Obituaries

John R. McWherter

August 27, 1935 to January 4, 2014

ROYAL CENTER - John R. McWherter, 78, of Royal Center passed away at 2:32 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 4, at Logansport Memorial Hospital.

Born on Aug. 27, 1935 in Pulaski County, he was the son of the late Lester and Irene (Sloderbeck) McWherter. On Sept. 8, 1957 he married Della Perry, she survives.

Also surviving are a son, Jeffrey McWherter (Debra) of Star City, daughter, Deb McLeland (Rob) of Parrish, Florida, sons, Steve McWherter of Royal Center and J. David McWherter (Lora) of Royal Center, brother, Ralph McWherter (Ola) of Tampa, Florida and grandchildren, Beth Edwards (Chris) of New Palestine, Crystal Homburg (Josh) of Royal Center, Chad McLeland (Heather) of Plainfield, Illinois, Cody McLeland of Parrish, Florida, Eric McLeland of Brooklyn, New York, Kayla McWherter of Logansport, Tara McWherter of Lake Cicott, Austin McWherter, Tyler McWherter, Haley McWherter and Kian McWherter all of Royal Center and 6 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his beloved dog, “Sparky."

He was also preceded in death by brother, Neil McWherter.

Mr. McWherter was a 1954 Winamac High School graduate and a U.S. Army veteran. He was a retired farmer and had also been employed at the Farmer’s Grain Elevator at Thornhope for 39 years. He was a member of Royal Center United Methodist Church, Royal Center Lions Club and the Royal Center Horseshoe Club. He was a former member of the Pioneer Pathfinders Camping Club and the Bridge City Squares. He enjoyed sports, bowling, pitching horseshoes, playing cards at the senior center and most of all spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. Mr. McWherter was also a 10-year Pulaski County 4-H member and the 1954 Pulaski County 4-H King.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Royal Center Chapel. The funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday (Jan. 9), at the funeral home with Pastor Kevin Drane officiating. Burial with military rites will be performed at Kistler Cemetery, Royal Center.

Memorial donations may be made to the Royal Center United Methodist Church Building Fund. 

Gordon M. Ligocki

September 7, 1943 to January 14, 2014

KEWANNA - Gordon M. Ligocki, 70, of Winamac passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Jan. 14, at his residence.

Born on Sept. 7, 1943 in Hammond, he was the son of the late Michael and Regina (Hlodnick) Ligocki. On Nov. 30, 1994, he married Linda Lee Cogdill who survives.

Also surviving are sons; Ian Ligocki and Tristan Ligocki both of Iowa City, Iowa; step-daughters; Renata Heinsen of Monterey, Sonya Smith (Joseph) of Colorado Springs, Colo., brothers; Lewelyn Ligocki (Martha) of Eugene, Ore., and Martin Ligocki of Crown Point, sister; Sylvia Wagner (Edward) of Marshfield, Wis., mother-in- law, Ruth Cogdill of Kewanna and grandchildren; Doran, Lillian, Roan, Olivia, Sid, Emery, and Charlie Elizabeth. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Mr. Ligocki received a BFA in fine art from Ohio Wesleyan, OH; an MA in drawing and painting (Hans Brederm, Byron Burford, and John Grillo) from University of Iowa, IA, and an MFA in sculpture (under Frank Gallo and Richard Hunt) from Governors State, Ill.

He retired as an art professor at Ancilla College, Ancilla. He also taught art at Valparaiso University, Purdue University, and Indiana University Northwest. He was gallery director of fine arts at Indiana University Northwest. He taught classes and workshops at the Art Barn, NIA, Hammond, Gary Art Center, Gary, Easton, Md., and numerous other art associations. He was also a former feature writer and art critic for the Hammond Times, Chicago Tribune, and Arts Inrtdiana. He was a lecturer and instructor at Northern Indiana Arts Association, Hammond; John G Blank Center for the Arts, Michigan City; Miller Art Project, Gary; and Chesterton Art Gallery, Chesterton. He has written forwards and critical reviews for books. He hosted a television program “The Right Tool for the Right Job”. Channel 29, Gary. He was an Illustrator for Urban and Regional Planning Institute, Iowa City, IA

Mr. Ligocki is reknowned in the art world. He juried regional, national, and international art competitions. He has curated shows for galleries and museums. He was nominated in “Who’s Who in America.”. His art can be found in permanent collections of the Midwest Museum of Art, Indianapolis Art Museum, and Valparaiso University Braer Museum. His work is included in many permanent collections throughout the U.S. and Europe.

He also enjoyed gardening, cooking, traveling, hiking, and, of course, his art.

A celebration of life service will be held in the spring.

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

Irene Minix

July 12, 1929 to January 9, 2014

NORTH JUDSON - Irene Minix, Age 84, of Winamac, passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, in LaPorte.

She is survived by six daughters; Eleanor Davis, Marsha James, Evelyn Radtke, Cheryl Gross, Donna Kinsler and Vicki Combs all of Winamac; two sons; Guy and Manuel Minix both of Winamac; two sisters; Ellazene Schadek of Knox and Wanda Timmons of Melbourne, FL; and one brother Lacy Minix of Star City.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. (CT), Monday at the Denham Freewill Baptist Church, Denham. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. (CT), Tuesday (Jan. 14), at the church. Burial will be in the Denham Cemetery.

Condolences may be left at www.odonnellfhome.com. 

Victor S. Carnegie

March 8, 1962 to December 28, 2013

CULVER - Victor S. Carnegie, Sr., 51, of Monterey, passed away Saturday, Dec. 28, at his home.
He was born on March 8, 1962 in Chicago, to Elvira Carnegie and Samuel Wilson. He married Jennifer J. Beerwart on Dec. 25, 2005. She survives.

