Obituaries

Roy F. Crist

 April 22, 1952 to August 21, 2021

KEWANNA - Roy F. Crist, 69, of Star City passed away at 4:54 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 21, at home.

Born on April 22, 1952 in Winamac, he was the son of the late Ralph and Ardella Jean Good Crist. He was a 1973 Winamac Community High School graduate. On Sept. 27, 1975 he married Kathleen J. Needham. She survives.

Roy F. Crist

Also surviving are  sons John F. (Richel) Crist  of Star City and Jacob (Katrina) Crist of Carmel; daughter Laura Jean Bates (Andrew) Fenton, Michigan; sisters, Jackie (John)  Wheeler of Star City and Janeal (Albert) Scott of Lafayette; sisters-in-law Carol Crist of Logansport, Cathy McKinley of Florida, Susanna McKinley of South Bend and Cathy Needham of Missouri; brothers-in-law Dan (Anna) McKinley of Winamac and Charles (Deb) Needham of Logansport;  and grandchildren Kaela Gehrman, Keagen Crist, Arabellah Crist, Ariannah Crist, Raiden Riddle, Landen Crist, Sophia Bates and Hannah Bates. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Cara Dauenhauer, Ranee Price, Taneal Myers, Chad Roudebush, Allison McKinley, Andrea Williams, Danny McKinley II, Alicia Hanawalt, Nathan Needham, Celie McKinley, Chad Bebee, Annie Bebee, John W. Wheeler Jr., Gabe Wheeler, Tammy Lovely, Stephanie Wheeler and Matt Wheeler.

He was also preceded in death by brother, Rex Crist.

Mr. Crist was a lifelong farmer and was formerly a welder at Galbreath Inc., and he had also been employed at CFS in Kewanna. He was a member of Star City United Methodist Church and the Northern Indiana Power of the Past. He was also active with Pulaski County 4-H. He enjoyed farming of all sorts, model trains, quilts and helping out anyone and everyone who needed it. He knew no stranger. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug.  29, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 30, at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating. Burial will be at Paul’s Chapel at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to the Northern Indiana Power of the Past Horse Pull and/or Riley Children’s Hospital.

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

Michael J. Bierrum

January 29, 1966 to August 18, 2021

WINAMAC - Michael James “Mike” Bierrum, 55, of Star City, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 18, at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne.

He was born Jan. 29, 1966 in Winamac to Gary Martin and Jennifer Louise “Shorty” Roberts Bierrum. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1984. On Sept. 23, 1989, he married Kelly Diane Passmore in Winamac. She survives.

Michael Bierrum

Survivors include:
Nathan Dean (Alex) Bierrum, Lucerne, Son
Katie Renee Bierrum, Winamac, Daughter
Shannon Mercedes Bierrum, Star City, Daughter
Martin (Cathy) Bierrum, Winamac, Brother
Kelly Jo (Bill) Bryson, Eddyville, KY, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins
Gary Bierrum, Crystal Falls, MI, Father

Preceded in death by:
Shorty and Dave Terry, Parents

Mr. Bierrum worked at Galbreath, Inc., Winamac, for 29 years and seven years at GalFab. He was a hard worker and dedicated to his job. He proudly taught welding through the local Extension Office for several years. He enjoyed spending time fishing and kayaking on the Tippecanoe River, as well as cooking and woodworking. He was a member of the Winamac VFW Post #1728 Auxiliary. He loved his family very much and was a devoted husband, dad, and brother. He was supportive of his children’s activities, especially 4-H. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.  A graveside service will be held 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 23, at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Swinging Bridge Project or Pulaski County 4-H.

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

Lewis R. Hartwell

July 17, 1942 to August 17, 2021

WINAMAC - Lewis Ray Hartwell, 79, of Monticello, formerly of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Hickory Creek in Winamac.

He was born July 17, 1942 in Caliente , NV to Ira Eugene Hartwell and LuRae Bagshaw. He was raised by his grandparents Ray and Pheby Louella Bagshaw

Lewis Hartwell

Survivors include:
LeAnn (Don) Tunis, Winamac, Daughter
Courtney (Derek) Hall, Monticello, Daughter
Robert Lewis (Karen) Hartwell, Greensboro, NC, Son
Michael Goude, Zimmerman, MN, Son
Ronald Kozcar, Killian, TX, Son
7 Grandchildren
Many Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great-Grandchildren
Bernadette Hartwell, Winamac, Former Spouse

Preceded in death by:
Ray and Pheby Bagshaw Grandparents
Ira Eugene Hartwell Father
LuRae Bagshaw Mother
Letitia “Tish” Lucas Former Spouse
Andrea Goude Former Spouse

Mr. Hartwell was a retired factory worker and truck driver. He had also worked as a dispatcher for North Express in Winamac. He served two tours in Vietnam in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army where he flew a helicopter and survived being shot down. He enjoyed woodworking, winning at Yahtzee and Cubs baseball. He was a TV westerns fan and enjoyed listening to Jan and Dean. He especially liked to sit on the porch and watch the grandkids play. He loved to eat ice cream. He will be remembered by family and friends for his playful teasing.

At Mr. Hartwell’s request, no services will be scheduled.

