Obituaries

Jay E. Bitterling

September 3, 1948 to August 31, 2019

WINAMAC - Jay E. “Moondoggie” Bitterling, 70, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, Aug. 31, at his home.

He was born Sept. 3, 1948 at home in rural Winamac to the late Harold W. and Evelyn Hall Bitterling. On April 7, 1984, he married Candace L. Phillips Hedges in Beardstown. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Jesse (Rhonda) Bitterling, Star City, Son
Jamie (Dan) Wenzler, Kewanna, Daughter
Jason (Christy) Bitterling, Star City, Son
13 Grandchildren: Jorden Bitterling, Trevor Bitterling, Will Planck, Matthew (Becca) Wenzler, Nathan Wenzler, Josh Wenzler, Jared Wenzler, Austen Brown, Dalten Allman, Brittany Cornwell, Alyssa Cornwell, Jason Bitterling Jr. and Braxton Bittlering.
3 Great-Grandchildren: Claire, Leon and Harper
Judy Markley, Winamac, Sister
Jerry (Laura) Bitterling, Logansport, Brother
Julie (Dan) Birge, Kewanna, Sister
Jeff Markley, Rochester, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Harold W. Bitterling, Father
Evelyn Hall Markley, Mother
Jackie Lee Bitterling, Infant Brother

Mr. Bitterling was a self-employed truck driver for many years. He enjoyed racing and watching his family continue the family race tradition. He also enjoyed scrapping and raising animals. He liked telling stories and never met a stranger. He was well-known for his good sense of humor and generosity. Most of all, he loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren and beloved dog, Jack.

The family will host a celebration of life service at the Winamac Eagles. Private burial will take place at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to funeral home to assist the family with expenses, or to the family.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Clara E. Viktora

August 7, 1933 to August 24, 2019

WINAMAC - Clara Ellen Viktora, 86, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, Aug. 24, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born Aug. 7, 1933 in Francesville, to the late Carl and Tena Kruger Garling. She was a 1951 graduate of Francesville High School. On April 11, 1953 Clara married Anthony F. "Tony" Viktora. He died on Aug. 22, 2015.

She is survived by: 
Pam (Darl Holbrook) Viktora, Francesville, Daughter 
Kevin (Jeanna Nesius) Viktora, Francesville, Son 
Sarah Viktora, Granddaughter 
Zoe Viktora, Granddaughter 
Bertha (Jim) Rose, North Judson, Sister 
Leonard "Sonny" (Evelyn) Garling, Francesville, Brother 
Charles Rose, Winamac, Brother-in-law

Preceded in death by: 
Berniece Rose, Sister 
Louise Dommer, Sister 

Mrs. Viktora was a member of St. James Salem United Church of Christ, the Ladies Guild of the church and was a Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed sewing, gardening and cooking. Being home with her family and teaching them how to make the perfect piecrust or homemade Christmas gifts is what made her the happiest.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 26, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 27, at St. James Salem United Church of Christ in Francesville, with Rev. Judith Doll officiating. Burial will be at St. James Salem Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to St. James Salem United Church of Christ.

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

Edward E. Gady

January 14, 1923 to August 18, 2019

ROYAL CENTER - Edward E. Gady, 96, of Star City passed away at 10:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 18, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette.

Born on Jan. 14, 1923 in Star City, he was the son of the late Elmer “Ruey” and Josephine Crist Gady. He was a Pulaski High School graduate.  On Sept. 11, 1955 he married Catherine Wood. She preceded him in death on Feb. 5, 2004.

Survivors include his sons, Rex (Shelley) Gady of Burnettsville, Ronald (Carol) Gady of Star City and Robert Tinkle of Oliver Springs, Tenn.; and grandchildren, Jessica Gady, Ryan Gady, Brent Gady all of Royal Center; Dawn Patterson, Brian Tinkle, Robbie Tinkle and Kara Blevins all of Oliver Springs, Tenn.  He is also survived by several great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by brother, Elmer Gady and sister, Mary Alice Stacy.

Mr. Gady was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Winamac and the Eagles Lodge in Logansport. He enjoyed playing cards and spending time with family and friends.

Per Mr. Gady's wishes there will be no visitation or service.

