Obituaries

Donna G. Harper

July 29, 1932 to December 17, 2014

WINAMAC - Donna G. Harper, 82, of Longville, MN (formerly of Star City) died Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Chesterfield General Hospital in Cheraw, SC. 

She was born on July 29, 1932 in Royal Center, to the late Lawrence Eugene and Glenne Wiseley Barker. She married Harold G. Harper on March 1, 1953 in Winamac. He survives.

Survivors include:
Terri (Murray) Garbett, Cape Coral, FL, Daughter
Toni (Ken) Sausman, Longville, MN, Daughter
Traci (Bob) Hardel, Kouts, Daughter
Richard Harper, Cape Coral, FL, Son
13 Grandchildren
8 Great Grandchildren
Francis "Gene" (JoAnn) Barker, Melbourne Beach, FL, Brother
Richard "Bud" (Donna) Barker, Seymour, Brother
Karen Sayler, Indiana, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Robert (Candy) Barker, Brother

Mrs. Harper graduated from Star City High School in 1950 and then St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in 1953. She received a bachelor's degree. She worked as a registered nurse at Pulaski Memorial Hospital for over 30 years. She retired in 1991. After retirement, she and her husband began spending their summers in Longville, and later their winters in Chesterfield, SC. She was a member of the Star City United Methodist Church. She enjoyed cro-knitting and had many interests including nature, especially fishing, flowers, trees, and hummingbirds. She was an avid reader and later listened to books on tape. She dedicated her life to the principles of nursing, helping others both in and out of the hospital. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., (Monday, Dec.22), at the funeral home with Rev. Ruth Waite officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac

Memorial donations may be given to Chesterfield County Hospice or Salvation Army or Star City United Methodist Church.

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Elizabeth Selle Frazie

January 18, 1920 to December 16, 2014

WINAMAC - Elizabeth C. (Betty) Selle Frazie, 94, of Fort Wayne (formerly of Winamac), died at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Fort Wayne.

She was born Jan. 18, 1920, in Culver, to the late Herbert and Golda Woolington Hamman. Her first marriage was to Bill Selle who is deceased. She then married James Frazie who died in 1998.

Survivors include:
Mary E. (Robert) Short, Fort Wayne, Daughter
Ellen (Arden) Hargis-Miller, Fort Wayne, Daughter
Barbara (Ralph) Kiser, Star City, Daughter
Richard (Martha) Selle, South Bend, Son
14 Grandchildren
33 Great Grandchildren
4 Great Great Grandchildren
Ron Hamman, Kewanna, Brother
Ruth Talbott, Kewanna, Sister

She preceded in death by:
Kathleen Selle, Daughter
Lucille Newcomer, Sister
Geraldine Good, Sister
Robert Hamman, Brother
Ralph Hamman, Brother
Bud Hamman, Brother

Mrs. Frazie was a former member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and Christian Mothers while living in Winamac, and a member of the Monterey Legion Auxillary. She lived most of her life in the Winamac-Kewanna area, moving to Fort Wayne in 2004. She was a member of the Parkview Hospital Auxillary. Her first priority was spending time with her family, especially the grandchildren. She also loved to play cards, bake, and travel.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m., (Saturday, Dec. 20), at the funeral home with Rev. Bert Woolson officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to the charity of the donor's choice. 

Matilda R. Earhart

July 30, 1917 to December 7, 2014

ROYAL CENTER - Matilda R. Earhart, 97, of Winamac, formerly of Royal Center, passed away at 5:40 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, at Hickory Creek Healthcare Center, Winamac.

Born July 30, 1917 in Pulaski County, she was the daughter of the late Thomas O. and Ada (Pratt) Hickman. On March 8, 1936 she married Lestel E. Earhart in Winamac. He preceded her in death on Aug. 9, 1982.

Survivors include her daughter, Roselyn Clark of Winamac, son, LaGene Earhart (Denise) of Winamac and sister, Betty Feightner (Jack) of Kokomo. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by 5 sisters and 2 brothers.

