Obituaries

Clifford V. Fritz

December 15, 1943 to June 14, 2022

WHEATFIELD - Clifford V. Fritz, 94, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, June 7.

Cliff Fritz

He was born July 11, 1927, to Leslie and Hazel Earhart Fritz in rural (Jefferson Township) Winamac. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II, from 1945 until 1946. He married Phyllis Nelson, on Nov. 13, 1948, in Buffalo/Monticello.

He is survived by his children Barbara (Ed) Clark, Pattie (Eddie) Egbert, Fred (Sheryl) Fritz, Doug (Brenda) Fritz, Tom (Lila) Fritz, Sandy (Doug) Bathke, Tim (Paige) Fritz; 20 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and 1+ great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, grandson Alex Bathke, great-grandson Cooper Ryser, brothers Harold, Lewis, Robert, and sister Thelma Wantola.

Mr. Fritz was member of the Bethel Bible Church. He enjoyed playing his guitar, harmonica, and piano in his spare time. He was a Sunday School teacher, church bus driver, deacon, and song leader. He loved serving the Lord.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 to 4 p.m. (ET), Sunday, June 12, at Bethel Bible Church, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 4 p.m., at the church with Pastor Tom Hopewell and Ron DeGraaff officiating.  A graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, June 13, at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

In lieu of flowers memorials are requested for the church.

Boersma Funeral Home, Wheatfield, has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Carol J. Reinholt

December 25, 1943 to June 7, 2022

WINAMAC - Carol J. Reinholt, 78, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, June 7, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

She was born Dec. 25, 1943 in Winamac to the late James and Virginia Guild Christensen. She graduated from Elston High School in Michigan City. She married James R. Reinholt on Aug. 11, 1962 in Monterey. He passed away Oct. 21, 2010.

Carol Reinholt

She is survived by:
Shelley Werner, Winamac, Daughter
Kim Forhart, Keizer, OR, Daughter
Rankin (LeAnn) Reinholt, McCormick, SC, Son
Lauren (Nicholas) Hagen, Cutler, IN, Granddaughter
Abby Reinholt, Augusta, GA, Granddaughter
Conner Reinholt, West Lafayette, Grandson
Ron (Connie) Christensen, Medaryville, Brother
Jack (Sylvia) Reinholt, Bristol RI, Brother-in-law
Jerry (Mary) Reinholt, Plattsmouth, NE, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Casey J. Reinholt, Son
Robert (Wilma) Reinholt, Brother-in-law

Mrs. Reinholt retired from Gutwein Seeds in Francesville. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. She raised and showed Quarter horses for many years. She also served as secretary of the Indiana Quarter Horse Association and was a longtime leader for Pulaski County 4-H Horse and Pony Club. She was the backbone of Reinholt Firearms and Jefferson Township Rifle and Pistol Club. She enjoyed traveling, especially to visit family and often found herself at a nearby winery. When she wasn’t on the go, she could be found on her back patio reading a good book with her dog by her side.

A scriptural wake service will be at 2:30 p.m., Monday, June 13, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, and will be followed by a rosary service. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 14, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pulaski, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski County 4-H or Pulaski County Public Library.

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

Dorothy A. Kline

February 4, 1933 to June 6, 2022

WINAMAC - Dorothy A. “Dottie” Kline, 89, of Winamac, passed away Monday, June 6, at her home.

She was born Feb. 4, 1933 in Hinsdale, IL to the late John and Lillian Jane Oldfield Vedok. On Feb. 23, 1951, she married Lloyd H. Kline in Winamac. He passed away Jan. 13, 2009.

Dottie Kline

She is survived by:
Terry Lloyd (Kimberly) Kline, Winamac, Son
Timothy Lee (Kimberly Russell) Kline, Winamac, Son
Brandi (Nick) Silver, Granddaughter
Danielle (Michael) Alexander, Granddaughter
Justin (Lauren) Kline, Grandson
7 Great-Grandchildren: Chevie, Lylah, Karsynn, Brenya, Lindy, Brooks, and Charlotte
Elizabeth J. Thompson, Winamac, Sister
Mary A. (David) Thill, Janesville, WI, Sister
Stephen (Sue) Vedok, Lombard, IL, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Catherine A. Liddicoatt, Sister
John Vedok Jr., Brother
Lorraine Lockridge, Step-Sister
Violet Faber, Step-Sister
Michael Vedok Sr., Step-Brother
Anna Koekenberg, Step-Sister
Joseph Vedok, Step-Brother
Gail Lynn Peark, Niece
Michael Vedok Jr., Nephew

Mrs. Kline was a member of the Winamac First United Methodist Church. She was a former member of Tippecanoe Twirlers and a local Extension Homemakers club. she enjoyed painting (oil on canvas) and camping. She loved her family dearly.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 25, at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac with Barbara Kleinofen officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Swinging Bridge Project.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Raymond F. Cooley

January 26, 1943 to June 5, 2022

FRANCESVILLE - Raymond F. “Ray” Cooley, 79, a lifelong resident of Francesville, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2022 at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

He was born Jan. 26, 1943 in Francesville to Floyd M. and Jeannette M. LaRose Cooley. Both of his parents passed away in 1991. He attended Francesville Grade School and graduated from Francesville High School in 1961. He attended Purdue University for two years and obtained an associate’s degree in technical engineering and drafting.

