Obituaries

Linda K. Fritz

March 10, 1944 to October 24, 2023

WINAMAC - Linda K. Fritz, 79, of Star City, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

She was born March 10, 1944 in Winamac to the late Charles F. and Gladys L. [Bridegroom] Hartwick. She graduated from Winamac High School in 1962. On April 26, 1963, she married Kenneth G. Fritz in Winamac. He survives.

Linda Fritz

Survivors also include:
Christine (Timothy) Olson, Shorewood, IL, Daughter
Laurie (Keith) Kruger, Kokomo, Daughter
Matthew (Sarah) Olson, Grandson
Corie (Jacob) Gatewood, Granddaughter
Brandon (Ashley) Kruger, Grandson
Allison (David) Pilkinton, Granddaughter
Madison Kruger, Granddaughter
4 Great-Grandchildren: Annabelle, Eugene, Lincoln and Charlotte
Several Nieces and Nephews and their families

Preceded in death by:
Charles F. Hartwick Jr., Infant Brother
Donald Wayne Hartwick, Brother
Marcella Ann Schultz, Sister
Frederick Eugene Hartwick, Brother

While working as a teacher’s aide at Winamac Community High School, Mrs. Fritz decided to pursue a degree in education and become a teacher. Working full time and having a family to care for made this no easy task. Enduring late night drives to Lafayette and summer school, she achieved her goal and received her degree from Purdue University. She taught nearly 30 years - first at West Central Elementary school and later at Rensselaer High School. After retirement, she was a member of the Pulaski County Retired Teachers Association. She was also a member of the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Winamac High School Alumni Association. Her children have fond memories of their mom coaching their softball team and helping them with their horses in 4-H. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

A celebration of life service will be from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Phyllis M. Goble-Kruger

October 22, 1936 to October 22, 2023

WINAMAC – Phyllis M. Goble-Kruger, was born at 7:30 a.m., Oct. 22, 1936 and passed away 87 years later at 7:30 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023.

Born Phyllis Wigner in Yeoman, IN, She met her first husband, Bob Goble, on a blind date to Indiana Beach, and they were married Sept. 12, 1954. He died in 1998. She later married Devon Kruger in 2005, who also preceded her in death.

Phyllis Goble-Kruger

She is survived by:
Dr. Cherie Goble, daughter
Mike Goble, son
Mary Heal, daughter
4 grandchildren and their children:
   Stephanie (Zach) Brennan - Nathan, Cameron, Allison
   Scott Goble - Channing, Maddox, Zoe, Brielle
   Nicole (Austin) Cowley - Shaun, Bobby
   Nathan (Faith) Goble - Dominic
Becky Tiede, sister-in-law
Bob Schultz, brother-in-law
Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends

Preceded in death by:
Steven Goble, son
Frank Wigner, father
Mary Kilmer, mother
Wilber Kilmer, step-father
Dwain Wigner, brother

Mrs. Goble-Kruger’s childhood was filled with memories of feeling safe and loved. She passed on that love and security to her family and many close to her who adopted her as their mom or grandma. She and husband Bob were active community members, Phyllis in Iris-Elm Garden Club, Happy Homemakers Extension Home-Ec Club and the First Christian Church, while supporting Bob’s political and community efforts as well. She also worked outside the home at the Controls factory in Winamac, Miller’s Department Store and as a driver examiner and License Branch manager. She continued to take writing workshops later in life, up to a week before she passed, and enjoyed documenting her life story. In her memoir, she wrote about some of her identities as Carl Metz’s granddaughter, Bob’s wife, her daughter Dr. Cherie’s mom, and how she learned that her real identity was truly in Jesus Christ. People saw her faith in her courage, especially after Bob died, when she traveled solo to Italy where she made life-long friends. A few years ago, she authored and published a children’s book titled “A Lizard Named Lovely.”

