Obituaries

Vivian L. Brooks

November 23, 1914 to August 11, 2015

MEDARYVILLE - Vivian LaVerne (Fogle) Siemens Brooks, age 100, of Francesville, died Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

She was born Nov. 23, 1914 to the late George Washington Fogle and Edna (Woosley) Fogle in the Danvers, Ill. area. 

She attended one year in a public school before attending the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) Jacksonville. She became the second Homecoming Queen in 1934, graduating in 1935.

The following information was taken from the ISD School Graduation Book: “I hate nobody: I am in charity with the World.” Vivian, the ISD little “Blondie” was always happy and a busy girl. She was very successful in cooking and sewing. She made a lovely dress that was chosen to be taken to the Chicago World’s Fair, in which her family received $100. She was athletically successful in horseshoe pitching, swimming, life-saving, baseball, volleyball, basketball, cage ball and soccer. She was a strong swimmer and once saved the life of a drowning girl. Vivian received a bronze medal from the Girl Scouts Association in recognition of being an outstanding Girl Scout, which she continued to hold that medal dear to her heart throughout her life. She was a member of the clubs at ISD and was an officer in the Dramatic Club, the M.I.S. and Girls’ Athletic Association. She was a participant in the following plays: The Princess, Elmer, Beauty Culture of 1940, King Midas and the Christmas Carol. Her hobby was doing fancywork.

She married Hermann Siemens on Nov. 15, 1946, who passed away Nov. 19, 1952. The couple had one daughter, Aileen Edna (Siemens) Steele (husband Max) and grandson Bryan Steele. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Reagan Leigh Steele on May 21, 2013, and has one surviving great-granddaughter, Alexandra Oriana Deryn, a student at West Lafayette High School. She is also survived by her brother Weldon Fogle of Carlock, IL.

She participated in the Medaryville High School PTA, sewing costumes for the marching band twirlers and her daughter, Aileen, as drum major, along with sewing homemade clothes, making wonderful quilts, crocheting, gardening, canning and preserving. She was always available to help with the former Medaryville Potato Fest Celebration and helping with Lion’s Club dinners.She kept busy being a farm wife, and working as a seamstress in the Medaryville Garment Factory. She was a member of the Medaryville St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Ladies Aid and the Pulaski Co. Aim Hi Home Extension Club. Vivian worked a short time milking cows and for several years, raising layer chickens.

She married Alfred Brooks on Nov. 19, 1966. He died March 14, 1986. A widow for the second time, she retired but continued to do quilting, gardening and preserving her produce along with becoming a grandma. Most recently she became a resident of Parkview Haven Retirement Facility in Francesville, where she enjoyed the musical entertainment, the social activities, including participating in the bell chior and Bingo. She loved receiving cards and watching TV18 to see if her great-granddaughter, Alex, was caught on camera as a West Lafayette High School athlete. She enjoyed visiting with Regal, the family’s yellow lab. She would also inquire about the three family kitty siblings: Snowball, Orange Blossom and Little Dude.

She was also preceded in death by:

Lyle Fogle, Brother
Marion Fogle, Brother
Mona Meinders, Sister
Wilma Murphy, Sister

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, at the funeral home with Pastor Charles Blakey officiating. Burial will be at White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to Alexandra O. Deryn Education Fund, c/o Lakes Federal Credit Union, Monticello.

John F. Myers

February 17, 1960 to August 9, 2015

FRANCESVILLE - John F. Myers, 55, of Medaryville, passed away at 2:15 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 9, at his home surrounded by his family (and his cats) after a hard-fought battle with Leukemia.

He was born Feb. 17, 1960 in Lafayette, to the late Robert G. and Joyce Musgrave Myers. On Febr. 18, 1995, he married Sandra Ragan, in Delphi. She survives.

