Obituaries
Harold J. Oechsle
March 14, 1929 to May 9, 2020
FORT WAYNE – Rev. Harold J. Oechsle, 91, of Fort Wayne (formerly of Winamac), passed away Saturday, May 9.
Born March 14, 1929, in Battle Creek, Mich., he was a son of the late Harold T. and Helen (Wertz) Oechsle. He was a 1947 graduate of Albion High School, a 1952 graduate of Taylor University, and received his masters of theology in 1958, from Wesley Theological Seminary. He married Martha L. Slagg who preceded him in death in 2017. They were married 66 years.
He is survived by his children, Elaine (David) Stowell of Tarzana, Calif., Barbara Oechsle of Columbia City, Douglas Oechsle of Burnsville, Minn., and Janis (Kevin) Davidson of Fort Wayne; daughter of the heart, Joyce Rinker of Marion; sister, Martha L. Counterman of Lakeland, Fla.; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Rev. Oechsle was a member of Covenant United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, and retired in 1994 from the Northern Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church after more than 45 years of service serving as senior pastor of Good Shepherd UMC, Fort Wayne, district superintendent of the Elkhart District, and director of Professional Human Resources for the district. The First United Methodist Church of Winamac was among the churches he served, from 1970-78
A celebration of life service will be held at Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne, at a later date. Private family burial will be at Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City.
Memorial donations may be given to Covenant United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, or the United Methodist Foundation for Northern Indiana Conference.
For online condolences, visit www.mccombandsons.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Wayne.
Joan Smith
April 8, 1931 to May 5, 2020
WINAMAC - Joan “Joanie” Smith, 89, of Winamac, passed away at 6:48 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, at her home.
She was born April 8, 1931 in Logansport, to the late Joseph E. and Dorothy H. Gray Nazerine. She was a 1949 graduate of Logansport High School. On June 26, 1955, she married Arthur L. “Art” Smith in Logansport. He preceded her in death.
She is survived by:
Deborah (Tim) Senesac, Logansport, Daughter
Tracy (Brian) Harper, Winamac, Daughter
Alison Senesac, Atlanta, Granddaughter
Hayley (Josh) Ruff, Fishers, Granddaughter
Ron Nazerine, Logansport, Brother
Preceded in death by:
Hannah Harper, Infant Granddaughter
Together, Mrs. Smith and her husband operated Smith Insurance Agency in Winamac for nearly 25 years. She was a member of the Winamac First United Methodist Church. She lived a very active life and was a member of numerous card clubs. She enjoyed going to Bunco and socializing with her good friends. She and her husband were avid Purdue basketball fans and enjoyed traveling. Most of all she loved her family very much, especially her granddaughters.
A private service will be held at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Private bBurial will take place at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Logansport.
Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Billie Jo Matthews
December 9, 1971 to April 30, 2020
WINAMAC - Billie Jo Matthews, 48, of Headlee, passed away Thursday, April 30.
She was born Dec. 9, 1971 to William Matthew and Ruby May Davis Toosley.
She is survived by:
Tausha (Kyle) Wilson, Daughter
Ricky Howard, Son
Dennis Matthew Howard, Son
Damon (Janel Minix) Howard, Son
10 Grandchildren
Ruby May (Larry) DeWeese, Mother and Step-Father
Bobbie Jo Fleming, Sister
Brian Matthew (Jennifer Crowder) Toosley, Brother
Jerry Thompson, Maternal Grandfather
Many Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and Cousins
Preceded in death by:
William O’Neil Toosley, Brother
William Matthew Toosley, Father
William Anthony and LaVerne Toosley, Paternal Grandparents
Virginia Thompson, Maternal Grandmother
Mrs. Matthews enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.
The family will hold a memorial service at a later date.
Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
Marion H. Damore Jr.
July 14, 1927 to April 29, 2020
WINAMAC - Marion H. “Harry” Damore Jr., 92, passed away Wednesday, April 29, at the Gulf Coast Veterans Center, Biloxi, Miss.
He was born July 14, 1927, in Chicago. His wife, Elsie Damore, of almost 70 years, passed away February 2018.
He is survived by his children: Michael H. (Sharon) Damore, Ft. Myers, Fla.;
Margaret (Robert, deceased) Selander, Richmond Hill, Ga.; Mark (Becky) Damore
Sr., Culver; and Matthew (Toni) Damore, Ft. Myers, Fla. He also leaves behind a large, loving family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Damore was raised and worked in Chicago. He served his country in the Army Air Corp. His life was dedicated to family, and operating his business, Original Chicago Produce, at South Water Market, in Chicago. He was a member of Ridgemoor Country Club, Chicago and Olde Hickory Country Club, Ft. Myers, Fla.
A memorial tribute to Harry and Elsie is planned for July 2020, at Damore Gardens in Culver.
Memorial donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation www.jdrf.org
Kristen E. Fisher
April 5, 1977 to April 27, 2020
KNOX - Kristen E. Fisher, 43, of Monterey, passed away Monday, April 27, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Culver.
She was born April 5, 1977 in St. Joseph, Michigan, daughter of Jeffery Crawford and the late Terri Lynne Eckelbarger Crawford. She married Arthur Fisher on June 18, 2016 in Leiters Ford. He survives.
Also surviving are her father Jeffery Crawford of Glade Springs, Va.; sons Jeffery G. Cooper and James J, Cooper, both of Edwardsburg, Mich. and Justin C. Cooper of Niles, Mich.; daughter, Kacey Cooper of South Bend; 4 grandchildren; and brother Patrick (Holly) Crawford of Bristol, Tenn.
Mrs. Fisher enjoyed playing Bunko. She was an avid reader and enjoyed creative writing. Her greatest passion was spending time with her family and grandchildren.
No services to be held at this time.
Braman and Son Memorial chapel, Knox, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the family.
Jennie L. Vaught
June 26, 1952 to April 18, 2020
ROYAL CENTER - Jennie L. Vaught, 67, of Winamac passed away at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 18, surrounded by her family.
Born June 26, 1952 in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of the late Vernal Lee and Stacey Evelyn Bundy Gipson. She was a 1970 Danville High School graduate.
Survivors include her children, John Russell II of Winamac, Leston Vaught II of Winamac, Stacey (Jose) Real of Logansport, Lisa (Aaron) Koons of Royal Center and Mary Botello of Winamac; brothers, Vern (Carmen) Gipson of Danville and Jeff (Teresa) Gipson of Logansport; and sisters, Debbie (Richard) Fannin of Tennessee, Linda Gipson of Logansport and Sandy (Marc) Davidson of Florida. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Vaught was formerly employed at Kewanna Metal Specialties. She enjoyed watching the Colts and rooting for Ryan Newman in Nascar. She also enjoyed floating in her pool, traveling to see lighthouses and most of all spending time with her grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at the Winamac Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center.
Annamarie Fagner
August 2, 1953 to April 21, 2020
WINAMAC - Annamarie “Annie” Fagner, 66, of Winamac, passed away at 4:41 a.m., Tuesday, April 21, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette.
She was born Aug. 2, 1953 in East Gary, to the late Otto E. Jr. and Marie Ann Burden Ritter. She graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1971. On July 28, 1973, she married Marshall R. Fagner at the Ripley Gospel Chapel in Ripley. He passed away July 7, 2008.
Survivors include:
Brian Fagner, Winamac, Son
Jeremy (Michelle) Fagner, Kokomo, Son
Chance (Cybil Kemp) Fagner, Winamac, Son
Zebbie (Molly Hounchel) Fagner, Winamac, Son
Korben Fagner, Grandson
Allison Fagner, Granddaughter
Rae Fagner, Granddaughter
Cash Fagner, Grandson
Liam Kemp, Grandson
Veda Fagner, Granddaughter
Otto E. (Cindy Anderson) Ritter III, Winamac, Brother
Cindy (Terry) Pratt, Winamac, Sister
Many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins
Mrs. Fagner was a devoted member of Bethel Bible Church in Winamac. She served on the missions committee and went on several mission trips. She also served the youth ministry and was instrumental in Wednesday night Simple Suppers. She was a founding member of the Pulaski County Quilts of Valor and found joy in making quilts for local veterans. She actively supported Riley Children’s Hospital by making pillow cases. Most recently, she had been making face masks for local residents in need.
Mrs. Fagner retired from Eastern Pulaski Elementary School as head cook of the cafeteria. Following retirement, she fulfilled a lifelong dream when she opened Just Plain Annie’s Quilt and Fabric Shop in Winamac. She enjoyed quilting, kayaking, and bike riding. More than anything, she loved her family. She supported her sons in all that they did and adored her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Public viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 29, at Bethel Bible Church in Winamac. (Due to COVID-19 restrictions, guests will be limited to groups of 10, and signup may be done at www.frainmortuary.com or by calling the funeral home at 574-946-3222).
A public funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 30, at Bethel Bible Church with Pastor Don Whipple officiating. (Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this will be a drive-in service where guests will remain in their vehicles and tune their radios to listen to the service.)
Public Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac. (Due to COVID-19 restrictions, guests are asked to remain in their vehicles).
Memorial donaions may be made to Pulaski County Quilts of Valor or ALS Research Foundation.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac,
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