Obituaries

Frank E. Ludwig

November 30, 1927 to January 22, 2022

WINAMAC - Frank E. Ludwig, 94, Monterey, passed away Saturday, Jan. 22, at his home.

He was born Nov. 30, 1927 in Monterey, to the late Henry and Dora Guernsey Ludwig. He served in the U.S. Army. He married Millie Griffith on May 6, 1956 in Monterey. She died Jan. 4, 2012.

He is survived by:
Betty (Edmund) Taylor, Beaver, OH, Daughter
Frank E. Ludwig Jr., Elkhart, Son
Carol S. Rouse, Monterey, Daughter
Grandchildren: Curtis Taylor, Andrew Taylor, Kyle Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Caterina Taylor, Janelle Ludwig, Michael Rouse, and Crystal Rouse Shank.
Great-grandchildren: Sly Taylor, Chase Conley, Logan Taylor, Ronan Taylor, Iris Taylor, Nolan Taylor, Kai Shank, Delmira Shank, and Kaydence Bell.

Preceded in death by:
5 Brothers
4 Sisters

Mr. Ludwig was a retired farmer. He enjoyed hunting, playing euchre and spending time with his family.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 25, at the Ora Gospel Chapel Church in Ora. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., Tuesday, at the church. Burial will be at Riverbank Cemetery in Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct graveside services.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Ronald E. Jelinek Sr.

September 4, 1937 to January 21, 2022

WINAMAC - Ronald Eugene “Ron” Jelinek Sr., 84, of Winamac, passed away Friday, Jan. 21, at his home.

He was born Sept. 4, 1937 in Gary, to the late James Jr. and Helen Holtzman Jelinek. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He married Mary Ann Grant. She survives.

Ronald Jelinek Sr.

He is also survived by:
Brenda (Vince) Akinczyk, Daughter
Ronald Eugene Jelinek Jr., Son
Bruce Allen (Margaret) Jelinek, Son
James Albert (Leann) Jelinek, Son
Roni Marie (Jeff) Marquart, Daughter
Many Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Donald Jelinek, Brother

Mr. Jelinek worked many years as a union laborer in the steel mills. He was an avid fisherman and strong supporter of President Donald Trump.

Burial will be at 2 p.m., Friday, March 4, at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Panhandle Pathway (to connect the state park to the Town of Winamac).

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Daniel C. Fitz

June 23, 1966 to January 20, 2022

WINAMAC - Daniel Clyde “Dan” Fitz, 55, of Winamac, passed away peacefully Thursday, Jan. 20, surrounded by his family at IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

He was born June 23, 1966, to Jon and Linda Cannon Fitz in Plymouth. He graduated from Culver Community High School in 1985. He served in the Army National Guard for 16 years working in maintenance and infantry. On Dec. 13, 1994, he married Debra Caudill. She survives.

Dan Fitz

He is also survived by:
Crystal (Mitchell) Wolff, Winamac, Daughter
Danielle (Chris Dora) Fitz, Indianapolis, Daughter
Robin (Nathan) Harp, New Waverly, Daughter
DJ (Ashley) Fitz, Shelbyville, Son
Shane (Ashley Crum) Fitz, Winamac, Son
Jerry (Shirley Elpers) Fitz, Winamac, Son
11 Grandchildren: Addyson, Brianna, Bentley, Conner, Aidyn, Wyatt, Rylan, Jynsen, Liam, Keyara and Ashtynn
Linda Cannon Biddle, Winamac, Mother
Jonwood (Julie) Fitz, Wisconsin, Brother
Jonathan Fitz, Culver, Brother
Courtney (Matt) Artist, Knox, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Carol Kellenburger, Star City, Aunt
Harry (Linda) Cannon, Winamac, Uncle
Many Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Jon W. Fitz, Father
Wynona Fitz, Step-Mother
Sean Fitz, Infant Brother
Jerry Lee Bailey, Brother
Reagan Artist, Infant Niece
Oliver Artist, Infant Nephew

Mr. Fitz’s last employer before he became ill was MPI in Knox, where he worked for eight years. His most precious assets were his family. He was a wonderful husband, father, son, and grandfather. He always looked forward to family gatherings where he knew that no matter how busy and hard life was his family was sure to gather. He enjoyed watching his grandkids grow and was always happy when the weekends would arrive for them to visit. In earlier years, he loved camping, listening to 80s hard rock music, family vacations, and fishing. One of his most favorite things to do in sickness and in health was taking trips around Bass Lake and Culver Lake. He enjoyed seeing all the new changes.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan.  23, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 24, at the funeral home with Craig Jones officiating. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military honors at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Animal Center, or Warrior Up Program at Winamac United Methodist Church, or Memorial Swinging Bridge Project.

