Obituaries

Timothy F. Hoffa Sr.

December 11, 1956 to February 3, 2015

WINAMAC - Timothy F. Hoffa, Sr., 58, of Winamac, passed away at 11:49 a.m. (ET), Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso.

He was born Dec. 11, 1956, in Detroit, to the late John Norman and Alice Jankowski Hoffa. He married Gloria Uszynski on July 30, 1983, in Wyandotte, MI. She survives.

Also surviving are:

Duane (Jenn) Hoffa, Westchester, IL, Son
Tim (Christi) Hoffa, Jr., Winamac, Son
Bethanne (Brad) Rude, Thornhope, Daughter
8 Grandchildren
John Gregory (Donna) Hoffa, Brown City, MI, Brother
Robert Hoffa, Capac, MI, Brother
Linda Poirier, Capac, MI, Sister
Christopher (Penny) Hoffa, Winamac, Brother
Stephen (Ann) Hoffa, Lapeer, MI, Brother
Brenda (George) Moustakas, Clinton Twp., MI 
Kathy Scott, Las Vegas, Sister
Helen Hoffa, Las Vegas, Step Mother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Elizabeth Hoffa, First Wife
Gregory Hoffa, Son
James Hoffa, Brother
Kenneth Hoffa, Brother

Mr. Hoffa was a former truck driver and worked for 18 years as a tool-and-die worker at Rochester Metals, Rochester. He was the former president of American Flint Glass Workers Local #607 in Rochester.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 8, at at the funeral home with Pastor Rick Abbott officiating. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Freda A. Lloyd

March 28, 1943 to February 4, 2015

WINAMAC - Freda Ann Lloyd, 71, Star City, passed away at 3:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4, at St. Elizabeth East, Lafayette.

She was born March 28, 1943, in Silver Point, TN, to the late Ellis D. and Flora Alice Coleman Clemons. She married Sheldon Lloyd on May 29, 1959. He passed away July 21, 1975. She then married Homer Martindale on Feb. 3, 1979, in Clinton, IN. He passed away Oct. 27, 2013.

Survivors include:
Shanna N. Lloyd, Winamac, Daughter
Adrian Chupp, Winamac, Grandson
Allen Bolin, Logansport, Nephew
Kevin Clemons, Korea, Nephew

Preceded in death by:
Lisa Lloyd, Daughter
Allon Clemons, Brother
Barbara Bolin, Sister

Mrs. Lloyd was a member of Yorktown Church of Christ, Logansport,. She was the former owner of F&S Service Company. She loved to read and to go to the Family Y in Logansport with her friend Ann Shideler. She enjoyed mushroom hunting. She also loved to spend time with her grandson Adrian.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, at the funeral home, with Mark Racop officiating. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be given to Yorktown Church of Christ.

Mary E. Jones

March 13, 1921 to January 19, 2015

FRANKFORT - Mary Elizabeth (Vore) Jones, 93, died Monday, Jan. 19, at Wesley Manor Retirement Community, Frankfort..

She was born March 13, 1921 in Eaton, the daughter of the late George and Lela (Duckwall) Vore. She married Rev. John Paul Jones on June 30, 1942.

She is survived by four sons and a daughter: Max (Dianne) Jones, Keith (Cindy) Jones, and Ken (Marian) Jones, all of Lafayette; Randy (Kathy Carey) Jones of Denver, CO; and Marna (Paul Vandenberg) Jones of Portland, OR. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. 

She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, and her brothers. 

Mrs. Jones grew up on the family farm. She graduated from Eaton High School in 1938 and attended college at Ball State, Taylor, and Manchester College where she graduated with a B.S. in English and Home Economics and received her teaching credential for secondary education.  In tandem with beginning her career as a teacher, she was an active and dedicated Methodist minister's wife. She stopped teaching when she had her first child in 1945, and returned to the classroom 17 years later when her fifth and youngest child started kindergarten. She returned to college to convert her license from secondary to elementary education and earned a Master's Degree.

Rev. and Mrs. Jones served 10 different churches in the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist church including pastorates at Richland Center, Star City/White Oak, Danville/Cartersburg, Winamac, Princeton, Auburn, Hartford City and Tipton. They both retired in 1982 and located in the Muncie area. The couple found time for travel, including many trips to visit their geographically dispersed grown-up kids, grandkids, and exchange students. Mrs. Jones was proud to have visited all 50 states. The couple began their international travels with a mission trip to Haiti in 1973. They later traveled to the Holy Land, Great Britain, Western and Eastern Europe, Egypt, Australia, and New Zealand.

Friends may call at Eaton United Methodist Church from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Saturday. The funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m., (Saturday, Jan. 24), at the church, with son Keith Jones officiating, assisted by Rev. Brian White and Rev. Mike Dominick. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery, Eaton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley Manor, 1555 N. Main, Frankfort, IN 46041, or the charity of your choice .

The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Rebecca S. Yount

October 3, 1922 to January 22, 2015

WINAMAC - Rebecca Sue "Becky" Yount, 92, of Winamac, passed away at 1:21 p.m.,Thursday, Jan. 22, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born on Oct. 3, 1922 in Royal Center, to the late Albert Milo and Corabelle Wirwahn Yount.

