Obituaries

Ernest J. Gunter

September 15, 1921 to September 1, 2010

ROYAL CENTER - Ernest J. Gunter, 88, of Logansport (formerly of Thornhope) passed away at 12:15 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 1,   at St. Vincent Hospice in Indianapolis.

He was born on Sept. 15, 1921 in Grass Creek, the son of the late Ernest and Mary (Benson) Gunter. On Oct. 27, 1940 he married Florence Black, who survives.

Also surviving are sons, John R. Gunter, Larry W. Gunter and Floyd W. Gunter; daughter, Betty Anderson, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. He was also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Shirley Jean Reidebach, 3 brothers and 1 sister.

Mr. Gunter was a truck driver for Kain Motors in Logansport for over 30 years. He attended Bible Holiness Church in Logansport.

Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m., Saturday, at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., (Saturday, Sept. 4), at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Ropp officiating. Burial will be at Thompson Cemetery, Royal Center.

Harold K. Peterson

April 2, 1919 to August 30, 2010

SOUTH BEND - Harold Kenneth “Pete” Peterson 91, died Monday morning Aug. 30 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

He was born April 2, 1919 in Monterey, to the late George and Clara Ollie (Braden) Peterson. On July 19, 1947 in South Bend he married Wanda M. Dennis who died March 14, 2007.

Survivors include daughters Joyce Roberts (Morris) of Plymouth, MaryKay Ciesielski (Gary) of Lafayette, BetteLynn Dutton of Glasgow, KY, and son Patrick E. Peterson (Carol) of New Carlisle. Six grandchildren Michael and Christopher Peterson, Terry Roberts, Katheryn Ciesielski, Daniel and Deane Dutton. Five great- grandchildren Jacob Schumaker, Alexander and Jessica Peterson, April Palya and Anthony Roberts. Three great-great-great grandchildren Abby Atkins and Brandon and Lucas Palya. A brother Amos Peterson of Monterey and a sister-in-law Alice Peterson of Winamac.

Also preceding him was a daughter Lily Peterson and brother Donald Peterson. 

Mr. Peterson served in the U.S. Army medical corp during WWII and was in Normandy, Northern France, The American Theater, Belgium Congo, NATO,ETO, and Assension Island. He was discharged from service in 1945. He worked for Joe Colpaert and Huge Weaver as a carpenter and then worked for himself until retirement. He graduated from Monterey High school where he played baseball and basketball. He was a member of Prairie Gardens Christian Fellowship and was a board member of the Michiana Christian Service Camp. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday (Sept. 2), in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home 521 N. William St., South Bend. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Friends may visit with the family Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home. 

Memorial donations may be made to Michiana Christian Service Camp or the Donors Choice.

Barbra E. Lothamer

August 27, 2010

FORT WAYNE - Barbra Ellen Lothamer, 75, died, Aug. 27, at Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Born in Star City, she was the daughter of Owen and Margaret Bonnell. She married James Lothamer, who survives.

She is also survived by sons, Maurice J. Lothamer of Angola, Benjamin J. Lothamer of Weatherford, TX, and Patrick J. Lothamer of Fort Wayne; daughters, Rhonda J. (Roger L.) Coburn of St. Joe, Teresa L. (David A.) Royer, and Nancy A. (Michael E.) Smith both of Fort Wayne; 10 grandchildren; mother Margaret DePoy and sister, Sherry Kough both of Star City; and brother, Lee DePoy of Royal Center.

She was preceded in death by her father, Owen Bonnell and step-father, Burlen DePoy.

Mrs. Lothamer was a business partner in Lothamer Distributing with her husband, Jim - a distributorship for Little Debbie Snack Cakes, as well as a bookeeper at Kovas Communications, Acme Heat Treating and H & R Block.

She served as president and district representative of the Indiana Extension Homemakers Club, and helped many in various volunteer activities. She was an active member of St. Jude Catholic Church and also volunteered with her husband  on the St. Vincent's DePaul Ministry.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 am, Tuesday (Aug. 31) at St. Jude Catholic Church, 2130 Pemberton Drive, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior; Fr. Thomas Shoemaker officiating. Visitation is Monday 2 to 5 pm and 7 to 9 pm at D. O. McComb and Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, Fort Wayne, with 4:30pm Vigil. Burial in Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Catholic School Tuition Assistance Fund.

