Obituaries

April 20, 1951 to March 25, 2021

WINAMAC - Dr. Frank Alan Utes, 69, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 25, at his home in Winamac.

He was born April 20, 1951 in Chicago, to Frank E. and Esther Rowoldt Utes. He graduated from Maine West High School in Des Plaines, IL in 1969 and University of Illinois in 1973. He earned his doctorate at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1978. On June 23, 1973, he married Karen M. Younker in Rochester, IL. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Christy (Jason) Hague, Winamac, Daughter
Julie (Mike) Warner, Anderson, Daughter
Laurie Utes, Greenville, SC, Daughter
Ella Hague, Winamac, Granddaughter
Alex Hague, Winamac, Grandson
Blake Warner, Anderson, Grandson
Emily Warner, Anderson, Granddaughter
Frank E. Utes, Des Plaines, IL, Father
Gary (Marci) Utes, Brother
Glen Utes, Brother
Karen (Jim) Chelsvig, Sister
Several nieces and nephews

He is preceded in death by:
Esther Rowoldt Utes, Mother

In 1979, the Uteses moved moved to Winamac where they raised their three daughters. Dr. Utes was a board certified family practice physician for 46 years, retiring from the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Clinic in December 2019. He served most his medical career alongside his faithful staff at Utes Family Practice. He also served on the medical staff of Pulaski Memorial Hospital since 1979 and on the PMH Board of Trustees for several years. He was a dedicated member of First Christian Church in Winamac, where he served many roles including elder, trustee, and deacon as well as a longtime board member and former chairman of Guidance Nursery School. Throughout the years, he enjoyed being a part of the church choir, musical productions, and bell choir. He was a talented Sunday school, VBS, and Junior Church teacher. He will always be remembered for his lively children’s sermons and entertaining stints as worship leader.

Throughout his life in Winamac, Dr. Utes was involved in numerous community activities, which usually started with his loving support of his daughters. For many years, he coached softball and baseball. He spent many summer nights in the town park as the commissioner of the summer softball league as well as many Friday nights in the fall on the sidelines serving as team doctor for the Winamac Warrior football team. He was a former member of the Winamac Kiwanis Club and recently became a board member of the Pulaski Animal Center. He had various hobbies and interests, including gardening, fishing, horsemanship, tennis, swimming, and cross country skiing. Many did not know that he was a talented artist and that his oil paintings rivaled those of Bob Ross. He also dabbled in gem cutting and stained glass creations. More than anything else, He loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 31, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 1, at First Christian Church in Winamac, with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church, Guidance Nursery School, or Pulaski Animal Center.

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