Obituaries

Michael Schwartz

April 2, 1959 to April 14, 2025

WINAMAC - Michael “Whistle” Schwartz, 66 of Winamac passed away at 3:31 a.m., Monday, April 14, at I.U. Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette.

Born April 2, 1959 in Chicago, he was the son of the late Bernard and Phyllis (Bartgen) Schwartz.

"Whistle" Schwartz

Survivors include:
Dustin Salzer, son
Madison Salzer, granddaughter
Brody Salzer, grandson
John (Anita) Lasanowski, brother
Felicia Emigh, sister
Brenda Grimmett, sister
William Michael (Faye) Voight, brother
Pat (John) Wawrzyniec, sister
Bernard (Traci) Schwartz Jr, brother
Cathy (John) Fritz, sister
Daniel “Dino” Schwartz, brother
Terry (fiancé Amy) Schwartz, brother
Theresa Schwartz, sister
Randy Schwartz, brother
Rodney (Joleen) Schwartz, brother
Janet Schwartz, sister
Many nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by:
Wayne Schwartz, infant brother
Bernard Voight, brother
Jean Schwartz, sister
Larry Schwartz, brother
Don Grimmett, brother-in-law

Mr. Schwartz was a farmhand, handy man and a jack-of-all-trades. He never liked to be in the spotlight. He was a man of few words, but his one-liners will never be forgotten. His nieces and nephews were never called by their real names, he had goofy nicknames for all of them. He was a member of the Winamac Eagles #2580 and enjoyed helping others, farming and spending time on the river. He never missed a bonfire, and he knew he never needed an invitation to join one. At family get-togethers, he was there one minute, and the next minute he had ventured off to somewhere else. He had a free spirit and lived life on his own terms. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends, and all who knew him.

A celebration of life service will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, April 27, at the Winamac Eagles #2580.

Memorial donations may be made to the Winamac Eagles #2580 to be used for the Angel Tree, for the love that Whistle had for children.

His online guestbook is available, and condolences may be shared with the family

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes.

Thomas J. Roth

August 2, 1950 to April 11, 2025

WINAMAC - Thomas Joe Roth, 74, of Star City passed away unexpectedly Friday, April 11.

He was born Aug. 2, 1950 in Winamac to the late Howard William and Mildred Opal (Bonnell) Roth. He was a lifelong member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski, and went to school in Pulaski through the eighth grade. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1968. He was a 10-year member of Pulaski County 4-H and was crowned Achievement King in 1969. He attended Purdue University for two years and made many friends while there. He married June Ellen Thompson, whom he met in high school, on Aug. 14, 1971, at the St. Joseph Church. In 2021, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a surprise party hosted by their four children. She survives.

Tom Roth

He is also survived by:
Natalie “Nan” Roth, Indianapolis, Daughter
Joe (Sarah) Roth, Richwood, TX, Son
Kyle (Chelsea) Roth, Zionsville, Son
Wyatt (Stacey) Roth, Indianapolis, Son
Grandchildren: Aria Roth, Owen Roth, Griffin Roth, Holden Roth, Cameron Roth, Finley Roth, Colin Roth, Brodie Roth, and Hensley Roth,
Jean (Don) Rife, Sister
Timothy (Melinda) Roth, Brother
Barbara Roth, Sister-in-law
Don (Jean) Thompson, Brother-in-law
Larry (Jean) Thompson, Brother-in-law
Richard (Denise) Thompson, Brother-in-law
Nieces and Nephews: Rachel (Bob) Dixon, Isaac (Lisa) Rife, Regina (David) Martin, Eric (Lauren) Roth, Brian (Jen) Roth, Erin Roth, Sara (Jesse) Underwood, Ashley (Shane) Ledford, Parker Roth, Angie (Ron) Bischoff, Tracy (Todd) Brandenburg, Rebecca (Mark) Riordan, and Randy Thompson.
Many Great-Nieces and -Nephews
Wayne Bonnell, Uncle
Numerous Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Lt. Col. John William Roth, USAF Ret., Brother
Jennifer (Thompson) Terry, Niece
Tyler William Roth, Nephew

