Obituaries

Charles Johns Jr.

December 25, 1935 to April 29, 2014

FRANCESVILLE - Charles "Charlie" Johns Jr., 78, of South Bend, formerly of Francesville, passed away at 3:10 a.m., Tuesday, April 29. He had been residing at Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center, South Bend for the past three years.

He was born Dec. 25, 1935 to the late Charles William Sr. and Emma Kopka Johns at the family home in rural Beaver Township in Pulaski County. He married Darlene Kay Stout in Winamac. She preceded him in death on Aug. 14, 1968.

Survivors include:
Charles (Susan) Johns III, Porter, Son
Kyle Johns, Chesterton, Son
Dale (Candy) Johns, Chesterton, Son
6 Grandchildren
Marie S. Poisel, Three Oaks, MI, Sister
Emma Jean Cafin, Goodland, Sister
Donald R. Johns, Jr., Francesville, Brother
Harold D. (Linda) Johns, Winamac, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Edward Johns, Brother
Sandra K. Goller, Sister
Lynn E. Johns, Sr., Brother

Mr. Johns and his siblings grew up attending the Pleasant Ridge Church in Francesville. He looked forward to going out to eat as well as attending races at Shady Hill. He also liked to go on long walks. He enjoyed spending time with his children. He will be dearly missed by those who loved him.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., (Sunday, May 4), at the funeral home with Dr. James Gabhart and Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Burial will be at Koster Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to First Baptist Church of Francesville or to the American Cancer Society .

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

Merlene F. Kiser

August 23, 1928 to April 28, 2014

WINAMAC - Merlene F. Kiser, 85, of West Lafayette, formerly of Star City, passed away at 9:50 a.m., Monday, April 28, at the Indiana Veteran's Home in West Lafayette.

She was born Aug. 23, 1928, in Chicago, to the late Merle V. and Wilmarth "Billie" Newby Linback. She married Lee E. Kiser on March 21, 1947, in Star City. He passed away June 28, 2010.

Beverly J. (Layne) Hooper, Rensselaer, Daughter
Andrea L. Childs, Okeechobee, FL, Daughter
Shannon (Jennifer) Hooper, Thornton, CO, Grandson
Trisha (Todd) Giombetti, Bristol, WI Granddaughter
Ashley (Aaron) Boone, Okeechobee, FL, Granddaughter
Allissa Childs, Okeechobee, FL, Granddaughter
Peyton Hooper, Thornton, CO, Great Granddaughter
Chase Hooper, Thornton, CO, Great Grandson
Alexis Childs, Okeechobee, FL, Great Granddaughter

Preceded in death by:
One Infant Brother

Mrs. Kiser lived all of her married life in Star City, moving to the Indiana Veteran's Home in 2010. She had worked at First National Bank in Chicago before marrying Lee and moving to Star City. Her first employment was at the State Highway Garage as a secretary. She then was employed at First Union Bank and Trust in Winamac before transferring to the Star City Branch of First Union. She loved caring for Lee during their 63 years of marriage. She enjoyed her time at the Indiana Veteran's Home and made many friends there. She will be sadly missed by her family.

Visitation will be from after 12 noon, Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral ervice will follow at 2 p.m., (Wednesday, April 30), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be given to the Indiana Veteran's Home, in care of Dennis Pettit, 3851 N. River Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

Edna J. Richter

April 14, 1920 to April 26, 2014

WINAMAC - Edna J. Richter, 94, Winamac, passed away at 6:57 p.m., Saturday, April 26, in Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

She was born April 14, 1920, in Paxton, FL, to the late John and Stella Turner Parker. She married Helmut Richter on March 25, 1937, in DeFuniak Springs, FL. He passed away on March 5, 2009, after 71 years of marriage.

Survivors include:
Frederick Richter, Winamac, Son
Everett Potts, Winamac, Son-in-law
Suzanne Marie Potts, Indianapolis, Granddaughter
James Kevin (Coral) Potts, Lafayette, Grandson
Lisa Jennette (Brian) Hultquist, West Lebanon, Granddaughter
Frederick Scott (Amber) Richter, Kokomo, Grandson
Stephaine Lynne Claytor, Decatur, IL, Granddaughter
Ryan Lee (Sylvia) Richter, Bonita Springs, FL, Grandson
11 Great Grandchildren
Darris Morris, Tallahassee, FL, Sister
Franklin (Betty) Parker, Chicago, Brother
Windell (Rita) Parker, Ames, IA, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Marie Potts, Daughter
Sandra Richter, Daughter-in-law
Glenn Parker, Brother
Idell Parsells, Sister
Roy Parker, Brother

Mrs. Richter was a 50-year member of the Iris-Elm Garden Club, 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star #96, and was active with Girl Scouts for over 50 years. She was also a member of the Mothers Club and Tri-Chi. She was also a life member of the Garden Club of Indiana and the National Garden Club. She was a former member of the Pulaski County Welfare Board, and had assisted with the Kiwanis Club lunches at the First United Methodist Church of which she was a member.

