Obituaries

Walter Wallace

October 22, 1937 to June 20, 2020

WINAMAC - Walter “Walt” Wallace, 82, of Winamac, passed away at 5:40 a.m., Saturday, June 20, at his home.

He was born Oct. 22, 1937 in Mishawaka to the late Frank and Bessie Burkett Wallace. He graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1956 and served in the U.S. Army. On Sept. 18, 1982, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Braun at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. She survives.

Survivors also include:
Diana (Tom) Thompson, Winamac, Daughter
Elaine (Dave) Crissinger, Winamac, Daughter
Vickie (Herb) Purtee, Winamac, Daughter
Michael (Alisha) Wright, Winamac, Son
Many Beloved Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren
Phyllis Cowsert, Hammond, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Donald Wright, Infant Son
Amber Wible, Infant Granddaughter
Wayne (Evelyn) Wallace, Brother
George (Juanita) Wallace, Brother
Linda (Joe) Cowsert, Sister
Jack Cowsert, Brother-in-law

Mr. Wallace was retired from Plymouth Tube, but in his younger years he had worked at Studebaker and RCA. He was the last living charter member of the Winamac FOE #2580. He was a fan of all sports, especially the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, and IU Basketball. He enjoyed fishing and gardening. He also enjoyed doing puzzles. He loved his family very much. He especially adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, June 27, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. An Eagles service will follow at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, June 27, at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

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

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

Clara M. Gentry

October 14, 1960 to Friday, June 19

FRANCESVILLE - Clara Marie Gentry, 59, of Medaryville (formerly of Merrillville) passed away peacefully at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 19, at Franciscan Health Hospital East in Lafayette, with her husband by her side.

She was born Oct. 14, 1960, in Hammond to the late George F. and Mary L. Spanier Lair. She grew up in Hammond where she met her husband, Michael G. Gentry. They were married Jan. 9, 1978, at Cedar Lake. He survives.

She is also survived by:
Kristie M. (Scott) Wellestat, Crown Point, Daughter
Michelle L. (John) Pena, DeMotte, Daughter
Audrey Wellestat, Granddaughter
Lauren Wellestat, Granddaughter
Cora Pena, Granddaughter
Jessa Pena, Granddaughter
Donald Lair, Hammond, IN Brother
Ronald Lair, Hammond, IN Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Dorothy (Ray) Ballenger, Cousin

Preceded in death by:
Laura Lair Bigger, Niece

Mrs. Gentry worked at Calumet Auto Recyclers in Hammond for many years before becoming the manager at Family Express in Medaryville. In 2007, she went to work for Metro Auto Recyclers in Valparaiso. She was a member of the Ladies of Harley Kankakee Valley Chapter in North Judson. She enjoyed the many bike trips taken with her husband and friends. She loved fishing, especially with the grandkids at the pond. She is remembered for her infectious smile, and as a kind-hearted woman who was always caring for others. Most of all, she was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. The family notes that “although she is no longer with us, her love will always be our guide.”

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, June 23, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. A service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 24, at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, with Pastor Mark Promnitz officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society or Muscular Dystrophy Association.

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

Matthew F. Boos

August 3, 1966 to June 19, 2020

ROYAL CENTER - Matthew Floyd Boos, 53, of Winamac passed away peacefully Friday, June 19, at his home with his wife and daughters by his side after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

He was born Aug. 3, 1966 in Winamac to parents Allen and Carolyn Smith Boos. He was a 1984 Winamac Community High School graduate. On Sept. 15, 1990, he married his high school sweetheart, Lynndy L. Colgrove.

With his wife, survivors include his daughters: Stefanie (Dalton) Grandstaff of Winamac and Courtney (Hunter) Holliday of Carmel; mother, Carolyn Boos of Winamac;  sisters: Gale (Jay) Spry of Reynolds; Kathryn Cochran of O’Fallon, Mo.; and Elaine (Steve) Voltz of Winamac. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and great-nieces/nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Allen Boos, paternal grandparents Louis and Marie Boos, maternal grandparents Floyd and Alene Smith, and in-laws Garry and Betty Colgrove.

Mr. Boos was a employed at Plymouth Tube for 21 years, and most recently was a team leader at the Braun Corporation for the past 10-plus years. However, being a husband and father brought him the most joy in life. He always believed that his greatest accomplishments were being married to the love of his life and best friend for 30-plus years as well as watching his two beautiful daughters grow up. Second only to the love of his family, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, spending weekends at his niece’s lake house, golfing, watching the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Cardinals, going on vacations, and relaxing in the pool with a beer in his hand surrounded by friends and family. A wonderfully kind and charming man, he never met a stranger and always enjoyed life to the fullest. “Floyd” should be remembered for his infectious smile, blue eyes, kind heart and selfless personality.

Visitation will be from 1to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 27, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. A private family service will follow.

Memorial donations may be made to Community Cancer Network or the Winamac VFW Post 1728.

