Obituaries

Edwin J. Lynch Jr.

September 25, 1954 to October 9, 2022

ROCHESTER – Edwin James “Ed” Lynch Jr., 68, of Winamac passed away at 4:45 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 9, at his home, surrounded by his family. This followed a brave and valiant battle with cancer.

He was born Sept. 25, 1954 in Albuquerque, NM to Edwin James Sr. and Cecilia Mondragon Lynch. Growing up he shared his childhood with a sister and brother. Answering the call of patriotism, he joined the U. S. Air Force, following in the footsteps of his father. One of his first assignments was at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix. He met the sister of his best friend while deployed and it was love for both of them at first sight. He married Terri L. Hamman at Luke Air Force Base on Oct. 14, 1978. She passed away Dec. 29, 2018.

Ed Lynch Jr.

Surviving are his wife Bonnie Lynch; two daughters, Shannon Cook and husband Micah of Winamac, Heather Grisel and husband Joell of Westfield; three sons, Kyle Lynch and wife Sue of Colorado Springs, CO, Eddie Lynch III of Winamac, Sean Lynch of Carmel; eight grandchildren, Brayden, Kamryn, Rylan, Maddox, Avery, Sofia, Carter, Ava Mae; brother Jon Lynch of California; several nephews; and Wrigley, the granddog.

Preceding him in death are his parents, and sister Rosemary Lynch.

Together, Ed and Terri shared four decades of life's adventures and were proud parents of five children. He retired after 20 years of service. Most of his service stints included surveillance on the AWACS or as an instructor. Over the years his commitments to his country provided him the ability to travel the world, traveling to more than 30 countries. While stationed overseas Ed and his family explored Europe together, exploring various European cultures and history. He retired on Nov. 1, 1996 as a Technical Sergeant. He was an American patriot, very proud of his service.

An entrepreneur after returning to the area in 1996, Ed and Terri owned and operated EJ’s Flooring, a locally owned flooring business in Winamac. A huge sports enthusiast, he owned a unique collection of sports memorabilia, including trading cards. His favorite team was the University of Southern California Trojans. He also liked the look, speed and power of muscle cars. He was an accomplished poker player, experiencing success on several occasions. As the patriarch of the Lynch family, Grandpa Ed was proud of his family and loved to brag about his kids and grandkids who adored him. He was always there courtside, at the ball fields, attending school concerts and academic competitions to cheer everyone on offering his support, spirit and enthusiasm. At home he looked forward to getting together for the holidays and special family celebrations.

With respect to Mr. Lynch’s wishes, his life celebration will be private. Military honors will be conducted by the Fulton County Veteran’s Honor Guard and the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-9950.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester.

Anita L. Roetker

March 11, 1931 to October 9, 2022

WINAMAC - Anita L Roetker, 91, of Lafayette, passed away peacefully at her home at 11:10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 9, surrounded by her family.

She was born in York, Neb. March 11, 1931, the daughter of the late Henry and Mary Volzke. She attended a one-room schoolhouse through the fifth grade and attended Concordia Teacher’s College for high school, University of Nebraska for three years, and received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from University of Kansas in 1953. She married Robert Roetker on June 12, 1954 at St. Patrick’s Church in Utica, Neb. He survives.

Anita Roetker

She is also survived by her children Mary Inchauste, Jody Newton, Tom Roetker, Barbara Smith, Anne Krause, Cecilia Corcoran, David Roetker, Andy Roetker, Katherine Nicolai and two daughters-in-law, three sons-in-law, 25 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren who are carrying on her legacy of contributing to society in a loving, caring, and character-filled manner.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Marvin Volzke and grandson, Brandon Smith.

The Roetkers began their 68 years of married life in Indianapolis while Robert was a student at Indiana University and Anita started her practice in occupational therapy at Crossroad Rehabilitation center in Indianapolis. She was a lifelong member of the Occupational Therapy Association, recognized by the University of Kansas for her leadership in occupational therapy, having a daughter and granddaughter also graduating in occupational therapy from the University of Kansas. The Roetkers started their family while he was in the army, stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. After military service, they moved back to Lafayette in 1958 where Robert began a practice in general dentistry for the next 51 years, retiring in 2012.

One of Anita’s proudest accomplishments was raising nine children. She was a dedicated wife and mother as well as an astute business professional and served as the corporate secretary for a number of family businesses. She was a perfect life partner, trusting in God, in marriage, in business, in family, and in profession. She was an excellent seamstress, a gourmet cook, a family leader, and a professional healthcare provider.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11a.m., Friday, Oct. 14, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Culver. Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Culver.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Lafayette Diocesan Foundation c/o Roetker Family Endowment or the charity of the donor’s choice in lieu of flowers.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Beverly A. Steele

September 24, 1942 to October 6, 2022

WINAMAC - Beverly Ann Steele, 80, of Logansport, passed away Thursday, Oct. 6, at Monticello Healthcare in Monticello.

She was born Sept. 24, 1942 in Mishawaka, to Robert Charles and Alma Lovene [Linback] Ewing. She graduated from Winamac High School in 1961. She was married to Harry Steele for 14 years.

