Obituaries

James Kersting

April 23, 1936 to September 12, 2021

NORTH JUDSON – James "Jim" Kersting, 85, of North Judson, passed away peacefully in his home Sunday, Sept. 12.

He was born April 23, 1936, in North Judson, to the late Burnell and Catherine Bau Kersting. On July 2, 1960, he married Nella Minix, who preceded him in death on July 27, 2003. In May 2007, he married Roberta Short Chapman. She survives.

Jim Kersting

He is also survived by three children, Sandy (Jansen) Rudd of North Judson,  Randy (Kris) Kersting of Winamac, and Jason (Dawn) Kersting of Winamac; six grandchildren, Alicia (Isaiah) Collins, Andrea (Todd) Jackson, Justin (Jordann) Kersting, Katie (Austin) Polen and Joshua Kersting, all of North Judson, and James Kersting of Indianapolis; four great-grandchildren, Kerslynn Ella, Kash Johnathon, Jarrod David and Poppy Ella and another addition due in December Charles Carson. He is also survived by two sisters Phyllis Rozhon and Lorraine Hughes.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Nella, and his parents.

Mr. Kersting was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church of North Judson. He served in the U.S. Army from September of 1957 to June of 1959. He founded his Harley-Davidson dealership in 1962 alongside his wife, Nella, and eventually added their three children, Sandy, Randy and Jason. He built his World of Motorcycles Museum in 2003 and he loved to take his guests on tours even until more recently. Those who knew him always said they loved to hear his stories - he was the best story-teller. He was a life member of the Harley Owners Group, American Motorcycle Association, Harry L. Keller American Legion Post #92, and served on the WKVI Board of Directors for several years.

Mr. Kersting was a torch carrier for the Indiana Bicentennial in 2016. He was the recipient for the Henry F. Schricker "service before self" award in 2017. He was most recently the grand marshal for the 2021 North Judson Mint Festival in which he helped inaugurate in the late 1970s. He was a proud citizen of Starke County, and he supported many local organization through the years.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. (CT), Sunday, Sept. 19, at Braman and Bailey Funeral Home, North Judson. The funeral service will be at 12 noon (CT), Monday, Sept. 20, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, North Judson, with visitation two hours prior at the church. Pastor Dan Speckhard will officiate. Burial will be at St Jacobs cemetery in North Judson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nella Kersting Memorial Fund - Northern Indiana Community Foundation.

Donald R. Johns Sr.

April 25, 1940 to September 12, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Donald R. “Don” Johns Sr., 81, of Rensselaer (formerly of Francesville), passed away Sunday, Sept. 12, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Rensselaer.

He was born April 25, 1940 in Francesville to the late Charles W. and Emma Kopka Johns Sr. On June 9, 1962, he married Roberta Jo Stout at the First Christian Church in Winamac. She preceded him in death.

Donald R. Johns Sr.

He is survived by:
Diana F. Johns, Winamac, Daughter
Donald R. Johns Jr., Medaryville, Son
Earl E. (Stephanie) Johns, Francesville, Son
Eric D. (Maurie) Johns, Rensselaer, Son
Amy Jo (Todd) Overton, Portland, TN, Daughter
David West, Grandson
Elisabeth Johns, Granddaughter
Rachel (Brian) Vania, Granddaughter
Andria (Tyler) Skinner, Granddaughter
Sarah Johns, Granddaughter
Andrew (Katlyn) Johns, Grandson
Jocelyn (Matthew) Rodibaugh, Granddaughter
Crysta Johns, Granddaughter
Joshua Johns, Grandson
Karmen Overton, Granddaughter
Cameron Overton, Grandson
5 Great-Grandchildren: Emma, Dominick, Roman, Noah, and Isabelle
Marie Poisel, Sister
Harold (Linda) Johns, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Christian Johns, Grandson
Alex Johns, Grandson
Nancy Johns, Granddaughter
Emma Jean Cafin, Sister
Edward Johns, Brother
Sandra K. Goller, Sister
Lynn E. Johns Sr., Brother
Charles W. Johns Jr., Brother

Mr. Johns was a member of the First Baptist Church in Francesville. He enjoyed working on old tractors. He loved his family very much, especially the great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Burial be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Humanitarian Distribution Center in Francesville.

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

Marlana D. Aviles

May 13, 1984 to September 7, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Marlana Danielle Aviles, 37, of South Bend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Tuesday, Sept. 7, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

She was born May 13, 1984 in Rensselaer. She was a 2002 graduate of Oregon-Davis High School in Hamlet.

Marlana Aviles

She is survived by:
Christopher Aviles, Mishawaka, Son
Autumn Aviles, Mishawaka, Daughter
Christopher Aviles, Mishawaka, Former Husband
Mike and Cathy Harris Burger, South Bend, Parents
Chambler Wireman, Wheatfield, Brother
Matthew (Sara) Miller, Eglin AFB, CA, Brother
Finas Ray Conley, Rensselaer, Brother
Rebecca (Michael) DeFranco, Lakeville, Sister
LaShena Andrew, Rensselaer, Sister
Janena Conley, Rensselaer, Sister
Freda (Tony) Marshall, Leslie, MI, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins
Steve Boyle, Hamlet, Best Friend (of 20 years)

Preceded in death by:
John and Thelma Wireman Harris, Maternal Grandparents

Mrs. Aviles attended IUSB and Ancilla College. She enjoyed spending time with her family, making candles, and decorating her home. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

No services will be held at this time.

