Obituaries

Tyler D. Thomas

November 28, 2001 to May 25, 2020

ROYAL CENTER – Tyler D. Thomas, 18, of Winamac, passed away from injuries suffered in a vehicle accident Monday afternoon, May 25, north of Winamac.

Born Nov. 28, 2001 in Winamac, he was the son of Brandon Thomas and Gwendolyn Martel. Tyler was a Winamac Community High School graduate of this year’s Class of 2020.

Survivors include his father Brandon (Jessica) Thomas of Winamac and mother Gwendolyn (Scott) Schneider of Winamac; grandparents Carrie and John Ingram, Patrick “Packy” and Connie Gibbs, Mike and Linda Mills and George Schneider, all of Winamac; great-grandfather Carl Anspach of Rochester, great-grandmother Mary Lou Thomas of Winamac; and brothers and sisters Gavin Schneider, Logan Schneider, Preston Thomas, Harlee Thomas, Nathan Keller and Jenna Schneider, all of Winamac.

He was preceded in death by grandfather Randy Thomas, and grandmother Catherine Gibbs.

Tyler had worked at Sanders Grocery for the past two years. He was a proud Boy Scout who had achieved Life Scout. He had completed Cub Scouts as Wolf, Bear and Webelo. His accomplishments include Leave No Trace school, National Youth Leader Training, National Youth Leader Staff and Mile Swim at Maumee Scout Reservation. He earned his lifeguard certification and served on staff at Camp Buffalo summer camp for two years where he was a lifeguard. He also earned his CPR/First Aid certification as well as many awards including National 50 Mile award- 80 Mile canoe trip on Current River, MO. and the National Outdoor award in camping and aquatics. He also held awards for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding and outdoor ethics. He earned 32 badges in all.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 2, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center.  A celebration of life service will be live streamed at the funeral home’s Facebook page at 11a.m., Wednesday, June 3.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home in memory of Tyler.

Tyler’s online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared at www.ransfuneralhomes.com

Katie Wolf

July 9, 1925 to May 26, 2020

MONTICELLO - Kathleen L. "Katie" Wolf, 94, Monticello, died Tuesday, May 26, at White Oak Health Campus, Monticello.

A lifelong resident of White County, she was born to John and Helen Munsterman on July 9, 1925, in Wolcott and grew up on the family farm. She graduated from Wolcott High School in 1943. She graduated from Indiana Business College and attended Purdue University. She married Charlie Wolf on Dec. 2, 1945. They lived in Reynolds until moving to Monticello in 1978. He passed away in 2010.

She is survived by her children, Marcia (Ray) Scheele of Chicago and Mark (Cheryl) of Littleton, CO., grandchildren Matthew (Lisa) of Littleton, and Michael (Kate) of Nashville, Tenn., and great-grandchildren Leila, Henry and Anabelle.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, sister Marcella and brothers Arnold, Leroy and Sylvester.

Mrs. Wolf was a former White County Clerk, and later served 16 years in the Indiana General Assembly, 14 of them in the Senate, before retiring in 2000. Her district included Pulaski County where she became well known. (Read more about her career biography in separate article on www.pulaskipost.com)

Away from her public life she was a loving wife, a role model to her children and a doting grandparent. The last time she traveled was to Nashville, Tenn., to celebrate the first birthday of her great-grandchild Henry, whose birthday is just a few days away from her own. She was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church in Reynolds, taught Sunday School and was a 4-H leader. Family: She was our matriarch and our inspiration and she will live in our hearts forever.

Due to the pandemic, no service will be held at this time. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to: Women Giving Together or the Katie and Charlie Wolf Endowment Fund, both at the Community Foundation of White County.  Checks should be made out to the Community Foundation of White County and a note placed in the memo line for either Wolf or WGT.

Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello is entrusted with care.

Family and friends are encouraged to share a memory or messages of condolence at www.springerfuneralhome.com

Willis W. Gudeman

March 11, 1928 to May 26, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Willis Wayne Gudeman, 92, a lifelong farmer from Francesville, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 26, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born March 11, 1928 in Francesville to the late Samuel Seth and Kathryn Ann Frey Gudeman. He served overseas in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On April 11, 1954, he married Margaret Stefan in Francesville. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Dale (Peg) Gudeman, Francesville, Son
Doreen (Barry) Steffen, Silver Spring, MD, Daughter
Debra (Don) Nuest, Francesville, Daughter
Donna (Mike) Putt, Francesville, Daughter
Andria (John) Sprunger, Granddaughter
Grant (Cara) Gudeman, Grandson
Darin (Arial) Gudeman, Grandson
Heidi (Ben) Swakopf, Granddaughter
Hilary Nuest, Granddaughter
Erica (Kirk) Huber, Granddaughter
David (Sierra) Putt, Grandson
Thomas Putt, Grandson
Brandon (Hailey) Putt, Grandson
10 Great Grandchildren
Marcella Gudeman, Francesville, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Wendell Gene Gudeman, Brother
Hermine (Karl) Pister, Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law

At age 19, Mrs. Gudeman committed his life to the Lord and was baptized in the Francesville Apostolic Christian Church. He loved his church family and had a passion for teaching Sunday school. Willis was a member of the Francesville American Legion Post #228. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoyed restoring International Harvester tractors. He was a hardworking, kind, compassionate, and faithful Christian man. He loved the Francesville community and never knew a stranger. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 29, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. A private funeral service will be held at Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville, with the ministers of the church officiating. Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

While the wearing of facial coverings is no longer required by local government, the state recommends the wearing of facial coverings and the implementation of social distancing. If you have questions or concerns, please call the funeral home at 219-567-9551.

