Obituaries

William R. Harris

January 21 1956 to December 8, 2014

MEDARYVILLE - William Ray Harris, 58, of Galesburg, MI, passed away at 12:15 p.m., Monday, Dec. 8, at his home after a long battle with cancer.

He was born on Jan. 21, 1956 in Holland, MI, to the late Arvel and Margaret Goodman Harris. On June 11, 1983, he married Pamela Mullins in Fennville, MI. She survives. 

Also surviving are: 
Christopher (Melinda Hagood) Harris, Holland, MI, Son 
Robert (Tammy) Harris, Galesburg, MI, Son 
Hope Harris, Granddaughter 
Elijah Hagood, Grandson 
Kaden Harris, Grandson 
Devin Crommie, Grandson 
Jesse James Harris, Grandson 
Bailey Ann Harris, Granddaughter 
Barbara Batten, Mt. View, AR, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews 
Loretta Randolph Mullins, Galesburg, MI, Mother-in-law 
James (Nancy) Mullins, Holland, MI, Brother-in-law 
Mike (Rosa) Mullins, Fennville, MI, Brother-in-law 
Tim (Lisa) Mullins, Francesville, Brother-in-law 
Karen (Larry) Salyers, Rensselaer, Sister-in-law 

Preceded in death by:
Christie Harris, Daughter 
Sarah Lucinda Claussen, Sister 
Clifford Mullins, Father-in-law 
Kathy Collis, Sister-in-law 

Mr. Harris worked as a truck driver at Donnelly Corporation in Michigan for 21 years and later as an over-the-road truck driver. Through the years, he and his wife lived in Michigan, Indiana, and Arkansas. He enjoyed playing pool and was a member of the American Pool Association. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon Friday, at Goodway Baptist Church, Medaryville. The funeral service will follow at 12 Noon (Friday, Dec. 12), at the church with Pastors James Rowe and Johnny Lundinburg officiating. Burial will be at Goodway Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to funeral home for funeral expenses. 

Ruth I. Crawford

August 31, 1939 to December 5, 2014

FRANCESVILLE - Ruth I. Crawford, 75, of Francesville, (formerly of Portage,) passed away Friday, Dec. 5, at her home with her loving husband by her side.

She was born Aug. 31, 1939 in Gary, to the late Lester and Alethea Cuthbert Thompson. She married Tony Shivalec on March 2, 1962. He died Feb. 27, 1980. She then married Bill Crawford on Aug. 31, 1981 in Portage. He survives.

Also surviving are: 
Lisa (William Worrall) Booth, Chesterton, Daughter
Lori Shivalec, Valparaiso, Daughter
David Shivalec, Chesterton, Step Son
Fred (Kathy) Shivalec, Chesterton, Step Son
Patty Crawford, Monon, Step Daughter
Carmen Crawford, Monon, Step Daughter
Walter (Janene) Crawford, Monon, Step Son
9 Grandchildren
12 Great Grandchildren
Dorothy (Lawrence) Dothit, Olney, IL, Sister
James (Nancy) Thompson, Manteno, IL, Brother
Donald (Donna) Thompson, Mercer, TN, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Susan Shivalec Jones, Step Daughter
Howard Crawford, Father-in-law
Juanita Lowe Crawford, Mother-in-law
Cordellia Crawford Skalon, Sister-in-law

Mrs. Crawford lived in Portage for 37 years and had worked at Town and Country Market. In 2004, she and her husband moved to Francesville. She was a member of the Indiana Patriot Guard. She enjoyed riding the trike. She also enjoyed camping, fishing, and crocheting baby blankets for family and friends. She was a loving wife, mother, and memaw. She will be dearly missed.

A celebration of Mrs. Crawford’s .ife will be held at a later date. Private burial will be at Bedford Cemetery, Monon.

Memorial donations may be given to Indiana Patriot Guard.

Sharon A. Widner

November 6, 1947 to December 2, 2014

WINAMAC - Sharon A. Widner, 67, of Winamac, died at 3:04 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2, after a valiant two-year battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka.

She was born Nov. 6, 1947 in Logansport to the late John E. and Juanita Watson Emmons. She married Jerry L. Widner on June 15, 1968 in Logansport. He survives.

