Obituaries

Paul H. Kruger

May 18, 1932 to April 22, 2012

FRANCESVILLE - Paul Herman Kruger, 79, of Michigan City, died at 9 a.m., Sunday, April 22, at the Life Care Center in Michigan City.

He was born May 18, 1932, in Francesville, to the late Herman and Matha Popp Kruger. He married Trellie Ritchie on Oct. 20, 1956, in Medaryville. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Michael Kruger, LaPorte, Son
Timothy (Ronda) Kruger, Chesterton, Son & daughter-in-law
1 grandchild
Martha Williams, Columbia City, Sister
Dorothy Kruger, Lafayette, Sister
Della Kruse, Adrian, MI, Sister
Trelma Kruger, Kokomo, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Max Kruger,  Brother

Mr. Kruger graduated in the Class of 1951 from Francesville High School.He served in the U. S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He was a industrial mechanic in Michigan City for 35 years. He was certified in hydrolics and industrial fire safety. He had lived in the Michigan City area since 1963. He was a former Boy Scout Master and 4-H member. He was a member of St. James Salem United Church of Christ, Francesville.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday (April 25), at the funeral home, with Pastor Jim Mandelville and Pastor T.J. Jenney officiating. Burial will be in St. James Salem Cemetery, Francesville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer's Association.

Ernest A. Stepp

January 4, 1925 to April 18, 2012

MEDARYVILLE - Ernest Aaron "Ernie" Stepp, 87, of Wheatfield, passed away at 1:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, at Parkview Haven Retirment Home, Francesville.

He was born Jan. 4, 1925, in Salyersville, KY, to the late Arther and Karma Craft Stepp. He married Ethel Howard on April 3, 1946 in Winamac. She survives. 

Also surviving are:  
Karen Stepp, Wheatfield, Daughter 
Karolyn Fyda, Wheatfield, Daughter 
Pamela Nabors, Rensselaer, Daughter 
Ernest Anthony (Christine) Stepp, Royal Palm Beach, FL, Son 
David (Sandra) Stepp, Terre Haute, Son 
9 Grandchildren 
14 Great Grandchildren 
3 Great-Great Granchildren 
Gentry (Geraldine) Stepp, Brother 
Vernaden (Bill) Yeary, Sister

Preceded in death by: 
Clifford Stepp, Brother 
Robert Stepp, Brother 
Harold Stepp, Brother

Visitiation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Teaberry Hill Estates Church, Medaryville, and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (April 21), at the church, with Rev. Elmer Conley officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, North Judson. Military graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion.

Memorial donations may be given to Teaberry Hill Estates Church.

Newton H. Brown

April 2, 1925 to April 17, 2012

WINAMAC - Newton H. Brown, 87, of Star City (Pulaski), died at 6:40 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac. 

He was born April 2, 1925, in Pulaski, to the late Newton H. Sr. and Ethel Linn Brown. Newton married Gloria L. Getz on Aug. 1, 1954, in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Carla (Raymond) Miller, Valparaiso, Daughter & son-in-law
Newton (Kim) Brown III, Valparaiso, Son & daughter-in-law
Paula Stone, Valparaiso, Daughter
Julie Clifton, Crawfordsville, Daughter
Grandchildren: Lindsey, Natalie, Dane, Kirstin, Keely, Jason, Jackson, Joseph
Great Grandchildren: Emily, Isabelle, Grace, Samantha, Benjamin

He was preceded in death by
Margaret Ellen "Peggy"  Brown, Sister
Samuel George Brown, Brother

Mr. Brown was a graduate of Pulaski High School, and graduated from Purdue University in 1951 where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He received his master's degree from Purdue. He served as an educator, coach, and administrator in the Valparaiso Community School System.

He was a member of the Pulaski Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder. He also was a member of the Valparaiso Masonic Lodge, the ORAK Shrine of Michigan City, and the Winamac Kiwanis Club. He was a longtime trustee and Republican precienct committeeman for Indian Creek Township.

Mr. Brown was an avid golfer, Cubs fan, and Purdue Boilermakers fan.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A Kiwanis service will begin at 6:45 p.m., followed by a Masonic service at 7 p.m. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday (April 20), at the funeral home with Pastor Bill Kleymann officiating. Burial will be in Pulaski Presbyterian Cemetery, Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Presbyterian Church.

