Obituaries

Mary M. Glidden

April 23, 1926 to May 20, 2020

WINAMAC - Mary Margaret “Peggy” Glidden, 94, of Chicago, passed away at 10:56 p.m., Wednesday, May 20, at The Grove of Berwyn in Berwyn, IL.

She was born  April 23, 1926 in Winamac, to the late Lawrence Obe and Juanita Owen McKinley. She attended Winamac schools through her junior year and graduated from Zion High School in Zion, IL in 1945. In 1955, she married Clayton F. Glidden in Chicago. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by:

Deborah Glidden, Chicago, Daughter
Lawrence Owen “Larry” McKinley, Palm Harbor, FL, Brother
Robert Lee “Bob” (Barbara) McKinley, Iowa City, IA, Brother and Sister-in-law
Several Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Robert Michael Glidden, Son
Laverne (Jerry) Linderman, Sister and Brother-in-law
Beverly J. McKinley, Sister-in-law

Mrs. Glidden was retired from Woolworth’s in Chicago. She was a great sister to her brothers. She will be dearly missed.

Private burial will be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac.

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

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Willard C. Koebcke

March 13, 1928 to May 16, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Willard C. “Buck” Koebcke, 92, a longtime resident of Francesville, passed away Saturday, May 16. He resided the past four years at Fox River Apartments in Olney, IL.

He was born March 13, 1928 in Pulaski County, to the late Joseph and Flora Kaupke Koebcke. He served in the U.S. Army. On Dec. 31, 1951, he married DeMaris Bailey in Jeffersonville. She preceded him in death.

Survivors include:
Jackye (Blaine) Hites, Olney, IL, Daughter
Ellen (Harv) Gutwein, Francesville, Daughter
Nicole (Robert) Schwartz, Peru, Granddaughter
Holly (Shannon) Blank, Olney, IL, Granddaughter
Heather (Kevin) Cox, Munster, Granddaughter
Summer (Karl) Schippert, Evansville, Granddaughter
Stuart (Alivia) Gutwein, Lafayette, Grandson
Lance (Erica) Gutwein, Francesville, Grandson
Tyler (Lacie) Gutwein, Francesville, Grandson
19 Great-Grandchildren
2 Great-Great-Grandsons
Sam (Rachel) Koebcke, Alabama, Brother
Kay Koebcke, Florida, Sister-in-law
Janelle Tiede, Francesville, Sister-in-law

Preceded in death by:
4 Brothers and 4 Sisters

Mr. Koebcke was a devoted member of the Francesville First Christian Church.

Private burial will be at St. James Salem Cemetery in Francesville, with Pastor James Ketchen officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Fox River where staff provided several years of loving care to Mr. Koebcke. Checks may be made to Caritas and mailed to Fox River at 1016 Parker St. Olney, IL 62450.

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

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

Doyle R. Dinkens

May 21, 1940 to May 18, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Doyle Ray Dinkens, 79, of Indianapolis (formerly of Francesville), passed away Monday, May 18, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Indianapolis. 

He was born May 21, 1940 in Lutesville, MO to the late Roy W. and Lovie Oletha Dinkens.

He is survived by:
Michael Dinkens, Hobart, Son
Bryan (Kimberli) Dinkens, Greenwood, Son
Katie (Cedric) McConnell, Fountaintown, Daughter
Erin Donnelly, Lafayette, Step-Daughter
2 Grandchildren - Ezra and Aiden Dinkens
Dale Dinkens, Indianapolis, Brother
Mary Bierly, Walkerton, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Steven Dinkens, Son
Jill Roth, Step-Daughter

Mr. Dinkens was a longtime industrial arts teacher at North Judson-San Pierre High School, having retired in 1998. He was a devoted member of the Francesville Lions Club and the Francesville First Christian Church. Most recently, he attended Franklin Park Church on the south-side of Indianapolis with his family. His Christian faith was a very important part of his life, and he tried his best to be in church every Sunday. He was an avid woodworker and was very proud of his workshop and his collection of tools. He enjoyed talking about all things Northwest Missouri State (his alma-mater) and its football team. He loved being a grandpa to two sweet boys who will miss him very much. He had a joy for life; he loved to smile and find ways to make those around him smile as well. His family is thankful that he is now free from sickness and is home with Jesus.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 23, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. A private service will be held at the funeral home with Rev. Todd Yates (of Franklin Park Church in Indianapolis) officiating. Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Franklin Park Church in Indianapolis.

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

Patricia D. Bloch

1938 to May 15, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Patricia “Patty” Dolores Bloch, passed away at 8 p.m., Friday, May 15, at Hickory Creek Healthcare in Winamac. She spent the last 20 years as a proud member of the Francesville community.

She was born in 1938, to the late Alton C. and Anna Marie Wien of Detroit.

She is survived by 10 grandchildren and their families:
Rachael Bloch and  Monica Spurlin - daughters of Cheryl (Bloch) Spurlin
Kelly Bloch - daughter of Jeffrey Bloch
Raymond Bloch III, Samantha Bagley, Justin Braden, Amanda (Aeron) Jimenez, April Bloch and Amy Bloch - sons and daughters of Raymond Bloch II
Also, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other loving family members.

