Obituaries

Carole Jeanne Stinemetz

February 11, 1940 to November 30, 2020

WINAMAC - Carole Jeane Stinemetz, 80, of Winamac, passed away peacefully Monday, Nov. 30, at her home.

She was born Feb. 11, 1940 in Rochester, to the late Milo and Vernie Morrison Lewis. She graduated from Monterey High School in 1958 and attended nursing school at Manchester College.

Carole Jeane Stinemetz

She is survived by:
Michelle Renee “Missy” Rehm, Winamac, Daughter
William Michael “Mike” Stinemetz, Carlisle, Son
Susan Jeane “Susie” (Paul) Stearns, Argos, Daughter
Gerry Jo “Jo Jo” (Kenny) Whitehead, Winamac, Daughter
10 Grandchildren: Heidi, Mindi, Mallori, Gabe, Jessie, Michael, Andrew, Madison, Alexander, and Christopher.
13 Great-Grandchildren: Marshall, Xander, Thackery, Cadence, Traveler, Persephone, Lunabella, Aubrielle, Gideon, Matthew, Nikki, Mackenzie, and Selena.
Judith “Judy” Shank, Winamac, Sister
Rex (Sue) Crump, Plymouth, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
1 Great-Granddaughter: Alivia
Janet Lee Lewis, Infant Sister
Geraldine Rose “Gerry” Ezra, Sister
Thomas “Tom” Shank, Brother-in-law
1 Nephew: Tommy

Mrs. Stinemetz was an education secretary at North Central Juvenile Correctional Facility in Logansport, and retired in 2004. Waitressing, bartending, and being a legal secretary were some of her favorite jobs. She was also a longtime Avon Representative. She was a member of the Winamac Eagle’s #2580 and was active with the Monterey Alumni Association for many years. She enjoyed bowling and ice skating. Most of all, she loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren; attending every function she could. She always referred to her children as her “gifts from God.” She was spunky and outgoing. She had a wonderful sense of humor and didn’t mind being referred to as “Mean Jeane.” Although Jeane is gone, she has left us amazing memories full of laughter and smiles.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A private celebration of life service will be held at the funeral home with Pastor Heath Hiatt officiating. Private burial will be at Riverside Memorial Cemetery in Monterey.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Animal Center.

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

Robert J. Winstead Sr.

October 5, 1958 to November 24, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Robert Jeffrey “Jeff” Winstead Sr., 62, of Francesville, passed away at his home Tuesday, Nov. 24, following a long battle with cancer.

He was born Oct. 5, 1958 in Princeton, KY to Robert Smith and Mary Loyce Howton Winstead. The family moved to Northwestern Indiana when Jeff was a child. On Sept. 2, 2006 in Gatlinburg, TN, he married Kellie Austin. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Robert Jeffrey (Richelle) Winstead Jr., Son
Johnny Winstead, Son
Lacie (Josh) Burnside, Step-Daughter
Lindsey (Rich) Edmondson, Step-Daughter
5 Grandchildren: Lilly, Sydney, Alexander, Landry, and Kylie
Mary Loyce Howton Winstead Felton, Mother
Tammy Long, Sister
Joe (Darrell) Winstead, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Robert Smith Winstead, Father
Lori Hickey, Sister

Mr. Winstead and his wife met at the stone quarry south of Francesville and have been best friends ever since. He worked his entire life as a truck driver. He enjoyed working on trucks and spending time with his rescued animals. He loved his grandchildren very much.

No services will be held.

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 Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville,

Howard Leman

1938 to November 23, 2020

SPRING HILL, TN - Dr. Howard Leman, age 82 of Columbia, TN passed away Monday, Nov. 23.

He was born in 1938 in Francesville, to the late Edward and Ruth Musselman Leman.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carol Leman; children, Kimberly (Ronald) Booth and Julie (Andrew) Florio; siblings, Roberta (Ron) DeGraaff, Gary (Ruth) Leman, David (Elaine) Leman, Daniel (Linda) Leman, Steven (Wanda) Leman, Mike (Tina) Leman and Sharon (Gary) Cotner; grandchildren, Amy (Michael John) Lovell, Jonathan (Emily) Duncan and Olivia Florio; great-grandchildren, Harper Lovell, Jaxson and Camden Duncan and three step-grandchildren, Taylor Florio, Ronald Lee Booth III, and Daniel Booth.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Timothy Leman.

Dr. Leman spent many years in Florida where he pastored at Plantation Baptist Church for 26 years. Upon retirement, he moved to Sebring, FL where he pastored on an interim basis for several churches. His years of ministry impacted countless lives, and many are serving the Lord today because of his influence.

Funeral services will be at 12 noon, Saturday, Nov. 28, at Spring Hill Memorial Funeral Home (Spring Hill, TN) with Dr. Kevin Ahrens and Dr. Jerry Williamson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Burial will follow at Spring Hill Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to a ministry of the donor’s choice.

Richard D. Keller

June 20, 1925 to November 20, 2020

WINAMAC - Richard D. “Dick” Keller, 95, lifelong farmer from Monterey, died Friday, Nov. 20, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

He was born June 20, 1925 in Monterey to the late Edmond and Dora Keitzer Keller. He attended Holy Family School in Monterey through the eighth grade and graduated from Monterey High School. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. On Nov. 27, 1948, he married Monna Lou Vanscoyk. She died June 15, 2005.