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

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Cloyde R. Earp

September 8, 1948 to August 15, 2021

WINAMAC - Cloyde Richard Earp, 72, of Kewanna, passed away, following a battle with cancer, Sunday, Aug. 15, at the home of his mother-in-law in rural Monterey.

He was born Sept. 8, 1948 in Rochester, to the late Cloyde Russell and Florence L. Johnson Earp. He graduated from Onarga Military School and Vincennes University.

Cloyde Earp

Survivors include:
Christine Reinhold Earp, Wife
Ross (Nicole) Earp, Son
Allison (Randy Kopka) Earp, Daughter
Jacob (Amy) Koepkey, Step-Son
Maci Earp, Granddaughter
Maddison Earp, Granddaughter
Esther Earp-Kopka, Granddaughter
Logan Koepkey, Step-Grandson
Griffin Koepkey, Step-Grandson
Madelyn Koepkey, Step-Granddaughter
Sawyer Koepkey, Step-Grandson
Donna Clark, Sister
Phyllis Covey, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Esther Mack Reinhold, Mother-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Valentine Reinhold Jr., Father-in-law

Mr. Earp worked most of his life as a farmer and a truck driver. During his retirement, he worked alongside his son in his farming operation. He was a member of Leiter’s Ford United Methodist Church and was a 4-H leader for 30 years. He was the founder of Fulton County Model Railroad Club. He was a train enthusiast and especially enjoyed model railroading. He loved his family, especially spending time with his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. (Sunday), at the funeral home with Rev. Nancy Foster officiating. A graveside service will be at 4:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. CT)), Sunday, at Earp Cemetery in Cornell, IL. Burial will follow.

Memorial donations may be made to Leiter’s Ford United Methodist Church or Monterey United Methodist Church.

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

Jacob A. Gutwein

June 12, 1996 to August 11, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Jacob Anthony Gutwein, 25, of Rensselaer, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 11, as the result of an automobile accident.

He was born June 12, 1996 in Valparaiso. He attended Rensselaer High School.

Jacob Gutwein

He is survived by:
Charlene Rogers Gutwein, Grandmother
Nancy Spangle Hopson, Mother
Kristy (Clinton) Mays, Sister
Kelly Gutwein, Sister
Karla (Tyler) Gowens, Sister
Lynn Gutwein II, Brother
Colton Gutwein, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Johnny Gutwein Jr., Grandfather
Thelma Ponder, Grandmother
Jerry Horton, Grandfather
Lynn Gutwein, Father

Mr. Gutwein was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and Jasper County Retired Iron Club. He enjoyed spending time at home, as well as working on computers. He was an avid gamer. He will be sadly missed.

A private service and burial will be held.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville.

Harold W. Hooker

May 22, 1923 to August 10, 2021

WINGATE - Harold Wayne Hooker, 98, passed away peacefully at 11:16 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 10, at his home. He was among the last of the “Greatest Generation” in Francesville. 

He was born May 22, 1923, on the farm near Francesville, the son of the late Otto G. and Julie Grock Hooker. He was one of eight children.  He married Mary L. Robinson on Oct. 17, 1943 in Monticello. She preceded him in death March 26, 2018.

Harold Hooker

Surviving are daughter, Connie Sullivan of Ridgeville, IN;  Daughter-in-law, Laura ‘Sam’ Hooker of Brookston; Grandchildren Kimberly (Brian) Bader, Carrie Sullivan, Mike Sullivan, Neal Hooker, Chad (Kati) Hooker; Great-grandchildren, Brazen Bader, Aydan Bader, Cooper Spencer, Cole Hooker; and sister-in-law Lois Vollmer Hooker. Several nieces and nephews also survive, as well as a community who will miss this “colorful character.”

He was preceded in death by son Ed, sisters Blanche, Opal and Annabelle, brothers Raymond and Paul who both died as young boys, and Lamoine and Ronald.

Mr. Hooker graduated from Francesville High School and helped on the family farm, until enlisting in the U.S. Navy. During World War II he served aboard the USS Randall. Following his discharge he and Mary moved to a 320-acre farm west of Francesville, in Gillam Township, where they remained until retirement. He kept a well-manicured farmstead, roadsides and equipment. His rows were straight and weed-free. Neighbors and an ornery nephew would often pull weeds or corn and stick them in Harold’s perfectly clean soybeans to see how long it took him to find it and remove it. He enjoyed farming and from time to time worked with neighbors during harvest. It was said by one of the wives who observed, “I didn’t know the guys could have so much fun farming.”

Mr. Hooker always had a gleam in his eye, an ornery grin and was ready to drink coffee with the guys and share stories. After retirement, he was one of the first to arrive at the fertilizer plant each morning to have coffee ready for the crew. He enjoyed guns, hunting, and in the summer you could often find him on “community groundhog patrol” along the ditch banks.

An informal gathering of family and friends to remember and celebrate Harold’s life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 22, at the Meadow Springs Event Center, 8631 U.S. 421, Francesville (intersection of U.S. 421 and SR 114).  Private family inurnment will take place at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. 

Memorial donations may be directed to Riley Hospital for Children, St. Jude Children’s Hospital for Research or, First Christian Church Youth Group. 

Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate is assisting the family. Visit us online at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guestbook or share a memory.