Obituaries

Bernard J. Rakowski

April 22, 1924 to November 10, 2013

WINAMAC - Bernard J. Rakowski, 89, of Ora, passed away at 9 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, at his home.

He was born on April 22, 1924 in Chicago, to the late John and Alice Luczak Rakowski. He married Ozetta Daisy Paszek on Oct. 16, 1954, in Scottsdale, AZ. She passed away on April 20, 2011. 

Survivors include:

Phyllis (Jeff) Thomas, Bass Lake, Daughter 
Thomas (Kris Felton) Rakowski, Ora, Son 
Therese Rakowski, Ora, Daughter 
Lindsey Rakowski, Granddaughter 
Several Nieces & Nephews 

Preceded in death by:  
William "Bill" Rakowski, Brother 
Jean Wojcieszak, Sister 
Peter Ray, Brother 
Sophie Sosnowski, Sister 
George Rakowski, Brother 

Mr. Rakowski graduated from Washington Trade School in Chicago. He served in the U.S. Army 1st Battalion 179th Infantry 45th Infantry Division during WorldWar II. He survived the Battle of Anzio and helped liberate Dachau Prison. He retired from Bethlehem Steel in 1989, where he had worked as a material coordinator. He was a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church in Monterey where he had formerly been a CCD instructor. He was a former member of the Moose Lodge in Chesterton, as well as the Knights of Columbus and Legions of Mary in Scottsdale. He enjoyed reading, whistling, and spending time with his family.

A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Friday, (Nov, 15), at St. Anne's Catholic Church, Monterey, with Rev. Bert Woolson and Rev. Terrence Bennis officiating. A graveside service will follow at 12 noon, at St. Anne's Cemetery, Monterey. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to Pulaski Memorial Hospice or St. Anne's Catholic Church for Mass Intentions.

Cremation arrangments have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Darwin W. Parcel

March 25, 1932 to November 11, 2013

WINAMAC - Darwin W. “Doc” Parcel, 81, of Star City, passed away at 3:39 a.m., Monday, Nov. 11, surrounded by his family, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac. 

He was born March 25, 1932, in Star City, to the late Cecil and Eva Miller Parcel. He married Barbara J. Watson on Dec. 12, 1954, in Logansport, IN. She survives. 

Also surviving are: 

Mick (Kathy) Parcel, Winamac, Son 
David (Weez) Parcel, Winamac, Son 
Doug (Michelle) Parcel, DeMotte, Son 
Aaron (Adriane) Parcel, Chattanooga, TN, Grandson 
Sarah Chase, Vicksburg, MI, Granddaughter 
Steven (Katie) Polstra, Winamac, Grandson 
Tarrah Polstra, Winamac, Granddaughter 
Abbey (Jake) Berger, Winamac, Granddaughter 
Danielle (Justin) Dommer, Winamac, Granddaughter 
D.J. Parcel, DeMotte, Grandson 
Erika Parcel, DeMotte, Granddaughter 
9 Great Grandchildren 
Kermit "Buck" (Betty) Parcel, Winamac, Brother 
Betty (Dean) Parcel, Star City, Sister-in-law 
Several Nieces and Nephews 

Preceded in death by: 
Gerald Parcel, Brother 
Darl Dean Parcel, Brother 
Anna Parcel, Sister-in-law 

Mr. Parcel was a coach for the Star City Little League for 21 years. He was a former member of the Star City-Van Buren Township Volunteer Fire Department where he also served as chief for many years. He served as a Cub Scout Master from 1964-72. He retired from the Farm Bureau Co-op Elevator in Star City after 40 years of employment. He also had worked for Roy Jones in his younger years. He enjoyed bowling, the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana University Basketball, and the New York Yankees. He had played Merchants Baseball, Fast Pitch Softball, and participated in a bowling league. He loved his dog "Jeter" and enjoyed riding around Star City in his golf cart with Jeter. He also enjoyed spending summers in Foxwood Hills in Middlebury. He was a member of the Star City United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, (Nov. 14), at the funeral home with his grandson Aaron Parcel officiating. Burial will be in Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be given to American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, or the charity of the donor's choice. 

Zachery R. Conkel

January 6, 1994 to November 8, 2013

FRANCESVILLE - Zachery Rex Conkel, 19, of Francesville, formerly of Springfield, OH., died  at 8:19 a.m., Friday, Nov. 8, the Jasper County Hospital in Renssealer, following an auto accident. 

He was born Jan. 6, 1994, in Springfield, OH, to Timothy and Jill Crummie Conkel.

