Obituaries

Richard S. Rude

May 3, 1945 to May 4, 2024

ROYAL CENTER - Richard S. Rude, 79 of Royal Center passed away Saturday, May 4, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis.

Richard Rude

Born May 3, 1945 in Winamac, he was the son of the late Harold and Vivian (Stoner) Rude. He was a Royal Center High School graduate, and a proud U.S. Army veteran who he served in the Vietnam War. On June 23, 1967 he married Rebecca L. Byrd. She survives.

Survivors also include children Brian (Linda) Rude of Logansport, Jennifer (Brad) Steill of Lafayette, Bradley Rude of Kokomo and Rachel Navel of Lafayette; sisters Carolyn Wischmann of Florida, Vivian (Richard) Howton of Elkhart, Ginger (David) Hoekstra of Michigan and Sharin (Michael) Najera of Florida; and grandchildren Sadie (Reed) McCormick, Ally (Reed) Schimmel, Jesse Reed, Hannah Steill, Rhett Steill, Brianna Rude-Doerges, Brooklyn Rude, Brandi Rude, Cody Rude and Mackinzee Rude.

He was also preceded in death by sister Alice Howard and great-grandchild Carson Rude.

Mr. Rude retired from the Iron Worker Union Local 379 in Lafayette. He was a former member of Star City Church of Christ and enjoyed golfing and spending time with family and friends.

Services will with military rites will be performed at 4 p.m., Thursday, May 9, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of the service.

Memorial donations may be made to Guardian Angel Hospice Foundation.

Mr. Rude’s online guestbook is available and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Josic L. Wilcoxon

September 1, 1941 to May 4, 2024

MEDARYVILLE - Josic L. “Jay” Wilcoxon, 82, of Medaryville (formerly of Gary), passed away Saturday, May 4, at his home.

He was born Sept. 1, 1941 in Cleveland, TN to Loss L. and Vira L. [Hagler] Wilcoxon. His family moved to Gary when he was a teenager when his father sought employment in the steel mills. After graduating from Calumet High School, he joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. Jay intended to make military service his career; however, that dream was cut short when he contracted tuberculosis while in Korea. On May 5, 1993, he married Suzanna “Sue” [Jones] Wolgemuth in Crown Point. She survives.

Jay Wilcoxon

He is also survived by:
Karen Hendricks-Tinglof, Daughter
Susan Wilcoxon-Sherrer, Daughter
Janie Jones, Daughter
Kris Thompson, Daughter
Martin Wilcoxon, Son
S. Diane Perigo, Step-Daughter
Steven Breckenridge, Step-Son
Tim Breckenridge, Step-Son
Mark Wolgemuth, Step-Son
Aaron Wolgemuth, Step-Son
Numerous Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren
Jimmie (Deb) Wilcoxon, Brother
James (Nettie) Wilcoxon, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Loss Wilcoxon, Father
Vira Wilcoxon Sacerich, Mother
Joseph Sacerich, Step-Father
Brian Wolgemuth, Step-Son
Randall Wilcoxon, Brother
Bill Wilcoxon, Brother

Together, Mr. Wilcoxon and his wife owned and operated ABC Business Services in Gary where they sold and repaired office equipment. The Y2K scare brought an unnecessary end to their company. The couple moved to Pendleton, IN where they took employment as a truck drivers for Schneider Trucking. He retired in 2004 when he began to experience health issues related to his war service. He was a member of the Medaryville American Legion Post 96 and the Medaryville Christian Church. He enjoyed tinkering on lawn tractors and fixing anything he could. He was a true “Mr. Fix-it”.

A celebration of life service will be held at the Medaryville Christian Church Annex in Medaryville. Burial will be at 10 a.m. (CDT), Thursday, May 16, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.

Memorial donations may be made to Medaryville Christian Church.

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

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

Pat Crippen Smith

April 29, 1949 to May 2, 2024

KEWANNA - Pat Crippen Smith, 75, of Kewanna passed away peacefully Thursday, May 2, at home.

