Obituaries

Pat Crippen Smith

April 29, 1949 to May 2, 2024

KEWANNA - Pat Crippen Smith, 75, of Kewanna passed away peacefully Thursday, May 2, at home.

Born April 29, 1949, she was the only child of Leon and Sally (Wilson) Crippen; (she always said they went for “quality not quantity.”)   She married Tim Smith on Dec. 15, 1988. They were rarely apart and had a very special bond. It was obvious even at the end how much they loved each other. He survives.

Pat Smith

Survivors also include children Jamie (Brian) Handy, Lyndee (Shawn) Duhnovsky, Jodi (Brad) Boldry, Jake (Michelle) Smith, Josh (Sumer) Smith; and 14 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

 She was preceded in death by her parents and her mother-in-law and father-in-law.
 
Mrs. Smith retired from Pulaski Memorial Hospital.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She had a very special and strong relationship with Jesus from a young age. She was especially fond of teaching what she knew about the Scripture and always had a unique way of explaining it to others of all ages. She had many hobbies, including teaching the Bible, genealogy  research, making jewelry, floral arranging, painting, crafting, riding four-wheelers and spending time with friends and family. She loved to travel, especially to do genealogy research. She was quick witted and always knew what to say to comfort others and make them laugh. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her on the power of perseverance through really difficult circumstances by leaning on her faith in Jesus and the power of prayer. She loved her family with all her heart through thick and thin no matter the circumstance. She will be greatly missed but she is finally home with Jesus and out of pain.

A graveside services will be at 1 p.m., Monday, May 6, at Grass Creek Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Guardian Angel Hospice and Pulaski Memorial Hospital. 

Mrs. Smith’s online guestbook is available, and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes, Kewanna.

Rachel A. Scheffer

March 16, 1975 to May 1, 2024

ROYAL CENTER - Rachel A. Scheffer, 49, of Winamac passed away at 8:50 a.m., Tuesday, May 1, at home.

Rachel Scheffer

Born March 16, 1975, she was the daughter of Harvey and Jane (Fisher) Scheffer. She was a 1993 Winamac Community High School graduate.

Survivors include her sons Zach (Shannon) Markley of Michigan, Jacob of Scheffer Colorado and Harvey Wenglarz of Lafayette; mother Jane Scheffer of Winamac; brother Matthew (Natasha) Scheffer of Michigan; sister Laura Scheffer of Indianapolis; and nieces and nephews Tiffany, Matthew, Olivia, Alexandria, Miles and Avery Scheffer.

She was preceded in death by her father, and grandparents Ed and Olive Fisher and Julia Turnpaugh.

Ms. Scheffer enjoyed crafts, crocheting, cooking and woodburning art.

A celebration of life gathering will be from 2 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. There will be a dinner at the V.F.W. in Winamac at 5:30 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Pancreatic Association at www.american-pancreatic-association.org.

Ms. Scheffer’s online guestbook is available, and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Anna M. Podell

January 17, 1928 to April 28, 2024

WINAMAC - Anna Marie Podell, 96, of Tavares, FL (formerly of Winamac and Akron), passed away April 28.

She was born Jan. 17, 1928, in Wabash, to the late Lee and Sarah [King] Porter. Known as “Ann” by her family and friends, she graduated from Huntington High School in 1946. Two years later she moved to North Judson and was employed in Dr. Matthew’s office as his receptionist and assistant. On Nov. 24, 1951, she married Robert “Bob” Podell. He preceded her in death.

Ann Podell

Survivors include:
Robert M. (Mollie) Podell Jr., Tavares, FL, Son and Daughter-in-law
Gregory L. (Betty) Podell, Myrtle Beach, SC, Son and Daughter-in-law
Douglas J. (Cheryl) Podell, Ponte Vedra, FL, Son and Daughter-in-law
Brian E. (Amy) Housinger, Hendersonville, NC, Grandson
Emily A. (Andy) Kruger, Blythewood, SC, Granddaughter
Kyle G. Podell, Myrtle Beach, SC, Grandson
Nicholas P. (Ashtin) Podell, Mount Dora, FL, Grandson
Annie E. (Beck) Serles, Wanatah, Granddaughter
Jacob L. (Kaitlyn) Podell, DeMotte, Grandson
10 Great-Granddaughters
4 Great-Grandsons
1 Great-Great-Grandson
Mike Porter, Akron, Brother
Jim (Ann) Podell, Elgin, SC, Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law
Numerous nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by:
William Porter, Brother
Robert Porter, Brother
Patricia (Dave) Davis, Sister and Brother-in-law
Betty (J.C.) Carl, Sister and Brother-in-law
Patsy Porter, Sister-in-law
Laverne (“Fritz”) Bertucci, Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law

