Obituaries

Madelyn M. Rausch

May 25, 1928 to December 23, 2013

WINAMAC - Madelyn Marie Rausch, 85, Winamac, passed away at 12:23 a.m., Monday, Dec, 23,at IU Health Arnett Hospital, Lafayette.

She was born May 25, 1928, in Brainard, KY, to the late Isom and Lula Allen Holbrook. She married Wilbert H. Rausch on Jan. 12, 1948, in Winamac. He passed away June 28, 1970.

Survivors include:
Michael (Pamela) Rausch, Winamac, Son
Stephen (Barbara) Rausch, Winamac, Son
Paul Rausch, Winamac, Son
Theresa (Robert) Krohn, Sheridan, Daughter
Patricia (Randel) Holliday, Winamac, Daughter
Monica (David) DeSabatine, Winamac, Daughter
Loretta "Lori" (Leon Morales) Rausch, Winamac, Daughter
Elizabeth "Betty" (Larry) Allen, Winamac, Daughter
24 Grandchildren
38 Great Grandchildren
Cash Holbrook, Knox, Brother
Harold "Curly" Holbrook, North Judson, Brother

Preceded in death by:
William Rausch, Son
2 Grandchildren
3 Sisters and 7 Brothers

Mrs. Rausch was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed being outdoors and caring for her animals. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a strong farm housewife. She saw so many changes during her long life.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winmac. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday (Dec. 28), at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to American Heart Association.

Faye Oliver

April 16, 1924 to December 22, 2013

FRANCESVILLE - Faye Oliver, 89, Francesville, formerly of Rensselaer, passed away at 1:40 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 22, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

She was born April 16, 1924, in Greenup County, KY, to the late Nelson and Laura Oliver Lovely. She married James Oliver on July 17, 1939, in Rensselaer. He passed away Jan. 6, 1975.

Survivors include:
Arthur (Joyce) Oliver, Rensselaer, Son
June (Belvie) Risner, Wheatfield, Daugther
Mary (Cecil) Bell, Wheatfield, Daughter
Laura (Lacy) McCarty, Francesville, Daughter
Ruth (Steve) Overmyer, Francesville, Daughter
13 Grandchildren
29 Great Grandchildren
1 Great Great Grandson
Nelson Lovely Jr., Wanatah, Brother
Frank Lovely, DeMotte, Brother
Gerald Lovely, Bangor, MI, Brother

Preceded in death by:
1 Grandson
2 Sisters
7 Brothers

Mrs. Oliver was a member of the Francesville First Christian Church. She loved to attend church and rarely missed. She lived most of her life in the Rensselaer area. Faye loved to cross stitch, read, garden, cook, and especially spend time with her children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be from after 10 a.m., at the First Christian Church, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., (Tuesday, Dec. 24), at the church, with Ryan McCarty, John Bell, and Jeremy Glasford, her grandsons, officiating. Burial willbe at Independence Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to Francesville First Christian Church Building Fund or Parkview Haven Retirement Home.

Charles A. Weaver

September 24, 1923 to December 21, 2013

FRANCESVILLE - Charles A. "Bud" Weaver, 90, of Francesville, passed away at 12:10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville. 

He was born Sept. 24, 1923 to the late Charles A. and Mary A. Weaver at the family home in rural Jasper County. He married Janet E. Cords. She survives.

Rosie Pfledderer, Francesville, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Brothers and Sisters: Edmund Weaver, Wilfred Weaver, Leonard Weaver, Lucille Jobe, Mary Clabby, 
Pauline Weaver, Madge Render, Jane Nelson and John Weaver

Mr. Weaver had been an auto mechanic for Hubbard's Chevrolet in Francesville. He was the former owner/operator of the Francesville Garage and Bud's Towing. He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Francesville. He enjoyed helping with the maintenance work around the church. He served 59 years on the Francesville Volunteer Fire Department and also served many years as a First Responder. He was a loving husband, father, and brother. He will be dearly missed by those who knew him.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 28, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m., with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to the Francesville Volunteer Fire Department or to the family.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville.

