Obituaries

John E. Williamson

May 15, 1950 to July 27, 2024

ROYAL CENTER - John Edward Williamson, 74, of Winamac passed away peacefully at 5:45 a.m., Saturday, July 27, at home.

John Williamson

Born May 15, 1950, in Winamac, he was the son of the late Edward and Mary Katherine (Wiesjahn) Williamson.

Survivors include his children John J. (Jane) Williamson of Winamac, Christopher Williamson of Winamac and Geraldine Meneses Marin of Mexico; sisters Karen Kruger of Carmel, Carol Fernandez of Chattanooga, Tenn. and Rita Williamson of Winamac; and grandchildren Miles and Veronica Williamson, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by sister Katherine “Kay” Brown.

Mr. Williamson formerly owned and operated Williamson Construction Company. He enjoyed working in the yard and traveling. 

A celebration of life service will be from 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17, at The Event Center, 211 S. Logan St., Winamac.

Mr. Williamson’s online guestbook is available and condolences may be made to the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

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

Darwin W. Wayberg

November 7, 1936 to July 25, 2024

MEDARYVILLE - Darwin William Wayberg, 87, of Medaryville, passed away Thursday, July 25, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born Nov. 7, 1936 in Kingsford, MI to the late Henry L. and Ruth M. [McKeller] Wayberg. On Oct. 18, 1958, he married Kate Elizabeth “Katie” Randall in Menominee, MI. She survives.

Darwin Wayberg

He is also survived by:
Randy Wayberg, Medaryville, Son
Darwin Wayberg, Medaryville, Son
Diane (Mark) Shepperd, Medaryville, Daughter
Brenda (Kenneth) Whitrock, Medaryville, Daughter
Randy (Lex) Wayberg II, Grandson
Jozlyn Wall, Granddaughter
Stacey (Mike Brigman) Wayberg, Granddaughter
Jennifer (Weylin) Sanders, Granddaughter
Jessica Tarr, Granddaughter
Joseph Shepperd, Grandson
16 Great-Grandchildren
3 Great-Great-Grandchildren
Henrietta Bailey, Sister
Karen Gutterman, Sister
Kristine (Steve) Hershman, Sister
Numerous Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Mari Elizabeth Wayberg, Granddaughter
Sabrina Lynn Shepperd, Granddaughter
Kendall Oliver Whitrock, Grandson
John Wayberg, Infant Brother
Lucille Yee, Sister
Gladys Westlund, Sister
Audrey Wright, Sister
Betty Guffey, Sister

In his younger years, Mr. Wayberg worked as a lumberjack in Michigan. He and his wife moved to Francesville in 1960 where he worked for Gordy Vollmer as a carpenter for several years. They moved to their home in Medaryville in 1963, and he began working as a truck driver - which became his life’s work. He was a hardworking man, and at age 81, he retired as an owner/operator of a successful trucking business. He was a member of the Knox Seventh-day Adventist Church where he served as an Elder. He was a loving and devoted husband and father. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Tuesday), at the funeral home. Private burial will be at White Post Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to Dementia Society of America or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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

Janet Wilson Atkins Reynolds

May 5, 1940 to July 24, 2024

WINAMAC - Janet (Jan) Wilson Atkins Reynolds, 84, of Noblesville passed away Wednesday, July 24.

She was born May 5, 1940, in Monterey, to the late Cledith B. Wilson and Myrtle Hunter Wilson Behnke. She is survived by Larry, her husband of 33 years.

She is also survived by children Jayme (Pat Duryea) Ambrose, Thomas (Lana) Atkins, and James (Karen) Atkins; five grandchildren Emily Grostefon, Erik Grostefon, Rachel Atkins, Abigail (David) McManus, and Health Atkins; and two great-grandchildren Jemma and Ben Grostefon. Also, six step-children Allison (Tim) Runyon, Christy (Keith) Monday, Larry (Sara) Reynolds, Shannon (Douglas) Galloway, Kim (Amir) Norlahi and Brenda (Micheal) Hopkins; plus 19 step-grandchildren and three great-step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her step-father Ralph Behnke, her sisters Anna Dee Wilson and Cleta Sue Wilson Roscka, her brother-in-law Eli Roscka, and her niece and nephew Anne Marie Roscka and John Roscka.

Mrs. Reynolds was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was her first priority, her pride and joy. She retired from a successful and rewarding career in telecommunication. She was an accomplished executive and received awards for her innovation and creativity. She was active in her church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, elder, and women’s group president.

A private celebration of life event will be held at a later date.

Frain Mortuary in Winamac, is assisting the family with local arrangements.

Susan L. Baker

February 4, 1945 to July 23, 2024

WINAMAC - Susan L. “Sue” Baker, 79, of Kewanna, passed away Tuesday, July 23, in Mishawaka.

She was born Feb. 4, 1945 in Connersville, to the late Chester and Nellie [Reeder] Pavy. After graduating from Connersville High School, she attended Ball State University where she met her future husband, Paul C. Baker. The couple wed Jan. 26, 1965 in Cassopolis, MI. He passed away Dec. 2, 2011.