Memorial donations may be made to Heartland Hospice of Elkhart.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Francesville.

Raymond Saltsman Sr.

June 16, 1942 to September 5, 2021

WHEATFIELD – Raymond Saltsman Sr., 79, passed away Sunday, Sept. 5.

He was born June 16, 1942, in Medaryville, to Hallie Everett and Edna Mae Brick Saltsman. On May 19, 1962, he married Shirley Ann Shelton. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage. She survives.

Raymond Saltsman Sr.

He is also survived by children Ray (Pam) Saltsman Jr of Rensselaer and Gina (Tod) Masters of Medaryville; 3 granddaughters; Holly (Darin) Owens, Leticia (Corey) Sutton and Sydney (DJ) Vogt; great-grandchildren: Levi and Caden Owens, Emmalynn, Elaina, Leonidas and Cyrus Sutton, Shawn Marsteller and Emmett Vogt. Survivors also include brothers Don (Jean) Saltsman and Tom Saltsman; sisters Mary (Art) Coburn and Peggy (Bill) Coburn; former daughter-in-law Gina Byroad; and grandchildren Jeri Chapman, Brandon (Elyse) Williams, Rylee (Travis) Rodriguez and Nathan (Breanne) Williams; and 14 great-grandchildren, along with a host of church family, friends, nieces and nephews and children whom he treated as his own. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Brian Duane Saltsman, sisters Doris June Saltsman, Helen Wrench, Evelyn Nelson, Ruthanne Terry, Mildred Bennett, Violet McCoy and Lucille Dunn, and one brother: Archie “Skip” Saltsman.

Mr. Saltsman worked hard through the years to provide for his family, being employed by Chet Coburn, Kiser Aluminum, Hicks Gas, Northway, Allis Chalmers, and Monon Trailer; and he retired in 2011 after many years of working at Talbert Trailers. He also served on the Medaryville Town Board. He deeply loved his family and cherished spending time with them. He also enjoyed building and remodeling, yardwork, feeding and watching birds and squirrels, hunting, fishing, camping, bonfires and cookies. Being a jack-of-all-trades, he was the one that everyone in the family went to for help. He loved teaching people how to care for things and others. He was a member of Amazing Grace Fellowship Church in Francesville. 

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Amazing Grace Fellowship Church in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 10, also at the church, conducted by Pastor Steve DeMoss and Evangelist Tod Masters. Burial will be at the Bethlehem Cemetery in Medaryville.

In lieu of donations, the family asks for you to “pay it forward” to someone in need. 

Boersma Funeral Home in Wheatfield is in charge of these arrangements.

Dorothy M. Burch Talbott

December 19, 1921  to August 30, 2021

WINAMAC - Dorothy M. Burch Talbott, 99, of Plymouth (formerly of Monterey), passed away at 9:05 p.m., Monday, Aug. 30, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth.

She was born Dec. 19, 1921 in Delong, to the late Grover C. and Pearl M. Bunnell Kline. She spent her youth growing up on the family farm in Delong. Her first marriage was to Raymond E. “Ray” Burch in 1942, and they had one son. They made their home on a farm outside of Monterey. She and her husband worked together at the Monterey School for many years. Mr. Burch passed away in 1979. Several years later, she met a widower, Charles Talbott from Rochester. They were married in 1983. He preceded her in death in 1999. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by:
Alan R. (Linda) Burch, Plymouth, Son
Kim (Xavier) Dvorak, Satellite Beach, FL, Granddaughter
Greg (Joy) Burch, Plymouth, Grandson
4 Great-Grandchildren: Delaney, Macey, Olivia, and Davin
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Evelyn L. Mackenzie, Sister
Robert C. Kline, Brother
Frances P. Bowersox, Sister
Martha W. Ginther, Sister
Margaret E. Corbin, Sister
Betty J. Stayton, Sister
LaJune Welling, Sister

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon Wednesday, Sept. 8, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon Wednesday at the funeral home, with Pastor Matt Elliott officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Grace Baptist Church in Plymouth.

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

Gail J. Feleki

August 27, 1939 to August 30, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Gail J. Feleki, 82, of Francesville, passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 30, at her home.

She was born Aug. 27, 1939 in Decoy, KY to the late Charlie and Laura Davis Smith. She was a 1957 graduate of Wheatfield High School. On Jan. 27, 1968, she married John Feleki. He survives.

Gail Feleki

She is also survived by:
Kimberly Powell, Arlington, VA, Daughter
Denise (Rick) Allen, Monticello, Step-Daughter
4 Grandchildren
9 Great-Grandchildren
Phyllis Mow, Sister
Wilgus (ZoeAnn) Smith, Brother
Jewell (Tom) Hazelgrove, Sister
Freida Passmore, Sister
Brenda (Larry) Gibson, Sister
Debbie Humphrey, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Sharon Feleki, Infant Daughter
Lois Wayne, Sister
Ray Smith, Brother
MaryAnn Roberts, Sister

Mrs. Feleki was a member of the Francesville First Christian Church. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Friday, Sept. 3, at the Francesville First Christian Church. The funeral service will follow at 12:30 p.m., Friday, at the church with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Independence Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to Francesville First Christian Church.

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

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