Phyllis was curious, adventuresome, and carefree as a child, traits that those who loved her saw throughout her life; especially Devon Kruger. The two enjoyed many trips including seeing the ocean floor at the Bay of Fundy, visiting Tulln Air Base in Austria where Devon was stationed during World War II, and wintering in Bradenton, Fla. Her first memory of gardening was in her grandmother’s garden, planting peas with the tedious task of dropping the pea seeds into the row at exactly the same distance from each other as possible. She carried this love of gardening and nature throughout her life. She served in various leadership positions of the local garden club, as well as at the district and state levels. She learned, made friends and taught others through gardening, flower arranging and loving God’s beautiful creation. Many remember her spunky and independent spirit, her sweet as a peach personality and her willingness to offer wisdom and advice when people were lost, confused or simply needed a kind ear and perspective; which she lived by in her personal philosophy,“Wherever you are, be there.” 

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac; and one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Friday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 27, at the funeral home with Pastor Jim Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Iris-Elm Garden Club, or Bob Goble Scholarship through the Community Foundation of Pulaski County (cfopc.org). Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Garry R. Weaver

November 11, 1954 to October 21, 2023

WINAMAC - Garry Ray Weaver, 68, of Bass Station (formerly of Kewanna) passed away Saturday, Oct. 21.

He was born Nov. 11, 1954 in Winamac to the late Raymond Thomas and Evelyn Josephine [Cannon] Weaver. He attended St. Peter’s Catholic School and graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1973. After high school, he attended Ivy Tech where he took automotive body repair courses.

Garry Weaver

He is survived by:
Brenda (Clint) Armstrong, Morrow, OH, Sister
Oren Shidler, Bass Station, Brother-in-law
Joann Weaver, Ft. Myers, FL, Sister-in-law
3 Nieces and 2 Nephews: Charlotte, Kristy, OT, Jason and Summer
Several Great-Nieces and Nephews and their families
Catherine (Ed) Pratt, Burnettsville, Aunt
Mary Pratt, Pulaski, Aunt
Numerous Cousins and their families
2 Step-Granddaughters: Kate and Claire

Preceded in death by:
Maria L. Shidler, Sister
Larry O. Weaver, Brother
Marilyn Burkman, Longtime Partner

Throughout his career, Mr. Weaver worked at various body shops in Winamac, Indianapolis and Houston. He was raised in the Catholic faith and most recently attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, traveling, antiquing and collecting arrowheads. He had a good sense of humor and the great gift of gab. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. There will be no services or burial. Mr. Weaver’s cremated remains will be scattered somewhere meaningful at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Kathy A. Biggs

March 13, 1963 to October 17, 2023

LAFAYETTE – Kathy A. Biggs, Lafayette, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 17, after an unexpected, very fast moving illness.

She was born March 13, 1963, the daughter of Larry and Leah (Hughes) Holdcraft. She was a 1981 graduate of West Central High School in Francesville where she was a cheerleader, played basketball and volleyball. She was class president a couple times and on the student council. She played in the band and participated in a two spring plays. She met and married James Wilkerson on Halloween Day 1981. The couple parted ways in 2006. She later married Jesse Biggs on May 18th, 2019. He survives.

Kathy Biggs

She is also survived by children James, Candice and Chad; (Dog Kid) Bella, (Bonus Kids) Pat and Melissa, (Mom and Bonus Dad) Leah and Bob, (Brother) Kirk, (Nephews) Kyle and Andy, (Grandson) Remington, (Bonus Grandkids) Alexis, Thomas, Jaxson, Skylar and Dakota, (Grand Dogs) Loki, Flash and Tyr, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her father.

When her children were young, Kathy was still active in sports. She was a high school volleyball referee and coached high school JV basketball at Rensselaer. She ran her kids to every sports practice and game they were in, and never missed a game. She also worked for CDC for several years. After her children graduated and moved on, she got her start a IU Health Arnett Hospital. She worked right up to her passing, a total of 18 years. She met many new friends working there who made her happy. Kathy worked the floor for the Purdue Women's Volleyball games and she worked the clock at the Purdue Women's basketball games. She had a blast doing that for over 20 years. In 2019, she was made an honorary Reamer member. That was one of the best days of her life. She was described as caring, generous, loving, nurturing, strong, welcoming, having an infectious smile, and giving by her friends and family.

