Obituaries

Fred Kuszmaul

January 12, 1922 to February 2, 2014

WINAMAC - Frederick Warren Kuszmaul, 92, Winamac, passed away at 5:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 2,  at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Jan. 12, 1922, in Camden, IN, to the late Ellis A. and Lydia M. Sink Kuszmaul. On Dec. 24, 1945, he married Betty Zook. They celebrated 68 years together. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Rita J. (Ken) Layton , LaPorte, Daughter
Becky S. (Rick) Dilts, Winamac, Daughter
Julie (Joe) Koczan, Rensselaer, Granddaughter
Jason (Jennifer) Dilts, Liberty, MO, Grandson
Jeremy (Annie) Dilts, Winamac, Grandson
Derrick (Emily) Dilts, Winamac, Grandson
Great grandchildren, Jaydon Koczan-Steele, Jonah Koczan, Julianna Koczan, Quinn Dilts, Caroline Dilts, Lydia Dilts, Elizabeth Dilts, Moses Dilts, Lillian Dilts, and Clara Dilts.
Bill (Cathryn) Kuszmaul, Spencer, IN, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Brett Steele, Grandson

A World War II veteran, Mr. Kuszmaul served his country honorably in the U.S. Army. He worked for the Farm Bureau Co-op in Delphi and Winamac, before being employed as sales manager by Silver Lane Hybrids (Purple Ribbon), Remington, a job he truly loved. With farming at heart, he loved walking the fields of corn, taking pleasure in seeing the hybrid seed he had carefully selected develop. He enjoyed his customers and work so very much that he didn't fully retire until he was 80-plus years old. Friends, family and seed dealers will remember Fred's special ham and beans: "Don't stir the beans, let them roll!"

Mr. Kuszmaul was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Winamac and was a faithful servant of God. He was also a member of the Winamc Rotary Club. His favorite past-time was golf and he even had the pleasure of scoring a hole-in-one at Pond View Golf Course. The Kuszmauls enjoyed 10 winters in Sarasota, FL, and 10 more in Sebring, FL, and became fast friends with all they met. He loved the outdoors, fishing and sports. He played and coached basketball for Rockfield High School.

Mr. Kuszmaul was very devoted to his family and friends and was a kind and gentle man who always extended a helping hand to everyone he met. His carpentry skills were evident in so many ways from the remodeling projects completed, the home he and Betty built and lived in for many years along the Tippecanoe River, dollhouses and barns for toy farm machinery for the grandkids.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at First United Methodist Church, and also one hour before the service on Friday in the church. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday (Feb. 7),, at First United Methodist Church, Winamac, with Rev. Matt Landry officiating. A graveside service, military honors and burial will follow at 3 p.m., Friday, at Maple Lawn Cemetery, Flora, IN.

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

Paul L. Wendt

November 13, 1939 to January 31, 2014

WINAMAC - Paul L. Wendt, 74, of Winamac, passed away at 3:03 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

He was born Nov. 13, 1939, in Winamac, to the late Sam and Anna Beiswanger Wendt. He married Sharon Fisher on Oct. 30, 1965, in Francesville. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Donald L. Wendt, Winamac, Son
Janora K. (Brian) Jacobs, Rochester, Daughter
Anna Jean Hintz, Francesville, Sister
Roy (Lona) Wendt, Simpsonville, SC, Brother
Veleta (Terry) Ulerick, Twelve Mile, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Mona Wendt, Sister
Harold Wendt, Brother

Mr. Wendt served in the U.S. Army from 1962-64. He retired in 2002 from Diamond Trucking. He enjoyed woodworking, trains, watching television and listening to 50's music.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. *The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday (Feb. 5), at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating. Burial will be in White Post Cemetery, Medaryville. Military graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion.

*The funeral service has been rescheduled for 11 a.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Glenn A. Eldridge

May 30, 1925 to January 31, 2014

FRANCESVILLE - Glenn A. Eldridge, 88, of Francesville, passed away at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 31, at his home.

He was born on May 30, 1925 in Francesville to the late Ezra and Helena Onken Eldridge. On April 16, 1948, he married Betty J. Corl in Bremen. She survives.

Elaine (David) Leman, Findlay, OH, Daughter
Dennis (Evelyn) Eldridge, Springfield, IL, Son
Kent (Mandy) Eldridge, Francesville, Son
Brian Leman, Grandson
Melissa Leman, Granddaughter
Joshua (Jennifer) Eldridge, Grandson
Bethany (Mark) Ballenger, Granddaughter
Jacob (Beth) Eldridge, Grandson
Logan Ballenger, Great Grandson
Phyllis (Noble) Heyde, Bremen, Step Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Helena Onken Eldridge Coffel, Mother
James (Buelah) Coffel, Step Brother
Raymond (Evelyn) Coffel, Step Brother
Ruth (Kenny) Huston, Step Sister
Mary Coffel, Step Sister

Mr. Eldridge lived in Francesville most of his life. He served in the U.S. Army durring World War II. He arrived on the front lines in Belgium on Friday, Oct. 13, 1944. He was wounded on April 18, 1945 in Germany. He was awarded a Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge (Bronze Star Medal). He was a member of the Francesville American Legion Post #228. He was confirmed in the Salem Evangelical Reformed Church in Francesville. He worked for Mobil Oil and Farm Bureau as a tank wagon driver and retired after 41 years. He enjoyed visiting with his customers and was well respected.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 8, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., at the funeral home with Chaplain Bob Rawlins and Pastor James Ketchen officiating. *Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The American Legion will conduct Military Graveside Services.

