Obituaries

Dr. Gilbert Gutwein

March 22, 1934 to May 23, 2023

WEST LAFAYETTE - Dr. Gilbert Gutwein, 89, of West Lafayette, passed away Tuesday, May 23.

Dr. Gilbert Gutwein

He was born March 22, 1934 in Francesville, to the late Adam and Lydia (Albrecht) Gutwein. He grew up in a busy home with siblings Margaret Leman (deceased), Harold, Adam Jr (deceased), Erven (deceased), Adeline Frey, and Elvira Lamp. Graduating from Francesville High School he later served in the U.S. Army 1956-1958. On April 17, 1971, he married Mary Jo McKinney in Otterbein, IN, and they recently celebrated 52 years of marriage.  

Together they raised their children to work hard: Andrew (Allyson), Peter (Katie), Chip (Katrina), Heidi (deceased), Melissa Gwin (Wil), Rebecca Wilcox. Nine Grandchildren: Tyler Gutwein and Jacqueline Lyons (Will); Kayla Gutwein; Rebecca, Jessica, and Tom Gwin (Leah); Patrick and Aaron Wilcox (Ashley) and Nichole Collum (Jim); and seven Great-Grandchildren: Diana Lyons; Carl and Titus Gwin; Makayla Wilcox; Remi and Olive Wilcox; and James Collum.

Dr. Gutwein took his parents’ admonition to keep busy to heart whether in his professional life as orthopedic surgeon at Lafayette Orthopedic Clinic; learning to fly and catch a birds-eye view of God’s creation; working the Indiana State Fair Pioneer Village; crafting his many wood working pieces or completing all the Eagle Scout requirements. His dedication to his profession led him to serve the community through the AAOS, ISMA Indiana Orthopedic Society, AMA; on staff at Home Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital and chairman of Orthopedic Department of Home Hospital for 22 years. His love of traveling took him to many distant lands including: Germany, Switzerland, and Vienna; Australia and New Zealand; Russia, Mongolia, China and Tibet; and the 2004 Gutwein Family Tour to their homeland in Austria/Hungary.

Friends and family are invited to gather on Friday, May 26 at Tippecanoe Memory Garden’s chapel in West Lafayette. Visitation is 9 to 11 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m. officiated by Dennis Gutwein.

Dr. Gutwein asked  that memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, be used to better people’s lives. Having lived with Crohn’s Disease since he was 17, he requested that donations be made to Mayo Clinic Crohn’s Research and Development and mailed to, 200 First Street SW, Rochester MN 55905.

Dr. Bradley N. Crawford

December 13, 1955 to May 21, 2023

ROYAL CENTER - Bradley “Brad” Neal Crawford, 67, of Winamac, passed away at 2:50 a.m., Sunday, May 21, at his home in Winamac. 

He was born Dec. 13, 1955 to John and Florence Crawford in Logansport. He was a1974 graduate of Winamac Community High School and attended Franklin College. He graduated from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1982. On May 30, 2021, he married his best friend, Beth, in a small chapel on a beloved fishing lake in northern Minnesota.

Dr. Brad Crawford

Survivors include daughter, Florence “Kelsey” Crawford; wife, Beth Ruff-Crawford; brother, Keven Crawford, Winamac; sister, Tina (Steve) Knebel, Winamac; Beth’s sons, Jake (Jenna) Ruff of Rochester and Josh (Hayley) Ruff of Fishers; Grandson Calvin Abraham Ruff of Fishers;  Mother-in-law, Barbara Halleck, of Winamac; brother-in-law, Tom (Tammy) Halleck of Star City; sisters-in-law, Jennifer (Dan) Knebel of Winamac and Cyndi (Joe) Garnett, Westfield, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and father in law, Thomas Halleck, Sr.

Dr. Crawford was an accomplished athlete in both high school and college. While at Franklin College, he was part of the track & field and football teams. He earned numerous awards and continues to hold several records. He was an All-American football player and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. Nevertheless, he stood out as the epitome of humility, a man one was honored to encounter. His ultimate dream, however, was to return to his hometown to pursue his profession of general dentistry and enjoy his passion for hunting and fishing. He was an avid outdoorsman and frequently enjoyed fishing locally on Lake Maxinkuckee. In recent years, he and Beth also enjoyed spending time on several lakes in northern Minnesota. He was an accomplished fisherman and loved catching walleye, perch, and bluegill. Despite his numerous accomplishments, his greatest pride and joy was his baby, Kelsey. His role as a father was the one which gave him the most joy, and he often spoke of how proud he was of the young woman that Kelsey had become. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend and will be deeply missed. 

A mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, May 26, at St. Peters Catholic Church in Winamac. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 25, at the church. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery West in Pulaski.

Memorial donations can be made to the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund, PO Box 187, Culver, Indiana 46511

Dr. Crawford’s online guestbook and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center.

Dolores C. Swartzell

July 4, 1948 to May 21, 2023

WINAMAC - Dolores C. Swartzell, 74, of Winamac, passed away Sunday, May 21, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born July 4, 1948 in Winamac to Marion J. and Mary Jo. [Bender] Swartzell. She graduated from Holy Family grade school and attended Monterey High School.

Dolores Swartzell

She is survived by:
Jim Galbreath, Son
Bill Galbreath, Son
Laura Wolfe, Daughter
6 Grandchildren
Michelle Swartzell, Sister
Mary Swartzell, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Marion Swartzell, Father
Mary Swartzell Fowler, Mother
Harold Fowler, Step-Father
Joe and Clara Bender, Maternal Grandparents

Ms. Swartzell was a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Florida and currently a member of Winamac Eagles Auxiliary #2580. She loved her dog, Ginger very much. She enjoyed flowers and gardening. Most of all, she was a devoted mother and grandmother.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, May 26, at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. Burial will follow at the cemetery..

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Cemetery or Pulaski Animal Center.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Charles A. Peters

January 26, 1963 to May 19, 2023

MONTICELLO - Charles A. "Chuck" Peters, 60, of Monticello (Buffalo area), died Friday, May 19, in rural Pulaski County. 

He was born Jan. 26, 1963, in Ft. Benning, Ga., to George Edward and Dorothy Janet (Wilson) Peters. He attended West Central High School.

Chuck Peters

He is survived by his parents of Winamac; sister, Jacqueline S. Starr of Plymouth; half-brother, Steven L.(Sherry) Peters of Monon; nieces Brittney R. Starr of Plymouth, Crystal L. Starr of Knox, Rochelle (Bobby) Brown of Buffalo, Natasha Davey of Monon, and Chantel Davey of Monon; nephews, Shay (fiancée Niedra) Davey of Delphi, Derek (Sarah) Davey of Reynolds and Tory (Lyndsi) Davey of Reynolds; aunt Linda White of Oklahoma, uncle Andrew (Debbie) Wilson of New Jersey, several great-nieces, -nephews, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Dorothy and Richard Blythe, paternal grandparents, Edith and Edward Peters, brother-in-law, Jeffery L. Starr, and several aunts and uncles.  

Mr. Peters worked on the family farm and was his father's right-hand-man. “Back in the day” he could be found building models and woodworking. He was an avid drawer and was extremely artistic. He was a jack-of-all-trades and was known for helping others. Those who knew him best said “he would give you the shirt off his back.” 

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4 p.m. until the time of a memorial celebration of life service at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 25, at the Miller - Roscka Funeral Home in Monticello. Pastor Ed Clark will officiate.  A private family burial will be at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the family; make checks to Jacqueline Starr. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed to 6368 E. US 24, Monticello, Indiana 47960 C/O Peters Family.

Kathryn Eileen Sommers

December 21, 1939 to May 19, 2023

KEWANNA - Kathryn Eileen Sommers, 83, of Grass Creek passed away May 19, in Brownsburg, Ind., following a recent illness. 

She was born Dec. 21, 1939 to, Harry and Ruby Rice Quinn. Raised on the family farm in Liberty Township, Carroll County, she graduated from Delphi High School in 1958 and attended Indiana Business College. On June 23, 1963, she married David Lee Busch in Calvary Presbyterian Church in Logansport. They celebrated 34 years of marriage until his death on Dec. 6, 1997. On Jan. 15, 1999, she married Carl D. Sommers, who preceded her in death on Aug. 19, 2019.

