Obituaries

Arthur R. Chamness

March 27, 1921 to July 26, 2015

WINAMAC - Arthur R. "Art" Chamness, 94, of Francesville, passed away at 2:30 a.m., Sunday, July 26, at Hickory Creek Nursing Home, Winamac.

He was born on March 27, 1921 in Denham, to the late Romie and Sylvia Grace Poisel Chamness. On Jan. 12, 1947, he married Nola Mae McCarty in Medaryville. She preceded him in death on June 17, 1989. He married Violet Marchand Disinger on Feb. 14, 1999 at Pleasant Ridge Bible Church in Francesville. She survives. 

Also surviving are: 

Beverly Wittmer, Valparaiso, Daughter 
Larry (Daina) Chamness, Greenwood, Son 
David (Pamela) Chamness, Kouts, Son 
7 Grandchildren 
5 Step Grandchildren 
23 Great Grandchildren 
Mildred Stoll, Avilla, IN, Sister 
Lydia Kennedy, Winamac, Sister

Preceded in death by: 
Barbara Chamness, Daughter 
Dorothy Tuley, Sister 
Elsie Kersey, Sister 
Ruth Garling, Sister 

Mr. Chamness lived most of his young life in the Francesville and Medaryville areas. He was a 1939 graduate of Medaryville High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 during World War II and was stationed overseas in 1943 to Africa and Italy. He was a medic and surgical technician. He served 38 months in the Army and was awarded the Combat Medical Badge. He was honorably discharged in September of 1945. Mr. Chamness was employed for 28 years at Indiana General Titan Corporation in Valparaiso, and retired as an inspector on May 5, 1983. He attended Pleasant Ridge Bible Church. 

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., (Tuesday, July 28), at the funeral home with Elder Alan Fritz officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to St Jude's Children's Hospital.

Joan G. Rater

June 9, 1930 to July 21, 2015

WINAMAC - Joan G. "Joie" Rater, 85, of Winamac, passed away at 1:15 p.m., Tuesday, July 21, at Hickory Creek, Winamac, with her family by her side.

She was born June 9, 1930 in Star City, to the late Herald F. "Hap" and Gertrude R. Shultz Ruff. On July 29, 1978, she married John Andrew. "Jack" Rater, who preceded her in death on Aug. 9, 1986.

Survivors include:

Otto J. (Donna) Ruff, Star City, Brother & Sister-in-law
Nancy M. Ruff, Star City, Sister
Several Nieces, Nephews and Cousins
Ann Cowger, Step-Daughter
Minnie Ledford, Step-Daughter
Bill Rater, Step-Son
Many Step-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Harold F. Schmicker, Infant Son
Rosemary (Albert) Weaver, Sister & Brother-in-law
Margery A. (Eugene) Penn, Sister & Brother-in-law
Harold F. (Lois) Ruff, Jr., Brother & Sister-in-law
Gertrude Smirniotis, Step-Daughter
John Rater, Step-Son
Robert Rater, Step-Son

Mrs. Rater had been a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church. She loved cats and kittens, especially her own Johnny Cakes. She was an avid gardener and was very generous to give away her produce. She enjoyed shopping at Good Samaritan and Bailey's Supercenter, going to garage/yard sales, and playing BINGO at the VFW in Winamac. Halloween was a special holiday to her - she was known to spoil the neighborhood kids with money, soda, and candy. In the short time she lived at Hickory Creek, she made many dear friends and will be missed by the residents and staff. Her family thanks Hickory Creek for their special care and concern. Mrs. r had a great sense of humor and was a very sweet lady. She was a loving sister and aunt. She leaves behind many good memories.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Friday, July 24), at the funeral home with Rev. Bert Woolson officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Hickory Creek or Good Samaritan .

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

Malita M. Knebel

January 23, 1952 to July 21, 2015

ROYAL CENTER - Malita M. Knebel, 63, of Star City passed away at 5:20 a.m., Tuesday, July 21, at Pulaski Healthcare Center in Winamac.

Born Jan. 23, 1952 in Winamac, she was the daughter of the late Otis and Cleo J. (Sutton) Knebel.

Survivors include brother, Rev. Lyle Knebel of Colby, Kansas, sister, Cloretta K. Rausch (Larry) of Winamac and several nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by many friends.

