Obituaries
Helen J. Downey
January 31, 1939 to May 19, 2022
WINAMAC - Helen J. Downey, 83, of LaPorte (formerly of Winamac), passed away Thursday, May 19, at Miller’s Health and Rehab in LaPorte surrounded by her family.
She was born Jan. 31, 1939 in New Boston, OH. On Dec. 15, 1956, she married Walter L. Downey in Brookville, IN and made their home in Ohio. Several years later, they moved to northwest Indiana where they raised their three children.
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| Helen Downey |
She is survived by:
Kimberly (Joe) Napier, LaPorte, Daughter
Doug (Jennifer) Downey, South Bend, Son
11 Grandchildren
5 Great-Grandsons
Bev Baker, Beloved Niece
Many Other Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by:
John Payne, Father
Hattie Fitch Clifford, Mother
Walter L. Downey, Husband
Gwen (Eric) Thorgren, Daughter
Luella Newman, Sister
Wilma Bailey, Sister
William Clifford, Brother
Wally, Beloved Dog
The Downeys retired in Winamac where they lived for many years. She was a member of LaPorte First Church of the Nazarene and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) of Ohio. She owned and operated the Mary Jo Motel in LaPorte for many years. She loved hosting and providing meals for any visitors to her home. She had a special way of making everyone feel they were family. She enjoyed watching TV and was an avid sports fan. She also enjoyed attending musicals at the theatre and playing BINGO. Most of all, she loved her family dearly. Helen’s family would like to thank Miller’s Health and Rehab of LaPorte for their unconditional love and wonderful care they provided her over the past five years. Helen loved all her special nurses and aides as her own family.
Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. (CT), Wednesday, May 25, at Pinola Gathering Hall (5005 W. SR 2 LaPorte) where family and friends may visit from 3 to 5 p.m. (CT). Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. (ET), Thursday, May 26, at Reed Cemetery in Winamac. Burial will follow at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Miller’s Health and Rehab activity program.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
Thomas C. Hunneshagen
June 2, 1952 to May 18, 2022
CULVER - Thomas C. Hunneshagen, 69, of Monterey, passed away Wednesday, May 18, at home.
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| Thomas Hunneshagen |
He was born June 2, 1952 in rural Rochester, one of 11 children born to Ralph and Florence Scheuer Hunneshagen. He married Cheryl "Sherry" Woodward on April 19, 1969. She preceded him in death in 2020.
He is survived by his daughters, Kellie (Pete) Manzuk of Plymouth and Krista (Brandon) Van Horn of Dubuque, Iowa; three grandchildren, and eight brothers and sisters.
A gathering with family and friends will be held from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 23, at the Odom Funeral Home, Culver. A spiritual wake service will be at 7:30 p.m. (Monday) led by Father Leroy Kinnaman. Father Andrew DeKeyser will officiate at a mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 24, at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Monterey, with burial following at St. Anne's Cemetery.
Memorials may be given in Mr. Hunneshagen’s memory to St. Anne's Cemetery Fund.
The Odom Funeral Home, Culver, has been entrusted with caring for the family.
Richard E. Lowry
July 5, 1937 to May 18, 2022
FRANCESVILLE - Richard E. Lowry, 84, lifelong resident of Francesville, passed away Wednesday, May 18, at home following a six-month illness.
He was born July 5, 1937 in Francesville to the late Donald H. and Alice Catherine Bayless Lowry and was raised on the family farm in rural Salem Township. He graduated from Francesville High School in 1956. On Jan, 13, 1957, he married Martha Lou Jones in Francesville. She survives.
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| Richard Lowry |
He is also survived by:
Larry (Maria) Lowry, Lakeville, MN, Son
Pamela (Richard) Kurtz, Centerville, OH, Daughter
David Lowry, Oswego, IL, Son
Diana (Walt) Hanselman, Daughter-in-law
9 Grandchildren: Sara, Alisha, Brett, Bradley, Steve, Brian, Catie, Adam, and Erin
6 Great-Grandchildren
Donna (Richard) Wen, New Brighton, MN, Sister
Mary (Eldon) Everidge, Indianapolis, Sister
Carol Lowry, Francesville, Sister-in-law
Dianna Lowry, Lebanon, Sister-in-law
Harold (Lois) Jones, Leesburg, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by:
Terry E. Lowry, Son
Kenneth (Phyllis) Lowry, Brother
Dean Lowry, Brother
Paul Lowry, Brother
James (Donna) Lowry, Brother
3 Infant Sisters
In 1972 the Lowrys moved to their current farmstead in rural Beaver Township. Mr. Lowry was a member of Francesville First Christian Church, where he served as a deacon for several years. He served in the Indiana National Guard from 1956-1962. He worked at Francesville Tile Co. and Ward Stone Co. until becoming a self-employed truck driver delivering MoorMan’s Livestock feed, retiring after 29 years. He enjoyed attending tractor shows and talking with fellow collectors of Minneapolis Moline tractors, especially the Prairie Gold Rush Club. He had collected 100 tractors and loved showing them. He had several tractors that were photographed for calendars and magazines as well as being showcased on RFDTV. People recognized him everywhere as “Mr. Moline”. He loved farming and tilling the soil.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 22, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, May 23, at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Private burial with military honors 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.
