Obituaries

Bradley A. Hartwell

October 26, 1985 to September 21, 2022

WINAMAC - Bradley Alan Hartwell, 36, of Lee, IN (formerly Winamac), passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 21.

He was born Oct. 26, 1985 in Winamac to LeAnn Hartwell. He attended Winamac Community High School and later in life, earned a GED.

He is survived by:
Madisen Hartwell, Monterey, Daughter
LeAnn and Don Tunis, Winamac, Parents
Natasha (Brian) Lewis, Monterey, Sister
James “Jim” Lucas, Flora, Step-Grandpa
Bernadette “Bernee” Hartwell, Winamac, Step-Grandma
Eliza Colõn, Monterey, Step-Daughter
Bianca (Chris) Williford, Mishawaka, Step-Daughter
4 Step-Grandchildren and one on the way
Danny (Judy) Galbreath, Locust Fork, AL, Biological Father
Jeanette (Michael) Reid, Locust Fork, AL Half Sister
Carson Rearick, DeMotte, Half-Brother
Anastasia Vaden, Huntsville, AL, Half-Sister
Jeanettie “Sis” Galbreath Fox, Winamac, Grandmother
Many Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Letitia “Tish” Lucas, Grandma
Lewis “Lew” Hartwell, Grandpa
David Galbreath, Step-Grandpa
Lorraine Tunis, Step-Grandma
Theodore “Pete” Tunis, Step-Grandpa
John Galbreath, Grandpa
Arthur “Art” Fox, Step-Grandpa

Mr. Hartwell enjoyed tinkering on cars and helping friends with projects of any kind. He -especially enjoyed spending time with his daughter and nieces – he was pretty much one of the kids himself. He was outspoken with no filter and would give the shirt off of his back to help a friend. He loved his pit bull, Odin, and his family who will miss him deeply.

Mr. Hartwell’s wishes were to be cremated and for his family and friends to remember him as he was in life.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to LeAnn Tunis for the benefit of Bradley’s daughter, Madisen. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. No flowers, please.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Marjorie Barr Thompson

January 24, 1927 to September 13, 2022

WINAMAC - Marjorie Barr Thompson, 95, of Springboro, OH (formerly of Winamac) passed away Tuesday, Sept. 13, surrounded by her family.

She was born Jan. 24, 1927, in Winamac, to the late David Wallace and Clara [Dilts] Barr. She married Kenneth George Thompson on Sept. 1, 1949 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He passed away Feb. 10, 1995.

Marjorie Thompson

She is survived by:
Ann Thompson (Tim) Cornell, Kettering, OH, daughter
Ruth Thompson (John) Twenty, Zionsville, daughter
Kyle Douglas (Beth) Twenty, grandson
Patrick O’Donnell Cornell, grandson
Erin Thompson Twenty (Gregory) Benedict, granddaughter
Blair Thompson (Katherine) Cornell, grandson
Sarah Ann Cornell (Casey) Holsapple, granddaughter
Great-Grandchildren: Samantha Michelle Twenty, Jackson Gregory Benedict, Madison Ruth Benedict, Alexis Joanne Twenty, William Maxwell Benedict, Benjamin Douglas Benedict, Catlin Marie Cornell, Carter Thompson Cornell, Brady Matthew Cornell, Davis William Cornell, Henry Mark Holsapple, Ellis Ann Holsapple,  and George Timothy Holsapple.
Randy Lee (Debbie) Barr, nephew
Christine Lynn Barr (Mike) Gilman, niece
Craig Douglas (Pam) Barr, nephew
Many great-nieces and great-nephews

Preceded in death by:
David Wallace (Virginia) Barr II, brother

Mrs. Thompson was a 1945 graduate of Winamac High School and graduated from DePauw University in 1949 with a bachelor of arts degree. She received her master’s degree in education from Purdue University in 1965. She taught English, literature, speech and drama in the Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation for 28 years before retiring in 1986. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she served on the administrative board, the council of ministries and was president of the United Methodist Women. She was a member of Tippecanoe Chapter OES #96 and Alpha Omicron Pi Social Sorority at DePauw University, where she served as the area president of DePauw University Alumni Association. She was a member of the Indiana State Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed spending time at the cottage at Bass Lake, reading, and playing Bridge. She was an avid Indiana Hoosiers basketball fan and a proud member of the Republican Party. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23, at the First United Methodist Church in Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. (Sept. 23), at the church with Rev. Donald Solin and Rev. Jeff Herron officiating. Private burial will be at Winamac Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Community Foundation of Pulaski County (for a scholarship to be created in memory of Marjorie Barr Thompson that will benefit a Winamac Community High School graduate pursuing a degree in education).

