Obituaries

Robert E. Graham

September 26, 1948 to February 10, 2018

WINAMAC - Robert Eugene "Bob" Graham, 69, of Winamac, passed away peacefully at 10:31 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, at IU Health Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis.

He was born Sept. 26, 1948 in Cook County, IL to the late Kathleen Graham. He was raised in Francesville, where he attended Francesville High School before serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. On Sept. 28, 1972, he married Janet Disinger. She survives. 

Also surviving are: 
Ryan (Diane) Graham, Winamac, Son 
Andrew Graham, Winamac, Grandson 
Abby Graham, Winamac, Granddaughter 
Mike (Nikki) Waymire, Brother 
Barry Waymire, Brother 
Aunt Geraldine (her husband: Kenny), Kokomo 
Ashley (Scott) Good, Winamac, Former Daughter-in-law 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Kathleen Graham and DeLos "Dimp" Waymire, Parents 
James Robert "Jim Bob" Graham, Son 
Guy Waymire, Brother 
Brian "Ty" Waymire, Brother

Mr. Graham was a lifelong truck driver and owner of Graham Trucking. He hauled steel, grain and tomatoes and also drove a gas truck for Good Oil. He was known to many as "Windy" - which was his trucker name. He was a member of Pleasant Ridge Bible Church and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed shooting, playing cards on his tablet, his two dogs (Gracie and Bartley), and spending time with his friends and family. He was a wonderful man and will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 16, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, at Tippecanoe Cemetery, Winamac, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will follow. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Francesville American Legion.

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

Keith M. Nelson

August 28, 1937 to February 6, 2018

RENSSELAER - Keith M. Nelson, 80, of Lafayette, formerly of Rensselaer, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Franciscan Health East in Lafayette.

He was born Aug. 28, 1937, the son of Lawrence and Esther (Haueisen) Nelson. He graduated from Francesville High School with the Class of 1955 and attended the Chicago Institute of Heating and Cooling. He married Frances Kay Lowry on Feb. 12, 1955 in Francesville. She survives.

Together they are the parents of three children, Debra (Victor) Primeau of DeMotte, Keith Duane (Pam) Nelson of Rensselaer, and Linda (Joseph) Gebhart of Lafayette; grandparents to Brian, Mark, Timothy, Ashli and Allison and 10 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include two sisters, Carol Nelson of Sarasota, Fla. and Susan Spear of Monticello.

Mr. Nelson was skilled in the trade of heating and cooling, appliance sales and repair and was well known for his expertise in furnace and air troubleshooting throughout northwest Indiana. He worked for 20 years at Lee Supply in Lafayette in heating and cooling, retiring at 78 years of age. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Rensselaer. He enjoyed building things, doing yard work and gardening. His greatest joy was time he spent with his family, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CT), Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. (CT), at the funeral home with Pastor John Hostetter officiating. Burial will follow at Independence Cemetery, Rensselaer.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.

Thomas P. Fox

March 17, 1955 to February 5, 2018

WINAMAC - Thomas P. "Tom" Fox, 62, of Star City, passed away at 5:47 p.m., Monday,  Feb. 5, at home while surrounded by his family. He lost a hard-fought battle with cancer.

He was born March 17, 1955, in Logansport, to the late Leo E. "Dud" and Mary Ellen Foerg Fox. He graduated in 1973 from Winamac Community High School. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. It was there he married his high school sweetheart, Jean Ann Cornell, on Dec. 13, 1975. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Shaun (Rachel) Fox, Fishers, Son 
Mark (Michelle "Mo") Fox, Star City, Son 
Emily (Brandon) Daggy, Indianapolis, Daughter 
2 Grandchildren: Wyatt and Lucy Fox 
Elaine K. (Glenn) Holmes-Cobane, Jones, MI, Sister 
Ruth A. (Dale) Fox-Dietrich, Eagle River, AK, Sister 
Catherine L. (Mike) Reifert, Montgomery Village, MD, Sister 
John E. (Patricia) Fox, Huntington, Brother 
Rebecca J. (Richard) Cohrs, New Palestine, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Robert Fox, Infant Brother 
Jeffrey Fox, Brother

Mr. Fox was a family man, good friend, hard worker, and vicious poker player. He was employed at Whallon Machinery and later took over the family farm in 1988. In his earlier years, he raced motorcycles and micro midgets. He was a member of the pit crew for an NHRA dragster. He enjoyed the thrill of riding roller coasters with his children. He loved fishing at Lake Okeechobee in Florida and going on fishing trips with neighbors. He was always ready to go mushroom hunting. He enjoyed playing Euchre in a card club for many years. But, most of all, he loved playing games with his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 11, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will begin at 6 p.m., at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 12, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pulaski, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery South, Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be made to the Star City Volunteer Fire Department or Riley Children's Foundation http://www.rileykids.org/

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

Phyllis D. Williams

May 17, 1955 to January 30, 2018

MEDARYVILLE - Phyllis D. Williams, 62, of Logansport, passed away unexpectedly Jan. 30, at her home.