Thomas L. Knouff

December 23, 1947 to November 26, 2013

OTTERBEIN - Thomas L. Knouff, 65, of Fowler, died Tuesday, Nov. 26.

He was born Dec. 23, 1947, in Rensselaer, to the late Thomas and Georgia Haring Knouff. He married Irene M. (Travenik) Knouff, May 29, 1976, in Fowler; she survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Marianne Knouff (Fiancé, Wayne Cox), Dayton; three sons, Matthew T. Knouff (Wife, Megan), Lafayette, Patrick B. Bixler (Wife, Gloria), Arlington, TX, Jeffrey L. Bixler, Logansport; sister, Terry Clark, Lafayette, brother, Dan Knouff (Wife, Edna), Winamac, two, brothers-in-Law, Joseph Travenik (Jan Combs), Lockport, IL, Frank Travenik (Carol Russell), Phoenix, AZ; seven grandchildren, Brent Shalley, Brandon Kattell, Kalie Benefiel, William Kasch, Gabby Wilson, Matthew and Jeffrey Bixler, five nieces and three nephews.

His son, Thomas D. Knouff, and mother and father-in-law, Frank and Josephine Travenik, precede him in death.

Mr. Knouff was a 1966 graduate of Winamac High School and had served in the U.S. Navy. He retired from NIPSCO after 30-plus years. He enjoyed fishing in Arkansas and Minnesota, gardening and spending time with his family. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion. 

There will be no services. A celebration of life event will take place at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Knouff's memory and honor to the Almost Home Humane Society, 1705 South 2nd Street, Lafayette, IN 47905.

Shoemaker Funeral Home, Otterbein, is assisting the family. - 

Theodore E. Sheets

October 12, 1951 to December 16, 2013

WINAMAC - Theodore Eric "Ted" Sheets, 62, Winamac, passed away at 10:15 a.m., Monday, Dec. 16, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 12, 1951, in Gary, to the late William and Imogene Hall Sheets. He married Debra K. Weaver on May 3,1975 in Pulaski. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Megan (Cory) Dupuy, Brookston, Daughter
Wesley Eric (Tashia) Sheets, Winamac, Son
Alexis Sheets, Granddaughter
Chelsea Dupuy, Granddaughter
Logan Dupuy, Grandson
Judith Kay Foerg-Jackson, Star City, Sister
Jacqueline Hartisch, Rochester, Sister
Carey M. Baugh, Winamac, Sister
William Sheets, Rochester, Brother
Daniel Sheets, Wichita Falls, TX. Brother

Preceded in death by:
Heather Sheets, Daughter
Timothy Edward Sheets, Brother
Victoria Sue Thomas, Sister
2 nephews and 1 niece

Mr. Sheets served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era. He had worked as a carpenter for many years. He and his son Wes owned and operated T & W Construction in Winamac. He also worked in maintenance at the Ball Corporation in Monticello. He was a member of the St. Peter's Catholic Church in Winamac. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, He also enjoyed woodworking and helping others. He was awarded the Carnegie Hero Fund Award for an outstanding act of heroism in 2001. He will be sadly missed by his friends and family.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 3 p.m. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday (Dec.20), at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac. Military graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion and VFW.

Memorial donations may be given to Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance.

Thelma Heidel

January 11, 1925 to December 9, 2013

NORTH JUDSON - Thelma A. Heidel, 88, of Winamac, passed away Monday, Dec. 9, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born Jan. 11, 1925, in Chicago

Friends may call from 4-7  p.m. (CT) Friday, at the O'Donnell Funeral Home, Inc., North Judson. The funeral mass will be 11 a.m. (CT), Saturday (Dec. 14), at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, North Judson. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church to repair the chimes.