Obituaries

Thelma L. Murray

March 2, 1935 to March 31, 2015

WINAMAC - Thelma L. Murray, 80, of Winamac, died at 5:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 31, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born March 2, 1935, in Bringhurst, IN, to the late Russell and Pearl Wallace Mocherman. She married Thomas E. Murray, who survives.

Also surviving are:

Tom J. Murray, Winamac, Son
Timothy J. (Joan) Murray, Winamac, Son
Theresa (Patrick) Blankenship, Winamac, Daughter

Grandchildren
Jamie L. (Mike Craft) Murray
Amy J. Murray
Anne (Kent) Wamsley
Wade Berger
Chance Blankenship
Emerald Blankenship
Madeline Murray
Mary Murray
Max Murray

Great Grandchildren
Robert Collins
Laini Joseph
Kamden Long
Baylor Fritz
Isaiah Wamsley

Preceded in death by:
Russell “Lewie” (Dean) Mocherman, Brother
Brooklyn Collins, Great granddaughter

Mrs. Murray was an example of beauty and elegance in the way she lived her life. Her devotion to her family was insurmountable. She nurtured her children and grandchildren to love nature. In particular, she loved birds, nests, rocks, sunsets, lighthouses, shells, and simply a clear blue sky with billowing clouds. She was extremely creative and used her talents to sew, knit, crochet, paint, carve wood, cook, and work in her flowers. She also enjoyed collecting antiques and was an avid reader. There was a feeling of love and tenderness that welcomed her family home each day. She also created a beacon in the Murray home that welcomed and warmed the hearts of her children’s friends as well.

Mrs. Murray had a deep spiritual belief in the Lord and nurtured her children in doing for others. She lived her life teaching her children the Golden Rule and would recite it often. She was a blessing to her children from childhood through adulthood. She was a great listener and always seemed to know the perfect thing to say or do to make life’s challenges a smooth transition. She and her husband loved to travel. They were very fortunate to be able to travel many places throughout their marriage and truly enjoyed that together. Probably the thing she loved the most was family get-togethers and just being surrounded by the chatter and laughter of her children and grandchildren. She was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at Winamac Event Center, located at the corner of Adams and Logan streets, Winamac. Immediately following, the family will host a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m., (Saturday, April 18), at the Event Center,with Pastor Tami Boggs officiating.

Memorial donations may be given to Riley’s Children’s Hospital.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Freda J. Bartlett

March 22, 2015

WINAMAC - Freida Jane Bartlett, 96, of Chicago, (formerly of Winamac) passed away at 2:30 a.m., Sunday, March 22, at the GlenCrest Healthcare Nursing Home in Chicago.

She was born July 28, 1918 in Kentland to the late Bernard and Gertrude Goff Hopkins, and grew up in Hammond. She married James Dorsey of Wilmington, Ill., and later Dean Bartlett of Winamac. Both preceded her in death.

Survivors include: 
Diane Dorsey, Chicago, Daughter
Marcia Dorsey, Kankakee, IL, Daughter
Bridget Justen, Dubai, UAE, Daughter 
Susan Brucker, Noblesville, Step Daughter 
Kathy Sheppard, Winamac, Step Daughter 
Karen Price, Winamac, Step Daughter 
Ian Pucek, Grandson 
Tara Harrington, Granddaughter 
Sabrina Justen, Granddaughter 
Dale Fahnstrom, Grandson 
Bret Fahnstrom, Grandson 
8 Great Grandchildren

Preceded in death by: 
Liza Jane Goff, Grandmother
Leo Hopkins, Brother 
Ethel Clark, Sister
Christoph Justen, Son-in-law

Mrs. Bartlett and her first husband raised three daughters. She attended the Presbyterian and the Baptist churches, organized the Little Women 4-H Club, and threw the best birthday parties any daughters could ever want. In 1956 she graduated from the Joliet School of Beauty Culture and ran a successful shop in her home before moving to Kankakee, Ill. where she established the Freida Jane Styling Center. She received her advanced cosmetology degree from Southern Illinois University and became a highly-regarded color specialist. In the winter of 1972, she enrolled at West Kankakee High School to finish up needed credits and proudly received her high school diploma. For relaxation and continued education she studied oil painting and sketching, as well as courses in government and public speaking. She was an active member of the Immanuel Baptist Church, the National Business Women’s Club as well as the National Beauty Salon Association.

After relocating to Winamac, she married long-time resident Dean Bartlett. For several years they shared many celebrations with their combined families and enjoyed wintering in Florida before he passed away. During her 30-plus years in Winamac, she served as deaconess for the Christian Church and leader of the Women’s Bible study group, was active in Christian Women’s Fellowship as well as the Monroe Modern Home Extension Club, and was a faithful member of Bethel Bible Church. She continued to paint, won county fair ribbons for her pickles, and loved waving at passersby from the front porch of her home with her dog Joy barking alongside.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 31, at the funeral home with Rev. Thomas Hopewell officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Bethel Bible Church. 