Obituaries

Joan Ellis Kroft

June 21, 1935 to December 7, 2019

MEDARYVILLE - Joan Ellis Kroft, 84, of Medaryville, passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born June 21, 1935 in Crown Point. She was a 1953 graduate of Boone Grove High School. On Sept. 24, 1954, she married Ray H. Kroft in Boone Grove. He preceded her in death on May 24, 2011.

She is survived by:
Karen (Ben, Jr.) Smolek, San Pierre, Daughter
Janis Potter, Sapulpa, OK, Daughter
Marcia (Greg) Schoeneck, Valparaiso, Daughter
Jon Smolek, Grandson
Craig Smolek, Grandson
Riann Hendrickson, Granddaughter
Matt (Kristan) Ahlemeier, Grandson
Amanda (Brian) Wilson, Granddaughter
Geoffrey Schoeneck, Grandson
10 Great-Grandchildren
2 Great-Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Glenn and Sarah Douglas Ellis, Parents

Mrs. Kroft was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Medaryville. She worked as a deputy treasurer in Pulaski County for several years. She formerly served on the Pulaski County Public Library Board and sang with the Pulaski County Chorus for many years. She was a proud homemaker and enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening and canning. She also enjoyed reading as well as playing cards and BINGO. She loved her family, supported her husband on the farm and enjoyed attending her grandchildren's activities. She will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, at St. John's United Church of Christ in Medaryville. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Wednesday at the church Pastors Nelda Seger and Bill McNabney officiating. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ.

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

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

Robert L. Carpenter

October 28, 1936 to December 4, 2019

FRANCESVILLE - Robert L. "Bob" Carpenter, 83, of Francesville, passed away at 2:34 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at his home.

He was born Oct. 28, 1936 in North Judson, to the late Lloyd and Annetta Cawby Carpenter. He was a 1954 graduate of Medaryville High School. After high school, at the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged in 1957. He married Rita Lowry at the Francesville First Christian Church on Oct. 3, 1959. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Darian Carpenter, Seattle, WA, Son
Brad (Lynette) Carpenter, Francesville, Son
Chance Carpenter, Grandson
Cody Carpenter, Grandson
Kelsey Carpenter, Granddaughter
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Marlene (Raymond) Dornhecker, Sister

Mr. Carpenter was a lifelong farmer in Pulaski County. He served as a director of the Pulaski County Farm Bureau Co-Op for 20 years. He also served on the board of directors for People's State Bank for 17 years. He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Medaryville. He enjoyed fishing, especially at "the pond" and on family vacations in Minnesota. He was a Purdue basketball fan. He loved his family and will be dearly missed.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

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

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

Herman R. Hayes

April 28, 1942 to November 30, 2019

WINAMAC - Herman Rogers Hayes, 77, of Winamac (formerly of North Judson), died Saturday morning Nov. 30, at his home.

He was born April 28, 1942 in Knox, to the late Fred O. and Maude L. Scott Hayes. He married Ruth P. Rowe on Oct. 11, 1965, in Colorado Springs, CO. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Roger of Semmes, AL and James of North Judson; one daughter, Valerie (Craig) Jones of Winamac; 11 grandchildren, including a very special grandson, Thomas Clemons of Semmes, AL; and 21 great-grandchildren, including two very special ones, Willow and Zayla.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Freda Reading; and six brothers, Russell, Eddie, Richard, Fred, Jim and Floyd.

Mr. Hayes retired after 40 years from Casting Services of LaPorte. He served in the U.S. Army from 1963-1970 during the Vietnam War. He was a collector of belt buckles and enjoyed mowing yards. He always helped others and will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral with Pastor Mark Pilger officiating. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in LaCrosse. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with funeral expenses, or to the First Baptist Church of Winamac.

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

Larry S. Tanner

October 7, 1939 to November 26, 2019

MEDARYVILLE - Larry Stewart Tanner, 80, of Medaryville, passed away, surrounded by his family, at 8:55 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, at IU Health Arnett in Lafayette.

He was born Oct. 7, 1939, in Winamac, to the late Floyd and Lillian Stewart Tanner. In 1957, he graduated from Medarvyille High School. He volunteered and served in the U.S. Army for eight years. He married Beverly Rater on March 15, 1958, at the Medaryville Christian Church. She survives.

Survivors also include:
Carrie Lynn (Roger) Mummert, Dayton, OH, Daughter
Gregg Eugene (Raula) Tanner, Terre Haute, Son
Brian (Janet) Spencer, Grandson
Courtney (Jon) Wolfe, Granddaughter
Kevin Mummert, Grandson
Jennifer (Brian) Melton, Granddaughter
David Wright, Step-Grandson
7 Great-Grandchildren
Roger (Denice) Tanner, Francesville, Brother
Carol Jean Smallfelt, Indianapolis, Sister
Carol Tanner, Medaryville, Sister-in-law
Thelma Tanner, Medaryville, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Nathan Melton, Great-Grandson
Ralph Tanner, Brother
David Tanner , Brother

Mr. Tanner was a lifetime member of the Medaryville Christian Church. He was a welder at Bethlehem Steel in Burns Harbor, for 36 years. He enjoyed farming, carpentry, reading and helping anyone in need. He loved his family very much and will be dearly missed by all.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at the Medaryville Christian Church in Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, at the church with Rev. Donald Nedza officiating. Burial will be at Bethlehem Cemetery in Medaryville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Medaryville Christian Church.

