Obituaries

Rosemary Berger Shidler

October 17, 1948 to July 15, 2012

ROYAL CENTER - Rosemary Berger Shidler, 63, of Florence, KY., formerly of Winamac, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2012.

She was the third child born to Della and Edmund Berger on Oct. 17, 1948 in Kewanna. She married Ronald Shidler on Dec. 30, 1966. He died in 1992.

She is survived by four children, Abbigail (Paul) Miller of Winamac, Aaron (Chasity) Shidler of Florence, KY, Andrew (Andrea) of Covington, KY and Amber (Donnie) Ray of Huntington, WV. She also had five grandchildren, Noah, Carlye, Carter, Anna, and Lukas. 

She is also survived by her brothers Marvin (Judy) Berger of Winamac, and Earl (Kathy) Berger of Fort Lauderdale, FL. She had numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.

Mrs. Shidler attended St. Peter’s Parochial School until high school where she attended Winamac Community High School graduating in 1966. She met Ron Shidler while working at the Isis Theater in Winamac and they were married during his Christmas leave from the service. She was a loyal bookkeeper and friend to Murray Farms for many years until she and Ron moved to Cincinnati in 1986. She also worked at the University of Cincinnati for 20 years until her retirement just last year. She enjoyed taking classes at UC. In between work and her studies she loved to go country line dancing with her friends.

Mrs. Shidler was an artist. She loved creating gifts for her family and friends. Through the years everyone would look forward to her presents of ceramic Christmas scenes, toll painted benches, and ornately decorated cakes and cupcakes. She also enjoyed painting amazing murals on her grandchildren’s walls. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Burlington, KY. She was previously a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac for over 35 years.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., at Harrison-Metzger and Rans Funeral Home in Royal Center. A funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday (July 21), at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Winamac with Father Martin Sandage officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Caringbridge.com or to Hospice of St. Elizabeth Hospital (www.stelizabeth.com/hospice) 483 S. Loop Drive Edgewood, KY 41017.

Edna A. Sweeney

May 8, 1923 to July 16, 2012

WINAMAC - Edna Adelaide Sweeney, 89, of Homosassa, FL, formerly of Winamac, passed away at 11 a.m., Monday, July 16, at Hospice House, Lecanto, FL.

She was born May 8, 1923, in Brooklyn, NY, to the late Miles Julius and Adelaide Blackmore Olsen. She married Robert P. Sweeney on Aug. 19, 1940, in Elkton, MD. He passed away Sept. 26, 2004.

Survivors include:
Patty (Tom) Anspach, Winamac, Daughter
Michael Sweeney, Homosassa, FL, Son
1 Granddaughter

Preceded in death by:
Miles J. Olsen Jr., Brother

Mrs. Sweeney was a former supervisor for General Electric and the Department of Energy. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, and crocheting.

Private burial will take place at a later date in Reed Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the American Cancer Society. 

John J. Russell

April 6, 1952 to July 18,2012

WINAMAC - John J. Russell, 60, Winamac, passed away at 12:35 a.m., Wednesday, July 18,  at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

He was born April 6, 1952, in Logansport, to the Fred c. and Bess A. Haring Russell. He married Elizabeth K. Berger Stankus on Aug.11, 2004 in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Stacey Alice (Jose) Real, Logansport, Daughter & son-in-law
John J. (Robin) Russell II, Winamac, Son & daughter-in-law
Lisa Nicole (Aaron) Koons, Royal Center, Daughter & son-in-law
Stephanie Ann Feece, Winamac, Step Daughter
Melanie K. (Troy) Creamer, Elwood, Step Daughter & son-in-law
Brandi (Kevin) Larkin, Winamac, Daughter & son-in-law
Rosie Russell, Florida, Daughter
12 granchildren
Virginia Sue (Dan) Dolezal, Winamac, Sister

Mr. Russell was a member of FOE 2580 in Winamac. He was a former Shriner. He was the former owner of Russell's Old Trading Post in Winamac. He was also the former owner of Mandarino's Restaurant and the Pizza Haus. He was most recently employed at Sander's IGA as a meat cutter.

He enjoyed NASCAR, cooking, watching sports, listening to music and playing the drums. He especialy enjoyed spending time with his family and cooking for them.

Visitaiton will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (July 21), at the funeral home with Pastor Kevin Drane officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the  Shriner's Hospital for Children.

Dora M. Fisher

March 3, 1943 to July 15, 2012

WINAMAC - Dora M. Fisher, 69, of Winamac, passed away at 9:20 a.m., July 15, at St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana in Indianapolis.

