Obituaries

Lewis R. Hartwell

July 17, 1942 to August 17, 2021

WINAMAC - Lewis Ray Hartwell, 79, of Monticello, formerly of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Hickory Creek in Winamac.

He was born July 17, 1942 in Caliente , NV to Ira Eugene Hartwell and LuRae Bagshaw. He was raised by his grandparents Ray and Pheby Louella Bagshaw

Lewis Hartwell

Survivors include:
LeAnn (Don) Tunis, Winamac, Daughter
Courtney (Derek) Hall, Monticello, Daughter
Robert Lewis (Karen) Hartwell, Greensboro, NC, Son
Michael Goude, Zimmerman, MN, Son
Ronald Kozcar, Killian, TX, Son
7 Grandchildren
Many Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great-Grandchildren
Bernadette Hartwell, Winamac, Former Spouse

Preceded in death by:
Ray and Pheby Bagshaw Grandparents
Ira Eugene Hartwell Father
LuRae Bagshaw Mother
Letitia “Tish” Lucas Former Spouse
Andrea Goude Former Spouse

Mr. Hartwell was a retired factory worker and truck driver. He had also worked as a dispatcher for North Express in Winamac. He served two tours in Vietnam in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army where he flew a helicopter and survived being shot down. He enjoyed woodworking, winning at Yahtzee and Cubs baseball. He was a TV westerns fan and enjoyed listening to Jan and Dean. He especially liked to sit on the porch and watch the grandkids play. He loved to eat ice cream. He will be remembered by family and friends for his playful teasing.

At Mr. Hartwell’s request, no services will be scheduled.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with final expenses.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Cloyde R. Earp

September 8, 1948 to August 15, 2021

WINAMAC - Cloyde Richard Earp, 72, of Kewanna, passed away, following a battle with cancer, Sunday, Aug. 15, at the home of his mother-in-law in rural Monterey.

He was born Sept. 8, 1948 in Rochester, to the late Cloyde Russell and Florence L. Johnson Earp. He graduated from Onarga Military School and Vincennes University.

Cloyde Earp

Survivors include:
Christine Reinhold Earp, Wife
Ross (Nicole) Earp, Son
Allison (Randy Kopka) Earp, Daughter
Jacob (Amy) Koepkey, Step-Son
Maci Earp, Granddaughter
Maddison Earp, Granddaughter
Esther Earp-Kopka, Granddaughter
Logan Koepkey, Step-Grandson
Griffin Koepkey, Step-Grandson
Madelyn Koepkey, Step-Granddaughter
Sawyer Koepkey, Step-Grandson
Donna Clark, Sister
Phyllis Covey, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Esther Mack Reinhold, Mother-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Valentine Reinhold Jr., Father-in-law

Mr. Earp worked most of his life as a farmer and a truck driver. During his retirement, he worked alongside his son in his farming operation. He was a member of Leiter’s Ford United Methodist Church and was a 4-H leader for 30 years. He was the founder of Fulton County Model Railroad Club. He was a train enthusiast and especially enjoyed model railroading. He loved his family, especially spending time with his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. (Sunday), at the funeral home with Rev. Nancy Foster officiating. A graveside service will be at 4:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. CT)), Sunday, at Earp Cemetery in Cornell, IL. Burial will follow.

Memorial donations may be made to Leiter’s Ford United Methodist Church or Monterey United Methodist Church.

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

Jacob A. Gutwein

June 12, 1996 to August 11, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Jacob Anthony Gutwein, 25, of Rensselaer, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 11, as the result of an automobile accident.

He was born June 12, 1996 in Valparaiso. He attended Rensselaer High School.

Jacob Gutwein

He is survived by:
Charlene Rogers Gutwein, Grandmother
Nancy Spangle Hopson, Mother
Kristy (Clinton) Mays, Sister
Kelly Gutwein, Sister
Karla (Tyler) Gowens, Sister
Lynn Gutwein II, Brother
Colton Gutwein, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Johnny Gutwein Jr., Grandfather
Thelma Ponder, Grandmother
Jerry Horton, Grandfather
Lynn Gutwein, Father

Mr. Gutwein was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and Jasper County Retired Iron Club. He enjoyed spending time at home, as well as working on computers. He was an avid gamer. He will be sadly missed.

A private service and burial will be held.