Sue Baker

Survivors include:
Trent R. (Amy) Baker, Son
Chad M. (Samantha) Baker, Son
Kristy Kay (Wyatt) Showley, Daughter
Andy M. McComas-Baker, Grandson
Jaqualyn S. McComas-Baker, Granddaughter
Joel M. Showley, Grandson
Ethan A. Showley, Grandson
Aiden P. Showley, Grandson
Brady P. Baker, Grandson
Bryce S. Baker, Granddaughter
Dennis R. Baker, Brother-in-law
John L. (Jackie) Baker, Cousin-in-law
David W. (Phyllis) Baker, Cousin-in-law
Michael D. (Traci) Martin, Nephew
Danielle L. Baker, Niece
Brittany N. Baker, Niece
Many Great Nieces and Nephews
Martha K. Krohn, Best Friend

Preceded in death by:
Chester R. and Sarah L. [Davidson] Baker, In-Laws
Lucinda L. Martin, Sister-in-law
Robert C. Martin, Brother-in-law
C. Chet Martin, Nephew

Later in her life, Mrs. Baker completed her secondary education at IU Kokomo, earning a bachelor’s degree and becoming a licensed teacher. Fondly known as Mrs. Baker to her students, she was a beloved educator; teaching elementary school at Winamac and Knox. She enjoyed worshipping at Bethel Bible Church in Winamac where she was a longtime member. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved our Lord, Jesus Christ, throughout her life and was a faithful servant to Him until her last breath. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, July 28, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Additional visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m., Monday, July 29, at Bethel Bible Church in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Monday), at the church with Pastor Matthew Dodd officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the Community Foundation of Pulaski County for the Paul C. Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund, Bethel Bible Church, or Gideon’s International.

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

Bruce G. Brumm

March 18, 1947 to July 19, 2024

WINAMAC - Bruce Gordon Brumm, 77, of The Villages, FL (formerly of Winamac) passed away unexpectedly Friday, July 19.

He was born March 18, 1947 in Rochester, MN to the late Gordon F. and Irene A. [Koester] Brumm. He earned an accounting degree from Mankato State University in Mankato, MN. He met Jill Jones, from Logansport, while she was attending nursing school in Minnesota. On Aug. 10, 1968, the couple wed, celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary last summer. She survives.

Bruce Brumm

He is also survived by:
Kristin (Brent Hermann) Brumm, Daughter
Bryce (Lori) Brumm, Son
Derek Dotlich, Grandson
Isabelle (fiancé Norman Davenport) Dotlich, Granddaughter
Brody (Raigan) Brumm, Grandson
Jillian (fiancé David Stearns) Brumm, Granddaughter
Piper Brumm, Granddaughter

Preceded in death by:
Marsha Brumm, Sister

Mr. Brumm was a well-respected businessman in Winamac who owned and operated Standard Auto Parts for 35 years. He was a kind and generous man who gave of himself to the community. He was a past president of the Winamac Kiwanis Club and helped found the local youth soccer program. He was a devoted servant of Christ and enjoyed worshiping with his family at Bethel Bible Church in Winamac. He lived an active lifestyle, enjoying such hobbies as racquetball, pickleball and golf. He was fun-loving and outgoing. He was a wonderful father and grandfather. He will be fondly remembered as the CEO of the Brumm Family.

The family will host a private celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Brumm would want donors to give to a local church and to serve others with their time.

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

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Emanuel C. Hoover

September 14, 1937 to July 19, 2024

WINAMAC - Emanuel C. “Mann” Hoover, 86, lifelong farmer from Star City, passed away Friday, July 19, at Hickory Creek at Rochester.

He was born Sept 14, 1937 in Winamac, to the late Leo C. and Edna Mae [Geier] Hoover. He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1955. On Aug. 25, 1972, he married Martha Lynn Small in Monticello. She passed away Feb. 2, 1992.

Mann Hoover

He is survived by:
Fremont L. (Shirley) Hoover, Brother
Shirley (Frank) Shilling, Niece
Susan Henry, Niece
Richard (Jane) Hoover, Nephew
Marjorie (Tom) Overmyer, Niece
Joseph (Marie) Hoover, Nephew
Karen Davis, Niece
Peggy Davis, Niece
Charles (Phyllis) Hoover, Nephew
Christine (Tim) Allen, Niece
Lawrence (Wendy) Hoover, Nephew
Christopher (Angela) Hoover, Nephew
Jeremy Hoover, Nephew
Jim Small, Brother-in-law
Don Small, Brother-in-law
Vicki Tibbals, Niece
Heather Small, Niece
Keith Small, Nephew
Terri Wood, Niece
Many Great-Nieces and -Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Arden L. (Ann) Hoover, Brother
Howard F. (Evelyn) Hoover, Brother
Bob Small, Brother-in-law
Kenneth Carl Hoover, Infant Nephew

Mr. Hoover was a longtime member of the Northern Indiana Power Fom the Past and enjoyed organizing the pedal tractor pulls. He was also a member of the IH Collector’s Club and Pulaski Fest-a-Mill Committee. He had a great mind for creating and inventing new things. His talent went beyond simple tinkering. In addition to being a successful farmer, he was also a talented drainage contractor. He was well known in the area for his wit and sense of humor. Most recently, he forged strong friendships with the staff and residents of Hickory Creek.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 24, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Additional visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, July 25, at the funeral home. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. (Thursday) with Rev. Ed Clark officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Fest-a-Mill (for the annual Christmas light display).

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