Obituaries

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.   

Ryan P. Grandstaff

November 14, 1989 to April 23, 2014

WINAMAC -  Spc. Ryan P. Grandstaff, 24, of Winamac, died at 4:45 a.m., Wednesday, April 23, in Katterbach, Germany as a result of an automobile accident.

He was born on Nov. 14, 1989 in South Bend.

Survivors include:

Paul (Shannin) Grandstaff, Winamac, Father
Tammy Hopkins (Steven) Huskins, Rochester, Mother
Kyle (Monica) Grandstaff, Royal Center, Brother
Sean (Breann) Grandstaff, Winamac, Brother
Carol Ann Grant Grandstaff, Winamac, Paternal Grandmother
Harold & Thelma Button Hopkins, Winamac, Maternal Grandparents
Elizabeth Grace Grandstaff, Niece
Eliza Kelly Grandstaff, Niece
Braylee Elysse Kough, Niece
Step brothers and sisters: Dakota Lane Heims, Julianna Katherine Heims, Hannah Marie Huskins, Heidi Lynn Huskins,  S. Luke Huskins, Ethan Ryan Huskins, and Jonathan Dakota Huskins.

Spc. Grandstaff graduated from Winamac Community High School in 2009. He ran on the high school track team where he was a co-record holder on the four-by-one-hundred relay team. He loved playing football and continued his football career at Anderson University. He then attended Vincennes University for aviation technology.

He was employed at Braun Corporation and Plymouth Tube before joining the military. He joined the U.S. Army Oct. 2, 2012 and became a crew chief on a Blackhawk Medivac Helicopter. He was stationed to Ansbach Germany on April 27, 2013. He loved flying and playing on the Illesheim Black'N Blue Rugby Team. He enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing and shooting archery. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved people. He will be sadly missed by his friends and family.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday, at Church of the Heartland, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (May 3), at the church, with Pastor Jon McDougle and Pastor Chad Richie officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Wounded Warrior Project or to a fund to assist his comrads who are travelling to Ryan's funeral from Germany. 

Richard Jensen

July 28, 1951 to April 24, 2014

WINAMAC - Richard A. Jensen, 62, Monterey, passed away at 9:45 p.m., Thursday, April 24, at his residence. 

He was born July 28, 1951, in Knox, to the late August and Estella Kwiatkowski Jensen. He married Betty L. Bailey on Nov. 1, 1969 at St. Anne's Church, Monterey. She passed away Nov. 27, 2007.

Survivors include:
Kendra L. (Randy) Walter, Monterey, Daughter
Lance Jensen, Granson
Heaven Stalhandske, Granddaughter
Zachary Walters, Grandson
Grant Elpers, Grandson
Leandra Walters, Granddaughter
Elizabeth Walters, Granddaughter
James Jensen, Brother
Marvin Jensen, Brother
Marlin Jensen, Brother
Jeannie Carlton, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Richard Darick Jensen, Son
Katrina L. Jensen Boughton, Daughter
Duane Morris Walters, Grandson

Mr. Jensen lived most of his life in Ora. He was formerly employed by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office for many years. He also owned and operated R&R Firewood for many years. He loved his children, grandchildren and all of his family. He also enjoyed riding his moped. He also loved his companion "Pooh Bear" who was always with him.

Visitation will be after 10 a.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., (Tuesday, April 29), at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Cunnington officiating. Burial will be in the Alexander Heinemann Memorial Cemetery, Ora.

David A. Mitchell

November 10, 1962 to April 24, 2014

MEDARYVILLE - David Andrew Mitchell, 51, San Pierre, passed away at 7:09 p.m., Thursday, April 24, at IU Health LaPorte Hospital, LaPorte. 

He was born Nov. 10, 1962 in Rensselaer to David and Virginia L. Womack Mitchell.

Survivors include:
Virginia L. Womack Mitchell, San Pierre, Mother
Dallas Andrew Mitchell, Indianapolis, Son
David Coty (Michelle) Mitchell, North Judson, Son
Christian Samuel Mitchell, San Pierre, Son
David Coty Mitchell, Jr., Grandson
Timothy Eli Mitchell, Grandson
Deborah Ann (Kirk) Davis, Goshen, Sister
Brittany Higdon, Goshen, Niece
Brandon Higdon, Goshen, Nephew
Dana Fleenor Mitchell, Medaryville, Companion
Glen Keller, Chicago, Step-son
Kimberly Keller, Francesville, Step-daughter

Preceded in death by:
David Mitchell, Father

Mr. Mitchell was a member of the American Legion Post #96 in Medaryville, where he was very active with the Sons of the American Legion. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and racing. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He loved his family and friends very much and will be dearly missed by all.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 30, at Goodway Baptist Church, Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday (May 1), at the church with Pastor Hager Tolson officiating. Burial will be at Independence Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. 

Arthur D. Seman

February 20, 1926 to April 24, 2014

WINAMAC - Arthur D. Seman, 88, Martinsville (formerly of Winamac), passed away at 4:46 p.m.,Thursday, April 24, at Franciscan St. Francis Health, Indianapolis.

He was born Feb. 20, 1926, in Darke County, OH, to the late Rueben and Rosa Foreman Seman. He married Judy E. McGinnis on Dec. 21, 1950, in Union City.She survives. 

Also surviving are: 

Martin M. Seman, Shelbyville, Son 
Julie L. Stevenson, Chesterfield, VA, Daughter 
Cindy A. Seman, West Columbia, SC, Daughter 
Jeanette S. Walker, Martinsville, Daughter 
Ben K. Seman, Winamac, Son 
10 Grandchildren 
11 Great Grandchildren 
Evelyn Wise, Muncie, Sister

Preceded in death by: 
1 Grandchild 
1 Brother 
3 Sisters 

A native of Darke County, OH, Mr. Seman entered the U.S. Army in 1945 and retired at the rank of staff sargent in 1969. He was a paratrooper and served in Korea. Following his retirement from the Army he and his family moved to Winamac. He was first employed at Plymouth Tube and then he retired from Winamac Steel. He enjoyed building and flying remote controlled aircraft. 

Visitation will be after 1 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., (Sunday, April 27), at the funeral home with Pastor David Norris officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services. 

Memorial donations may be given to the American Legion Post #71 or VFW Post #1728. 

Jeff Garten

January 30, 1977 to April 22, 2014

FRANCESVILLE - Jeffrey Andrew "Jeff" Garten, 37, Peru, passed away after a long battle with diabetes Tuesday, April 22. at his home.

He was born Jan. 30, 1977 in Logansport.

Survivors include:

William A. "Bill" and Jennifer J. Meyer Garten, Francesville, Parents
Jaina Jade Garten, Russiaville, Daughter
Mariah Inomata Garten, Japan, Daughter
Helen Steele, Wisconsin, Daughter
Mary Garten, Columbus, Paternal Grandmother
Denise Nightingale, Peru, Companion

Preceded in death by:
Ashley Nicole Garten, Infant Sister
William L. Garten, Paternal Grandfather
Frank and Mary Mobley Meyer, Maternal Grandparents

Mr. Garten graduated from West Central High School in 1995 where he was active with the Melodyaires choral group. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy just as his Grandfather Garten had done. He served at Atsugi and Yokosuka Naval Bases in Japan from 1996-2003. He also served on the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer while in Japan. He obtained the rank of Gunners Mate. He took advantage of the Navy's promise to see the world and was able to make friends with a wide variety of people. He was a graduate of Lincoln Tech in Indianapolis. He enjoyed working with his hands. He loved his family and will be dearly missed.

A private service will be held at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel Francesville, with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Following cremation, private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to American Diabetes Association

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