Obituaries

William E. Hurley

October 2, 1937 to March 3, 2014

MEDARYVILLE - Dr. William Ellis Hurley, 76, Lafayette, passed away Monday, March 3, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 2, 1937 in Hartrford City, to Joseph and Mary Ellis Hurley who preceeded him in death. He married Kathryn S. Kruger on Dec. 18, 1965. She passed away Dec. 29, 2004.

Survivors include a son, Jon M. Hurley, and two sisters, Marilyn R. Bryant and Pamela S. (Steve) Weaver, all of Lafayette.

Dr. Hurley was a 1955 graduate of Lafayette Jefferson High School. He entered the U.S. Navy, serving from 1956-1960, and was stationed aboard the USS Newman K. Perry. After serving in the navy, he attended and graduated from the Purdue University School of Pharmacy in 1969. He also was a 1974 graduate of the Indiana University School of Dentistry. He practiced dentistry in Remington and Lafayette. He was a ham radio operator and loved to fish, especially in Canada. He also enjoyed golfing, his dog "Toby" and growing flowers.

No services will be held. Burial will be in White Post Cemetery, Medaryville. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville.

Reagan Artist

March 2, 2014 to March 2, 2014

WINAMAC - Reagan Elizabeth June Artist, infant daughter of Matthew Artist and Courtney Fitz of Winamac, passed away at 7:01 p.m., Sunday, March 2, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.

She was born March 2, 2014, in Plymouth.

Survivors include:

Matthew D. Artist, Winamac, Father
Courtney L. Fitz, Winamac, Mother
Gemma L. Artist, Winamac, Sister
Wynona Fitz, Winamac, Maternal Grandmother
Ira Artist, Plymouth, Paternal Grandfather

She was preceded in death by:
Jon Fitz, Maternal Grandfather
Gloria Artist, Paternal Grandmother

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Friday (March 7), at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac, with JC Minix officiating. Burial will be in Winamac Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.

Jesus "Jesse" Mendiola

September 18, 1956 to March 4, 2014

WINAMAC - Jesus "Jesse" Mendiola, 57, of Winamac, died at 11:13 p.m., Tuesday, March 4, at the home of his daughter in Winamac.

He was born Sept. 18, 1956, in San Bonito, TX, to the late Jose and Maria Vincenta Sanchez Mendiola. 

Survivors include: 

Christina (Chad) Kasten, Winamac, Daughter 
Anne (Billy) Nies, Winamac, Daughter 
Sarah (Keaton) Durham, Brownsburg, Daughter 
Rachel Younger, Brownsburg, Daughter 
Kirsten Weldon, Hamlet, Daughter 
Connor Kasten, Grandchild 
Christian Kasten, Grandchild 
Rebecca Russell, Rochester, Companion 
Lupe Tijerina, Winamac, Sister 
Margarita Mendiola, Winamac, Sister 
Joe Mendiola, Lyford, TX, Brother 
Tony Mendiola, Joplin,MO, Brother 
Angel Mendiola, Winamac, Brother

He was preceded in death by: 
Michael Jo Mendiola, Son 
Michael Mendiola, Brother 

Mr. Mendiola was a maintenance man at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac for 38 years. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Winamac. He enjoyed running. He competed in two Chicago Marathons and two Indianapolis Mini Marathons. He enjoyed spending time with all of his family members. He was an auto racing fan and sports enthusiest. He was an avid Raiders fan.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday (March 7), at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Pulaski Memorial Hospice.

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

Fr. Paul White

April 16, 1926 to March 3, 2014

CARTHAGENA, OHIO - Father Paul White, C.PP.S., 87, Rensselaer, passed away Monday, March 3, at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio.

He was born April 16, 1926, in Glandorf, Ohio, to Charles and Mary Brinkel White.

He formerly served St. Francis Catholic Church in Francesville and St. Henry's Catholic Church in Medaryville for many years. Fr. White made his home for many years at Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, where he was a professor emeritus of economics. He moved to St. Charles recently to recover from surgery.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m., Thursday (March 6), at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio, with Fr. Larry Hemmelgarn, C.PP.S., presiding. Fr. Ralph Verdi, C.PP.S., will serve as homilist. Burial will follow in the Community cemetery. Calling hours at St. Charles will be held on Wednesday, March 5, from 1-5 and 7-9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

Arrangements were handled by Hogenkamp Funeral Home-St. Henry.

Beverly K. Miser

December 15, 1952 to February 25, 2014

WALKERTON - Beverly Kaye Miser, 61, Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, at her home.

