Obituaries

Gene Earhart

November 24, 1936 to August 21, 2020

WINAMAC - Lestel Lagene “Gene” Earhart, 83, of Winamac, passed away at 3:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 21, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

He was born Nov. 24, 1936 in Winamac to the late Lestel Edgar and Matilda Rey Hickman Earhart. On Nov. 2, 1957, he married Denise Alva Dommer in Winamac. She passed away Aug. 11, 2020.

He is survived by:
Penny (Tom) Saltsman, Winamac, Daughter
Duane Earhart, New Richmond, WI, Son
Brenda (Bob) Lanham, Gosport, Daughter
Randy (Jeannie) Earhart, Valparaiso, Son
Kerry Earhart, Indianapolis, Son
6 Grandchildren: Jeremy, Shauna, Sheena, Jason, Katrina, and Anthony
1 Step-Grandson: Tommy
5 Great-Grandchildren: Jaren, Aidan, Brystol, McKinley, and Carter
Roselyn Budd Clark, Sister
Carolyn (Howard) Gordon, Sister-in-law
Delores Albee, Sister-in-law
Betty Feightner, Aunt
Many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Oscar Budd, Brother-in-law
Archie Clark, Brother-in-law

Mr. Earhart was a hard worker. He retired from NIPSCO (after 30 years) where he had worked as a laborer and later became a supervisor. He had also worked at RCA and a local gas station. In his youth, he worked as a farmhand and as a pin setter at a local bowling alley. He also helped his dad deliver milk. He was raised in the Bethel Bible Church. He was an avid bowler and participated in the local bowling league for many years. He was a stamp collector. He enjoyed yard work and gardening. He also enjoyed listening to country music, watching TV, Facebooking, and playing cards. He loved his family very much, especially spending time with his children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 26, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, at the funeral home with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be at Koster Cemetery in rural Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association.

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

Linda Barnes

September 15, 1958 to August 19, 2020

WINAMAC - Linda Barnes, 61, of Crete, IL passed away Wednesday, Aug. 19, at her son’s home in Winamac, following a brave battle with cancer.

She was born Sept. 15, 1958 in Valparaiso, to the late Clayton and Rosella Wallace Martin. In 1985, she married Charles Barnes who preceded her in death in 2016.

She is survived by:
Mark (Kelly O’Neil) Barnes, Son
Mackenzie O’Neil, Granddaughter
Jaxson O’Neil, Grandson
James (Brenda) Martin, Brother
Marie (Bert) Pittman, Sister
Gennie (Sotero) Mendez, Sister
Barbara Martin, Sister
Tammy (Bill) Pettice, Sister
Betsy (Albert) Flores, Sister
Paula (Perry) Taylor, Sister
Clayton (Christina) Martin, Jr., Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Amy Michelle Graves, Daughter
Alice Martin, Sister
Charlie Martin, Brother

Mrs. Barnes was employed as an assistant manager at FedEx in Merrillville, for over 15 years. Before she became ill, she was surprised with a new Dodge Challenger that she absolutely adored. Her son Mark drove her to treatments in the Challenger - a few of which may have included burnouts. She was a loving and selfless woman. She loved her family very much and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She was an awesome mom and grandma who will be dearly missed.

The family will host a celebration of life service at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

William H. Long

September 3, 1927 to August 14, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - William Henry “Bill” Long, 92, lifelong farmer from Monon,passed away at 2:11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14, at his home surrounded, by his children.

He was born Sept. 3, 1927 in rural Francesville, to the late William and Mabel Wren Long. He was a 1945 graduate of Francesville High School. On June 11, 1949, he married Alma M. Gastineau in Francesville. She passed away Jan. 20, 2011.

He is survived by:
Sandra (Roger) Ward, Francesville, Daughter
Duane Long, Monticello, IN Son
Colleen (Bruce) Westfall, Monticello, Daughter
Willy (Nancy) Perrin, Brookfield, WI, Foster Son
Erica (Evan) Christensen, Granddaughter
Amber (Phil) Leman, Granddaughter
Amanda (Rustin) Meister, Granddaughter
Erin (Bryce) Drayer, Granddaughter
Whitney Westfall, Granddaughter
Taylor (Josh) Yeager, Granddaughter
Evan Perrin, Grandson
Eric Perrin, Grandson
20 Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Matthias Drayer, Great-Grandson
Perry Long, Brother
Mary Pratt, Sister
Dorothy Westerhouse, Sister
Ruth Erb, Sister
Beverly Odom, Sister

Mr. Long was a member of St. James Salem United Church of Christ in Francesville. He was a member of Royal Center Lodge #585 F&AM and the Scottish Rite. He received his Award of Gold on Nov. 12, 2013. He farmed in Pulaski and White counties his entire life. He raised cattle and hogs. He enjoyed helping his children and grandchildren raise their champion 4-H pigs. He loved the outdoors, especially gardening, hunting, and fishing. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 5, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. A Masonic service will be precede at 9:30 a.m. A celebration of life service will follow visitation at 11 a.m., Saturday, at the funeral home.Memorial donations may be made to Safeguard Joy, Kindred Hospice, or St. James Salem United Church of Christ.

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

Denise A. Earhart

May 29, 1937 to August 11, 2020

WINAMAC - Denise Alva Dommer Earhart, 83, of Winamac, passed away at 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Rensselaer Care Center in Rensselaer.

