Obituaries

Charles R. Eastes

September 25, 1939 to August 13, 2013

WINAMAC - Charles R. Eastes, 73, of, Francesville, passed away at 5:15 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 13, at his residence.

He was born Sept. 25, 1939, in Indianapolis, to the late George and Harriet Mckenzie Eastes.He married Jenifer Suralta on July 30, 1995 in the Phillippines.

Survivors include:

Michael Mason, Indianapolis, Son
Michelle R. Eastes, Francesville, Daughter
Jenjer Gella, Francesville, Son
Several Grandchildren
Lois A. Eastes, Indianapolis, Sister
George M. Eastes, Indianapolis, Brother
John Eastes, Indianapolis, Brother
Victoria Gella, Logansport, Mother-in-law
Marialyn Morris, Logansport, Sister-in-law

Mr. Eastes served in the U.S. Army. He worked as a truck driver for 32 years. He drove throughout the U.S. and Canada. He enjoyed fishing and NASCAR racing. He also enjoyed gardening.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday (Aug. 16), at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.

Thelma G. Ploss

November 28, 1919 to August 9,2013

ROYAL CENTER - Thelma G. Ploss, 93, of Headlee passed away peacefully at 1:11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9,  at Woodbridge Health Campus in Logansport, surrounded by her family.

Born on Nov. 28, 1919 in Pulaski County, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Mae Penny Martin. She married Woodrow W. Ploss and he preceded her in death on June 19, 1967.

Survivors include her children, Richard A. Ploss (Edwina) of Headlee, Shirley Minks of Logansport and Deb Draper (Joe) of Goodyear, Arizona; sisters, Opal Kelley of Idaville and Wilma Blackman (Howard) of Monticello, and grandchildren, Tony Ploss (Patti) of Star City, Toby Ploss (Karen) of Star City, Terri Sproles (Scott) of Reynolds, Kim Switzer (Scott) of West Lafayette, Andy Minks (Kelly) of Logansport, Christy Denny (Matt) of Goodyear, Arizona and Brett Draper of Tempe, Arizona. She is also survived by 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Ploss was a homemaker and she and her husband formerly owned a service station, trucking company and creamery station in Headlee for several years. She was a member of White Oak United Methodist Church. She enjoyed feeding and watching her Finches, and most of all, spending time with her family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday (Aug. 14), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Pro Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to White Oak United Methodist Church.

Ernest W. Mullins Jr.

April 9, 1926 to August 5, 2013

WINAMAC - Ernest Warren Mullins, Jr. (known as "Moon" or "Junior"), 87, of Hanover Park, IL (formerly of Monticello) passed away at 8:50 a.m., Monday, Aug. 5, at Hines Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, IL.

He was born April 9, 1926 in Delavan, IL to the late Ruth Mae Thompson and Ernest Warren Mullins, Sr. His family moved to Indiana when he was a child. He married Phyllis Jean Chapman on Oct. 17, 1948 in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Gregory A. (Glenda) Mullins, Chicago,Son
Lynna Marlene (Donald) Ellis, Lake Villa, IL, Daughter
Lindsey Ellis, Granddaughter
Taylor Ellis, Grandson

Preceded in death by:
Gilbert Mullins, Brother
Herbert Mullins, Brother
Ernita Mullins, Infant Sister

Mr. Mullins worked at Bryan's Manufaturing before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1944. While in the Navy, he served as a Seabee in a construction batallion where he operated a road grader and bulldozer. He received an honorable discharge and returned to Monticello in 1946. He was a Past Commander of the American Legion Thornton Williams Post of Monticello. After the war, he erected grain bins for the government.

Mr. Mullins owned and operated Exterior Contracting Company, which specialized in tuckpointing, sandblasting, and waterproofing buildings. In 1952, he worked on the Presbyterian Church in Monticello. He then built swimming pools in Delphi, Monticello, and Winamac. He continued to build swimming pools in Illinois until his retirement in 1991.

A graveside services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 15, at Winamac Cemetery, with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating. Burial will follow.
Arrangements were entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.
 

