Obituaries

Larry R. Rans

May 23, 1935 to February 6, 2012

KEWANNA - Larry R. Rans, 76, of Kewanna, passed away at 1:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 6, at his residence, surrounded by his family.

Born May 23, 1935 in Kewanna, he was the son of the late Delbert Roy and Ethel Faye (Rouch) Rans. On Sept. 25, 1953 he married Elaine E. Larkin; she survives.

Also surviving are sons, Robert L. Rans (Donna Dugan) of Culver and Larry David Rans (Barbara) of Culver; daughters, Susan E. Crawford (Kent Bonnell) of Winamac and Diana F. Sollars (Tom Moore) of Monticello; brother, Joe Rans (Joan) of Akron and sister, Virginia Agnew of Kewanna; grandchildren, Kyle Rans (Stacy) of Royal Center, Julie Robertson( Jimmy Vicsik) of Elkhart, Joshua Sollars of Flora, Benjamin Rans (Erin) of Elkhart, Cody Rans (Kati) of Mishawaka and Carol Prophet (Shaun) of Monticello. He is also survived by 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by 7 brothers, Billy Richard Rans, Harold Rans, Hubert Rans, Raymond Rans, Delbert Rans, Jr., Paul Rans and Lowell Rans and 4 sisters, Helen Worl, Lois Bell, Ethel Stipp and Lorene Wood.

Mr. Rans was a 1953 Kewanna High School graduate where he started on the basketball team for four years. He was a retired dairy farmer. He also retired after 15 years at Walmart in Rochester. He was a former Aubbeenaubbee Twp. 4-H leader for 10 years. He was an avid I.U. fan and Bob Knight fan. He was a former member of International Harvesters Collectors Club. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Home, Kewanna Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 9), at the funeral home with Pastor Bill Collins officiating. Burial will be at Citizens IOOF Cemetery in Kewanna.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hope Hospice of Fulton County and/or Kewanna Citizens IOOF Cemetery Association.

Chase A. Bonnell

November 21, 1984 to January 28, 2012

ROYAL CENTER - Chase Andrew Bonnell, 27, of Winamac passed away Saturday, Jan. 28, at his residence.

Born on Nov. 21, 1984 in Rochester, he was the son of Brad J. Bonnell and Michele A. Spoor.

Survivors include his father, Brad J. Bonnell (Tammy) of Winamac, his mother, Michele Willing (Chris) of Winamac, brother, Evan Bonnell of Winamac, step brother, Christopher Willing of Logansport, grandparents, Richard and Pauline Smith and Jay and Shirley Bonnell, all of Winamac, and Gary and Dorothy Spoor of Cookeville, TN., and great grandmother, Jean Spoor of Culver.

He was preceded in death by great grandparents, Lester Spoor, Ralph and Florence Heims, Frank and Evelyn Miller and Sherald and Verla Bonnell and cousin, Emily Bonnell.

Mr. Bonnell was an avid sports fan.

Services will be private. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the family in care of the Harrison Metzger Rans Funeral Home in Royal Center.

Raymond E. Pfledderer

July 15, 1922 to February 6, 2012

FRANCESVILLE - Raymond E. Pfledderer, 89, of Crown Point, formerly of Francesville and Rensselaer, passed away at 7:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 6, at Franciscan St. Anthony Health, Crown Point,.

He was born July 15, 1922, in Francesville, to the late George Carl and Marie Remm Pfledderer. He married Louise J. Graham on July 20, 1947, in the Francesville First Christian Church. She passed away July 16, 1987.

Survivors include:
Pamela J. (David) Jentz, Granger, Daughter
Jane L. (Chris) Geesman, Mishawaka, Daughter
John R. (Donna) Pfledderer, Crown Point, Son
Chris R. (Mary Beth) Pfledderer, Crown Point, Son
Shannon (Stephen) Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, Granddaughter
Elisabeth Ockermann, Lafayette, Granddaughter
Mary Ann (Mike) McDufford, Greenville, SC, Step Granddaughter
Timothy (Kate Linstrom) Geesman, New York City, Grandson
Matthew (Tonya) Geesman, Chicago, Grandson
Scott Pfledderer, Chicago, Grandson
Katie Pfledderer, Carmel, Granddaughter
Peter Rice, Cedar Lake, Step Grandson
Caleb Rice, Boone, NC, Step Grandson
Amanda Pfledderer, LaPorte, Grandaughter
Rachel Pfledderer, Indianapolis, Granddaughter
Aaron Forbes, Merrillville, Step Grandson
Mikey Forbes, El Dorado Hills, CA, Step Grandson
Lily Ann Forbes, El Dorado Hills, CA, Step Granddaughter
Jennifer Thompson, Crown Point, Great Niece
John Thompson, Crown Point, Great Nephew
Lauren Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, Great Granddaughter
Brooks Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, Great Grandson
Sarah Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, Great Granddaughter
Regan Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, Great Granddaughter
Alex Rice, North Judson, Step Great Granddaughter
Marie Spaeth, DeMotte, Sister
Anna Henzler, St. Louis, Sister
Donna Faris, MN, Sister
Jeanette Zaring, Monticello, Sister

Brothers: Robert, Leslie, Albert, William, John, Paul, Roy, and Adam Pfledderer.

Mr. Pfledderer graduated from Francesville High School with the Class of 1940. He served in the U. S. Army in the 11th Airborne Division, Asian-Pacific Theater, World War II. He was member of the VFW, Rensselaer, and the American Legion Post 20, Crown Point. He was a member of the Francesville First Christian Church. 