Memorial donations may be made to Apostolic Christian Church HarvestCall disaster relief.

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

Mary M. Glidden

April 23, 1926 to May 20, 2020

WINAMAC - Mary Margaret “Peggy” Glidden, 94, of Chicago, passed away at 10:56 p.m., Wednesday, May 20, at The Grove of Berwyn in Berwyn, IL.

She was born  April 23, 1926 in Winamac, to the late Lawrence Obe and Juanita Owen McKinley. She attended Winamac schools through her junior year and graduated from Zion High School in Zion, IL in 1945. In 1955, she married Clayton F. Glidden in Chicago. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by:

Deborah Glidden, Chicago, Daughter
Lawrence Owen “Larry” McKinley, Palm Harbor, FL, Brother
Robert Lee “Bob” (Barbara) McKinley, Iowa City, IA, Brother and Sister-in-law
Several Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Robert Michael Glidden, Son
Laverne (Jerry) Linderman, Sister and Brother-in-law
Beverly J. McKinley, Sister-in-law

Mrs. Glidden was retired from Woolworth’s in Chicago. She was a great sister to her brothers. She will be dearly missed.

Private burial will be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac.

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

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Willard C. Koebcke

March 13, 1928 to May 16, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Willard C. “Buck” Koebcke, 92, a longtime resident of Francesville, passed away Saturday, May 16. He resided the past four years at Fox River Apartments in Olney, IL.

He was born March 13, 1928 in Pulaski County, to the late Joseph and Flora Kaupke Koebcke. He served in the U.S. Army. On Dec. 31, 1951, he married DeMaris Bailey in Jeffersonville. She preceded him in death.

Survivors include:
Jackye (Blaine) Hites, Olney, IL, Daughter
Ellen (Harv) Gutwein, Francesville, Daughter
Nicole (Robert) Schwartz, Peru, Granddaughter
Holly (Shannon) Blank, Olney, IL, Granddaughter
Heather (Kevin) Cox, Munster, Granddaughter
Summer (Karl) Schippert, Evansville, Granddaughter
Stuart (Alivia) Gutwein, Lafayette, Grandson
Lance (Erica) Gutwein, Francesville, Grandson
Tyler (Lacie) Gutwein, Francesville, Grandson
19 Great-Grandchildren
2 Great-Great-Grandsons
Sam (Rachel) Koebcke, Alabama, Brother
Kay Koebcke, Florida, Sister-in-law
Janelle Tiede, Francesville, Sister-in-law

Preceded in death by:
4 Brothers and 4 Sisters

Mr. Koebcke was a devoted member of the Francesville First Christian Church.

Private burial will be at St. James Salem Cemetery in Francesville, with Pastor James Ketchen officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Fox River where staff provided several years of loving care to Mr. Koebcke. Checks may be made to Caritas and mailed to Fox River at 1016 Parker St. Olney, IL 62450.

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

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

Doyle R. Dinkens

May 21, 1940 to May 18, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Doyle Ray Dinkens, 79, of Indianapolis (formerly of Francesville), passed away Monday, May 18, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Indianapolis. 

He was born May 21, 1940 in Lutesville, MO to the late Roy W. and Lovie Oletha Dinkens.

He is survived by:
Michael Dinkens, Hobart, Son
Bryan (Kimberli) Dinkens, Greenwood, Son
Katie (Cedric) McConnell, Fountaintown, Daughter
Erin Donnelly, Lafayette, Step-Daughter
2 Grandchildren - Ezra and Aiden Dinkens
Dale Dinkens, Indianapolis, Brother
Mary Bierly, Walkerton, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Steven Dinkens, Son
Jill Roth, Step-Daughter

Mr. Dinkens was a longtime industrial arts teacher at North Judson-San Pierre High School, having retired in 1998. He was a devoted member of the Francesville Lions Club and the Francesville First Christian Church. Most recently, he attended Franklin Park Church on the south-side of Indianapolis with his family. His Christian faith was a very important part of his life, and he tried his best to be in church every Sunday. He was an avid woodworker and was very proud of his workshop and his collection of tools. He enjoyed talking about all things Northwest Missouri State (his alma-mater) and its football team. He loved being a grandpa to two sweet boys who will miss him very much. He had a joy for life; he loved to smile and find ways to make those around him smile as well. His family is thankful that he is now free from sickness and is home with Jesus.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 23, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. A private service will be held at the funeral home with Rev. Todd Yates (of Franklin Park Church in Indianapolis) officiating. Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Franklin Park Church in Indianapolis.

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