She was born May 17, 1955 in Knox, to the late Bert and Eva Mae Begley Williams. She spent the early part of her life in Medaryville, and moved to Logansport in the early 2000s.

She is survived by: 
Janice Kain, Winamac, Sister 
Lois (Chuck) Baird, Santa Barbara, CA, Sister 
Cathy Wilhelm, Logansport, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Brenda Buckalew, Sister 
Tom Kain, Brother-in-law 
Mike Wilhelm, Brother-in-law 
Uriah Dobson, Nephew

Phyllis worked many years at Mott's Liquor Store in Medaryville. She enjoyed flowers and plants and had a real green thumb. She loved her family very much and will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, at the funeral home. Private burial will be at White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to Riley Children's Foundation or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

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

Diane K. Stephenson

September 11, 1947 to February 1, 2018

WINAMAC - Diane Kay Phipps Stephenson, 70, of North Judson, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 1, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

Born Sept. 11, 1947 in Hennepin County, MN, she is predeceased by her parents Horace Glenn Phipps (MN) and Bernice Adeline Bebensee Stephenson (IN), brothers Marlin Phipps (IN), Dale Phipps (MN), Sister Debra Phipps Camp (MN) and grandson Vaughn Figard (PA).

She is survived by her partner, Lucky Stephenson (IN); her sister, Charlene Stephenson (IN); brothers, Gregory Phipps (MN) and Terrance Phipps (MN); daughters, Margaret Able (PA) and Marla (Jay) Nine; grandchildren, Jason (Bridgett) Groves (AR), Amanda (Jeff) Cerino (AR), Kourtney (Odis) Fitch (IN), Mercedes Nine (IN), Ryan Fochler (MD), Kendall Nine (IN), Randi Nine (IN), Ethan Figard (PA) and Taija Figard (PA); and great-grandchildren, Salem and Kayelee Fitch.

Ms. Stephenson was a homemaker in North Judson who enjoyed fishing, cooking out, reading, swimming and playing cards. She adored all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved going out to eat with her family. 

As per the wishes of the deceased, a funeral will not be held. The family will be having a private memorial service for the deceased.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations in Diane's name be sent to the Peaceable Primate Sanctuary (6451 N. 800 W. Winamac, IN 46996 (574) 896-0590.)

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac. 

Velma J. Sutton

April 11, 1931 to February 1, 2018

FRANCESVILLE - Velma Jean Sutton, 86, of Francesville, passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, at her home.

She was born April 11, 1931 in Wolcott, to the late Harold and Ethel Crosby Hoppe. She  graduated from Wolcott High School in 1949. On March 10, 1950 in Wolcott, she married Calvin James Sutton. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include: 
Charmi (Danny) Bishop, Francesville, Daughter 
Daniel (Cindy) Sutton, Francesville, Son 
Beth (Chris) Cummins, Francesville, Daughter 
Alan (Lori) Sutton, Francesville, Son 
11 Grandchildren 
17 Great Grandchildren 
Mary Mann, Elkhart, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Branden Conley, Great Grandson 
Doris Garber, Sister 
Paul Hoppe, Brother 
Janet Blanchette, Sister

In 1973, Mrs. Sutton and her husband moved to Francesville. Together they ran a bakery, Sutton Sweet Shop, where they served breakfast and lunch. She was known for her donuts and specialty cakes. She enjoyed writing poetry. Over the years she held many jobs including working as a telephone operator, factory laborer, and custodian at West Central Schools and as a caretaker for the Francesville Town Park. Most of all, she was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was always supportive of her family and her community. Mrs. Sutton was a former member of the Francesville American Legion Auxiliary and a former den mother. She was a kind and caring person, a defender of the underdog and always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. She will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 4, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 5, at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to The Uptown Project of Francesville.