Obituaries

Joseph N. Keller

December 4, 1914 to June 10, 2013

CULVER - Joseph Nicholas Keller, 98, passed away at 11 a.m., Monday, June 10, at Hickory Creek Nursing Home, Winamac.

He was born in Monterey, on Dec. 4, 1914, the youngest child of Joseph G. and Maggie (Hartman) Keller.

He leaves several nieces and nephews: Patricia O'Donnell (John), Ruth Zehner (Don), John Keller (Colleen), Tom Keller (Toni), Mary Personett (Gene), Bob Keller (Sheila), Jim Keller (Bertie), Jerry Keller (Rea), Dan Keller (Peggy) and Margie Wise (Tim). He also leaves many great-nieces and nephews and many great-great-nieces and nephews.

A nephew, Clem Keller Jr. (Jean), preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Cecil and Clement Keller, and his sister, Laura Keller.

Mr. Keller lived in the Monterey community his entire life. He attended Holy Family Catholic School and graduated from Monterey High School in 1933. After high school he went to Ball State University for a year, but soon learned that he wanted to return to the farm. He was a lifelong member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Monterey. Until he lost his sight, he was an avid reader. Then he began to listen to books on tape from the state library. His hobbies included listening to and taping music from the radio, especially music from the 30s. He also enjoyed having a garden and several fruit trees. After he retired from farming and milking cows, he took up cooking and baking, always searching for new recipes.

Viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at the Odom Funeral Home in Culver. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday (June 14), at St. Anne Catholic Church in Monterey. Burial will follow at St. Anne Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the church. The Odom Funeral Home, Culver, is in charge of arrangements.

Emaline Grace Wampler

June 10, 2013

KEWANNA - Emaline Grace Wampler of Winamac was stillborn at 11:44 p.m. on Monday, June 10, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

She is the daughter of Jason and Maggie Hickle Wampler both of Winamac.

In addition to her parents, Emaline is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth L. Wampler and brother, Ethan J. Wampler both at home, paternal grandparents, John and Christine Wampler of Knox, maternal grandparents, James and Barbara Hickle of Winamac, great grandfather, Richard Wampler of North Judson, and great grandmother, Betty Hickle of Kewanna. She is also survived by several aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.

She is preceded in death by great grandparents, Elizabeth Wampler, John and Betty Rogers, William and Mary Webb and Harold Hickle.

A private family service will be held.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Homes, Kewanna Chapel.

Sylvia M. Planck

September 16, 1921 to June 12, 2013

WINAMAC - Sylvia Marie Planck, 91, Winamac, formerly of Star City,  died at 10:45 a.m., Wednesday, June 12,  at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born Sept. 16, 1921, in Star City, to the late Nathan and Norma Fall Abbott. She married Wayne Planck on July 10, 1939, in Star City. He passed away June 27, 2012.

Survivors include:
Judy M. (Larry) Bonnell, St. Charles, IL, Daughter
12 Grandchildren
15 Great Grandchildren
3 Great Great Grandchildren
Sharlene Planck Winamac,  Daughter-in-law.

She was preceded in death by:
James Planck, Son
Ronald Planck, Son
Dale Planck, Son
Kenneth Wayne Bonnell, Grandson
Cheryl Planck, Granddaughter
Ali Gibson, Great Granddaughter
James Abbott, Brother
Wilma Peterson, Sister

Mrs. Planck attended the Star City United Methodist Church. She graduated from Pulaski High School. She was a former telephone operator for United Telephone. She also had been a beautician, working out of her own home. She enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling with her husband.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (June 15), at the funeral home with Rev. Ruth Waite officiating. Burial will be in Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the Star City United Methodist Church.

Ruth E. Heinold

October 14, 1919 to May 28, 2013

KOUTS - Ruth E. Heinold, 93, of Francesville passed away Tuesday, May 28.

She was born Oct. 14, 1919, in Francesville to the late Conrad and Magdalena Gutwein. On Jan. 4, 1940, she married Virgil W. Heinold, who preceded her in death in 1991.

Survivors include their children: Sherrill (Harold) Fritz of Monticello; James (Karen) Heinold of Pensacola, FL; Virgilia “Jill” (Jay) Plattner of Bend, OR; and Victor (Sue) Heinold of Covington, LA; siblings: Raymond Gutwein of Peoria, IL; Florence (Les) Bucher of Monticello; Irma Germann of San Pierre; Carolyn (Cal) Kaufmann of Cissna Park, IL; and 18 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, 4 brothers and I sister

The Heinolds resided in Kouts throughout their marriage of 51 years. Ruth remained in Kouts until 2007, when she moved to Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville. She was a graduate of Francesville High School, and served as a secretary for Heinold Elevator in both Kouts and at the Kinsgbury Poultry Plant. She was a longtime volunteer for the American Red Cross of Porter County. She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church for 71 years.

