Obituaries

Darlene J. Ames

August 20, 1939 to January 14, 2022

FRANCESVILLE - Darlene J. Ames, 82, of Francesville, passed away Friday, Jan. 14, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette.

She was born Aug. 20, 1939 in North Judson, to the late Lloyd Frederick William and Lavada Mae Cawby Hanke. She was a 1957 graduate of North Judson High School. On Sept. 24, 1960, she married Donald H. Ames in North Judson. He passed away Dec. 21, 2007.

Darlene Ames

She is survived by:
Drinda S. (Kris) Obermeyer, West Lafayette, Daughter
Deneen J. (Brian) Bartlett, Crawfordsville, Daughter
Donita L. (Michael) Stimson, Francesville, Daughter
Austin Bartlett, Grandson
Collin (Lauren) Bartlett, Grandson
Megan Stimson, Granddaughter
Adam Stimson, Grandson
Nathan Stimson, Grandson
Several Nieces and Nephews
Lois (Charlie) Comer, Medaryville, Aunt/Sis
Numerous Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Richard Lloyd Hanke, Brother

Mrs. Ames and her husband owned and operated the Francesville Tribune from 1971-2005. She was an active member of the Francesville First United Methodist Church and the Francesville American Legion Auxiliary Unit #228. She served on numerous committees and held several offices in each organization. She was a longtime member of the Classy Red Prairie Chicks of the Red Hat Society where she served as the club’s photographer (aka the Red Snapper). She proudly served as co-grand marshal of the Francesville Fall Festival Parade in 1999 and 2007 alongside her husband. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, traveling, and rock collecting. She was an outgoing person with a great sense of humor. Most of all, she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She faithfully attended the many events of her children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Francesville United Methodist Church or to the family for a charity to be determined at a later date.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Michael L. Shidler

October 28, 1963 to January 14, 2022

FRANCESVILLE - Michael Lee Shidler, 58, of Francesville, formerly of Spring, TX, passed away Friday, Jan. 14, at Parkview Haven, Francesville.

He was born Oct. 28, 1963 in Indianapolis. He grew up in Francesville and graduated from West Central High School in 1982.

Mike Shidler

He is survived by:
Thomas Michael Shidler, Portland, ME, Son
Elvira “Toots” Gutwein Lamp, Francesville, Mother
Ralph Shidler, West Lafayette, Father
Bryan (Karen) Lamp, Tomahawk, WI, Brother
Mike Lamp, Wheatfield, Brother
Makayla Lamp, Niece
Numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Scott Shidler, Brother
Richard Lamp, Step-Father

Mr. Shidler’s first job was with Ward Stone running heavy equipment and then Sun Chemical in Frankfort.  He moved to Louisiana where he began working in the oil industry. This led him to Texas, where he worked for Baker Hughes, Halliburton, and Schlumberger until he started his own company, Maverick Supply Services, which he successfully owned and operated for many years. Through his life, he worked very hard and received many blessings. He always stayed strong in his faith and had an undying love for his family and friends, especially his son. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Francesville, where he was baptized as a teen. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me. -Psalm 13:6

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Thursday, Jan. 20, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon, Thursday, at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Burial will be at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Grace on Wings or SouthernCare Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Chester E. Hintz

May 7, 1939 to January 13, 2022

MEDARYVILLE - Chester Eugene “Chet” Hintz, 82, of Medaryville (formerly of Fortine, MT), passed away Thursday, Jan. 13, at his home.

He was born May 7, 1939 in McLeansboro, IL to the late Edward Stanley and Frieda Geraldine Ledbetter Hintz. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Forrestal from 1956-1960. On Oct. 31, 1996, he married Diane Susan Matthies in Las Vegas. She survives.

Chester Hintz

He is also survived by:
Eugene (Kacy) Hintz, Son
Ronald Hintz, Son
William Stephenson, Step-Son
Jason Pennington, Step-Son
2 Grandchildren and 2 Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Diane Awe Hintz, Former Spouse

After receiving an honorable military discharge, Mr. Hintz went to work as a union pipefitter. He was a proud member of the Medaryville American Legion Post #96 and Chicago Pipe Fitters Union Local #597. He always enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, as well as being outdoors.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21, at the funeral home. The American Legion will conduct military honors at the funeral home following services.