Raymond Cooley

He is survived by a sister, Karen Cooley Bollhoefer of Francesville. He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Rita Lynn.

Mr. Cooley began his nearly 30-year career at Monon Trailer working in the fabrication plant producing parts for the company’s flatbed line. He was quickly promoted to day shift supervisor over fabrication. In the 1970s, he was promoted to fabrication manager and was responsible for all three shifts, until he retired in May 1991. He continued in this field when he started working for Ezra Welding & Metal Fabrication where they made parts for Model T automobiles and Ertyl Toys before beginning their own line of toy truck and construction items. Ray excelled in making metal fabricated toys and was known to design and build many of his own pieces. Never one to sit idle, he worked for various Francesville businesses over the years, including farming, plumbing-and-heating, and electrical and construction work. Most recently he worked for Clear Decision Filtration, where it was jokingly said he worked “part-time, seven days a week.” One his more visible hobbies was in the area of building and owning modified midget and mini sprint race cars. He was the Eastern vice president of NMMA from 1977-1984. He was a championship car owner with NMMA in 1995, and also AMSA Sprint Division with Mike Neher as his driver for over 30 years.

Mr. Cooley was a member of the Francesville Volunteer Fire Department for 50 years and was instrumental in the design and construction of the kitchen when it was built. He was very loyal to the town of Francesville, organizing the parade for the town festival for 50 years. He retired in 2019. He recently received the Milestone Chevron Award for 25 years of service in the Lions Club International. He was also a member of Midwest Oldtimers Vintage Race Car Club, the Lafayette Corvette Club and the Pontiac-Oakland Auto Club.

A private graveside service will be held at Highland Cemetery in North Judson, in honor of Mr. Cooley’s wish because he always said, “I don’t want the fire trucks blocking the streets because of me.” Private burial follow at the cemetery.

In lieu of food, flowers, and gifts, please make memorial donations to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.  

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

Katherine L. Brown

March 1, 1938 to June 5, 2022

KEWANNA - Katherine “Kay” L. Brown, 84, of Kewanna passed away at 6:19 a.m., Sunday, June 5, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, surrounded by her loving family.

Born March 1, 1938 in Pulaski County, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Mary K. Wiesjahn Williamson. She was a 1956 Kewanna High School graduate. On Feb. 15, 1958 she married Jerry L. Brown. He preceded her in death on Jan. 4, 2019.

Kay Brown

Survivors include her daughters, Susan (Michael) McKinney of Rochester and Angela (Tom) Smith of Rochester; sons, Mark (Mick) Brown of Kewanna, Michael (Lynn) Brown of Kewanna and Kerry (Karen) Brown of Connersville; brother, John Williamson; sisters, Karen Kruger, Carol Fernandez and Rita Williamson; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Peters and Vivian Hathaway.  She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

She is also preceded in death by granddaughter, Abby Smith, great-grandson, Connor McBride and sisters-in-law, Jean McKinzie, Shirley Brown, and brothers-in-law Elmer Peters, Larry Kruger, Robert Hathaway and Fred Brown.

Mrs. Brown was a dedicated homemaker and farmwife. She enjoyed playing the organ, working in her flower beds, and reading. She started her working career out of high school at the Bendix Corporation in South Bend as a secretary. Later in life she worked as a bank teller at Farmers & Merchants Bank, Rochester. She also worked in the offices of Eastern Pulaski Schools and Winamac Coil Spring.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at Rans Funeral Home & Crematory, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 10, at the funeral home. Pastor Tim Billups will officiate. Burial will be at Citizens IOOF Cemetery, Kewanna.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorial donations may be made to the Kewanna Public Library or Kewanna Citizens IOOF Cemetery.  

Mrs. Brown’s online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com

Harold G. Harper

December 3, 1933 to June 2, 2022

WINAMAC - Harold G. Harper, 88, of Chesterfield, SC (formerly of Star City and Longville, MN) passed away Thursday, June 2, at the Rehabilitation Center of Cheraw in Cheraw, SC.

He was born Dec. 3, 1933 in Star City to the late George A. and Dowana E. McFarland Harper. He was a 1951 graduate of Star City High School. On March 1, 1953, he married Donna G. Barker in Winamac. She passed away Dec. 17, 2014.

Harold Harper

He is survived by:
Terri (Murray) Garbett, Cape Coral, FL, Daughter
Toni (Ken) Sausman, Longville, MN, Daughter
Traci (Bob) Hardel, Kouts, Daughter
Rich (Kathy O’Neal) Harper, LaBelle, FL, Son
13 Grandchildren
12 Great-Grandchildren
Phyllis (Wayne) Crist, Winamac, Sister
Darl (Alma Jean) Harper, Logansport, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Guy Harper, Brother

Mr. Harper was a member of the Star City United Methodist Church, Star City Volunteer Fire Department, and Star City Lions Club. He served on the Pulaski County Ambulance Board and Pulaski Developmental Services Board. He retired as a supervisor from Kains Motor Service in Logansport. He served as the water quality chairman of Wabedo, Little Boy, Inguadona, Cooper, and Rice Lakes Association. He was on the steering committee for both the Tri-County Leech Lake Water Shed Project and the Mid Boy River Project. He loved his family very much and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Friday, June 10, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., Friday, at the funeral home with Rev. David Sommers officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Star City United Methodist Church.

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