Obituaries

Betty S. DeShazo

December 21, 1928 to January 3, 2019

WINAMAC - Betty Sue DeShazo, 90, of Winamac (formerly of Monterey), passed away peacefully after a short illness Thursday, Jan. 3, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born Dec. 21, 1928, in Trimble, TN to the late Thomas E. and Mary Viola McAlister Swindle. She married James DeShazo on Oct. 17, 1947, in Hammond. He passed away Feb. 15, 2001.

She is survived by: 
James E. (Gary Burgess) DeShazo Jr., Newport News, VA, Son 
Patricia Sue Hopper, Merrillville, Daughter 
Samantha Chowan, Great Granddaughter 
Sidney (Lita) Swindle, Brother 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Dennis Hopper, Grandson 
7 Siblings

Mrs. DeShazo was an active member of the Ora Christian Church and enjoyed sewing and cooking. Anyone who knew Betty knew her as one the kindest people you would ever meet. She opened her heart to many people over the years, and she will be missed immensely.

The family would like to express thanks and gratitude to Pulaski Health Care Center for the amazing and loving care given to our mother. Words can never describe how our family feels about the staff at Pulaski Health Care Center. Our family thanks you and will keep your wonderful staff in our hearts and always in our prayers.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 7, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. (Monday), at the funeral home with Rev. Don Franklin officiating. Interment will be at The Alexander Heineman Memorial Cemetery, Ora.

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

Betty J. Passmore

November 1, 1956 to January 2, 2019

WINAMAC - Betty Jean Passmore, 62, of Winamac, passed away at 3:18 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2, at Community Howard Regional Health, Kokomo.

She was born Nov. 1, 1956, in Winamac to the late Guy and Freda Reed Passmore. She graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1974 and earned an accounting certificate from the International Business College in Ft. Wayne.

She is survived by: 
Linda (Tom) Shanley, Kokomo, Sister 
Loretta (Noel) Nixon, Logansport, Sister 
Candy Irven, Niece 
Kimberly (Brandon) DeLorenzo, Niece 
Aaron (Heidi) Nixon, Nephew 
Andy (Quirsten) Nixon, Nephew 
Sarah Nixon, Niece 
Joe (Monica) Nixon, Nephew 
Steve (Kira) Nixon, Nephew 
Jonathan (Alex) Nixon, Nephew 
Anna Nixon, Niece 
6 Great Nieces & Nephews: Kameron, Evan, Carter, Andra, Emma and Remi 
2 Aunts 
Several Cousins

Preceded in death by: 

Thomas & Maude Passmore, Paternal Grandparents 
William & Myrtle Reed, Maternal Grandparents

Ms. Passmore enjoyed singing with the group Singers With A Testimony (SWAT) from Monticello. She loved her animals, especially her cat, Foster and dog, Marley.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

A private service for the family will be held at Frain Mortuary with Pastor Todd Randles officiating. Private burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with funeral expenses.

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

Jeffrey B. Swartzell

September 13, 1963 to December 31, 2018

WINAMAC - Jeffrey Brian "JB" Swartzell, 55, of Rochester (formerly of Winamac), passed away at 6:57 p.m., Monday, Dec. 31, at Dupont Hospital in Ft. Wayne, after a brief illness.

He was born Sept. 13, 1963 in Winamac to Jeffrey Lynn and Georgia Joesta Lebo Swartzell. He was a graduate of Winamac Community High School and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Winamac.

He is survived by: 
Jeffrey and Georgia Swartzell, Winamac, Parents 
Shelley Swartzell, Winamac, Sister 
William R. Swartzell, Winamac, Brother 
Nathan Swartzell, Winamac, Nephew 
Matthew Swartzell, Winamac, Nephew 
Numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Preceded in death by: 
Robert and Esther Lavon Swartzell, Paternal Grandparents 
Vernal and Thelma Lebo, Maternal Grandparents

Mr. Swartzell enjoyed farming with his dad and was an avid sports fan. He especially enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys. He was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend and will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 4, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 5, at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Pilger officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Life Care Center of Rochester.

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

Lorene A. Mutti Clark

November 18, 1924 to December 26, 2018

WINAMAC - Lorene Ann Mutti Clark, 94, of Culver, formerly of Bremen, passed away at 2:43 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Miller's Merry Manor, Culver.

She was born Nov. 18, 1924 in Nebraska to the late Arthur and Mabel Smith Mutti. She married Donald Clark on July 27, 1950 in Kewanna. He died Dec. 21, 1982.

She is survived by: 
Daniel (Yupi) Clark, Monterey, CA, Son 
David (Sheri) Clark, Idaho Falls, ID, Son 
Heather, Granddaughter
Sarah, Granddaughter 
Courtney, Granddaughter 
Jacob, Miles, Max, Great-grandsons

Preceded in death by: 
Marian BonDurant, Sister 

Mrs. Clark was a retired English teach, and had taught at Winamac High School. She was a published writer, and a graduate of Indiana State University. She was a member of the Bremen United Methodist Church where she played the piano and taught Sunday School. She enjoyed reading, writing and music.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 3, at the funeral home with Rev. David Marty officiating. Burial will be at Bruce Lake Cemetery, Kewanna.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. 

Alan G. Johnson

February 21, 1944 to December 27, 2018

WINAMAC - Alan Gale Johnson, 74, of Burnettsville, formerly of Star City, passed away at 4:50 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 27, at his residence.

He was born Feb. 21, 1944 in Winamac to the late Albert Lee and Blanche Poor Johnson. He graduated from Star City High School in 1962, and served in the U.S. Army from 1963-1966. He married Annetta Faye Pugh on Dec. 12, 1967 in Winamac. She died Jan. 9, 2011.

He is survived by: 
Shannon Wade (Karen) Johnson, Ashford, CT, Son 
Rev. Joseph Alan (Brian) Johnson, Chicago, Son 
Sarah Margaret Johnson, Granddaughter 
Eric Alan Johnson, Grandson 
Susan Szwed, Boulder, CO, Sister

Preceded in death by: 
Eva Marie Johnson, Daughter 
Leo Hal Johnson, Brother 
Jack Johnson, Brother

Mr. Johnson had worked at Wilson Foods, the Braun Corporation, and he retired from Orion Safety Products in Peru. He had been a Star City Volunteer Fireman. He attended the Star City United Methodist Church and the Lake Cicott United Methodist Church. He had been a Little League coach in Star City. He enjoyed his wife and family. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. He and his wife were avid motor cycle riders. He enjoyed his vegetable garden and photography, especially sunsets. He was an avid card player.

Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 30, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Frain Mortuary,Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. (Sunday), at the funeral home with Pastor Adam Speicher officiating. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery, Star City. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to Salvation Army, Riley Chidren's Hospital Foundation or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

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

Jeffrey D. Puetz

October 17, 1954 to December 23, 2018

WINAMAC - Jeffrey Donald Puetz, 64, of Fowler, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Dec. 23, at Signature Health Care, Lafayette.

He was born Oct. 17, 1954 in Lafayette to Donald and Florence Sumpter Puetz. He was a lifelong resident of Benton County. He attended St. Mary's grade school and was a 1972 graduate of Benton Central High School.

He is survived by:
Florence Krebs, Fowler, Mother 
Mike (Peggy) Puetz, Fowler, Brother 
Rebecca (John) Stephens, Ambia, Sister 
Brian (Jill) Puetz, North Augusta, SC, Brother 
Roger (Angie Bell) Puetz, Gladewater, TX, Brother 
Louise (Ken) Gudas, Winamac, Sister 
14 Nieces and Nephews 
Many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Preceded in death by: 
Donald J. Puetz, Father 
Russell Krebs, Step-Father

Mr. Puetz worked for the Demeter elevator, driving a grain truck for several years. He enjoyed music, football and playing cards, as well as motorcycle riding and driving his Chevy truck. He also enjoyed writing letters to his nieces and nephews and often surprised them with a two-dollar bill. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fowler. He was always inspired to help the less fortunate, the food pantry being a favorite charity. He had a strong faith and looked toward St. Jude when times seemed hopeless or impossible.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dunnington. A funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. (Saturday), at the church with Rev. Peter Vanderkolk officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Dunnington.

Memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic School, Fowler.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.