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

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

Steven L. Fulmer

September 3, 1968 to November 29, 2019

WINGATE - Steven Lee Fulmer, 51, of Winamac, passed away at 2:10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac, following a courageous battle with Glioblastoma. 

He was born Sept. 3, 1968 in Rensselaer, son of the late Richard Eugene and Patricia Marie Hilton Fulmer. He was a 1987 graduate of West Central High School and soon after joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Operation Desert Storm. He was discharged with the rank of corporal. He married Trina Dawn Crist, Oct. 8, 1994 in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are sons Gavin (Destiny Crawford) Fulmer of Winamac and Cooper Fulmer at home; a brother, Eugene Fulmer of Indianapolis; sister Cathy (Scott) Vollmer of Francesville; and brother-in-law Dave Scott of  Winamac. Other survivors include his in-laws Wayne and Phyllis Crist of Winamac; sisters-in-law Tasha (Parish) Foerg of Arizona, Tiffany (Steve) Davis) of Indianapolis and Tennille Calabrese of Winamac. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Kim Scott.

Mr. Fulmer was employed the past nine years by Wastequip in Winamac as a sales representative. He twice earned ‘Salesman of the Year’ award. He was very customer service oriented and went out of his way to accommodate their needs. He was previously employed by Braun Corporation and Pentair-Krystil Klear. He was a proud Marine and served as past commander at the Winamac VFW Post 1728 where he was an active member. He enjoyed following his sons, Gavin as he played football at Anderson College and as a football coach at Winamac High School, and Cooper as he played football and basketball. He coached girls softball summer league for many years, and loved all sports. He was an avid fan of the Black Hawks, Redskins, Cubs, NASCAR with Bill Elliott his favorite driver. He enjoyed watching Notre Dame football, IU basketball, and his favorite college team was anyone playing Purdue!  Most of all, he loved his family, his VFW family and his dog Denver.

Visitation hours are 11a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at First Christian Church, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., Saturday, at the church with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating.  Burial will follow in McKinley Memorial Gardens, with military honors by VFW Post 1728. 

Memorial donations may be directed to Glioblastoma Reasearch or VFW Post 1728.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate.  Visit online at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guest book or leave a condolence.

Marjorie B. Thompson

September 4, 1923 to November 29, 2019

WINAMAC - Marjorie B. Thompson, 96, Winamac, passed away, surrounded by family, at 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at Hickory Creek Nursing Home in Winamac.

She was born Sept. 4, 1923 at the old Galbreath homestead along the Tippecanoe River, south of Winamac, to the late Frederick Walter and Emma Ellen Galbreath Brinker. She was a 1941 graduate of Winamac High School. She married Norman S. Thompson on June 8, 1941, and they celebrated 73 years of marriage before he passed away Oct. 31, 2014.

She is survived by:

Donald (Jean) Thompson, Winamac, Son
Larry (Jean) Thompson, Conyers, GA, Son
Richard (Denise) Thompson, Plano, TX, Son
June (Tom) Roth, Star City, Daughter
9 grandchildren: Angie Crawford, Tracy Brandenburg, Rebecca Riordan, Randy Thompson, Natalie Roth, Joe Roth, Kyle Roth, and Wyatt Roth.
16 great-grandchildren: Bekah and Abby Brandenburg, Alex, Margo and Hannah Riordan; Trevor Thompson and Victoria Coldiron; Aria and Owen Roth, Griffin, Holden, Cameron, and Finley Roth; Colin, Brodie, and Hensley Roth.
2 great-great-grandchildren: Macy and Leeland

She is preceded in death by:
Mildred Powers, Sister
Mary Ellen Cook, Sister
Donald Paul Brinker, Infant Brother
Jennifer Jo Thompson Terry, Granddaughter

Mrs. Thompson worked at United Telephone Company as a telephone operator after high school and then stayed home to raise her family. In 1964, she went to work at Winamac schools as a secretary for Lamoin Nice and Richard Irven. Later she became a secretary at Eastern Pulaski Elementary School until she retired in 1983. She always had a large garden and canned and preserved all of the extra produce that wasn't eaten. She loved working in her flower garden and was known for all of her beautiful flowers. She was a former member of the Monroe Modern Homemakers Extension Club. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Winamac. She and her husband traveled to Florida to their winter home for many years where she enjoyed getting together with their Winamac friends. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her dog Mitzi.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the First Christian Church or to the Pulaski Animal Center.

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