Obituaries

Earl O. Teske

June 24, 1927 to July 17, 2020

MEDARYVILLE - Earl O. Teske, 93, lifelong farmer from Medaryville, passed away at 2 a.m.,  Friday, July 17, at Beehive Memory Care in Lafayette.

He was born June 24, 1927 in North Judson, the youngest of five children, of the late Ernest J. and Helen D. Hartkopf Teske.

He was preceded in death by:
Alvera A. Teske, Sister
Norma D. Teske, Sister
Erna H. Teske, Sister
Robert E. “Bert” Teske, Brother

Mr. Teske attended school through the eighth grade at Blue Sea School in Cass Township. Earl was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Medaryville, and he enjoyed spending time at the West Side Senior Center in Medaryville. He enjoyed fox hunting and was known as “Fox Hunter” on the radio. He was a talented singer and often sang in the Medaryville Potato Festival and in church. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 22, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 23, at St. Mark’s Cemetery in Medaryville, with Pastor Tom Woodley officiating. Burial will follow.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church or the West Side Senior Center.

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

In keeping with guidance from the local health department and out of an abundance of concern for everyone’s well-being, guests are encouraged to wash or sanitize their hands, maintain a social distance, and wear a mask (if able).

Shelia Wireman

May 19, 1952 to July 16, 2020

MEDARYVILLE - Shelia Wireman, 68, of Medaryville, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 16, at her daughter’s home in rural Winamac, after a short battle with leukemia.

She was born May 19, 1952 in Rensselaer, to Keith and Nellie Mae Dulin Burns. She married Cecil Ray Wireman on Feb. 28, 1981 in Medaryville. He survives.

She is also survived by:
Wendy (Jeremiah) Kopka, Winamac, Daughter
Gavin Wireman, Medaryville, Son
Tony Wireman, Wheatfield, Son
Sandra Garling, Wheatfield, Daughter
Cindi (Jason) Grigsby, Wheatfield, Daughter
9 Grandchildren: Gracie, Kole, Anna, Jena, Carly, Candice, Adam, Paige, and Teal
6 Great-Grandchildren
Nellie Mae Dulin Howard, Francesville, Mother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Keith Burns, Father
Ronald Hendershot, Brother
Robert Burns, Brother
Diana Wireman, Sister

Mrs. Wireman was a retired quality control inspector who worked at Rexam in Valparaiso for 35 years. She enjoyed BINGO, crossword puzzles, and reading. She also enjoyed going to flea markets and yard sales. She was an avid country music fan and songwriter. She also was an avid fan of Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune. She loved scratch-off lotto tickets and was a former contestant on the Hoosier Millionaire Show. She loved her family very much. She was a loving and devoted wife, mom, and granny. She will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, July 19, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, at the funeral home with Pastor Tom Dewlen officiating. Burial will be at White Post Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Medaryville Assembly of God Church or to the family.

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

In keeping with guidance from the local health department and out of an abundance of concern for everyone’s well-being, guests are encouraged to wash or sanitize their hands, maintain a social distance, and wear a mask (if able).

Phyllis S. Pugh

August 12, 1929 to July 14, 2020

WINAMAC - Phyllis S. Pugh, 90, of Winamac (formerly of Valparaiso) passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 14, at the Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac with her family by her side.

She was born Aug. 12, 1929 in Norfolk, VA to the late Alfred and Marie Stortz Scott. She spent her early years in Arlington, VA and graduated from high school in Baltimore, MD. She met William Carl Pugh in Baltimore, and they were married on March 25, 1950. He passed away on June 27, 2013.

