Obituaries

Edward J. Buckman

June 10, 1942 to April 24, 2025

WINAMAC - Edward J. Buckman, 82, of Winamac, passed away Thursday, April 24, at Hickory Creek in Winamac.

He was born June 10, 1942 in Glen Burnie, MD to the late William and Frances (Vacek) Buckman.

Private entombment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Baltimore, MD.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Joe W. Kestle

September 17, 1956 to April 22, 2025

WINAMAC - Joe W. Kestle, 68, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, April 22.

He was born Sept. 17, 1956 in Knox, to the late James M. and Carol A. (Downey) Kestle. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1976. While in high school, he was a conference champion wrestler. He was baptized in the First Christian Church in Winamac where he sang in the church choir.

Joe Kestle

Survivors include:
Magdalena Jo (Jason) Hershman, Medaryville, Daughter
Emily Jean Kestle, Winamac, Daughter
Ryan M. Fischer, Grandson
Hazel G. Hershman, Granddaughter
Avery L. Hershman, Granddaughter
Adalynn L. Hershman, Granddaughter
Alan (Robin) Kestle, Brother
Arlene (Todd) McAchren, Monticello, Sister
Michael (Sherry) Kestle, Winamac, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Clara Mae (Good) Kestle, Step-Mother
Cletha (Lane) Kestle, Paternal Grandmother

After high school, Mr. Kestle worked at Wilson Foods in Logansport, and Monon Trailer in Monon. He retired from The Braun Corporation (BraunAbility) in 2024 after 39 years of dedicated employment. He took great pride in being a member of the “Quarter Century Club” at Braun’s. He was an avid gardener and an excellent cook. He was also an avid fisherman who lived most of his life along the banks of the Tippecanoe River. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. He will be deeply missed by those who loved him.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 3 p.m., Friday, April 25, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. (Friday), at the funeral home. Entombment will bw at Tippecanoe Cemetery in Winamac at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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

Joan M. Bendel

January 24, 1944 to April 21, 2025

WINAMAC - Joan M. Bendel, 81, of Winamac, passed away Monday, April 21, at Woodbridge Health Campus in Logansport.

Joan Bendel

Born Jan. 24, 1944, in Chicago, she was the daughter of the late Karl and Jeanette (Krauss) Johnsen. She married Wilbur Ed Bendel on June 3, 1961. He preceded her in death on June 16,1990.

Survivors include her children Diana (Tim) Shannon of Winamac, William Ed (JoAnn) Bendel of Avon and Brian Bendel of Winamac; sister Jaqueline Roush of Lafayette; grandchildren Kristina (Dustin), Samantha (Kevin), Brandon, Jonathan ( John), Zachary, Carissa, Saryna, Christopher and Brionna; and great-grandchildren Grace, Mason, Ellie and Fiona, and her loving dog Wilson.

She was also preceded in death by son Jonathan Bendel, daughter Denise Bendel and brother Joseph Johnsen.

Mrs. Bendel enjoyed gardening, crocheting and spending time with family and friends.

The funeral service will be at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Winamac Chapel, 110 N. Sally Dr., Winamac. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at 11 a.m. (CT), Monday, April 28, at Arlington Cemetery in Elmhurst, IL.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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

Nancy S. Rife

June 29, 1954 to April 21, 2025

WINAMAC - Nancy S. Rife, 70, of Winamac passed away Monday, April 21, at home, surrounded by family and friends.

Born June, 29 1954 at the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, she was the daughter of the late Carl Alberts Jr. and Shirley Alberts (Schroeder). She graduated from Parkview-Methodist School of Nursing in 1975. She married Robert Rife on May 21, 1983, and moved to Winamac. He preceded her in death.

Nancy Rife

Survivors include:
Daughter, Hillary (Chris) Pine of Winamac
Son, Adam Rife of Carmel
Sister, Linda Gleitz of Plymouth
Sister, Crissie and Jan Garrison of Plymouth
Brother-in-law, Jeff and Dawn Rife of Winamac
Sister-in-law, Karen Sommers of Monticello
Nieces and Nephews:
PJ and Chris Brucker of Winamac
Lynn and Todd Edgell of Monticello
Lance and Becky Hiatt of Jacksonville, Fla.
Cameron Garrison of Lynchburg, Va.
Samantha and Eric Wagner of Rushville
Cory and Danielle Gleitz of Plymouth
Morgan Garrison of Plymouth
Andrew and Tina Gleitz of Aurora, Colo.
Sierra and Colby Wood of Winamac
Keely Garrison of Plymouth.
Great-nieces and –nephews: Leland Hiatt, Alexandra Edgell, Payden Edgell, Paisely Bonnell, Baylor Wood, Lillian Wagner, Huxley Wood, Talia Gleitz and Grant Wagner.

She was also preceded in death by mother- and father-in-law JB and Gloria Rife, mother-in-law Joyce Rife and sister- and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Dale Hiatt.

Mrs. Rife dedicated her life to caring for others, and spent the first eight years of her nursing career at Elkhart General Hospital. After her marriage, she continued her calling at Pulaski Memorial Hospital. Over the next 41 years, she became a cornerstone of the hospital, retiring in 2024 after a long and passionate career. Her greatest love was for her two children, Hillary and Adam. As a mother, she poured her heart into raising them with tenderness, patience and unconditional love and support. Whether cheering them on in their pursuits, guiding them through life’s challenges, or simply being present in the everyday, her love and devotion to her children knew no bounds.

A devoted member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Winamac, she lived her faith through kindness, generosity, and unwavering devotion to those around her. She was an avid fan of Notre Dame women’s basketball and was a frequent face at their games. She also found joy in traveling with friends, making trips to the movies, relaxing with a good book, anything Vera Bradley, and all things related to Christmas. Her life was one of care, love, selflessness and unwavering strength. She touched countless lives and will be deeply missed by all who had the blessing of knowing her.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 24, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Winamac Chapel, 110 N. Sally Dr., Winamac. A rosary service will be at 4 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, April 25, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery Mckinley Addition.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent House at www.give.stvincent.org.

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

Paul E. Smith Jr.

February 28, 1961 to April 17, 2025

WINAMAC - Paul Edward “Doc” Smith Jr., 64, of Rochester, passed away Thursday, April 17, at his home.

He was born Feb. 28, 1961 in Logansport. He grew up in Monterey, and graduated mid-term from Culver Community High School in 1979. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps and proudly served his country for four years. He married Alma Omecnol on Oct. 14, 2007, at New Life Church in Rochester. She survives.

Doc Smith

He is also survived by:
Julie (Robert) Heien, Bedford, TX, Daughter
Megan (Gary) Copelan, Cleburne, TX, Daughter
Abel Len Heien, Grandson
Roland Copelan, Grandson
Helena C. (Weaver) Smith Repp, Monterey, Mother
Debra Armstrong, Winamac, Sister
Daniel (Jennifer) Smith, Monterey, Brother
Christopher (Tabitha) Smith, Delong, Brother
Carol (Todd) Hartle, Warsaw, Sister
Omer (fiancée Shanon) Smith, Rochester, Brother
Robert Repp, Plymouth, Step-Brother
Larry Repp, Bremen, Step-Brother
Annabelle (Shawn Homme) Emmons, Logansport, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Leonard J. Repp, Step-Father
Ernest Armstrong III, Nephew

Mr. Smith worked as a delivery driver for Dean Foods in Rochester until it closed in 2015. After retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family and sharing his love for collectibles with his daughters and grandsons. He was an avid fan of Batman, Godzilla, and Jackie Chan. He loved his family and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 24, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Cemetery in Monterey. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the family c/o Alma Smith.

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

James M. Dowling

September 10, 1947 to April 14, 2025

WINAMAC - James M. “Jim” Dowling, 77, of Winamac (formerly of Hopkinsville, KY), passed away peacefully Monday, April 14, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

He was born Sept. 10, 1947 to the late Dennis and Irene (Bixler) Dowling in Adrian, MI and was raised in Jasper, MI. While in college at Purdue University, he joined the U.S. Navy and served in country during the Vietnam War. After his service, he returned to Purdue and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1977. He married Edna Self who preceded him in death.

He is survived by:
Gerald “Jerry” (Carol) Dowling, Brother
Denise (Yolanda Baldwin) Dowling, Sister
Deelight (Richard) Murphy, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews and their families

Preceded in death by:
Many Cherished Dogs

Home for Mr. Dowling and his wife was in Hopkinsville where he worked at White Hydraulics for several years. He enjoyed the company of many meaningful friends in Hopkinsville and Fairview, KY.

The family wishes to thank Judy Jackson, Stuart Zieman, Dan Lauffer and Howard Jones for their special and supportive relationships with Jim. Additionally, the family thanks the staff of Pulaski Health Care Center for the tender care of Jim over the past two years.

A graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. (10:30 a.m. CT) Tuesday, April 22, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. Military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Navy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a local American Legion or VFW.

Online condolences may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.