Virginia A. Hettinger
July 27, 1940 to May 17, 2022
ROYAL CENTER - Virginia A. Hettinger, 81, of Star City passed away at 1:04 a.m., Tuesday, May 17, at South Bend Memorial Hospital.
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| Virginia Hettinger |
Born July 27, 1940 in Logansport, she was the daughter of the late Larus and Mildred Davis O’Brien.
She married Homer Hettinger on Nov. 29, 1968. He survives.
Survivors also include sons, Paul (Gina) Hettinger of Virginia, David (Denise) Hettinger of Star City and Justin (Ana) Hettinger of Winamac; daughters, Audrey (Dan) Burnette of Bringhurst, Krista (Brian) Riner of Texas and Susan (Clay) Helton of Alabama; and sister, Mildred Sherman of Logansport. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by one son, Ronald Hettinger.
Mrs. Hettinger worked for many years in home healthcare. She enjoyed horses and her cat Mitsy, flowers, drawing, gardening, cooking, her family and her Lord.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 20, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 21, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Davis Cemetery, Burnettsville.
Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to help the family with funeral expenses.
Mrs. Hettinger’s online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.
Margie J. Weida
October 15, 1933 to May 16, 2022
WINAMAC - Margie J. Weida, 88, of Winamac, passed away at her home Monday, May 16.
She was born Oct. 15, 1933 in Pulaski, to the late Ora W. and Theresa L. Weaver Fitz. She graduated from Pulaski High School in 1951.
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| Margie Weida |
She is survived by:
Lee Weida, Osceola, Son
Bethra (Dale) Fletcher, Ranger, GA, Daughter
Phillip (Linda) Weida, Winamac, Son
Terry Weida, Winamac, Son
11 Grandchildren
15 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Granddaughter
Several Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by:
Michael Weida, Son
Phyllis Saine, Sister
Viola Reutebuch, Sister
Danny Fitz, Infant Brother
Gene Weida, Former Husband
Over the years, Mrs. Weida worked at the Pulaski County Courthouse, Pulaski Memorial Hospital, and Winamac Elementary School. Most of all, she was a loving and devoted mother. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially flower gardening, vegetable gardening, and canning. She grew an orchard of peach and apple trees. She was an avid reader and liked watching old Westerns.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Friday, May 20, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 Friday, at the funeral home. Private burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West in Pulaski.
Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Animal Center or Elara Hospice.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Berniece L. Trapp
April 29, 1921 to May 16, 2022
WINAMAC - Berniece L. Trapp, 101, of Lafayette (formerly of Winamac) passed away Monday, May 16, at Creasy Springs Health Campus in Lafayette where she had resided since 2016.
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| Berniece Trapp |
She was born April 29, 1921 in Winamac to the late Orville M. and Mary Nierzwicki Smith. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in Ripley, and graduated from Monterey High School. After high school, she lived with and worked for the Capper family on their farm in Star City. On Feb. 1, 1941, she married Albert J. Trapp at the Smith home place in rural Monterey. He passed away May 25, 1994.
She is survived by:
Janey (Kenneth) McGlothlin Jr., Lafayette, Daughter
Michael (Rachel) McGlothlin, Lafayette, Step-Grandson
Rosie Smith, Rochester, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by:
Leona P. Rausch, Sister
Deloris Moore, Sister
Orville M. Smith Jr., Brother
Mrs. Trapp was a loving and devoted farmer’s wife, caring for the home and helping on the farm. The couple celebrated 53 years of marriage before his death. She was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church in Winamac where she was always willing to lend a helping hand. She was a 50-year member and Past Worthy Matron of Tippecanoe Chapter OES #96. Berniece and Albert were members of a local Pinochle club for over 40 years. She was happiest when she was surrounded by friends and family. She was a talented cook and baker who loved to share with others.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 21, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. OES services will be held at 12 noon The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Saturday), at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church in Winamac,.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
James C. Bennett
November 25, 1970 to May 15, 2022
WINAMAC - James C. Bennett, 51, of Monterey (formerly of Lake Station) passed away Sunday, May 15, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.
He was born Nov. 25, 1970 in Valparaiso, to John W. and Brenda G. Overby Bennett.
He is survived by:
Tiffany Tarter, Daughter
Robert Bennett, Son
Trisha Bennett, Daughter
Crystal Berns, Daughter
Lakota Bennett, Son
3 Grandchildren: Sky, Ariella, and Ariah
John and Brenda Bennett, Parents
John W. Bennett II, Brother
Cindy Wirick, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Mr. Bennett liked to work on cars, hunt, fish, and float the Tippecanoe River. He worked at Direct Transit for many years.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Friday, May 20, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
Memorial donations may be made to Friends of the Tippecanoe River State Park.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
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