Obituaries

Arthur L. Pierce

May 1936 to Au gust 18, 2022

WINAMAC - Arthur Lee ‘Art’ Pierce, 86, of Gary, passed away peacefully at 6 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 18, at home. He had failing health for the past decade. His devoted wife, Linda Kay (Fultz-Rhymer) and family, lovingly cared for him.

He was a long-time resident of Winamac. He was born in May 1936 at the Gilsinger family homestead in Pulaski County.

Art Pierce

He is survived by Doris DelMagorie of Laporte, (sister), Nila Hartlerode of Harrison, Ark. (sister), Patrick ‘Pat’ (Sue) Pierce of Russellville, Ky. (brother), Virginia Pierce of Mishawaka, (sister-in-law), Glenn Arthur Pierce of Winamac, (son), Dale Robert Pierce of Winamac, (son), Marilyn Beth Nichols-Stump of Tampa, Fla. (daughter), Linda Marie DePoy of Winamac, (daughter), Karen Louise Cattin of Winamac, (daughter), John Mitchell (Sally) Rhymer of Azle, Texas (stepson), Tressie Sue Harrison of Dublin, Ga. (stepdaughter), 24 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death: Florice Benjamin ‘Ben’ and Mary Elizabeth (Gilsinger) Pierce (parents), Chester ‘Chet,’ Donald ‘Don,’ Robert ‘Bob’ Pierce (brothers), Glenn Arthur Pierce Jr. (grandson), David Bruce William Rhymer (stepson), and Alexander Paul Rhymer (grandson).

Mr. Pierce started as an apprentice heavy machine mechanic in 1956 at Inland Steel in East Chicago. He climbed the ranks as heavy machine mechanic instructor/foreman. He retired after 37 years of service in the steel industry. Pat Pierce (brother) remembers Art as the big brother who helped get him his first job in 1954 as ‘pin-setter’ for the Winamac bowling alley. Mr. Pierce took to the skies in 1964 as a private pilot (PPL). He diligently studied to earn flight instructor certification (CFI) for private craft and a pilot instrument rating (IR) honing the skill to fly solely from an instrument panel. He loved to take along passengers to share his fascination with flight. When flying solo, he enjoyed practicing dare-devilish loops, dives, stalls, and low flying tactical maneuvers to impress his fanfare of family and friends. He was disappointed that he did not pursue commercial flying. He did take pleasure when recognized by local papers: headline reading ‘Local Pilot Takes to the Skies’ for work commute from Winamac to Chicago area.

Mr. Pierce had strong ties to his roots in Pulaski County. His parents partitioned 40 acres east on Highway 14 to their seven children. In 1961, Art took part in helping his brother Pat start-up a small service station. The brothers named the business ‘Tony the Tiger’ now known as Chuck’s Engine Service. His interest as a mechanic and having a large property served his boyish ambitions and sense of adventure to become a collector of an eclectic fleet of locomotives. He relished his fleet of cars, trucks, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks, panel wagons, fire trucks, planes, and so much more. His sense of adventure and curiosity followed him through life and he was always working on an innovative idea to make the world a better place. He shared his passions with his family and friends by arriving in style to family reunions with ‘Art’s Fire Truck’ for children and adults to ride. The fire hoses provided a cool blast to escape the summer heat.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 28, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A celebration of life service will follow at 3 p.m. (Sunday), at the funeral home with Lay Leader Barbara Kleinofen officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the family c/o Linda Pierce (wife).

Special heartfelt appreciation goes out to Tranquility Hospice and Palliative Care of Highland, Ind.

Catherine Hahn

April 1, 1919 to August 11, 2022

WINAMAC - Catherine [Winters] Hahn, 103, of Winamac, passed away peacefully, Thursday, Aug. 11, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born April 1, 1919 in rural Gilliam Township, Jasper County, to the late Ernest and Oscia [Cassidy] Winters. She married Dallas R. Hahn, on Oct. 18, 1935 in St. Joseph, MI. He passed away Nov. 13, 1976.

Catherine Hahn

She is survived by:
Donald R. (Daisy) Hahn, Winamac, Son
Cyril L. (Patsy) Hahn, Winamac, Son
Carol K. (Tom) Stanley, Winamac, Daughter
Nila J. Nelson, North Little Rock, AR, Daughter
Grandchildren: Donald Lee Hahn, Kathlyn (Duane) Bez, Tina Leman, Valerie (Bryan) DePoy, Karen Zachary, Cheryl (Kirk) Bixler, Lori (Dean) Wentz, Stephanie (Thomas) Strode, and Brett (fiancée: Laura Hollon) Nelson.
Step-Grandsons: Joseph (April) Wenglarz, and David (Allison) Wenglarz.
19 Great-Grandchildren
16 Great-Great-Grandchildren
Joan Womack, Sister
Jerry (Sandy) Winters, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Michael B. Leman, Grandson-in-law
Matthew R. Leman, Great-Grandson
Mabel Winters, Sister
Luella Lewis, Sister
Elburn “Bud” Winters, Brother
Eldon “Doc” Winters, Brother
Keith “Hump” Winters, Brother

Mrs. Hahn was a loving and devoted wife and mother who diligently worked by her husband’s side and saw to the raising and education of her four children. Her husband, Dallas, was elected as Pulaski County Assessor in 1970, and Catherine served as his chief deputy. After Dallas’s death, his wife was caucused in as county assessor. She completed his term and was elected to two terms of her own. She served the citizens of the county with a precise and friendly competency. She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, and baking. She enjoyed gifting people with her baked goods and bringing candy to church for the children (to whom she was fondly known as the “candy lady”). She was humbled to be named “Baking Queen” of the Francesville Fall Festival in 2014. She was a member of Tippecanoe Christian Church, Pulaski County Farm Bureau, Pulaski County Democrat Women, and Happy Homemakers Home Ec Club in Beaver Township. She prided herself on this life of family and farm and friends, it pleased her, and she gave to it her considerable energy and intelligence.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 18, at the funeral home with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or Gideon’s International.

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