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

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

Harold W. Hooker

May 22, 1923 to August 10, 2021

WINGATE - Harold Wayne Hooker, 98, passed away peacefully at 11:16 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 10, at his home. He was among the last of the “Greatest Generation” in Francesville. 

He was born May 22, 1923, on the farm near Francesville, the son of the late Otto G. and Julie Grock Hooker. He was one of eight children.  He married Mary L. Robinson on Oct. 17, 1943 in Monticello. She preceded him in death March 26, 2018.

Harold Hooker

Surviving are daughter, Connie Sullivan of Ridgeville, IN;  Daughter-in-law, Laura ‘Sam’ Hooker of Brookston; Grandchildren Kimberly (Brian) Bader, Carrie Sullivan, Mike Sullivan, Neal Hooker, Chad (Kati) Hooker; Great-grandchildren, Brazen Bader, Aydan Bader, Cooper Spencer, Cole Hooker; and sister-in-law Lois Vollmer Hooker. Several nieces and nephews also survive, as well as a community who will miss this “colorful character.”

He was preceded in death by son Ed, sisters Blanche, Opal and Annabelle, brothers Raymond and Paul who both died as young boys, and Lamoine and Ronald.

Mr. Hooker graduated from Francesville High School and helped on the family farm, until enlisting in the U.S. Navy. During World War II he served aboard the USS Randall. Following his discharge he and Mary moved to a 320-acre farm west of Francesville, in Gillam Township, where they remained until retirement. He kept a well-manicured farmstead, roadsides and equipment. His rows were straight and weed-free. Neighbors and an ornery nephew would often pull weeds or corn and stick them in Harold’s perfectly clean soybeans to see how long it took him to find it and remove it. He enjoyed farming and from time to time worked with neighbors during harvest. It was said by one of the wives who observed, “I didn’t know the guys could have so much fun farming.”

Mr. Hooker always had a gleam in his eye, an ornery grin and was ready to drink coffee with the guys and share stories. After retirement, he was one of the first to arrive at the fertilizer plant each morning to have coffee ready for the crew. He enjoyed guns, hunting, and in the summer you could often find him on “community groundhog patrol” along the ditch banks.

An informal gathering of family and friends to remember and celebrate Harold’s life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 22, at the Meadow Springs Event Center, 8631 U.S. 421, Francesville (intersection of U.S. 421 and SR 114).  Private family inurnment will take place at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. 

Memorial donations may be directed to Riley Hospital for Children, St. Jude Children’s Hospital for Research or, First Christian Church Youth Group. 

Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate is assisting the family. Visit us online at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guestbook or share a memory.

Paul F. Vedope

August 21, 1930 to August 8, 2021

WINAMAC - Paul F. Vedope, 67, of Star City, passed away Sunday, Aug. 8, at St. Franciscan Hospital in Lafayette.

Paul Vedope

He was born Sept. 29, 1953 in Gary, to the late Frank and Shirley King Vedope. He married Jo Linda “Jody” Miller on July 31, 1998 in the British Virgin Islands. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Carol (Dale) Wheeler, Henderson, Ark., Sister
Garry Vedope, Hobart, Brother

Mr. Vedope had worked as a tool and die maker. He enjoyed fishing and hunting arrowheads.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home with Rev. Chris Kosary officiating.

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

John J. Stanton

February 11, 1967 to August 6, 2021

WINAMAC - John Joseph Stanton, 54, of Winamac (formerly of Rochester) passed away Friday, Aug. 6, at St. Vincent Hospital (86th Street) in Indianapolis.

He was born Feb. 11, 1967 in Wheeling, WV to John Eugene “Jack” and Diane Bagley Stanton. He graduated from Wheeling High School and received an associate’s degree from Phoenix University. On April 11, 2008, he married Alesia Dawn Dail McKenzie in Rochester. She survives.

John Stanton

He is also survived by:
Paige McKenzie, Winamac, Step-Daughter
Preston Stanton, Winamac, Son
Joshua Stanton, Winamac, Son
John and Diane Stanton, Parents
Kim Stanton, Sister
Bob (Michelle) Stanton, Brother
Ryan Stanton, Brother
Timmy Tracey, Nephew

Mr. Stanton was employed at Plymouth Tube in Winamac where he worked as a production supervisor.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 11, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A private graveside service will be held at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Autism Society or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.