Obituaries
Guadalupe Tijerina
August 13, 1951 to September 21, 2023
ROYAL CENTER - Guadalupe “Lupe” Tijerina, 72, of Winamac passed away Thursday, Sept. 21, at I.U. Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
Born on Aug. 13, 1951 in San Benito, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Jose and Vicenta (Sanchez) Mendiola. She moved to Indiana in 1966 with her family and worked as a migrant worker harvesting various crops and traveling to different states. Her work introduced her to her future husband Ramon Tijerina. Together they continued working as migrant workers. Their work introduced them to many people and opportunities. They decided to call Winamac their home in 1978.
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| Lupe Tijerina |
Survivors include her husband Ray Tijerina of Winamac; her children;, Linda (Josh) Overmyer of Winamac and Johnny (Julie) Tijerina of Winamac; sister Margarita (Mark Miller) Mendiola of Winamac; brothers Jose Mendiola of Santa Rosa, Texas, Angel (Chris) Mendiola of Winamac and Tony Mendiola of Carthage, Mo.; and grandchildren, Eli Overmyer, Kinley Overmyer, Tate Tijerina and Rylie Tijerina.
She was preceded in death by brothers Miguel and Jesse Mendiola.
Mrs. Tijerina worked at Pulaski Memorial Hospital for several years as a nurse’s aide. Her kindness and caring heart provided her patients with exceptional care. Hard worker was just one word to describe her. She proved that when she went to work for Wirtz & Yates Construction doing road construction and building bridges. As her children grew older she made the decision to look for employment closer to home. She worked as a custodian at Eastern Pulaski School Corporation for 26 years, retiring in 2015.
Grandchildren kept her busy. She enjoyed taking them to the splash pad, parades, shopping trips to Bailey’s, cheering for them at their sporting events, taking them to church and golf cart rides on the trail. She enjoyed watching Notre Dame football. She was a member of the Winamac Nazarene Church. She was the most genuine person known and loved by many. Her kindness, generosity and beautiful smile was shown to all, including strangers.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Winamac Nazarene Church. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 28, at the church. Burial will be at Franklin Township Cemetery/ Mt. Zion.
Mrs. Tijerina’s online guestbook is available, and condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center.
Charlotte D. Lewark
June 8, 1956 to September 19, 2023
MEDARYVILLE - Charlotte D. Lewark, 67, of Medaryville, passed away at 8:55 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette.
She was born June 8, 1956 to the late Merrill and Joan [Meadway] Smith. She graduated from West Central High School. On July 27, 1974, she married Kenneth Joe Lewark at Bethel Bible Church in Winamac. He passed away March 14, 2014.
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| Charlotte Lewark |
She is survived by:
Aaron Lewark, Medaryville, Son
Andrew Lewark, Medaryville, Son
Holly (Jeremy) Neeley, Medaryville, Daughter
Samantha (Taylor) Day, Star City, Granddaughter
Madison Black, Pampa, TX, Granddaughter
Parker Lewark, Medaryville, Grandson
Colten Lewark, Medaryville, Grandson
Zoey Lewark, Francesville, Granddaughter
Isaac Woolsey, Star City, Grandson
Darrell (Joy) Smith, North Judson, Brother
Crystal Smith, Myrtle Beach, SC, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by:
Raymond Smith, Brother
Kenneth Smith, Brother
Mrs. Lewark attended the Medaryville Assembly of God Church. She was a volunteer at Happy Tails in Buffalo (IN), and cherished spending time at the West Side Senior Center in Medaryville. She enjoyed shopping and collecting. She was always willing to help others and serve the Lord. Most of all, she loved her family, especially her grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 25, at the funeral home with Pastor Tom Dewlen officiating. Burial will be at White Post Cemetery in Medaryville.