Mrs. Earhart was a homemaker. She was also formerly employed at Rice Corporation in Winamac and Hart Schaffner & Marx in Rochester.She and her husband also formerly owned and operated a carpet cleaning business and a mink ranch in Royal Center for several years. she formerly attended Bethel Bible Church in Winamac and Caley United Methodist Church in Royal Center. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, reading, gardening, playing the organ and singing.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 11, at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center Chapel, with visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Elder Donald Norrick will officiate. Entombment will follow at Ever Rest Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Robert G. Tankersley

December 17, 1938 to December 9, 2014

CASSOPOLIS, Mich. - Robert G. Tankersley, 75, of Cassopolis, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, at his residence in the presence of his family.

He was born Dec. 17, 1938, to the late James and Sara Jane (Southworth) Tankersley, the third of six children. He married H. Sharon Brame April 30, 1977, in South Bend, Indiana. She survives.

He is also survived by children, Teri Tankersley of Goshen, Robert B. (Heidi) Tankersley of Goshen, Becky (Garry) Daniels of Cassopolis, Pamela (James) Schoff of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; eight grandchildren, Mason Kintigh, Jordan Kintigh, Abby Tankersley, and Lincoln Tankersley, Bryan Schoff and Brett Schoff, both of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Ryan (Gina) Daniels of Mishawaka, Mattie Daniels; two great-granddaughters, Taylor Barnard and Kelsey Barnard; five siblings, James (Francine) Tankersley of Ecuador, Sue (Richard Sweterlitsch of North Carolina, Daniel (Kathleen) Tankersley of Winamac,  Barbara Keck of Cassopolis, Stephen (Susan) Tankersley of Cassopolis; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Tankersley loved the lake, loved building houses, and he loved Camp Eberhart. He was a people person who loved gatherings with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Family and friends will gather Saturday, Dec. 13, for a Celebration of Bob's Life beginning at 12 noon at the family residence on Highfield Road in Cassopolis.

The family prefers contributions be made in Robert's memory to the YMCA Camp Eberhart, 10481 Camp Eberhart Road, Three Rivers, Michigan 49093.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. 

Betty H. Allen

November 9, 1932 to December 14, 2014

MEDARYVILLE - Betty H. Allen, 82, of Medaryville, passed away at 7:50 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14, at Logansport Memorial Hospital.

She was born Nov. 9, 1932 in North Judson, to the late George and Freda Rundbloom Herzog. On March 10, 1962, she married Amos Allen in Medaryville. He survives. 

Also surviving are:  
Becky (Russell) George, Monticello, Daughter
George Allen, Medaryville, Son 
David Allen, Medaryville, Son 
1 Nephew & 2 Nieces

Preceded in death by: 
Harold (Lydia) Herzog, Brother 

Mrs. Allen was a member of the Medaryville Assembly of God Church. She enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, and crocheting. She also enjoyed word searches and jigsaw puzzles. She was a loving wife and mother. She was a friend to all and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville; and one hour prior to services at the church, Friday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 19, at Medaryville Assembly of God Church, Medaryville, with Rev. Tom Dewlen officiating. Burial will be at Independence Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to Medaryville Assembly of God Church. 

Sarah L. Behnke

November 23, 1927 to December 12, 2014

WINAMAC - Sarah L. Behnke, 87, of Culver, died at 4:58 a.m., Friday, Dec.12, at Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester.

She was born Nov. 23, 1927 in rural Starke County near Culver to the late Leo William and Esther Warmbrod Warren. She married Roland A. Behnke on Aug. 22, 1948. He died May 21, 1988.

Edward Roland (Barbara) Behnke, Culver, Son
5 Grandchildren
9 Great Grandchildren
2 Great Great Grandsons
Wanda Miller, Plymouth, IN Half-Sister

Preceded in death by: 
Jessie Allen Sickmiller, Great Grandson

Mrs. Behnke was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Culver and was also involved with the United Methodist Women. She was a very hardworking woman. She spent many years as a farmwife, helping her husband on the farm. They moved to Culver in 1961, where she spent many years working at the Culver Military Academy and ultimately retiring from the Culver Inn. She was a 1945 graduate of Winamac High School. She never knew a stranger. She formed strong relationships with everyone she met and had amazing name recall. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, quilting, embroidering, and crocheting. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Reed Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Wesley United Methodist Church or Culver EMS or Culver Union Township Fire Department.