Obituaries

Sandra Perez Blanco

February 18, 1932 to April 6, 2021

WINAMAC - Sandra Perez Blanco, 39, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, April 6, surrounded by her loved ones at her home in Winamac.

She was born  Feb. 18, 1982 in Los Reyes de Juarez, Puebla, Mexico, the youngest of seven children.

She is survived by:
Indalecio Perez Flores and Esperanza Blanco Machorro, Parents
Teodulfa Noemi Perez Blanco, Sister
Jose Raul Perez Blanco, Brother
Jaime Perez Blanco, Brother
Georgina Perez Blanco, Sister
Miguel Angel Perez Blanco, Brother
Analia Perez Blanco, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Ms. Perez Blanco attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rochester. She was a hardworking woman and set a good example for others. She enjoyed painting, doing puzzles, and traveling. Most of all, she loved animals, especially cats. She was a good friend, excellent daughter, and loving sister who will be dearly missed.

Services will be held in Mexico at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in the form of Mass Intentions to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rochester.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Jeannetta Houston Davis

September 29, 1930 to April 7, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Jeannetta Houston Davis, 90, of Indianapolis (formerly of Francesville), passed away Wednesday, April 7, at Community Health North Hospital in Indianapolis.

She was born Sept. 29, 1930 in Monticello, to the late Andrew and Vera Timmons Houston. She grew up on a Francesville farm and was the oldest of seven children. She married Kenny Davis on July 29, 1950, at the Methodist Church in Medaryville. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by:
Rachelle (Richard) Fay, Indianapolis, Daughter
Tayler Mikosz, Indianapolis, Granddaughter
Emily Davis, Minneapolis, MN, Granddaughter
Luke Seitz, Step-Grandson
Audrey Weltzin, Sister
Roberta Geyer, Sister
Norma (Herman) Smidler, Sister
Robert (Sharon) Houston, Brother
Nancy Dickinson, Sister
David (Jill) Houston, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Timothy Davis, Son

As a youth, Mrs. Davis worked on the farm with her father, and he always said, “she was the best tractor driver; she never took out a fence.” After high school she moved to Medaryville where she lived with her mother’s parents, Grammy and Grand Dad Timmons. While working in the fields she met her future husband who worked for her father. She worked at both the Francesville grain elevator and Peoples State Bank in Francesville. She continued taking American Institute of Banking classes and became an officer at Lafayette National Bank in Lafayette.

Mrs. Davis loved volunteering in her community and was always busy helping with the Francesville town-wide garage sale and the Francesville Fall Festival. She was a longtime member of the Methodist Church. She was a writer, always sending her family little notes and poems. When the Davises retired, they purchased a second home in Florida where they spent the winters for several years. They enjoyed the weather, community and being close to his brother Bill and her sister Norma. They always enjoyed when their children and grandchildren were able to visit during spring break. Several years ago, they moved to Indianapolis to be closer to their daughter so she could provide the care they needed. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt who will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 10, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., Saturday, at the funeral home with Pastor Douglas Thompson officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Francesville Fall Festival.

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

James M. Kennedy

December 18, 1960 to September 20, 2019

WINAMAC – A service will be held in June to memorialize the life of James M. Kennedy, 58, of Austin, TX, who passed away Sept. 20, 2019 in Austin. 

He was born Dec. 18, 1960 in Indiana.  He grew up in Winamac and moved to Texas with his parents, the late Urban and Doris Hunt Kennedy, in the early 1970s. 

He is survived by his siblings, Jean (Larry) Thompson of Conyers, GA, Janet McWherter of Merritt Island, FL, and John Robert (Diana) Kennedy of Fate, TX; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family will gather at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac, to share memories of James at  2 p.m., Monday, June 21. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

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

Local arrangments have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Jean A. Crissinger Dixon Scheffer

August 25, 1956 to April 5, 2021

WINAMAC - Jean Ann Crissinger Dixon Scheffer, 64, of Rochester (formerly of Star City), passed away Monday, April 5, at IU Health Hospital in Lafayette.

She was born Aug. 25, 1956 in Winamac, to the late George A. and Leona E. McClellan Crissinger. She graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1974. She married Robert Lee Dixon on June 5, 1976 in Star City. He passed away Oct. 8, 2008. She later married Gary Scheffer on Oct. 12, 2013 in Leiters Ford. He survives.