She was born March 3, 1943, in Winamac, to Sylvester and Margaret Ilene Kline Meyer. She married Robert E. Fisher on June 10, 1961 in Pulaski. He survives.

Also surviving are: 
Ed (Reine) Fisher, Elkhart, Son & Daughter-in-law 
Kenny (Debbie) Fisher, Winamac, Son & Daughter-in-law 
Tara Fisher, Grandchild 
Megan Fisher, Grandchild 
Kenzie Fisher, Grandchild 
S. Paul (Janice) Meyer, Star City, Brother 
Linda (Rick) Rausch, Anderson, sister

She was preceded in death by 
Anthony V. Meyer, Brother 
 

Mrs. Fisher was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Winamac, and a member of the Christian Mothers. She was a volunteer hostess at Pulaski Memorial Hospital. She was also a retired housekeeper at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, employed there for 33 years. She was also a homemaker. 

She enjoyed her grandchildren, her cats and raising flowers. She also enjoyed golf cart rides in the woods. She was always ready to help others when needed. She loved spending time with her many friends. She was a loving wife and mother and will be remembered for her beautiful smile and laughter. 

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary. A rosary service and a Christian Mothers Service will be held at 7 p.m., at the funeral home, immediately followed by a scriptural wake service. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Thursday (July 19), at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac, with Rev. Martin Sandhage officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery West, Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be given to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxillary. 
 

Vernon J. Pelsy

January 4, 1920 to July 15, 2012

FRANCESVILLE - Vernon J. Pelsy, 92, of Francesville, passed away at 1:40 p.m., July 15, at White Oak Health Campus in Monticello.

He was born Jan. 4, 1920, in Francesville, to the late John D. and Lydia Knochel Pelsy. He married Evelyn Mae Lizenby on July 29, 1945 in Medaryville. She died June 5, 2008. 

Survivors include: 
Barbara (James) Little, Stuart, FL, Daughter & Son-in-law 
Dean Pelsy, Francesville, Son 
Allen Pelsy, Francesville, Son 
Brandon Pelsy, Huntington Beach, CA, Grandson 
Justin Pelsy, Troy, OH, Grandson 
Nicole Little, Charlotte, NC, Granddaughter 
Stephanie (Bill) Tarbell, Newtown Square, PA, Granddaughter 
Sophie Tarbell, Great Granddaughter 
Olivia Tarbell, Great Granddaughter

Preceded in death by: 
Eileen Logan, Sister 
Kenneth Pelsy, Brother 
Lester Pelsy, Brother 
Benjamin Pelsy, Brother 

Mr. Pelsy was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church, Francesville.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville, and one hour prior to services at the church Wednesday. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday (July 18), at the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville, with ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to the Apostolic Christian Church. 

Bettilou Pullins

November 16, 1924 to April 14, 2012

MEDARYVILLE - Word has been received of the death of Bettilou Pullins, 87, of Alamogordo, NM (formerly of Medaryville) on April 14, 2012 at her residence.

Arrangements are pending at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht, Medaryville.

Olga F. Russell

May 6, 1916 to July 11, 2012

WINAMAC - Olga F. Russell, 96, Winamac, passed away at 3:46 p.m., Wednesday, July 11, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in Winamac.

She was born May 6, 1916, in Winamac, to the late Frank and Maude Hunter Kopkey. She married William A. Russell on Sept. 15, 1940, in Winamac. He passed away on March 1, 1999.

Survivors include:
Carol Sue (Martin) Torgerson, Winamac, Daughter
William (Megan) Torgerson, New Canaan, CT, Grandson
Anne Torgerson, Los Angeles, Granddaughter
Aspen Gundy, Fishers, Granddaughter
Charlotte Torgerson, New Canaan, CT, Great Granddaughter
Isabel Torgerson, New Canaan, Great Granddaughter
Jay (Mary Lois) Kopkey, Winamac, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Judith Ann Russell Gundy, Daughter

Hank Kopkey, Brother

Mrs. Russell was a lifelong resident of Winamac and a partner in the former Russell's Old Trading Post in Winamac for 50 years with her husband and members of his family. She was a graduate of Winamac High School. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Winamac. She was the Past Worthy Matron of Tippecanoe Chapter #96 Order of the Eastern Star in Winamac.

Her greatest love in her life was being with her family. She was a skilled seamstress and loved to needlepoint. For many years she did all the alterations for Russell's Old Trading Post.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m.,  Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac; and one hour before the service Saturday at the church. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday (July 14), at First Christian Church, Winamac, with Pastor Rick Abbott officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to First Christian Church, Pulaski Memorial Home Health Care or Pulaski Memorial Hospice.