Obituaries

James Nitzschke

April 9, 1949 to June 25, 2015

WINAMAC - James Richard Nitzschke, 66, of Wheatfield, formerly of Winamac, passed away at 7:35 p.m., Thursday, June 25, at Porter Regional Hospital, Valparaiso.

He was born April 9, 1949, in Winamac, to the late Gilbert Clyde and Sylvia Mae Poor Nitzschke. He married Jacquelyn Ann Engstromon April 29, 2006, in Valparaiso. She survives.

Also surviving are:

Kathy (Jeff) Keller, Monterey, Daughter
Marc Nitzschke, Powell, OH, Son
Gregory Lee (Shweta) Engstrom II, Valparaiso, Step Son
Brandon Michael Engstrom , Valparaiso, Step Son
Sarah Keller, Granddaughter
Karaline Keller, Granddaughter
Drew Nitzschke, Grandson
Ava Nitzschke, Granddaughter
Carter Nitzschke, Grandson
Joshua Carver, Step Grandson
Kenzie Carver, Step Granddaughter
George Nitzschke, Calif., Brother
Jerry Poor, Rochester, Brother

Preceded in death by:

One Sister

Mr. Nitzschke was a member of the Portage Masonic Lodge and the Murat Shrine, Michigan City. He was a member of Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church, Wheatfield. He loved to go fishing, camping, and riding his Harley.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be given to Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church, Wheatfield.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac. 

JoLee Shell

October 1, 1931 to May 25, 2015

HOBART - JoLee Shell, 83, of Fayetteville, GA (formerly of Hobart, Winamac and Portage, IN and Fayetteville AR), passed away on Monday, May 25.

She was born Oct. 1, 1931 to Ralph and Naomi McLead. She married Robert L. "Bob" Shell who preceded her in death.

She is survived by children: Janet L. Shell of Fayetteville AR, Robert W. (Annie) Shell of Fayetteville AR, and Rebecca (Michael) Adams of Fayetteville GA; son-in-law, Marc Campbell of Hobart IN; grandchildren: Marc Aaron Campbell, Stephen (Karen) Campbell, Steven Jacob Craig, Dallas Corwin III, Joshua R. Adams, Ross (Cathy) Adams, Rachael (Brian) Kopec, Jacob (Thuy) Adams, Sarah Adams, and Seth (Rachel) Adams; great grandchildren: Mitchel Campbell, Jack and Sarah Campbell, Rayne Craig, James Adams, Madeleine Adams, and Sienna Adams; sister, Janet Preble. 

She was preceded in death by daughter, Shirley M. Campbell; sister, Mary B. Fosburgh; and brother-in-law, M. Percy Preble. 

Mrs. Shell graduated from Hobart High School in 1949. She resided in Indiana for nearly 50 years prior to moving to Arkansas. She returned to Indiana in 1998 and resided in Portage until moving to Georgia in 2011. She was retired from the University of Arkansas and was a member of the Tippecanoe Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, Winamac.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 20, at Hobart First United Methodist Church, 654 E 4th St, Hobart. Interment at Calvary Cemetery to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in JoLee's memory to the United Methodist Commission on Relief (www.umcor.org), Advance GCFA, PO Box 9068, New York NY 10087-9068. 

Richard A. Perry

February 22, 1941 to June 19, 2015

WINAMAC - Richard Allen Perry, 74, of Huntington, (formerly of Winamac) passed away at 9:48 p.m., Friday, June 19, at Hickory Creek, Huntington.

He was born Feb. 22, 1941, in Winamac, to Willis and Olive Allen Perry.

Survivors include: 

Barbara (Eric) Stotler, Winamac, Sister 

Preceded in death by: 
Willis Perry, Father 
Olive Allen Carson, Mother 
Betty Rebeck, Sister 

Mr. Perry lived most of his life in Winamac. He was a member of the First Christian Church, Winamac, and was a former employee of Winamac Spring Company. 

A graveside service will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 23, at Pulaski Presbyterian Cemetery, Pulaski, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will will follow at the cemetery.

