Obituaries

Vickie A. Bruce

March 5, 1957 to March 18, 2012

ROYAL CENTER - Vickie A. Branson Bruce, 55, of Star City passed away at 4:54 p.m., Sunday, March 18, at her residence.

She was born March 5, 1957 in Hammond, the daughter of Carl and Patricia Hurlburt Branson. On March 25, 1983, she married Daniel L. Bruce. He survives.

Also surviving are a son, Robert Bruce (Samantha) and daughter, Dana Marie Gilbert (Bob Reutebuch), all of Star City, mother, Pat Branson of Griffith, brother, Terry L. Branson (Tammy) of New Jersey and father- and mother-in-law, Edward and Donna Gates of Florida. She is also survived by grandchildren, Dorine Lynn, Dylan Cole, Haylee Marie, Lauren Elizabeth and Daniel James and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Carl Leon Branson, brother, Carl Wayne Branson, paternal grandparents, William L. and Blanch N. (Ott) Branson, and maternal grandparents, Lovell J. and Frances C. (Engle) Hurlburt.

Mrs. Bruce was 1975 Graduate of Griffith High School, and earned a degree in interior design in 1977. She later returned to school and graduated from Purdue University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in social services. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Winamac, Literacy Partners board of directors and the Indiana Head Start Association.

She dedicated her life to helping others and volunteering with the Relay for Life and Toys for Tots. She also served as Girl Scout Troop leader for 12 years and also worked as a literacy tutor since 1990. She was IPIN Parent Liasion, INSOURCE Regional Parent Advocate and worked at the Pulaski County Head Start, providing services, training and resources to local families since 1990. She was the proud mother of her children and beloved Nana to her grandchildren. She loved spending time with family and friends.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, at the First United Methodist Church, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., (Wednesday, March 21), at the church, with Pastor Matt Landry officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Homes, 304 S. Chicago St., Royal Center.

Charles Culp

October 25, 1925 to March 19, 2012

MEDARYVILLE - Charles E. Culp, 86, of Roselawn, formerly of Medaryville, died at 10 a.m., Monday, March 19, in the Autumn Hills Health and Rehab Center, Roselawn.

He was born Oct. 25, 1925, in Medaryville, to the late Charles Grover and Daisey Emma Lizenby Culp. He married Betty Jane Salyers on Aug. 4, 1994. She died in 2008.

Survivors include:
Many Nieces & Nephews

He was preceded in death by: 
Elizabeth Grace Owens Hartman, Sister 
Lucille Harriet Hartman, Sister 
Dale Otis Culp, Brother 

Mr. Culp was a member of the Medaryville Christian Church. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was also a member of the Medaryville American Legion and the FOE #2580 in Winamac. He was a "Sweet Heart."

Friends may call after 11 a.m., Wednesday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., (Wednesday, March 21), at the funeral home with Rev. Tom Dewlen officiating. Burial will be in Sutton Cemetery, Medaryville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to Autumn Hills Health and Rehab Center or to the charity of the donor's choice.

John A. Hochstedler

April 9, 1928 to March 14, 2012

NORTH JUDSON - John A. Hochstedler, 83, of Winamac, passed away at 5:50 p.m., Wednesday, March 14, at Regency Hospital, Portage.

He was born April 9, 1928, in North Judson, to Laura Rena Danti. On July 15, 1950, in North Judson, he married Leatrice Minix. She survives.

Also surviving are six children, Francine (Morgan) Shepherd, Sherry (Tom) Jorczak, Russell (Sharon) Hochstedler, Rhonda (Mike Adams) McGowen, Rob (Renay) Hochstedler and Ron/Chunk Hochstedler; 18 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Edna Hochstedler Marshall, Missouri; and two brothers, Eugene Hochstedler, Bluffton, and Mike Hite, Valparaiso.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Rena, and brother, Robert Hite.

Mr. Hochstedler attended Jackson Township School and St. Cyril Methodius Catholic School in North Judson. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Denham, IN. At 17, he went to work at Thermo Products in North Judson sweeping floors. He retired 44 years later as a welder. He was an avid Notre Dame football fan. His home team was the North Judson-San Pierre Bluejays.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. (CDT), Friday, at O'Donnell Funeral Home in North Judson. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. (CDT), Saturday (March 17), at the funeral home. Burial will be in Denham Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NJSP athletic department.

