Obituaries

Arthur G. Geyer

February 2, 1933 to February 11, 2016

FRANCESVILLE - Arthur "Art" G. Geyer, 83, of Francesville, passed away Thursday, Feb. 11, at White Oak Health Campus in Monticello, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

He was born Feb. 2, 1933 in Francesville to the late Samuel and Tylla (Kuebler) Geyer. He was an Anna Banwart delivered baby. On April 29, 1956, he married Roberta Houston, and she survives.

Also surviving are: 
Joni (Steve) Buyer, Carmel, Daughter 
Sondra (Roy) Mullis, Winamac, Daughter 
Jayne (Ken) Nuest, Francesville, Daughter
Colleen Buyer, Granddaughter 
Ryan (Ashlyn) Buyer, Grandson 
Kevin (Michelle) Nuest, Grandson 
Travis (Holly) Nuest, Grandson 
Karl Mullis, Grandson 
Kaden, Braxton, and Carly, Great Grandchildren 
Isabel (Harley) Martin, Hobart, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Loraine K. Geyer, Daughter 
Dorothy Geyer, Sister 
Helen Eshleman, Sister 
Herbert Geyer, Brother 
Lewis Geyer, Brother 
Ralph Geyer, Brother 
Wilbur Geyer, Brother 

Mr. Geyer played basketball at Francesville High School and graduated in 1951. He was then employed at Kingsbury Ordnance Plant in LaPorte until he was called to serve in the U.S. Army in May 1953. He graduated from the Armored School in Ft. Knox, KY, was assigned to Company D 73rd Tank Battalion with his tank named “Deuces Wild” and served in Korea. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.

In May 1955, Mr. Geyer returned to Francesville and worked for Manion Construction and Houston Tile and Excavating. He also farmed and later owned Geyer Construction. He was a longtime member and past president of the Francesville Town Board. He took great interest in the town park and personally removed dead trees and collected donations to add new trees and landscaping. He and Ken Nuest built and erected the park sign. He was a Purdue Boilermaker fan and a former member of the John Purdue Club. He was also a former member of the Francesville Lion's Club. One of his greatest joys was watching his “favorite” granddaughter and grandsons participate in sports and other school activities. 

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 15, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 6 p.m., (Monday, Feb. 15), at the funeral home. Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville with the American Legion providing full military honors.

Memorial donations may be given to Francesville American Legion and the Francesville Salem Twp. Public Library.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

 

Thomas Denham

November 6, 1946 to February 11, 2016

WINAMAC - Thomas "Tom" Denham, 69, of Winamac, passed away peacefully at 4:10 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11, at Franciscan St. Francis Health, Indianapolis, surrounded by his family.

He was born Nov. 6, 1946 in Winamac to the late Earl and Louise (Brown) Denham. He married Connie Sue Weaver on April 20, 1968, at St. Peters Catholic Church in Winamac. She preceded him in death.

Survivors include his daughter, Michelle Louise Boyce, Winamac; sons, Thomas Earl (Colleen) Denham, Culver; Eric Albert Denham, Lakemoor, IL; and Zachary James Denham, Winamac; grandson, Alexander Grostefon, Winamac; granddaughter, Sydney Sue Denham, Culver; great-granddaughter, Kya Grostefon; and girlfriend, Lisa Plowman-Hinkle, Winamac.

Mr. Denham was a 1966 graduate of the Winamac Community High School. He was a salesman for Sony for years and owned One Stop Electronics in Winamac for several years. He was recently the night manager at Sanders Foods in Winamac. He was an avid lover of the Tippecanoe River, where he enjoyed all his free time at the Denwood Cottages on the banks of the river. He enjoyed cooking, mushroom hunting, and spending time with friends and family. He also liked trips on the river in his boat with his dog. He was a renowned storyteller.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, February 16, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will begin at 8:15 p.m., at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Winamac with Rev. Bert Woolson officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Winamac.

A celebration of Tom’s life with stories, grill cooking, and fellowship will be held at the Denwood Cottages this summer.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center.

Anita Lebo

Dec. 05, 1937 - Jan. 28, 2016

LAPORTE - Anita (Rose/Finni) Lebo of La Porte, passed away Thursday, Jan. 28.

She was born Dec. 5, 1937 in New Bedford, MA to Elsie (Ferreira) and Joseph Rose, and her adoptive Father was Clifford Finni. She was married and divorced from Robert N. O'Donnell and James L. Lebo; both men remained good friends with her until the time of their deaths.

Survivors include three sons, Robert (Sugeil) O'Donnell of Apopka Fla., Stephen (Karen) O'Donnell of Hudson Lake, and Jamie (Kris) Lebo of Union Mills; two daughters, Anita “Tina” (Gary) Geyer of La Porte, and Michelle O'Donnell of Tampa, Fla.; a stepdaughter, Debbie (Charlie) Kirk of Rochester; grandchildren, Shawn, Ryan (Keri), Steven, Drake, and Robert O'Donnell; Evan (Heather), Robert II (Randi), Valarie, Jasmine and Ann Marie O'Donnell, Caitlin Miller, Sadie, Tessa, and Mia Lebo; Shelley Schilling; Megan(Aaron) Sanders; great grandchildren, Tre', Robert III, Kenzie, Aurora, Hope, Serenity and Elias O'Donnell, Lukas and Devin Couch, Cearra Castleman; great-great granddaughter La'Myia Collains; two sisters, Maryann White and Madelyn (Gary) Peck of Yorktown, Va.; many nieces and nephews; and good friends Anna Tripodis of LaPorte and Lea Viera of Florida.

She was preceded by a daughter, Kimberely O'Donnell.

Mrs. Lebo lived in LaPorte since 1970 coming from Winamac. She was a bus driver for La Porte Community School Corporation for 25 years.She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, La Porte. She will be remembered as a loving mother not only to her children but to the many neighborhood children and the many friends of her own children whom she took in when they had no place to go. She was known as “Mom” to many. She loved to bowl, camp, dance, and enjoyed photography. She loved her dog Wrigley and cat Abbie. She was so proud of being an American and was a very patriotic person. She was very active when it came to supporting veterans, especially during Desert Storm while her son was enlisted and serving in Iraq.

Family and friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Ave., LaPorte. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb.10, at the First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Evan Lash officiating. A private burial of ashes will be at Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund, Alzheimer's Association , or to Disable American Veterans, Chapter 27, PO Box 6576, Lafayette, IN 47903 - Attn: James Kramer and mark funds to be used at the Lafayette Soldiers Home.

Or in her “memory” - take some time and visit someone in a nursing home that may no longer have family or friends who can come to visit.

To send condolences online, please visit Essling Funeral Home.com. 

Robert F. Kroft

May 1, 1926 to February 8, 2016

WINAMAC - Robert F. "Bob" Kroft, 89, of Logansport, (formerly of Monon and Medaryville) passed away at 3:25 p.m., Monday, Feb. 8, at Woodbridge Health Campus in Logansport.

He was born on May 1, 1926 in Medaryville to the late George and Grace Tetzloff Kroft. 

Survivors include:
Mike (Kaye) Beall, Star City, Step Son
Greg (Cindy) Beall, Logansport, Step Son
Brian (Julie) Beall, Sitka, AK, Step Son
4 Step Grandchildren
2 Step Great Grandchildren
Arlos Epler, Francesville, Sister
Doris Becker, Rensselaer, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

 

Preceded in death by:
Nell Brown Kroft,   First Wife
Agnes Clary Beall Kroft, Second Wife
Sean Beall, Step Grandson
Ray Kroft, Twin Brother
Alladean Clouser, Sister
Louella Hively, Sister
Georgianna "Dolly" Fritz, Sister

Mr. Kroft was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Logansport. He was a former member of the Lion's Club, Moose Lodge, and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was lifelong farmer and had worked at Kaiser Ag Chemicals. He enjoyed being outdoors, working with his hands, and dancing. The family wishes to thank the staff of Woodbridge Health Campus for the care given to Bob over the years. Bob will be dearly missed by friends and family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11, at Frain MortuaryWinamac. The funeral service will be held 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 12, at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at Buffalo Cemetery, Buffalo.

Memorial donations may be given to a charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

John R. Denney

Februay 5, 2016

WINAMAC - John Richard Denney, 69, of Winamac, died unexpectedly Friday, Feb. 5, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.
He was born Feb. 11, 1946 in Gary. He married Ronda Danford on Nov. 17, 2000. She survives.

Survivors include:
Monica, Daughter
Matt, Son
Emma, Granddaughter
Barbara, Sister
James, Brother
Rebecca, Sister

Mr. Denney graduated from Crown Point High School and later enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was a former member of the Winamac Town Council. He was retired from the Lake Bruce Waste Water Treatment Plant. He was an avid NASCAR, Chicago Bears, and IU Hoosiers fan. He enjoyed reading and going for walks on the Panhadle Pathway. He especially enjoyed going on walks with his dog, Abby. He will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 10to 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 12, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m., (Friday, Febr. 12), with Pastor James Adcock officiating. Burial be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to Pulaski Animal Center or Panhandle Pathway.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary. Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

G. Jean Spoor

Septemer 9, 1922 to February 3, 2016

ROYAL CENER - G. Jean Spoor, 93, of Culver, formerly of Winamac, passed away at 9:46 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 3, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Culver.

Born on Sept. 9, 1922 in Winamac, she was the daughter of the late George Carl and Sarah (Hahn) Hood. On Aug. 25, 1943, she married Lester P. Spoor at the Christian Church parsonage in Winamac. He preceded her in death on Dec. 16, 2002.

Survivors include her sons, Gary Spoor (Dorothy) of Cookeville, TN, Thomas G. Spoor, Sr. (LaVonda) of Monterey, Mark Spoor (Evelyn) of Indianapolis and daughter, Linda Weaver (Mike) of Roanoke. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter.

She was also preceded in death by son, Alan Spoor, granddaughters, Kelly, Kimberly and Amanda Spoor, great grandson, Chase Bonnell, brothers, Kenneth, Jay and Cecil Hood and sister, Ruth DePoy.

Mrs. Spoor was a 1939 Star City High School graduate.  After graduation she worked as a secretary to E.G. Fry of Winamac. She spent most of her life as a farm wife and during that time she also retired as the assistant librarian from the Monterey Tippecanoe Library after 18 years. She formerly attended Monterey United Methodist Church and was a 50-year member of the Winamac Order of Eastern Star. She was also a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxilary.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 5, at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Royal Center Chapel. The funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 6, at the funeral home, with additional visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Winamac Order of Eastern Star.

Those who wish may sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence for the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Edward C. Zehner

November 16, 1930 to January 25, 2016

KNOX - Edward C. Zehner, 85, of Knox, died Monday, Jan. 25, in Knox.

He was born Nov. 16, 1930 in Monterey, son of the late William and Loretta Langenbahn Zehner. He married Marilyn Keller. She survives.

Also surviving are Son, Edward (Judy) John Zehner of Alma, Mich., Son, Michael (Yvette) Gregg Zehner of San Diego, Daughter, Dawn (Edward) Mackowicz of Walkerton, Daughter Denise (Butch) Napier of Peotone, Ill., Brother, Bill Zehner of Monterey, 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by brother Raymond Zehner.

Mr. Zehner was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church. He loved to fish and spend time with his family and grandchildren. He worked as a supervisor for Bendix.

Friends will be received 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28, at the at the Braman & Son Memorial Chapel, Knox. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 29, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Knox with Father Rick Holy officiating. Interment will follow at  St. Anne Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the to St. Thomas Catholic Church.