Memorial donations may be given to Jasper County Hospice or Francesville American Legion Post #228.

*Burial has been post-poned and will be rescheduled for a later date. 

Rita Jordan

May 4, 1932 to January 27, 2014

FRANCESVILLE - Rita M. Jordan, 81, of Logansport, formerly of Francesville, passed away at 10:10 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27, at Miller Merry Manor, Logansport..

She was born May 4, 1932, in Rantoul, IL, to the late Stanislaus and Clara Rausch Federer.

Survivors include:
several nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by:
Helen Courtney, Sister
Margaret Bowns, Sister
Emily Albrecht, Sister
Carl Federer, Brother
Francis Federer, Brother
John Federer, Brother
Robert Charles Federer, Brother

Rita lived most of her life in Logansport and was a former resident of Francesville. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and her nieces and nephews. She especially enjoyed her caretakers at Millers Merry Manor. She loved to play bingo.

Visitation will be after 10 a.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., (Saturday, Feb. 1), at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

 

Jerry Lee Overmyer

November 27, 1959 to January 26, 2014

FRANCESVILLE - Jerry Lee Overmyer, 54, Wolcott, passed away at 5:27 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 26, at IU Health Arnett Hospital, Lafayette.

He was born on Nov. 27, 1959 in Rensselaer, to Danny Lee and Carol Ann Finch Overmyer.

Survivors include:
Joshua Overmyer, Morton, IL, Son
Chelsey (William David) Wagoner, Normal, IL, Daughter & Son-in-law
William David Wagoner III, Grandson
Tianne Overmyer, Normal, IL, Former Wife
Carol Ann Finch Overmyer, Francesville, Mother
Mark Overmyer, Wolcott, Brother
David Overmyer, Wolcott, Brother
Daniel Overmyer, Lafayette, Brother
Several Nieces & Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles, & Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Danny Lee Overmyer, Father

Mr. Overmyer was a 1978 graduate of West Central High School, Francesville. He was employed at D.L. Overmyer Farms in his youth, where he worked with his father and brothers. He was a self-employed commodity broker for many years with an office in Francesville. Later, he worked as a real estate agent and broker in Florida. He most recently was employed at S.I.A. Subaru in Lafayette. During his youth and while living in Francesville, he was affiliated with the Apostolic Christian Church. He also attended the Christian Church in Florida. He was a loving father, grandfather, son, and brother. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m., (Friday, Jan. 31), at the funeral home with Randy Gudeman officiating. Private burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to Guardian Angel Hospice (2500 George St, Logansport, IN 46947).

Richard L. Sommers

August 12, 1933 to January 19, 2014

ROYAL CENTER - Richard Lee Sommers, 80, of Star City passed away at 4:57 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 19, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

Born Aug. 12, 1933 in Fulton County, he was the son of the late Lee and Clara Fern (McKee) Sommers. On Nov. 25, 1951 he married Madaline Fisher. She survives.

Also surviving are children, David Sommers (Dottie) of Kewanna, Daniel Sommers (Karen) of West Lafayette and Betty Anderson (Steve) of Lafayette; sisters, Carol Martin of Texas and Mary Sayers (Ed) of Kewanna; and grandchildren, Nicholas Sommers (Christa) of Kewanna, Christopher Sommers (Kendra) of Galveston, Abby Sommers of Royal Center, P.J. Brucker (Chris) of Winamac, Lynn Edgell (Todd) of Monticello, Kassie Clawson (Jimmie) of Lafayette, Aaron Anderson of Salt Lake City, Utah and Sarah Smith (Ben) of Florida. He is also survived by 18 great grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by brother- in- law, Ron Martin. 

Mr. Sommers was a 1951 Star City High School graduate and a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the Korean War. He was a retired farmer, and he also served as a Pulaski County Commissioner for 12 years from 1995 to 2007. He was a member of Star City United Methodist Church. He enjoyed playing Euchre, throwing horseshoes, playing golf, wintering in Florida and Texas, and most of all spending time with his family. He was also an avid Purdue Basketball fan and Chicago Cub fan.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Royal Center Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday (Jan. 23), with Pastor Ruth Waite officiating. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Star City United Methodist Church and/or the American Cancer Society.