Obituaries

Janice A. Grubbs

October 25, 1953 to November 12, 2019

WINAMAC - Janice A. "Jan" Grubbs, 66, of Winamac, passed away at 3:55 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born Oct. 25, 1953 in LaPorte,  to the late Elgy and Mary Irene Dolan Lawton. She graduated from North Liberty High School in 1972. On March 7, 1973, she married James L. "Jim" Grubbs in Knox. He survives.

She is also survived by:
Edward L. "Ed" (Kylie) Grubbs, Star City, Son
Michelle A. (Brian) Browning, Star City, Daughter
Cierra Grubbs, Granddaughter
Ashlee Grubbs, Granddaughter
Hunter Browning, Grandson
Olivia Browning, Granddaughter
Harlow Titus, Great-Granddaughter
Gracie Clapper, Sister
Jeanne Davis, Sister
James Lawton, Brother
Alfred Lawton, Brother
Vernon Lawton, Brother
George Lawton, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Patty Lawton, Sister

Mrs. Grubbs was retired from Sanders Grocery, Winamac, where she worked in the deli for 24 years. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and adult coloring books. She also enjoyed playing cards and BINGO, as well as going to the casino. She loved her family very much, especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

No services will be held.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Ernie D. Armstrong Jr.

April 23, 1960 to November 9, 2019

ROYAL CENTER - Ernie D. Armstrong, Jr., 59, of Winamac passed away unexpectedly at 12:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at his residence.

He was born April 23, 1960 at St. Joseph Hospital in Logansport.

Survivors include his son, Zach (Ashley) Armstrong; his partner, Vickie Kaczmarek and her daughter, Rhiannon Armstrong of Winamac; grandsons, Nathaniel and Jackson Armstrong. He is also survived by all past and present members of the ISIS Theater staff which he highly regarded as loved ones and family.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Joseph Armstrong; father, Ernest D. Armstrong Sr.; and son, Ernest D. Armstrong III.

Mr. Armstrong was a 1979 Winamac Community High School graduate. In his own words, he “beat on cars and showed shadows on the wall,” working at Goble GM in Winamac, and owning/operating the ISIS Theater in Winamac. He had many passions in life, including repairing and collecting vehicles, as well as providing endless entertainment through the ISIS theater. He also enjoyed collecting antiques, visiting swap meets and hunting. He believed in a strong family bond, and most loved spending time with his two grandsons, which allowed him to once again be a big kid himself.

A graveside service will be at 11a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at Winamac Cemetery with a gathering to follow.

Memorial donations may be made to the Ernest D. Armstrong III Scholarship Fund in c/o the Community Foundation of Pulaski County.

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

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

Elsie M. Short

July 12, 1931 to November 4, 2019

WINAMAC - Elsie M. Short, 88, of Winamac, passed away peacefully at 8:15 a.m., Monday, Nov. 4, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born July 12, 1931 in Marion, to the late Rev. V. Kenneth and Alice Earle Brown. She married Warren D. Short on Aug. 24, 1951. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by:
Evelyn R. (Bernard) Regier, Newton, KS, Daughter
Leonard M. (Carol) Short, Winamac, Son
Leonard W. Short, Grandson
Jacob K. Short, Grandson
Abigail E. Regier, Granddaughter
Gretchen R. (Kailas) Chapman, Granddaughter
Bernard K. Regier, Grandson
Michelle A. (Tim) Bowyer, Granddaughter
Natalie L. Shidler, Granddaughter
17 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Grandson
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Bryan Jeff Shidler, Grandson
Rev. V. Kenneth Brown, Jr., Brother
Rev. David Brown, Brother

When she was four years old, Mrs. Short’s father contracted tuberculosis, and he lived in a sanitarium for four years. It was a difficult time for the entire family. They remained in Berlinville, OH where her father was a pastor at Berlinsville Friends Church. In 1949, the family moved to Arba, IN when her father accepted the pastorate at Arba Friends Church. In that same year, she met Warren D. Short whose family also attended  the Arba church. Warren's mother encouraged him to ask Elsie out, and so he did. She was attending Marion College at that time. The couple later married with Elsie's father presiding. They then moved to Franklin. She continued h her education at Franklin College until their children were born.

