Obituaries

Dennis Dowling

December 1, 1926 to December 28, 2012

WINAMAC - Dennis D. Dowling, 86, of Winamac, passed away at 4:18 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

He was born Dec. 1, 1926 to the late James and Olga Dowling in Adrian, MI. He married Irene Bixler on Sept. 28, 1946 in Napoleon, OH. She passed away on Oct. 5, 2011.

He is survived by his sons; Jim (Edna) Dowling, Hopkinsville, KY, and Gerald (Carol) Dowling, Winamac; and his daughters; Denise (Yolanda Baldwin) Dowling, North Aurora, IL, and Deelight (Richard) Murphy, Chicago. Also surviving are his grandchildren Jeni Marcinkiewicz, Stacey (Jeremy) Beckner, and Laura (Matt) Mullins; his great grandchildren Maggie Marcinkiewicz, Leo Marcinkiewicz, and Jayden Beckner; and his sisters; Jennie (Robert) Gentz, Blissfield, MI, and Margery Neuroth, Blissfield, MI.

He was preceded in death by his grandsons Jeremy Michael Dowling and Larry E. Wilcox; and his siblings; Ralph B. Nolan, Yvonne A. Ganitopoulos, and Dorothea M. Smith.

The Dowlings lived many places, including Michigan, New York, Illinois, and Kentucky but for many years they called Winamac home. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, having served as a radioman with the U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska and with the U.S. Navy in the Panama Canal Zone. He had been an amateur radio operator having held the call signs W8IRV and W9ESW among others. He was a member of the American Amateur Radio League and the Adrian Amateur Radio Club. Mr. Dowling retired in 1990 from Plymouth Tube Co. where he worked as an engineer for 28 years. He enjoyed his community and always learning something new.

Visitation will be from 10 to11 a.m., Saturday at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. (Saturday, Jan. 5), at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date in Lyons Cemetery, Lyons, OH.

Memorial donations may be given to the Pulaski Health Care Center, Pulaski County Human Services Von Tobel Center, or Kingdom Kids Daycare.

Olive L. Lawson

September 22, 1931 to December 28, 2012

WINAMAC - Olive Lucille Lawson, 80, of Winamac, passed away at 4:43 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born Sept. 22, 1931, in Reynolds, to the late George William and Carrie Dalzell Gross. She married Kenneth Dale Lawson on Oct. 12, 1949 in Monticello. He died May 18, 2009.

Survivors include two daughters; Marsha J. Lawson, Phoenix, AZ and Janice M. (John) Dilts, Winamac; one son Michael Wayne Lawson, Washington, DC,; seven grandchildren; Jennifer (Bill) Tohtz, Bartlett, IL, Andrew Compton, Phoenix, AZ, Tracie Nuckols, Westfield, Lori (Bryce) Brumm, Winamac,  Kari (Kyle) Johnson, Winamac, Sandi(Ben) DeSabatine, Winamac, and Brooke Lawson, Washington, DC,; 14 great-grandchildren, three brothers; Carl Edward (Marqueti) Gross, Lafayette, Thomas Franklin (Sharon) Gross, Monticello, and George William Gross Jr., Perido Beach, AL, and one sister; Evelyn Kay (Richard) Yater, Burkesville, KY.

She was preceded in death by two brothers; Charles and Leon,and one sister; Helen Sterrett.

She was a member of the White Oak Methodist Church in Headlee, IN. Lucille and Kenny farmed for many years near Buffalo, IN. They moved to Winamac in 2007. Lucille enjoyed walking, sewing, biking, and gardening. She also enjoyed camping, playing Euchre, and spending winters in Florida with Kenny. She especially enjoyed spending time with her Grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 3 PM EST Tuesday, January 1, 2013, in Frain Mortuary, Winamac, with Rev. Thomas Hopewell officiating.

Burial will take place in the Hughes Cemetery located at Monticello, IN.

Friends may call 12 noon-3 PM EST Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at Frain Mortuary.

Memorial Contributions may be given to: Pulaski Healthcare Center Activities Fund, American Cancer Society, or Winamac High School Athletic Fund.



 

Alberta Straw

May 26, 1944 to Devember 28, 2012

WINAMAC - Alberta Straw, 68, of Winamac, passed away at 8:40 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka.

She was born May 26, 1944, in Winamac to the late Richard and Agnes Reinholt Straw.

Survivors include her brother Albert (Debbie) Straw, Winamac; 3 nieces Leslie Miller, Granger, Jennifer Straw, Lafayette, and Angela Straw, Loganport;  
one nephew Scott Straw, Winamac; and five great nieces and nephews Ashley Miller, Jamee Miller, Joel Miller, Abbey Miller and Julee Miller.

Ms. Straw worked at Kewanna Metal Specialty as the human resource manager. She enjoyed Indiana University Basketball. She especially enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She helped to organize the Reinholt Renunion for many years.

Friends may call from 12 noon to 3 p.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., (Wednesday, Jan. 2), at the funeral home with Rev. Jarrel Hartle officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 

Marilyn Stamper

March 21, 1935 to December 27, 2012

WINAMAC - Marilyn Stamper, 77, Winamac, passed away at 9:47 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 27, at St. Mary Medical Center, Hobart.

She was born March 21, 1935, in Star City, to the late Harry and Meta Holt McClellan. She married Jesse R. Stamper on Aug. 16, 1953, in Hoover, IN. He survives.

Also surviving are three sons Allen R. Stamper, Alvin J. (Monica) Stamper, and Albert C. (Lynette) Stamper, all of Winamac, five granchildren Jon A. Stamper, Rochester, Lyndsee M. (Sam) Sayers, Alecia M. Stamper, and Sierra P. Stamper, all of Winamac, and Joshua C. Stamper, Lucerne, three great grandchildren Audrey Ziegler, and Isabella Stamper, both of Dallas, TX, and Trey D. Sayers, Winamac, two brothers Burton (Mary) McClellan, Monticello, and Roy (Joan) McClellan, Rochester.

She was preceded in death by one sister Leona Cannon, and two brothers Harry McClellan Jr. and Bob McClellan.

Mrs. Stamper was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed her flower garden and watching hummingbirds in her yard.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday (Dec. 31), at the funeral home, with Pastor Denny Wilson officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.
 

Frank Krulik Jr.

Alberta Katschke

January 4, 1953 to December 26, 2012

WINAMAC - Alberta E. Katschke, 59, of Winamac, passed away at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 26, at her residence.

She was born Jan. 4, 1953, in Winamac,  to the late Adam and Frances Hurlburt Hines.  She married Thomas Bryant on March 24, 1969, in Winamac. He passed away July 4, 1973. She then married Ray Katschke on Oct. 6, 1973, in Kewanna. He survives.

Also surviving are one daughter Sheila G. Yockey , Rochester, four sons Thomas E. (Teresa) Bryant, Paul A. Katschke, and Brent A. Katschke, all of Winamac, and Brian R. (Melissa) Katschke, Rochester, 14 Grandchildren, 2 Great Grandchildren, two brothers Adam (Bonnie) Hines, Monticello, MN, and Frank (Mindy) Hines, Winamac, and two sisters Rosemary (Bill) Marsh, Plymouth, and Cindy (Glenn) Cole, Winamac.

She was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, a sister Geneva Shidler, and a brother Robert Hines.

Mrs. Katschke retired from Plymouth Tube Co. in Winamac after 27 years of employment. She also worked at Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester for two years. She enjoyed camping and visiting the boat. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday (Dec. 29) at the funeral home. Burial will be in Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.