Obituaries

Karen R. Shank

February 14, 1963 to May 12, 2015

KEWANNA - Karen R. Shank, 52, of Winamac passed away at 10:45 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, at Hickory Creek of Rochester.

Born Feb. 14, 1963 in Rochester, she was the daughter of Donald L. and Doris E. (Walls) Woolington. On April 22, 2006, she married James N. Shank Jr. He survives.

Also surviving are her mother, Doris Woolington of Kewanna; children, Kayci Cunningham and Tracy Cunningham, both of Kewanna; granddaughter, Sydney May of Kewanna; brothers, Mark Woolington (Mona), Michael Woolington (Deb), both of Logansport and Dan Hassenplug (Cathy) of Kewanna; father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Carol Shank of Winamac; brother-in-law, Jerry Shank of Lafayette; and sister-in-law, Kim Kline (Terry) of Winamac.

She is preceded in death by her father, Donald Woolington and brother, David Hassenplug.

Mrs. Shank was a 1981 Kewanna High School graduate. She formerly worked at Ace Hardware in Winamac and she was also a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking and was also an avid Colts and NASCAR fan. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her granddaughter, Sydney May and her beloved dog, Zeke. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Rochester.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Kewanna Chapel; and also one hour before the time of service at the church. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 16, at the Church of Christ, 120 E. 5th St., Rochester with pastors Jim Dillinger and Doug Nolen officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Frederick J. Wilson

April 28, 1950 to May 13, 2015

WARSAW - Fredrick John Wilson, 65, with family surrounding him, passed away at 10 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, at his Warsaw home.

He was born April 28, 1950 in Logansport, to Lester Lewis and Lucille Love (Werner) Wilson. On May 17, 1975 in Winamac, he and Shelia Antrim were married. She survives. They moved to Warsaw where they raised their 10 children.

Survivers include his mother: Lucille Wilson, Winamac; 10 children and their spouses: Phillip Wilson, Warsaw; Stephen (Jennifer) Wilson, Weston, Florida; Christopher (Kerri) Wilson, Warsaw; Jakim Wilson, Phoenix, Arizona; Michael (Lauren) Wilson, Warsaw; Angela Wilson, Winona Lake, Erica Wilson, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Nathan (Sacha) Wilson, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; Ashley Wilson, Terre Haute, and Nicholas Wilson, Knoxville, Tennessee; 2 brothers and sisters-in-law: Jeffrey and Nancy Wilson, Sarasota, Florida and Gary and Cate Wilson of Fishers; sister and brother-in-law: Judy and David Ross of Deland, Florida; 9 grandchildren: Katlyn, Makayla, Riley, John-Paul, Trevarus, Tristan, Jersey, Preston and Liam.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lester Wilson.

Mr. Wilson was a 1968 Winamac High School graduate. He remained in Winamac until the late 1970’s. He was a faithful member of Touch of Life Church. He was also a member of Warsaw Rifle and Pistol Club and was very involved with Lake City Skiers. He loved family time, reading the Bible, spreading God’s Word and cooking for his family.

Family and friends will gather for a time of sharing in support of one another from 3 to 6 p.m., Sunday, at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 E. Sheridan St., Warsaw. A celebration of Fred’s life will take place at 10 a.m., Monday, May 18, at the funeral home. Pastor Rick Cooper of Touch of Life Church will officiate. A graveside service will begin at 1 p.m., at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

The family has asked that gifts in Mr. Wilson's memory be given to K-21 Health Foundation - Cancer Care Fund, PO Box 1810, Warsaw, Indiana 46581-1810 or Touch of Life Church, 2339 W. Old Road 30, Warsaw, Indiana 46580.

Donald R. Hibner

August 19, 1937 to May 5, 2015

KEWANNA - Donald R. “Don” Hibner, 77, of Kewanna, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 5, at South Bend Memorial Hospital.

Born on Aug. 19, 1937, in Elwood, Ill., he was the son of the late Roy A. and Georgia (Miller) Hibner. On Aug. 4, 1957, he married Etta E. Brown, she survives.

Also surviving are children, Andy R. Hibner (Tina Brown Jenkinson) of Kewanna, Julie E. Thomas (Tom) of Francesville, John W. Hibner (Angie) of Anderson and Jennifer R. Hibner of Kewanna. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, brothers, LaVerne Hibner (Eileen) of Plymouth and Dr. Dan Hibner of Indianapolis, sisters, Carol Smith (Larry) of Rochester and Cheryl Bright of Rochester and sister-in-law, Chris Hibner of California.

He is also preceded in death by brothers, Robert L. Hibner and Richard Joseph Hibner and brother-in-law, Steve Bright.

Mr. Hibner was a regional sales director at the Braun Corporation in Winamac where he retired in 2001.  He also owned and operated Double-D Auctions for over 40 years. He was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Winamac, Indiana Auctioneer’s Association and Gideons International. He also volunteered and then managed Fulton County Salvation Army for several years. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and refinishing antique furniture.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Fellowship Baptist Church, 52 W. 100 S., Winamac with Pastor Chad Ritchie officiating.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.

