Obituaries

William J. Kolish

August 9, 1957 to January 15, 2023

WINAMAC - William J. “Billy” Kolish, 65, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly at 11:38 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 15, at IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

He was born Aug. 9, 1957, in Knox, to Billy Joe and Fafalene “Fluff” [Howard] Kolish. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1977. A rivalry football game in October 1977 between Winamac and North Judson brought him together with the love of his life, Linda Lambert, and they were married March 18, 1978 at the Methodist Church in Winamac. She survives.

Billy Kolish

He is also survived by:
Chad (Monica) Kolish, Winamac, son
Beth Kolish, Winamac, daughter
Fluff Jenkins, Winamac, mother
Susan (Jeff) Foust, Rochester, sister
Mark (Diane) Kolish, Winamac, brother
Melissa (Josh) Behny, Fishers, step-sister
Nancy Barsic, aunt
Joan Kolish, aunt
John (Judy) Kolisch, uncle
Iva Jean Minix, aunt
Sharon (Jim) Baker, aunt
Donna Howard, aunt
Roger (Phyllis) Howard, uncle
Many nieces, nephews and cousins
Lori Clark Kolish, Winamac, step-mother

Proceeded in death by:
John “Shorty” and Ann [Kronland] Kolish, paternal grandparents
Homer and Edna [Allen] Howard, maternal grandparents
Billy Joe Kolish, father
Kevin Kolish, brother
Robert Kolish, uncle
Fred Howard, uncle
Cliffton Howard, uncle
Joyce Sallee, aunt
Carolyn Minix, aunt
Lorraine [Howard] Kolish, step-mother

Bill was called a character by many. Some loved him, some despised him and sometimes for the same reason, but to know him was to be entertained. Billy was a lifelong member of the Winamac FOE #2580 and Indiana Pulling League. He loved racing and pulling. He started his pulling career in mud bogging in Plymouth with his brothers and progressed to 2wd and 4wd trucks where he pulled with his father and his son and occasionally his reluctant daughter. He progressed to tractors where he was the points champion in Altered Farm, Hot Farm and Super Stock. He was never ashamed to jump a class and grab the last place check. Sometimes he was “the pull” because of all his trucks and tractors. One dark and cool night in Rensselaer, he came out of the smoke to become the only Altered Farm to win the Hot Farm class. The things that tickled Bill didn’t always tickle other people. He was proud of the fact that he had been to every NASCAR track in the U.S., Canada and Mexico while working the NASCAR circuit with Todd Braun’s racing team. He even became infamous for a fight in the pits with a rival team. You didn’t mess with his friends or people he loved. Bill’s fondest memory from racing was spinning Tony Stewart out on a Go-Kart track. He got such a kick out of that story and it always managed to bring out his mischievous grin and his ornery chuckle.

Bill was a collector of fine things and a purveyor of treasures. Others might not see it that way, but he didn’t care. He was quick to anger and quick to drop everything and help. He would give the clothes off his back to someone in need. He helped many strangers and many friends and worried over the less fortunate. Most of Bill’s recent animals came from stray pigs, deer or goats he found in the field. He loved those goats. No one would’ve guessed that “he-of- little-patience” would come to love something that would run at you full force and head butt you for fun. He had a tough exterior and a heart of gold. The sad part of it is he still had so many projects he never got to finish and so many ideas only half-formed. He will be missed by many far and wide.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, at the funeral home with Chaplain Teri White officiating. Private burial will take place at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Winamac FOE #2580.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Delores J. Agee

December 22, 1946 to January 15, 2023

WINAMAC - Delores J. Agee, 76, of Buffalo, passed away Sunday, Jan. 15, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born Dec. 22, 1946, in Art Ford, WV to the late Jesse and Betty [Taylor] Cottrell. She married Richard J. Agee on May 31, 1963 in Winamac. He passed away Feb. 25, 2018.

She is survived by:
Tammy (Buck) Mathias, Buffalo, Daughter
Richard J. (Darlene) Agee Jr., Buffalo, Son
Kyle (Ashlyn) Stephens, Grandson
Nathan (Lexi) Stephens, Grandson
Richard J. Agee III, Grandson
Heather Agee, Granddaughter
Austin Agee, Grandson
Dalton Agee, Grandson
8 Great-Grandchildren
Ann (Dennis) Pitcher, Winamac, Sister
Larry (Faye) Cottrell, Burnettsville, Brother
Jessica “Tinker” (Jim) Cottrell, Headlee, Sister
Margaret “Peanut” Cripps, Pulaski, Sister
Melva Murphy, Buffalo, Sister
Barry (Deb) Cottrell, Marion, Brother
Jesse (Brenda) Cottrell, Marion, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Brenda Cottrell, Sister

Mrs. Agee worked as a waitress at Dotson’s Restaurant in Buffalo for many years. She enjoyed watching Old Westerns and listening to country music.

A memorial service will be at 12 noon, Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Buffalo Fire Station in Buffalo, followed by a celebration of life until 5 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist with final expenses.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

William Conran

December 19, 1944 to January 4, 2023

KEWANNA - William “Bill” Conran, 78, of Kewanna, formerly of Monterey, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Jan. 4, at home.

William Conran

Born on Dec. 19, 1944 in Muskegon, Mich., he was the son of the late William H. Conran Sr. and Mary (Cook) Conran Masunas. He attended Kewanna High School. In 1992 he married Suzanne Walther who preceded him in death.