Mrs. Podell accompanied her husband when he moved to the U.S. Army Base in Anchorage, AK in 1952. In 1953, they made their home in Winamac on the Podell Family Farm. She was a homemaker who kept the farm books, ran errands, and delivered meals to the fields while raising three boys. In 2000, Ann and Bob built a home in Tavares where they later took up permanent residence. Bob preceded her in death in 2008 after 57 years of marriage. She was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac, was a former Sunday School Teacher for many years, and held office in the St. Luke’s Women’s Guild. In addition, she attended Woodlands Lutheran Church in Montverde, FL. Throughout her life, she was also a member of the Rock Lake Conservation Club, Jefferson/Rich Grove Home Ec Club, Pulaski County Democratic Ladies, and the John Purdue Club. She enjoyed making memories at their summer home on Rock Lake in Akron, attending summer plays at the Wagon Wheel Playhouse in Warsaw, socializing with other snowbird friends in Central Florida, entertaining, keeping up with her Facebook friends, tailgating at the Purdue football games, and visiting with her neighbors, family and friends.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m., Thursday, May 9, at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac. The funeral service will be follow at 2 p.m. (Thursday), at the church with Pastor Thomas Woodley officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac or Woodlands Lutheran Church in Montverde.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Gerald T. Cushing

April 14, 1940 to April 26, 2024

MEDARYVILLE - Gerald “Jerry” Thomas Cushing, 83, passed away Friday April 26, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City.

He was born April 14, 1940 in Rock Island, IL to Margaret Pauline (Seaton) and Leo Edward Cushing. He graduated from Spaulding Institute in 1958. He moved from Peoria, IL to Chicago in 1958 and worked on the railroad for a few years. It was during this time that he met Arlos Marlene Selmer, and they married on Jan. 2, 1965.

Jerry Cushing

He is survived by:
Arlos Cushing,  Medaryville, Wife
Gerald (Ellen) Cushing Jr, Mokena, IL, Son
Brian (Julia) Cushing, Countryside, IL, Son
Christiane (Christopher) Hileman, North Judson, Daughter
10 grandchildren: Jonathon (Ellie), Caroline, Andrew, Anna-Rose, Fiona, Savannah, Gerald III, Sean, Eleanora and Colin.
John Tribbey , Sacramento, CA, Brother-in-law

He was preceded in death by:
Margaret and Leo Cushing, Parents
 Leo Cushing, Brother
 David (Dixie) Cushing, Brother
 Rosanne (John) Poremba, Sister
Marilyn  Tribbey, Sister

Mr. Cushing joined the Chicago Police Department in 1961 and was promoted to sergeant in 1971. He retired in 1995 after proudly serving for 34 years. After his retirement from the force, he served the City of Chicago for another 10 years as a police supervisor at the 911 Center. He never knew a stranger; he was a friend to everyone and loved to strike up a conversation. A devoted husband and father, he was a hard worker and did whatever he needed to provide for his family. He was truly a jack-of-all-trades, working as a semi -truck driver, snowplow driver, fencing and gate fabricator, and owned two businesses: Cushing Carpet Cleaners and J& J Excavating. He also worked for the Sheehy Funeral Home in Chicago. Additionally, he happily farmed alongside his father-in-law and worked diligently with his family to remodel their beloved farmhouse. In his spare time, he also coached both football and softball. He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in San Pierre, and the Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago. He was also a member of the Police Sergeant’s Association in Chicago, the Knights of Columbus and the Elk’s Club of Chicago.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. (EDT) Friday, May 3, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. (EDT), Saturday, May 4, at All Saints Catholic Church in San Pierre, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Medaryville.

