Obituaries

Ralph W. Fritz

February 28, 1928 to July 7, 2014

SYLVANIA, OHIO – Ralph Waldo Fritz, 91, formerly of Knox and Winamac, passed away Monday, July 7, in Sylvania, Ohio where he had resided the past two years.

He was born Nov. 2, 1922 in rural Winamac, the son of E. Mark and Hazel Charlotte Scott Fritz. He married Marilyn Tiffany Capper on Dec. 8, 1946. They later divorced. He then married Irene Marie Talsma in 1970. She died Sept. 11, 2012.

Surviving are children Mark S. (Deb) Fritz of Indianapolis, Mac C. (Lesa) Fritz of Arizona, Matthew C. (Maryann) Fritz of Indiana, Cathleen S. (Mary) Fritz of Michigan; and Peter (K.K.) Fritz of Indianapolis. He is also survived by step-children: Dawn Beckering of South Carolina, Elaine (Dennis) Boxdorfer of Ohio, and Carole Fey of MIchigan. In addition, he leaves behind 24 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by daughter Connie K. Fritz Dust, grandson Ralph Nicholas "Nick" Fritz, brothers R. Marshall Fritz and John M. Fritz, and sister Mary Charlotte Dilts.

After graduating from high school at age 16, Mr. Fritz attended DePauw University on a full scholarship to study journalism. After his junior year he returned home to farm with his brother, John, and they raised purebred Duroc hogs. In 1960, he left farming and joined Farm Bureau Insurance, moving to Knox. He spent 29 years as Northwest Indiana regional sales manager. After retiring from Farm Bureau, he lived in Fort Myers, Fla., Holland, Mich. and Sylvania, Ohio.

He liked the outdoors, especially hunting and camping. He also enjoyed spending time with his children, coaching a championship Little League team and supporting his sons in Boy Scouts. He also loved to golf and was proud to score a hole in one. He and his wife were club champions at Bass Lake Country Club near Knox and at Bay Beach Golf Course in Fort Myers Beach.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Ducks Unlimited, the Humane Society or the La Salle Council of the Boy Scouts of America. 

Jack J. Becker

April 22, 1932 to July 7, 2014

ROYAL CENTER - Jack J. Becker, 82, of Winamac passed away at 1:25 p.m., Monday, July 7, at Hickory Creek Nursing Home, Winamac.

Born April 22, 1932 in Pulaski, he was the son of the late Peter and Matilda (Moise) Becker. On Nov. 25, 1959 he married Mary Catherine Fitz, who survives.

Survivors include son, Rex Becker (Brenda) of Winamac, daughter, Cathy Hagen of Burnettsville, grandchildren; Nicholas Hagen, Mary Hagen, and Elizabeth Hagen all of Burnettsville, sister, Pauline Fites (Jack) of Winamac, sisters-in-law, Frances Becker of South Bend and Jean Becker of Winamac.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his son, Joseph J. Becker, son-in-law Rodney Hagen, brothers, Gene, Carl, Tom, Clem, Dick and Ralph Becker, sisters, Helen Johnson, Joan Beehler, Mary Lou Dornsife, and Alberta Wank, and two nephews, Larry Becker and Jack Johnson.

Mr. Becker worked for McMahon and O’Conner/ E&B Paving where he retired in 1995. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pulaski and the Labors Union Local 274. He was also a farmer all his life and he enjoyed gardening.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Royal Center Chapel where there will also be a Scripture Service at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday (July 12), at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peters Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church and/or the American Diabetes Foundation.

Ollie J. Clemons Jr.

June 21, 1967 to July 10, 2014

He was born June 21, 1967, in Hazard, KY, to the late Ollie James and Wilma Ann Salle Clemons.

Survivors include:

Steven Clemons, Winamac, Son
Britni Abbott, Winamac, Daughter
Susan E. (Dan) Miller, Winamac, Sister
Patricia Kinney, Kokomo, Sister
Several Grandchildren
A host of other family

Mr. Clemons worked as a carpenter for several local businesses. He moved to Winamac in 1986. He enjoyed having a good time with family and friends.

Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m., (Friday, July 18), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Clemons Mountain Cemetery, Jackson, KY.

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

Hazel M. Hilton

March 13, 1916 to July 8, 2014

MEDARYVILLE - Hazel M. Hilton, 98, Medaryville, died at 7:15 a.m., Tuesday, July 8, at Rensselaer Care Center, Rensselaer.

She was born on March 13, 1916 in Gilliam Township to the late Orlando and Eliza Avery Long. She married Floyd A. Hilton on July 28, 1937 in Rensselaer. He died on June 4, 1952.