Born April 29, 1949, she was the only child of Leon and Sally (Wilson) Crippen; (she always said they went for “quality not quantity.”)   She married Tim Smith on Dec. 15, 1988. They were rarely apart and had a very special bond. It was obvious even at the end how much they loved each other. He survives.

Pat Smith

Survivors also include children Jamie (Brian) Handy, Lyndee (Shawn) Duhnovsky, Jodi (Brad) Boldry, Jake (Michelle) Smith, Josh (Sumer) Smith; and 14 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

 She was preceded in death by her parents and her mother-in-law and father-in-law.
 
Mrs. Smith retired from Pulaski Memorial Hospital.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She had a very special and strong relationship with Jesus from a young age. She was especially fond of teaching what she knew about the Scripture and always had a unique way of explaining it to others of all ages. She had many hobbies, including teaching the Bible, genealogy  research, making jewelry, floral arranging, painting, crafting, riding four-wheelers and spending time with friends and family. She loved to travel, especially to do genealogy research. She was quick witted and always knew what to say to comfort others and make them laugh. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her on the power of perseverance through really difficult circumstances by leaning on her faith in Jesus and the power of prayer. She loved her family with all her heart through thick and thin no matter the circumstance. She will be greatly missed but she is finally home with Jesus and out of pain.

A graveside services will be at 1 p.m., Monday, May 6, at Grass Creek Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Guardian Angel Hospice and Pulaski Memorial Hospital. 

Mrs. Smith’s online guestbook is available, and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes, Kewanna.

Rachel A. Scheffer

March 16, 1975 to May 1, 2024

ROYAL CENTER - Rachel A. Scheffer, 49, of Winamac passed away at 8:50 a.m., Tuesday, May 1, at home.

Rachel Scheffer

Born March 16, 1975, she was the daughter of Harvey and Jane (Fisher) Scheffer. She was a 1993 Winamac Community High School graduate.

Survivors include her sons Zach (Shannon) Markley of Michigan, Jacob of Scheffer Colorado and Harvey Wenglarz of Lafayette; mother Jane Scheffer of Winamac; brother Matthew (Natasha) Scheffer of Michigan; sister Laura Scheffer of Indianapolis; and nieces and nephews Tiffany, Matthew, Olivia, Alexandria, Miles and Avery Scheffer.

She was preceded in death by her father, and grandparents Ed and Olive Fisher and Julia Turnpaugh.

Ms. Scheffer enjoyed crafts, crocheting, cooking and woodburning art.

A celebration of life gathering will be from 2 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. There will be a dinner at the V.F.W. in Winamac at 5:30 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Pancreatic Association at www.american-pancreatic-association.org.

Ms. Scheffer’s online guestbook is available, and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Anna M. Podell

January 17, 1928 to April 28, 2024

WINAMAC - Anna Marie Podell, 96, of Tavares, FL (formerly of Winamac and Akron), passed away April 28.

She was born Jan. 17, 1928, in Wabash, to the late Lee and Sarah [King] Porter. Known as “Ann” by her family and friends, she graduated from Huntington High School in 1946. Two years later she moved to North Judson and was employed in Dr. Matthew’s office as his receptionist and assistant. On Nov. 24, 1951, she married Robert “Bob” Podell. He preceded her in death.

Ann Podell

Survivors include:
Robert M. (Mollie) Podell Jr., Tavares, FL, Son and Daughter-in-law
Gregory L. (Betty) Podell, Myrtle Beach, SC, Son and Daughter-in-law
Douglas J. (Cheryl) Podell, Ponte Vedra, FL, Son and Daughter-in-law
Brian E. (Amy) Housinger, Hendersonville, NC, Grandson
Emily A. (Andy) Kruger, Blythewood, SC, Granddaughter
Kyle G. Podell, Myrtle Beach, SC, Grandson
Nicholas P. (Ashtin) Podell, Mount Dora, FL, Grandson
Annie E. (Beck) Serles, Wanatah, Granddaughter
Jacob L. (Kaitlyn) Podell, DeMotte, Grandson
10 Great-Granddaughters
4 Great-Grandsons
1 Great-Great-Grandson
Mike Porter, Akron, Brother
Jim (Ann) Podell, Elgin, SC, Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law
Numerous nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by:
William Porter, Brother
Robert Porter, Brother
Patricia (Dave) Davis, Sister and Brother-in-law
Betty (J.C.) Carl, Sister and Brother-in-law
Patsy Porter, Sister-in-law
Laverne (“Fritz”) Bertucci, Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law

Mrs. Podell accompanied her husband when he moved to the U.S. Army Base in Anchorage, AK in 1952. In 1953, they made their home in Winamac on the Podell Family Farm. She was a homemaker who kept the farm books, ran errands, and delivered meals to the fields while raising three boys. In 2000, Ann and Bob built a home in Tavares where they later took up permanent residence. Bob preceded her in death in 2008 after 57 years of marriage. She was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac, was a former Sunday School Teacher for many years, and held office in the St. Luke’s Women’s Guild. In addition, she attended Woodlands Lutheran Church in Montverde, FL. Throughout her life, she was also a member of the Rock Lake Conservation Club, Jefferson/Rich Grove Home Ec Club, Pulaski County Democratic Ladies, and the John Purdue Club. She enjoyed making memories at their summer home on Rock Lake in Akron, attending summer plays at the Wagon Wheel Playhouse in Warsaw, socializing with other snowbird friends in Central Florida, entertaining, keeping up with her Facebook friends, tailgating at the Purdue football games, and visiting with her neighbors, family and friends.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m., Thursday, May 9, at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac. The funeral service will be follow at 2 p.m. (Thursday), at the church with Pastor Thomas Woodley officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac or Woodlands Lutheran Church in Montverde.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Gerald T. Cushing

April 14, 1940 to April 26, 2024

MEDARYVILLE - Gerald “Jerry” Thomas Cushing, 83, passed away Friday April 26, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City.

He was born April 14, 1940 in Rock Island, IL to Margaret Pauline (Seaton) and Leo Edward Cushing. He graduated from Spaulding Institute in 1958. He moved from Peoria, IL to Chicago in 1958 and worked on the railroad for a few years. It was during this time that he met Arlos Marlene Selmer, and they married on Jan. 2, 1965.

Jerry Cushing

He is survived by:
Arlos Cushing,  Medaryville, Wife
Gerald (Ellen) Cushing Jr, Mokena, IL, Son
Brian (Julia) Cushing, Countryside, IL, Son
Christiane (Christopher) Hileman, North Judson, Daughter
10 grandchildren: Jonathon (Ellie), Caroline, Andrew, Anna-Rose, Fiona, Savannah, Gerald III, Sean, Eleanora and Colin.
John Tribbey , Sacramento, CA, Brother-in-law

He was preceded in death by:
Margaret and Leo Cushing, Parents
 Leo Cushing, Brother
 David (Dixie) Cushing, Brother
 Rosanne (John) Poremba, Sister
Marilyn  Tribbey, Sister

Mr. Cushing joined the Chicago Police Department in 1961 and was promoted to sergeant in 1971. He retired in 1995 after proudly serving for 34 years. After his retirement from the force, he served the City of Chicago for another 10 years as a police supervisor at the 911 Center. He never knew a stranger; he was a friend to everyone and loved to strike up a conversation. A devoted husband and father, he was a hard worker and did whatever he needed to provide for his family. He was truly a jack-of-all-trades, working as a semi -truck driver, snowplow driver, fencing and gate fabricator, and owned two businesses: Cushing Carpet Cleaners and J& J Excavating. He also worked for the Sheehy Funeral Home in Chicago. Additionally, he happily farmed alongside his father-in-law and worked diligently with his family to remodel their beloved farmhouse. In his spare time, he also coached both football and softball. He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in San Pierre, and the Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago. He was also a member of the Police Sergeant’s Association in Chicago, the Knights of Columbus and the Elk’s Club of Chicago.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. (EDT) Friday, May 3, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. (EDT), Saturday, May 4, at All Saints Catholic Church in San Pierre, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Medaryville.

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