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

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Anne A. Jones

January 2, 1953 to January 13, 2022

GRAND ISLAND, NEB. - Anne A. Jones, 69, of Winamac, died Thursday, Jan. 13, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Ft. Wayne.

She was born Jan. 2, 1953, in Roswell, NM, the daughter of Richard and Alice Yvonne LaMoore Williams. She married Gary Jones in 1977 in Las Vegas. They lived in Nebraska and Michigan before settling in Indiana. Her husband survives.

Anne Jones

She is also survived by:
Son Gary Jones II of Winamac
Daughter, Kendra Jones of Peoria, IL
Grandson, Jammie White
Siblings, Alice Williams of Winamac,  Richie Williams of Waterloo, NY, Lucille (Tom) Gorman of Oklahoma City, OK, Mary Williams Sherlock of Winamac, Jessie (Teddy) Williamson of Winamac and Katie (Bill) Williamson of Winamac.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and brothers William Williams and John Williams.

Mrs. Jones’ childhood family settled in Phillips, NE where they enjoyed country life. Her mother died in 1975, and she became the mother figure to her siblings, loving and nurturing them from a young age. She was skilled with animals and this showed in her training of thoroughbred horses. She raced throughout Nebraska winning numerous races at Fonner Park in Grand Island and Agricultural Park in Columbus. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She loved crafts, sewing, crocheting, gardening, and keeping a beautiful yard. She was most at home when with her family, who meant the world to her.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 20, at Curran Funeral Chapel, Grand Island. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 21, at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island. The Rev. Kevin Geurink will officiate. Interment will be at Grand Island City Cemetery. 

Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church, 2103 W . Anna St., Grand Island, NE  68801. Friends and family are encouraged to sign Anne’s guestbook and view her video at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under her obituary. 

Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Kent M. Laubhan

January 14, 1957 to January 12, 2022

WINAMAC - Kent M. Laubhan, 64, of Winamac, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 12, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born Jan. 14, 1957, in Chicago, and raised by his foster parents, Maurice and Elizabeth Shield. He served in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge. On Aug. 21, 1981, he married Marzenna Glod. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Amanda (Calvin) Sutton, Daughter
2 Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Maurice and Elizabeth Shield, Foster Parents
Debra Kasten, Sister

No services will be held.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Stephina Watkins

Auguts 23, 1924 to January 11, 2022

WINAMAC - Stephina Watkins, 97, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 11, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

She was born Aug. 23, 1924 in Stickney, IL to the late Albert and Agnes Pavlak Mroczek. She was the last of nine siblings. She attended Catholic school in San Pierre and North Judson. On May 29, 1944, she married William “Bill” Watkins in Winamac. He passed away on Nov. 26, 1987.

She is survived by:
Joyce (Mark C.) Faulstich, Plymouth, Daughter
Josephine (David) Ramp, Columbia City, Daughter
Jacqualine Owens Terry, Winamac, Daughter
Emzie (Kathy) Watkins, Nappanee, Son
Grandchildren: Jason (Angie) Faulstich, Mark J. (Kara) Faulstich, Jeffrey (Dr. Valerie Lake) Faulstich, Wayne (Patsy) Watkins, Nicklos Watkins, Paul Ramp, Sheila Jackson, Billy Owens, Michael (Shelley) Owens, Lisa (Dominic) Ricci, Jenny (Tony) Schmucker, Jaime Watkins, and Debra Jo (Jason) Harmon.
Many Great-Grandchildren
3 Great-Great-Grandchildren
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
James Faulstich, Grandson
3 Brothers and 5 Sisters

Mrs. Watkins worked at a factory in downtown Winamac for many years, where she sewed zippers into blue jeans. She was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. She crocheted many afghans, scarfs, and hats for her family and friends. She enjoyed playing Pinochle at the Bass Lake Community Center as well as at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Knox. She was the “Queen of Scrabble” in her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 17, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Monday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 at the funeral home with Rev. Andrew DeKeyser officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Michael Catholic School in Plymouth.

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