Obituaries

Belva N. Skinner

May 4, 1924 to August 23, 2012

KEWANNA - Belva N. Skinner, 88 of Winamac, passed away at 12:15 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 23, at Monticello Assisted Living Healthcare Center.

Born on May 4, 1924 in Logansport, she was the daughter of the late Wilbur and Mildred (Kistler) Williams. On Aug. 25, 1946, she married Harry Skinner and he preceded in death in May 9, 1983.

Survivors include her daughters, Marcia Link (Larry) of Winamac, Charlotte Rowland of California and Marlene Bowers (Stephen) of Oklahoma; brother, Glenn Williams (Margaret) of Fulton, sister, Bertha Antico (John) of Connersville, sister-in-law, Phyllis Williams of Florida; grandchildren, Brandon Link, Jodi Pogue (Matt), Jeff Rowland (Melanie), Steve Rowland, Pam Ward (Jim), Nathan Rowland, Lynn Ann Shugart (David) and Billy Bowers (Tammy). She is also survived by great grandchildren, Kiara King, Cy’anne Wooten, Toniya and Amiya Link, Sadie and Shaylynn Pogue, Brandi Cheshier, Reb, Toby, Barrett and Brittany Bowers, Jonathon Paul Stearns, Steven Hood, Cheyanne Bowers, Jeffery, Heath, Zachery, Brandley, Hannah and Austin Rowland, Clayton Dudley, Bailey and Raeanna Rowland, one great great grandson, Michael Castillo and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Sherilyn Skinner and 2 brothers, Keith Williams and Homer Eugene Williams.

Mrs. Skinner was a 1942 Star City High School graduate. She was formerly a seamstress at Hart-Schaffner Marx in Rochester where she retired after 28 years. She was also a homemaker and enjoyed canning, baking and quilting. After her retirement, she loved attending her grandchildren’s school functions and activities.

She was a member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church where she formerly taught Sunday School and served as lay leader for several years. She also participated in the Circle of Love Ladies. She was also a member of the Monroe Modern Home Extension Club of Winamac.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Sunday, at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Home, Kewanna Chapel. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday (Aug. 27), at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, Lake Bruce with Pastor Jon Magnum officiating.
Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Lake Bruce.

Memorial donations may be made to Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.

Thomas Dennis

October 30, 1949 to August 24, 2012

WINAMAC - Thomas Gilbert Dennis, 62, of Winamac, passed away at 4:20 p.m., Friday, Aug. 24, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 30, 1949, in Star City, to Gilbert and Anna Kochel Dennis. He married Pamela Olds on Jan. 30, 1971 in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are his sons Bradley (Gretchen) Dennis and their son Finnegan of Chicago; Nathan (Melissa) Dennis and their children Lindy Dennis, Caitlin Haley, Justin Haley, and Quentin Haley of Winamac; and Kenton Dennis of Atlanta; his mother Anna Marie Kochel Dennis of Winamac; his sisters Kaye (Allen) Olson of Winamac; and Sharon Criswell of Winamac; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Gilbert W. Dennis; his sister Carol A. Hayes; and his brother-in-law David Criswell.

Mr. Dennis graduated from Star City High School in 1967. He served in the Army National Guard as a recruiter at the Plymouth Armory. He was the former manager of CFS in Winamac. He later worked in the truck industry at Galbreath Inc., GalFab and Jasper Truck Sales. Currently he was the used truck manager for Pozzo Truck Center Gary.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Winamac. He was a former Sunday school teacher and MYF leader. He also was active in the Gideons International. He enjoyed yard work, cars and his kids' and grandkids' sporting events. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac and one hour prior to services at the church Tuesday. The funeral service will be at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday (Aug. 28), at the First United Methodist Church in Winamac with Rev. Matt Landry officiating.  Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the Pulaski Memorial Hospice or to the First United Methodist Church.

Mary A. Heminger

August 17, 2012

KNOX - Mary A. Heminger, 67, of Winamac died Friday, Aug. 17.

She is survived by her husband, Carl Heminger; children, Tabitha Heminger of Winamac, Tammy Heminger of Winamac, Larry Heminger of Bourbon, Ronnie Heminger of Butler; and five grandchildren.

Funeral service will be at 7 p.m. (CT), Thursday (Aug. 23) at the Trinity Assembly of God Church, Knox.

M.C. Smith Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Rosella A. Shields

January 1, 1922 to August 17, 2012

WINAMAC - Rosella A. Shields, 90, of Indianapolis, formerly of Pulaski, passed away at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 17, at Greentree Assisted Living, Indianapolis.

