Obituaries

Minnie A. Ledford

September 15, 1929 to November 18, 2020

WINAMAC - Minnie Alvera Ledford, 91, of Francesville, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, at her daughter’s home in Rochester.

She was born Sept. 15, 1929 in Denham, to the late John and Lela Miller Rater. She was lovingly raised in Beaver Township by the late Wayne Wood and Mary Catherine Neusbaum Fitz. She was a graduate of Pulaski High School. On Nov. 9, 1947, she married William Ernest “Bill” Ledford at Tippecanoe Christian Church in rural Winamac. He passed away Feb. 12, 2017.

She is survived by:
Barbara Ann (Tom) Elliott, Monticello, Daughter
Diana Lee (Mark) Burch, Rochester, Daughter
Debra Kay (Les) Ezra, Winamac, Daughter
Sandra Sue Henderson, Lafayette, Daughter
16 Grandchildren: Dean, Kathleen, Tom Jr., Tracy, Thomas, Chera, Alicia, Heather, Eve, Terry, Brandon, Nicole, Kristen, Shawna, Kyle and Lindsay.
36 Great-Grandchildren: Justin, Sean, McHale, Mallory, Kelsey, Christian, Elvira, Easton, Hudson, Rylenn, Dailan, Sophie, Audrianna, Luke, Elijah, Jace, Lillian, Hayden, Leah, Olivia, Rori, Sophia, Irene, Joshua, William, Isaac, Grace, Isla, Henry, Declan, Ashton, Brooklyn, McKenzie, Jackson, Ariah and Arrianna.
3 Great-Great-Grandchildren: Ariel, Emma, Liam
Wayne Wesley “Butch” (Judy) Fitz, Winamac, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
William “Bill” Rater, Brother
Juanita Fitz, Infant Sister
Mary Catherine Becker, Sister
Alberta Smith, Sister
Lorna DePoy, Sister
Gertrude Smiriotis, Sister
Anna Mae Cowger, Sister
John Andrew Rater Jr., Brother
Robert Rater, Brother

Mrs. Ledford was an active member of the Tippecanoe Christian Church and Ladies Guild. She was also a member of Happy Homemakers Home Ec Club. She was a proud homemaker with many talents. She was an avid quilter and seamstress. She faithfully cared for her family her entire life - whether it was making outfits, gardening and canning, or cooking and baking – Minnie attended to her family. She worked alongside her husband on the farm, helping wherever it was needed. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Most of all, she loved being a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Private visitation will be held at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A private graveside service and burial will be at Tippecanoe Cemetery in Winamac, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the Tippecanoe Christian Church.

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

Kyle B. Button

September 21, 1992 to November 16, 2020

WINAMAC - Kyle Benjamin Button, 28, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly at his home Monday, Nov. 16.

He was born Sept. 21, 1992 in Crawfordsville, to Jerry Ray Button and Connie Howard. He attended Winamac Community High School.

He is survived by:
Billijean Rains, Winamac, Fiancée
Levi Button, Winamac, Son
Kinley Button, Winamac, Daughter
Quinton Schick, Winamac, Step-Son
William Leo Rains Jr., Winamac, Step-Son
Connie Howard Witt, Winamac, Mother
Jerry Ray Button, Winamac, Father
Douglas Scott Witt, Crawfordsville, Step-Father
Krista (Travis) Wolford, Winamac, Sister
Kolt (fiancée: Stacey Newlin) Witt, Winamac, Brother
Lisa Wilson, Ora, Sister
Keisha Wright, Delong, Sister
Irene Swanson, Knox, Maternal Grandmother
Lloyd Jackie and Phyllis Howard, Knox, Maternal Grandfather
Jerry and Janet Button, Winamac, Paternal Grandparents
Jeannine Whitington, Crawfordsville, Paternal Step-Grandmother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Robert Lee Howard-Button, Brother
Jeremy Scott Button, Infant Brother
Bentley Wayne Button, Infant Nephew
Jack Whitington, Paternal Step-Grandfather
Lloyd “Buster” Howard, Uncle
Deborah Roberts, Aunt

Mr. Button was a very hard worker and was employed as a welder with Grand Industrial in Logansport. He did everything he could to provide for his family and would do anything for anyone. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed racing. He was a loving dad, son, and brother. He loved with all of his heart and will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Private burial will be at Mt. Zion-Franklin Township Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

Robert L. Howard-Button

September 15, 1985 to November 11, 2020

WINAMAC - Robert Lee Howard-Button, 35, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Nov. 11 from a heart attack at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago.

He was born Sept. 15, 1985 in Knox, to Jerry Ray and Sharon Howard Button. He was fondly known as “Big Bob” or “Tiny” but many just knew him as “Bob.” He graduated from Winamac High School in 2004.

Survivors include:
Jerry and Sharon Button, Winamac, Parents
Nicole Wolford, Winamac, Fiancée
Raeleigh Howard, Winamac, Daughter
Jerry and Janet Button, Winamac, Paternal Grandparents
Lloyd Jackie and Phyllis Howard, Knox, Maternal Grandfather
Irene Swanson, Knox, Maternal Grandmother
Lisa Wilson, Ora, Sister
Keisha Wright, Delong, Sister
Kyle Button, Winamac, Brother
Donnie Wolford, Winamac, Father-in-law
Victoria Wolford, Lafayette, Mother-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Bentley Wayne Button, Infant Son
Jeremy Scott Button, Infant Brother
Lloyd “Buster” Howard, Uncle
Cord Colgrove, Best Friend

Mr. Howard-Button was self-employed. He was an avid dirt track racer and fan. He was a friend to everyone on and off the track. He enjoyed the outdoors and working on anything with wheels. More than anything, he loved spending time with his friends and family. He loved his fiancée, Nicole, and his daughter, Raeleigh, who was the light of his life. Although he left us way too soon, Bob has left us with wonderful memories that will last forever.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Private Burial will take place at Mt. Zion-Franklin Township Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

Gene H. Miller

1943 to November 11, 2020

WINAMAC - Gene H. Miller, 77, of Winamac, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

He is survived by his children: Shawn, Lisa, and Steven and a sister, Judy.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

Private burial will take place at Winamac Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Pearl L. McPherson

March 15, 1920 to November 6, 2020

KEWANNA - Pearl Lavon James McPherson, 100, passed away Friday, Nov. 6

She was born to Floyd and Sylvia (Budd) James on March 15, 1920 in Logansport, the eldest of three children. She was raised on a farm in Cass County where she learned the skills needed to be successful in life. She attended Indiana public schools and graduated from Lucerne High School in 1938. On Sept. 25, 1938 she married William Joseph “Joe” McPherson. He preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 1985.

She is survived by her children: Richard Joseph (Michelle), Wayne Robert (Sandra), Alan James; her grandchildren: Dawn (Stacy) Williams, Deanna McPherson, Adrian McPherson, Angela (Tom) Adams, Nathaniel (Bonita) McPherson, Daniel (Donna) McPherson, Sylvia McPherson, a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Ralph and Lawrence.

Mrs. McPherson was a member of the Kewanna Church of Christ and encouraged her sons to attend as well. She worked for RBM in Logansport for many years and helped her husband the Key Theatre in Kewanna. She was a homemaker and excelled in crafts. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, hook rugs, wall hangings among other craft work. She also enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables, not to mention gardening, too. She was an advocate of higher education, an avid reader and enjoyed writing.

After her husband’s retirement, the couple became snow birds. They spent time annually in N. Fort Meyers, Fla. from November through April until his death. While there they enjoyed playing horseshoes, fishing, dining out and fellowshipping with friends. She lived an active life until her health started to decline. She enjoyed eating, shopping and frequenting yard sales with her girlfriends. She had a love for nature and all that it offered. Her yard housed habitat that supported wildlife. She particularly had an admiration of Monarch butterflies and maintained plants that they could thrive on. Just as butterflies represent perseverance, transformation, confidence and enthusiasm, so does our beloved Pearl. She will be remembered in our hearts for pollinating an overflow of love toward each of us. We will miss her tremendously and are thankful for the plethora of warm memories; especially her response to how she was doing. Most days her response was “fat and sassy!”

Recently, due to her decline in health, it was apparent that she needed perpetual help and was admitted to Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac. The family had planned a 100th birthday party for Pearl to include family, friends, caregivers and fellow residents of Pulaski Health Center; but plans were curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, PHCC hosted the party with fellow residents and staff.

A private family service will be held with burial at Citizens I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Kewanna.

An online guestbook is available and condolences may be shared at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna.

Diana L. Seymour

March 23, 1947 to November 10, 2020

WINAMAC - Diana L. Seymour, 73, of Winamac (formerly of LaPorte), passed away Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born March 23, 1947 in LaPorte to the late Richard and Anastasia Kruzick Daly. She graduated from LaPorte High School. On Sept. 23, 1966, she married Frederick Seymour. He passed away Nov. 8, 2009.

She is survived by:
Scott J. (Lori) Seymour, Winamac, Son
6 Grandchildren: Ronald, Jacob, Courtney, Caleb, Matthew, and Chelsea
2 Step-Grandchildren: Jessica and Marissa
9 Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Michele A. Turnpaugh, Daughter
Jeffery R. Seymour, Son

Mrs. Seymour was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in LaPorte and was most recently a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. She worked many years at LaPorte Hospital as a switch board operator. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be dearly missed. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Pulaski Health Care Center for the loving care they gave to Diana.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17, at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac, with Rev. Andrew DeKeyser officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Health Care Center, or St. Peter’s Catholic Church, or ALS Foundation.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.