She is survived by:
Scott (Pam) Pugh, Hamlet, Son
Catherine Diezi, Memphis, TN, Daughter
Virginia (Dale) Fishtorn, Winamac, Daughter
8 Grandchildren: Jennifer, Laura, Jeff, Alex, Rick, Jill, Phoebe, and Dan
19 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Granddaughter
Doris Gilotty, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Fred Fishtorn, Grandson
Alice (Bill) Berkman, Sister
John (Harriet) Scott, Brother

Mrs. Pugh worked for many years at Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. in Chicago, and Washington, D.C. She was a devoted wife and mother. She also lovingly cared for foster children when she lived in Cincinnati, and Chicago. She was a longtime volunteer and past president of the Porter Memorial Hospital Guild in Valparaiso. She was an active member of Liberty Bible Church in Chesterton. She was an avid reader and enjoyed needlepointing, creating miniature rooms, and gardening. She loved her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.

In keeping with Mrs. Pugh’s wishes, no services will be held. A private burial will take place at the National Memorial Park King David Memorial Gardens in Falls Church, VA.

Memorial donations may be made to Liberty Bible Church in Chesterton, or to the Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

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

Dale A. Gilger Sr.

October 23, 1961 to July 6, 2020

MEDARYVILLE - Dale Allen Gilger Sr, 58, of Medaryville, passed away Monday, July 6, at home with his family nearby.

He was born Oct. 23, 1961 in Valparaiso, the son of the late Donald E. B. Gilger Jr. and Evelyn L Davis Gilger. He was a graduate of Valparaiso High School.

He is survived by:
Carry White Gilger, Medaryville, Wife
Dale Gilger Jr., Medaryville, Son
Zachary Gilger, Medaryville, Son
Sophia Gilger, Medaryville, Daughter
Donald E.B. (Terri) Gilger III, Indiana, Brother
Marquita (Randy Hoepker) Davis, Colorado, Sister
David Gilger, (Omar Rios) Colorado, Brother
Jason (Vita) Dust Indiana, Brother
Glen “Dale” (Millie) Markley, Indiana, Uncle
Pat Markley, Texas, Uncle
Louwella Markley McDonald, Tennessee, Aunt
Sally Markley, Indiana, Aunt
Cindy Markley, Indiana, Aunt
Larry Dust, Indiana, Step-father
Many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews

Preceded in death by:
Harry Davis, Step-father
William McDonald, Uncle
Bernard Markley, Uncle
Marilyn Markley, Aunt
Nancy Markley, Aunt

Mr. Gilger moved to California upon entering the armed services. While in the military he gained expertise in electronics. Afterward, he used and sharpened these skill sets in the petrol/chemical industry throughout California. He returned home to Indiana in 2010. He was passionate about electronics and continued with his unique skills after joining Jacob’s Professional Services LLC in Monon, owned and operated by Ed and Stacy Jacobs. He loved his work as well as the owners, associates and clients of the business. He answered calls regardless of weather or time of day. He would do troubleshooting or installations to keep stations available for Indiana communities. He always demonstrated his desire to train and share his passion for the job with those associated with him. He was especially devoted to his job during the Covid-19 pandemic. He also enjoyed cars and electronics both as hobbies and as work. His greatest joy was his wife and children. He constantly tended to their wellbeing and futures. He will be missed by many.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, July 13, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m., at the funeral home with Jeremy Glasford officiating.

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

Charles L. McKinley

August 6, 1932 to July 5, 2020

WINAMAC - Charles L. “Charlie” McKinley, 87, lifelong businessman from Winamac, passed away at 7:40 p.m., Sunday, July 5, at home with his family by his side.

He was born Aug. 6, 1932 in Winamac to the late Lon and Flo Lebo McKinley. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On Sept. 20, 1968, he married Joyce V. Widup Needham at the First Christian Church in Winamac. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Catherine M. McKinley, Naples, FL, Daughter
Susanna C. McKinley, South Bend, Daughter
Kathleen J. (Roy) Crist, Star City, Daughter
Daniel L. (Anna) McKinley, Winamac, Son
Charles Michael (Deb) Needham, Logansport, Son
Cathy Needham, Springfield, MO, Daughter-in-law
Grandchildren: Celie McKinley, John F. (Richel Fox) Crist, Jacob M. (Katrina) Crist, Laura J. (Andrew) Bates, Allison McKinley Jones, Andrea (Jeremy) Williams, Daniel L. McKinley II, Alicia Hanawalt, Nathanial (Kristine) Needham, Chad (Serena) Bebee, Ann Marie Bradberry, Lisa (Sean) Allen, Melissa (Brandon) Shatto, Amber (Trevor) Pool, and Matthew (Ashley) Needham.
24 Great-Grandchildren
4 Great-Great-Grandchildren
Lois McKinley, South Bend, Sister
Geneva McKinley, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews
Elsie Scheffer, Star City, Aunt
Many Cousins