She was born May 29, 1937 in Gary, to the late Walter C. and Kathryn L. Galbreath Dommer. She graduated from Winamac High School in 1956. On Nov. 2, 1957, she married Lestel LaGene “Gene” Earhart in Winamac. He survives.

She is also survived by:
Penny (Tom) Saltsman, Winamac, Daughter
Duane Earhart, New Richmond, WI, Son
Brenda (Bob) Lanham, Gosport, Daughter
Randy (Jeannie) Earhart, Valparaiso, Son
Kerry Earhart, Indianapolis, Son
6 Grandchildren: Jeremy, Shauna, Sheena, Jason, Katrina, and Anthony
1 Step-Grandson: Tommy
5 Great-Grandchildren: Jaren, Aidan, Brystol, McKinley, and Carter
Carolyn (Howard) Gordon, Sister
Delores Albee, Sister
Roselyn Clark Sister-in-law
Mary Abbott, Aunt
Mabel Hankey, Aunt
Ron (Doris) Dommer, Uncle
Don (Hannah) Dommer, Uncle
Bob Hoffman, Uncle
Many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

Richard Albee, Brother-in-law

Mrs. Earhart was a hard worker all of her life. In her younger years, she was a laborer at the Singer Controls factory in Winamac and the Switches factory in Leiters Ford. She was a kitchen helper at the Colonial Inn Restaurant and Indiana Head Restaurant, both in Winamac. She also worked as a housekeeper at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac and Porter Memorial Hospital in Valparaiso. She retired in 2003. She was a volunteer “candy striper” at the hospital and was a member of the auxiliary. She was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac. She enjoyed exercising, reading, and watching Golden Girls. She was an avid bowler and participated in the local bowling league for many years. She loved her family very much, especially spending time with her children and grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon , Saturday, Aug. 15, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon, Saturday, at the funeral home with

Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be at Koster Cemetery in rural Francesville.

Memorial donations may be to the American Cancer Society or the Dementia Society of America.

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

Phyllis A. Reutebuch

September 17, 1934 to August 9, 2020

WINAMAC - Phyllis A. “Babe” Reutebuch, 85, of Pulaski, passed away at 6:58 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 9, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

She was born Sept. 17, 1934 in Knox, to the late Alfonso and Anna DePirro DeSabatine. She grew up in Knox and graduated from Knox High School in 1953. On June 4, 1955, she married the late William R. “Bill” Reutebuch in Knox. He passed away on Aug. 31, 1996.

She is survived by:
William R. “Bill” Reutebuch, Pulaski, Son
Sandra L. “Sis” (Kenny) Becker, Winamac, Daughter
Timothy E. “Slug” (Candi) Reutebuch, Winamac, Son
Daniel P. “Spook” (Leslie) Reutebuch, Pulaski, Son
Jeff (Alisha) Becker, Grandson
Scott (Cherise) Becker, Grandson
Ty (Kirsten) Reutebuch, Grandson
Troy (Brittaney) Reutebuch, Grandson
Alexis (Danny Mayer) Reutebuch, Granddaughter
Levi McVay, Grandson
Jonah McVay, Grandson
11 Great-Grandchildren: Braylen, Reed, Elsie, Addison, Molly, Chloe, Amelia, Kayla, Kayden, Jett, and Jordyn
Betty DeSabatine, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Sharon (Jerry) Cloud, Indianapolis, Sister-in-law
Kay (Tom) Derheimer, Columbia City, Sister-in-law
Marlene (Ron) Roth, Headlee, Sister-in-law
Marsha (Rich) Lehman, Carmel, Sister-in-law
Jerald “Popcorn” Reutebuch, Tombstone, AZ, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Also survived by:
Bill’s Friend, Stephanie Hinderlider and her family, Brock, Leah, Macee and Kent Hinderlider and Chelsey Dague

Preceded in death by:
Paul “Rusty” DeSabatine, Brother

Mrs. Reutebuch and her husband owned and operated Bill and Babes in Pulaski for many years. She was a co-founder of the Pulaski Christmas Lights. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. She loved her family very much, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was one of a kind and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 13, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 14, at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West in Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Christmas Lights.

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

William S. Walters

June 21, 1974 to August 4, 2020

WINAMAC - William Scott “Bill” Walters, 46, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Aug.4, at his home.

He was born June 21, 1974, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1993.

He is survived by:
Jerry Lee (Annetta) Walters Jr., Brother
Traci Jo (Jeremy) Blanks, Sister
Tia Marie Helvie, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews and Great-Nieces and Nephews
Deborah Good, Aunt
Sherry Malott, Aunt
Edward Helvie, Uncle
Ruby Helvie, Aunt
Helen Armstrong, Aunt
Birdena Pearce, Aunt
JoAnn Hero, Aunt
Elnore Girton, Aunt
Loretta Nester, Aunt
Numerous Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Jerry Lee Walters Sr., Father
Patricia Helvie Walters Jones, Mother
Harold David Walters, Twin Brother
Dorothy Gilsinger, Great-Aunt

From 1994-2008, Mr. Walters worked at Kewanna Metals. He had also worked as a farm hand for his great-aunt, Dorothy Gilsinger. He had attended St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. He enjoyed watching movies, reading, and playing chess. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 7, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 8, at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Diabetes Association.

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