Survivors include:

Jill Alane Conkel, Francesville, Mother
Timothy Wayne Conkel, Springfield, OH, Father
Heather Conkel, Springfield, OH, Sister
Joshua Conkel, Springfield, OH, Brother
Brittany Conkel, Francesville, Sister
Wilma Crummie, Springfield, OH, Maternal Grandmother
Ethan Adkins, Springfield, OH, Nephew
Eli Adkins, Springfield, OH, Nephew
Several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Preceded in death by:

Wayne and Irvine Conkel, Paternal Grandparents
Bruce Crummie, Maternal Grandfather
Nathan Schlatter, Cousin

Mr. Conkel spent all of his life in Springfield, OH, moving to Francesville in August of 2013. He was a 2012 graduate of Shawnee - CTC Technical School in Springfield, OH, and was a member of the Springfield First Christian Church. Since moving to Francesville he was employed by West Central Water Management. He enjoyed learning the business of water management including installing drain tile and operating equipment. He was currently attending the Francesville First Christian Church. He enjoyed sketching and skate boarding. His dog Yogi was very important to him.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday (Nov. 12), at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will take place in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.
 

Kenneth K. Kistler

August 22, 1930 to October 19, 2013

CARMEL - Kenneth Keith "Bud" Kistler, 83, of Carmel passed away Saturday, Oct. 19,.

He was born August 22 1930 to the late Floyd and Leitha Stuart Kistler. He was married to Annette Matula for 56 years. She survives.

Also surviving are sons: Kurt and Michael; granddaughter Katherine Kistler; sisters: Doris (Arlow) Baggerly and Helen Brown; brother Dean Kistler; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by sisters: Garnet Rearick, Esther Hayes, Grace Straw, Thale Feltis, Lura Feltis and Jane Grice; and brother Lee Kistler.

Mr. Kistler attended Star City High School (1944 – 1948), Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He served as a shipboard naval journalist during the Korean War, sharing current naval news between servicemen and their hometowns.

As an Illinois and Indiana real estate broker, he sold and managed residential and commercial properties. He also developed and built custom residential areas in both states. After retiring from the business world, he became a backyard horticulturist concentrating on the care and enjoyment of his 150 assorted rose bushes.

Private services are pending.

Memorial contributions may be made to Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, P.O. Box 660245, Indianapolis, IN 46266.

Arrangements are entrusted to Leppert Mortuary, Carmel.

Mary M. Whipple

May 26, 1946 to October 30, 2013

WINAMAC - Mary M. Whipple, 67, of Star City, passed away at 4:21 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30, at her residence. 

She was born May 26, 1946, in Winamac to the late Ray and Olive Lucille Heater Whipple. 

Survivors include: 

2 Nieces 

She was preceded in death by: 
David Whipple Brother 

Ms. Whipple was a graduate of Winamac High School and Indiana University. She was a registered nurse and worked as chief surgical nurse at South Bend Memorial Hospital. She served on the board of Pulaski Human Services and was a frequent volunteer at the agency. She was very active in the food pantry program. She loved her dog. She also enjoyed helping others, and was a very giving person. 

A time-of-remembrance service will begin at 10:30 a.m., Friday (Nov. 8), at the Von Tobel Center, located in Pulaski County Human Services (115 W. Pearl St., Winamac). Burial of cremated remains will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pulaski County Human Services.

Frain Mortuary of Winamac, is in charge of cremation arrangements. 

Ethel Mae Slattery

August 1, 1948 to October 29, 2013

WHEATFIELD - Ethel Mae Slattery, 65, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 29.

She was born Aug. 1, 1948 in Rensselaer to the late Robert and Betty Bailey Clemans. On March 1, 2007, she married Michael J. Slattery in Winamac. He survives.

Also surviving are children: Lisa (Charles) Vonville, James (Tabitha) Davis, LeAnn (Lewis) Davis, stepsons: Jason M Slattery, John M Slattery, and Matthew L Slattery, 9 grandchildren and 5 step-grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters: Emma Mullins and (Larry Gilbert), Sue (Buck) Scott, Kay Wireman, Gail (Arnold) Neeley, and brothers: Ray Clemans and Jim
Lucas.

She was preceded in death by her grandson Larry, and brothers Roy and Robert Clemans and half-brothers Charles and Carl Johnson.

Mrs. Slattery enjoyed being a housewife.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Boersma Funeral Home, Wheatfield. The funeral service will begin at 7:30 p.m., (Thursday, Oct. 31) with Pastor Rick Helton officiating. A graveside interment will be at 10 a.m.  Friday, Nov. 1, in  DeMotte Cemetery.