Obituaries

Morris L. Eshleman

April 29, 1921 to March 9, 2011

FRANCESVILLE - Morris L. “Morrie” Eshleman, 89, of Francesville, formerly of Rensselaer, passed away at 2:45 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, at the Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

He was born April 29, 1921, in Rensselaer, to the late Leonard and Susan Lee Eshleman. He married Helen Geyer on Aug. 8, 1942 in New Orelans. She died Feb. 29, 2008.

Survivors include:
Sharyn (Gregory) Verdon, Rancho Murieta, CA, Daughter
Michael (Karla) Eshleman, Rensselaer, Son
Gary (Ronda) Eshleman, Carmel, Son
7 Grandchildren
3 Great-Grandchildren

He was preceded in death by:
Dorothy (Wilmer) Hershberger, Sister
Esther (Bert) Spain, Sister
Fritz (Myla) Eshleman, Brother
Daryl Eshleman, Brother
Betty Eshleman, Sister

Mr. Eschleman and his wife lived in Rensselaer throughout their lifetime, until moving to Parkview Haven Retirement Home. Morris served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church, Francesville. He had been a self-employed carpenter and electrician after he worked many years at St. Joseph College and Eshleman's Electric.

Friends may call from 12 noon to 2 PM EST Saturday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., (Saturday, March 12),at the funeral home with the ministers of the Apostolic Church officiating. Burial will take place in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. 
Military graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion.

 Memorial donations may be given to Parkview Haven Retirement Home.

D. Gene Bennett

October 28, 1927 to March 7, 2011

WINAMAC - D. Gene Bennett, 83, Winamac, passed away at 1:50 p.m., Monday, March 7, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 28, 1927, in Culver, to the late Carl and Lillian Armfield Bennett. He married Eileen Jarvis on Aug. 28, 1948 in Culver. She died Jan. 24, 1994. Gene then married Betty Davis Vollmer on May 25, 1994 in Lafayette. She survives.

Survivors include:

Kevin G. (Susan) Bennett, Winamac, Son
David L. (Patsy) Bennett, Winamac, Son
Adam (Mandy) Bennett, Winamac,Grandson
Karl Bennett, Lafayette, Grandson
Kate (John) Sullivan, Indianapolis, Granddaughter
Lauren Bennett, Minneapolis, MN, Granddaughter
Diane Bennett, Winamac, Granddaughter
Carson Bennett, Great Grandson
Lily Bennett, Great Granddaughter
Leon Bennett, Culver, Brother
Eileen Bennett Johnson, Kokomo, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Eileen A. Jarvis Bennett, First Wife
Christine Marie Bennett, Granddaughter

Mr. Bennett resided in Winamac since 1960 coming here from Goodland. He owned and operated Winamac Blue Flame Gas Company from 1960 until his retirement in 1985. He was a private pilot most of his life and was involved in the development of Arens Field in Winamac. He was a member of the Pulaski Pilots Association for many years. He had a talent for woodworking that was displayed in the numerous keepsakes and furniture that he made for family and friends. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Winamac.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday (March 10), at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac

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

Kenneth G. Kersey

February 24, 1947 to March 4, 2011

WINAMAC - Kenneth G. Kersey, 64, Monticello, died at 9:25 p.m., Friday, March 4, at St. Elizabeth Central Hospital, Lafayette.

He was born Feb. 24, 1947, in Logansport, IN, to the late Kenneth and Mable Cowger Kersey. He married Karen L. Morgan on March 19, 1972, in Star City. She survives.

Also surviving are:: 
Kristopher J. (Heather) Kersey, Monticello, Son
Kathleen R. (Kurtis Hammond) Mitchell, Monticello, Daughter
Kristopher Kersey, Monticello, Grandson
Morgan Kersey, Monticello, Grandson
Tristan Mitchell, Monticello,  Grandson
Dylan Mitchell, Monticello, Grandson
Cheyenne Mitchell, Monticello, Granddaughter
Rick (Debbie) Kersey, Fredricksburg, VA, Brother
Faye (Hank) Hoelscher, Tipton, Sister
Susan (Sam) Kochel, Headlee, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Joe Kersey, Brother
Kenneth Bradlee Mitchell, Grandson
Michael Kersey, Nephew

Mr. Kersey served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam as a Spec. 4 radio operator. He was a member of the DAV where he had served as the state commander in 1996-97. He was awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Frank O'Bannon. He was a volunteer for many years with the White County Emergency Management Agency and the White County REACT.

Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday (March 8), at the funeral home, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be in Winamac Cemetery, Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

 Memorial donations may be given to the family.

William K. Thompson

June 28, 1930 to March 4, 2011

WINAMAC - William K. Thompson, 80, Camden, formerly of Thornhope, passed away at 4:45 a.m., Friday, March 4, at Hickory Creek, Winamac.

 He was born June 28, 1930, in Thornhope, to the late Adam and Vivian Phillips Thompson.

 Survivors include:
Linda Kay Bowsher, Celina, TX, Daughter
Lesley (David) Evans, Tioga, TX, Granddaughter
Jamie Bowsher, Celina, TX, Grandaughter
Cooper Evans, Tioga, TX, Great grandson
Mary M. Powers, Winamac, Sister
Several nieces & nephews

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

Mr. Thompson was born and raised in Thornhope and graduated from Star City High School. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He farmed for many years in the Thornhope area. After retiring from farming he was a long distance truck driver. He was a member of the Royal Center Masonic Lodge.

Friends may call after 1 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., (Sunday, March 6), at the funeral home with Pastor Ron Mabry officiating. Burial will be in Star City West Cemetery, Star City. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the American Cancer Society.

Robert William Pugh

November 10, 1950 to March 1, 2011

WINAMAC - Robert William Pugh, 60, Winamac, passed away at 11:54 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

 He was born Nov. 10, 1950, in Winamac, to Lawrence and Gladys Strand Pugh. He married to Donna Marie Schwemin on Oct. 1, 1988, in Chicago. She survives.

Also surviving are:: 
Robert Alan Pugh, Winamac, Son
Renee Anne Pugh, Winamac, Daughter
Mary Ann (Jimmie Mullins) Fields, Winamac, Sister
Timothy Joseph Pugh, Winamac, Brother
Johnny Raymond Pugh, Winamac, Brother
Alice Marie (Jerry) Rankin, Winamac, Sister
Several nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by:
Lawrence C. Pugh, Father
Gladys Marie Strand Pugh, Mother
Jerry Joe Rankin, Nephew
Phillip Edward Fields, Nephew 

Mr. Pugh was a graduate of Winamac Community High School and he also graduated from the State University of New York. He served in the US Navy for four years. He had been chef in New York, a heating and air conditioning technician, and a Union Millwright. 

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Friday (March 4), at the funeral home, with Rev. Bert Woolson officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial ddnations may be given to the family for educational expenses for Robert's children. 

Kenneth L. Reinholt

August 12, 1946 to February 28, 2011

ROYAL CENTER - Kenneth L. Reinholt, 64, of Royal Center passed away at 5 a.m., Monday, Feb. 28, at his residence.

Born Aug. 12, 1946 in Winamac, he was the son of the late Lavon and Marjorie (Fisher) Reinholt. On April 4, 1982 he married Bonnie Haynes at Grace Fellowship Church in Logansport, she survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Jon Burks and wife Tammy of Logansport, Chris Burks and wife Wendy of Cape Coral, Florida and Jeff Reinholt and wife Esther of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; three daughters, Tracy Smith and husband Josh of Fort Wayne, Amy Sewell and Barry Sisson, Cathy Justice and husband, Johnny, both of Logansport; 3 brothers, Sid Reinholt of Logansport, Sam Reinholt of Monterey and Tony Fisher of Plymouth. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Nike, Tanner, Jordan, Brooklyn, Scharon, Jessie, Logan, Lynn, Billy, Hannea, Sidney, Reagan and Charly.

Mr. Reinholt was a 1964 Royal Center High School graduate. He retired from Exide in Logansport and most recently worked at Tube Fabrication Inc., Logansport.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 4, at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Home, 304 S. Chicago St., Royal Center. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 3, at the funeral home and also one hour prior to the time of service on Friday. Rev. Scott Ellison will officiate and burial will be at Kistler Cemetery in Royal Center.

Memorial donations may be made to Howard Community Oncology Center.