He is survived by:
Sister Rebecca S. Keller, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Daughter
Judith A. (Peter) Sanders, Ft. Myers, FL. Daughter
Victoria L. (John) Bean, Geneseo, IL. Daughter
Amanda L. Goldner, Fishers, Daughter
Teresa J. (Tony) Kasten, Winamac, Daughter
Lisa J. Reidelbach, Winamac, Daughter
Edward E. Keller, Monterey, Son
Grandchildren: Heidi (Steve) Sedaros, Rick Sanders, Brian (Lisa) Sanders, Jennifer (Brian) Williams, Mary (Marco) Bean, William (Brittany) Bean, Jeremy Kasten, Jill (fiancé: Michael Adair) Kasten, Brandy (David) Gray, and Wyatt Reidelbach.
16 Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Henry Keller, Infant Son
Tim Reidelbach, Son-in-law
Phillip Keller, Brother
Margaret Schmidt, Sister
Raymond Keller, Infant Brother

Mr. Keller was a lifelong active member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Monterey. He was a member of the Monterey American Legion Post #399. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be sadly missed.

A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Monterey, with Rev. Andrew DeKeyser officiating. Burial will be at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Monterey. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to Monterey American Legion Post #399.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Minnie A. Ledford

September 15, 1929 to November 18, 2020

WINAMAC - Minnie Alvera Ledford, 91, of Francesville, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, at her daughter’s home in Rochester.

She was born Sept. 15, 1929 in Denham, to the late John and Lela Miller Rater. She was lovingly raised in Beaver Township by the late Wayne Wood and Mary Catherine Neusbaum Fitz. She was a graduate of Pulaski High School. On Nov. 9, 1947, she married William Ernest “Bill” Ledford at Tippecanoe Christian Church in rural Winamac. He passed away Feb. 12, 2017.

She is survived by:
Barbara Ann (Tom) Elliott, Monticello, Daughter
Diana Lee (Mark) Burch, Rochester, Daughter
Debra Kay (Les) Ezra, Winamac, Daughter
Sandra Sue Henderson, Lafayette, Daughter
16 Grandchildren: Dean, Kathleen, Tom Jr., Tracy, Thomas, Chera, Alicia, Heather, Eve, Terry, Brandon, Nicole, Kristen, Shawna, Kyle and Lindsay.
36 Great-Grandchildren: Justin, Sean, McHale, Mallory, Kelsey, Christian, Elvira, Easton, Hudson, Rylenn, Dailan, Sophie, Audrianna, Luke, Elijah, Jace, Lillian, Hayden, Leah, Olivia, Rori, Sophia, Irene, Joshua, William, Isaac, Grace, Isla, Henry, Declan, Ashton, Brooklyn, McKenzie, Jackson, Ariah and Arrianna.
3 Great-Great-Grandchildren: Ariel, Emma, Liam
Wayne Wesley “Butch” (Judy) Fitz, Winamac, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
William “Bill” Rater, Brother
Juanita Fitz, Infant Sister
Mary Catherine Becker, Sister
Alberta Smith, Sister
Lorna DePoy, Sister
Gertrude Smiriotis, Sister
Anna Mae Cowger, Sister
John Andrew Rater Jr., Brother
Robert Rater, Brother

Mrs. Ledford was an active member of the Tippecanoe Christian Church and Ladies Guild. She was also a member of Happy Homemakers Home Ec Club. She was a proud homemaker with many talents. She was an avid quilter and seamstress. She faithfully cared for her family her entire life - whether it was making outfits, gardening and canning, or cooking and baking – Minnie attended to her family. She worked alongside her husband on the farm, helping wherever it was needed. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Most of all, she loved being a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Private visitation will be held at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A private graveside service and burial will be at Tippecanoe Cemetery in Winamac, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the Tippecanoe Christian Church.

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

Kyle B. Button

September 21, 1992 to November 16, 2020

WINAMAC - Kyle Benjamin Button, 28, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly at his home Monday, Nov. 16.

He was born Sept. 21, 1992 in Crawfordsville, to Jerry Ray Button and Connie Howard. He attended Winamac Community High School.

He is survived by:
Billijean Rains, Winamac, Fiancée
Levi Button, Winamac, Son
Kinley Button, Winamac, Daughter
Quinton Schick, Winamac, Step-Son
William Leo Rains Jr., Winamac, Step-Son
Connie Howard Witt, Winamac, Mother
Jerry Ray Button, Winamac, Father
Douglas Scott Witt, Crawfordsville, Step-Father
Krista (Travis) Wolford, Winamac, Sister
Kolt (fiancée: Stacey Newlin) Witt, Winamac, Brother
Lisa Wilson, Ora, Sister
Keisha Wright, Delong, Sister
Irene Swanson, Knox, Maternal Grandmother
Lloyd Jackie and Phyllis Howard, Knox, Maternal Grandfather
Jerry and Janet Button, Winamac, Paternal Grandparents
Jeannine Whitington, Crawfordsville, Paternal Step-Grandmother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Robert Lee Howard-Button, Brother
Jeremy Scott Button, Infant Brother
Bentley Wayne Button, Infant Nephew
Jack Whitington, Paternal Step-Grandfather
Lloyd “Buster” Howard, Uncle
Deborah Roberts, Aunt

Mr. Button was a very hard worker and was employed as a welder with Grand Industrial in Logansport. He did everything he could to provide for his family and would do anything for anyone. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed racing. He was a loving dad, son, and brother. He loved with all of his heart and will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Private burial will be at Mt. Zion-Franklin Township Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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