Obituaries
Rocky D. Gourley
October 3, 1953 to January 11, 2022
WINAMAC - Rocky David Gourley, 68, of Winamac, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 11, at home surrounded by his family.
He was born Oct. 3, 1953 in Winamac, at Carneal Hospital to the late Robert W. and Phyllis E. Nice Gourley. He was a 1971 graduate of Kankakee Valley High School in Wheatfield; the first graduating class from the new school after consolidation. He married Laurie Ann Lewis, on June 20, 1987 in Wheatfield at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church by the late Rev. Roger Sculley. She survives.
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| Rocky Gourley |
He is also survived by:
Daisy (Don) Hahn, Star City, Sister
Connie (Stan) Myers, Monterey, Sister
J. Douglas Gourley, Sr., Winamac, Brother
R. Clyde (Lena) Gourley, Winamac, Brother
Vickie Pence, Anderson, Sister-in-law
Dennis (Carole) Lewis, Hobart, Brother-in-law
Karen Lewis, Lake Station, Sister-in-law
Kathy (David, Sr.) Davis, Schererville, Sister-in-law
Tom (Carolyn) Lewis, Wanatah, Brother-in-law
Patty (Matt) Fancher, Brazelton, GA, Sister-in-law
Mike (Mary) Lewis, Hebron, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by:
Ellwood and Bonnie [Rusk] Lewis, Sr., In-laws
Beulah Gourley, Sister-in-law
Joel Pence, Brother-in-law
Ellwood Lewis Jr., Brother-in-law
Curtis Ellwood Lewis, Brother-in-law
Mr. Gourley retired from North White High School after 28 years where he worked as a custodian. In his younger years, he served as Deputy Town Marshal in Wheatfield; working under his dad. He was a dedicated member of Tippecanoe Christian Church in Winamac where he taught adult Sunday school and served as a deacon and trustee. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association, Boone and Crockett Club, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Future Farmers of America. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He held the unofficial title of “Champion Noodler.” He was an avid Indiana University basketball fan and strong supporter of North White High School athletics. He was always proud of the fact that he scored a three-pointer for the Pulaski Yellow Jackets team in the Memory Lane Basketball Tournament. He was a loving husband, brother, and uncle. Our loss is truly Heaven’s gain.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 14, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 15, at the funeral home with Pastor Ed Clark officiating. Burial will be at Tippecanoe Cemetery in Winamac.
Memorial donations may be made to Tippecanoe Christian Church, North White Athletic Department, or Guardian Angel Hospice.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Dean D. Pelsy
October 13, 1946 to January 8, 2022
FRANCESVILLE - Dean Devon Pelsy, 75 of Francesville, passed away Saturday, Jan. 8, at Franciscan Alliance Hospital in Crown Point.
He was born Oct. 13, 1946 in Francesville, and graduated from Francesville High School in 1964. He served in the Indiana National Guard. In September 2012 he married Dianna Hunter. She preceded him in death.
He is survived by three step-children: Necola Kidwell, Gary Hunter and Tonja Hunter, along with his brother Allen Pelsy, and his sister Barbara Pelsy Little.
Mr. Pelsy was a farmer in Francesville for more than 50 years.
A private graveside service will be conducted at Roselawn Cemetary in Francesville.
Darlene K. Rock Harwood
October 18, 1998 to January 7, 2022
MEDARYVILLE - Darlene Kay Rock Harwood, 23, of Medaryville, passed away Friday, Jan. 7, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac, IN.
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| Darlene Harwood |
She was born Oct. 18, 1998 in Merrillville, to Paul and Judy Harwood. She was a 2017 graduate of West Central High School. She received an associate’s degree in accounting from Purdue University.
She is survived by:
Judy Harwood, Medaryville, Mother
Paul Harwood, Francesville, Father
Many Aunts, Uncles and cousins
Preceded in death by:
Kimberly J. Harwood Sister
Ms. Harwood was employed as a greeter at Wal-Mart in Monticello. She enjoyed social media and sharing time with her friends and family.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 13, Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral with Rev. Rick Prater officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso. Masks will be available at the funeral home if needed.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Daniel C. Vanaman
May 8, 1952 to January 5, 2022
WINAMAC - Daniel C. “Dan” Vanaman, 69, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly at home Wednesday, Jan. 5.
He was born May 8, 1952 in Knox, to the late Claude E. and Mildred Sims Vanaman. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1970. On July 4, 1982, he married Connie L. Fritz Kistler in Winamac. She survives.