Condolences for the Gady family may be left by signing the guestbook at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

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

Carl D. Sommers

February 25, 1932 to August 19, 2019

KEWANNA - Carl Dean Sommers, 87, of Grass Creek passed away unexpectedly at 5:54 p.m., Monday, Aug. 19, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Born on Feb. 25, 1932 in Grass Creek, he was the son of the late Adam and Nora Tabler Sommers. He was a Grass Creek High School graduate and a U.S. Army veteran. On Sept. 11, 1954 he married Nancy G. Wallace. She preceded him in death on Dec. 26, 1997. He married Eileen Busch on Jan. 16, 1999. She survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Debra Smyth (Mark) of Austin, Texas; sons, Randall Sommers (Lisa) of Grass Creek, Kevin Sommers (Evie) of Nashville, Michael Busch of Leiters Ford and Steven Busch (Tammy) of Brownsburg; grandchildren, Kaitlin Peraino, Lauren Kneeley, Kyle Sommers, Taylor Smyth, Joshua Busch and Elisabeth Busch, and great-grandchildren, Addison and Alex Peraino.

He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Adam and Arnold Sommers and great-granddaughter, Alaina Peraino.

Mr. Sommers was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of Grass Creek United Methodist Church and the Grass Creek Lions Club. He enjoyed working on the farm and traveling.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 23, at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory in Kewanna. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, at the funeral home with Pastor David Sommers officiating. Burial will be at Grass Creek Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Grass Creek United Methodist Church and/or the Grass Creek Lions Club.

Condolences for the Sommers family may be left by signing the guestbook at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Emma J. Cafin

March 26, 1938 to August 19, 2019

FRANCESVILLE - Emma Jean Johns Stout McWhirter Cafin, 81, of Goodland, passed away at 12:20 a.m., Monday, Aug. 19, at White Oak Health Campus, Monticello.

She was born March 26, 1938 to the late Charles William and Emma Kopka Johns at the family home in rural Beaver Township in Pulaski County.

She is survived by: 
Gerold "Jerry" (Sherry) Stout, Son 
Bonnie (David) McRae, Daughter 
Barry (Debbie) Stout, Son 
Debbie (Randy) Jones, Daughter 
Anthony "Tony" (Deb) McWhirter, Son 
James "Jim" (Ann) McWhirter, Son 
Kevin Cafin, Son 
28 Grandchildren 
30 Great-Grandchildren 
2 Great-Great-Grandchildren 
Marie S. Poisel, Sister 
Donald R. Johns, Sr., Brother 
Harold (Linda) Johns, Brother 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Edward Johns, Brother 
Sandra K. Goller, Sister 
Lynn E. Johns, Sr, Brother 
Charles Johns, Jr., Brother 

Mrs. Cafin and her siblings grew up attending Pleasant Ridge Church in Francesville. She was a hard worker, having worked as a restaurant server for many years and later owning and operating Our Place Restaurant and Winnmill Restaurant in Francesville. She worked for 17 years at Westville Correctional Facility where she was a culinary teacher. She continued to work until her retirement at "80 years young." She enjoyed reading books and cooking. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 22, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 23, at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Dyke officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

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

Kellie J. Bork

July 9, 1960 to August 3, 2019

WINAMAC - Kellie J. Bork, 59, of Logansport (formerly of Lowell), passed away at 12:28 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 3, at her home, surrounded by family.

She was born July 9, 1960 in Logansport to the late Eugene and Patricia Lebo Eudy. She graduated from Winamac Community High School. On June 30, 1979, she married Kenneth M. Bork in Winamac. He survives.

She is also survived by: 
Stephanie E. Bork, Hammond, Daughter 
Seven J. Bork, Logansport, Son 
Dr. Kim (Doug) Moyer, Winamac, Sister 
Kent (Shellee) Eudy, Houston, TX, Brother 
Karla (Jim) Gould, Star City, Sister 
Elaine Eudy, Logansport, Step-Mother 
Many Nieces and Nephews

Mrs. Bork worked as a medic and firefighter in Northwest Indiana for many years. She was a member of the Winamac First Christian Church. She enjoyed crafts and DIY projects. She especially enjoyed horses and being outdoors. Most of all, she loved her family very much. She was a loving wife, mother, sister and aunt. She will be deeply missed.

The family will honor Kellie's request that no services are to be held.

Memorial donations may be made to Winamac First Christian Church in Kellie's name.

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

Arangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.