Patricia A. Gourley

August 10, 1940 to August 8, 2013

WINAMAC - Patricia A. Gourley, 72, Rochester, formerly of Star City and Winamac, passed away at 3 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, at Life Care Center in Rochester.

She was born Aug. 10, 1940, in Hammond, to the late Leslie and Victoria Kulczyk Shay. She  married Vernon Gourley on Feb. 25, 1961, in Schererville. He survives.

Also surviving are:
John (Cheri) Gourley, Rochester, Son
Debbie Vandalsen, Rochester, Daughter
Dave (Sue) Gourley, Valparaiso, Son
Karen Baker, Resaca, GA, Daughter
Grandchildrenj: Mindy Jaberg, Julie Hanson, Michelle Warner, Matthew Stevens, Susan Baker, Alyssa Gourley, John Gourley Jr., Shane Vandalsen, Jacob Gourley, Kari Gourley, James Baker, and Scott Baker.
Great Grandchildren include: Joseph, Braxton, Lila, Sophia, Kaylee
Delores Dixon, Schererville, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Barbara, Sister

Mrs. Gourley was a former resident of Star City and Winamac. She moved to Rochester three years ago. She was a former employee of Hickory Creek Nursing Home, Winamac. She enjoyed gardening, yard work, and loved being with her family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Sunday (Aug. 11) at the funeral home, with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. 

 

Barbara Clark

October 3, 1946 to August 8, 2013

WINAMAC - Barbara Jean Clark, 66, of Winamac, passed away at 6 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, at IU Health University Hospital, Indianapolis.

She was born Oct.3, 1946, in Muncie, to the late Charles Eugene and Leah Aline Bell Lehner. She married David R. Clark on June 7, 1969, in Crown Point. He survives.

Also surviving are:
Andrea Jean (David) Bordenkecher, Fishers, Daughter
Aaron David (Kara) Clark, Fishers, Son
Adam Christopher (Nioka) Clark, Indianapolis, Son
Eliza Jean Bordenkecher, Fishers, Granddaughter
Nathaniel David Bordenkecher, Fishers, Grandson
Eleanor Josephine Clark, Fishers, Granddaughter
Addison James Clark, Indianapolis, Grandson

Preceded in death by:
Melissa Sue Williams, Sister

Mrs. Clark was a graduate of Ball State University and taught in the Crown Point, New Castle, Pioneer and Winamac school systems. She resided in Winamac for the past 40 years. She was a member of the Pulaski County Extension Chords. Following her retirement she enjoyed camping with the Tear Jerker Camping Association. She enjoyed most of all being "Oma" to her grandchildren and cherished the time reading to them. She was an avid scrapbooker, and also enjoyed reading, traveling, and being with her friends and family. She will always be remembered for her laughter and sense of humor.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Monday (Aug. 12), at the funeral home with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Lorane I. Kersey

September 25, 1933 to August 1, 2013

LOGANSPORT - Lorane I. Kersey, 79, Winamac, passed away at 5:35 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 1, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

Born Sept. 25, 1933, in Denham, she was the daughter of the late George and Louise Katschke Miller. On March 22, 1952, she married Robert G. Kersey, who preceded her in death in February 1978

Surviving are three daughters, Linda (Tim) Kersey of Columbus, Ohio; Suzanne (Don) Hollis; Kathleen Kersey, both of Winamac; and two sons, Brad (Gayle) Kersey of Chesterfield, Va. and Eric (April) Kersey of Plymouth; along with 12 grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Jane Kersey.

Mrs. Kersey was a 1951 graduate of North Judson High School. She received her associate’s degree from Ivy Tech.She was elected as the clerk of the Pulaski County Circuit Court from 1979 to 1982. For the remainder of her career, she worked as an auditor for the Indiana State Board of Accounts. She enjoyed reading, watching birds and playing cards with her family. She also loved gardening and her flowers were admired by many.

Graveside services will be private. Burial will be in the Winamac Town Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements were made by Gundrum Funeral Home, Logansport.