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

Willard L. Graham

August 12, 1939 to April 24, 2024

DENVER, IN - Willard Leon “Ink” Graham, 84, Winamac (formerly of Macy), passed away at 3:24 a.m., Wednesday, April 24, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

Born Aug. 12, 1939, in Richland Township, Miami County, he was the son of Kenneth Walter and Lillie L. (Zartman) Graham.  On June 27, 1959, at the Mexico (IN) Church of the Brethren, he was married to Mary Donna Hunt. She survives.

Ink Graham

Survivors also include one daughter, Beth Ann (Scott) Taylor, Lafayette; son, Mark (Diana) Graham, Macy; grandchildren, Ben (Allison) Taylor, Ft. Wayne, Breanna Taylor, Lafayette, Cody (Kayla) Graham, Bloomfield and Kevin (Corey) Graham, Rochester; two step-great-grandchildren; brother, Joe (Donna) Graham, Denver; sisters-in-law, Elsie Graham, Logansport, Dorothy Hunt, New York and Laura Henderson, Michigan City; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Kenneth V. “Kenny” Graham and Thomas M. Graham Sr.; two sisters, Bonnie Jean Hillman and Delores Graham; and two brothers-in-law, Paul Hunt and James Hunt.

Mr. Graham attended Chili High School and was a member of the Army National Guard.  He was a longtime member of the Mexico Church of the Brethren before moving to Winamac where he attended the Winamac First United Methodist Church. He retired from Sealed Power in Rochester where he worked for over 30 years. A small hobby-farmer himself, he also helped his father-in-law, Marvin Hunt, farm for many years. He enjoyed Chevy trucks, John Deere tractors, boating, watching Westerns, tinkering in the shop, and watching basketball - especially Purdue, and football. An annual tradition, he and his wife headed to New Port Richey, FL, where they spent 12 winters in the Florida sun in one of their many campers they owned over the years. In the most recent years, he was a passenger on many trips around the countryside where he enjoyed looking at all of God’s creation with his loving wife behind the wheel. When the grandchildren were growing up, a special time for him was being a spectator at their many events.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 27, at McClain Funeral Home, Denver, with Pastor Todd Graham officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Mexico. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday, at the funeral home. 

Memorial donations may be made to Greenlawn Cemetery, Mexico.

McClain Funeral Home, Denver, IN, has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclainfh.com.

Gene Schramm

August 26, 1944 to April 22, 2024

WINAMAC - Gene Schramm, 79, of Winamac, passed away Monday, April 22, at Hickory Creek in Winamac.

She was born Aug. 26, 1944 in Monterey, to the late Lloyd Eugene and Vonda Zoe [Vanscoyk] Fisher. She was a graduate of Monterey High School. On July 12, 1973, she married Ray Schramm in Chicago. He passed away May 18, 1995.

Gene Schramm

She is survived by:
Kathy (Ray) Franko, Winamac, Daughter
Chris (Kim) Schramm, Winamac, Son
Barry (Li Han) Fostvelt, Winamac, Son
Laura (J.T.) Mays, Winamac, Daughter
Kyle (Angelina) Schramm, North Pole, AK, Son
23 Grandchildren
25 Great-Grandchildren
Carol Schmidt, Culver, Sister
Bill Fisher, Winamac, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Jeremy, Stillborn Grandson
Jerad Mays, Grandson
Kevin Wang, Grandson

Mrs. Schramm was retired from Budd Insurance Agency in Winamac. She was an active member of the Winamac First United Methodist Church before she moved to Hickory Creek. Through the years, she was involved with the Red Hat Society, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross and Home-Ec Club. She was an avid reader and enjoyed bowling and crafting. More than anything, she loved spending time with her family.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Wednesday, April 24, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 12 noon {Wednesday), at the funeral home with Rev. Jeff Herron officiating. A private graveside service and burial will take place at Winamac Cemetery (Southlawn Addition), Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center, Winamac First United Methodist Church, or Habitat for Humanity.

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