Survivors include his sisters, Bev (Kenny) Whiteman of Kewanna, Janice Sterrett of Logansport, Darlene Masunas of Kewanna, Barbara Conran Moseley of Virginia and Judy Conran Prease of Virginia. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Harry Conran and infant Dean Masunas and sisters, Kathleen Masunas and Bernice Damaron.

Mr. Conran worked many years in the plumbing and heating business, and also formerly had a tree trimming business. He was an avid Chicago Bears football fan and enjoyed gardening, spending time on the Tippecanoe River and spending time with family and friends.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Leiters Ford I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to the Fulton County Animal Center.

Mr. Conran’s online guestbook is available and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Becky Felix

July 17, 1953 to January 4, 2023

WINAMAC - Becky Felix, 69, of Winamac, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 4, at her home following a brief illness.

She was born July 17, 1953 in Valparaiso, to the late James and Dorothy [Becker] Beach. She graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1971. On Feb. 1, 1985, she married Melvin “Buck” Felix in Valparaiso. He survives.

Becky Felix

She is also survived by:
Wendy (Joe) Fox, New Smyrna Beach, FL, Step-Daughter
Tracy (Brian) Sanders, Indianapolis, Step-Daughter
Melanie (Ray) Stoll, Winamac, Step-Daughter
Grandchildren: Cooper Fox, Olivia Sanders, Luke Sanders, Bo Sanders, Reese Sanders, Sidney Sanders, Danielle (John) Conway, and Morgan Stoll.
Elijah Conway, Great-Grandson
Mike (Lynn) Beach, Brother
Dennis (Lois) Beach, Brother
Lori (Phil) Mariani, Sister
Brian (Lisa) Beach, Brother
Terry (Mark) Fussey, Sister
Connie (Sean) Pence, Sister
Kathy (Jeff) Hermanson, Sister-in-law
Ron Kuszmaul, Brother-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Art and Thelma [Trapp] Felix, In-laws
Joan Kuszmaul, Sister-in-law

Mrs. Felix and her husband enjoyed wintering in Daytona Beach, FL for many years. When they were home in Winamac, they played Gin Rummy every morning. She was a former member of Tippecanoe Chapter #96 OES. She enjoyed flower gardening, homemaking, and interior decorating. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also cherished time spent with her siblings as well as her nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 8, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 9, at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Beach officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Gentiva Hospice or Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

Online condolences may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Dorothy L. Lehman

April 18, 1925 to January 1, 2023

WINAMAC - Dorothy Louise Lehman, 97, of Pulaski, passed away Sunday, Jan. 1, at Woodbridge Health Campus in Logansport.

She was born April 18, 1925 on the family farm in Union Township, near Kingsbury, IN, to the late Arthur Jay and Minnie Louise [Wickham] Boardman. She attended Union Township School until her family relocated to a farm in Pulaski. She graduated from Pulaski High School and attended a business college in South Bend, for a short time. She married Ernest David “Dave” Lehman on Aug. 16, 1947 in Nappanee. He passed away Sept. 4, 2013.

Dorothy Lehman

She is survived by:
Ernest David “Dave” Lehman, Speedway, Son
Mary Olive (Larry Utterback) Swayze, Pulaski, Sister
Gregory (Victoria) Clark, Indianapolis, Nephew
Sandra Kay (Gene) Bell, Morocco, Niece
Betty Louise (Paul) Nicolas, Indianapolis, Niece
Rhonda Clark, Indianapolis, Niece-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Glenn Boardman, Brother
Vera Marie Clark, Sister
Karol Lee Clark, Niece
Ronald L. Clark, Nephew

Mrs. Lehman was always a hard worker, whether it was on the farm as a kid or later as a telephone operator. She was kind and generous, even from a young age. She was a talented artist and enjoyed crocheting and knitting as well. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 6, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, with Rev. Nelda Seger officiating. Private burial will be at Pro Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Pro Cemetery.

Online condolences may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Phyllis M. Snyder

March 16, 1919 to December 30, 2022

WINAMAC - Phyllis M. Snyder, 103, of Galveston (formerly of Winamac), passed away Friday, Dec. 30, at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born March 16, 1919 in Chicago to the late Dr. Alexander L. and Irene S. [Hilton] Darche. She attended John Marshall High School in Chicago and graduated from Austin High School in Chicago in 1937. She then attended nursing school at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, IL. She married Leonard F. “Lee” Snyder on May 6, 1939 at St. Nicholas Church in Evanston. He passed away Oct. 30, 1996.

Phyllis Snyder

She is survived by:
Susan (George) Roller, Daughter
Toni (Tom) Keller, Daughter
Kathie Minor, Daughter
Tom Snyder, Son
Dan Kaitschuck, Son-in-law
Lori Syvante, Daughter-in-law
18 Grandchildren
Many Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great-Grandchildren
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Judy Kaitschuck, Daughter
Lynn Syvante, Son
Mick Minor, Son-in-law
Joseph Darche, Brother
Mel Ambrose, Sister

Mrs. Snyder and her husband owned and operated Snyders Jewelry in Winamac for several years. She then worked as the director of the PARC Center (now known as PEAK) in Winamac for over 25 years. She loved her dogs (Zoie, Holly, and Arthur). She will be dearly missed by her family.

Private family burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center.

Online condolences may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.