Eileen Sommers

She is survived by her two sons, Michael David Busch of rural Rochester, and  Steven (Tammy) Busch of Brownsburg;  stepson, Randy (Lisa) Sommers of Grass Creek; grandchildren, Joshua (Shaun-Marie) Busch of Fort Hamilton, NY, and Elisabeth Busch of Brownsburg, currently with the U.S. Army; step-grandchildren, Kaitlin (David) Peraino of Findlay, Ohio and Kyle (Amanda) Sommers of Grass Creek; great-grandsons; Dean Phillips and Charles Busch step-great-grandchildren Addison Peraino, Alex Peraino, and Callum Sommers; brother David R. (Lori Klein) Quinn of Tomball, Texas; nieces and nephews in Texas, Georgia, and Ohio;  and a stepson and stepdaughter. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and husbands, an infant daughter, brother Harold E. Quinn of San Antonio, Texas, sister Rebecca J. Quinn of Tomball, Texas, and step-great-granddaughter Alaina Peraino.  

Mrs. Sommers worked for GTE, various local tax preparers, Smith Office Supply, and the Cass County Assessor’s office. She was widely known in the region for her position as an outside sales representative for Barton’s, visiting businesses in Logansport, Winamac, Rochester, Flora, and Monticello for over 30 years. She was a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church for 41 years, where she served as an elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Communicants Class leader.  Following her move from Logansport to Grass Creek in 1999, she attended the Grass Creek United Methodist Church and was active with many church activities, including making loaves of bread for military service members overseas and preparing funeral dinners for members of the church and the Grass Creek community. Eileen and Carl were beloved for hosting church members after their annual Christmas caroling, serving a bountiful assortment of Christmas cookies and hot chocolate topped with her delicious homemade marshmallows.  

Eileen was active in numerous volunteer and civic efforts throughout north central Indiana, including the Cass County Historical Society, the Logansport School Board nominating committee, the Logansport Lioness Club, the Grissom Air Force Base Community Council, the Indiana Canal Society, the Elks Lodge, and the Grass Creek Lions Club, where she focused on grant writing to improve the community park and preserve the historic Grass Creek Depot. She was a founding board member of the Friends of the Fulton County Parks and Recreation Department, Inc., and a 52-year member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, most recently as a member of the Preceptor Delta Beta chapter. She was an avid reader and loved assembling jigsaw puzzles. She collected Heisey glassware, accumulating hundreds of pieces during a 40-year span of attending auctions and yard sales. She enjoyed tending to her garden that yielded vegetables for her family and neighbors. Her favorite activity was traveling with family and friends to China, Germany, Hawaii, Cancun, Alaska, and scores of places all over the U.S.   

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, at Rans Funeral Homes, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 24, at the funeral home. A private family graveside service will be held at Woodville Cemetery in Carroll County.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Grass Creek Lions Club, the Fulton County Community Foundation, or a charitable organization of one’s choice.

Nicholas J. Diment

February 18, 1948 to May 18, 2023

WINAMAC - Nicholas John “Nick” Diment, 75, of Winamac, passed away Thursday, May 18, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

Nick Diment

He was born Feb. 18, 1948 in Croydon South, England to the late Reginald James and Beryl Marguerite [Preater] Diment. On May 2, 1948, he was baptized at St. Matthew’s Church in Croydon, England.  On Sept. 21, 1968, he married Evelyn Payne, at St. Matthews Church in Manchester. She survives.

He is also survived by;
Michelle (Dennis) Arnold, Winamac, Daughter
Kaylee Evans, Mishawaka, Granddaughter
Pamela Diment, Kent, England Step-Mother
9 Siblings: Ruth, Geoff, Stephanie, Rachel, Maria, Andrew, Jeremy, Paul, and Hayley

Preceded in death by his parents

At age 14, Mr. Diment joined the British Royal Navy. He served aboard HMS Eagle for five years and also aboard HMS Porpoise and HMS Repulse for five years. In 1981, he and his wife moved to the U.S., living in Huntington Beach, CA and Lake Elsinore, CA until moving to Winamac in 2018. He enjoyed cooking and watching TV. He loved his family very much and will be dearly missed.

No services will be held.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.