Obituaries

Archie R. Clark

May 19, 1920 to June 24,2013

WINAMAC - Archie Robert Clark, 93, Winamac, passed away at 4:30 p.m., Monday, June 24, at the home of his daughter in Winamac.

He was born May 19, 1920, in Winamac to the late Omer and Eva Collins Clark. He married Edna Lyles in 1943. He later married Rose Earhart Budd on April 22, 2001. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Nancy Winters, Winamac, Daughter
Lori Kolish, Winamac, Daughter
Robert (Sandy Butler) Clark, Star City, Son
Eugene (Rhonda) Clark, Battle Ground, Son
Dennis (Diane) Budd, Kingsford Heights, Step Son
Sheila (Cliff) Judkins, Winamac, Step Daughter
Suzette (Gregg) Yoder, Logansport, Step Daughter
17 Grandchildren
31 Great Grandchildren
Marjorie Braun, Winamac, Sister
Wilma Swindle, Sparta, TN. Siter
Jean Frain, Winamac, Sister

He was preceded in death by:
Violetta Deeds, Sister
Anissa Phillips, Grandaughter
Cody Heims, Great Grandson
Brandon Graham, Great Grandson

Mr. Clark was born and raised on a farm. In July 1942, he entered military service and joined the U.S. Army's 80th Infantry Division at Camp Forest, TN. He trained at Camp Phillips, KS, and Camp Laguna, AZ. He went overseas in July 1944 and fought all across Europe. The 80th was one of Gen. George Patton's crack units and Mr. Clark received several decorations, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Belgian Service Award, French Service Award and the Purple Heart. He returned to the U.S. and was discharged from the Army on Nov. 13, 1945. He then took up farming. In 1950 was elected Monroe Township Trustee, serving eight years. During 1953-54 he served as president of the Monroe-Winamac School Board. He also served eight years on the Monroe-Winamac Library Board. He also served on the former Pulaski County Welfare Board. He worked for six years as the storage supervisor for the Pulaski County Department of Agriculture. He was elected Pulaski County Assessor, serving from 1962-68. He worked for many years as an automobile salesman.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 27, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. the funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday (June 28), at the funeral home with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be in Pulaski Presbyterian Cemetery, Pulaski.

Michael Blinn

March 31, 1963 to June 23, 2013

WINAMAC - Michael E. "Tank" Blinn, 50, Winamac, passed away at 8:52 a.m., Sunday, June 23, as the result of a motorcycle accident in Portageville, MO.

He was born March 31, 1963 in Winamac, one of the first babies born in Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

Survivors include his parents, Tom and Charlotte Haselby Blinn of Winamac; Brenda McIntosh of Winamac; sister Lore (Randy) Gibson, niece Maia Gibson, nephew James Gibson, all of Lafayette; Aunt Carol Danruther, Rensselaer; Aunt Evelyn Haselby, Star City; Aunt Marie (Blaine) Brown, Florida; many cousins, and his faithful dog, Jack.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Luther and May House Blinn; Firman and Hazel Hiatt Haselby; Eli Heater, Ed Kuehl, and Paul Mewhiney; nieces Susanna, Corinne and Emme Gibson; and his faithful dog, Hootie.

Mr. Blinn attended Star City Elementary School and graduated from Winamac Community High School. He was employed as a salesman for Gilsinger Implement. He wrote weekly columns for the Pulaski County Journal. A Pulaski County resident for his entire life, he was a former farmer and truck driver. He was co-owner of Edgewood Enterprises.

Mr. Blinn was a member of Kankakee Valley H.O.G.; Pulaski County Area Plan Commission Board; former board chairman of the Pulaski County Soil & Water Conservation District; and Star City United Methodist Church. He was "a great American," a gear head, and a community leader. He was never happier than when he was on his Harley, his John Deere tractor, or working on a piece of machinery in his shop, always with the music cranked up high and no phone. If his God allows, Michael E. Blinn is "still smokin’."

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (June 29), at the funeral home with Rev. Ruth Waite officiating. Burial will be in Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be given to the charity of the donor's choice.

 

Kenneth M. Poisel

May 10, 1957 to June 20, 2013

WINAMAC - Kenneth M. "Kenny" Poisel, 56, of Winamac, passed away at 12:30 a.m., Thursday, June 20, at St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital in Indianapolis.

He was born May 10, 1957, in Winamac, to the late Elmer Lloyd and Marylu Malchow Poisel. He married Robin K. Trainer on May 15, 2000, in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are:

Steven L. Poisel, Lafayette, Son
Yolanda Ray, Lafayette, Daughter
Jovanda Poisel, Lafayette, Daughter
April L. Poisel, Lafayette, Daughter
Elmer Raie Poisel, Winamac, Son
9 Grandchildren
Twilia (Mark) Patterson, Indianapolis, Sister
David (Shari) Poisel, Valparaiso, Brother
Penny Kasten, Lafayette, Sister
Jenny (Cary) Swinford, Delphi, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews.

Mr. Poisel was formerly of Francesville and had lived in Winamac for the past 25 years. He was a welder all of his life and was a former employee of Galbreath Inc., Winamac. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, being in the outdoors, and spending time with his family.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. (Tuesday, June 25), at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Pilger officiating.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.

