Obituaries

Eric D. Tibbs

August 23, 1966 to October 10, 2020

WINAMAC - Eric Darrell Tibbs, 54, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, Oct. 10, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

He was born Aug. 23, 1966 in LaPorte, to Ronald and Sally Allen Tibbs. He was raised by Albert and Constance Woodard Allen. He was married Sept. 3, 1989.

He is survived by:
Erica (Jimmy) Collins, North Judson, Daughter
Kayla ( Zack Arnold) Tibbs, Knox, Daughter
Sarah Tibbs. Valparaiso, Daughter
Noah Collins, Grandson
Riley Collins, Granddaughter
Carter Tibbs, Grandson
Genevieve Matthes, Grandaughter
Sally Allen Tibbs, Utah, Maternal Mother
Constance Allen, Tennessee, Mother
Lucy ( Parley) Mortensen, Utah, Sister
Ronny Tibbs, Aizona, Brother
Andy (Kelly) Allen, Tennessee, Brother
Brian Allen, LaCrosse, Brother
Rod (Carrie) Dickensen, Medaryville, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Ronald Tibbs, Father
Albert Allen, Father
Joe Tibbs, Brother

Mr. Tibbs was employed as a welder at GalFab in Winamac. He was a member of FOE 2580 in Winamac and the Sons of the American. He enjoyed playing golf with his cousin Rod at Moss Creek Golf Course in Winamac. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his kids and grandkids. He loved shooting pool at the Eagles hall. He had a heart of gold and was always ready to help a friend. More than anything in the world, he loved his three daughters and his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home with Pastor Ben Carpenter officiating.

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

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

Marsha J. Lawson

July 13, 1950 to October 10, 2020

MONTICELLO – Marsha Jean Lawson, 70, Phoenix, passed away at 11:40 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, in hospice care at her home after a brief hospitalization due to lung cancer. Her son and daughter were at her side, along with her brother and sister on the phone.

She was born July 13, 1950, in Lafayette, the daughter of the late Kenneth Dale and Olive Lucille Gross Lawson.

Survivors include:
Daughter Jennifer (Bill) Tohtz of Chesterton
Son Andrew Compton of Phoenix
Three Grandchildren, Kalya, Karli, and Liam
Sister Janice (John) Dilts of Winamac
Brother Michael (Audrey Hallett) of Washington, D.C.
Many Nieces, Nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews

Preceded in Death:
Long Time Partner Jim Shirah.

Ms. Lawson spent most of her formative years on a Pulski County farm. She lived in Kalamazoo, Mich., for 28 years before moving to Phoenix in 2002. She was a 1968 graduate of Star City High School and attended Purdue University, and Ball State University. She had worked in real estate for most of her career as an agent, office support and in corporate relocations. She was employed by Jaqua Realtors in Kalamazoo, and Prudential Relocation, initially in Kalamazoo before her transfer to Phoenix. She reveled in simply spending time with friends and family. She had a warm heart, laugh, was a good listener and adept conversationalist whoalways lifted the spirits of those in her presence.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, at Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary, Phoenix. A reception will follow at 11a.m., at the funeral home.

In Indiana, visitation and a memorial celebration of life service with family and friends will be run from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, at Miller – Roscka Funeral Home, Monticello. (Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks will be required.) Burial will be at Hughes Cemetery in rural Monticello.

Memorial donations may be made according to the wishes of the donor.

Mary L. Grace

January 30, 1944 to October 10, 2020

WINAMAC - Mary Louise Grace, 76, of Winamac, formerly of Gary, passed away at 10:55 a.m.,Saturday, Oct. 10, at her residence.

She was born Jan. 30, 1944, in St. Louis, to the late Francis John and Katherine Virginia Smith Raskopf. She married Joseph Gerald Grace in November 1968. He died June 19, 2001.

She is survived by:
Gerry G. (Nicki) Grace, Rolling Prairie, IN Son
7 Grandchildren
Ruth (Terry) Gray, Westville, IN Sister
Richard (Cindi) Raskopf, Portage, IN Brother

Preceded in death by:
Francis Raskopf and Katherine Raskopf Rendo, Parents
Patricia Chionos, Sister
Clifton Wright, Fiancée

Mrs. Grace had worked as a bartender at the Gas Light Inn in Gary. She and her husband had owned the bar for many years, and she loved working at the bar. She was a member of St. Peters Catholic Church in Winamac. She was a homemaker and an avid Cubs fan. She was a frequent volunteer at her church and enjoyed going to eat with her friends following church. She loved shopping on the QVC- TV program. She enjoyed watching old TV shows like Perry Mason and Murder She Wrote.

Private graveside services will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Reed Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peters Catholic Church.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Susan J. Downing

May 22, 1943 to October 5, 2020

ROYAL CENTER - Susan J. Downing, 77, of Winamac passed away at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 5, at I.U. Health Saxony Hospital in Fishers.

Born of May 22, 1943 in Logansport, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Rubye Allen Reutebuch. She was a 1961 Star City High School graduate. On July 17, 1965 she married John F. Downing, he survives.