Mrs. Short supported her husband in his work as Purdue Extension Agent in Johnson, Blackford and Grant counties. In 1960, the couple accepted a call to the mission field to serve as agricultural missionaries in Kenya, East Africa for eight years. Mrs. Short thrived in this beautiful country and threw herself entirely into the mission work. She led the choir at the Kaimosi Bible School for one year, home-schooled her children for one year, and spent weekends doing church visitation and ministry at remote villages. As an educator, she enriched her family's lives with bird and wildlife watching; raising exotic pets, including a Colobus monkey; and planning many exciting vacations in the African bush. She worked with her husband in establishing the Farmer's Training Center at Lugari, Kenya where they hosted many meals for visiting government officials.

The Shorts returned to Indiana in 1968. She returned to Marion College where she resumed religious studies and received the Outstanding Student of the Year Award. In 1970, they moved to Winamac, where she served as the mental health assistant director for Pulaski County. She also worked at the Pulaski County Public Library and was a volunteer with the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She served as Nazarene Mission Committee chairman, Methodist Mission Committee chairman and led Bible study for her Sunday school class. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Winamac and a lifetime member of the Arba Friends Church.

Mrs. Short's last years were spent as a resident of the Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac where she led an active life, busy with activities and visiting with other residents. This last summer, she was in charge of the flower program with the staff of the nursing home, which brought her much joy. The staff and residents will greatly miss her. Her lifetime commitment was to serve the Lord and her family. Her memory will be treasured by her family and by all those whom her life touched.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at Arba Friends Church (10632 S. Arba Pike Lynn, IN 47355) with Rev. Gene Moser officiating. Burial willbe at Arba Friends Church Cemetery in Lynn, IN. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Warren, at the place where it all began for them.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mission Program at Arba Friends Church or Winamac First United Methodist Church.

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

Janet J. Parker Simmermaker

August 3, 1936 to October 17, 2019

WINAMAC - Janet Jean Parker Simmermaker, 83, of Winamac died Thursday, Oct. 17, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, surrounded by her family.

She was born in St. John on Aug. 3, 1936, the seventh of eight children born to Raymond and Heloise Parker. In 1950, before her freshman year in high school, her family moved from Dyer to Star City. At Star City High School, she was a cheerleader and senior class president and was affectionately nicknamed "Webster" for her impressive vocabulary. She quickly caught the eye of Star City neighbor John Simmermaker, who declared that he planned to "marry that girl someday." John and Janet went on to attend Ball State University, and were married on Dec. 18, 1955. He survives.

She is also survived by sister Carol (Roy) Halverson; children Jonathon (Lisa Zeyen), Jill (James) King, Jennifer, Jordan and Jolie; grandchildren Jaime (Jim) Garlick, Jocelyn Simmermaker, Jared (April) Simmermaker, Jordan King and Jameson King; and great-grandchildren Aidan Simmermaker; and John and Jessica Garlick.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Robert Parker; and sisters Helen Phillips, Mildred Stone Meyer, Meda Trobaugh, Mary Ellen Phillips and Margaret Ann Parker.

Before moving to Winamac, the Simmermakers were active members of the Star City community, where she attended the Star City United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir. While raising her five children, she held a number of jobs but most fondly remembered the years she spent working with children while a teacher's assistant at the Star City School. She was a proud Democrat and worked the election polls for decades, even receiving an award from the Indiana Secretary of State for her dedication to Indiana elections. She was an avid IU basketball fan and loved the NCAA tournament as well as the Chicago Bears.

Mrs. Simmermaker collected antiques and loved nothing more than going to antique auctions with John. Together, they amassed an extensive collection of Indiana jacquard coverlets. She also collected junior Hoosier kitchen cabinets and vintage punched paper mottos. She was passionate about historic preservation and loved their home in Winamac. She and her husband proudly restored the Dr. G. W. Thompson house on Market Street which subsequently received designation on the National Register of Historic Places. Proud of her Hoosier heritage and their Hoosier Homestead Farm, she couldn't get enough sweet corn in the summer, and she loved black raspberry pie. She was smart, opinionated and fiercely devoted to her family. She always reinforced the importance of speaking up for what is right and for assisting those in need, especially at Christmas time.