She was also preceded in death by brothers, Loren Knebel and Carl Knebel and sister, Shirley Good.

Ms. Knebel retired from Pulaski White Rural Telephone Company in Winamac where she worked as an accountant for 40 years. She was a member of Star City United Methodist Church and Star City Lion’s Club.  She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing basketball and softball in her younger years.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday at at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Royal Center. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, July 24, at the funeral home with Rev. Lyle Knebel officiating. Burial will be at Victor Chapel Cemetery in Star City.

Sign the online guest book or leave condolence for the Knebel family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com

Doris D. Schlutz

February 24, 1927 to July 18, 2015

FRANCESVILLE - Doris D. Schlutz, 88, Francesville, formerly of Medaryville, passed away at 2:40 p.m., Saturday, July 18, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

She was born Feb. 24, 1927, in Medaryville, to the late Archie and Maora Wright Pullins. She married George Schlutz on June 6, 1950 in Medaryville. He died Oct. 3, 1970.

Survivors include:

Leona Jones Pullins, Chalmers Sister-in-law
Janice (Kevin) Whalen, Derby, KS, Niece
Pamela Whitten, Brookston, Niece
Matthew (Shelly) Pullins, Brookston, Nephew
Jean Barley, Medaryville, Cousin
Bill (Mary Lou) Lowry, Indianapolis, Cousin
Several Great Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
George Pullins, Brother

Mrs. Schlutz graduated from Medaryville High School in 1945. She was a life-long member of the Medaryville United Methodist Church where she served as treasurer for many years. She also served as a Sunday School teacher. She will be remembered for the many delicious noodle dinners she helped prepare. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women. She worked at First Union Bank in Medaryville and retired after 35 years. She was a member of Aim High Home-Ec Club of Medaryville for 50 years. She enjoyed visiting with people, spending holidays with her family, and traveling with her husband's sister. She was a doting aunt to Jan, Pam and Matt.

Visitation will be after 1 p.m.,Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Wednesday, July 22), at the funeral home with Pastor Hal Cohn officiating. Burial will be at White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to Medaryville United Methodist Church.

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

Janet E. Weaver

April 13, 1933 to July 14, 2015

FRANCESVILLE - Janet E. Weaver, 82, of Francesville, passed away at 1:40 p.m., Tuesday, July 14, at Jasper County Hospital in Rensselaer.

She was born April 13, 1933 in Lafayette, to the late Ernest and Luceille Westphal Cords. On Oct. 17, 1959, she married Charles A. "Bud" Weaver. He preceded her in death on Dec. 21, 2013.

Survivors include:

Barbara J. "Buffy" Weaver, Francesville, Daughter

Rosie Pfledderer, Francesville, Sister-in-law

Many Nieces and Nephews

Mrs. Weaver  grew up in the Methodist church. She had worked at Avco Finance in Winamac and went on to work as a bank teller at People's State Bank in Francesville for many years. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidering, cooking, shopping, and collecting. She was a loving wife and mother. She will be sadly missed.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 22, at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville, with Pastor William McNabney officiating. Burial of cremated remains will follow services.

Memorial donations may be given to to the funeral home.

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

Betty M. Daugherty

January 11, 1923 to July 14, 2015

WINAMAC - Betty Maxine Daugherty, 92, Sebring, FL, passed away at 4:45 p.m.,Tuesday, July 14, at her residence.

She was born Jan. 11, 1923, in Rochester, to the late Chester and Blanche Archer Ricks.

Survivors include:
Iona I. Button, Sebring, FL, Daughter
Raymond Daugherty Jr., Tulsa, OK, Son
7 Grandchildren
13 Great Grandchildren
14 Great Great Grandchildren
Kenny Ricks, Rochester, Brother

Preceded in death by:

Evelyn Norris, Sister
Bud Ricks, Brother
Ferne O'Neil, Sister

A former resident of Winamac, Mrs. Daugherty moved to Florida 1969. She was a former real estate broker and sales agent. She enjoyed bowling and had been on a bowling team.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 21, at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac, with Pastor Vincent Button officiating. Burial will follow.

Memorial donations may be given to the American Cancer Society.

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