Obituaries

Anthony J. Gross

December 3, 1976 to August 28, 2011

WHEATFIELD - Anthony “Tony” J. Gross, 34, Winamac, passed away Sunday, Aug. 28. 

He was born Dec. 3, 1976, in Valparaiso to Gerald Gross and Sharon Davis.

Survivors include his father Gerald and stepmother Carri Gross, sister Stephanie Walstra, stepbrother Kyle Conley, niece Chelsey Nicholls, nephew Zachary Nomanson, aunts Vickie (Steve) Stubblefield, Joyce (Lowell) Born, Kharen (Max) Fuller, Joyce (Bud) Risner; and grandmother Grace Davis.

He was preceded in death by his mother Sharon, grandparents Gerald and Bethel Gross and grandfather James Davis.

Mr. Gross worked at Star Sheeting as a fork truck operator.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m. (CT) at the Boersma Funeral Home, 90 East Grove St., Wheatfield. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday (Sept. 1)  at the funeral home  with Pastor Thomas Shanahan officiating. Interment will follow in the San Pierre Cemetery, San Pierre.

Memorials can be given to the family.

Jessica Johnson

May 20, 1992  to  August 29, 2011

WINAMAC - Jessica Johnson, 19, of Michigan City, passed away at 8:45 p.m., Monday, Aug. 29, in Michigan City.

She was born May 20, 1992, in Michigan City, to Robert L. and Sara J. Adamson Johnson.

Survivors include:
Sara J. Johnson, Michigan City, Mother
Robert L. (Peggy) Johnson, Hamlet, Father & Step Mother
Todd L. Johnson, LaPorte, Brother
Michelle J. (Ravi Singh) Johnson, Michigan City, Sister & Fiance
John (Belinda) Adamson, CA, Maternal Grandfather
Sarah Bleicher, LaPorte, Maternal Great Grandmother
Jean Vannoy, CA, Maternal Great Grandmother
Several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins
Whitley Pajor, Michigan City, Best Friend

Preceded in death by:
Nancy Lee Adamson, Maternal Grandmother
Carrie Adamson, Aunt
Bonnie Vance, Paternal Grandmother
Troy Johnson, Paternal Grandfather
Arthur E. Bleicher Sr., Maternal Great Grandfather
Cleston Vance, Paternal Great Grandfather
Mary Jane Vance, Paternal Great Grandmother

Miss Johnson was a former Michigan City High School student and recently graduated from high school in Indianapolis. She attended Springville Free Methodist Church, LaPorte. She enjoyed salmon fishing. She also enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews and being with family.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. (CT) Saturday (Sept. 3), at Reed Cemetery, Winamac, with Pastor Luke Bedtelyon officiating. Burial will be in  Reed Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. (CT), Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Springville Free Methodist Church, LaPorte.

Memorial donations may be given to Springville Free Methodist Church, LaPorte.

Alyce E. Onken

November 8, 1915 to August 24, 2011

FRANCESVILLE - Alyce Edith Onken, 95, of Francesville passed away at 11:45 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 24, at White Oak Health Campus in Monticello. She had been in failing health for the past four months.

She was a lifetime resident of Francesville, born Nov. 8, 1915 to the late Roy Jacob and Edith Anna Grock Myers. She graduated from Francesville High School in 1933, and remained in Francsville working for her father at the Myers Garage where she met and later married William R. Onken on May 11, 1946.. He died Aug. 28, 1965.

Survivors include:
Cindy (Dick) Servi, Step-Granddaughter
Kimberly Tiede, Step-Granddaughter
6 Step-Great Grandchildren
Mabel Brown, Monon, Sister
Virgil "Bud" Myers, Francesville, Brother
Gertrude Godbout, Manchester, NH, Sister
Maudelene Allyn, San Antonio, TX, Sister
Jeanne Hawn, Lakewood, CO, Sister
Norma Lee (John) Hammel, Angola, Sister
Donald D. Myers, Francesville, Brother
23 Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
William R. Onken, Jr., Son
Donna Jean (Robert) Tiede, Step-Daughter

Mrs. Onken and her husband owned and operated the Onken Oil Company, a Mobil Oil distributorship, in Francesville for many years. Their son William R. Onken, Jr. was born Nov. 2, 1949 and tragically lost his life in an auto-accident on June 17, 1975. Mrs. Onken had many interests and hobbies and was well known for her collections of antiques. She and her family enjoyed traveling to find a treasure. She also traveled to the Holy Land and to Europe. She loved learning and reading and continued to utilize the local libray until several months before her death. She also served as a volunteer at the PARC Center for handicapped persons in Winamac for many years.

She was known to her family as the family historian, as she had completed a lengthy genealogical search of the branches of the Myers family tree; traveling to Illinois, Vermont, and New York to obtain information. Likewise, she was known about town as someone who either remembered or had a photograph of Francesville in earlier times. She compiled several volumes of historical tidbits, clippings, and photos of early Francesville, local veterans who served in all of the wars and a history for the First Christian Church of Francesville.

She was the oldest and longest serving member of First Christian Church where she was baptized in 1924. She taught Sunday School for 33 years, as well as Bible school each summer, sharing God's love with children of all ages. She was a devoted Christian and actively participated in weekly Sunday services and ladies Bible study, as well as other special programs.

