Obituaries

Harold L. Ailes

November 19,1934 to September 28, 2012

MEDARYVILLE - Harold L. Ailes, 77, of Medaryville, passed away at 2:45 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born Nov. 19, 1934, in Kouts, to the late John "Jack" and Laura Peck Ailes. He married Betty Poisel on Sept. 29, 1956 in Medaryville. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Cathy (Roger) Frinkel, Medaryville, Daughter
Lyne (Mark) Conley, LaPorte, Daughter
Cheryl (Kenny Messer) Ailes, San Pierre, Daughter
Grandchildren Mike (Heather) Ross, Amber (Nick) Hawkins, Nicole (David Saltsman) Conley, Justin (Breanna Tolson) Burch, and Angela (Brandon) Floyd; and step-grandchildren Roger Frinkel, Jr., and Joe (Britnee Eldridge) Frinkel; 9 Great Grandchildren and 4 Step Great Grandchildren.
Betty Hyslop, Highland, Sister
Barbara (Joe) Benish, San Pierre, Sister
Roy (Joyce) Ailes, Lake Village, Brother
Paul (Lorraine) Ailes, Jacksonville, FL, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Grandchildrne MacKenzie Conley, Brandon Burch, and Kaitlyn Frinkel
Sisters Edith Pinkerton, Elsie Rush, and Dorothy Stewart
Brothers Clarence Ailes, Carl Ailes, Donald Ailes, and John "Junior" Ailes

Mr. Ailes was a longtime resident of Medaryville. He served as a volunteer fireman for 20 years and had been assistant chief for 2 years. He had also been reserve deputy town marshall for many years. He was baptized in the Medaryville Christian Church. In recent years, he attended the Medaryville Assembly of God Church. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and kids and doing yard work. He especially enjoyed helping others. He loved his family very much.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday (Oct, 1), at the funeral home with Pastor Tom Dewlen and Pastor Bill McNabney officiating. Burial will be in White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.

Billie Ann Hamm

September 17, 2012

NORTH JUDSON - Billie Ann Hamm, 33, of Monterey, passed away Monday, Sept. 17.

Visitation is Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. (CT) at the at the O’Donnell Funeral Home in North Judson. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., (CT), Friday (Sept. 21), at the funeral home.

John A. Matthes

February 28, 1947 to September 17, 2012

KOUTS - John A. Matthes, 65, of Winamac, passed away Monday, Sept. 17, at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis.

He was born Feb. 28, 1947, in Queens, N.Y. to the late Carl and Claudia Quinces Matthes. He married Nadine G. Mooney on March 23, 1974. She died in 2005.

Surviving are his children: Robert A. Matthes, Rebecca P. Galyk, Charlie A. Matthes, Jennifer C. Matthes, Bridget A. Matthes, Natalie R. Matthes, John J. Matthes Jr., Ellen B. Matthes, Kit A. Matthes, Frederick A. Matthes; siblings: Fred Matthes, Alect0x Matthes, Vicki Beckman, Elizabeth Miller and Mary Reynoso; and numerous grandchildren.

Also preceding him in death were two children: Matthew and Clarissa Matthes and sister, Carol Ann Matthes.

Mr. Matthes was a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps for six years, and was awarded the Purple Heart as well as other military medals. He was an accomplished inventor with several patents.

Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. (CT), at Kosanke Funeral Home in Kouts. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. (CT), Saturday (Sept. 22), at the SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in North Judson with Father Terrence Bennis officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, Winamac, at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Donald L. Gravenor

March 19, 1920 to September 23, 2012

FRANCESVILLE - Donald L. Gravenor, 92, of South Bend, died at 11:40 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 23, at The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in South Bend.

He was born on March 19, 1920 in Carlinville, IL to the late John and Ada Lewis Gravenor. He married Nancy L. Dalton Sheetz on Dec. 3, 1983. She survives.

Survivors include:
John Gravenor, Jacksonville, FL, Son
Don Gravenor, Walkerton, Son
Tom Gravenor, Sout Bend, Son
Alan (Caroline) Sheetz, Indianapolis, Step-Son
Shannon (Larry) Rothman, Miami, FL, Step-Daughter
Mike (Brenda) Sheetz, Valparaiso, Step-Son

Preceded in death by:
Sheri VanRossen, Step-Daughter
Wyndham Gravener, Nephew

Mr. Gravenor served in the U.S. Army during World War II and fought on the beaches of Normandy. He was a retired foreman from the Bendix Corporation in South Bend.

A private graveside service will be held at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. Military graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion.

Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville, is handling arrangements.

Margaret K. Heiden

October 27, 1926 to September 18, 2012

WINAMAC - Margaret K. Heiden, 85, of Silver City, NM died at 1:29 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 18, in Silver City, NM.

She was born Oct. 27, 1926 to John and Rosa Poole Kruzick in Winamac. She married John F. Heiden. He died June 6, 1976.

A graveside service at St. Peter's Cemetery in Winamac, will be held Monday, Dec. 3.

Local arrangements are being handled by Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Irene M. Fritz

February 28, 1928 to September 11, 2012

HOLLAND, MI - Irene Marie Fritz, 84, formerly of Holland, Mich. and Knox, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 11, in Ohio.

She was born Feb. 28, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Mich. She married Ralph W. Fritz, formerly of Winamac, in 1970. He survives.

Also surviving are her children and grandchildren: Daughter Dawn Beckering and grandsons Stephen Beckering of South Carolina and Shad Beckering of Florida; Daughter Elaine Boxdorfer, son-in-law Dennis and granddaughters Heather Jahns and Anna Schroeder of Toledo; Daughter Carole Fey, son-in-law Bill Fey and grandsons Daniel and David Fey of Holland, Mich.; and Son Peter Fritz, daughter-in-law K.K. Gerhart-Fritz and granddaughters Kelly and Suzanne Fritz of Indianapolis.

She is also survived by step-children Mark S. Fritz,  Mac C. Fritz, Matthew C. Fritz and Cathleen S. Fritz; five great-grandchildren; her sister Helen Van Eyck; and several nieces and nephews in Winamac and Star City.

She was preceded in death by her sister Judy Anderson and step-brother Jack Simons, and step-daughter Connie K. Fritz Dust.

Mrs. Fritz led an active life, enjoying golf and nature.

No services will be held.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice House of Holland's Tulip Tree Fund or the Harbour Humane Society of Holland.