Memorial donations may be made to Happy Tails, West Side Senior Center, or Medaryville Assembly of God Church.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
James E. Rausch
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| James Rausch |
September 3, 1947 to September 19, 2023
ROYAL CENTER - James E. Rausch, 76, of Star City passed away at 9:45 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the Life Care Center in Rochester.
Per his wishes there will be no services.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center.
Patricia L. Bailey
March 31, 1968 to September 9, 2023
FRANCESVILLE - Patricia L. “Patty” Bailey, 55, of Medaryville, passed away at 9:10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 9, at her home.
She was born March 31, 1968 to Willie and Versie [Stone] Catt. She grew up in Stockbridge, MI and moved to Indiana 33 years ago. On Feb. 22, 1986, she married Jessie Bailey. He survives.
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| Patty Bailey |
She is also survived by:
Shellie (Jason) Patton, Medaryville, Daughter
Kellie (Joey) Shepherd, Crown Point, Daughter
Clinton Shepherd, Grandson
Kameryn Sigman, Grandson
Brianna Shepherd, Granddaughter
Layla Patton, Granddaughter
Noah Patton, Grandson
Willie Catt, Jr., Mason, MI Father
Brenda (Rodney) DeRossett, Medaryville, Sister
Melissa Berlin, Leslie, MI, Sister
Sandra Catt, Mason, MI, Sister
Courtney (Brad) Starnes, Jackson, MI, Sister
Brian Catt, Leslie, MI, Brother
Chelsey Barden, Lansing, MI, Sister
Cadey Barden, Lansing, MI, Sister
Nathan Barden, Leslie, MI, Brother
Presten Barden, Leslie, MI, Brother
Harley Bliss, Mason, MI, Sister
Linney Catt, Medaryville, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by:
Versie [Stone] Catt, Mother
Paul Catt, Brother
Benjamin Berlin, Brother-in-law
Mrs. Bailey was a proud 30-year employee of Rose Acres. She was a member of the Francesville First Christian Church. She enjoyed camping, family barbeques and traveling. She loved her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.
Memorial donations may be made to Francesville First Christian Church.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Nicholas Kasten
August 18, 1987 to September 6, 2023
ROYAL CENTER - Nicholas “Nic” Kasten, 36, of Winamac passed away peacefully at 4:21 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 6, at the Northwest Healthcare Center in LaPorte, surrounded by his family and loved ones.
He was born Aug. 18, 1987 in Logansport. He graduated from Winamac Community School in 2006.
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| Nic Kasten |
He is survived by his two sons Avi Kruz Kasten and Kash Lee Kasten, his parents Tim (Sherri) Kasten of Rochester and Kim (Bob) Adamski of Winamac, his sister Natalie (Carl) Reynolds of Bluffton, his brother Eric (Kara) Kasten of Winamac, his grandparents Ronald and Judy Loehmer of Winamac, his niece Phoebe Reynolds, his nephew Memphis Kasten, and many cousins, aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by grandparents Mary Lou and Bob Swartzell.
Mr. Kasten He was blessed with his first son, Avi in December 2017 and his second son Kash in January 2019. He was an avid music listener. He often loved sitting in the pool with his mom, playing music trivia. He amazed people with his vast knowledge of all kinds of genres of music. He loved playing cards with his friends and family, even though he was often “spanked” by his talented sister. He was often found tinkering in his garage on different cars. He acquired a lot of his knowledge from participating in several years of high school Super Mileage, his bonus dad, and working at Braun’s dealership while in high school. He used his skills to help his little brother in different racing endeavors. He also had a love for hunting and fishing; a hobby he learned from his dad. Nic loved to make others laugh, whether it would be with jokes he had heard or videos he had found. His late night phone calls will be sorely missed by his sister as he would always find a way to make her laugh until she cried. Above all else, he loved his sons more than anything on this earth.
A celebration of life gathering will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 11, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, 304 S. Chicago St., Royal Center.
Memorial donations can be made to the family that will be trusted for Nic’s two sons, Avi and Kash.
Mr. Kasten’s online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.
