) Geesman, Chicago, Grandson
Scott Pfledderer, Chicago, Grandson
Katie Pfledderer, Carmel, Granddaughter
Peter Rice, Cedar Lake, Step Grandson
Caleb Rice, Boone, NC, Step Grandson
Amanda Pfledderer, LaPorte, Grandaughter
Rachel Pfledderer, Indianapolis, Granddaughter
Aaron Forbes, Merrillville, Step Grandson
Mikey Forbes, El Dorado Hills, CA, Step Grandson
Lily Ann Forbes, El Dorado Hills, CA, Step Granddaughter
Jennifer Thompson, Crown Point, Great Niece
John Thompson, Crown Point, Great Nephew
Lauren Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, Great Granddaughter
Brooks Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, Great Grandson
Sarah Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, Great Granddaughter
Regan Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, Great Granddaughter
Alex Rice, North Judson, Step Great Granddaughter
Marie Spaeth, DeMotte, Sister
Anna Henzler, St. Louis, Sister
Donna Faris, MN, Sister
Jeanette Zaring, Monticello, Sister

Brothers: Robert, Leslie, Albert, William, John, Paul, Roy, and Adam Pfledderer.

Mr. Pfledderer graduated from Francesville High School with the Class of 1940. He served in the U. S. Army in the 11th Airborne Division, Asian-Pacific Theater, World War II. He was member of the VFW, Rensselaer, and the American Legion Post 20, Crown Point. He was a member of the Francesville First Christian Church. 

He was the former owner of his own trucking business. He was also a retired farmer and millwright from US Steel. A former resident of Francesville and Rensselaer, he moved to Crown Point in 1967. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, classic country music, dancing, cooking on the grill for his family and friends, and planting and tending to a large garden.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday,  at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday (Feb. 10), at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The Francesville American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children, or the charity of the donor's choice.