Obituaries

Jo E. Russell

April 21, 1945 to February 12, 2020

ROYAL CENTER - Jo Ellen Russell, 74, of Winamac passed away at 10:22 p.m., Wednesday, February 12, at Kindred Hospital in Indianapolis.

Born on April 21, 1945 in Winamac, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Mercedes Nufer Roberts. She was a 1963 Winamac High School graduate. On April 16, 1966 in St. Peters Catholic Church she married Darwin “Doc” Russell. He survives.

Survivors also include daughters, Steph Shank of Winamac and Chris (PJ) Brucker of Winamac; son, Kevin (Jody) Russell of Plymouth; grandchildren, Lindsey (Ryan) Kolish, Bryant Larkin, Lauren Shank and Alisyn Larkin; and great-grandchildren, Jackson Russell Kolish and Sawyer Diane Kolish. She is also survived by brothers, John (Louise) Roberts of South Carolina and Jeff (Brenda) Roberts of Culver; sisters, Jeannine (Steve) George of Middlebury and Rusty (Carl) Federer of Francesville; brother-in-law, Ron (Carol) Shrader  of Rochester and sister-in-law, Rita Roberts of Crown Point.

She was preceded in death by brother, James Roberts, and sisters, Janet Brown, Judy Shrader and Jennifer Terry.

Mrs. Russell was a lifelong homemaker. She was a member of St. Peters Catholic Church, Ladies of Charity and the Christian Mothers. She was an avid Cubs fan who loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

A rosary service will be at 10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial mass at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 29, at St. Peters Catholic Church, Winamac, with Father Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Peters Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center (PAC), 13 E. Indian Hills Road, PO Box 156, Winamac, IN 46996.

Please sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence for the Russell family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel,  Royal Center.

Robert J. Jenkins

November 14, 1936 to February 15, 2020

ROYAL CENTER - Robert “Bob” J. Jenkins, 83, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, Feb. 15, at his residence, surrounded by family.

Born Nov. 14, 1936, in Winamac, he was the son of the late James and Esther Thomas Jenkins. He married Sandra Stamper on Nov. 14, 1959, in the family home. A celebration was held at the American Legion. They recently celebrated their 60th anniversary with the family.

Survivors include his wife; daughter Shelley [Rex] Gady of Royal Center; son James R. [Christina] Jenkins of Winamac; brother William [Fluff] Jenkins of Winamac; sister Betty [Harry] Depoy of Winamac; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his daughters: Christeenia Braun and Cynthia Wallace; and grandson Tommy Wallace.

Mr. Jenkins was a U.S. Army veteran. He enlisted in 1955 and specialized in missile testing. He was a member of the Winamac American Legion. In his younger years he could always be found at Jenkins Tire helping in the shop. He was also a farmhand for many years. In his retired years he was an avid gardener with his daughter Cindy.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center.

Roy D. Stonebraker

January 1, 1942 to February 17, 2020

ROYAL CENTER - Roy D. Stonebraker, 78, of Winamac passed away at 5 a.m., Monday, Feb. 17, in Winamac, surrounded by family.

Born Jan. 1, 1942 in Hammond, he was the son of the late George and Ona Mae Wheeler Stonebraker. He married Bernease S. Ward on March 7, 1963. She preceded him in death on May 10, 2017.

Survivors include his son, Christopher S. (Heather) Stonebraker of Winamac; brother, George Stonebraker of Florida; grandchildren, Lilly Marie Neuenschwander, Dominick Michael (Leeann) Stonebraker, Garrett Hayden Stonebraker, Brenee Daniel Stonebraker, Haylee Marie Stonebraker and Nathanial Ferguson; and great-granddaughter, Makynlee Stonebraker. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Jeanne Stonebraker and Lorraine Walker.

Mr. Stonebraker retired as a truck driver from Central Transport in Indianapolis. He was a proud member of the Teamsters Local Union 135, NRA and the American Quarter Horse Association. He enjoyed fishing, skeet shooting, camping, and hunting in his younger years, and spending time with his family.

A celebration of life service will be at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 21, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center with Pastor Heath Hiatt officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Please sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence for the Stonebraker family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Chase M. Skalon

July 25, 1987 to February 14, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Chase Michael Skalon, 32, of Francesville, passed away Friday, Feb. 14.

He was born July 25, 1987 in Lafayette. He graduated from West Central High School in 2006 and attended Indiana University in Bloomington.