Survivors include:

Kristopher (Lisa) Storey, Buffalo, Son 
Tami Gouty, Wisconsin, Daughter 
Amber Storey, Wabash, Daughter 
Samantha Freshour, Granddaughter 
Joshua Freshour, Grandson 
Bailey Storey, Granddaughter 
Hunter Autumn Storey, Granddaughter 
Robert G. (Cheri Lundstrom) Myers, Jr., Michigan City, Brother 
Anna M. Myers, Medaryville, Sister 
Several Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and Cousins 

Preceded in death by: 
Jessica Storey, Daughter 

Mr. Myers was a 1978 graduate of West Central High School. He worked for many years at Monon Trailer and Alcoa Inc. in Lafayette. He was past-president of the Carpenter's Union. He was a lifetime member of ABATE and the North America Hunting Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He was an avid NASCAR fan. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He loved his family very much. He will be dearly missed. 

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug.15, at the funeral home with Pastor Todd Masters officiating.

Memorial donations may be given to to the family or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville.

Margaret A. Freeman

January 27, 1939 to August 9, 2015

WINAMAC - Margaret A. "Marge" Freeman, 76, passed away at 1:16 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 9, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Ft. Wayne, following a brief illness.

She was born Jan. 27, 1939 at Lake Bruce, to the late Raymond and Opal C. Hurlburt Button. On Jan. 27, 1961, she married Jerry R. Freeman in Knox. He survives.

Also surviving are:  

Larry J. "LJ" Freeman, Royal Center, Son 
Marla M. Freeman, Winamac, Daughter 
Scott R. Freeman, Winamac, Son 
Michelle (Vincent) Pratt, Granddaughter 
Justine Hewitt, Granddaughter 
Kalin Freeman, Grandson 
Linae Pratt, Great Granddaughter 
Jerry L. Pratt, Great Grandson 
Thelma (Harold) Hopkins, Winamac, Sister 
Lena (Clyde) Gourley, Buffalo, Sister 
Jerry (Janet) Button, Winamac, Brother 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Renee N. Freeman, Granddaughter 
Gerald Button, Brother 
Shirley Button, Sister-in-law 

Mrs. Freeman attended school in Winamac.She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Winamac. She taught SundaySchool for many years. She was a faithful reader of her Bible and Our Daily Bread devotionals. She enjoyed participating in the Christian Woman's Fellowship. She enjoyed camping and watching Jerry race at Shady Hill. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 13, at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Pilger officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to First Baptist Church.

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

Louanne K. Rich

October 31, 1940 to July 31, 2015

FRANCESVILLE - Louanne Kay Rich, 74, Canyon Lake, TX, passed away at 9:14 p.m., Friday, July 31, at the home of her son, Jon Rich, in Francesville.

She was born Oct. 31, 1940.

No local services will be held. 

Cremation arrangements were handled by Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. 

Marjorie E. Nicolas

August 27, 1935 to August 3, 2015

WINAMAC - Marjorie Ellen Heintz Nicolas, 79, Winamac, passed away at 10:40 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

She was born August 27, 1935, in Winamac, IN, to Elmer and Catherine Button Field. Marjorie was married to Jack R. Heintz on November 15, 1953, in the First Christian Church, Winamac. He passed away on November 17, 1994. She then married Joseph J. Nicolas on February 14, 2003, in Winamac. He survives.

Survivors include:

Joseph J. Nicolas, Winamac, IN, Husband
Richard Heintz, Winamac, IN Son
Nancy (Doug) Kline, Hartford, AL Daughter
Neva (Sam) Wank, Winamac, IN Daughter
Kristin (Joe) Nies, Logansport, IN Granddaughter
Kayley (Bob) Draper, Logansport, IN Granddaughter
Holly (Scott) Bishop, Monticello, IN Granddaughter
Rex (Julie) Wank, Winamac, IN Grandson
Cory (Pam) Wank, Winamac, IN Grandson
Lance (Nicole) Wank, Star City, IN Grandson
Walker Wank, Winamac, IN Grandson
4 Great Grandchildren
5 Step Children
Many Step Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren
Marilyn Henning, Winamac, IN Sister
Marshall (Gloria) Field, Winamac, IN Brother
Pauline Field, Twelve Mile, IN Sister-in-law

