Obituaries

E. Rachel Thompson-Gast

May 30, 1924 to October 10, 2010

 

WINAMAC - E. Rachel Cole Thompson Gast, 86, of 1038 E. 315 South Winamac, died at 11:25 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 10, at Pulaski Healthcare Center in Winamac.

She was born May 30, 1924, in Hallsville, Texas to the late Aden and Ethel Muntz Cole. She married Richard W. Thompson on May 30, 1946 in Marshall, Texas. He died on July 19, 1994. She married K. Stuart Gast on Sept. 10, 1995. He survives.

Also surviving are:
Mary E. (Robert)Cole, Greenwood, Daughter & son-in-law
Linda G. (John) Gingerich, Akron, OH, Daughter & son-in-law
Kathleen A. Thompson, Star City, Daughter
James W. Thompson, Star City, Son
9 Grandchildren
1 Great Grandchild
Jon (Barbara) Gast, Kewanna, Step son
Roselyn Gast (Doug) Paul, Canterbury, CT, Step daughter
4 step grandchildren
3 step great grandchildren
Mary Thompson Powers, Sister-in-law
Iris Puckett Cole, Sister-in-law
Bill Thompson, Brother-in-law

She was preceded in death by:
Richard Alan Thompson, Son
Lois Walker, Sister
Aden Cole Jr., Brother
Woodard Cole, Brother
Jake Cole, Brother

Mrs. Thompson Gast taught piano from her home near Star City for decades. She was a member of the Star City United Methodist Church, and was resposible for the church music programs for many years. She also served as the church pianist and organist for many years. She was an accomplished seamstress and kept her family fed for many winters on the bounty of her garden. She was involved as a member or volunteer for many community organizations, including the Pulaski County Community Foundation, the American Legion Auxillary, Extension Homemakers and the Toastmistress Club. She was also a volunteer literacy tutor. Shel was honored as a Woman of Pulaski County in 2008.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at Frain Mortuary, Winamac; and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Thursday. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday (Oct. 14), at the Star City United Methodist Church, Star City, with Pastor Ron Mabry officiating. Burial will be in Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be given to the charity of the donor's choice.

Rita M. Sallee

May 3, 1932 to October 5, 2010


NORTH JUDSON - Rita M. Sallee, 78, Winamac (formerly of North Judson), died Oct. 5, at Hickory Creek.

She is survived by daughters: Margaret Miller, Chicago, Araminta (Steve) Fites, Winamac, Eliza (Glenn) Brodbelt, Plymouth, and Mary Ann Sallee, Winamac; a son, Robbie Sallee, Merrillville; a sister, Antoinette (Don) Teutemacher of South Haven; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. (CT), Thursday, at O'Donnell Funeral Home, Inc., North Judson. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday (Oct. 8), at the funeral home. Burial will be inHighland Cemetery.

Chester Merle Baker

August 30, 1930 to October 4, 2010

 

WINAMAC -  Chester M. Baker, 80, 322 South St., Winamac, died at 8:41 a.m., Monday, Oct. 4, at RiverCrest Specialty Hospital, Mishawaka.

He was born Aug. 30, 1930 in Headlee to the late George R. and Theresa B. Rex Baker. He married Viola Dunker on Sept. 29, 1974 in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are: a sister, Iona Haskins, Monticello; a twin brother, Lester Baker, Monon; and three brothers, Alvin (Virginia) Baker, Logansport, Ora (Rebecca) Baker, Medaryville and Charles Leroy (Martha) Baker, Walton.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Fern Jordan; and two brothers, Harold and Grover.

Mr. Baker was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Korea. He retired from Winamac Steel where he was employed for 24 years.

Friends may call after 1 p.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Saturday, Oct. 16), at the funeral home with Cliff Smedstad officiating.

John E. Graves

May 9, 1926 to October 2, 2010

 

WINAMAC - John E. Graves, 84, of 3961 N 300 W, Winamac, passed away at 10:27 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2,  in LaPorte Hospital, LaPorte.

He was born May 9, 1926, in Winamac, to the late Colbert and Helen Rausch Graves. He married Elizabeth J. "Betty" Kuhn on Sept. 21, 1948, in St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Sandra L. Graves, Portland, OR, Daughter
Gary L. (Karen) Graves, Winamac, Son
Roberta T. Graves, Winamac, Daughter
Beverly J. (Thomas) Bachota, Winamac, Daughter
Cobert A. Graves, Winamac, Son
Tricia D. (Damian) Flaherty, Portland, OR, Granddaughter
Shannon L. Farmer, Kalispell, MT, Grandson
Brenda E. (Richie) Graves-Croom, Indianapolis, Granddaughter
Troy W. (Synde) Hamman, Del Rio, TX, Grandson
Sharon L. (Eric) Graves, Knoxville, TN, Granddaughter & Companion
John T. Graves, Lafayette, Grandson
Brittni E. Hamman, Chicago, Granddaughter
8 Great Grandchildren
Margaret (John) Clements, Fenton, MO, Sister
Eugene Graves, Winamac, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Mary Ziebell, Sister

Mr. Graves was a retired farmer, and a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac. He was an avid pilot with a commericial pilot's license and flew his Tri Pacer for most of his life. He was a member of the Flying Farmers of America and the Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 7:30 p.m.  The funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday (Oct. 6), at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac, with Rev. Martin Sandhage officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to St. Peter's Catholic Church. 

John L. Long

July 7, 1940 to September 30, 2010

 

MEDARYVILLE - John L. Long, 70, of 530 E. Ada St., Francesville, passed away at 5:15 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 30, at Whispering Pines Rehabilitation Center, Monticello.

He was born July 7, 1940, in Lafayette, to the late Perry Junior and Helen Juanita Jackson Long.

Survivors include:
Bonnie Hughes, Francesville, Sister
Dennis Long, Fort Wayne, Brother
Two Nieces

Mr. Long lived at Lake Shafer for many years. He was a member of the Buffalo Christian Church.

Friends may call from 12 noon until 1 p.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. A private family funeral service will follow (Saturday, Oct. 2), at the funeral home. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Ruth M. Stiller

December 27, 1923 to September 29, 2010

 

FRANCESVILLE - Ruth M. Stiller, 86, of 410 Tioga Rd, Monticello, passed away at 1:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 29, at Whispering Pines, Monticello.

She was born Dec. 27, 1923, in Peru, to the late Edwin and Lucille Maxwell Jones. She married Waldo V. "Mike" Stiller on Nov. 18, 1942 in Rensselaer. He died Dec. 10, 2004.

Survivors include:
Michael "Mick" (Celeste) Stiller, Indianapolis, Son & daughter-in-law
Cheryl (Roger) Kinney, Advance, NC, Daughter & son-in-law
Brian Stiller, Grandchild
Kim Stiller, Grandchild
Matt Stiller, Grandchild
Greg Stiller, Grandchild
Addison Stiller, Great granddaughter
Jean Rusk, Monon, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Betty Pelley, Sister

Mrs. Stiller owned and operated her own beauty shop in Monon, for 25 years. Following retirement she worked at the Monticello Public Library.

Friends may call from 12 noon to 3 0.m., Saturday, at the Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., (Saturday, Oct. 2), at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to the Diabetes Association or Heart Association.

Robert W. Brockus

June 3, 1937 to September 26, 2010

 

WINAMAC - Robert "Bob" Wayne Brockus, 73, 26455 S. Hogan Drive, Sun Lakes, AZ (formerly of Culver) died  Sept. 26, at St. Joseph Medical Center, Phoenix.

He was born June 3, 1937, in Argos, to the late Buros and Margaret Maier Brockus. He married Sharon Mowiser on Dec. 29, 1957 at the Walnut Church of the Brethren in Argos. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Debra K. (Mark) Gordon, Winamac, Daughter
Steven W. (Barbara) Brockus, Phoenix, AZ, Son
Whitney Brockus, Granddaughter
Derek Brockus, Grandson
Drew Brockus, Grandson
Konner Brockus, Grandson
Chantal (Kyle) Rensberger, Granddaughter
Vanessa Gordon, Granddaughter
Bria Rensberger, Great-Granddaughter
Mary Batcho, Plymouth, Sister
Bernice (Richard) Erow, Milford, Sister
Evelyn (Warren Maxwell) Bowman, Sturgis, MI, Sister

Preceded in death by:
2 Brothers
4 Sisters

Mr. Brockus and his wife lived in Indiana for many years before moving to Arizona in 1983. He had been an active supporter of the Argos Little League and was a former member of the Lion's Club. He was a member of the St. Steven's Catholic Church in Sun Lakes, AZ.

Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., (Friday, Oct. 15), at the funeral home with Rev. Martin Sandhage officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Argos.

Memorial donations may be given to the charity of the donor's choice.