Obituaries

James J. Jones

July 26, 1926 to March 4, 2017

WINAMAC - James Joseph Jones, 90, of Winamac (formerly of Logansport), passed away Saturday, March 4.

He was born July 26, 1926 in Royal Center, to the late Howard and Thelma Huffman Jones. On Oct. 1, 1945, he married Joan Lowe in Logansport. She survives.

He is survived by: 
Jill (Bruce) Brumm, Winamac, Daughter 
Judi (Peter) Keay, Owosso, MI, Daughter 
Jody (Mike) Petrie, Carmel, Daughter 
Joe Jones, Logansport, Son 
9 Grandchildren 
12 Great Grandchildren

Preceded in death by: 
Jayne Porter, Sister 
William C. Jones, Brother

Mr. Jones served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Elks Lodge. He was a co-founder of Jones Brothers Construction, Engineering Construction Corporation, Engineering Aggregates Corporation, and Standard Auto Parts.

Private family services will be held.

Memorial donations may be made to the Winamac Town Park.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

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

Maria L. Shidler

August 7, 1947 to March 3, 2017

WINAMAC - Maria L. Shidler, 69, of Bass Station (Knox), passed away peacefully at 8:20 p.m., Friday, March 3, at home, surrounded by her family.

She was born Aug.t 7, 1947 in Winamac, to the late Ray and Evelyn Cannon Weaver. As a child, she attended St. Peter's Catholic School and later graduated from Winamac High School. On Dec. 23, 1970, she married Oren Chris Shidler in Shawneetown, IL. He survives.

She is survived by: 
Timothy (Brenda) Shidler, Biloxi, MS, Son 
Charlotte Allen, Kewanna, Daughter 
Kristy (Tom Weaver) Shidler, Winamac, Daughter 
Oren Thomas "OT" Shidler, Bass Station, Son 
9 Grandchildren: Brian, Chris, Dustin, Panda, Chasity, Bud, Kenneth, Emily and Olivia. 
3 Great Grandchildren: Taylor, Elizabeth and Caroline 
Gary Weaver, Knightstown, Brother 
Brenda Armstrong, Cincinnati, OH, Sister 
Joann Weaver, Indianapolis, Sister-in-law 
Several Nieces and Nephews 
Rikki Norman, Bass Station, Caregiver

Preceded in death by: 
Larry Weaver, Brother

Mrs. Shidler was a lifetime member and Past Madam President of the Winamac Eagles Auxiliary #2580. She enjoyed bowling and was active in many bowling leagues and tournaments. She was a member of the WIBC and 300 Club. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening as well as canning, mushroom hunting, rabbit hunting, and trapping. She also enjoyed riding horses and motorcycles. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 8, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The Eagles Auxiliary service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home with Mark Foreman officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Zion-Franklin Township Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

 

Jane S. Thompson

May 17, 1920 to February 27, 2017

WINAMAC - Jane Shelley Thompson, RN, 96, formerly of Winamac, passed away peacefully Monday, Feb. 27.

She was born May, 17, 1920. She was married for 64 years to Dr. William R. (Bill) Thompson. He preceded her in death in 2005.

She is survived by her five children and in-laws (Joe, Bob, Jim/Mary Lynn, Shelley, and Abbey/Kendall), her 9 grandchildren, and her 14 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Maryellen Thompson in 2012.

While she was small in stature, Mrs. Thompson was a woman of towering strength, unquestioned loyalty, and resilient faith. She was a solid foundation for her family and many friends. "Grammy" (or "Janie"), as she was also known to all, had a unique gift for making everyone feel like a special person. She was full of humility, grace, and a beauty that radiated to all who knew her. Throughout her life, her faith in God served as a cornerstone for all she did. Her hope was that she would leave the world a better place than when she came into it. There is no question that she surpassed that goal. She was an instrumental member in each community in which she lived, and was actively involved in multiple charities, societies, and organizations - from Winamac, Indiana, to Fort Myers, Florida, and finally in Spanish Fort, Alabama.

Messages and condolences may be sent to Shelley Anne Thompson, 1514 Winter Park Lane, Lewisville, TX 75077.

The family requests donations be made in Mrs. Thompson's honor to Pulaski Memorial Hospital, 616 East 13th Street, Winamac, IN 46996 (Phone: 574-946-2100). Per her wishes, a private family ceremony will be held in Winamac to celebrate her life.

Luigina M. Johns

November 23, 1967 to February 25, 2017

WINAMAC - Luigina Marie "Gina" Johns, 49, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning, Feb. 25, at her residence.

She was born Nov. 23, 1967 in Chicago, to Mario and Donna Ricchio. She spent most of her life in Illinois before moving to Indiana in 2010.  On Sept. 22, 2015, she married Herbert Edward Johns. He survives.

She is also survived by:
Anthony Ricchio, Mishawaka, Son
James Ricchio, Winamac, Son
Jewel Ricchio, Winamac, Daughter
Mario Sando Ricchio, New Lenox, IL Father
Cindy Palmer, Winamac, IN Sister
Nieces and Nephews: Robby, Erica and Tori
Great Niece: Madison

Preceded in death by:
Donna Lee Mitcham Ricchio, Mother

Mrs. Johns enjoyed spending time with her friends and was always the life of the party. She also enjoyed traveling, reading, movies, floating the river, swimming, and boat rides in Lake Michigan. She loved her family with all her heart. She had an infectious personality. She was kind and caring. She will be sadly missed.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 11, at the Winamac Town Park on the west side of the Swinging Bridge.
Scattering of cremated remains will take place in the Tippecanoe River following the service.

Memorial donations may be made to a fund for Gina's children that has been established at Alliance Bank.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

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

Sandra S. Knebel

September 21, 1937 to February 26,2017

WINAMAC - Sandra S. Knebel, 79, of Winamac, formerly of Star City, passed away at 12:05 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 26, at her residence in Winamac.

She was born Sept. 21, 1937 in Winamac, to the late Cecil and Jessie Tyler Hoover. On Sept. 25, 1955 she married Francis Neil Knebel in Star City. He preceded her in death on Sept. 15, 1993.

She is survived by:
Stephen (Tina) Knebel. Winamac, Son
Kerry F. (Deb) Knebel, Muncie, Son
Katherine S. (Drew Cannon) Holcomb, Winamac, Daughter
Debra (Terry) Ruff, Star City, Daughter
Snickers the Cat
11 Grandchildren
32 Great Grandchildren
Terrill Hoover, Winamac, Brother
Larry Hoover, Winamac, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Karla Knebel Rausch, Daughter
Amanda Knebel Abbott, Granddaughter
Steven "Butch" Hoover Brother

Mrs. Knebel worked as a custodian at the Pulaski County Court House for many years. She also worked at the Colonial Inn and Wigwam in Winamac. She loved music. She and her family performed Country and Blue Grass Music from 1969-1979 across Indiana and southern Michigan. They appeared on channel 46 in South Bend and auditioned for Bill Monroe. Mrs. Knebel was a member of the Star City United Methodist Church and Order of Eastern Star No. 96 in Winamac. She enjoyed bowling, softball, reading and gardening. She also enjoyed flowers, birds, her cats, arrow head and mushroom hunting. She was a diehard Cubs and Bulls fan. She was a caring, selfless and giving person. She was a generous donor to many charities. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 3, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. OES services will be held at 7 p.m., Friday at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 4, at the funeral home. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society or DAV.

Donn E. Wuske

October 23, 1946 to February 24, 2017

WINAMAC - Donn Edward Wuske, 70, of Winamac, (formerly of Mokena, IL) passed away unexpectedly Friday morning, Feb. 24, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

He was born Oct. 23, 1946 in Chicago.

Survivors include:
Kim (CJ) Krause, Logansport, Daughter
Cindy (Chris) Shefts, Mokena, IL, Daughter
Dawn (Ron) Bentle, Star City, Daughter
11 Grandchildren: Brianna, Devon, Jeremy, Jamie, Christopher, Lauren, Jacob, Cole, Ciara, Jayse and Caleb.
1 Great Granddaughter: Aubree
Nancy (Mike) McLaughlin, Palatine, IL, Sister
Gary (Debi) Clare, Altoona, PA, Half-Brother
Claudia Wuske, Tinley Park, IL, Sister-in-law
Mary Clare, Altoona, PA, Step-Mother
Amy Nyeholt, Winamac, Significant Other

Preceded in death by:
George W. Wuske, Father
Ann C. Schissler Wuske, Mother
Dean George Wuske, Twin Brother

Mr. Wuske served as a corporal in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War. He retired in June 1994 from AT&T (formerly Illinois Bell). Most recently he was retired from PWRTC and Sanders. He was a member of the NRA and Kankakee Gun Club. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed taxidermy. He enjoyed family vacations in Pentwater, MI where they enjoyed waterskiing and boating. He loved his family very much, and he will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 4, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military honors.

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

Cremation arrangement have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

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