He is survived by:
Leesa and Mike Gayer, Francesville, Mother
Mike and Paula Skalon, Monticello, Father
Kyndra Holliday, Francesville, Fiancé
Rhaylea Riyan Holliday, Francesville, Daughter
Jagger Hale Skalon, Francesville, Son
Shauna and Travis Tiede, Lafayette, Sister
Cayden Tiede, Lafayette, Nephew
Kinsley Tiede, Lafayette, Niece
Travis and Bekky Garner, Winamac, Step-Brother
Noah Garner, Winamac, Nephew
Talen Garner, Winamac, Nephew
Tyler and Samantha Garner, Casselberry, FL, Step-Brother
Zelda Garner, Casselberry, FL, Niece
Easter Marie Taylor, Winamac, Paternal Grandmother
Many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Autumn Dawn Skalon, Sister
Max and Beverly Odom, Grandparents
Leopold Skalon, Grandfather
Keith Taylor, Step-Grandfather
Louis and Wanda Gayer, Step-Grandparents
Charles and Fay Frakes, Step-Grandparents
Kevin Max Odom, Uncle
Raymond Lee Skalon, Uncle

Mr. Skalon was a kind-hearted soul, who enjoyed life, family, and friends. He enjoyed landscaping work and was an avid sports fan. The Michigan Wolverines and New England Patriots were among his favorite teams. In recent years, he cherished a relationship with Kyndra and their children, Rhaylea and Jagger. His family meant the world to him. He will be truly missed by all those touched by his love and friendship.

Private services will be held at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Chase Skalon Memorial Account at any Alliance Bank location. This memorial account is being established by the family for Chase’s children.

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

Floyd Wireman Jr.

May 29, 1946 to February 13, 2020

MEDARYVILLE - Floyd “Jay” Wireman Jr., 73, of Knox, passed away Thursday, Feb. 13, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

He was born May 29, 1946 in Salyersville, KY to the late Floyd and Goldie Wireman Wireman. He moved to Indiana with his family as a child.

He is survived by:
Laura (Travis Whitlock) Wireman, Lafayette, Daughter
Randal Wireman, Medaryville, Son
7 Grandchildren
2 Great-Grandchildren
Betty Jo (David) Williams, Medaryville, Sister
Donna Wireman, Medaryville, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews & Great-Nieces and Nephews
Numerous Cousins
Ed and Pam Sparks, Knox, Special Friends

Preceded in death by:
Diana Hendershot Wireman, Former Spouse
Opal Clark, Sister
Ethel Wireman, Sister
Jean Ann Wireman, Sister
Mac Arthur Wireman, Brother
James Wireman, Brother
Alice Fay Wireman, Infant Sister
Patsy Sue Wireman, Infant Sister
Auadeen Wireman, Infant Sister
Henry Wireman, Infant Brother

Mr. Wireman was a welder for many years at Allis Chalmers in LaPorte, and also worked as a welder in the oil fields in Louisiana. He lived in Seattle, WA before moving back to Indiana to retire. He enjoyed vegetable gardening and canning, but his favorite thing to do was fish. He attended the Medaryville Assembly of God Church. He was a kind man who never knew a stranger. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 17, at the Assembly of God Church in Medaryville. A memorial service will follow at 5 p.m. (Monday), at the church with Pastor Tom Dewlen officiating. Private burial will be at White Post Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

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

John H. Cargo

April 11, 1951 to February 5, 2020

KNOX - John H. Cargo, 68, of Winamac, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 5.

He was born April 11, 1951 in Valparaiso, to John L. Ruwersma and Lodema Mildred Ruwersma Cargo, both deceased. On Feb. 14, 1976, in Knox, he married Mary Foerg. She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Mike (Shenelle) Cargo of Knox and Beth (Tony) Johnson of Valparaiso; siblings, Helen (Glenn) Olsen of Kouts, Darrell Ruwersma of Texas, Joanne (Bill) Atkins of Texas, and Rose (Steve) Evans of Texas; half-brothers and sisters, Ravina Lucas, Harold Ruwersma, Roger Ruwersma, Wendall Ruwersma and Adah Ruwersma Cirullo; and his grandchildren, Jarod and McKenna Cargo of Knox and Abigail, Ian and Wyatt Johnson of Valparaiso.

He was preceded in death by his step-father, Martin “Bud” Cargo.

Mr. Cargo attended the Grace Baptist Church in Plymouth where he taught SundaySchool and filled in at the pulpit when needed. He enjoyed pastoring the New Hope Baptist Church in Knox for 25 years and had been a drywall contractor for 45 years. He enjoyed going to the Covered Bridge Festival and antiquing,but he especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. (ET), Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Grace Baptist Church in Plymouth; with visitation two hours prior to services. Interment will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Grace Baptist Christian School, 1830 N. Michigan, Plymouth, IN 46563.