Obituaries

Barbara L. Jones

November 26, 1937 to August 31,2022

FRANCESVILLE - Barbara L. “Barb” Jones, 84, of Francesville, passed away Wednesday, Aug.31, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

She was born Nov. 26, 1937 in Mentone, to the late Harold R. and Florence W. “Betty” [Powers] Price. On May 28, 1976, she married Melvin L. Jones in Robertson County, TN. He passed away Oct. 23, 2018.

Barb Jones

She is survived by:
Bobbi Marshal, Daughter
Debra Clemons, Daughter
Brad Jones, Son
Ron Lowry, Son
Randy Lowry, Son
Abbey Clemons, Granddaughter
Frankie Clemons, Grandson
Jessica Younce, Granddaughter
Adam Younce, Grandson
Zayden Younce, Great-Grandson
Bev Carpenter, Sister
Bea Stephenson, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Joseph Edward Younce Jr., Son

Mrs. Jones was a beautician and also owned/operated the local tavern in Francesville for many years.

She left the following words for her family, “We have been through financial troubles, death of loved ones, additions, and illness, and have been there for each other to help in any way - making us a stronger family, and bringing us closer together. Not many families have been as lucky as ours. My journey through this life has been great. I have walked the fields of Gettysburg, fly-fished in the great Missouri River in the Rocky Mountains, sunbathed on the nude beaches, stood in the childhood home of John Wayne, walked in the house of George Armstrong Custer, and walked through the rooms of Ernest Hemingway’s home and sat at the typewriter where he wrote his famous novels on his boat, The Pillar. I had a beer at No. 14 Saloon in Deadwood (Wild Bill Hickok’s favorite tavern), flew over the Grand Canyon, and sat in the front row to watch Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park, visited Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments. Through all of these journeys I have enjoyed, the proudest is seeing our family reunion every year for 20 years - where cousins, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts have come together to meet and spend valuable time together. The journey is now over and I go on to my destiny, which I consider just another journey. So I leave you with these words, love one another, pray for one another, forgive one another. Life is very short, do not waste your time and love to each other. I am proud of all of you!”

No services will be held. Private burial will take place at Poplar Grove Cemetery in Culver. 

Memorial donations may be made to Humanitarian Distribution Center.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville.

Richard A. Ruhnow

April 25, 1953 to August 31, 2022

KEWANNA - Richard A. Ruhnow, 69, of Monterey passed away peacefully at 1:40 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Majestic Care West Allen in Ft. Wayne.

Richard Ruhnow

Born on April 25, 1953 in Plymouth, he was the son of the late Emil and Mary Ann (Busart) Ruhnow. He was a Culver High School graduate.

Survivors include his wife Sheila Ruhnow of Monterey; children Matthew (Michelle) Ruhnow of Fishers, Andrew Ruhnow of Indianapolis and Troy Rose of Georgia; sisters, Margaret Bowersox, Denise Tharp and Gail Ruhnow; and grandchildren, Caden Ruhnow, Connor Ruhnow and TJ Sholes.

Mr. Ruhnow was a retired pipefitter and a member of Local 172 in South Bend.  He also owned and operated the Leiters Ford Tavern.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna.

Memorial donations may be made to the Fulton County Animal Shelter.

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

Gertrude A. Stout

January 11, 1933 to August 30, 2022

WINAMAC - Gertrude A. “Gert” Stout, 89, of Winamac, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Aug. 30, at home surrounded by her family.

She was born Jan. 11, 1933 in Chicago, to the late Bruno F. and Bertha A. [Schieman] Bleicher. When she was a little girl, her family moved to Ripley where she attended a one room school. She graduated from Winamac High School in 1951. On Aug. 14, 1955, she married Kedrick D. Stout at Ripley Gospel Church. He passed away on May 4, 1999.

Gert Stout

She is survived by:
Kurt D. (Michaela) Stout, Pulaski, Son
Larry E. Stout, Winamac, Son
Donald (Lori) Stout, Grandson
Megan (Chitrak) Banerjee, Granddaughter
Kyla (Isaac Creech) Stout, Granddaughter
Claire Stout, Granddaughter
Tabitha Stout, Granddaughter
Kathryn Banerjee, Great-Granddaughter
Edward (Elaine) Bleicher, Rawlings, WY, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Alvin K. Stout, Son
Arthur E. Bleicher, Sr., Brother
Carl R. Bleicher, Brother
Robert P. Bleicher, Brother
Pvt. George H. Bleicher, U.S. Army KIA, Brother
Lewis N. Bleicher, Brother
Esther R. Dust, Sister
Lydia A. Bleicher, Infant Sister
David Bleicher, Infant Brother
Orville L. Rife, Second Husband

