Obituaries

Deanna G. Vierke

August 12, 1976 to August 26, 2024

WINAMAC - Deanna G. Vierke, 48, of Logansport, passed away Monday, Aug. 26, at her home.

She was born Aug. 12, 1976 in Saginaw, MI. She graduated from West Central High School in Francesville.

Deanna Vierke

She is survived by:
Raven T. Vierke, Daughter
Joanne Neeley, Daughter-in-law
Kyle E. Neeley Jr., Grandson
Jazmen A. Neeley, Granddaughter
Kayne A. Neeley, Grandson
Daniel P. Vierke, Brother
Gina A. Napier, Sister
Gabrielle Rowe, Niece
Cheyann Westerman, Niece
Alexys Neeley, Niece
Alexzander Neeley, Nephew
Several Great-Nieces and -Nephews
Numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Eugene L. and Gloria J. Napier, Parents
Kyle E. Neeley Sr., Son
Shantelle E. Vierke, Niece

Ms. Vierke enjoyed astrology and art. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother who will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 30, at the funeral home Burial will be at Round Lake Cemetery in Knox.

Memorial donations may be made to daughter Raven to help her with college tuition.

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

Paul D. DeGroot

June 22, 1938 to August 21, 2024

ROYAL CENTER - Paul D. DeGroot, 86 of Winamac passed away peacefully at 11:21 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21, at home.

Born on June 22, 1938 in Chicago, he was the son of the late Herman and Teresa (Wasner) DeGroot.

Paul DeGroot

Survivors include his wife Sheryl Diane (Feece) DeGroot of Winamac; children Kelly (Tom Morphet) Bierrum, Samantha (Aaron) Malchow, Sheryl Gaillard, Perrin (Katie) DeGroot, Kim (Kevin) Podell; brothers Roy (Patricia) DeGroot and Donald (Judith) DeGroot, and sister Judith Tompkins. Also, grandchildren Thomas Johnston, Tyler Campbell, Jillian (Justice Hartley) Hankla, Emily (Shawn) Elston, Abigail (Dakota) Manns, Hannah (Hunter) Koch, Jack DeGroot, Brian (Bethany) Podell, Megan (Mike) Mosher, Nathan (Alex) Bierrum, Katie Bierrum and Shannon Bierrum; plus great-grandchildren Faith, Kylie, Kara and Gavin Johnston, Ellie and Parker Campbell, Hunter Hartley, Sadie, Easton and Owen Manns, Alene Podell, and Henry and Hudson Mosher.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law Everett (Alberta) Brink, daughter Sandra Johnston, brother-in-law Daniel Tompkins, and son-in-law Micheal Bierrum.

Mr. DeGroot was a welder and machinist. He formerly owned and operated Anvil and Saw. He was a proud NRA member and a collector of everything.

A celebration of life gathering will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 31, at Paul and Sheryl’s home.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of donor’s choice.

Mr. DeGroot’s online guestbook is available, and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

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

 

Jack D. Heidel

January 10, 1947 to August 20, 2024

WINAMAC - Jack Dean Heidel, 77, of North Judson, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 20, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

He was born Jan. 10, 1947 in La Porte, to the late William LeRoy and Thelma Adeline Heidel. He was a 1965 graduate of North Judson High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #748 in Knox.

Jack Heidel

He is survived by:
Jenny Hurt, Star City, Daughter
Melissa Gainer, Star City, Daughter
Kendra (Harlin) Manns, North Judson, Daughter
12 Grandchildren: Joshua, Caitlin, Cree, Kelsie, Morgan, Alexa, Brooke, Seth, Kruz, Maelee, Whitley, and Sarabeth
10 Great-Grandchildren
Mike Heidel, Bass Lake, Brother
Pat (Squeek) Liskey, North Judson, Sister
Cheri Heidel, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Lee Heidel, Brother

Mr. Heidel had an adventurous life with too many stories to tell. He enjoyed socializing with friends at local places like the Irish Pub and the Wooden Nickel. He also enjoyed watching old John Wayne Westerns and listening to music, especially classic rock and shared that passion with his family. Most of all, he loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Private burial will take place at Highland Cemetery in North Judson.

Memorial donations may be made to the Knox VFW.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Cynthia S. Hagen

December 1, 1960 to August 19, 2024

WINAMAC - Cynthia Sue “Cindy” Hagen, 63, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Aug. 19, at her home.

She was born Dec. 1, 1960 in Knox, to Garland and Carolyn Sue [Cornelius] Marsh. She graduated from Knox High School with the Class of 1978. On Aug. 5, 1988, she married Ricky Lee “Chief” Hagen. He passed away June 29, 2015.

