Obituaries

Everett E. Kopka

August 28, 1935 to May 1, 2021

WHEATFIELD - Everett E. Kopka, 85, of Winamac, passed away May 1.

He was born Aug. 28, 1935, in Jefferson Township, to the late Milo and Mary Krohn Kopka. He married Reba Tanner on May 19, 1956 at the Medaryville Christian Church. She survives.

Also surviving are children Cheryl (Steve) Walden, Cathy Deford, Steve (Alice) Kopka; 7 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by sister Emma Johns; brothers William, Henry, Fred, Kenneth, Milo Jr. and Ernest Kopka; infant siblings Carl, Charles and Lena; and son-in-law Kevin Deford.

Mr. Kopka was a truck driver/mechanic, and was self-employed. He drove for Diamond Trucking. He attended Medaryville Christian Church where he served as an elder and Sunday School superintendent. He loved his church. He was a member of the Teamsters No. 364.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. (ET) Friday, May 7, at the Medaryville Christian Church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., (ET), Saturday, May 8, at the church, with Pastor David Broad officiating. Interment will follow at Idle Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested for the Medaryville Christian Church or Riley’s Children’s Hospital.

Boersma Funeral Home in Wheatfield has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Kevin D. Gayheart

April 11, 1981 to May 4, 2021

KNOX - Kevin D. Gayheart, 40, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, May 4, as the result of truck accident in Winamac.

He was born April 11, 1981 in Winamac.

He is survived by his parents, Keith and Debra Gayheart of Winamac; his children, Kaden Gayheart of Winamac, Trissa Gale Gayheart of South Bend, Ryker Gayheart of Warsaw and Athena Gayheart of Warsaw; and his brother, Michael Keith Gayheart of Denham.

Mr. Gayheart loved being a dad and spending time with his kids. He was also an avid outdoorsman who loved mushroom hunting and fishing.

The funeral service will be at 12 noon (CT) Friday, May 7, with visitation two hours prior to the service, at M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox. Burial will follow at the Denham Cemetery.

Marianne Falvey Butler

February 26, 1937 to May 5, 2021

WINAMAC – Services have been set for Marianne [Falvey] Butler, 84, of Chicago, who passed away May 5, 2021. 

She was born Feb. 26, 1937 to the late Mark and Floretta [Cavanagh] Falvey.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 31, (2023), at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac, with Rev. Andrew Dekeyser officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Susan D. Weinacker

February 9, 1952 to May 4, 2021

ROYAL CENTER - Susan D. “Sue” Weinacker, 69, of Winamac passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning May 4, at her home.

Born Feb. 9, 1952 in Melrose Park, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Robert Derry and Garlane “Micky” Cooper. She married Martin J. Weinacker on July 17, 1976. He preceded her in death on Dec. 17, 2003.

Survivors include her children Debra (Tony) Kundert of Wisconsin, Patrick (Joan) Weinacker of Illinois and Kerry (Bo) Disinger of Winamac; sister Kim (Brian) Jenkner of Illinois; and grandchildren, Melanie (Mathew), Vincent (Renea), Katrina (Michael), Nicole (Nando), Renee (Jeff), Tina Marie (Joe), Timmy (Brittany), Jamie (Brittany), Daniel (Sara), Kayla (Derek), Dennis, Erin, Daryl Jr., and Charlie. Also surviving are many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by brothers Jimmy Nichloff, Stevie Nichloff, Bobby Derry, and sister Donna Rodriguez; daughter-in-law, Sue Weinacker, and son-in-law, David Chaples (Big Dave). Also preceding her were grandchildren Jonnie Catizone, and David Chaples (Little Dave).

Mrs. Weinacker was a lifelong homemaker, and she enjoyed cooking, drawing, coloring, fishing, dancing and watching old movies.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date in Lake County (Ind.).

Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to CancerCare.org.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center.

John W. Hagen

May 15, 1975 to May 5, 2021

WINAMAC - John William Hagen, 45, of Winamac, passed away Wednesday, May 5.

He was born May 15, 1975 in Winamac to Freddie Junior and Dorothy Stellter Hagen. He attended Winamac Community High School. On Oct. 18, 1996, he married Dawn Michelle Bowen in Winamac. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Emily Lorraine Hagen, Winamac, Daughter
Jacob Alan Hagen, Winamac, Son
Joshua William Hagen, Winamac, Son
Dorothy Stellter Hagen, Winamac, Mother
Cindy Hagen, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Cathy Hagen, Burnettsville, Sister-in-law
Vanessa Bowen, Star City, Sister-in-law
Irvin Hudson, Star City, Brother-in-law
Paul Hudson, Logansport, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews
Linda Lizenby, Winamac, Cousin
Paul Bowen, Muncie, Father-in-law
Leila Hudson, Star City, Mother-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Freddie Junior Hagen, Father
Ricky Lee Hagen, Brother
Rodney Alan Hagen, Brother
Amie Bernice Hudson, Sister-in-law

Mr. Hagen was a talented carpenter and could fix anything. He was an avid outdoorsman and was a former member of the Iroquois Archery Club. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, grilling, and cooking. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children. He will be sadly missed by his friends and family.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 8, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home with Bret Dilts and Ed Clark officiating.

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.

Lenora E. Pullins

April 30, 1939 to April 30, 2021

MEDARYVILLE - Leona E. Pullins, 82, of Chalmers (formerly of Medaryville), passed away Friday, April 30, at her home.

She was born April 30, 1939 in Newland, IN to the late Louis and Leona Risner Jones. She graduated from Wheatfield High School in 1957. She married George E. Pullins on Oct. 3, 1959 in Medaryville at the Methodist Church. He passed away Dec. 7, 2004.

She is survived by:
Janice R. (Kevin) Whalen, Derby, KS, Daughter
Pamela E. Whitten, Chalmers, Daughter
Matthew G. (Shelly) Pullins, West Lafayette, Son
Ashley (Nathan) Beach, Granddaughter
Joshua (fiancée: Jennifer Baldwin) Terry, Grandson
Jacob (Cassie) Terry, Grandson
Joseph (Chelsy) Whalen, Grandson
Kierston (Jonathan) McKinley, Granddaughter
Sean Whalen, Grandson
6 Great-Grandchildren
Dave (Alice) Jones, Wheatfield, Brother
Glen Jones, West Lafayette, Brother
Patricia Jones, DeMotte, Sister-in-law
Marilyn Jones, DeMotte, Sister-in-law
Beverly Jones, San Pierre, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Curt Whitten, Son-in-law
Clifford Jones, Brother
Robert Jones, Brother
Kenneth (Marlene) Jones, Brother
Ronald Jones, Brother
Barbara Jones, Sister-in-law

As a young woman, Mrs. Pullins worked at the Medaryville Garment Factory. For many years, she was a babysitter for local children. She retired from the West Side Senior Center as site manager. Most importantly, she was a devoted wife and mother. She was a lifelong member of the Medaryville United Methodist Church, where she was a youth leader as well as a VBS and Sunday school teacher. Most recently, she was attending Chalmers Community Church. She enjoyed reading her Bible and loved serving the Lord. She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, crocheting, quilting, and sewing. She also enjoyed bird watching and reading. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Monday, May 10, at White Post Cemetery in Medaryville, with Rev. Jonathan McKinley officiating. Burial will follow..

Memorial donations may be made to Medaryville United Methodist Church, Chalmers Community Church, or West Side Senior Center.

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

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