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Candace L. Bitterling

December 3, 1946 to September 9, 2022

WINAMAC - Candace L. “Candy” Bitterling, 75, of Knox (formerly of Winamac), passed away Friday, Sept. 9, at Wintersong Village in Knox.

She was born Dec. 3, 1946, in Knox, to the late Elmer “Bud” and Jennie [Bieniewicz] Phillips, Jr. On April 7, 1984, she married Jay E. “Moondoggie” Bitterling in Beardstown. He passed away Aug. 31, 2019.

Candy Bitterling

She is survived by:
Jesse (Rhonda) Bitterling, Star City, Son
Jamie (Dan) Wenzler, Kewanna, Daughter
Jason (Christy) Bitterling, Star City, Son
13 Grandchildren: Jorden Bitterling, Trevor Bitterling, Will Planck, Matthew (Becca) Wenzler, Nathan Wenzler, Josh Wenzler, Jared Wenzler, Austen (Tasha) Brown, Dalten (Kaci) Allman, Brittany Cornwell, Alyssa Cornwell, Jason Bitterling Jr. and Braxton Bitterling.
8 Great-Grandchildren: Leeland, Claire, Leon, Haylee, Christopher, Evelyn, Harper and Jaxon

Preceded in death by:
Leslie Phillips, Son

Mrs. Bitterling was a former employee at Winamac Steel and Eaton’s in Winamac. Over the years, she also did tax preparation and sold insurance. She was a longtime member of the Winamac Eagles. She enjoyed playing BINGO as well as drinking Coca-Cola and coffee. She also enjoyed watching her husband, sons and grandsons race. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandkids.

The family will host a celebration of life service from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Winamac Eagles. Private burial will be at Mt. Zion Franklin Twp. Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Kindred Hospice or Warrior Youth Baseball.

Online condolences may be made at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Thomas R. Girton

November 22, 1938 to September 7, 2022

WINAMAC  - Thomas R. “Tom” Girton, 60, of Monterey, passed away Wednesday, September 7, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. 

He was born June 24, 1962 in Winamac, to Albert R. and Elnora A. [Walters] Girton. He graduated from Culver Community High School in 1982. He served 6 years in the Indiana Army National Guard. On June 5, 1982, he married his high school sweetheart Julie A. Hulmes in Monterey. She survives.

Tom Girton

He is also survived by:
Megan A. (Matt) Carter, Monterey, Daughter
Casey L. (Whitney) Girton, Argos, Son
Sydney Girton, Granddaughter
Kaylee Girton, Granddaughter
Reese Carter, Grandson
Hunter Girton, Grandson
Breelyn Carter, Granddaughter
Elnora Girton, Monterey, Mother
Cindy (Mark) Jirjis, Sister
Lisa (Susan) Girton-Shipp, Sister
Eric (Heather) Hulmes, Brother-in-law
Janel Hulmes, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Albert R. Girton, Father
Leonard and Phyllis, Hulmes, In-Laws

Mr. Girton worked at Whitley Products in Plymouth, for almost 25 years. He was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Monterey. He was a soccer, baseball, and basketball coach/umpire/referee and also served as president of Culver Little League for several years. He was a man of many talents and skills. He enjoyed creating trails on the 17 acres of land where he built his self-designed dream home. If he wasn’t in the barn tinkering, he could be found out in the woods riding his Gator with the grandkids. He was the proud two-time winner of the Monterey Christmas Parade. He was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa who will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 12, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the funeral home with Don Good officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Cemetery in Monterey. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Culver Youth League.