Beulah E. Gourley

July 25, 1943 to May 15, 2020

DeMOTTE - Beulah Evelyn Gourley, 76, Winamac (formerly of Wheatfield), passed away Friday May 15, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was known by "Bill" and by others as "Billie."

She was born July 25, 1943, in Wheatfield to the late Archie and Nina Wagoner Hendrix. On Nov. 27, 1965, she married Jess Douglas Gourley Sr., at the Wheatfield Baptist Church. He survives.

She is also survived by her children, Robin Albin, Valparaiso, Robert (Mary Jo) Albin, Wheatfield, Jess (Julie) Gourley Jr., Winamac, Andrea (Tony) Collins, Knox and Labon (Karen) Gourley, Winamac; two brothers, two sisters, 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister.

Mrs. Gourley worked for many years between Monon Trailer and Wabash National. She enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, mushroom hunting, horseback riding and gardening. She also enjoyed spending time with her large family on the family farm. She enjoyed Easter egg hunts, wagon rides for Mother's Day and having everyone squeezed into the house for Christmas. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of her life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 25, at the Wheatfield American Legion Post 406, 11768 N. 80 W. Wheatfield.

To sign the online memorial or light a candle in Beulah's memory please visit http://www.frazierfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frazier Funeral Home, DeMotte.

Fred E. Foust

September 8, 1952 to June 16, 2020

MEDARYVILLE - Fred Eugene Foust, 67, of Monticello (formerly of Medaryville), passed away Tuesday, June 16, at IU Health Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born Sept. 8, 1952 in Winamac, to the late Fred and Simonette Fritz Foust. He graduated from West Central High School in 1972. On May 12, 1979, he married Linda Lee McKee in Culver. They recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Tammie (Barney) Calvert Bachman, Medaryville, Daughter
Steven (Stephanie) Foust, Medaryville, Son
Seth Bachman, Grandson
Brandon Bachman, Grandson
Trever Foust, Grandson
Devon Foust, Grandson
Donald (Leota) Foust, Truth or Consequences, NM, Brother
Patricia Foust, Medaryville, Sister
Richard (Shirley) Foust, Crown Point, Brother
Thelma Tanner, Medaryville, Sister
Judy Wise, Goshen, Sister
Shirley Scholz, Wheatfield, Sister
Kay (Doug) Warner, LaPorte, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Raymond Foust, Infant Brother

Mr. Foust was a lifelong truck driver. He began his career at Gutwein Mill in Francesville, and retired from Morning Song in Reynolds. In his retirement, he continued his passion for driving truck at RPC Enterprises in Reynolds. He was a former member of the Medaryville Jaycees and the Medaryville Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed fishing and loved his cat, Bootsie. Most of all, he loved his family. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandsons and pestering his sisters (as any little ornery brother does!). He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

A celebration of life event will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 19, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. Guests are reminded to practice social distancing.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

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

Harold O. Rife

June 25, 1946 to June 11, 2020

WINAMAC - Harold Orville Rife, 73, of Camby, passed away Thursday, June 11, following a short battle with lung cancer.

The oldest of seven children, he was born June 25, 1946 in Rochester, to the late Orville L. and Lucille Mae Goble Rife. He graduated from Star City High School in 1964 and earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University in 1970.

He is survived by:
Jennifer (Greg Whipple) Rife, Camby, Daughter
David (Kate) Rife, Indianapolis, Son
Derek (Kristie Kennedy) Rife, Indianapolis, Son
Grandchildren: Austin Rife, Chandler Rife, Cole Rife, Hope Rife, Lucy Rife, Karlie Dulworth, and Kassidy Kennedy.
Gertrude “Gert” Stout Rife, Winamac, Second Mom
Don (Jean) Rife, Winamac, Brother
John (Julie) Rife, Gonzales, LA, Brother
Carol (Mick) Hoffman, Winamac, Sister
Randy (Jill) Rife, Logansport, Brother
Sam (Connie) Rife, Winamac, Brother
Naomi (Joe) Murphy, Winamac, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Elnora Jordon, Winamac, Aunt
Shirley Beckner, Winamac, Aunt
Many Cousins
Brenda Rose Jagnandan, Indianapolis, Former Spouse

Preceded in death by:
Andrea Nicole Rife, Infant Granddaughter

Mr. Rife had a distinguished career with Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center Base in Crane, IN and retired in 1995. Following retirement, he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and went on to teach electrical engineering technology at IUPUI and ITT Technical Institute. He was the founder and board president of Lean Problem Solving Academy, a non-profit that taught soft skills for the workplace. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed genealogy, playing golf, and being outside. He lived an active life but never missed an opportunity to sit and have a good cup of coffee. He was a loving father, grandfather, son, and brother. He loved family gatherings, especially cookouts (you could always count on him to bring the veggie tray). He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 19, at the First Baptist Church in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 20, at the church with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. A recording of the funeral service will be uploaded to the funeral home website and Facebook page. Burial will be at Paul’s Chapel Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church in Francesville, or Paul’s Chapel Cemetery in Winamac.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.