Obituaries

Walter L. Conner

April 27, 1954 to November 24, 2017

WINAMAC - Walter Lee "Walt" Conner, 63, of Elkhart (formerly of Royal Center) passed away Friday, Nov. 24, in Bremen as a result of an automobile accident.

He was born April 27, 1954 in Joliet, Ill. to the late Paul and Alice Morgan Conner. He was raised in Detroit, before moving to Indiana in the early 1980's.

Mr. Conner was a certified welder and had worked at IBP in Logansport and the Royal Center Meat Locker. He loved the Lord and was involved with Our Gift to God Ministry and Faith Mission in Elkhart. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing (for rainbow trout and catfish). He occasionally enjoyed camping ... unless snakes were involved! He enjoyed taking his great nieces and nephews to McDonald's and spoiling them with candy as well. He was a very private man, but was loved more than he ever knew. He will be sadly missed.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac with Rev. Wilma Creech officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac. Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com. 
 

Thomas E. Lerch

November 19, 1950 to November 23, 2017

WINAMAC - Thomas E. "Tom" Lerch, 67, of Hanna, passed away at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 23, at home.

He was born Nov. 19, 1950 in LaPorte, to the late Eugene and Evelyn Mockler Lerch. He graduated from Wanatah High School in 1969 and attended Ivy Tech College. On Oct. 30, 1976, he married Rayetta Fischer. She survives.

He is also survived by: 
Clinton (Kim Wagner) Lerch, Knox, Son 
Amber (Jeremy) Moore, LaPorte, Daughter 
Bethany (Adam) Rust, Hanna, Daughter 
5 Grandchildren: Kara, Zoey, Breanne, Audrey and Joshua 
Susan (Mark) Hoover, Angola, Sister 
Connie Mitzner, Wanatah, Sister

Mr. Lerch and his wife enjoyed operating "The Country Griller" food trailer at area festivals for the last 10 years. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wanatah and was a 3rd Degree Knight of the Wanatah Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing. He was an avid supporter of his children's 4H projects and athletic events. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. 

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. (CT), Monday, Nov. 27, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Fellowship Hall, Wanatah. A vigil service will be at 5 p.m. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. (CT), Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Wanatah with Rev. Mick Kopil and Rev. Jerry Schweitzer officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wanatah.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society. 

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

Janice L. Stotler

January 27, 1960 to November 22, 2017

WINAMAC - Janice L. Stotler, 57, of Monterey, passed away at 1:04 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 22, at her residence.

She was born Jan. 27, 1960 in Plymouth, to the late Francis Theodore and Patricia Margaret Scheuer Bauer. She graduated from Culver Community High School in 1978. She married Garry Stotler on June 14, 1980 in Monterey. He died July 25, 2005.

She is survived by: 
Jeremy (Nikki) Stotler, Cleveland, OH, Son 
Erin (Josh) Thomas, Madison, Daughter 
Anne Stotler, Grandchild 
Ellie Stotler, Grandchild 
Jackson Stotler, Grandchild 
Francine (Thomas) Turflinger, Centreville, VA, Sister 
Carolyn (Anthony) Vantwoud, Monticello, Sister 
John Bauer, Yorktown, Brother 
James Bauer, Monterey, Brother 
Tedmund (Amy) Bauer, Monterey, Brother 
Several Nieces and Nephews 
Don Thaxton, Monterey, Companion

She is preceded in death by: 
Diane Christine Bauer, Sister

Mrs. Stotler was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, Monterey. She was an administrative assistant at Culver Community Schools for many years. She developed many friendships at the school and impacted many of the children's lives while she was there. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She was an excellent cook, enjoyed relaxing outdoors, and going on golf cart rides in Monterey. She will always be remembered for her sense of humor and infectious laugh. She always looked for the bright side and would always put others before herself.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will follow at 8 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 29, at St. Anne Catholic Church, Monterey, with Rev. Michael McKinney officiating. Burial will be at St. Anne Cemetery, Monterey.

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

Frieda G. Houghton

July 30, 1917 to November 21, 2017

WINAMAC - Frieda G. Houghton, 100, of Winamac, passed away at 8:21 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, at her residence.

She was born July 30, 1917 in Francesville, to the late Ernest A. and Edna Taylor Nimz. She graduated from Winamac High School in 1935 and attended South Bend College of Commerce. On March 17, 1945, she married Everett R. Houghton in Culver. He passed away May 21, 1981.

She is survived by: 
Jerry (Freida) Ruch, Nephew 
Ralph (Geraldine) Ruch, Nephew 
Carol (Tom) Willis, Niece 
Dale (Rosie) Nimz, Nephew 
Jan (James) French, Niece

She is preceded in death by: 
Albert Nimz, Infant Brother 
Marie Ruch, Sister 
Jack Nimz, Brother 
Junior Nimz, Brother 
Carl Ruch, Nephew 
Elna Ruch, Niece

Mrs. Houghton retired from First Union Bank & Trust, Winamac, where she had worked as a bookkeeper for 51 years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Winamac where she had formerly been active in the bell choir. She enjoyed gardening, gospel music, playing organ, and traveling the world. She was a caring person. She was a loving wife, sister, and aunt. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 27, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral services will follow at 2 p.m., Monday (Nov. 27), at the funeral home with Rev. Ruby Kleyman officiating. Burial will be at Culver Masonic Cemetery, Culver.

Memorial donations may be made to "Houghton Scholarship." 

Loren P. Cheadle

March 31, 1922 to November 17, 2017

WINAMAC - Loren Perry Cheadle, 95, of Winamac, died at 3:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born March 31, 1922 in Chicago to the late Tom and Bethely DeMiere Cheadle. On Aug.17, 1946, he married June E. Johnson in Oak Lawn, Ill. She died Jan. 16, 2013.

He is survived by: 
Marsha Gearhart, Winamac, Friend and Caretaker

Mr. Cheadle served in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in Germany and France. He was retired from the William Wrigley Jr. Co. in Chicago. He and his wife moved to Winamac in 1984. He loved riding his bicycle, swimming and diving. He was an avid Cubs fan and would skip work to go the Cubs games. He also enjoyed playing pool.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 20, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., Monday (Nov. 20), at the funeral home with Father Terry officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Healthcare Center Activities Fund or the Panhandle Pathway.

Rebecca A. Mueller

February 23, 1952 to November 16, 2017

FRANCESVILLE - Rebecca Ann Mueller, 65, of Francesville, passed away Thursday Nov. 16, surrounded by her family at Monticello Healthcare, Monticello.

She was born Feb. 23, 1952 in Indianapolis, to the late Jack Edward and Virginia Weltzin Lewis. She graduated from North White High School in 1970. She was formerly married to Alan Mueller.

Survivors include: 
Chris Mueller, Francesville, Son 
Darin (Gerri) Mueller, Holly Springs, NC, Son 
Kimberly (Sam) Stotler, Holly Springs, NC, Daughter 
Grandchildren: Daylan Mueller, Cameron Mueller, Madison Mueller, Marla Mueller,
Carson Stotler, Kyle Stotler, and Ethan Stotler.
Nick (Marilyn) Lewis, Monon, Brother 
Jackie Roy, Paxton, IL, Sister 
Tony ( Diane) Lewis, Riverview, FL, Brother 
Cindy McElroy, Monon, Sister 
Julie Beckefeld, Monon, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Mrs. Mueller enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandkids.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, at First United Methodist Church, Monon. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m., Tuesday (Nov. 21), at the church with Pastor Russ Alley officiating.

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

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