Obituaries

Grace Harrell

April 7, 1923 to October 29, 2015

HAMLET - Grace "Irene" Harrell, 92, passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 29, at her son's home, following an illness.

She was born April 7, 1923 in Highland to the late Elmer and Grace Conn Dilts and lived in the area for 33 years, coming from Black Oak. On April 12, 1941, in Winamac, she married Jesse S. Harrell, who preceded her in death.

Survivors include one son, Dennis (Tammy) Harrell of Plymouth; four daughters, Sandy Adams of Ruskin, Fla., Peggy (Carl) Huddleston of Hamlet, Terrie (Michael) Stuart of Kingsford Heights, and Brenda Fletcher of Union Mills; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; many great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Bill (Elsie) Dilts; and one son-in-law, Bobby Davis

She was also preceded in death by one son, Jesse; two daughters, Bonnie Bailey and Sharon Davis; one son-in-law, Frank Adams; one granddaughter, Regina Stewart; and one great-great-grandson, Kandon Riley.

Mrs. Harrell devoted her life to being the best homemaker. She was a member of the Knox VFWLadies Auxiliary Post #748 and Starke County ABATE.

Friends may visit Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m. (CT), at Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel; and Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. (CT), Monday, Nov. 2, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

To leave online condolences, visit rannellsfuneralhome.com.

Philip D. Lemeron

January 11, 1931 to November 2, 2015

WINAMAC - Philip D. Lemeron, 84, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly at 8:37 a.m., Monday, Nov. 2, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac, with his family by his side. 

He was born Jan. 11, 1931 in Lawrenceville, IL to the late Charles Henry and Bertha Shidler Lemeron. He married Alma R. Goble on Sept. 2, 1950 in Monticello, and they made their home in rural Beaver Township. She passed away Aug. 10, 2005.

Mervin (Lois) Lemeron, Winamac, Son 
7 Grandchildren 
5 Great Grandchildren 
2 Great Great Grandchildren 
Richard (Frances) Lemeron, Flat Rock, IL, Brother 
Mervin (Lucille) Lemeron, Flat Rock, IL, Brother 
Anna Jane Bradberry, Flat Rock, IL, Sister 

Preceded in death by:
Stephen (Sharon) Lemeron, Son & Daughter-in-law 
Lonnie Lemeron, Infant Brother 
Hubert Lemeron, Brother 
Everet Lemeron, Brother 
Gerald Lemeron, Brother 
Lela Irene Sechrest, Sister 

Mr. Lemeron was the former owner and operator of Lemeron Ag Lime which he started in 1954. He felt very blessed that his son, Merv joined him in the family business. He attended the Winamac Church of the Nazarene. He was a 48-year member and past president of the Gideon's International Rochester Camp. He was a devoted servant of the Lord, witnessing to others through his actions in life. He faithfully read his Bible every day. He loved his family very much and was always there for his children. He was especially proud of his grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15 

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, at the funeral home with Harold Smith and Mervin Lemeron officiating. Burial will be at Paul's Chapel Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Gideon's International.

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

Amanda L. Abbott

November 14, 1980 to October 31, 2015

KEWANNA - Amanda “Mandi” L. Abbott, 34, of Thornhope, passed away at 10:53 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, at South Bend Memorial Hospital.

Born November 14, 1980 in Winamac, she was the daughter of Kerry Knebel and Karrie Barker. On Dec. 19, 2013, she married Dean E. Abbott Jr. and he survives.

Also surviving are her mother, Karrie Barker of Winamac, father and step-mother, Kerry and Debra Knebel of Muncie, daughters, Maddie Foster and Mylie Foster, both of Winamac, step-sons, Owen Abbott of Winamac and Parker Abbott of Winamac, brother, Shawn Knebel (Kaycee) of Indianapolis, grandmothers, Bonnie Barker of Winamac, Dorothy Connell (Jim) of Pulaski and Sandy Knebel of Winamac, father-in-law, Dean Abbott, Sr. (Kathy) of Winamac, mother-in-law, Sue Thomas (Kevin) of Rochester and nieces, Baylee and Karlee Knebel of Indianapolis. She is also survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

She was preceded in death by grandfathers, Virgil Barker, Neil Knebel and Ernie Connell.

Mrs. Abbott was a 1999 Winamac Community High School graduate and also a graduate of IUPUI Kokomo nursing program. She was a registered nurse for 12 years and most recently she was employed at Cruiser’s in Winamac. She attended Church of the Heartland in Winamac. She enjoyed watching football, especially her favorite team, the Green Bay Packers. She loved spending time with all her family. She was a very energetic person who never knew a stranger and was the life of whatever setting she was in. 

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Kewanna Chapel; and also one hour prior to the service at the church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 5, at Church of the Heartland in Winamac with Pastor Heath Hiatt officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens in Winamac.

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

Betty L. Kuszmaul

March 23, 1926 to November 2, 2015

WINAMAC - Betty Lorene Zook Kuszmaul, 89, of Winamac, passed away Monday, Nov. 2, at her residence in Winamac.