Visitation is Friday, from 3 to 7 p.m. (CDT) at Kosanke Funeral Home, Kouts; and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. (CDT), at the church. The funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. (CDT), (Saturday, June 1), at the Apostolic Christian Church in LaCrosse, with burial to follow at the church cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be given to Parkview Haven Retirement Home, or Humanitarian Distribution Center of Francesville.

Joan S. Strand

February 26, 1933 to May 31, 2013

WINAMAC - Joan S. Strand, 80, a lifetime resident of Winamac, passed away at 2:45 p.m., Friday, May 31, at IU Health LaPorte Hospital, LaPorte.

She was born Feb. 26, 1933 in Winamac to the late Walter Edward and Lucille Irene Straw Strand.  After the untimely death of her mother, her maternal grandparents helped raise her.

She is survived by her cousins, Helen Straw Gardner, North Canton, OH; Carol Straw Minarik, Culver, Joyce Straw Selbey, Syracuse, Albert Straw, Winamac, Marie Thompson, Albany, Stephen Simhauser, PennYan, NY; Andrea Straw Bischof, Niles, MI; Linda Straw Johnson, Buchanan, MI; Kathleen Straw Shelton, Niles, MI; and Julie Straw Udell, Niles, MI,  as well as many second-cousins.

She was preceded in death by cousins, Marguerite McCarthy Salisbury; Alan Hood; Lowell Strand; Gladys Strand Pugh; Evelyn Strand;  Elsie Strand Manzuk; Eleanor Strand Brown; Kathryn Strand Kirchgessner; Priscilla Straw Gordan Babb; Jerry Straw; Sandra Straw Herner; Alberta Straw; and James Simhauser.  

Miss Strand was a 1951 graduate of Winamac High School and enjoyed attending class reunions as well as the Alumni Banquets. She kept in touch with many of her school mates. She was a retired telephone operator and dispatcher for United Telephone. She enjoyed meeting her friends for coffee every day. She loved her cats and enjoyed bird watching.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday (June 4), at the funeral home with Rev. Nancy Foster officiating. Burial will be in Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the Pulaski County Animal Control Fund.

Alicia M. Smidler

January 21, 1989 to May 31, 2013

WINAMAC - Alicia Marie Smidler, 24, West Lafayette, formerly of Beavercreek, OH, passed away at 9:15 a.m., Friday, May 31,  as the result of an automobile accident at 2900 North River Road in West Lafayette.

She was born Jan. 21, 1989 in Winamac, to Frederick E. and Debra Kay Button Smidler of St. Joseph, Mich., who survive.

Also surviving are:
Michael Herman Smidler, St. Joseph, MI, Brother
Herman and Norma Houston Smidler, Monticello, Paternal Grandparents
Melvin E. and Cleta Sue Smith Button, Winamac, Maternal Grandparents
Elizabeth Sera Button, Winamac, Maternal Great Grandmother
Deb (Larry) Winter, Winamac, Aunt
Susan (Elsworth) Griffith, Austin, TX, Aunt
Frank (Trudy) Smidler, Stoughton, WI, Uncle
Steve (Cindy) Smidler, Raleigh, NC, Uncle
Chris (Sally) Smidler, Francesville, Uncle
Jeff (Sharon) Smidler, Richmond, VA, Uncle
Bunnie (Curt) Daughtery, Star City, Aunt
Melvin F. (Karen) Button, Winamac, Uncle
Several Cousins

Preceded in death by:
John Melvin Button, Cousin

Miss Smidler spent most of her life in Beavercreek, OH. She graduated from Beavercreek High School in 2007. While at Beavercreek High School she was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated with an honors diploma. Her passion was cheerleading and coaching young athletes. She attended Purdue University and graduated in May 2013, with both a bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees. She was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. While attending Purdue, she worked as a server at BW3's. She was preparing to enter law school. She loved animals. She had a passion for traveling and had many friends around the world. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends.

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday (June 5), at the funeral home with Robert Conn officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to the Alicia Smidler Animal Rescue Have-A-Heart Memorial Fund, Fifth-Third Bank, 53 S. Second Street, Lafayette, IN 47901.