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

Eliza M. Hopkins

November 22, 1938 to September 7, 2022

FRANCESVILLE - Eliza Marie Hopkins, 83, of Francesville, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

She was born Nov. 22, 1938 in Pike County, KY to John and Mintie [Wallen] Harris. Her father passed away when she was five and soon after, the family moved from Kentucky to Indiana. On Sept. 18, 1954, she married Hargis Hopkins Jr. at Bailey’s Corner Church. He passed away Aug. 13, 2013.

Eliza Hopkins

She is survived by:
H. Timothy Hopkins, Monterey, Son
Gregory G. (Michelle E.) Hopkins, Francesville, Son
Anthony Ray (Tina) Hopkins, Francesville, Son
Darrell (Linda) Hopkins, Rochester, Son
14 Grandchildren: Rick, Jennifer, Kelly, TJ, Greg II, Cody, Brett, Nathan, Taylor, Drake, Krista, DJ, Angel, and Jimmy
Numerous Great Grandchildren and Great-Great-Grandchildren
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
John Harris, Father
Mintie [Wallen] Harris Hill, Mother
Glenn Hill, Step-Father
Debra Marie Hopkins, Daughter
1 Granddaughter: Alicia
1 Great-Granddaughter: Skyler
3 Sisters: Jean, Jeanette, and Emily
3 Brothers: Joseph, Bobby, and Harry
1 Half-Brother: Willie

Mrs. Watkins worked many years as a CNA at Parkview Haven, Francesville. She also had worked at Schumacher Electric and Gehring Farms for numerous years. Most important to her were the years she spent as a loving and devoted homemaker. She was a humble Christian woman. She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking and mowing. She loved her family very much and will be dearly missed. Eliza and Junior are reunited and will be together forever.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept.14, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. (Wednesday), at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Private disposition will take place at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church in Francesville.

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

Royal G. Fites Jr.

September 3, 1930 to September 2, 2022

WINAMAC - Royal Garland “Jack” Fites Jr., 91, of Winamac, passed away Friday, Sept. 2, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac. 

He was born Sept. 3, 1930, in Winamac to Hazel A. [Hewitt] and Royal Garland “Jack” Fites Sr. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1948. He married Pauline Elizabeth Becker on Jan. 3, 1953 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. She passed away Oct. 10, 2017.

Jack Fites Jr.

He is survived by:
Diane (Bill) Moyer, Coldwater, MI, daughter
Jeff (Robin) Fites, Commerce Twp., MI, son
Andrea (Troy) Tennyson, Union City, MI, granddaughter
Erica (Chris) Saggau, Jacksonville Beach, FL, granddaughter
Scott (Megan) Fites, Waunkee, WI, grandson
Kateri (Ben) Gilliland, Carnation, WA, granddaughter
MaryBeth (Nathan) Deinlein, Denver, CO, granddaughter
Great-grandchildren: Emma Tennyson, Aubrey Tennyson, Peter Fites, Addilyn Tennyson, Paul Fites, Olivia Saggau, Elara Gilliland, Oliver Saggau, and Orion Gilliland.

Preceded in death by:
Royal Fites Sr., father
Hazel Fites Cassaday, mother

While in high school, Mr. Fites worked at the newspaper in town, and at Fitz’ Garage. He entered the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was proud to be a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division. After leaving military service, he attended business school to become an accountant. He then worked for Courier Newsome in Logansport, North Express in Winamac, and finally retired from Biggs in Lafayette. He loved his family and delighted in visits from them. He was also involved in many organizations in town including: The Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Knights of Columbus where he served as Grand Knight and was a 4th degree member, and the American Legion. He continued to attend St. Peter’s Catholic Church through the years. Those who knew him were aware of his love for tinkering with tools and engines, inventing gadgets, working in his yard, assisting Pauline with her garden, and his many woodworking projects. In recent years he enjoyed ordering pizza from the local Pizza Hut when family came into town, and conversing with local business employees regularly. Rumor has it t he earned notoriety as the devoted husband who walked to the cemetery daily to visit his beloved wife’s final resting place. He delighted in his constantly growing family. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him and loved him, and the many lessons he taught will live on for generations to come.

 A scriptural wake service will be at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Visitation will follow from 4 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Knights of Columbus service. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 23, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac with Rev. Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Cemetery or Memorial Swinging Bridge Fund.

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