Charles E. Lebo

December 21, 1917 to September 14, 2010

WINAMAC - Charles Edward "Ed" Lebo Jr., 92, of 416 Northgate, Rochester, passed away at 10:08 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 14,at Miller's Merry Manor, Culver.

He was born Dec. 21, 1917, in Winamac, to Charles and Della Tunis Lebo. Ed married Eva Davis on Oct. 26, 1946 in Fort Wayne. She survives.

Also surviving are:

Linda French, Rochester, Daughter
Judi Wagner, Prescott Valley, AZ, Daughter
4 grandchildren
4 Great grandchildren
2 great great granddaughters
Irene Fulmer, Goshen, IN, Sister
Elsie Scheffer, Star City, Sister
Several nieces & nephews

He was preceded in death by:
Marguerite Schultz, Sister
Flo McKinley, Sister
Sylvia Lebo, Sister
Neoma Buck, Sister
Hervie Lebo, Brother
Floyd Lebo, Brother
Delbert "Bill" Lebo, Brother

Mr. Lebo worked for the Aubbeenaubbee Schools, Culver Schools and at the Monterey Schools as a janitor. He also worked for McKinley Monuments in Winamac. He served in the U.S. Army in France and Germany during World War II.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m, Friday,  at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (Sept. 18), at the First Christian Church, Winamac, with Pastor Rick Abbott officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the Heart Fund.

James P. Clouse Jr.

August 29, 1953 to September 13, 2010

FRANCESVILLE - James P. Clouse Jr., 57, of 32 W. Center Street, Williamsport, formerly of Francesville, passed away at 1:57 p.m., Monday, Sept. 13, at his residence.

He was born Aug. 29, 1953, in Camp Lejune, NC, to James Paul and Lucille Lutes Clouse.

Survivors include:
Ryan James Clouse, Knox, Son
Brittany Nichole Clouse, Winamac, Granddaughter
Geni Marie Hilburn, Fort Myers, FL, Granddaughter
Richard D. (Micki) Clouse, Francesville, Brother
Susan M. (Ira) Joseph, Indianapolis, Sister
Linda D. (Tom) Fuson, Lafayette, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
James Paul Clouse Father
Lucille Lutes Clouse Mother

Mr. Clouse was a former resident of Francesville and was a graduate of West Central High School in 1971.
He was employed at Meridian Music in Indianapolis for many years. He won a national award from Yamaha Music for top sales in the country and received a trip to the Yamaha factory in Japan. His passion was playing the piano. He also played the keyboard and composed most of his own music. He played in many bands.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday,  at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. (Thursday, Sept. 16), at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating.

Memorial donations may be given to the American Heart Association.

Marjorie W. Fritz

August 17, 1918 to September 14, 2010

WINAMAC - Marjorie W. Fritz, 92, of 624 East 13th Street, Winamac, passed away at 12:50 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born Aug. 17, 1918, in Royal Center, to William and Emma Brenneke Wolf. She married Dale C. Fritz on Oct. 12, 1941, in Royal Center. He died on Nov. 29, 1985.

Survivors include:
Linda Kirk, San Antonio, TX, Daughter
Marilyn (Peter) Banfich, Plymouth, Daughter
Allen (Sharon) Fritz, Winamac, Son
Thomas Fritz, Chicago, Grandson
Wendy ( Kyle) Crawford, Carmel, Granddaughter
Whitney Fritz, Chicago, Granddaughter
Tyler Fritz, Winamac, Grandson
Annie Banfich, New York City, Granddaughter
Alexandra Banfich, Plymouth, Granddaughter
Wilma Newell, Royal Center, Sister
John Cook, Houghton, LA, Brother-in-law
Dorothy Nice, Winamac, Sister-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Virginia Cook, Sister

Mrs. Fritz graduated from Royal Center High School and then graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Indianapolis in 1942. She lived in Winamac for 65 years. She was an active member of the Winamac commumity. Her memberships included the Winamac Home Economic Club, Order of Eastern Star #96, First Christian Church where she participated in the church choir and Christian Women's Fellowship, Delta Sigma Tau, and the Mother's Club. She helped staff Pulaski Memorial Hospital when it opened in the early 1960s.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Sunday (Sept. 19), at the funeral home with Pastor Rick Abbott officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the Pulaski Health Care Center.