Preceded in death by:
Son - Jeffrey Bloch
Daughter - Cheryl (Bloch) Spurlin
Brother - Joseph William “Bill” Wien”
Son - Raymond D. Bloch II
Granddaughter - Trisha Spurlin

Mrs. Bloch was a true “Michigander” and loved all things Great Lakes - especially waves crashing and seagulls. In 1995, she retired from the Parkside Credit Union in Michigan and began making plans for her life after retirement. She has numerous family members, especially her grandchildren, who would like to express their sincerest thanks  to the phenomenal staff at Hickory Creek - and for the care and compassion that was made available to Mrs. Bloch and the family during her last years. “Our Memaw may have forgotten us in the end, but we will never forget her, or her beautiful soul.”

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 6, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Entombment will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Hickory Creek Healthcare in Winamac.

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

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

Gerald L. Ash

October 21, 1938 to May 14, 2020

WINAMAC - Gerald L. “Jerry” Ash, 81, of Kewanna, passed away at 11:32 p.m., Thursday, May 14,  at the Auburn Village Skilled Nursing Facility in Auburn, IN.

He was born Oct. 21, 1938 in Winamac, to the late Argyl and Kathryn Graffis Ash. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1956 and earned his bachelor’s degree at Indiana State University in 1961. He married Judith Lebo on Feb. 5, 1961 at the Methodist Church in Winamac. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Greg (Sue) Ash, South Bend, Son
Brian Ash, South Bend, Son
7 Grandchildren: Teigan Ash, Mishawaka, Macenzie Ash, Bloomington, Haley Ash, Granger, Madison Ash, Granger, Wyatt Ash, South Bend, Brodie Ash, South Bend, and Dane Jordan, South Bend.
Judy (Steve) Skersick, Greenwood, Sister

Mr. Ash taught at Willowdale Elementary, the smallest elementary school in the Elkhart school system, for four years. He was teacher and coach to fifth and sixth graders. One of those years his team won the city championship. While teaching, he was a candidate for “Teacher of the Year.” He went on to work at CTS Corporation in Elkhart for 14 years as personnel director. While employed there he was voted “Boss of the Year” by the American Business Women’s Association. After leaving CTS he was employed by Miles Laboratories which later became Bayer Cooperation. He served as a human resources director/security in their diagnostic division. For many years, he also coordinated their executive development program, a joint venture with the University of Notre Dame. He retired from Bayer Corporation in 2000.

Mr. Ash served on the following boards: Elkhart Industrial Club, president; Elkhart Career Center (also teaching a class at night); United Way, chairman; Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, board member (16 years); Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, president (7 years); St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Elkhart, board of trustees; Granger Community Church, administrative board; Lake Bruce Association, board president; Mahseh Center, board of directors; and Newmar Kountry Klub, Indiana state director (with wife Judy for 2 years).

After retirement, the Ashes traveled extensively in their motor home. They moved to Lake Bruce, from Granger, in 2006. He loved the Lord and his family. He loved telling his made-up stories of “Sarah and Levi” to his grandchildren and playing catch with his grandsons. After having brain surgery in 2013, his struggles were many. But, he fought the good fight. We love you Jerry, Dad, and Grandpa; God loves you more. You will be greatly missed. We will see you again in Heaven. “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you” – Deuteronomy 33:27

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 21, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 22, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at 2 p.m., (Friday), at Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Mishawaka.

Memorial donations may be made to Focus on the Family.

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

*Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitation will be limited to groups of 10 guests and social distancing. You may sign up for visitation at www.frainmortuary.com or by calling the funeral home at 574-946-3222. While there are no longer limitations on the number of guests for funeral services, social distancing must be observed at all times.

Kathleen A. McGriff

May 10, 1934 to May 13, 2020

WINAMAC - Kathleen A. McGriff, 86, of Winamac, passed away at 2:55 a.m., Wednesday, May 13, at the Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born May 10, 1934 in Pulaski County, to the late Arthur and Virgie Rowles Bowers. She was raised in Pulaski, and graduated from Pulaski High School.

Survivors include:
Terry (Debra) Ruff, Star City, Son
Linda (Butch) Sehstedt, Winamac, Daughter
Keith (Carmen) Ruff, Grandson
Michael (Alison) Sehstedt, Grandson
Julie (Johnny) Tijerina, Granddaughter
Steven (Heather) Sehstedt, Grandson
Brett (Kelsie) Zellers, Step-Grandson
Kyle (Sabrina) Zellers, Step-Grandson
17 Great-Grandchildren: Steph, Dillon, Tyler, Hollie, Grady, Adley, Bailey, Rees, Joshua, Karli, Olivia, Tate, Audrey, Lynden, Rylie, Alan and Brooks

Preceded in death by:
Harold “Bud” Ruff, Former Husband

Mrs. McGriff enjoyed needlework, reading, and playing the piano. She was an avid gardener; a love she passed on her to her family. She especially enjoyed being a member of the Red Hat Society and spending time at the Von Tobel Senior Center. She will be dearly missed. The family extends its appreciation for the care Pulaski Health Care Center has provided Mrs. McGriff over the years.

No services will be held.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Health Care Center.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.