Mrs. Richter volunteered for over 25 years at the Pulaski Health Care Center, especially helping with bingo. She was an avid golfer and had been club champion at Moss Creek Country Club. She enjoyed playing poker, and loved to cook. She was also a bird watcher and gardener.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac where OES services will be held at 6 p.m. The funeral service will follow at 6 p.m., (Tuesday, April 29), at the funeral home. Burial of cremains will take place in Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Oncology Garden at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, The Garden Club of Indiana Scholarship Fund, or the Girl Scouts of America.   

Ryan P. Grandstaff

November 14, 1989 to April 23, 2014

WINAMAC -  Spc. Ryan P. Grandstaff, 24, of Winamac, died at 4:45 a.m., Wednesday, April 23, in Katterbach, Germany as a result of an automobile accident.

He was born on Nov. 14, 1989 in South Bend.

Survivors include:

Paul (Shannin) Grandstaff, Winamac, Father
Tammy Hopkins (Steven) Huskins, Rochester, Mother
Kyle (Monica) Grandstaff, Royal Center, Brother
Sean (Breann) Grandstaff, Winamac, Brother
Carol Ann Grant Grandstaff, Winamac, Paternal Grandmother
Harold & Thelma Button Hopkins, Winamac, Maternal Grandparents
Elizabeth Grace Grandstaff, Niece
Eliza Kelly Grandstaff, Niece
Braylee Elysse Kough, Niece
Step brothers and sisters: Dakota Lane Heims, Julianna Katherine Heims, Hannah Marie Huskins, Heidi Lynn Huskins,  S. Luke Huskins, Ethan Ryan Huskins, and Jonathan Dakota Huskins.

Spc. Grandstaff graduated from Winamac Community High School in 2009. He ran on the high school track team where he was a co-record holder on the four-by-one-hundred relay team. He loved playing football and continued his football career at Anderson University. He then attended Vincennes University for aviation technology.

He was employed at Braun Corporation and Plymouth Tube before joining the military. He joined the U.S. Army Oct. 2, 2012 and became a crew chief on a Blackhawk Medivac Helicopter. He was stationed to Ansbach Germany on April 27, 2013. He loved flying and playing on the Illesheim Black'N Blue Rugby Team. He enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing and shooting archery. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved people. He will be sadly missed by his friends and family.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday, at Church of the Heartland, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (May 3), at the church, with Pastor Jon McDougle and Pastor Chad Richie officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Wounded Warrior Project or to a fund to assist his comrads who are travelling to Ryan's funeral from Germany. 

Richard Jensen

July 28, 1951 to April 24, 2014

WINAMAC - Richard A. Jensen, 62, Monterey, passed away at 9:45 p.m., Thursday, April 24, at his residence. 

He was born July 28, 1951, in Knox, to the late August and Estella Kwiatkowski Jensen. He married Betty L. Bailey on Nov. 1, 1969 at St. Anne's Church, Monterey. She passed away Nov. 27, 2007.

Survivors include:
Kendra L. (Randy) Walter, Monterey, Daughter
Lance Jensen, Granson
Heaven Stalhandske, Granddaughter
Zachary Walters, Grandson
Grant Elpers, Grandson
Leandra Walters, Granddaughter
Elizabeth Walters, Granddaughter
James Jensen, Brother
Marvin Jensen, Brother
Marlin Jensen, Brother
Jeannie Carlton, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Richard Darick Jensen, Son
Katrina L. Jensen Boughton, Daughter
Duane Morris Walters, Grandson

Mr. Jensen lived most of his life in Ora. He was formerly employed by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office for many years. He also owned and operated R&R Firewood for many years. He loved his children, grandchildren and all of his family. He also enjoyed riding his moped. He also loved his companion "Pooh Bear" who was always with him.

Visitation will be after 10 a.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., (Tuesday, April 29), at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Cunnington officiating. Burial will be in the Alexander Heinemann Memorial Cemetery, Ora.

David A. Mitchell

November 10, 1962 to April 24, 2014

MEDARYVILLE - David Andrew Mitchell, 51, San Pierre, passed away at 7:09 p.m., Thursday, April 24, at IU Health LaPorte Hospital, LaPorte. 

He was born Nov. 10, 1962 in Rensselaer to David and Virginia L. Womack Mitchell.

Survivors include:
Virginia L. Womack Mitchell, San Pierre, Mother
Dallas Andrew Mitchell, Indianapolis, Son
David Coty (Michelle) Mitchell, North Judson, Son
Christian Samuel Mitchell, San Pierre, Son
David Coty Mitchell, Jr., Grandson
Timothy Eli Mitchell, Grandson
Deborah Ann (Kirk) Davis, Goshen, Sister
Brittany Higdon, Goshen, Niece
Brandon Higdon, Goshen, Nephew
Dana Fleenor Mitchell, Medaryville, Companion
Glen Keller, Chicago, Step-son
Kimberly Keller, Francesville, Step-daughter

Preceded in death by:
David Mitchell, Father

Mr. Mitchell was a member of the American Legion Post #96 in Medaryville, where he was very active with the Sons of the American Legion. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and racing. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He loved his family and friends very much and will be dearly missed by all.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 30, at Goodway Baptist Church, Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday (May 1), at the church with Pastor Hager Tolson officiating. Burial will be at Independence Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville.