Obituaries

Henry H. Kopka

March 20, 1918 to September 10, 2019

ROYAL CENTER - Henry H. Kopka, 101, of Winamac passed away peacefully at 4:47 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Hickory Creek of Winamac.

Born on March 20, 1918 in Pulaski County, he was the son of the late Milo Sr. and Mary Krohn Kopka.

Survivors include his brother, Everett (Reba) Kopka of Winamac and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by 7 brothers and 2 sisters.

Mr. Kopka was a self employed handy man.

Per his wishes there will be no visitation or service. Burial will be at Koster Cemetery in Francesville at a later date.

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

Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

Bob G. Ulbricht

July 13, 1936 to September 15, 2019

FRANCESVILLE - Bobby Glenn Ulbricht, 83, passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 15, with his wife, daughter Stacy and grandson beside him.

He was born July 13, 1936 in Evansville. On June 30, 1956, he married Barbara Dillender. She survives.

He is also survived by daughters Deborah Salah (Jay) and Stacy Ledford; by 12 grandchildren, Rustin Ledford, Shea (Charde) Ledford, Jobie (Toni) Ledford, Ebony (Troy) Schmidgall, Bo (Lainey) Ledford, Cali (Sabrina) Tanner, Shasta (Joshua) Thompson, Patience (Drake) Sinn, Promise (Nicolas) Wilson, True Ledford, Shiloh Ledford, and Trinity Ledford; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin and Martha Ulbricht; two brothers, Bill and Walter Ulbricht and one sister, Bonnie Hoeing.

Mr. Ulbricht owned and operated Querry-Ulbricht Funeral home for 36 years until his retirement in 2005. He retired to receive a lung transplant. He was very active in the Jacksonville Lung Transport Support group and spoke publically about being an organ donor. The family is grateful to one young man who gave Bob 14 additional years to live. Mr. Ulbricht spent his last few weeks at his daughter's house with his wife, daughters and grandchildren.

Mr. Ulbricht was a Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast, riding at the early age of 17 until he was in his 80s (oxygen tank on board). He and his wife rode all over the country on their Harley. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was active with the United Way, and was a member of Lion's Club, Masonic Lodge, Giddeon International. He was a member of JAXHOG Chapter and North Judson HOG Chapter Clubhouse. He was one-in-a-million husband, father and funeral director.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept.18, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. A Masonic service will be at 7:30 p.m., at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept 19, at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

In his business Mr. Ulbricht saw the love pour in with each flower delivered; or in lieu of flowers a donation to a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated.

LaVerne C. Smith

September 17, 1940 to September 15, 2019

WINAMAC - LaVerne Carol Smith, 78, of Monterey, passed away at 10:46 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 15, at Hickory Creek in Winamac.

She was born Sept. 17, 1940 in Gary, to the late Walter and Anna Marie Madison Heavilin. On Oct. 18, 1961, Carol married Earl Garrison Smith in Hobart. He passed away Feb. 21, 2012.

She is survived by:
Andrea Alvey, Daughter
Sheila Marie Smith, Daughter
Catherine Helen Trakveski, Daughter
Charles Garrison Smith, Son
5 Grandchildren
Shirley Gaines, Sister
Julie Dean, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Walter Earl Smith, Son
W. Jean Vanaman, Sister
Cathy Hall, Sister
Johnny Heavilin, Brother

Mrs. Smith was baptized in the Pentecostal Church. She enjoyed bowling, reading and knitting. She loved the outdoors, especially gardening, nature and wildlife. She cherished the companionship of her dogs both living and deceased. She leaves behind four beloved dogs, Pippy, Honey, Sis and Good Girl. She was a proud homemaker and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved her.

No services will be held.

Memorial donations may be made to Hickory Creek or Pulaski Animal Center.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Michael L. Elston

September 3, 1955 to September 11, 2019

FRANCESVILLE - Michael Lee "Mike" Elston, (aka Elmo or Chief Renegade), 63, of Rensselaer, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 11, in Rensselaer.

He was born Sept. 23, 1955 in Rensselaer to the late Arnold W. and Shirley Lee Wilkens Elston. He was a 1973 graduate of West Central High School in Francesville.

Survivors include:
Stella S. Liming Fish, Crawfordsville, Companion
Sandy K. Whitcomb, Goodland, Sister
Steve (Reme) Elston, Cheyenne, WY, Brother
Brad (Brenda) Elston, Medaryville, Brother
Scott (Claudia) Elston, Francesville, Brother
Bob (Cathy) Elston, Francesville, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins
Cristina Ziese, Rensselaer, Step-Daughter
Sarah Holder, Indianapolis, Step-Daughter
Michael Fouts, Lafayette, Step-Son
Serenity Holder, Indianapolis, Granddaughter
Calvin Holder, Indianapolis, Grandson

Preceded in death by:
Judith Overman Elston, Step Mother
Charles "Butch" Whitcomb, Brother-in-law

Mr. Elston was a lead man welder at Talbert Manufacturing where he had worked for 41 years. He was a member of the United Steel Workers Union Local #6982 and Jasper County ABATE. He enjoyed bowling, riding motorcycles and fishing. He was proud of his Native American heritage and collected Native American memorabilia. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching Cubs baseball, Bears and Colts football and NASCAR. He loved cookouts and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Dyke officiating. Burial will be at Victor Chapel Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association or ABATE or to the family.

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

Elmer White Jr.

March 28, 1926 to September 12, 2019

FRANCESVILLE - Elmer White Jr., 93, of Francesville (a longtime resident of rural Winamac), passed away at 7:07 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

He was born March 28, 1926 in Denton, AR to the late Elmer and Hazel Button White. He married Lillie Belle Stewart May on Aug. 6, 1993 in Winamac. She passed away Oct. 23, 1995. On April 6, 1997, he married Esther Lillie VanKanegan Jacobsma in Winamac. She survives.

He is also survived by:
2 Daughters: Debra and Connie
2 Sons: Gary and Darrell
6 Step Daughters: Shirley, Patricia, Esther, Loretta, Mildred and Jacqueline
4 Stepsons: John III, Michael, Kenneth and Curtis
Many Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren
Many Step-Grandchildren and Step-Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
3 Sons: Jimmie, Eldon and an infant
1 Granddaughter: Rachel
3 Sisters: Lucille, Ida and Mildred
1 Brother: Earl

Elmer went to work at a very young age, shoveling saw dust in the saw mill that his father owned. He was a hard worker all of his life, spending much of his career at Winamac Coil Spring in Kewanna. Despite the fact that he had no formal education, he proudly retired as a foreman in 1986. He was a jack of all trades with a variety of skills and talents. He enjoyed visiting with people and was a good story teller. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday, Sept. 16, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon, Monday, at the funeral home. Private burial will be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Parkview Haven Retirement Home.

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

Willard H. Peters

May 2, 1925 to September 14, 2019

WINAMAC - Willard H. Peters, 94, of Winamac, passed away, surrounded by his family, Saturday night, Sept. 14.

He was born May 2, 1925 in Harrison Township at the "cement block house" east of Winamac to the late Walter L. and Cora E. Warmbrod Peters. He married Helen L. Skinner, Dec. 5, 1948, at Pleasant Hill Church, Bruce Lake. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Connie (Don) Reid, Star City, Daughter
Joan (Ray) Schultz, Medaryville, Daughter
Linda (Dan) Ruhl, Star City, Daughter
11 Grandchildren
27 Great-Grandchildren
Ellen Horn, Kewanna, Sister
Lulu Belle Walker, Bunker Hill, Sister
Ralph Master, Washington, IL, Brother-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Lucille (Devon) Overmyer, Sister
Olive (Earl) Master, Sister
Norma Master, Sister
Gene Horn, Brother-in-law
Bill Walker, Brother-in-law

Mr. Peters was a heavy equipment operator, having worked for Meiser Bros., Smeltzers and C & S Construction. He was also a farmer and raised hogs. After retirement, he worked part time at Tippecanoe River State Park. He was a lifelong member of Pleasant Hill Church, where he held many offices and enjoyed greeting people as they arrived at church on Sunday. He was a longtime volunteer at Red Bird Mission and Henderson Settlement in Kentucky. He loved to serve the Lord by serving others.

Mr. Peters was a member of Winamac Lodge #262 F&AM where he served many years as Tyler. He received his Award of Gold in 2010. He was a member of the Murat Shrine and Scottish Rite. He was a member of Tippecanoe Chapter #96 OES for over 50 years. He deeply appreciated the many friendships acquired over the years as a Mason. He and his wife were instrumental in the organization of the Tippecanoe Twirlers and enjoyed square dancing for many years. They also enjoyed taking bus trips all over the U.S. They especially loved taking trips to Branson, MO for the music. Another special trip was taken to Australia when the couple visited their exchange student, Ann Palfreyman Houston.

Mr. Peters enjoyed the outdoors, especially spending time at his lake cottage on Bruce Lake. He was an avid fisherman and gardener. He had a knack for raising roses. Most of all, he loved his family very much. He loved to attend the many activities of his daughters and grandchildren. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a man of few words, with a heart of gold. His presence will be missed by all who knew him.

Masonic services and Eastern Star services will be at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. Visitation will follow from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home; and one hour prior to services at the church Thursday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, Lake Bruce, with Pastor Dave Sommers officiating. Burial be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Lake Bruce.

Memorial donations may be made to Pleasant Hill Church Memorial Fund or Shriners Hospital for Children.

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