Survivors include:

George Ann Morris, Boise, ID, Sister

Robert (Laura Rowen) Morris, Nephew

Michelle (Michael Hayhurst) Morris, Niece

Susan (Mathew McCabe) McCabe, Niece

Conner McCabe, Great Nephew

Grant McCabe, Great Nephew

Megan McCabe, Great Niece

Michael Bausch, Great Nephew

Ms. Yount graduated from Winamac High School in 1940 and attended South Bend Business College. In 1987, she retired from First Union Bank and Trust as head of bookkeeping. She was a member of the Democrat Party. She was a great sports fan. She enjoyed watching the Cubs, Purdue football and basketball, and IU basketball. She also enjoyed Colts football and was an avid Peyton Manning fan. She liked to crochet and made many afghans for her friends and family. She enjoyed the companionship of her cats, most recently Miss Daisy. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. 

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,  Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., (Wednesday, Jan. 28), at the funeral home with Rev. Matt Landry officiating. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery, Star City. 

Memorial donations may be given to Pulaski Animal Center or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Woodrow W. Skillen

February 5, 1919 to January 21, 2015

WINAMAC - Woodrow W. “Tom” Skillen, 95, of Peru, formerly of Star City, passed away at 2:55 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Blair Ridge Health Campus in Peru.

He was born Feb. 5, 1919, in Thornhope, to the late Willard and Lillian Kochel Skillen. He married Genny Teske on Oct. 18, 1941 in Winamac She survives.

Survivors include:

Genevieve Teske Skillen, Peru, Wife
Sharon K. ( John) Sayers, Bringhurst, Daughter
Darl D. (Diane) Skillen, Peru, Son
Natalie (John) Pettit, Grandaughter
Stephanie (Scott) Harris, Granddaughter
Emily Pettit, Granddaughter
Karen (Ryan) Baker, Granddaughter
Mike Skillen, Grandson
Nick Skillen, Grandson
7 Great-grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Marie Skillen, Sister
Jennie Jack, Sister
Joseph Skillen, Brother
William Skillen, Brother

Mr. Skillen and his wife farmed in the Star City area most of their lives. He also worked as a welder for Herd Seeder in Logansport. He also had worked for the Indiana State Highway Dept and the Pulaski County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Star City United Methodist Church and the New Life Methodist Church in Mexico, IN. The couple moved to Peru, in 2005. He enjoyed IU basketball, driving his tractor and bowling. He enjoyed spending time with his family.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 25, at the funeral home with Pastor Sam Polito officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to New Life Methodist Church in Mexico, IN or Star City United Methodist Church.

Michael J. Rausch

January 18, 1949 to January 17, 2015

WINAMAC - Dr. Michael Joseph Rausch, 65, of Winamac, died at 9:37 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born Jan. 18, 1949 in Logansport, to the late Wilbert H. and Madelyn Marie Holbrook Rausch. He married Pamela D. Deafenbaugh on Sept. 8, 1984 in South Bend. She survives. 

Also surviving are: 
Zachary Alexander Rausch, Winamac, Son 
Noah Hunter Rausch, Colorado Springs, CO, Son 
Stephen (Barbara) Rausch, Winamac, Brother 
Paul Rausch, Winamac, Brother 
Theresa (Robert) Krohn, Sheridan, Sister 
Patricia (Randel) Holliday, Winamac, Sister 
Monica (David) DeSabatine, Winamac, Sister 
Loretta "Lori" (Leon Morales) Rausch, Winamac, Sister 
Elizabeth "Betty" (Larry) Allen, Winamac, Sister 
Rebecca (Greg) Vanderheyden, South Bend, Sister-in-law 
Many Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins 

Preceded in death by:  
William A. Rausch, Brother 
Jack D. Deafenbaugh, Father-in-law 
Patricia Crooks Deafenbaugh, Mother-in-law 

Dr. Rausch graduated from Monterey High School in 1967. He attended Purdue University where he received his bachelor's degree and later his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1975. He began his professional career working for Dr. Bruce Hostrawser at the Animal Hospital of South Bend and later purchased the practice. He and his family moved to Winamac in 1989, where he operated a house call service before establishing the Winamac Pet Med Center. In 2005, he retired due to health issues and the practice was later purchased by Dr. Richard Davis.

Dr. Rausch appreciated being able to return to his hometown, to work and live. He was a member of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA), National Rifle Association, Purdue Alumni Association, and National Wild Turkey Federation. He was a former Kiwanian in South Bend and a former Winamac town councilman. He served several years on the Pulaski County Board of Health. He was a true outdoorsman and conservationist. At a young age, he developed a love for the land while working on the family farm. In his youth, he attained a passion for hunting, fishing, and trapping; a gift he would get from his father, share with his brothers and friends, and pass on to his sons. 

Dr. Rausch enjoyed visiting, telling stories, and spending time with family and friends, whether it be starting the day over a pot of coffee at Vicky's, catching up with cousins and family at reunions, or discussing and admiring antique firearms at the NMLRA's shoots in Friendship, IN.He shared a connection with his clients, especially when talking about their pets, so much so that his staff often had to remind him to "wrap it up" for his next appointment. He was a loving husband and father. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary,Winamac; and one hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home. the funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 24, at the funeral home with Rev. Matt Landry officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Zion-Franklin Township Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Michael J. Rausch to: National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association 1 of 1000 Program, Pulaski County Community Foundation Wildlife Conservation and Education Fund, or to one of the following animal rescue organizations: Alicia Smidler Fund c/o Christine Smith, Pulaski Animal Center, or Humane Society.