She was born Jan. 1, 1922, in Pulaski to the late Jacob and Rose Winters Berger. She married William F. Shields on June 16, 1945. He passed away May 14, 1994. 

Survivors include:
Martha L. (David) Mark, Indianapolis, Daughter
Theodore S. (Laura) Welage, Greenfield, Grandson
Raymond (Charlotte) Berger, Star City, Brother
Dorothy Keller, Monterey, Sister

Preceded in death by: 
Theodore Shields, Son
Robert Shields, Son
Theresa Welage, Daughter
Molly Shields, Daughter
Elizabeth Shedrow, Sister
Catherine Allen, Sister
Donald Berger, Brother
Arthur Berger, Brother

Mrs. Shields was a 1940 graduate of Pulaski High School. She was a claims examiner for Fort Harrison for 12 years, retiring in 1987. She was a member of Holy Spirt Catholic Church, Indianapolis, for many years.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. The funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Thursday (Aug. 23), at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pulaski, with Rev. Ronald Schiml officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery South, Pulaski.

Sally A. Dibbern

July 15, 1934 to August 11, 2012

WINAMAC - Sally Ann Dibbern, 78, of Winamac, passed away at 9:20 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 11, at Hickory Creek at Winamac. 

She was born July 15, 1934, in Plymouth. She married Roger Dibbern on July 12, 1975 in Valparaiso.  He died Jan. 17, 2004.

Survivors include:
Eugene F. (Jill) Rhoda Jr., Knox, Son
Larry Lee (Donna) Rhoda, Hebron, Son
Michael W. (Sue) Rhoda, Pacific, MO, Son
Bonnie L. Stalbaum, Hobart, Daughter
7 Grandchildren
6 Great Grandchildren
James (Barb) Strycker, Plymouth, Brother
Linda (Jim) Carr, Clarkston, MI,  Sister
Marilyn Stafford, Akron, IN  Step Sister
Nancy Strycker,  Culver, IN  Sister-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Ida Altheide Strycker Lahman, Mother
Clifford Lahman, Step Father
Eugene F. "Fred" Rhoda Sr., First Husband
Joe Strycker, Brother
John Strycker, Brother

Mrs. Dibbern grew up in Marshall County and moved to Valparaiso where she lived for many years. In 2008, she moved to Hickory Creek at Winamac. She worked at Bethlehem Steel for 15 years. She was a member of Steelworkers Local 6787. After retiring, she received great joy out of babysitting for infants.She like to knit and take care of her flower garden.She loved spending time with her family.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday,  at  Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m., (Saturday, August 18), at the funeral home with Rev. Ed Clark officiating. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Sunday (Nov. 4), at Merriman Cemetery, Boone Grove.

Memorial donations may be made to the family for funeral expenses.

Marjean Fritz

July 29 1934 to August 10, 2012

WINAMAC - Marjean I. Fritz, 78, Winamac, passed away at 4:12 p.m., Friday, Aug. 10, at St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana, Indianapolis.

She was born July 29, 1934, in Royal Center, to the late Clyde and Naomi Kennell Hipes. She married John Mark Fritz on March 25, 1956 in Royal Center. He died on Feb. 20, 2000.

Survivors include:
Janice L. (David) Weber, Chrisney, Daughter & son-in-law
Joyce A.(Ron) Heater, Star City, Daughter & son-in-law
John A. (Cathy) Fritz, Winamac, Son & daughter-in-law
Matthew (Julie) Weber, Grandson
Joel (Kandi) Weber, Grandson
Nicholas Weber, Grandson
Ryan Heater, Grandson
Amanda Heater (Chase) Bonnell, Granddaughter
Marc Heater, Grandson
Janelle Fritz (Jonathan) Johnson, Granddaughter
Jayme Fritz, Granddaughter
Shirley Ann Hartwick, Franklin, Sister

Mrs. Fritz was a member of the Star City United Methodist Church. She worked as a bookkeeper for a bank in Logansport, for the water ski factory in Winamac, Von Tobel Lumber, and for over 30 years for the Pulaski County Farm Bureau Co-op. She was presently employed as a secretary at Cathy Fritz Consulting. She  enjoyed family and friends. She enjoyed cooking for her family and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday (Aug. 14), at the funeral home with Rev. Ruth Waite officiating. Burial will be in Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to:  Heart Fund, American Diabetes Association, Star City United Methodist Church or to the Pulaski County Community Foundation John and Marjean Fritz Scholarship Fund.