Ruth B. Leman

March 16, 1914 to March 15, 2012

FRANCESVILLE - Ruth B. Leman, 97, of Francesville, died at 3:25 p.m., Thursday, March 15, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville. 

She was born March 16, 1914 in Morton, IL to the late Christian and Rosa Byer Musselman. She married Edward Leman on Feb. 16, 1936. He preceded her in death Dec. 10, 1990.

She is survived by:
Howard (Carol) Leman, Sebring, FL, Son
Roberta (Ron) DeGraaff, Kokomo, Daughter
Gary (Ruth) Leman, Ft. Wayne, Son
David (Elaine) Leman, Findlay, OH, Son
Daniel (Linda) Leman, Francesville, Son
Steven (Patty) Leman, Delphi, Son
Michael (Tina) Leman, Francesville, Son
Sharon (Garry) Cotner, Winamac, Daughter
23 Grandchildren
32 Great Grandchildren

She was preceded in death by:
Timothy Leman, Son
Justin Leman, Grandson
Matthew Leman, Grandson
4 Great Grandchildren
2 Sisters
8 Brothers 

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville; and one hour prior to the services Tuesday at the church. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday (March 20), at Bethel Bible Church, Winamac, with Rev. Howard Leman officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to the Baptist Children's Home, Gideon's International or Parkview Haven Retirement Home.

Mrs. Leman was a member of Bethel Bible Church in Winamac. During the Great Depression, she and her sister Emily sang live on the radio with their ukuleles. She loved music, especially hymns. She enjoyed singing as well as playing the piano. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who modeled her Christian faith to her family.

Kenneth Stidham

March 11, 2012

CULVER - Kenneth Stidham, 78, Monterey, died at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, March 11, in Knox.

Survivors include daughters, Karen Ketcham, of Culver, and Pamela Hovarter, of Knox; brother, David Stidham, of Hyden, Ky.; and sister, Gladys Bowling, of Hyden, Ky.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Odom Funeral Home, Culver. The funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (March 17), at the United Methodist Church, Monterey.

Memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Church. Monterey.

Terry L. Maxson

November 20, 1952 to March 10, 2012

ROYAL CENTER - Terry Lynn Maxson, 59, of Star City, died at 3 p.m., Saturday, March 10, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Born on Nov. 20, 1952 in Big Springs, Texas, he was the son of Melvin Edward (Corky) and Gertrude Adeline (Maas) Maxson. He married Constance (Connie) Laraine Smith on April 2, 1977 in Monticello. She survives.

Also surviving are daughter Tracey Lynn [Brandon] Collins of Monterey and their son Joey; daughter Kari Beth Stout [John Haley] of Winamac and their children Kori Stout and Quentin, Justin and Caitlin Haley; son Jeffrey D. (Maxson) Abbott; two sisters: Kim [Clifford] Hardesty of Brookston and Connie Maxson of Monticello; three brothers: William [Marletta] Maxson of Monticello, Jerry [Peggy] Pickett of Delphi and Jim [Star] Nightengale of Reynolds; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Gertrude (Honey) and Paul (Pete) Pickett; his father, Melvin (Corky) Maxson; a sister, Lisa Louise Pickett; grandparents Dwayne and Gertrude Shertzer; and a niece, Jackie Pickett Ruiz.

Mr. Maxson was a former resident of Monticello and graduated from Twin Lakes High School in 1972.
He worked with the NAPA Corporation for his entire career, beginning in Rensselaer and Monticello, transferring to Winamac in 1978. He spent two years as I.B.S. Manager for the NAPA City Garage of Kokomo where he dealt with the city of Kokomo's vehicle parts, from police cars, fire trucks, emergency vehicles to garbage trucks and everything inbetween. He was especially proud of his accomplishments at Kokomo and enjoyed seeing all his customers on the route and in the store at NAPA.

He had been a volunteer firefighter for Star City. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post #81 in Monticello for 38 years.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Wednesday (March 14), at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Home in Royal Center. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date at Star City West Cemetery.