He is also survived by his mother Elvira Sanders; his sons Victor Jr. of Plymouth, Michael of Bristol, and Nate of Monterey; his daughters Nicole and Moriah of Monterey; brothers Sam (Renetta) Carnegie of Grand Prairie, TX, Vinnie (Teri) Carnegie of Plymouth, Clinton (Susona) Sanders Jr. of Monterey, Remus Brooks and Derrick Hamilton of Chicago; sister Sandra Jimerson of Chicago; and 12 grandchildren Donavon, Victor III, Kordel, Kymia, Nicholas, Jayda, Lexis, Travis, Kaydence, Kingston, Kendell, and Hannah.  

He was preceded in death by his father, stepfather Clinton Sanders Sr, daughter Joanna Carnegie, and sister Beverly Carnegie.

Mr. Carnegie was raised by his great aunt and uncle, Julia and Robert Chaney, from his birth to age 12, along with his sister Beverly. He went to school in Gary, until 1978 when he moved to Monterey and continued his education at Culver Schools.  In 1981 he enlisted in the US Army. He completed basic training in Ft Sill, OK and served three years in Germany. He then returned to Ft. Polk, LA for three years until sent to Korea. He was discharged with honors as a sergeant in 1988.

He returned to Indiana and worked at Hehr Intl and then Walker Manufacturing. In 2000 he went to school for CDL training and to work at Key Waste in Culver. In 2005 he went to work for AM General and was there until April 2011. He enjoyed playing men’s slow pitch with different leagues for 25 years even while in the Army. He enjoyed time spent with his wife traveling to Las Vegas and Florida. He was able to see Disney World and travel 16 states with some friends. He also enjoyed spending time at "JennyStone" (Jellystone) campground with family and friends gathered around the fire talking, laughing and joking. He loved to get on his motorcycle with his wife on the back and cruise or ride with his brother Vinnie and friends. He also loved to spend time with his 12 grandchildren. It brightened his days and brought him much joy to see all their little faces. As did spending time with his boys, whom he loved dearly. He also enjoyed lazy days at home watching movies or sports on TV. He also enjoyed spending time with his many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at the Odom Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday. Rev. Herb Hiatt and Nancy Foster will officiate services at 10 a.m., Friday (Jan. 10), at the Monterey United Methodist Church, Monterey. Interment will follow at Riverside Memorial Cemetery in Monterey.

Nora P. Gradowski

April 9, 1932 to January 9, 2014

WINAMAC - Nora Pearl Gradowski, 81, Knox, formerly of Winamac, passed away at 1:20 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 9, at St. Mary Medical Center, Hobart.

She was born April 9, 1932, in Greenville, TN, to the late Robert Earl and Ada V. Trent Carter. She married William Arthur Gradowski on Aug. 14, 1948, in Chicago. He passed away on Jan. 26, 1995.

Survivors include:
Thomas Arthur (Marcia) Gradowski, Lindenhurst, IL, Son
Sandra Ann (Lawrence) Krepel, Monee, IL, Daughter
Deborah Irene (Gus) Ress, Winamac, Daughter
Darlene Annette (Antonio) Cruz, Rochester, Daughter
Robert William (Jennifer) Gradowski, Schaumburg, IL, Son
Billie Jo (Thomas) Wojtysiak, Knox, Daughter
Donald Edward (Deanna) Gradowski, Star City, Son
26 Grandchildren
30 Great Grandchildren
Roy Carter, Lake-in-the-Hills, IL, Brother
Velma Schiuszi, Rochester, Sister
Bert (Nancy) Carter, Bartlett, IL, Brother
Bill Fites, Winamac, Longtime Companion

Preceded in death by:
Nicole Marie Gradowski, Granddaughter
Devin Ray Messer, Great Grandson
J.R. Carter, Brother
Floyd Carter, Brother

Mrs. Gradowski was a former resident of Chicago, moving to Winamac in 1988. She was an avid Bingo player, loved the Chicago Cubs, and enjoyed watching and feeding birds. She and her husband enjoyed visiting Spooner, WI, attending auto races, and traveling together. She loved to be with her family, especially the babies.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Sunday (Jan. 12), at the funeral home with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be in Winamac Cemetery, Winamac

 

Elden E. Reinhold

September 20, 1927 to January 3, 2014

SOUTH BEND - Elden E. Reinhold, 86, passed away at 3:03 pm, Friday, Jan. 3, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

He was born Sept. 20, 1927 in Winamac to the late Clarence and Grace (Hassenplug) Reinhold. On Oct. 9, 1955 in Akron, IN, he married Mary (Doering) she preceded him in death in June, 1987. 

He is survived by his son, Scott (Kay Johnson) Reinhold; grandsons, Tony and Charles Reinhold; granddaughter, Michelle Cave; great-granddaughter, Lillian Horvath; great-grandson, Jamie Reinhold; brothers, Clair (Betty) Reinhold, Donald Reinhold, and Marion (Sharon) Reinhold; and sisters, Mary (Howard) Hammond, and Florence Johns.

He is also preceded in death by a sister, Wilma Reinhold.

Mr. Reinhold worked for Bendix/Allied Signal as a divisional clerk for 36 years. He honorably served in the U.S. Army Infantry during the Korean War. He was a member of American Legion Post 284 and VFW 9820. He was a basketball referee for 61 years. He was also a track starter, umpired baseball and for a short time, football and soccer. He was the secretary for the St. Joseph Valley Officials Association and for IOSA for many years. He enjoyed camping and square dancing. He was a member and historian of the National Square Dance Campers Association.

Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m,, Thursday, 9, at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Rd., South Bend. The funeral will be at 10 a.m., Friday (Jan. 10), at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Riverview.

Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net

Memorials to American Cancer Society.