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| Daniel Vanaman |
He is also survived by:
Dana K. (Darrin) Field, Winamac, Daughter
Daniel H. (Doug DeCleene) Vanaman, South Bend, Son
Dawn M. Vanaman, Daughter
Jeff W. (Trina) Kistler, Winamac, Step-Son
Daniel R. (Aida) Kistler, Knox, Step-Son
Brian J. (Amanda) Kistler, Winamac, Step-Son
12 Grandchildren: Dustin, Emily, Valerie, Eric, Aiden, Aaron, Breanna, Devin, Danica, Santiago, Clay, and Caleb.
5 Great-Grandchildren: Aiden, Amelia, Axel, Noah, and Beckham
Donna (Bud) Cowger, Half-Sister
Betty Good, Half-Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by:
Leon Depoy, Half-Brother
Tom Depoy, Half-Brother
Katherine Shidler, Half-Sister
Following high school graduation, Mr. Vanaman took a job with Indiana Department of Transportation that turned into a career spanning 38 years, during which time he also farmed with Darrel Gudeman for 18 years. Most recently, he was the proud owner and operator of Dan’s Mowing; a mowing and snow removal business he started in 2008. He attended the Winamac Church of the Heartland. He was a longtime member of FOE Lodge #2580 in Winamac and Pulaski County React. He served eight years on the Winamac Town Board and two years on the Winamac Cemetery Committee. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed gardening and mowing. He also enjoyed visiting with friends and strangers. He was kind, friendly, and most of all very hardworking. He loved his family very much and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 9, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 10, at the funeral home with Pastor Heath Hiatt officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac.
Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Animal Center.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Willie A. Wilcoxon
October 13, 1946 to January 8, 2022
MEDARYVILLE - Willie A. Wilcoxon, 82, of Medaryville, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his residence in Medaryville.
He was born Oct. 9, 1939, in Georgia to the late Loss and Vira Wilcoxon. On March 22, 1983 he married Lois J. McCoy Neely. She survives.
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| Willie Wilcoxon |
He is survived by:
Harvey (Colleen) Wilcoxon, Son
Willie A. (Janet) Wilcoxon Jr., Son
Phillip Wilcoxon, Son
Barbara A. Tracy, Daughter
April (Mark) Berg, Daughter
Daniel G. (Barbara) Neely, Step-Son
Robert A. (Heidi) Neely, Step-Son
James Neely, Step-Son
James Wilcoxon, Brother
Jimmie Wilcoxon, Brother
J.L. Wilcoxon, Brother
Preceded in death by:
Elizabeth Ann Wilcoxon, First Wife
Dawn Marie Neely, Step-Daughter
Donny Berg, Grandson
Lily Hovis, Great-Granddaughter
Randall Wilcoxon, Brother
Christine Wilcoxon, Sister-in-law
Mr. Wilcoxon was retired from LTV Steel where he worked for 33 years. Willie enjoyed cutting grass. He cared for the Medaryville Methodist Church for many years. Willie enjoyed fishing and watching western movies.
To honor Mr. Wilcoxon’s wishes no services will be scheduled.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville.
Edward L. Marcinkowski Jr.
May 1, 1943 to January 4, 2022
WINAMAC - Edward L. “Ed” Marcinkowski Jr., 78, of Winamac, passed away at 3:45 a.m., Tuesday, January 4, at Life Care Center in Rochester.
He was born May 1, 1943 in Valparaiso, to the late Edward L. and Virginia Sherrick Marcinkowski. He graduated from Liberty Township High School in Porter County. On Oct. 20, 1989, he married Judy Watts Robinson in Logansport. She survives.
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| Edward Marcinkowski Jr. |
He is also survived by:
Brett Marcinkowski, Son
Jeff (Kristen) Marcinkowski, Son
Mark (Solly) Marcinkowski, Son
Rusty (Vicki) Robinson, Step-Son
Claude Robinson, Step-Son
Fonda Robinson, Step-Daughter
15 Grandchildren
7 Great-Grandchildren
Michael (Ginger) Marcinkowski, Brother
1 Nephew
Sharon [Bond] Beach, Former Spouse
Mr. Marcinkowski worked at NIPSCO for 38 years and retired as a construction superintendent. He was an accomplished, lifelong coon hunter. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. He bred, raised, and sold award-winning sporting dogs. He loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral servics will follow at 6 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Boys Town.
Online tributes may be made at www.frainmortuary.com.
Kurt D. Simoni
August 3, 1974 to January 4, 2022
WINAMAC - Kurt David Simoni, 47, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 4, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.
He was born Aug. 3, 1974 at PMH to Bill and Mary Rater Simoni of Winamac. He was a 1994 graduate of Winamac Community High School.
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| Kurt Simoni |
Survivors include:
Scott (Teri) of Newnan, GA, Brother
Brandon Simoni of Christiansburg, VA, Nephew
Brianna Simoni (Landon Neal) of Narrows, VA, Niece
Cypress Scott Neal of Narrows, VA, Great-Nephew
Cousin to many from the Northern Illinois, Knox and Valparaiso area
Mr. Simoni was a member of First Baptist Church in Denham. All who knew him were well aware of his love of Elvis Presley, having visiting Graceland twice. He loved watching his WWE Wrestling and was a huge “The Rock” fan. He was always seen wearing his Indiana University shirt and sweats. He loved listening to old time country music and also loved old time 50s rock-and-roll. His infectious smile will be missed by all.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 10, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home with Pastor Lynda Hosek officiating. Burial will be at Denham Cemetery in Denham.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Denham.
Online condolences may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
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