Robert Hilton, Rensselaer, Son
Leota (Don) Foust, Winamac, Daughter
Edward (Carol) Hilton, Oakwood, GA, Son
64 Grandchildren, Great-grandchildren and Great-great-grandchildren
Several nieces and nephews

Bob Timmons, Step Father
Melissa Hilton, Great-granddaughter
4 Great-great-grandchildren
Guy Long, Brother
Merel Long, Brother
Arthur Long, Brother

Mrs. Hilton lived most of her life in the Medaryville area. She had worked as a cook's helper at Little Company of Mary Nursing Home in San Pierre. She was a member of the Medaryville United Methodist Church. She enjoyed making quilts for her family. She also enjoyed gardening and canning. She loved her family very much and will be missed by all.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m.,  Thursday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday (July 11), at the funeral home, with Pastor Hal Cohn officiating. Burial will be at Independence Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to Medaryville United Methodist Church. 

Marie E. Pugh

March 19, 1939 to July 6, 2014

WINAMAC - Marie E. Pugh, 75, Winamac, passed away at 1:08 p.m., Sunday, July 6, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born March 19, 1939, in Charlotte, MI, to the late Lee and Margery Perkins Archer. She married William A. Pugh on June 13, 1959, in Charlotte. He survives.

Also surviving are:
Kristina M. (Robert) Smith, Fort Wayne, Daughter
Rebecca L. (Phillip) Juday, Muncie, Daughter
Kyle A. Pugh, Muncie, Son
Dana L. (Cheryl LaDuke) Pugh, Muncie, Son
Amanda (Marius) Storm, Netherlands, Daughter
Grandchildren: Wesley Smith, Atlanta, GA, Lucas (Rachel) Smith, Lincoln, NE, Hannelore Smith, Fort Wayne, Erin (Phillip) Parsons, Muncie, Elysia Juday, Muncie, Emily Juday, Cincinnati, OH, Elizabeth Juday, Muncie, Devin Pugh, Valrico, FL, Shane Pugh, Indianapolis, Tyler Pugh, Indianapolis, Marna Storm, Netherlands, Estie Storm, Netherlands,and Johann Storm, Netherlands.
Malachi Parsons, Muncie, Great Grandson
Olivia Parsons, Muncie, Great Granddaughter
Ann Clarke, Corvallis, OR, Special Cousin
Barbara Reeves, Winamac, Special Friend
Don Alexander, Winamac, Special Friend]

Preceded in death by:
Corey Allen Pugh, Son

Mrs. Pugh was a former resident Charolotte, MI, moving to Winamac in 1969. She was formerly employed as a secretary for the First United Methodist Church, Galbreath Inc., Dr. Brian Johnson, and Pulaski Memorial Hospital. She also was a Pulaski Memorial Hospice volunteer. She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, Winamac, where she helped orchestrate the Praise Music Ministry. She also had been a member of the Pulaski County Extension Chords Choir. She was a pianist and enjoyed singing. She was always serving others, helping in any way she could. She enjoyed reading, baking, sewing, and crocheting receiving blankets. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Marie loved the Lord.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11AM  a.m., Friday (July 11), at the funeral home. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to First United Methodist Church.. 

Pamela J. Rausch

June 13, 1955 to July 5, 2014

WINAMAC - Pamela Jo Rausch, 59, Winamac, passed away at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 5, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

She was born June 13, 1955, in Michigan, and was raised by Galen and Dorothy (Babka) Stull. She married Raymond Rausch.on Sept. 6, 1974.  He survives.

Also surviving are:

Jennifer (Richard) Deniston, Monticello, Daughter
Adam (Charity) Rausch, Zionsville, Son
Justin (Karla) Rausch, Noblesville, Son
Eric (Becky) Rausch, Franklin, Son
Her grandchildren Mason, Parker, Brady, Keeley, Samuel, Molly, and Charles
Dorothy Stull, Bourbon, Mother

Preceded in death by:
Galen Stull, Father
David Stull, Brother

Mrs. Rausch was a 1973 graduate of Triton High School and had been a resident of Winamac most of her life. She was employed as the office manager for the Winamac Fish and Wildlife Area. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church where she cantored. She was also a member of Christian Mothers, Pulaski County Extension Club where she served as president, Extension Chords Choir and was an active supporter of Hunter Education and 4-H Shooting Sports. She loved to read, crochet, cook, and enjoyed being outdoors. Her greatest joys in life were her family, children, grandchildren, and the 1985 Chicago Bears. "Our wife, mother, grandmother, friend, was the most loving, caring, generous, and strongest person God put on this earth. Pam was a gift from God."

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Christian Mothers service; and a scriptural wake service will be held at 8:45 p.m.; all at the funeral home. The funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday (July 10), at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Winamac, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the charity of the donor's choice.