Kay Widup

October 25, 1937 to April 14, 2012

ROYAL CENTER - Kay Widup, 74, of Winamac passed away at 8:05 p.m., Saturday, April 14, at her residence.

Born on October 25, 1937 in Winamac, she was the daughter of the late Harold “Bud” and Virginia (Johnson) Widup.

Survivors include sister, Joyce McKinley (Charlie) of Winamac, brothers, Robert M. Widup of Winamac, George Widup (Kathy) of Kingwood, Texas, Joe Widup (Cheryl) of Valparaiso, B. Karl Widup (Jeannie) of Rohnert Park, Calif. and Bill Widup (Debby) of Winamac. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by nephews, Adam Widup and James Needham.

Ms. Widup was a graduate of Winamac High School and Eastern Kentucky University. She was a former state parole officer in South Bend for 10 years, and a former state correctional officer at the Medaryville Youth Camp for several years. She was a Pulaski County probation officer from 1995 to 2000. She implemented GED classes at the Fayette County City Jail in Lexington, Kentucky and planned, organized and trained employment skills to inmates going up for parole at the Kentucky State Reformatory in the mid 1970s.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Winamac where she was a Stephen’s minister, puppeteer assistant and Prayer Warrior. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star Tippecanoe Chapter #96 where she also served as secretary. She also helped establish the Pulaski-Starke County Habitat for Humanity Chapter, and she was a former member of Smiles Unlimited Clown Ministry.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday (April 17), at Winamac Cemetery with Pastor Matt Landry officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and/or the First United Methodist Church, Winamac.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Homes.

John Koleszar

July 11, 1917 to April 10, 2012

KEWANNA - John Koleszar, 94, of Winamac passed away at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 10, at his residence.

Born July 11, 1917 in Chicago, he was the son of the late Anton and Elizabeth (Kaszu) Koleszar. He married Pauline Jenczalik in 1940 and she preceded him in death 1990.

Survivors include his son, Marvin Koleszar (Lillian) of Salem, South Carolina and daughter, Bonita Kiser (Rex) of Geneseo, Illinois. He is also survived by grandchildren, Cori Koleszar (Jeff Ball) of Atlanta, Georgia, Ali Treon (Eric) of Atlanta, Georgia, Jon Kiser (Monica) of Chicago, Illinois and Andy Kiser (Jessica) of Chicago, Illinois and great grandchildren, Drew Ball, Jake Treon, Abby Treon and Evan Kiser.

He was also preceded in death by 3 brothers and 1 sister.

Mr. Koleszar was a World War II U.S. Army veteran serving in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, receiving three Bronze service stars. He was a local farmer most of his life and also worked for the Indiana State Highway Department, retiring as a general foreman. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac, and was an avid Chicago White Sox and Notre Dame fan.

Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m., Monday until the time of the service at Harrison- Metzger & Rans Funeral Homes, Kewanna Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., Monday (April 16) at the funeral home with Father Martin Sandhage officiating. Burial with military rites will be performed at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice of Fulton County, P.O. Box 621, Rochester, IN. 46975

Lynn A. Gutwein

December 7, 1956 to April 9, 2012

FRANCESVILLE - Lynn Allen Gutwein, 55, of Francesville, passed away at 12:25 p.m., Monday, April 9, at his residence. 

He was born Dec. 7, 1956, in Lafayette, to John J. and Charlene Rogers Gutwein Jr.

Survivors include: 
John J. & Charlene Rogers Gutwein, Rensselaer, Parents 
Kristy (Clinton) Mays, Lowesville, VA, Daughter 
Kelly Gutwein, Long Beach, CA, Daughter 
Karla Gutwein, Rome, GA, Daughter 
Lynn Allen Gutwein II, Lake Village, Son 
Jacob Gutwein, Rensselaer, Son 
Colton Gutwein, Medaryville, Son 
Curtis (Helen) Gutwein, Rensselaer, Brother 
Jennifer (Mark) Ritter, Valparaiso, Sister 
Julie (David) Malone, Rensselaer, Sister 
Several Nieces & Nephews 

Mr. Gutwein graduated from Rensselaer Central High School in 1975. He enjoyed working on old cars. He loved his children.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (April 14), at the funeral home, with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.