Obituaries

Francis J. Lewis

June 26, 1932 to July 27, 2016

ROYAL CENTER - Francis J. Lewis, 84, of Star City passed away peacefully at 8:56 p.m., Wednesday, July 27, at Pulaski Healthcare Center in Winamac.

Born June 26, 1932 in Ripley County, she was the daughter of the late James P. and Laura (LaVada) McEvoy. On July 24, 1951 in Rochester, she married William E. Lewis, he survives.

Also surviving are children, Andrew J. Lewis (Cindy) of Lafayette, Christopher D. Lewis (Julie) of New Albany, Nancy K. Griffeth (Jeff) of Winamac, Dr. J. Andrew Westerman of Ocoee, Fla. and Eric L. Westerman (Kory) of Evansville, sisters, Myra “Mickey” B. Parnell of Huntington and LaVada A. Butt (Lyle) of Akron, brother, Daniel McEvoy (Millie) of Muncie, sister-in-law, Dodie Hanson of Ocoee, Fla., and brothers-in-law, Gilbert Ory Westerman of Muncie and John Westerman of North Vernon. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren and step grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by daughter, Jennifer Miles, sister, Kathy McEvoy, brothers, James McEvoy and Gene McEvoy, brother-in-law, Carl Westerman, mother- and father-in-law, Gilbert and Minny Westerman and granddaughter, Charlotte Westerman.

Mrs. Lewis was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She was a member of Star City United Methodist Church and Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was also a former Girl Scout and Cub Scout Leader. She enjoyed volunteering in her community and participating in athletic and band booster organizations.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 13, at Star City West Cemetery with Pastor David Broad officiating.

There will be a “pitch in” luncheon in memory of Mrs. Lewis following her service at the Star City Community Center. The family will provide the meat and drinks.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Winamac Library and/or the Pulaski County Community Foundation.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Royal Center Chapel.

Carl F. Fitz Sr.

July 16, 1938 - July 20, 2016

SOUTH BEND - Carl F. “Snookie” Fitz Sr., 78, of South Bend passed away Wednesday, July 20, in Hospice House.

He was born July 16, 1938, in Winamac, to the late Carl and Mary (Minter) Fitz. He was also preceded in death by a stepmother, Gladys Fitz; and brother, Robert Lee Fitz. 

He is survived by his wife, Theresa Fitz of South Bend, children, Carl (Sandy) Fitz, Jr. of Osceola, Kathy (Tim) Gardner of Goshen and Lisa (Chris) Mars of South Bend; brothers and sisters Carolyn, Mary Helen, Ruth, Patty Ann, Susan, Ronald, Chelsea and Richard; 8 grandchildren, Stephanie (Nathan), Matthew, Aaron (Megan), Troy, Erik, Ty, Andrew, and AJ; and 3 great-grandchildren, Nixon, Noah and Landon.

Mr. Fitz served his country in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Westover Air Force Base, Chicopee, MA. He was a member of the Crumstown Conservation Club and the Moose Lodge. He was with the Warren Twp. Volunteer Fire Department for over 25 years. He was a total car nut, who rebuilt cars and was a race car driver. 

Visitation is 3 to 8 p.m., Sunday, July 24, at St. Joseph Funeral Home, South Bend. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, July 25, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Crumstown Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnett Dr., South Bend, IN, 46614.

Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net.

Wilma Coburn

May 8, 1921 to July 29, 2016

MEDARYVILLE - Wilma M. Coburn, 95, of Medaryville, died Friday, July 29, at Parkview Haven  Retirement Home, Francesville.

Born on May 8, 1921 in Teft, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Louis and Olive Claussen. She married Trever Nelson Coburn who preceded her in death in 1983. 

She is survived by her grandson, Rick Coburn; great grandchildren, Kristen and Trever; brothers, Don and Richard; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Bob and Nick; her grandson, Greg; and her siblings, Phyllis, Lou, Ed, and Bob. 

Mrs. Coburn and her husband owned and operated the Gamble Store in Medaryville for many years.  She had also worked as a cook at the Medaryville High School as well as several local restaurants. She was a tireless force in the community; having been active in the Medaryville Methodist Church, Westside Senior Center, Medaryville Lion’s Club, and Order of the Eastern Star. Her love of gardening was known to all, and her beautiful yard flowered with her hard work. She was a woman of small stature; but, great presence. She will be missed immensely.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6, at Frain Mortuary, Medaryville. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Tom Dewlen officiating. Burial will take place at Independence Cemetery in rural Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Westside Senior Center in Wilma’s memory.

Online Condolences may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Thomas P. Shank

November 29, 1941 to July 28, 2016

WINAMAC - Thomas Patrick Shank Sr., 74, of Winamac, passed away Thursday morning, July 28, surrounded by his family.

He was born Nov. 29, 1941 in Logansport, to the late Kermit and Rose Nicolas Shank. He lived his entire life in Winamac. In 1962, he married Judy Lewis at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Monterey. She survives.

Also surviving are Jennifer L. Shank-Maxwell (Winamac) daughter, John Shank (Winamac) grandson, Michael (Brandy Ehler) Maxwell (Winamac) grandson, Allie Marie Elizabeth Ehler (Winamac) great granddaughter, and Brooklynn Jean Skye Ehler (Winamac) great granddaughter; Edward Patrick (Tammy Hendryx) Shank (Winamac) son, Bryan (Rachelle Drang) Shank (Winamac) grandson, Drake Button (Winamac) great grandson, Rachel (Phillip) Budd (Winamac) granddaughter, Jackson Edward Budd (Winamac) great grandson, Brentley Sue Budd (Winamac) great granddaughter; Katherine Rose (Andrew) Buchanan (Indianapolis) daughter; and Milo Lewis (Julie Hansen) Shank (Alexandria, VA), son, Lt. Col. USMC Ret and Cdr. USN Ret, respectively.

He is also survived by John Shank (Tucson, AZ) brother, James (Carol) Shank (Winamac) brother; Nicolas (Brenda) Shank (Mesa, AZ) brother; Mary Baker (Winamac) sister.

He was preceded in death by Thomas P. Shank Jr. (son); Edward Thomas Shank (grandson); Elizabeth “Betty” Shank (sister) and George Shank (brother).

Mr. Shank worked for Plymouth Tube in Winamac for 41 years. He served his community in many capacities, including as a member of the Sheriff Reserves, county councilman for 20 years, county auditor for four years, as county chairman of the 1976 U.S. bicentennial committee, and as a member of the Kiwanis Club. 

He had been a part of the scouting community starting in his youth as a Cub Scout in 1949, and continuing into his adult years as a leader. He was Scoutmaster for Troop 229 for 40 years, committee member of Cub Scout Pack 3230, assistant leader of Explorer Post 229, trainer for Girl Scout adult leaders, sat on the Eagle Scout Board of Review Committee, and took part in many Jamborees and camping events. Many happy times were spent at the Sagamore Council Camp Buffalo. He earned many awards including the Arrow of Light (November 1952), Eagle Scout (March 1958), Eagle Silver Palm (Septemberr 1959), Explorer Silver Award (June 1958), Order of the Arrow Vigil (September 1958), Youth Religious Emblem (October 1958), Den Leader Training (April 1974), Scouter’s Training (April 1976), Scouter’s Key (April 1978), Award of Merit (April 1978), Silver Beaver (May 1979), Woodbadge (September 1979), William H. Spurgeon III Award (May 1983), The St. George Adult Religious Emblem (April 2000), and the H. J. Halleck Community Service Award (1995).

Mr. Shank loved camping, canoeing, boating, and being outdoors. He enjoyed target, trap, and skeet shooting and his model trains. He dearly loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them and was never happier than when the house was full of family and friends. He and his wife celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on May 29, 2016.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug.  2, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. Private family burial will take place at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a favorite charity or to the Boy Scout Troop 229.

Cremation arrangements are in charge of Frain Mortuary.

Judy E. McGinnis Seman

November 10, 1935 July 26, 2016

WINAMAC - Judy Ellen Seman, 83, of Mooresville (formerly of Winamac) passed away at 8 p.m., Tuesday, July 26, at the Meadows Lake Nursing Home, Mooresville.

She was born Nov. 10, 1932, in Star City, to the late Henry Milo and Nettie Poor McGinnis. She married Arthur D. Seman on Dec. 21, 1950 in Union City. He died April 24, 2014.

Survivors include:
Julie L. Stevenson, Chesterfield, VA, Daughter 
Jeanette S. Walker, Martinsville, Daughter 
Cindy A. Seman, West Columbia, SC, Daughter
Martin Milo Seman, Shelbyville, Son 
Ben Karl Seman, Winamac, Son 
9 Grandchildren
11 Great grandchildren 
Betty Jane Stump, Union City, Sister

Preceded in death by:
1 great grandson

Mrs. Seman enjoyed caring for her family. She liked to play cards with her friends and care for her cats. She enjoyed watching birds and reading.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, July 29, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Dave Marty officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Diabetes Association.

Julia Myers

March 2, 1940 to September 29, 2015
FRANCESVILLE - A service has been set for Julia “Judy” Myers, 75, of Shuylkill Haven, Pa. who passed away on Sept. 29, 2015 in Davis, Calif. where she had resided since August 2013. 

She was born March 2, 1940 in Reynoldsville, Pa. to the late John and Alice Tangren Pegnetter. As a young teenager she moved to Monticello, where she met and married Donald D Myers of Francesville.  

The young couple made their home in Francesville for 14 years. She loved Francesville where she enjoyed waterskiing at Lakewood, gatherings with friends and running Don’s Drive Inn alongside her husband. After returning to Pennsylvania she continued to work in the food industry until retiring in 2002. She had a gift for crafts and forever had a new project in the works, most recently becoming an accomplished quilter. She also had a deep love of animals and throughout her last years helped abandoned cats and dogs by supporting her local animal shelter with donations of food and treats. 

She loved her children and grandchildren with a full heart and she is dearly missed by her family. Survivors include: son Michael Roy (Debra) Myers, Middletown, Md., daughter Dawn Myers (David Purkey), Davis, Calif., grandcildren Kyle Roy Myers, Corie-Mae Lee Myers, Hannah Alice Purkey, and Sage Martha Purkey, and sister Gail Buttermore, Tampa, Fla.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 23, 2016, at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville, with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Entombment of cremated remains will take place following the service.

Memorial donations may be given to the Hillside SPCA Animal Shelter at PO Box233, Pottsville, PA 17901.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.