There will be a celebration of life party at 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 12, at Meadow Springs, 8631 S U.S. 421, Francesville.

Instead of flowers, make a food donation in her name at a local food bank, buy a toy for a kid in need this Christmas, or just pass on a happy smile. She would want to make sure you hug your friends and family and tell them you love them every chance you get.

James R. Gordon Jr.

January 14, 1959 to October 17, 2023

ROYAL CENTER - James Richard Gordon Jr., 64, of Medaryville passed away Tuesday, Oct. 17, at home.

Born Jan. 14, 1959, in Lafayette, he was the son of James Gordon Sr. and Lola J. Wyant.

James Gordon Jr.

Survivors include his companion Sandra Myers of Medaryville; sons Kristopher (Lisa) Storey of Idaville and Aaron (Kristy) Cadwallader of Huntington; grandchildren Bailey (Miguel Campos) Storey, Hunter Storey, Aaron Cadwallader Jr., and Adam Cadwallader; and great-grandchildren Natalia, Meadow and baby Gianna Campos.

He was preceded in death by his wife Delores Gordon and son Adam Cadwallader.

Mr. Gordon was a retired truck driver. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, riding motorcylcles and had a passion for scuba diving.

Per his wishes there will be no visitation or service.

A celebration of life event will be held at a later date.

His online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the family at
www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

His full obituary will soon follow.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center.

Timothy F. Hoffa Jr.

March 20, 1979 to October 16, 2023

WINAMAC - Timothy F. “Tim” Hoffa, Jr., 44, of Rogers, AR (formerly of Winamac) passed away unexpectedly Monday, Oct. 16.

He was born March 20, 1979 in Warren, MI to Timothy F. and Elizabeth E. “Liz” [Szostek] Hoffa Sr. Sadly, Liz passed away in August 1982 when Tim was only three. The family relocated to Indiana shortly thereafter Tragedy struck the Hoffa family again when son Gregory passed away in February 1996. Despite the hardships, Tim persevered. As a teen, he was active in the French Club and played on the freshman basketball team at Pioneer High School in Royal Center. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1997 and attended college for a short time. On June 29, 2002, he married his soulmate Christina L. “Christi” Shorter. It broke Tim’s heart when she passed away on Nov. 20, 2018 after a very hard-fought and courageous battle with leukemia.

Tim Hoffa Jr.

He is survived by:
Madi Liz Hoffa, Daughter
Ethan Hoffa, Son
Samantha “Sam” Ezell, Fiancée
Annabelle “Anna” Ezell, Step-Daughter
Joshua Ezell, Step-Son
Jonah Ezell, Step-Son
Duane (Jenn) Hoffa, Brother
Bethanne Heater, Sister
Vicki Hodson, Mother-in-law
Greg Shorter, Father-in-law
Ashley Stemm, Sister-in-law
Emily Campbell, Sister-in-law
Jamie (Brandon) Sells, Sister-in-law
Brandi Shorter, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews
Numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Gregory Hoffa, Brother
Michael “Bubba” Shorter, Brother-in-law

One of Tim and Christi’s favorite family activities was camping. He was an avid Michigan Wolverines and Indianapolis Colts fan. Three years ago, he moved to Arkansas for a fresh start where he had a good job working at Springfield Sign Co. in Rogers. He enjoyed spending time together with his fiancée, Samantha. They loved their daily Starbucks runs, walking trails, and cooking dinner together. They were “lobsters for life.” Sadly, the hardships of life and the pains of this world overwhelmed Tim. He will not be remembered for how he died but rather how he lived and how he loved. He cherished his family, especially his children. He was a good friend to many and was kind to all. Rest easy Tim, we will take it from here.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Thursday), at the funeral home with Rev. Laura Bailey officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with final expenses.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.