Cindy Hagen

Cindy is survived by:
Joe (Ariel) Budka, Winamac, Son
Mia (fiancé: Rob Bennett) Hagen, Macy, Daughter
Erik (Becky) Budka, Winamac, Son
Daniel Budka, Winamac, Son
Hope (Adam) Kestle, Monticello, Daughter
23 Grandchildren: Noah, Madison (Russell), Eli, Kaleb, Tripp, Kain, Cole, Heather, Morgan (Ethan), Summer, Mercedes, Angel, Paige, Lily, Wyatt, Reece, Ivan, Grace, Cynthia Harmony, Lucas, Payton, Zachary, and Andrew
4 Great-Grandchildren (and two on the way)
Carolyn Marsh, Knox, Mother
Tom (Cathy) Marsh, Knox, Brother
Mike (Jeanie) Marsh, Knox, Brother
George (Evelyn) Marsh, Knox, Brother
Sandy (Scott) Sigler, Tipton, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews
Dorothy Hagen, Winamac, Mother-in-law
Cathy Hagen, Royal Center, Sister-in-law
Dawn Hagen, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Linda Lizenby, South Bend, Cousin-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Garland Marsh, Father
David Allen, Infant Brother
Francis Carol “Granny” Cornelius, Grandmother
Fred Hagen, Father-in-law
Rodney Hagen, Brother-in-law
John Hagen, Brother-in-law

Known to many as “Momma Cindy”, she had big heart for everyone and always had a welcoming home with open arms to all (despite her “organized clutter”). She had a passion for sewing and collecting rocks as well as spending time in her yard amongst her abundant amount of flowers. She was an avid Tik-Toker with lots of followers! Most of all, Cindy loved her family and friends. She was an amazing mom who loved spoiling her grandchildren. Cindy had a strong and unique presence that may have seemed like chaos to strangers, but to those who knew her she was an ostentatious and wonderful woman loved by so many.

Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 25, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 5 p.m. (Sunday), at the funeral home with celebrant Ashley Young officiating. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 26, at Winamac Cemetery (Southlawn Addition) in Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Warrior Youth Baseball or West Central Youth League or Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

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

James N. Shank

August 3, 1937 to August 17, 2024

WINAMAC - James Newton “Jim” Shank Sr., 87, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, Aug. 17, at his home.

He was born on Aug. 3, 1937 in Winamac to the late J. Kermit and Rose M. [Nicolas] Shank. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church where he also attended grade school. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1955 and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. On Oct. 8, 1960, he married Carol Jean Woods at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. She survives.

Jim Shank Sr.

He is survived by:
Kim (Terry) Kline, Winamac, Daughter
James Shank Jr., Winamac, Son
Jerry Shank, Lafayette, Son
Danielle (Michael) Alexander, Granddaughter
Justin (Lauren) Kline, Grandson
Great-Grandchildren: Karsynn Alexander, Brenya Alexander, Lindy Alexander, Brooks Kline, Charlotte Kline, and Wells Kline.
Mary Baker, Winamac, Sister
John Shank, Tucson, AZ, Brother
Maxine Engel, Knox, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Karen Shank, Daughter-in-law
Thomas Shank, Brother
Nicolas Shank, Brother
Elizabeth Shank, Sister

In 1985, Mr. Shank and his wife began a small business known as Memories Captured. He retired in 1999 from a successful career in manufacturing and continued operating Memories Captured until 2021. He cemented his legacy in the lives of local graduating students by making countless senior videos and helped families commemorate a variety of occasions in the form of slides, videos and DVDs.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church Building Fund.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Connie J. Howard Bailey

February 25, 1952 to August 16, 2024

WINAMAC - Connie Jean (Howard) Bailey, 72, of Hamlet, passed peacefully Friday, Aug. 16, two weeks after suffering severe head injuries and medical complications following a home invasion and brutal attack.

Connie Bailey

She was born Feb. 25, 1952 in LaPorte to the late Thomas and Ardella Paulsen of Bass Lake. She grew up on a farm in San Pierre, and attended North Judson-San Pierre High School (class of 1970).

She is survived by her husband Hank Bailey who was also injured in the assault and stepdaughter Rosie Bailey of Hamlet. Other family members are son Thomas (Ann) Howard of Winamac, son Scott (Diana) Howard of Culver, sister Beverly (Marc) Santicola of Pittsburgh, Pa., and brother-in-law Buddy (Arlene) Bailey of Butler. She had five grandchildren, Samantha, Marisa, and Tolsen Howard of Culver, MacKenzie (Nic) Richter of Rochester, Brant (Serena) Howard of Winamac and three great-grandchildren, Abel, Lucy, and Harrison. 

Mrs. Bailey will be remembered for her selfless giving, acts of kindness, strong work ethic, and devotion to family. She worked for Del Monte Foods in Plymouth and retired from MPI Products in Knox after 24 years of employment. She was currently serving as an elected member of the Hamlet town council.

A celebration of life will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the Heartland Church in Winamac. A prayer service will follow from 7 to 7:30 pm.

Memorial donations may be made to Michiana Crime Stoppers to support future crime prevention work. Michiana Crime Stoppers, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The reward money paid out leading to the arrest of felons in our community is through fund raising efforts, and donations from concerned citizens and businesses. The family asks for help to make the community a safer place to live and work. Donate online to pay by credit card or send a check to Michiana Crime Stoppers, 701 W. Sample St., South Bend, IN 46601.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.