She was born Dec. 15, 1952 in Knox, to Lowell and Doris Jean (Marski) Miser. On Nov. 15, 2013 in Winamac, she was married to Timothy Doody, who survives.

Also surviving are her mother, Doris Pfender of Mishawaka; three sons, Clint (Jennifer) Norem of Knox, Art (Wendy) Norem of Grovertown and Brandon (Tiffany) Griewank of Knox; two step-daughters, Whitney Doody of Walkerton and Cassandra Adams of South Bend; 12 grandchildren; four sisters, Vivian Miser and Penny Byron, both of Colorado, Janice Lamb of Plymouth and Sharon (Mike) Houin of Argos; and two brothers, Michael Miser and Bob Dickson, both of Plymouth.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Mrs. Miser enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and began her military career on Jan. 17, 1981. She was stationed at Grissom AFB in Indiana in the 434 CES from February 1985 to January 1999. She then transferred to Elmendorf AFB in Alaska with the 804 CES from February 1999 to February 2002. She transferred again to Selfridge AFB in Michigan with the 927 CES in February 2002 and served there until March 2009. She returned to Grissom AFB in March to August 2009. At this time she was officially retired from the Air Force. After retirement, she continued to work in her same capacity as a construction inspector at Selfridge for the federal government. She was also a member of the Plymouth American Legion Post #27 and the Plymouth VFW Post #1162, ABATE and the Arbor Foundation.

Friends may call from 12:00 to 3 p.m., at Rannells Funeral Home, Koontz Lake Chapel, Walkerton. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday (March 1), at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Fletcher Cemetery, Hamlet where military graveside services will be conducted.

Memorial donations may be given to ABATE.

Clarence H. Simshauser

September 17, 1913 to March 2, 2014

WINAMAC - Clarence H. Simshauser, 100, Winamac, passed away at 4:08 p.m., Sunday, March 2, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

He was born Sept. 17, 1913, in Goodland, IN, to the late Hugh and Anna Rengel Simshauser. He married Berniece A. Zellers on Feb. 14, 1939, in Kewanna. She passed away Dec. 29, 2008.

Survivors include:
Nancy S. (C. Richard) Conn, Charotte, MI, Daughter
Ronald D. (Bonita) Simshauser, Winamac, Son
5 Grandchildren
10 Great Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
1 Brother
3 Sisters

Mr. Simshauser lived most of his life in Pulaski County and was a retired farmer. He also worked at the ASCS office in Winamac. He was involved in scouting for many years. He also drove a school bus for 10 years. He was an avid bike rider, and was still riding at the age of 97.

A memorial service will be held in Charlotte, MI at a later date. Burial of cremated remains will take place in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Friends of the Panhandle Pathway through the Pulaski County Community Foundation.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Ruah M. Kopka

August 19, 1927 to March 1, 2014

FRANCESVILLE - Ruah Maxine Kopka, 86, Francesville, passed away at 1:04 p.m., Saturday, March 1, at Seton Specialty Hospital, Lafayette.

She was born Aug. 19, 1927, in Medaryville, to the late John and Esther Culp Owens. She married Max E. Kopka on Sept. 5, 1948, in the Medaryville United Methodist Church. He passed away Dec. 28, 1996.

Survivors include:
Maurice (Bonnie) Kopka, Francesville, Son
Marti L. (John) King, Lafayette, Daughter
Mary Taylor, Crawfordsville, Daughter
Michelle (Steve) Putt, Brookston, Granddaughter
Phil (Rebecca) Kopka, Fishers, Grandson
Ryan King, Rensselaer, Grandson
Ashlee (Cesar) Lozano, Santa Clara, CA, Granddaughter
Kyle Taylor, Louisville, KY, Grandson
Megan (Garrett) Pino, Noblesville, Granddaughter
Great-grandchildren Austin Putt, Kylee Putt, Lauren Kopka, Colin Kopka, Audrey Kopka, Cesar Lozano, and Isabella Pino.
Donna Zeitun, Kansas City, MO, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Justin Kopka, Grandson
Richard Owens, Brother

Mrs. Kopka graduated from Medaryville High School and the Fort Wayne Business College. She had been a secretary at the Francesville High School and retired from West Central Elementary School. She was a member of the Francesville United Methodist Church, and enjoyed her time with church members. She had served as the treasurer of the church for many years. 
She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She always attended as many of their events as possible. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo. She spent 50 years enjoying the winters in Tampa, FL, especially when her family and friends visited her there.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday (March 6), at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to Francesville United Methodist Church or Seton Specialty Hospital, Lafayette.