Memorial donations may be made to Fellowship Baptist Church and/or Gideons International.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Kewanna.

Betty Lou Feig

November 20, 1940 to April 20, 2015

MONTEREY - Betty (Thompson) Feig, 74, died Monday April 20, 2015 in Elk City, Okla., in a motorhome fire which also claimed the life of her beloved dog Taffy.

Betty was born Nov. 20, 1940 to the late Nellie and Fred Thompson of Monterey, She was a twin to James and the youngest of six children. She and her husband Ken were married March 13, 1960 and enjoyed 55 years as each other's best friend and soulmate. He survives.

Mrs. Feig and her husband enjoyed playing games and doing jigsaw puzzles, traveling and spending time with their family. She loved to bake and enjoyed sharing her food with loved ones, church family and friends. They raised two children Dorothy (Tom) Chambers and Tim (Fabiola) Feig. She loved their six beautiful grandchildren, Challis (Adam) Woods, Jared (Beth) Chambers, Nikita Feig, Kelsey Chambers, Cheyenne Feig and Diego Feig. They also assisted in raising Betty's neices Rebecca Budzinski and Colleen Danti.

Mrs. Feig was a Seventh Day Adventist. She was very active in her church and taught sabbath school for young children for many years. She made the sabbath a special day of worship and rest for her family. She loved all babies and children and was very proud of her four great-grandchildren Oliver, Lacey, Quinn and Jolee.  

She is also survived by siblings Kathryn (Bob) Macklin, Robert (Violet) Thompson, and James (Jeanne) Thompson. In addition, she is survived by brothers-in-law Robert (Pam) Feig and James (Judy) Feig. She kept in close contact with her extended family and friends by phone and letters - seeing and talking to them was a priority. She will be missed by many cousins, neices, nephews and friends.  She made friends whereever she went - "she never met a stranger."  

She was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws, and her brother Clarence Thompson. 

A memorial to celebrate her life and honor the love and kindness she showed to so many will be held at Knox SDA Church in Monterey (U.S. 35 and CR 800S) at 12 noon CT, Sunday, May 10. A lunch will follow.  

Carl L. Hammack

December 26, 1948 to April 29, 2015

FRANCESVILLE - Carl L. Hammack, 66, of Algonquin, IL passed away from cancer on Wednesday, April 29, at his home.

He was born on Dec. 26, 1948 in Salem, to the late John and Alice Mizner Hammack. He married Rita Logan on Oct. 21, 1972 in Francesville, and they settled in Algonquin. She survives.

Also surviving are:

Sarah (Keith) White, Daughter
John (Jennifer) Hammack, Son
Collin White, Grandson
Jim Hammack, Brother
Theresa Logan, Mother-in-law
Many Nieces, Nephews and Cousins

Preceded in death by: 
4 Brothers
1 Sister

At the age of 18, Mr. Hammack was called to duty by the US Army and fought for his country in Vietnam. He owned and operated RSJ Enterprises, a commercial painting company, until retiring. He was a member of the American Legion, the Forty and Eight, and Painters Union Local #194. He enjoyed motorcycles and playing euchre. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be after 10 a.m., until the time of services on Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 12 Noon EDT (Tuesday, May 5), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Dorothy D. Haring Strasser

March 22, 1922 to April 28, 2015

WINAMAC - Dorothy D. Haring Strasser, 93, of Winamac, died at 9:56 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born March 22, 1922 to George and Dora Haring, Francesville. She had seven brothers and sisters. One brother, Mike Haring of Georgia, survives.

She met her husband, Richard “Barney” Strasser while visiting his sister in Winamac. They were married in 1940. They had three daughters. Beverly (Larry) Miller, Star City, grandchildren Jeffrey Miller, Winamac, David (Sherree) LaPorte, Paul, Winamac. Larry thought of the Strassers like his mom and dad, and they felt he was the son they never had. Sondra Strasser, St. Marys, GA, grandchildren Colleen Craig, Albion, Brant Frain, St. Marys, GA, Dorrie (Mike) O’Donnell, Winamac. Kay Strasser, Sebastopol, CA, Grandchildren Craig (Traci) Herrin, San Jose, CA, Averi (Scott) Leonard, Sebastopol,CA.

Mrs. Strasser also had 13 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren.

Mrs. Strasser enjoyed working at the school for many years as a school lunch lady. She started painting in her 40s and especially enjoyed painting flowers and barns. She made quilts for each of her grandchildren and even finished a quilt that her mother had started. She enjoyed playing cards and marbles with her family up into her 90s. She called Pulaski Health Care Center her home for the past few years and loved it there. She especially enjoyed the people who cared for her.

A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, June 12, at the First United Methodist Church, Winamac. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service. 

Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Winamac or to Pulaski Animal Center.