Preceded in death by:
James Needham, Son
Helen White, Sister
Bill McKinley, Brother
Richard McKinley, Brother

After returning home from the service, Mr. McKinley went to work as a stone carver for his father at Winamac Granite & Marble Works, and also as caretaker of the newly developed McKinley Memorial Gardens. In January 1969, he and his wife purchased the monument business from his father which they would develop into the well-known downtown business, McKinley Monuments.

Mr. McKinley dedicated his life to serving the community and did so in a kind and caring way. He retired in 2009 – leaving a legacy of hard work and compassion. In 2018, he received the prestigious H.J. Halleck Community Service Award. He was a proud member of the Republican Party and served many years on the Pulaski County Election Board. He served on the Winamac Town Council for eight years where he also served as board president. He was a member of the Winamac Rotary Club (past president), Winamac Kiwanis Club, Winamac VFW Post #1728, and Winamac American Legion Post #71 (past commander). He was a member of the Royal Center Lodge #585 F&AM and received his Award of Gold on Dec. 8, 2010. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite and the Murat Shrine. He was a 50-year member of the Crystal OES #165 and was Past Patron numerous times. He was an active member of the First Christian Church in Winamac, where he had served as trustee, elder, and deacon. He enjoyed traveling all over the U.S. and Europe with his wife. He also enjoyed fishing in Canada. He loved his family, especially spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Kiwanis, Eastern Star, and Masonic services will follow at 8 p.m., at the funeral home. The funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, July 17, at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Seger and Youth Pastor Brandon Shatto officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church in Winamac, or Kindred Hospice in Rochester.

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

Joyce L. Kellie

July 10, 1930 to July 3, 2020

ROYAL CENTER - Joyce Louise Betz Kellie, 89, of Winamac passed away peacefully at 12:30 a.m., Friday, July 3, at her home.

Born on July 10, 1930 in Birdsall, Mich., she was the daughter of the late William and Anna Waltz Betz. She graduated in 1949 from Adrian High School. On Aug. 6, 1950 she married Robert J. Kellie. He preceded her in death on Jan. 6, 2020.

Survivors include her daughter Elizabeth McClure of Winamac; granddaughters Lindsey (Brent) Ropp, Ashley (Zachary) Armstrong, Jessica Thompson, Amber Thompson and Susan Stotler; and eight great-grandchildren Lexi, Nathaniel, Jackson, Leo, Rylan, Skylar, Jonathan and Michelle.

She was also preceded in death by son Michael William Kellie, and grandson Michael William Kellie Jr.

Mrs. Kellie and her husband moved to Winamac in 1967. She was a member of the Winamac First United Methodist Church. In her earlier days, she helped with memorial and Kiwanis dinners at the church. She was also employed at the formers Russell’s Store for several years. She was well known for her various volunteer works which included helping out at the Pulaski Healthcare Center and donating over 1,500 lap quilts she had made to various centers in need. Those who knew her will also never forget her famous sugar cookies with her husband’s decorating touch. She enjoyed baking and sharing her baked goods with others. She also enjoyed embroidering and playing cards, especially King in the Corner and 500 Rummy with her granddaughters, or whomever else she could get to play. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, July 10at the Winamac First United Methodist Church with Lay Leader Barbara Kleinofen officiating. Burial will follow at the Winamac Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Guardian Angel Hospice and/or First United Methodist Church, or Quilts of Valor.

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