Friends may call from 9 to11 a.m., Saturday (Sept 3, at the First Christian Church, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., at the church with Jeremy Glasford officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to the First Christian Church of Francesville or Francesville Public Library. 

Rachel Myers

March 2, 1920 to August 23, 2011

FRANCESVILLE - Rachel Myers, 91, of Francesville, passed away at 8:12 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 23, in White Oak Health Campus, Monticello.

She was born March 2, 1920, in Santa Barbara, CA, to the late William and Mary Rogers Bosse. She married Virgil "Bud" Myers on July 15, 1941 in Winamac. He survives. They were married for 70 years.

Survivors include:
Jennifer (Neil) Anderson, West Lafayette, Daughter
Kathleen Woodworth, Angola, Daughter
Laurel Myers, Francesville, Daughter
Kristin (Brad) Chesterman, Granddaughter
Brian (Diana) Anderson, Grandson
Jessica Anderson, Granddaughter
James (Heidi) Woodworth, Grandson
Anthony Woodworth, Grandson
Jenna Chesterman, Great Granddaughter
Ty Chesterman, Great Grandson
Cole Anderson, Great Grandson
Kade Anderson, Great Grandson
Allen (June) Bosse, Lowell, Brother
James (Marjorie) Emerich, Michigan City, Brother
Several Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Gerald Emerich, Infant Brother
Ruth Ryan, Sister
Harold Emerich, Brother
Betty Anne Gudeman, Sister

Mrs. Myers was a 1939 graduate of Medaryville High School, Medaryville, and a graduate of Rudae's Beauty School, Lafayette. She and her husband owned and operated the V&R Market in Francesville for many years. She was an active member of the First Christian Church of Francesville. 
She was a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary Jesse Engle Post #228, Francesville. She was also a former member of the Pulaski County Republican Women. She was a former Brownie and 4-H leader. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, gardening, painting and reading. She especially enjoyed collecting and sewing period costumes for antique dolls.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at the Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday (Aug. 26), at the First Christian Church of Francesville, with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be given to the First Christian Church of Francesville.

Donald J. Fox

July 3, 1926 to August 23, 2011

WINAMAC - Donald J. Fox, 85, of Winamac, passed away at 9:15 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 23, in Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born July 3, 1926, in Pulaski, to the late Rudolph and Ella McLachlin Fox. He married Beverly J. Budd on Oct. 17, 1948 in Ora. She died on Oct. 18, 1992.

Survivors include:
Douglas A. (Roberta) Fox, Westminster, CA
Kerry L. (Cindy) Fox, Holland, MI
Randy J. (Kim) Fox, Winamac
Timothy J. (Patricia) Fox, Winamac
Stephanie Fox, Grandchild
Tracy Fox, Grandchild
Christy Allison, Grandchild
Allison Land, Grandchild
Brian Fox, Grandchild
Brandi Kappes, Grandchild
Lindsey Fox, Grandchild
Jennifer Evans, Grandchild
Taryn Fox, Grandchild
Tyler Fox, Grandchild
Evan Fox, Grandchild
8 Great grandchildren
Mary Ellen Nies, Logansport, Sister
Walter Fox, Valparaiso, Brother
Arthur (Sis) Fox, Winamac, Brother
Clara Roudebush Winamac, Companion

He was preceed in death by: 
Ralph Fox, Brother
Loren Fox, Brother
Gene Fox, Brother

Mr. Fox served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a sergeant in Co A 34th Infantry. He was a Life Member of VFW Post 1728 in Winamac. He was a past post commander and the commander of the gaurd for the military funeral details. He was a distinguished past second district commander of the VFW. He was a member of American Legion Post 71 in Winamac.

He worked as a carpenter and general contractor in the Winamac area for many years. He was co-owner of Tippecanoe Construction Co. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and feeding his birds.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Sunday (Aug. 28), at the funeral home with Rev. Matt Landry officiating. Burial will be in Winamac Cemetery, Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the VFW Post 1728 Scholarship Fund.

Mary M. Powers

June 18, 1919 to August 18, 2011

WINAMAC - Mary M. Powers, 92, Winamac, died at 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 18, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

She was born June 18, 1919, in Thornhope, to the late Adam and Vivian Phillips Thompson. She married James W. Powers on Sept. 25, 1948 in Winamac. He died May 30, 2002.

Survivors include:
29 Nieces & Nephews
Many Great and Great-Great Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Richard W. Thompson, Brother
William K. Thompson, Brother
Carol Werneke, Sister
Barbara Velligan, Sister

Mrs. Powers was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church. She was raised in the Star City United Methodist Church. She was a former school teacher in Lake County. She worked as a Pulaski County County Extension agent for 30 years. She was the first women in the state of Indiana to be named a county director. In her various roles she helped hundreds of children through their 4-H years and worked with many women who were members of the home economics clubs in Pulaski County.

She was a volunteer for several organizations including the Retired teachers Association, Ladies of Charity, Pulaski County Human Services and the Old Star City Cemetery Association. She established the Mary T. Powers Cooperativee Extension Endowment Fund through the Pulaski County Community Foundation.

Mrs. Powers and her husband enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and Mexico. She also enjoyed gardening.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m., Sunday (Aug. 21), at the funeral home with Rev. Martin Sandhage officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac.

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