Obituaries

Ronald M. Vititoe

February 3, 1946 to January 8, 2019

WINAMAC - Ronald Mark Vititoe, 72, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 8, as the result of a motor vehicle accident.

He was born Feb. 3, 1946 in Louisville, KY to the late Ernest and Willa Ross Vititoe. He attended John Marshal Elementary School, Shawnee Elementary School and Pleasure Ridge High School. In 1964, he graduated from Shawnee High School.

Mr. Vititoe served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant (E-5) with the “Jumping Mustangs” 1st Bn 8th Cav Reg, 1st Air Cav Div, Bravo Co. and was awarded a Combat Infantryman Badge. He was a lifetime member of the VFW. He graduated from the United Electronics Institute in 1967 and received a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Louisville in 1973. He used the GI Bill to attend college while working as a local musician at the Whispering Hills Country Club and various other local clubs that employed live rock bands. He graduated from the United Electronics Institute in 1967 and received a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Louisville in 1973. He used the GI Bill to attend college while working as a local musician at the Whispering Hills Country Club and various other local clubs that employed live rock bands.

He wore many hats in life, having been employed previously at Xerox Corporation, Stimsonite, Inc. and Barrier Systems, Inc. After retirement, he earned his commercial driver's license. He drove a school bus for Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation and Pioneer School Corporation. He was a trucker driver for Custom Farm Service. Most recently, he had found a job that he truly loved - working for the Pulaski County Highway Department. He loved the Lord and truly believed that all things in life happen for a reason. Whether it was in his personal life or at work, he felt that he was put in every situation by the Lord to share the love of Jesus. He enjoyed cars, watching movies, reading books and sharing his knowledge with others. He loved the people in his life who loved him back. His laugh and smile will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 13, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Sunday), at the funeral home with Pastor Tim Minnick officiating. Burial will be at Rochester IOOF Cemetery, Rochester. The Fulton County Veteran's Honor Guard will conduct military graveside services.

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

Raymond Gutwein

March 31, 1917 to January 2, 2019

FRANCESVILLE - Raymond Gutwein, 101, of Peoria, IL (formerly of Francesville), passed away Wednesday, Jan. 2.

He was born March 31, 1917, on the family farm in Francesville to the late Conrad and Lena Gudeman Gutwein. On Aug. 26, 1945, he married Donna Getz in Francesville. She passed away April 23, 2012.

He is survived by: 
Geri Ringelspaugh, Peoria, IL, Daughter 
Rex (Linda) Gutwein, Jackson, MI, Son 
6 grandchildren 
7 great grandchildren 
Irma Germann, San Pierre, Sister 
Carolyn Kaufman, Cissna Park, IL, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Tom Ringelspaugh, Son-in-law 
Florence Bucher, Sister 
Helen Hild, Sister 
Ruth Heinold, Sister 
Clarence Gutwein, Brother 
Lewis Gutwein, Brother 
Richard Gutwein, Brother 
Melvin Gutwein, Brother 

Mr. Gutwein served as a medic in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 24th Evacuation Hospital. He and his wife enjoyed spending their winters in Leesburg, FL. He was a highly respected entrepreneur in the Francesville community.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 12, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. (Saturday), at the funeral home with Pastor Rex Gutwein and Pastor Stephen Ringelspaugh officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

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

Betty S. DeShazo

December 21, 1928 to January 3, 2019

WINAMAC - Betty Sue DeShazo, 90, of Winamac (formerly of Monterey), passed away peacefully after a short illness Thursday, Jan. 3, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born Dec. 21, 1928, in Trimble, TN to the late Thomas E. and Mary Viola McAlister Swindle. She married James DeShazo on Oct. 17, 1947, in Hammond. He passed away Feb. 15, 2001.

She is survived by: 
James E. (Gary Burgess) DeShazo Jr., Newport News, VA, Son 
Patricia Sue Hopper, Merrillville, Daughter 
Samantha Chowan, Great Granddaughter 
Sidney (Lita) Swindle, Brother 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Dennis Hopper, Grandson 
7 Siblings

Mrs. DeShazo was an active member of the Ora Christian Church and enjoyed sewing and cooking. Anyone who knew Betty knew her as one the kindest people you would ever meet. She opened her heart to many people over the years, and she will be missed immensely.

The family would like to express thanks and gratitude to Pulaski Health Care Center for the amazing and loving care given to our mother. Words can never describe how our family feels about the staff at Pulaski Health Care Center. Our family thanks you and will keep your wonderful staff in our hearts and always in our prayers.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 7, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. (Monday), at the funeral home with Rev. Don Franklin officiating. Interment will be at The Alexander Heineman Memorial Cemetery, Ora.

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

Betty J. Passmore

November 1, 1956 to January 2, 2019

WINAMAC - Betty Jean Passmore, 62, of Winamac, passed away at 3:18 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2, at Community Howard Regional Health, Kokomo.

She was born Nov. 1, 1956, in Winamac to the late Guy and Freda Reed Passmore. She graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1974 and earned an accounting certificate from the International Business College in Ft. Wayne.

She is survived by: 
Linda (Tom) Shanley, Kokomo, Sister 
Loretta (Noel) Nixon, Logansport, Sister 
Candy Irven, Niece 
Kimberly (Brandon) DeLorenzo, Niece 
Aaron (Heidi) Nixon, Nephew 
Andy (Quirsten) Nixon, Nephew 
Sarah Nixon, Niece 
Joe (Monica) Nixon, Nephew 
Steve (Kira) Nixon, Nephew 
Jonathan (Alex) Nixon, Nephew 
Anna Nixon, Niece 
6 Great Nieces & Nephews: Kameron, Evan, Carter, Andra, Emma and Remi 
2 Aunts 
Several Cousins

Preceded in death by: 

Thomas & Maude Passmore, Paternal Grandparents 
William & Myrtle Reed, Maternal Grandparents

Ms. Passmore enjoyed singing with the group Singers With A Testimony (SWAT) from Monticello. She loved her animals, especially her cat, Foster and dog, Marley.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

A private service for the family will be held at Frain Mortuary with Pastor Todd Randles officiating. Private burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with funeral expenses.

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

Jeffrey B. Swartzell

September 13, 1963 to December 31, 2018

WINAMAC - Jeffrey Brian "JB" Swartzell, 55, of Rochester (formerly of Winamac), passed away at 6:57 p.m., Monday, Dec. 31, at Dupont Hospital in Ft. Wayne, after a brief illness.

He was born Sept. 13, 1963 in Winamac to Jeffrey Lynn and Georgia Joesta Lebo Swartzell. He was a graduate of Winamac Community High School and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Winamac.

He is survived by: 
Jeffrey and Georgia Swartzell, Winamac, Parents 
Shelley Swartzell, Winamac, Sister 
William R. Swartzell, Winamac, Brother 
Nathan Swartzell, Winamac, Nephew 
Matthew Swartzell, Winamac, Nephew 
Numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Preceded in death by: 
Robert and Esther Lavon Swartzell, Paternal Grandparents 
Vernal and Thelma Lebo, Maternal Grandparents

Mr. Swartzell enjoyed farming with his dad and was an avid sports fan. He especially enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys. He was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend and will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 4, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 5, at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Pilger officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Life Care Center of Rochester.

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

Lorene A. Mutti Clark

November 18, 1924 to December 26, 2018

WINAMAC - Lorene Ann Mutti Clark, 94, of Culver, formerly of Bremen, passed away at 2:43 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Miller's Merry Manor, Culver.

She was born Nov. 18, 1924 in Nebraska to the late Arthur and Mabel Smith Mutti. She married Donald Clark on July 27, 1950 in Kewanna. He died Dec. 21, 1982.

She is survived by: 
Daniel (Yupi) Clark, Monterey, CA, Son 
David (Sheri) Clark, Idaho Falls, ID, Son 
Heather, Granddaughter
Sarah, Granddaughter 
Courtney, Granddaughter 
Jacob, Miles, Max, Great-grandsons

Preceded in death by: 
Marian BonDurant, Sister 

Mrs. Clark was a retired English teach, and had taught at Winamac High School. She was a published writer, and a graduate of Indiana State University. She was a member of the Bremen United Methodist Church where she played the piano and taught Sunday School. She enjoyed reading, writing and music.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 3, at the funeral home with Rev. David Marty officiating. Burial will be at Bruce Lake Cemetery, Kewanna.

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