Mr. Roth was a lifelong farmer, who was well-known and respected by all. He enjoyed working on the farm, especially with his cows. Throughout his life, he was employed by Powers Bros. Mowing Crew, Moyer Grain, Sohigro and Gary Hanson Electric. Most notably, he worked at Farm Bureau Co-Op, a career that spanned 35 years (from 1981 to 2016). He was a very hard worker and instilled in his children that same work ethic, as well as the value of education. In his youth, he was active with the Pulaski County Young Democrats. Later in life, he served as a voice of reason and restraint during his time as a Pulaski County Councilman. Most recently, he was serving as precinct chairperson for Indian Creek Township. He was a former 4-H Leader for the Indian Creek Livewires. He coached his kids in youth baseball and soccer. He had previously served on the Pulaski County Fair Board and the Pulaski-White Rural Telephone Cooperative Board. He was a member of the Holy Name Society for many years. He was a charter member and past president of the Star City Lion’s Club.

Tom was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed. He lived life to the fullest. He always planted a large garden and shared his produce with family and friends. He enjoyed watching the Chicago White Sox and was an avid Purdue football and basketball fan, as well as a Winamac Warrior fan. He enjoyed camping and spending time with his family. Most of all, he was a loving and devoted husband and father and loved being a “Papaw.”

A Lions memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, followed by a scriptural wake service. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., (Tuesday, April 15), at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 16, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski, with Rev. Dennis Faker officiating. Burial will be at Buck Cemetery in Thornhope.

Memorial donations may be made to Star City Lions Club.

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

Birtie F. Barcus Nowak

August 2, 1938 to April 8, 2025

WINAMAC - Birtie F. Barcus Nowak, 86, of Culver, passed away Tuesday, April 8, at her home.

She was born Aug. 2, 1938 in Carter, KY to the late Clifton P. and Nora M. (Blevins) Reeder. In 2011, she married Kenneth J. Nowak. He survives.

She is also survived by:
George Bogan, Culver, Son
Margie Barcus, Wheatfield, Daughter
Bill Bogan, Knox, Son
Many Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren
Jimmy Reeder, Brother
John Reeder, Brother
Yvonne Ranaldi, Sister
Wava Reeder, Sister
Margie Galjan, Sister
oretta Barber, Sister
Numerous Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Warren W. Reeder, Brother
Billie E. Reeder, Brother
Gleneviere E. Schubert Dubulis, Sister
Robert M. Reeder, Brother

Mrs. Nowak was a realtor for many years and then worked at Leer Corporation in Bourbon, until it closed in 2002.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Vivian A. Harness Crull

May 28, 1948 to April 7, 2025

WINAMAC - Vivian Ann (Harness) Crull, 76, of Winamac (formerly of LaPorte) passed away Monday, April 7, at Northwest Health Hospital in LaPorte.

She was born May 28, 1948 in Plymouth, to the late Raymond and Rosezella  Vermillion) Harness.

Vivian Crull

She is survived by:
Leisa (Daniel) Wade, Sidney, OH, Daughter
RJ Crull, LaPorte, Son
8 Grandchildren: Kyle, Tia, Stephani, Tony, Tabitha, Trenton, Danielle and Emmi
11 Great-Grandchildren
Donna Minix, Winamac, Sister
Larry Harness, Bass Lake, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Roy Crull Sr., Husband
Raymond Eugene Harness, Brother
Sandra Sue (Harness) Heater, Sister
Gladys Mae (Harness) Hamilton, Sister

Mrs. Crull worked as a Qualified Medical Assistant for many years. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Private burial will be at Patton Cemetery in LaPorte. Memorial donations may be made to the cemetery.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Linda S. Nicolas

August 13, 1946 to April 7, 2025

WINAMAC - Linda Sue Nicolas, 78, of Winamac, passed away Monday, April 7, at her home.

She was born Aug. 13, 1946 in Flora, to the late Marion and Dorothy (Grindle) Freeman. She graduated from Star City High School in 1964, and the following year she graduated from Vogue Beauty School in South Bend. She married Steven Nicolas on June 26, 1965, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. He survives.

Linda Nicolas

She is also survived by:
Susan (Tom) Corwin, Lafayette, Daughter
Renda (Lester Coffie) Nicolas, Warsaw, Daughter
Corey (Amanda) Nicolas, Rossville, Son
Grandchildren: Kyle (Emily) Corwin, Kevin (Jalicia) Corwin, Frankie Conley III, Kieshawn Davis, Kayla Stone, Samantha Miners, Elizabeth “Liesi” Hurley, Brittney Nicolas, Alexandria Reese, Michael Hurley, Kody Nicolas, and Marissa “Mimi” Nicolas.
13 Great-Grandchildren
Marlene (Jim Fredel) Girton, Winamac, Sister
Brian (Laura) Girton, Nephew
Brad (Heather) Girton, Nephew
Paul (Betty) Nicolas, Indianapolis, Brother-in-law
Many other Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Kelsey Corwin, Granddaughter
Kierra Castillejo, Granddaughter
Herb Girton, Brother-in-law
Joseph and Agnes Nicolas, In-laws
Mary Swartzell, Sister-in-law
Joe Nicolas, Brother-in-law

Mrs. Nicolas worked as a beautician for 20 years, operating her own shop (Linda’s Cut and Style) from home. She also worked as a floral designer at Camelot Flowers and was a waitress at the Indian Head Restaurant and Bischoff’s Restaurant. She was instrumental in starting the Little Miss Pageant. She enjoyed crafting, especially making decorative frames for poetry. Linda and Steve traveled to many festivals and craft shows during the time they operated Loving Creations by Linda. She attended the First Christian Church in Winamac. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt. She loved her family dearly and will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 10, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, April 11, at the funeral home with Pastor Stephen Sundquist officiating, Burial will be at Reed Cemetery in Winamac.

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

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

Audrey E. Fulmer Olson

April 27, 1941 to April 4, 2025

FRANCESVILLE - Audrey E. Fulmer Olson, 83, of Francesville, passed away Friday, April 4, at home, surrounded by her family.

She was born April 27, 1941 in Putnam, CT to the late John and Phyllis (Colby) Woodward. She graduated from Union Mills High School in Union Mills, IN. She married Ray C. Fulmer on Aug. 13, 1961, in Medaryville. He passed away Sept. 19, 2003. She married Francis Olson on Oct. 10, 2007, in Milford, IN. He passed away May 14, 2024.

Audrey Fulmer Olson

She is survived by:
Lisa (Larry) Brady, Francesville, Daughter
Kevin (Janine) Fulmer, Medaryville, Son
Nathaniel (Natalia) Brady, Grandson
Ashlee (Heath) Sommers, Granddaughter
Jenna (Lupe) Ochoa, Granddaughter
Amanda (Hector) Zamora, Granddaughter
Austin (Jodi) Fulmer, Grandson
Stetson (Alexus Reyes) Fulmer, Grandson
10 Great-Grandchildren: Leo, Harlow, Lyncoln, Logan, Tobias, Felix, Lucy, Cairalina, Shaylyn, and Sadie.
Several Nieces and Nephews
Beth Feiler, Step-Daughter
Dawn (Bud) Webb, Step-Daughter
Vicki (Dan Miller) George, Step-Daughter
Several Step-Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Cairine Sewell, Daughter
2 Infant Great-Grandchildren: Avian Fulmer and Luretta Fulmer
Trudy Guy, Sister
William Woodward, Brother
Guy “Butch” Woodward, Brother

Mrs. Fulmer Olson was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski, as well as the Christian Mothers. She enjoyed playing cards and fishing. She loved her Boston Terriers. Most of all, she loved her family very much - especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, April 7, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. A scriptural wake service will be at 7:15 p.m., Monday at the funeral home, followed by a Christian Mothers service. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 8, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski with Revs. Anthony Rowland, Dennis Faker and Joshua Bennett officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Ronald McDonald House.

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