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

Roxanne J. Saltsman

November 18, 1966 to January 19, 2022

MEDARYVILLE - Roxanne J. Saltsman, 55, of Medaryville, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 19, at her residence.

She was born Nov. 18, 1966 in Osceola. She married Jeffery E. Saltsman on April 9, 2005 in Medaryville. He passed away Jan. 15, 2009.

Survivors include:
Christopher Thomas (Hannah) Adams, Colorado Springs, Son
Branton Jay (Amber) Adams Jr., Colorado Springs, Son
Emily Kay Otilia Adams, Granddaughter
Larissa Anne Marie Adams, Granddaughter
Kylee Kay Adams, Great-Granddaughter
6 Step-Children: Nichole, Bobby, Cheri, Brandy, Jeffery Jr., and Chelsea
Many Step-Grandchildren and Step-Great-Grandchildren
Donna Heltzel Allen, Medaryville, Mother
1 Sister, Ginger
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Jerry Dean Allen, Father

Mrs. Saltsman enjoyed capturing life’s important moments through photography. She was a happy and kind woman who always had a smile on her face. Her family was the most important part of her life.

The family will host a celebration of life ceremony from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Medaryville American Legion.

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

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

Merle Larry Ezra

August 22,1943 to January 17, 2022

WINAMAC - Merle Larry Ezra, 78, lifelong farmer from Winamac, passed away Monday, Jan. 17, at his home.

He was born Aug. 22, 1943 in Winamac to the late Merle Emory and Wanetta Emaline Allen Ezra. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1961 and served in the U.S. Army National Guard.

M. Larry Ezra

He is survived by:
Timothy (Kelly Samson) Ezra, Indianapolis, Son
Stephanie (Chad) Watts, Winamac, Daughter
Benjamin Watts, Grandson
Molly Watts, Granddaughter
Carolyn Knebel, Indianapolis, Sister
Betty Shorter, Winamac, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Bene Franklin Ezra, Brother
Shirley Peters, Sister
Loren Knebel, Brother-in-law
Jim Shorter, Brother-in-law
Geraldine Rose Lewis Ezra, Former Spouse

Mr. Ezra was a member of the Indiana American Legion. He was a hardworking farmer and was very knowledgeable about raising sheep and hogs. For many years, he owned and operated a Christmas tree farm. He enjoyed the outdoors and attending the annual NIPFP Antique Power Show at the Winamac Town Park. He imparted a lot of wisdom to his children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, at the funeral home, with Barbara Kleinofen officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Animal Center.

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

Arlene Simpson

June 13, 1952 to January 16, 2022 

Arlene Simpson

KEWANNA - Arlene Simpson, 69, of Kewanna passed away at 3:40 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 16, at Woodlawn Hospital in Rochester.

Born on June 13, 1952 in Pineville, Ky., she was the daughter of the late James and Ollie Clark Simpson.

Surviving are her son Michael Conner of Kewanna; grandchildren Brandon (Faith) Conner of North Judson, Tristan Conner of Burbank, CA, Jacob Conner of Winamac, Michael Conner of Wabash, Kaylee Conner of O’Fallen, MO, Wyatt Conner of O’Fallen, MO, Kenna Conner of Kewanna, Tiffany (Garrett) Rimpler of Winamac, and Tiranda Stevens of Wabash; and great-grandchildren Ian, Curt, Asher, Grant, Gracelyn, AJ, Kayden, Brooklyn, and Gavyn. Also surviving are siblings Winton, Keith, Vivian and Marin. 

She was also preceded in death by her husband Michael Conner and siblings June, Virginia, Wayne, Jenny, Burt and Bernice.

Ms. Simpson formerly worked at Robinson’s in Rochester and also at Hickory Creek Nursing Home in Winamac. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, watching reruns of CSI, and making sure no one got too rowdy at the Kewanna Village Apartments. 

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday. The funeral service will be at 1 pm., Thursday, Jan. 20, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna. Burial will be at Citizens IOOF Cemetery in Kewanna.

Mrs. Simpson’s online guest book is available and condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com