Beverly Steele

She is survived by:
James Steele, Monticello, Son
Molly (Gary) Holcomb, Royal Center, Daughter
Sam (Paula) Steele, Logansport, Son
Grandchildren: Sandra Steele, Kyle Justice, Matt (Kate) Holcomb, Paula (Brandy) McCallum, Samantha Steele, Kristyn Steele, and Kaitlyn Steele.
7 Great-Grandchildren: Kaedyn, Natalie, Livy, Jane, Sloan, Ava, and Ezra.
Phyllis (Arden) Bathke, Medaryville, Sister
Robert (Peggy) Ewing, Inman, SC, Brother
Virginia Ewing, Dayton, IN, Sister
David (Carol) Ewing, Monticello, Brother
Daniel Ewing, Lafayette, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews
Harry Steele, Winamac, Former Husband

Preceded in death by:
Robert and Alma Ewing, Parents

Mrs. Steele worked at Eaton’s in Winamac, Switches in Logansport, US Post office in Lafayette, and Walmart in West Lafayette. She also worked as a home aide in Florida for a few years. She enjoyed talking to people, trying new recipes, watching old westerns, and always wanted to travel out west. Most of all, she loved her family very much.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon, Wednesday (Oct. 12), at the funeral home with Butch Wildermuth officiating. Burial will be at Koster Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Cass County Little League.

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

James Owen Winters

December 17, 1938 to September 6, 2022

WINAMAC – Word has been received of the death of James Owen “Jim” Winters, 83, of Ontario, Calif. Who passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

 He was born Dec. 17, 1938 in Knox, to the late Owen and Geraldine [Hatfield] Winters. He was raised on a farm north of Monterey. He was salutatorian of the 1956 class of Monterey High School. He married Lubertha “Bertha” Hunt on Oct. 19, 1996 in Pomona, Calif. She survives.

Jim Winters

He is also survived by:
James O. (Tina) Winters Jr., Surprise, AZ, Son
1 Granddaughter: Jacqueline
Shirley (Mont) Hoover, Winamac, Sister
Dick (Sue) Winters, Royal Center, Brother
Jerry Winters, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Nancy Winters, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Debra Winters, Daughter
Jack Winters, Brother
Wayne Winters, Brother
Kathryn Wikert, Sister

Mr. Winters was a glassworker for Libby Glass, Inc. in City of Industry, Calif. for 28 years. He became the union president and steward of American Flint Glassworkers Union during the last five years of his career. He was past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Ontario. He loved spending time with family and the many friends he had made at the Eagles. Jim and Bertha loved sailing on the Pacific Ocean. He was also a licensed private pilot, enjoyed woodworking, and was an avid reader. He helped raise several of Bertha’s nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held in Ontario, Calif. at a later date. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, at Riverside Memorial Cemetery in Monterey. Burial will be at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Fraternal Order Eagles.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

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

Betty L. Gould

October 24, 1936 to October 4, 2022

ROYAL CENTER - Betty Lou Gould, 85, of Star City passed away peacefully at 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Pulaski Healthcare Center in Winamac, surrounded by family.

Betty Gould

Born Oct. 24, 1936 in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of the late William and Pearl (Tryon) Kreutzberger. She married James Gould, formerly of Spencer, Iowa. He passed away January 2007. She later married Jim Hauser of Winamac who also preceded her in death.

Survivors include her children, Mary Mays of Winamac, Cheryl (Ricky) Schultz of Star City, James (Karla) Gould of Star City and John (Kim) Gould of Star City; grandchildren, Jason (Kianna) Brown, Jessica Brown, Ashley (John) Dively, Brooke (Dave) Browning, Chelsea (Clint) Maxwell, Matthew (Brittany) Gould, Kelsie (Brett) Zellers, Kassie (Russ) Gould, Amber (Bradley) Gould, Holly Gould, and Austin Gould; step-grandchildren, Aaron (Sam) Heims and Zach (Brianna) Schmicker; and 21 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by brother, Billy Kruetzberger, sister, Mary Amick, grandson, Jerad Mays and step-grandson, Cody Heims.

Mrs. Gould, together with husband James Gould, owned and operated Moyer Grain Company in Star City for over 25 years. She enjoyed wintering in Florida, taking care of her dogs and spending time with family.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 9, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 10, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and/or the Pulaski County Animal Shelter.

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

Sara Despot

August 3, 1980 to October 1, 2022

ROYAL CENTER - Sara Allison Despot, 42, of Winamac passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at 1:15 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1, at home.

Sara Despot

Born on Aug. 3, 1980 in Beech Grove, she was the daughter of Thomas A. Despot and Cynthia E. Shipley. She was a 1999 Winamac Community High School graduate where she also was a proud marching band member.

Survivors include her parents, Thomas (Rebecca) Despot of Monterey and Cynthia (Kevin) Mongan of Greenwood; brother, Jake (Amber) Despot of Star City; sister, Abigail Mongan of Greenwood; grandfather, Robert (Jan) Shipley of Greenwood; and step-sister, Jessica Norris of North Judson.  She is also survived by numerous, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by grandparents, Barbara Shipley, and John and Shirley Despot.

Ms. Despot was a former certified nursing assistant at Otterbein Franklin Senior Life Community. She enjoyed taking care of her house plants, photography and crafts.

The funeral service will be at 2  p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be at Franklin Twp. Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and/or Riley Children’s Hospital.

Sara’s online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.