She was born in Logansport March 23, 1926, to the late Claude and Myrtle Snyder Zook. On Dec. 24, 1945, she married Frederick Warren Kuszmaul. They celebrated 68 years together. He passed away Feb 2, 2014.\

She is survived by two daughters: Rita (Ken) Layton of La Porte, and Becky (Rick) Dilts of Winamac; four grandchildren: Julie (Joe) Koczan, Jason (Jennifer) Dilts, Jeremy (Annie) Dilts, and Derrick (Emily) Dilts; 10 great grandchildren: Jaydon Koczan-Steele, Jonah and Julianna Koczan, Quinn Dilts, Moses, Lillian and Clara Dilts, Caroline, Lydia and Elizabeth Dilts. Also surviving are a sister, Joyce (Ralph) Sparks, Flora, and several very special nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her grandson, Brett Steele; three sisters: Mary Bernice Zook, Pauline (Paul) Heffley, and Laverna (Wayne) Zinn.

Mrs. Kuszmaul was very devoted to her family, friends and community. She worked tirelessly to obtain a grant to construct the walking trail at the Winamac Town Park and took great pride in seeing her community enjoy it. She lovingly made Barbie doll clothes for her two girls and she also loved dolls. There was a period of time when she made her own dolls using her trusty sewing machine to give each their own personality. Betty and Fred built with their own hands their beautiful home on the Tippecanoe River outside of Winamac, which they enjoyed for many years before moving into town. She had a knack when it came to remodeling homes and decorating. In 2007, she  was named one of the Pulaski County Women of the Year. She had a very competitive spirit. She enjoyed the game of golf and watched sports with Fred by her side. She also enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities.

Mrs. Kuszmaul was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Winamac and was a faithful servant of God. She worked for Rockwell Standard in Logansport before taking a position as secretary at Winamac High School from where she retired. Betty and Fred enjoyed 10 winters in Sarasota, FL and 10 winters in Sebring, FL and became fast friends with all they met. She loved her family very much, especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-children. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at the First United Methodist Church in Winamac; and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Methodist Church..Burial will be at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Flora.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First United Methodist Church, Winamac.

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

Richard D. Onken

June 5, 1935 to November 1, 2015

WINAMAC - Richard D. "Dick" Onken, 80, of Argos, passed away peacefully at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 1, at his home, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born June 5, 1935 to the late Arthur Adolf and Helen V. Waymire Onken. He married Phyllis Planck on March 16, 1957 in Las Vegas. She survives.

Also surviving are:

Rodney Onken, Argos, Son
Deanna Stevenson, Mason, OH, Daughter
Susan (Mark) Winkelman, Richardson, TX, Daughter
Jeremy Onken, Grandson
Jennifer (Jason) Laudeman, Granddaughter
Brooke Stevenson, Granddaughter
Shelby Rodriguez, Granddaughter
Taylor Laudeman, Great Granddaughter
Bradyn Rodriguez, Great Grandson
Owen Laudeman, Great Grandson

Preceded in death by: 
Betty Gastineau, Sister
Margaret Behnke, Sister
Ruth McCracken, Sister
Arthur E. Onken Jr., Brother

Mr. Onken graduated from Pulaski High School in 1954. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea. He was a member of the Logansport Eagles #323.  He was retired from GTE Phone Company where he had worked over 30 years. Dick and Phyllis enjoyed spending their winters in Clearwater, FL for the last 20 years. He enjoyed playing cards with his friends in the little town of Etna Green. He regularly attended Argos United Methodist Church. He was a true family man, who especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 5,, at the funeral home with Rev. Heather Foley officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to Gentiva Hospice or American Cancer Society.

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

Norma L. Conley

May 25, 1946 to October 30, 2015

FRANCESVILLE - Norma L. Conley, 69, of Francesville (formerly of Knox) passed away unexpectedly at 4:41 p.m., Friday, Oct. 30, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

She was born May 25, 1946 in Stockbridge, MI to the late Orval and Elsie Bailey Banks.  On Sept. 7, 1966 she married Edward Gene Conley in Foracre, KY. He survives. They recently celebrated 49 years of marriage.

Jared Campbell, Grandson
Jordan Campbell, Grandson
Josh Campbell, Grandson
Talon Ohanis, Great Grandson

Preceded in death by: 
Eugene Banks, Brother
Ronald Banks, Brother
Paul Vernon Banks, Brother

Mrs. Conley graduated from Salyersville High School in 1964. She was a longtime resident of Knox before moving to Francesville in 2015. She was a member of Knox Freewill Baptist Church as well as the ladies club of the church. She faithfully served her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for 35 years. She was a very hard worker and was retired from American Rubber in LaPorte. She enjoyed watching the ID television channel. She was a people person, who could light up a room and was truly one of a kind. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, North Judson.

Memorial donations may be given to Amazing Grace Fellowship Church.

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