He was the former owner of his own trucking business. He was also a retired farmer and millwright from US Steel. A former resident of Francesville and Rensselaer, he moved to Crown Point in 1967. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, classic country music, dancing, cooking on the grill for his family and friends, and planting and tending to a large garden.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday,  at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday (Feb. 10), at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The Francesville American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children, or the charity of the donor's choice. 

Edith M. Gutwein

October 3, 1918 to January 21, 2012

COLUMBIA, MO. - Edith May Gutwein, 93, died on Jan. 21, at John Knox Village, Orange City, FL.

She was born Oct. 3, 1918 in Gridley, IL to Albert and Marie Stortz Bucher. On Oct. 20, 1938, she married Lewis Conrad Gutwein in LaPorte. He preceded her in death in 1992.

Surviving are two sons, Ken (Leann) Gutwein of Warsaw, and Gene (Nancy) Gutwein of Columbia, MO; two daughters, Carol (Chuck) Kaptain and Judy (Eric) Mumford, both of DeBary, FL; nine grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren. Also surviving are four brothers and one sister.

Her parents, four brothers, and three sisters preceded her in death.

In 1964, Mrs. Gutwein and her husband retired from their bookkeeping and agricultural positions, respectively, in Francesville, and moved to Waukesha, WI where they joined the staff of New Tribes Mission, a worldwide mission organization. Retiring for a second time in 1981, the couple moved to Columbia, MO, where they were long-time members and active participants in the Evangelical Free Church of Columbia. Following her husband's death, Mrs. Gutwein continued to live in Columbia until 2009, when she moved to the NTM Homes' Assisted Living Facility in Sanford, FL. She lived there until 2011, and then moved to John Knox Village in Orange City, FL.

She will be remembered as a woman with an unwavering faith in the God she loved. Her life was exemplified by a humble spirit, a generous servant's heart, a steadfast belief in prayer, and a deep loyalty to, and love for, her family and friends.

Memorial services will be held at Evangelical Free Church, 600 Silvey Street, Columbia, Mo at 10:30 a.m., Feb. 4; and at NTM Homes, 78 Mission Blvd. Sanford, FL at 2 p.m., Feb. 10.

Memorial gifts are suggested to New Tribes Mission to benefit the NTM Homes' building of a chapel. Checks can be sent to New Tribes Mission, 1000 East First Street, Sanford, FL 32771, with "Edith Gutwein Memorial" on the memo line.

James N. Ulm

February 18, 1930 to January 26, 2012

CLEVELAND, TENN. - James N. Ulm, 81, of Spring City, Tenn., passed away Thursday, Jan. 26, at Memorial Health Center, Chattanooga.

He was born Feb. 18, 1930 in Pulaski to the late James E. and Laura Mae Bowers Ulm.

Survivors include daughter Robin Ulm of Cleveland, Tenn.; two brothers, Dick Hawkins of Brazil, Ind. and Danny Ulm of Winmac; and one sister, Alice Ulm of Winmac.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Landry Ulm; and son, Robert James Ulm. 

Mr. Ulm was a graduate of Pulaski High School and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. 
He retired from GTE. He had been a resident of Spring City since his retirement.

A graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday (Jan. 31), at Chattanooga National Cemetery. Military honors will conclude the service.

Grissom Funeral Home, Cleveland, Tenn., is in charge of arrangements.

Virginia Capper Gady Kinsel

May 17, 1926 - Jan. 23, 2012

ROCHESTER - Virginia Capper Gady Kinsel, 85, 302 W. 11th St., Rochester, passed away at 8:35 p.m., Monday, Jan. 23, at her residence.

She was born May 17, 1926, in Chicago, the daughter of the late John S. and Romaine Tiffany Capper Jr. She married Elmer C. Gady on Sept. 24, 1944, in Star City. He preceded her in death on May 9, 1973. On April 4, 1998, in Rochester, she married Don M. Kinsel, and he survives.

Also surviving are her daughter, Ann Gady-Keller, of Mount Shasta, Calif.; sons, Richard Elmer and wife Debra Gady, of Lakewood, Colo., Joe Ernest Gady, of Argos, and David John and wife Amy Gady, of Cape Cod, Mass.; step-children, Cindy and husband Duane Border, of Rochester, Mark Kinsel, of Florida, and Al and wife Cindy Kinsel, of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; brother, Tom Scott and wife Tressa Capper, of Star City; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by brother, Jack Capper; sisters, Betty Ley and Marilyn Heinsen; and one grandson, Bryson Gady.

Mrs. Gady Kinsel had been a school librarian media specialist in the Peru Community Schools and a school teacher at Riddle Elementary School in Rochester. She also was the first children's librarian at the Fulton County Public Library, where she enjoyed storytelling and puppetry with the children.

She had been a member of the Rochester Rotary Club, where she was past president and instrumental in organizing the Community Thanksgiving Dinner, CASA, Fulton County Literacy Coalition, National Education Association, Fulton County Retired Teacher's Association, and a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, where she had been a Sunday school teacher. In her spare time, she enjoyed following sports, especially Indiana University basketball and Chicago Cubs baseball. She enjoyed making charitable contributions to various organizations, including the Bashor Childrens Home of Goshen.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, Hope Hospice of Fulton County or the Bashor Childrens Home, P.O. Box 843, Goshen, Ind.

Arrangements by Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester.