Obituaries

Rachel White Heishman

March 6, 1980 to January 5, 2013

WINAMAC - Rachel White Heishman, 32, Winamac, passed away at 3:55 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5,  in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

She was born March 6, 1980, in Winamac to Garry W. and Rhonda L. Smeltzer White.

Survivors include her son Caden W. Heishman, Logansport; her parents of Winamac; her sister Nicole M. (Marcus) Slifer, West Lafayette; one nephew Keegan Slifer, West Lafayette; two grandmothers Dolores Smeltzer and Velma White, both of Winamac; and grandfather Elmer White, Monterey.

She was preceded in death by Roland Smeltzer, grandfather, Ralph and Pearl Shrader, great grandparents, and Raymond and Eunice Smeltzer,great grandparents

Mrs. Heishman was a lifetime resident of Winamac and a 1998 graduate of Winamac Community High School. She received her associate's degree in the medical field. While in high school she was a cheerleader for many years. She also loved dancing. She attended the Winamac Church of the Nazarene and was very active in her church youth group in her younger years. She was a wonderful caregiver which was her life's passion. She loved her son and her family.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary; and one hour before the service Wednesday in the church. The funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday (Jan. 9), at the Winamac Church of the Nazarene, Winamac, with Pastor Denny Wilson officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to a fund being established for Caden's educational expenses.

 

Ronald A. Metcalf

March 7, 1943 to January 4, 2013

WINAMAC - Ronald A. Metcalf, 69, of Winamac, died at 4:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 4.

He was born March 7, 1943 in LaPorte, to the late Arthur and Louis Metcalf.

He is survived by his daughter, Rondeana Metcalf, Tiffin, OH.

Mr. Metcalf was a retired factory worker.

No services will be held. Burial will be in Union Mills Cemetery, Union Mills, IN.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.
   

Ronald W. Planck

November 19, 1942 to January 2, 2013

WINAMAC - Ronald Wayne Planck, 70, of Lucerne, died at 1:55 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2, at the IU Medical Center in Indianapolis.

He was born Nov. 19, 1942 in Star City, to Wayne A. and Marie Abbott Planck.

Survivors include
Angela R.(Brian) Bixler , Burnettsville, Daughter
Ronald E. Planck, Lucerne, Son
Duane (Chris) Fritz, Logansport, Step-son
Edward Fritz, Florida, Step-son
12 grandchildren
Marie Abbott Planck, Winamac, Mother
Judy (Larry) Bonnell, St. Charles, IL, Sister
Sandy Kissinger, Lucerne, Fiancee

He was preceded in death by:
Wayne A. Planck, Father
Dale Planck, Brother
James Planck, Brother

Mr. Planck had worked as a farmer and truck driver for most of his life. He was a member of the Mooose Lodge and VFW Auxillary. He enjoyed camping and horseback riding. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday (Jan. 7), at the funeral home with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be in Davis Cemetery, Burnettsville.

Memorial donations may be given to:the family.

Lucille Miller

September 9, 1924 to January 2, 2013

FRANCESVILLE - Lucille Miller, 88, of Francesville, (formerly of LaCrosse) passed away at 8:57 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac. 

She was born Sept. 9, 1924 in Lafayette, to the late Martin and Emma Zabel McCormick. She married Raymond Miller on Aug. 10, 1949 in Valparaiso. He survives.

Also surviving are:
Cheryl Kay Miller, Wooster, OH, Daughter
Connie Maxine McMeans, Wooster, OH, Daughter
Ronald Alan (Shelley) Miller, Topeka, KS, Son & Daughter-in-law
Rex Elliot Miller, Wooster, OH, Son
2 Grandchildren
4 Great Grandchildren
Patricia (Herb) McKay, Columbus, OH, Sister & Brother-in-law
Charlotte (Norm) Winner, Gwinn, MI, Sister & Brother-in-law
Donna (Ed) Redwine, Augusta, KS, Sister & Brother-in-law
Glen (Chris) McCormick, South Chicago Heights, IL, Brother & Sister-in-law
Kenny (Barbara) McCormick, Francesville, Brother & Sister-in-law
Carl (Phyllis) McCormick, Homer Glen, IL, Brother & Sister-in-law
Bob (Marilyn) McCormick, Kentucky, Brother & Sister-in-law
Joe McCormick, LaCrosse, Brother
Wilmer Altman, Ambia, Brother-in-law

Preceded in death by:
1 Great Granddaughter
Francis McCormick, Sister
Mary Alice Altman, Sister
Tom McCormick, Brother
Margie McCormick, Sister-in-law

Mrs. Miller graduated from Monon High School. She and her husband raised their family on a farm in LaCrosse. She was a member of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in LaCrosse. She served as clerk-treasurer of the Alter Rosary Society. She was a proud farmwife and also served as treasurer of Dewey Townswhip in LaPorte County. The Millers toured the U. S. on their Harley Davidson Motorcycles throughout their lives together.

No services will be held. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

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

Donald Swartzell

December 15, 1937 to December 31, 2012

WINAMAC - Donald Ross Swartzell, 75, of Winamac, died at 10;34 a.m., Monday, Dec. 31, at the IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born Dec. 15, 1935 in Winamac to the late Robert W. and Esther Lavon "Bonnie" Johnson Swartzell. On July 5, 1958 he married Mary E. Nicolas in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Steven (Bonnie) Swartzell, Monterey, Son
Connie (Kevin) Roe, Winamac, Daughter
James (Cletha) Swartzell, Winamac, Son
Donna (Dale) Lindstrom, North Vernon, Daughter
8 Grandchildren
5 Great Grandchildren
Jeffrey (Georgia) Swartzell, Winamac, Brother
John (Nancy) Swartzell, Winamac, Brother
David Swartzell, Winamac, Brother
Several Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Matthew Lindstrom, Infant Grandson
Robert W. Swartzell, Jr., Brother

Mr. Swartzell enjoyed farming with horses and riding motorcycles. He was a good mechanic. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday (Jan.3), at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A private funeral service will be held at the mortuary. Burial will be in  Reed Cemetery, Winamac.

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

Dennis Dowling

December 1, 1926 to December 28, 2012

WINAMAC - Dennis D. Dowling, 86, of Winamac, passed away at 4:18 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

He was born Dec. 1, 1926 to the late James and Olga Dowling in Adrian, MI. He married Irene Bixler on Sept. 28, 1946 in Napoleon, OH. She passed away on Oct. 5, 2011.

He is survived by his sons; Jim (Edna) Dowling, Hopkinsville, KY, and Gerald (Carol) Dowling, Winamac; and his daughters; Denise (Yolanda Baldwin) Dowling, North Aurora, IL, and Deelight (Richard) Murphy, Chicago. Also surviving are his grandchildren Jeni Marcinkiewicz, Stacey (Jeremy) Beckner, and Laura (Matt) Mullins; his great grandchildren Maggie Marcinkiewicz, Leo Marcinkiewicz, and Jayden Beckner; and his sisters; Jennie (Robert) Gentz, Blissfield, MI, and Margery Neuroth, Blissfield, MI.

He was preceded in death by his grandsons Jeremy Michael Dowling and Larry E. Wilcox; and his siblings; Ralph B. Nolan, Yvonne A. Ganitopoulos, and Dorothea M. Smith.

The Dowlings lived many places, including Michigan, New York, Illinois, and Kentucky but for many years they called Winamac home. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, having served as a radioman with the U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska and with the U.S. Navy in the Panama Canal Zone. He had been an amateur radio operator having held the call signs W8IRV and W9ESW among others. He was a member of the American Amateur Radio League and the Adrian Amateur Radio Club. Mr. Dowling retired in 1990 from Plymouth Tube Co. where he worked as an engineer for 28 years. He enjoyed his community and always learning something new.

Visitation will be from 10 to11 a.m., Saturday at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. (Saturday, Jan. 5), at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date in Lyons Cemetery, Lyons, OH.

Memorial donations may be given to the Pulaski Health Care Center, Pulaski County Human Services Von Tobel Center, or Kingdom Kids Daycare.