Obituaries

Mary Rife

July 16, 1926 to May 10, 2014

WINAMAC - Mary Ann Rife, 87, of Winamac, passed away at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, May 10, at White Oak Health Campus in Monticello.

She was born July 16, 1926, in Winamac, to the late Thomas and Agnes Jordan Hatfield. She married Gerald L. Rife on Jan. 24, 1946, in Winamac. He passed away Sept. 13, 2000.

Survivors include:
A. Faye Fagner, Winamac, Daughter
Linda (Kenny) Burns, Monticello, Daughter
Kimberly Rife, Goshen, Daughter
Karen (Dave) Budd, Winamac, Daughter
Gerald R. (Karen) Rife, Winamac, Son
17 Grandchildren
23 Great Grandchildren
Joan Jordan, Logansport, Step-Sister

Preceded in death by:
Barbara Sego, Sister
One Infant Brother
Brenda Rife, Daughter-in-law
Morris Fagner, Son-in-law

Mrs. Rife was a member of Bethel Bible Church, Winamac, and a member of the Christian Women's Fellowship. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, and after 10 a.m., Thursday at the church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday  (May 15), at Bethel Bible Church, Winamac, with Pastor Jeff Burns officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

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

Ralph V. Mickey

June 20, 1927 to May 8, 2014

WINAMAC - Ralph V. Mickey, 86, Winamac, passed away at 6:09PM Thursday, May 8, at the Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

He was born June 20, 1927, in Lawrenceville, IL, to the late John B. and Marjorie McClaskey Mickey. He married Nina Ruth Belcher on Dec. 30, 1945, in Bridgeport, IL. She passed away March 3, 2005.

Survivors include: 
Karen (Gary) Fleming, Star City, Daughter 
Deborah (Stan) Harbin, Freelandville, Daughter 
Mary Ellen (John) Hernandez, Hobart, Daughter 
Mildred Mickey, Merrillville, Daughter 
Ralph Lee (Amy Bozich) Mickey, Lafayette, Son 
10 Grandchildren 
14 Great Grandchildren 
Donna (Paul) Moyes, Olney, IL, Sister 

Preceded in death by: 
1 Grandson 
1 Brother 
2 Sisters 

Mr. Mickey attended Fellowship Baptist Church, Winamac. He had lived in Winamac since 1989, coming from Gary. He served in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II. He retired from Inland Steel where he had worked 38 years as a crane operator. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and traveling with his wife. 

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 11, 2014 at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday (May 12), at the funeral home with Pastor Chad Ritchie officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Betsy J. Matthews

October 8, 1943 to May 8, 2014

BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO - Betsy J. Watkins Matthews, 70, Winamac, died at 6:25 a.m., Thursday, May 8, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio on Oct. 8, 1943 to the late Marion F. and Eva Gladys (Groves) Watkins. 

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Michelle Dawn and Todd Schmicker of Winamac, four grandchildren:  Whitney, Wyatt, Caleb and Cierra; a brother Glenn W. Watkins of Kenton, Ohio and a sister Ramona Harris of Bellefontaine, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter Megan O. Matthews, brother John C. Watkins and sister Betty Jean Watkins.

Mrs. Matthews served as Pulaski County auditor for eight years, treasurer for six years and the clerk of courts for four years.  She was a member of First Christian Church, Bellefontaine. 

Pastor Jonathan Bull will officiate the funeral service at 1 p.m., Sunday (May 11), at Eichholtz Funeral Home, Bellefontaine. Private burial will be in Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Health Care Center activities fund, 624 W. 13^th St., Winamac, IN  46996.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.edsfh.com.

Local arrangements handled by Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Charles Johns Jr.

December 25, 1935 to April 29, 2014

FRANCESVILLE - Charles "Charlie" Johns Jr., 78, of South Bend, formerly of Francesville, passed away at 3:10 a.m., Tuesday, April 29. He had been residing at Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center, South Bend for the past three years.

He was born Dec. 25, 1935 to the late Charles William Sr. and Emma Kopka Johns at the family home in rural Beaver Township in Pulaski County. He married Darlene Kay Stout in Winamac. She preceded him in death on Aug. 14, 1968.

