Obituaries

Sharon K. Calabrese-Shanks

February 7, 1946 to November 7, 2023

WINAMAC - Sharon Kay Calabrese-Shanks, 77, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Northwest Health Porter Hospital in Valparaiso.

She was born Feb. 7, 1946 in LaPorte, to the late Byron and Emma [Fry] Hazlett, and was raised in the North Judson area. She married her high school sweetheart, Rocco J. Calabrese, in 1964 and they had eight children. He passed away unexpectedly in 1979.

Sharon Calabrese

She is survived by:
Carmen Paul (Corrina) Calabrese, Rockwall, TX, Son
Regina M. Calabrese, Winamac, Daughter
Christina A. (Jason) Fritz, Ennis, TX, Daughter
Anthony M. (Dorinda) Calabrese, Winamac, Son
Domenick G. (Tiffany) Calabrese, Indianapolis, Son
Frank A. Calabrese, Winamac, Son
Ralph M. (Tennille) Calabrese, Winamac, Son
16 Grandchildren
Audrey Hernandez, Sister
Deborah (Javier) Silva, Sister
Michael Hazlett, Brother
Janet Reiss, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Rocco Joseph Calabrese, Son
Cameron Calabrese, Grandson

Mrs. Calabrese-Shanks was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac where she taught CCD and was active with the Christian Mother’s organization. She lived in Rockwall, TX for nearly two decades before returning to Winamac in 2020. She was a devoted wife and mother, as well as a beloved grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in memory of Sharon via www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Ivanka Vucic

February 12, 1973 to November 6, 2023

Ivanka Vucic

WHEATFIELD - Ivanka Vucic, 50, of Francesville, passed away Monday, Nov. 6.

She was born Feb. 12, 1973, to Ivan and Mary (Barunica) Vucic in East Chicago, IN.

She is survived by her parents, sister: Angela (Arturo) McDaniel, niece: Faith (Aaron) Maxwell, and nephew: Alex Cruz, and friend: Adam Kuss.

Ms. Vucic worked with Healthy Families in Jasper County as a secretary. She liked to collect Breyer Model horses, enjoyed camping, and loved her horses, cats and dogs. Her nieces and nephews said she made the best lasagna in the world.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 until 4 p.m. (ET) Wednesday, Nov. 15,  at Boersma Funeral Home, Wheatfield. Services will follow at 4 p.m. (ET) at the funeral home.

Melinda F. Mayer

Melinda Mayer

1968 to November 6, 2023

WINAMAC - Melinda Faye Mayer, 55, of Winamac, passed away Monday, Nov. 6. 

She was born in 1968.

Ms. Mayer loved nature, especially Monarch butterflies. She was a kind and caring woman who loved the Lord. Her last request was that her friends and family embrace one another and all of God’s creation in love and unity. 

There will be no services or burial.

Memorial donations may be made to Ascent 121 or Spark of Opportunity.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Corbett M. Stamper

January 13, 1963 to November 5, 2023

Corbett Stamper

KNOX - Corbett Michael Stamper, 60, Monterey, passed away Sunday, Nov. 5, at his home.

He was born Jan. 13, 1963. in Campton, KY, the son of McClellan Stamper Jr. and Peggy Pauline (Caudill), both of Kentucky.

He is survived by sisters: Pearlie Bailey of San Pierre, Edith Fletcher of Plymouth,  Sylvia Vician of Knox, Kathy Bailey of Knox, Myra Fawley of San Pierre, and Rhonda Salyer of Knox; brothers Kelly Stamper of Walkerton, Keith Stamper of Patterson MO, and Kendall Stamper of Knox.

He was preceded in death by one brother Calvin C. Stamper and two sisters, Ruthie May Stamper, and Janet C. Black.

Mr. Stamper was employed by Community Service of Starke County. He was an outdoorsman who was especially fond of fishing. He had two dogs and one cat that he loved dearly. His pets accompanied him in his heavenly ascent. He loved to eat, enjoyed family gatherings, listening to music, making others laugh and being the life of the party. He also loved his family and adored his nieces and nephews. He had a big heart and an affinity for helping those in need. Our loss is Heaven’s gain and he will be missed by all who knew him.

M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox is handling the arrangements.

Daniel A. Disinger

August 7, 1934 to November 4, 2023

FRANCESVILLE - Daniel Alvin Disinger, 89, of Francesville, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Nov. 4, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

He was born Aug. 7, 1934 in Pulaski County, to the late Harry and Ada [Clinger] Disinger. He married Loretta Louise Gross on June 19, 1954.  After 67 years of marriage, she passed away Sept. 16, 2021.

Daniel Disinger

He is survived by:
Doug (Cathy) Disinger, Francesville, Son
Debra (Don) Dobson, Winamac, Daughter
Cathy (Chris) Kopka, Francesville, Daughter
Grandchildren: Russell (Sydney) Disinger, Heather (Brian) Sanders, Travis (Melony) Dobson, Brad Dobson, Joshua (Ashley) Kopka, and Amanda (Ron) Force
Great-Grandchildren: Taylor (fiancé: Eli Roller) Sanders, Kailey Sanders, Michaela (Kaleb) Pierce, Matt Jimenez, Andrew Jimenez, Nate Jimenez, Emma Dobson, Addie Dobson, Great Josie Dobson, Dominic St Clair, Sebastian St Clair, Emily Kopka, Jacobie Mills, Christopher Kopka, Kaelyn Kopka, and Brynlie Kopka.
Great-Great-Grandson: Briggs Pierce
Eleanor Lucy, Sister-in-law
Kay McOwan, Sister-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Ron Kopka, Son-in-law
Heidi Kopka, Infant Granddaughter
Charles (Violet) Disinger, Brother
James (Doris) Disinger, Brother
Peg (Pete) Johnson, Sister
Mark Disinger, Infant Brother
Emma Disinger, Infant Sister
Helen and Herman Barton, In-laws

Mr. Disinger worked many years as a mechanic for Hauptli’s Garage in Francesville. In 1972, he started his own business, Disinger Truck Parts and Service Inc. During retirement, he and his wife spent countless days on the lake fishing. He enjoyed collecting guns and spending time with family. Skeet shooting was a favorite Thanksgiving morning activity with his son, sons-in-law and grandsons. He was a former member of Pleasant Ridge Bible Church and a current member of Bethel Bible Church. He served various roles at church, including a youth leader, deacon and elder. He was always a helping hand for whatever the church needed. He was a kind, gentle spirit who will be dearly missed. The family wishes to thank the staff at Parkview Haven for the kindness they showed to dad while he was there.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Friday), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children or Gideon’s International.

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

Darlene M. Smith

November 18, 1957 to November 3, 2023

Darlene Smith

WHEATFIELD - Darlene M. Smith, 65, Francesville, passed away Friday, Nov. 3, with her loving family around her.

She was born Nov. 18, 1957, in Rensselaer, to William and Nola (Allen) Smith. She graduated from West Central High School in 1978.

She is survived by her daughter Lillian (Kyle) McTeigue, two grandchildren Landyn and Liam, and siblings Dale (Suzanne) Smith, Georgina Archambeault, and Edwina (John) Guffey.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Darlene worked for PerPac, and West Central Schools. She enjoyed music, attending church, and loved her family, especially spending time with her daughter and grandchildren.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 3 to 7 p.m. (ET), Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Amazing Grace Fellowship Church in Francesville. Services will follow at 7 p.m. at the church Tuesday evening. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. (ET), Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Independence Cemetery, Medaryville.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Boersma Funeral Home, Wheatfield.