Preceded in death by: 
Elmer A. Field, Father
Catherine M. Button Field, Mother
Jack R. Heintz, First Husband
Evelyn Davis, Sister
Garold Field, Brother
Harold Field, Brother

She lived all of her life in Pulaski County. She was a graduate of North Judson High School and received a degree in Cosmetology. Marjorie had worked as a cosmetologist and also taught cosmetology.Marjorie was known as Granny to her grandchildren and their friends.She enjoyed working puzzles, crocheting, and her flowers.

Visitation will be from 4-8PM EDT Sunday, August 9, 2015 at Frain Mortuary. Funeral Services will be held at 11AM EDT Monday, August 10, 2015, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, with Pastor Rick Abbott officiating. Burial will take place in Star City West Cemetery, Star City, IN.

Jean Martschink Buyer

November 19, 1932 to July 26, 2015

MONTICELLO - Jean Martschink Buyer, 82, of Monticello, passed away at 7:10 a.m., Sunday, July 26, at the White Oak Health Campus of Monticello, surrounded by her family.

She was born Nov. 19, 1932, in Charleston, S.C., to the late Gustav Charles and Karen Elizabeth Larisey Martschink. She married John Joseph Buyer on Dec. 27, 1950, at the St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Charleston.

Surviving are husband, John Joseph Buyer, Sr., D.D.S. of Monticello; daughters, Karen Buyer Burkhardt of Kokomo, and Diane Buyer D.D.S. (Timothy Yale) of Indianapolis; sons, John J. Buyer, Jr. D.D.S., MPH, MS, (Col. USA D.C. ret.) (Christine) of Blacksburg, Virginia, and former Congressman Steve Buyer (Col. USAR ret.) (Joni) of Carmel; grandchildren, Colleen Buyer, Ryan Buyer (Ashlyn), Joseph Buyer (Molly), and Jeremy Buyer (Lauren); 3 great grandchildren; sister, Barbara Martschink Mobley (Jack) of Charlotte, North Carolina; and brother, Gustav C. Martschink, Jr. (Linda) Huntersville, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and son-in-law, Toby Burkhardt.

Mrs. Buyer dedicated 50 years to the American Legion Auxiliary.She was a member of the Thornton Williams American Legion Post #81 of Monticello.She was a partner of La Boutiques Des Huit Chapeaux et Quarante (8 & 40) Femmes Salon 135 and the American War Mothers. In 1991-1992, she was the American Legion Auxiliary, Second District president and in 1997-1998 the Department (State) president of the American Legion Auxiliary. She served on the American Legion Auxiliary National Legislative Council.In July of 1998, Indiana Governor James O'Bannon presented her with Indiana's prestigious award, "The Sagamore of the Wabash" for the 43 years of volunteerism in the support of Indiana military personnel and their families.She was a Girl Scout Leader and Sunday School teacher. In addition, she enjoyed playing Bridge, gardening, crafts, sewing, politics, and people being the people person she was. She also enjoyed fishing on the Tippecanoe River and collecting cookbooks. Her philosophy was "Strangers are friends I have not met yet."

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary and the 8 & 40 will hold their Farewell Service along with Pastor Gary Roberts officiating at 5:30 p.m., Friday, July 31, at the Miller - Roscka Funeral Home of Monticello. Members and friends are welcome immediately following the service until 8 p.m. Burial will be private for the family at the Roseland Cemetery in Francesville

In lieu of flowers, donations to Indiana Veterans Home, 3851 N. River Road, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47906, Attn: Jim Clouse, MacArthur Building Renovation/Dining Halls in Memory of Jean Buyer, PDP American Legion Auxiliary.