There will be no visitation.

Gail Ayers

July 30, 1960 to June 14, 2015

WINAMAC - Gailmarie L. Ayers, 54, of Star City, passed away unexpectedly at 5:27 p.m, Sunday, June 14, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

She was born July 30, 1960 in Logansport.

Survivors include:

Amanda (Neal) Fry, Logansport, Daughter
Crystal M. (Steven) Duncan, Logansport, Daughter
April L. Ayers, Logansport, Daughter
Shayla Duncan, Granddaughter
Xavier Clark, Grandson
Alexus Clark, Granddaughter
Dolores M. Grizzell, Winamac, Mother
Cherylann Johnson, Macomb, IL, Sister
Carrielynn Huse, Winn, MI, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Charles "Chuck" Ayers, Logansport, Former Husband

Preceded in death by:
John Allen Wilson, Son
Si Grizzell, Step-Father

Mrs. Ayers was a talented bartender and had been employed at T-Bones/T-Roys in Royal Center, for 18 years. Most recently, she had been employed at the VFW in Winamac. She was very fond of her dog, Miles. She enjoyed dancing, listening to country music, and going to concerts. She especially enjoyed being outside, whether it was gardening or taking a walk. She was a loving daughter, mother, and grandmother who would do anything for her family even if it meant she would have to make a personal sacrifice. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, June 19, at the funeral home with Rev. Michael McKinney officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the funeral home to help with funeral expenses. 


 

Stella Res

October 22, 1926 to June 14, 2015

WINAMAC - Stella Res, 88, of, Winamac, passed away at 09:15 a.m., Sunday, June 14, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born Oct. 22, 1926, in Karies Chios, Greece, to the late Konstantinos and Erene Maris Res. She married Stelios "Steve" K. Res in Greece. He died Feb. 4, 2011.

Survivors include:

Gus S. Ress, Winamac, Son

Nick S. Ress, Star City, Son
Anna S. Giomelos, Greece, Daughter
10 Grandchildren
6 Great-grandchildren
John Ress, Chicago, Brother
George Ress, Chicago, Brother
Steve Ress, Chicago, Brother

Preceded in death by:
2 Sisters

Mrs. Res came to the United States on Jan. 4, 1967. She became an American citizen in 1975.

A private funeral service will be held at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Joseph C. Hathaway

October 2, 1927 to June 5, 2015

FORT WAYNE - Joseph (Joe) C. Hathaway, 87, passed away Friday, June 5, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

He was born in Winamac, to the late Verl C. and Dica E. (nee Ale) Hathaway on Oct. 2, 1927. He married Marjorie R. Harvey on July 15, 1950. She survives.

He is also survived by sons Keith N. Hathaway (Wanda), Kent D. Hathaway (Heidi), Kurt L. Hathaway (Teresa), and a daughter Kathy J. Buesching (Dennis). He is also survived by nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two sisters. He was preceded in death by two sisters Lucille Newton and Betty Witzke.

Mr. Hathaway served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the capacity as an F1EM. He received an associate electrical engineering degree from Purdue University after the fulfillment of his naval duties. He worked for the General Electric Company for approximately 18 years, and various other locations throughout northeast Indiana from Decatur to the Essex Corporation in Columbia City. His last place of employment was at Metallurgical Processing in Fort Wayne,where he subsequently retired.

Mr. Hathaway was a devoted family man who held and cared for each one of them dearly in his arms and his heart. Most especially, he cared for the love of his life, his bride of 64 years. He was extremely patient, kind, and a veritable source of education, knowledge, and instruction. He was a man that many family and friends looked to for strength, support, and a warmth that transcended his entire life.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at the Klaehn, Fahl, and Melton Funeral Home located on 420 W. Wayne St. in Fort Wayne. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 11, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 917 W. Jefferson Blvd., with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Concordia Gardens Cemetery immediately following the service, which is located at 5300 Lake Avenue in Fort Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 917 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46802.