Mrs. Stout was a member of Ripley Gospel Church until it closed at which time she moved her membership to Ora Gospel Church. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Francesville for over 15 years. She was an active member of Christian Women’s Fellowship and Prisoners For Christ Ministry. She enjoyed reading the Bible. She was a devout Christian woman who loved and served the Lord faithfully. She was a proud homemaker who enjoyed gardening and canning as well as cooking and baking. She was excellent at sewing and needlework. More than anything, she loved her family very much.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 6, at First Baptist Church in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday Sept. 7, at the church with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Burial will be at White Post Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church in Francesville or Baptist Children’s Home in Valparaiso.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Marie G. Kendall

January 5, 1971 to August 29, 2022

MEDARYVILLE - Marie G. Kendall, 51, Valparaiso, passed away Monday, Aug. 29, at her home.

She was born Jan. 5, 1971 in Knox, to James and Paula [Napier] Miller. On May 23, 2006, she married Tony Kendall in Lafayette. He passed away Jan. 20, 2010.

Marie Kendall

She is survived by:
Marlena Marie Bailey, Daughter
Bianca (Ishmael) Burris, Daughter
Ralph (Faith) Neeley, Son
Caleb (Shannon) Neeley, Son
11 Grandchildren: Nevaeh, Michael, Jazzy, Brianna, Ishmael Jr., Isaac, Maliq, Kamari, Zyaire, Tru, and Jeradiah.
Paula Miller, Mother
Jimmy Miller, Brother
Mark Miller, Brother
Tamara Miller, Sister
Melissa Messer, Sister
Theresa Glovier, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews
Juan Solis, Partner

Preceded in death by:
James Miller, Father
Bobby Clemons, Nephew
Roy Clemons, Nephew

Mrs. Kendall was the light of her family who loved spending time with her kids and grandkids. She will be dearly missed by all.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 6, at Goodway Baptist Church in Medaryville. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Tuesday), at the church with Paul Glovier and James Rowe officiating. Burial will be at Goodway Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to Frain Mortuary to assist the family with funeral expenses.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville.

Patricia R. Rodgers

December 30, 1940 - August 29, 2022

CROWN POINT - Patricia R. Rodgers, 81, of Winamac passed away Aug. 29.

She was born Dec. 30, 1940 and was raised in Belleville, IL, resided in Homewood, IL, and retired to Winamac, the town and the river she loved. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Terrence Rodgers.

She is survived by her children, Jim Rogers, and TerryMay (Dan) Marcinko; godchild  Jeffrey Martin; niece Jody Ross; and many loving friends.

Mrs. Rodgers was a member of the Winamac First United Methodist Church, and the red hats and tops. She was a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of America and was a former troop leader to the” infamous” Troop 532.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, at the First United Methodist Church, Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a local animal rescue, or to Girls Scouts of America, or Winamac First United Methodist Church.

Burns Funeral Home, Crown Point, has been entrusted with arrangements. www.burnsfuneral.com

Ronald H. Nies

February 6, 1950 to August 29, 2022

ROYAL CENTER - Ronald H. “Ronnie” Nies, 72 of Royal Center passed away at 11:48 a.m., Monday, Aug. 29, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis.

Born Feb. 6, 1950 in Logansport, he was the son of the late Gerald and Elsie (Small) Nies.

Ron Nies

Survivors include his sister Mary Downhour of Royal Center; nieces Chrissy (Tom Risley) Downhour of Royal Center, Angie (Pat) Zeider of Logansport and Laura (Joe) Saari of Texas; nephew Billy (Sandi) Nies of Texas; and great-nieces and -nephews, Zach Winn, Garrett Barron, Gavin Barron, Scotty Barron, Gracie Risley, Peyton Risley, Olivia Saari, Louis Nies, Laurel Nies, Logan Nies, Lesleigh Nies, Riley Montgomery, Kayson Montgomery, Wyatt Zeider, Aiden Zeider, Kalynn Zeider, Kenna Zeider.

He was preceded in death by brother, James Nies.

Mr. Nies began his career helping others as a park ranger at France Park in Logansport.  He was a beloved, longtime teacher at Eastern Pulaski School Corporation and continued his love for teaching as a drivers’ training instructor at Pioneer High School for many years. He served the citizens of Cass County for over 20 years, as one of the first sworn reserve aheriff’s seputies.  He was also an avid I.U. fan.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 1, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 2, at the funeral home. The family requests that attendees wear their I.U. attire in honor of Mr. Nies. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery South in Pulaski.

Mr. Nie’s online guest book is available and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com