Survivors include:
Charles (Susan) Johns III, Porter, Son
Kyle Johns, Chesterton, Son
Dale (Candy) Johns, Chesterton, Son
6 Grandchildren
Marie S. Poisel, Three Oaks, MI, Sister
Emma Jean Cafin, Goodland, Sister
Donald R. Johns, Jr., Francesville, Brother
Harold D. (Linda) Johns, Winamac, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Edward Johns, Brother
Sandra K. Goller, Sister
Lynn E. Johns, Sr., Brother

Mr. Johns and his siblings grew up attending the Pleasant Ridge Church in Francesville. He looked forward to going out to eat as well as attending races at Shady Hill. He also liked to go on long walks. He enjoyed spending time with his children. He will be dearly missed by those who loved him.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., (Sunday, May 4), at the funeral home with Dr. James Gabhart and Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Burial will be at Koster Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to First Baptist Church of Francesville or to the American Cancer Society .

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com. 

Merlene F. Kiser

August 23, 1928 to April 28, 2014

WINAMAC - Merlene F. Kiser, 85, of West Lafayette, formerly of Star City, passed away at 9:50 a.m., Monday, April 28, at the Indiana Veteran's Home in West Lafayette.

She was born Aug. 23, 1928, in Chicago, to the late Merle V. and Wilmarth "Billie" Newby Linback. She married Lee E. Kiser on March 21, 1947, in Star City. He passed away June 28, 2010.

Beverly J. (Layne) Hooper, Rensselaer, Daughter
Andrea L. Childs, Okeechobee, FL, Daughter
Shannon (Jennifer) Hooper, Thornton, CO, Grandson
Trisha (Todd) Giombetti, Bristol, WI Granddaughter
Ashley (Aaron) Boone, Okeechobee, FL, Granddaughter
Allissa Childs, Okeechobee, FL, Granddaughter
Peyton Hooper, Thornton, CO, Great Granddaughter
Chase Hooper, Thornton, CO, Great Grandson
Alexis Childs, Okeechobee, FL, Great Granddaughter

Preceded in death by:
One Infant Brother

Mrs. Kiser lived all of her married life in Star City, moving to the Indiana Veteran's Home in 2010. She had worked at First National Bank in Chicago before marrying Lee and moving to Star City. Her first employment was at the State Highway Garage as a secretary. She then was employed at First Union Bank and Trust in Winamac before transferring to the Star City Branch of First Union. She loved caring for Lee during their 63 years of marriage. She enjoyed her time at the Indiana Veteran's Home and made many friends there. She will be sadly missed by her family.

Visitation will be from after 12 noon, Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral ervice will follow at 2 p.m., (Wednesday, April 30), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be given to the Indiana Veteran's Home, in care of Dennis Pettit, 3851 N. River Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

Edna J. Richter

April 14, 1920 to April 26, 2014

WINAMAC - Edna J. Richter, 94, Winamac, passed away at 6:57 p.m., Saturday, April 26, in Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

She was born April 14, 1920, in Paxton, FL, to the late John and Stella Turner Parker. She married Helmut Richter on March 25, 1937, in DeFuniak Springs, FL. He passed away on March 5, 2009, after 71 years of marriage.

Survivors include:
Frederick Richter, Winamac, Son
Everett Potts, Winamac, Son-in-law
Suzanne Marie Potts, Indianapolis, Granddaughter
James Kevin (Coral) Potts, Lafayette, Grandson
Lisa Jennette (Brian) Hultquist, West Lebanon, Granddaughter
Frederick Scott (Amber) Richter, Kokomo, Grandson
Stephaine Lynne Claytor, Decatur, IL, Granddaughter
Ryan Lee (Sylvia) Richter, Bonita Springs, FL, Grandson
11 Great Grandchildren
Darris Morris, Tallahassee, FL, Sister
Franklin (Betty) Parker, Chicago, Brother
Windell (Rita) Parker, Ames, IA, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Marie Potts, Daughter
Sandra Richter, Daughter-in-law
Glenn Parker, Brother
Idell Parsells, Sister
Roy Parker, Brother

Mrs. Richter was a 50-year member of the Iris-Elm Garden Club, 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star #96, and was active with Girl Scouts for over 50 years. She was also a member of the Mothers Club and Tri-Chi. She was also a life member of the Garden Club of Indiana and the National Garden Club. She was a former member of the Pulaski County Welfare Board, and had assisted with the Kiwanis Club lunches at the First United Methodist Church of which she was a member.

Mrs. Richter volunteered for over 25 years at the Pulaski Health Care Center, especially helping with bingo. She was an avid golfer and had been club champion at Moss Creek Country Club. She enjoyed playing poker, and loved to cook. She was also a bird watcher and gardener.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac where OES services will be held at 6 p.m. The funeral service will follow at 6 p.m., (Tuesday, April 29), at the funeral home. Burial of cremains will take place in Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Oncology Garden at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, The Garden Club of Indiana Scholarship Fund, or the Girl Scouts of America.