She is also survived by:
Brett (Jessica) Dixon, Lafayette, Son
Bobby (Becky) Dixon, Star City, Son
Bessie (Andy) Proffet, Indianapolis, Daughter
Robert Lee (Fiona) Dixon Jr., Step-Son
Lori Clinger, Step-Daughter
Bobbi Jo (Ferris) Scheffer, Step-Daughter
Paul Scheffer, Step-Son
21 Grandchildren
Many Great-Grandchildren
Virginia “Ginny” Keehn, North Judson, Sister
James “Jim” Crissinger, Star City, Brother
Ruth Crissinger, Star City, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Brenda Fenske, Step-Daughter
One Great-Granddaughter
Richard “Dick” Crissinger, Brother

Mrs. Dixon Scheffer worked many years at North Express in Winamac. She was always the primary caregiver for her first husband, and when he received his transplant, she was given the opportunity to complete EMT training. She was active with the local Girl Scouts for many years, having held many roles. She was a member of Tippecanoe Christian Church in Winamac. She was a collector of many things, especially Garfield and Minions memorabilia. She enjoyed Facebook and shopping as well as playing pool and Bunco. Following her marriage to Mr. Scheffer, the couple enjoyed living on the river and watching the floaters pass by. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 17, at Tippecanoe Cemetery in Winamac, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to American Kidney Foundation or Tippecanoe Christian Church.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Dianna L. Pelsy

September 15, 1953 to April 4, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Dianna L. Pelsy, 67, of Francesville, passed away at 9:20 a.m., Sunday, April 4, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Rensselaer.

She was born Sept. 15, 1953 in Lafayette, to the late Thomas and Donna Herr Walker. She graduated from West Central High School in 1972 and earned an associate’s degree from Ivy Tech in 1992. On Sept. 25, 2012, she married Dean Pelsy in Las Vegas. He survives.

She is survived by:
Necola (Mike) Kidwell, Cincinnati, Daughter
Gary (Jennifer) Hunter, Medaryville, Son
Tonja Hunter, Francesville, Daughter
Alexis Hunter, Granddaughter
Devin Hunter, Grandson
Rebecca Hunter, Granddaughter
Liam Hunter, Grandson
Hunter Newton, Grandson
Jeremiah Newton, Grandson
Arianna Watson, Granddaughter
Mike (Jenny) Walker, Brother
Kathie (Steve) Allen, Sister
Many Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Mrs. Pelsy was a proud homemaker and enjoyed helping her husband on the farm. She enjoyed wintering in Cape Coral, FL. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a creative person with a variety of hobbies and interests. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 8, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville; and one hour prior to services Friday. The funeral service will be at 12 noon, Friday, April 9, at the funeral home with Rev. James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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

Sarah L. Hutchens Bonnell

July 23, 1951 to March 18, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS/WINAMAC - Sarah Lynn Hutchens Bonnell, 69, of Indianapolis, passed away Thursday, March 18.

She was born July 23, 1951 in Speedway, to the late John Wilson and Dorothy Wilmena Lynn Hutchens. She was a 1969 graduate of Speedway High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in theatre from Ball State University, as well as a master’s degree in education from Indiana University at Kokomo.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years Tom Bonnell; her sons, Shay (Angie) Bonnell, Dominick (Tiffany) Calabrese, Trent Bonnell and Travis (Jessica) Bonnell; her brother, Jim (Cheri) Hutchens; her niece Amy Hutchens Terry, and her nephews, Michael and Mark Hutchens; her grandchildren, Avery, Brady, Bowen and Briggs Calabrese; Audrey, Grant and Aspyn Bonnell; Carter and Connor Bonnell, and Ethan Lamar; a host of dear friends, grateful students, and a forever-grateful community that witnessed the ongoing education of more than 3,000 students during the teaching tenure of Sarah Bonnell.

Mrs. Bonnell was dedicated to serving the students of Eastern Pulaski Elementary School in Winamac for 34 years. She was a former member of Winamac United Methodist Church, the Indiana State Teachers Association and the National Education Association. She was a kind and gentle soul who was happiest making memories with her family and friends. She absolutely loved enriching the lives of her students, her children, and grandchildren through teaching and new experiences. She never passed on an opportunity to read to her grandchildren, and appreciated her own quiet moments with her husband and family, often times celebrating life with a Coca-Cola or nice glass of wine.

She loved high school and college basketball, and disconnected herself every March to closely follow the NCAA Basketball Tournament. She rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on her Indiana Hoosiers, Purdue Boilermakers, and her beloved Winamac Warriors, where she also served as cheerleader sponsor for many years. When there was time to get away, she would make her way with her family to Lake Maxinkuckee where many memories were made. Finally, she is honored and remembered by those students whose theatric talents were developed under her tutelage while participating in the Summer Playhouse children’s theatre program at the Winamac schools.

Mrs. Bonnell will be honored and remembered as a parent, wife, colleague, friend, and professional educator, with a gathering as a family and community at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 2. Mom's Celebration of Life will be held at: St. Luke's United Methodist Church 100 West 86th St. Indianapolis. A meal for those attending will follow at one of Sarah’s favorite restaurants: MCL Cafeteria, 2370 West 86th St., Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be given to the Community Foundation of Pulaski County, designating the donation to the Sherald & Verla Bonnell Family Educational Fund. Donations may be made online, and dedicated to and in the name of Sarah L. Bonnell. The Community Foundation of Pulaski County can be found at the following website: www.cfopc.org

Online condolences available at: www.leppertmortuary.com and www.frainmortuary.com