Natalie Sue (Barry) Harvey, Camby, Daughter
Ashley Widner, Granddaughter
Kyle Widner, Grandson
Tristan Harvey, Grandson
Tad Harvey, Grandson
Autumn Widner, Great Granddaughter
George Emmons, Logansport, Brother
Shirley (Ron) Kuszmaul, Deer Creek, Sister
Diane (Denny) Johnson, LaGrange, Sister
Janice Emmons, Logansport, Sister-in-law
Dwight Emmons, Greeneville, OH, Uncle
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
John Paul Emmons, Brother
David Emmons, Brother
Nicole Savini, Niece

Mrs. Widner was a 1966 graduate from Mississinawa Valley High School in Union City, OH. She graduated from Rudae Beauty School in Logansport. She and her husband moved to Winamac in 1970. She was well known as the "paint lady" at Coast-to-Coast/Ace Hardware in Winamac, where she worked for 34 years. She retired in 2009. She was a Rainbow Girl in high school. She was a Cub Scout den mother and 4-H craft judge for several years. She enjoyed knitting and camping. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, at the funeral home with Pastor Rick Abbott officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Zion-Franklin Township Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to American Cancer Society.

Kenneth R. Miller

September 16, 1987 to November 30, 2014

WINAMAC - Kenneth R. Miller, 27, of Kewanna, passed away at 6:36 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 30, at his residence, surrounded by his family.

He was born on Sept. 16, 1987 in Indianapolis, to Marcia Louise Siebenhaar who passed away Sept. 21, 1987. both mother and son suffered from a rare neurological disease called Neurofibromatosis "NF", which ultimately claimed their lives. He was lovingly raised by his aunt and uncle, Deb and Roger Miller, who survive.

Roger (Katrina) Miller, Jr., Remington, Brother 
Efrom (Kayla) Miller, Logansport, Brother 
Ethan Miller, Kewanna, Brother 
Brandon Miller, Kewanna, Brother 
Rebekah Miller, Kewanna, Sister 
Ann Shideler, Beardstown, Grandmother 
Stuart Siebenhaar, LaPorte, Grandfather 
Sadie Miller, Culver, Grandmother 
Several Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

Walter Miller, Grandfather 
Jonathan Siebenhaar, Cousin 
Jared Mays, Cousin 

Mr. Miller was a member of First Baptist Church in Winamac, where he was faithful to attend no matter how ill he felt. He enjoyed paintballing and watching Walker Texas Ranger. He also enjoyed eating, especially at Golden Corral. He was a loving, caring, and compassionate young man, who was known to always have a smile on his face. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice as well as Dr. Allman and his staff for their compassionate care of Kenneth throughout his life. They would also like to thank Dr. Johnson, Dr. Turner, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Strawsburg for their care of Kenneth over the years.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon, (Thursday, Dec. 4), at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Pilger officiating. Private burial will be at Riverside Memorial Cemetery, Monterey.

Memorial donations may be given to funeral home for funeral expenses. 

Brandon S. Starr

December 4, 1994 to November 28, 2014

WINAMAC - Brandon S. Starr, 19, of Winamac, died at 6:15 a.m., Friday, Nov. 28, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac. 

He was born Dec.4, 1994 in Winamac to Crystal and Darren Starr.

Survivors include:
Darren S. (Myra) Starr, Winamac, Father
Zaiden Carl Parlett, Kewanna, Son
Amber N. (Matt) Justice, Francesville, Sister
Cortney M. (Brandon) Thomas, Winamac, Sister
Cody M. Cobb, Monticello, Step Brother
Micah A. Cobb, Monticello, Step Sister
Taylor A. Arbuckle, Winamac, Step Sister
William & Darlene Starr, Winamac, Paternal Grandparents
Several Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Crystal J. Starr, Mother
William & Tessie Kellems, Maternal Grandparents
Jeffery Starr, Uncle

Mr. Starr enjoyed playing baseball and basketball, as well as fishing, swimming, and listening to music. He was a Chicago Bears fan. He was full of life. He liked to joke around and make people laugh. He especially enjoyed hanging out with his friends who fondly knew him as "B". He was dearly loved by his sisters who had nicknamed him "Bub". He loved his son very much. He will be sadly missed by his friends and family.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to  2 p.m., Wednesday, Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., (Wednesday, Dec. 3), at the funeral home with Pastor Randy Williams officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Zion-Franklin Township Cemetery, Winamac.

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

Mary Kochel

May 25, 1931 to November 23, 2014

ROYAL CENTER - Mary Kochel, 83, of Star City passed away unexpectedly at 5:15 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 23, at her daughter’s residence in Elkhart.

Born on May 25, 1931 in Buffalo, she was the daughter of the late Lester and Ethel (Quinn) Hunt. On June 5, 1953 in Logansport she married Robert D. Kochel. He preceded her in death on Sept. 15, 2001.

Survivors include her two daughters, Linda Hummer (William) of Mishawaka and Kathryn Roberts of Elkhart, one son, Randy L. Kochel of Royal Center and one brother, Nolan Hunt (Janet) of Logansport. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by one sister and three brothers.

Mrs. Kochel worked at RBM for 20 years. She enjoyed gardening, yard work, sewing and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at a later date at Buck Cemetery, Thornhope.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Royal Center Chapel.