In honor of Mrs. Simmermaker, a fund is being established in her name to support local causes which were important to her. Donations may be made in Janet's name to the Community Foundation, 127 East Pearl Street, Winamac, IN 46996.

In accordance with her wishes, Janet's body was donated to the IU School of Medicine for medical research.

All family and friends are invited to a celebration of her life on Saturday, Nov. 16, any time between 1 and 5 p.m., at Moss Creek Country Club, 3600 County Road S. 300 W., Winamac.

Max D. Steele

May 21, 1944 to October 30, 2019

MEDARYVILLE - Max Dean Steele, 75, of Medaryville, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 30, at his residence.

He was born May 21, 1944 in Winamac, to the late Ray Allen and Helen Masterson Steele. He was a 1962 graduate of Medaryville High School where he played basketball and ran track. He received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University in 1966. He married Aileen Edna Siemens on Aug. 20, 1966 in Lafayette. She survives.

Survivors also include:
Bryan Ray Steele, Son
Alexandra Orianna Deryn, Indiana University Bloomington, Granddaughter
Lonnie Allen (Carol) Steele, Carmel, Brother
Bill Douglas Steele, Valparaiso, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Reagan Leigh Steele, Daughter

Mr. Steele served in the U.S. Army from 1966 until 1969. He also served in the Illinois National Guard and was deployed to Honduras in 1985. He was an avid patriot and loved his country, having volunteered as an Honor Flight Guardian. In 2018 he was an Honor Flight veteran. He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Reynolds, and the American Legion Post 29 in Rensselaer. He was a former member of Lions Club International. He was a former county agriculture agent for Purdue University and spent most of his life involved in agricultural endeavors. He was a 10-year member of 4-H and enjoyed attending county and Indiana state fairs. His granddaughter, Alexandra, remembers him as being incredibly funny and her most loving "papa." She stated, "The universe gained another hilarious and loving soul."

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at the funeral home with Pastor Charles Blakey officiating. Burial be at White Post Cemetery in Medaryville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

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

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

Kathleen Nitzschke-Keller

September 6, 1972 to October 30, 2019

WINAMAC - Kathleen A. "Kathy" Nitzschke-Keller, 47, of Portage (formerly Monterey) passed away at 7:40 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso.

She was born Sept. 6, 1972 in Winamac to James R. and Karen Rafferty Nitzschke. She graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1991 and attended Ivy Tech in Lafayette.

She is survived by:
Sarah Keller, Monterey, Daughter
Karaline Keller, Monterey, Daughter
Karen (Carl) Wampler, Portage, Mother
Marc Nitzschke, Powell, OH, Brother
Terry (Jennifer) Wampler, Valparaiso, Step-Brother
Kathleen (Brandon) Meyer, North Royalton, OH, Step-Sister
Michael Wampler, Melrose, FL, Step-Brother
Carl J. (Leslie) Wampler, Corona, CA, Step-Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Jennifer (John) Corns, Lafayette, Maternal Aunt
Mary Roudebush, Kokomo, Maternal Aunt
Jerry (Cleta) Poor, Rochester, Paternal Uncle
George (Jeanette) Nitzschke, Bakersfield, CA, Paternal Uncle
Many Cousins and Friends

Preceded in death:
James R. "Jim" Nitzschke, Father
Robert and Barbara Rafferty, Maternal Grandparents
Gilbert and Sylvia Nitzschke, Paternal Grandparents

Mrs. Nitzschke-Keller was a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church in Monterey. She enjoyed cooking, socializing with friends, listening to music and dancing. Most of all, she was a devoted mother to her two daughters.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 6 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home with Rev. Michael McKinney officiating.
Private burial will be at a later date at St. Ann's Cemetery in Kewanna.

Memorial donations may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital, Riley Children's Hospital, St. Jude's Children's Hospital or in the form of a Mass Intention to St. Anne's Catholic Church in Monterey.

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