Keith E. Leazenby

December 13, 1957 to June 2, 2013

NOBLE, OK - Keith Edward Leazenby, 55, of Pauls Valley, Okla., died Sunday, June 2, at Pauls Valley.

He was born to Ronald Leazenby and Geraldine Rhoades on Dec. 13, 1957, in Logansport.

Those who survive him include his father, Ronald Leazenby and his wife Lena of Noble, Okla.; his mother, Geraldine Rhoades of Pulaski, Ind.; three brothers, Mike and Matthew Leazenby and Russell Taft; two sisters, Jackie Ashcom and Janice Hoesel; his fiancee, Susan Tracy and her children Heather Ralphs, Clark, Spencer and Tristin Tracy; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and other relatives.

Mr. Leazenby graduated from Winamac Community High School and attended college for four years and received a degree as a certified public accountant. He had made his home in Pauls Valley for the last five years, moving from Norman, Okla. He was a self-employed truck driver for more than 30 years.

Visitation will be from 1:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday, at McMahans Funeral Chapel, Noble, Okla. A memorial service will be 11 a.m., Friday (June 7), at at the funeral chapel.

Richard Franko

December 2, 1932 to June 19, 2013

WINAMAC - Richard Franko, 80, Winamac (formerly of Chicago and Fontana, CA), passed away Wednesday, June 19, at his home in Winamac.

He was born Dec. 2, 1932 in Chicago to the late Joseph and Mary Hochevar Franko.
He is survived by:
Many Nieces and Nephews
Edith Michielsen, Winamac, Companion

Preceded in death by:
Joseph "Joe" (Josephine) Franko, Brother & Sister-in-law
Edward (Molly) Franko, Brother & Sister-in-law
Marie (Louis) Kukman, Sister & Brother-in-law
Virginia (Thomas) Langbeen, Sister & Brother-in-law
Frances (Steve) Kasperzyk, Sister & Brother-in-law
Raymond W. (Mary) Franko, Brother & Sister-in-law
Lawrence Franko, Brother
Albert "Skip" Franko, Brother
2 Nieces

Mr. Franko grew up on the East Side of Chicago. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. When he returned from Korea, he moved to Fontana with his family. He served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserves. While living in California, he worked at Kaiser Steel. He retired from the steel mill and went to work for the Fontana School District. He retired from the school in 1994 and moved to Winamac in 1995. He enjoyed living in Winamac very much.

Mr. Franko was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #748 in Knox, and a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #220 in Chicago. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Winamac. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Winamac. He was a caring and generous man. He acted as a caretaker for many family members over the years. "Uncle Rich" will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Monday (June 24), at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac, with Rev. Ambrose Ziegler officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the Wounded Warrior Project or Knox VFW.

Orville L. Rife

April 22, 1922 to June 20, 2013

WINAMAC - Orville L. Rife, 91, a lifetime resident of Winamac, died at 4:55 a.m., Thursday, June 20, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

He was born April 22, 1922 in Winamac to the late Burvie and Dorothy Faye White Rife. He married Lucille Mae Goble on Sept. 30, 1944 in Francesville. She passed away Nov. 28, 2003. He married Gertrude "Gert" Bleicher Stout on April 10, 2004 in Francesville. She survives.

Also surviving are: 
Carol R. (Mike) Hoffman, Winamac, Daughter
Naomi L. (Joe) Murphy, Winamac, Daughter
Harold O. Rife, Indianapolis, Son
Donald E. (Jean) Rife, Winamac, Son
John D. (Julie) Rife, Gonzales, LA, Son
Randal E. (Jill) Rife, Logansport, Son
Samuel E. (Connie) Rife, Winamac, Son
Alvin K. (Cheryl) Stout, Winamac, Step Son
Kurt D. (Michaela) Stout, Star City, Step Son
Larry E. (Laura) Stout, Winamac, Step Son
20 Grandchildren
23 Great Grandchildren
Elnora G. Jordon, Winamac, Sister
Shirley M. Beckner, Winamac, Sister
Calvin (Virginia) Rife, Highland, Brother
Mary Ann Rife, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Gloria Rife, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Evelyn Powers, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Donald Goble, Sun City West, AZ, Brother-in-law
Philip Lemeron, Winamac, Brother-in-law
Several Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by
3 Grandchildren
Andrea Nicole Rife, Great Granddaughter
Alysa Pearl Allen, Great Granddaughter
Gerald Rife, Brother
JB Rife, Brother

Mr. Rife was a member of the First Baptist Church in Francesville. He was also a member and co-founder of the Prisoners for Christ Missions. He worked as a machinist for Standard Auto and William Gehring Farms. He retired Jan. 1, 1987. He enjoyed horses and giving rides at the Power From the Past. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his friends and family, as well as the prisoners he ministered to.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at the First Baptist Church, Francesville; and one hour prior to services at the church Friday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday (June 28), at the church (corner of State and Yellow Streets) Francesville, with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Burial will be in Paul's Chapel Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the First Baptist Church of Francesville.