Obituaries

April 17, 1927 to December 17, 2015

WINAMAC - Jesse Eugene Spurgeon, Jr., 88, a lifelong resident of Winamac, passed away at 3:36 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 17, at his home, after a year-long battle with various maladies of old age. 

He was born April 17, 1927 on the family farm in Jefferson Township, Pulaski County to the late Jesse Alvin and Maude Grace Rees Spurgeon. He married Thelma Marlene Shank of Dayton, OH on June 2, 1951. She preceded him in death on Oct. 2, 1992.

The couple raised five children to adulthood, including Katherine S. (1955-1982), Sally S. Weeks (Harmon “Mickey”) of Attica, Charles W. “Charlie” of Winamac, Jesse Andrew “Andy” (Laurie) of Winamac, and Matthew of Chesterton. There are also five grandchildren: Krista (Nathan) Hardebeck, Jennifer “Biffer” Spurgeon (deceased), Kelly Spurgeon, Mason Spurgeon, and Audrey Spurgeon.

His only sibling, Mary Irene Irven, preceded him in death. 

Mr. Spurgeon was a longtime dairy and grain farmer, retiring in 1994. For many years, he was recognized as one of the top small dairy farmers/breeders in Indiana in terms of overall milk production. On the rare occasions that he could escape milking duties and field work, he sincerely enjoyed flying and fishing; the latter activity regularly took him to Canada with family and friends. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946-47 in the 185th Engineer Combat Battalion as a demolition expert. While serving at Camp Campbell, Kentucky (now Fort Campbell), he was involved in an accidental mine detonation that caused permanent, partial hearing loss. He was a member of the VFW Post #1728 and American Legion Post #71 in Winamac. He will be remembered for his quick “Spurgeon humor” and generosity to many.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Wednesday, Dec. 23) at the funeral home  The American Legion and VFW will conduct military honors at the funeral home. 

Memorial donations may be given to Wounded Warrior Project.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary. Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.