Roger E. Ward
December 12, 1948 to September 3, 2023
FRANCESVILLE - Roger E. Ward, 74, of Francesville, passed away Sunday, Sept. 3, at his residence in Francesville after a hard-fought, three-year battle with cancer.
He was born Dec. 12, 1948 in Francesville to the late Russell Emmett “R.E.” and Lena [Honegger] Ward. He graduated from Francesville High School in 1966. On Nov. 16, 1968 he married Sandra J. Long in Francesville, and they were blessed to share 54 years together. She survives.
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| Roger Ward |
He is also survived by:
Erica (Evan) Christensen, North Judson, Daughter
Amber (Philip) Leman, Francesville, Daughter
Amanda (Rustin) Meister, Lafayette, Daughter
Erin (Bryce) Drayer, Centerville, TN, Daughter
21 Grandchildren: Aidan and Macie Christensen; Ethan, Camille, Brie, Tate, and Josie Leman; Micah, Clay, Joshua, Moriah, and Colt Meister; Sydney, Brant, Nolan, Elliot, Theodore, Rhett, Knox, Celine, and Ransom Drayer
Nola Wuethrich, Francesville, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by:
2 Infant Grandchildren
Barbara (David) Wuethrich, Sister
Dale (Anne) Ward, Brother
Mary Ann (Joe) Sanders, Sister
David (Karen) Ward, Brother
Richard Wuethrich, Brother-in-law
Mr. Ward served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968-1972, with an eight-month tour of duty in Vietnam as a loadmaster on cargo airplanes. He earned the rank of staff sergeant before completing his military service. He was a member of the Francesville American Legion Post #228 where he participated in the honor guard. He gave his life to the Lord in 1979. He was a faithful member of the Francesville Apostolic Christian Church and served in many roles over the years. His strong faith guided him to invest in the lives of others - including the less fortunate. He was an entrepreneur and local business owner. His life work included owning and operating a construction company, a stone quarry, and a hog operation. He also grain farmed for many years. He enjoyed playing golf as well as spending time with his friends. He cherished wintering with Sandi in Florida and being surrounded by his family. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather who strongly desired to see his family walk the streets of gold with him someday.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 8, at the Apostolic Fellowship Center in Francesville, and one hour prior to services at the church Saturday. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville with ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.
Memorial donations may be made to LifeWise Academy West Central.
Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville.
Norma L. Pfledderer
December 8, 1928 to August 27, 2023
FRANCESVILLE - Norma L. Pfledderer, 94, of Francesville, passed away Sunday, Aug. 27, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.
She was born Dec. 8, 1928 in Francesville to the late William and Katherine [Gudeman] Kahler. She graduated from Francesville High School in 1947. On June 26, 1948, she married Robert H. Pfledderer in Francesville. He passed away June 3, 2006.
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| Norma Pfledderer |
She is survived by:
Lona S. (Kent) Hudson, Trivoli, IL, Daughter
Linda K. (Stephen) Gutwein, Francesville, Daughter
Lorene L. (Brian) Furrer, West Lafayette, Daughter
Larry R. (Darlene) Pfledderer, Francesville, Son
Lisa M. (Keith) Knobloch, Wyoming, IL, Daughter
Nellie (Dwain) Anderson, Stanon, KY, Dear Friend of the Family
21 Grandchildren
48 Great-Grandchildren
Preceded in death by:
Dr. Stephen K. Elsasser, Son-in-law
Mrs. Pfledderer gave her life to the Lord in 1962 and was a faithful member of the Francesville Apostolic Christian Church. She enjoyed gardening and baking, especially creating wedding/birthday/graduation cakes for many years. She was a devoted homemaker who loved being a wife and mother. Growing up as an only child, she desired to have a large family. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of many generations.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Francesville Apostolic Christian Church. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Thursday), at the church with ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.
Memorial donations may be made to Parkview Haven Retirement Home. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the kind care the staff provided Norma.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville.
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