Survivors also include her children, Gina (Steve) Baker of Winamac, Mitch (Robin) Downing of Winamac, Barb (Dave) Thompson of Winamac and John (Denise) Downing of Winamac; grandchildren Levi Baker, Le Baker, Keith Thompson, John R. Downing, Kurt Thompson, Bradon Downing, Anna Downing, Emily Downing, and Cy Thompson; and great-grandchildren Madison Baker, Katilyn Baker, Coltin Downing, Michael Baker.

She was also preceded in death grandson Kyle Downing, and brother David Reutebuch.

Mrs. Downing was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pulaski. She was a lifelong homemaker. She enjoyed drives with her husband, bird watching, experiencing nature, and spending time and creating memories with her family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pulaski. Burial will follow at St. Joseph West Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to the church in Mrs. Downing’s memory.

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

Geneva A. Meade

February 7, 1931 to October 8, 2020

WINAMAC - Geneva A. “Genny” Meade, 89, of Gary (formerly of Star City), passed away at 3:06 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 8, at Crown Point Christian Village in Crown Point.

She was born Feb. 7, 1931 in Pekin, IL to the late Leo Homer and Anna Harris Britt Kirby. During her high school years, she moved with her family from Illinois to Kentucky. She married Rev. Charles Glass who preceded her in death on Dec. 27, 1970. She later married Robert C. Meade who died on May 12, 2004.

She is survived by:
Leo Michael (Connie) Glass, Son
Timothy Glass, Son
Diane Cagle, Daughter
Debra (Mark) Rios, Daughter
Betty Ling, Daughter
15 Grandchildren
11 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Granddaughter
Bernice Knutson, Sister
Lulabelle Riddle, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
4 Infant Sons; 1 Infant Daughter
Eddie Cagle, Son-in-law
Geraldine Williams, Sister
Glada (Paul) Picket, Sister
Kenneth (Lois) Kirby, Brother
Dave Knutson, Brother-in-law
Shorty Riddle, Brother-in-law

Mrs. Meade wore several different hats in life. During her teens in Kentucky it became evident to her siblings that she was a talented writer and singer. Later she worked at Burney Bros. Bakery and Western Electric. While married to her first husband, she humbly accepted the title of pastor’s wife. Through resilience and God’s grace, she was able to create a new life with her second husband. She worked at South Suburban Hospital for many years, where she retired as a scheduler for surgery.

A life is not made up of only who you are related to, but how you choose to live the life you have been given.Mrs. Meade decided to live her life for God. There were many time in her life when she was heart-broken; losing five infant children and both of her husbands was an extremely difficult burden to bear. God, however, was with her every step of the way. She could tell you stories of how He moved in her life. She was a testament that miracles do happen. She will be dearly missed by so many who loved her. May she rest in peace.

A graveside service be at 12 noon Monday, Oct. 12, at Pulaski Presbyterian Community Cemetery in Pulaski, with Bobby Board officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Crown Point Christian Village in Crown Point.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Ronald E. Nelson

February 24, 1941 to October 3, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Ronald Eugene “Ron” Nelson, 79, of Francesville (formerly of Portland, OR), passed away at 3:38 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, following surgery at LaPorte Hospital in LaPorte.

He was born Feb. 24, 1941 in Emmetsburg, IA, the youngest of three boys born to the late Sophus and Margaret Doty Nelson. In 1959, he graduated from Mason City High School in Mason City, IA. That summer, he traveled the Midwest with the carnival. Upon returning home, he joined the U.S. Air Force. After completing basic training and tech school for Doppler radar, he was assigned to a base in Oklahoma City, OK. He was honorably discharged in 1963, just days before the start of the Vietnam War.

He is survived by:
Karen May Smith Nelson, Francesville, Wife
Joseph (Amanda) Nelson, Son
Ronald Nelson, Son
Camerin (Anna) Nelson, Francesville, Son
Kendra (Kurt) Dresner, Kirkland, WA, Daughter
5 Grandchildren: Isaac, Zoe, Jazmine, Keziah, and Kasimir
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Carol Pittman Nelson, Former Spouse
William “Bill” Nelson, Brother
1 Infant Brother

In their youth, Mr. Nelson and his older brother Bill learned to play the accordion. They won many contests throughout northern Iowa and shared the stage with Myron Florin and Lawrence Welk at the Clearwater Lake Ballroom in Iowa. He returned to Iowa after the service and explored many jobs from working in the Land-O-Lakes Creamery to truck driving. He eventually ended up in San Francisco when he landed a job with Western Union as an installer. After working throughout the western United States, he settled in Portland, Ore. He was the CEO and co-founder of Parents Anonymous Northwest, a self-help group for the prevention of child abuse.

On Nov. 22, 1974, he married wife Karen in Portland and they had two children. By 1986, he discovered his talent for home renovation and became a general contractor and licensed real estate agent. He remodeled hundreds of homes for HUD and the Department of Oregon Veterans during the 1980s recession. He retired from construction in 1994. From 1995-1997, he served as a Graphics Rep at US West Direct, alongside his wife. For a hobby, they bought a square dancing clothing store in 1995 and operated it together until 2007. After retiring again, the couple moved to a 55-plus community in Portland. But after having too much fun, they became lonely for their family and so, in 2017, they moved to Francesville to be near their son and grandkids. Mr. Nelson was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa who will be dearly missed.

No services will be held.

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

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