Obituaries
Thomas E. Lerch
November 19, 1950 to November 23, 2017
WINAMAC - Thomas E. "Tom" Lerch, 67, of Hanna, passed away at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 23, at home.
He was born Nov. 19, 1950 in LaPorte, to the late Eugene and Evelyn Mockler Lerch. He graduated from Wanatah High School in 1969 and attended Ivy Tech College. On Oct. 30, 1976, he married Rayetta Fischer. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Clinton (Kim Wagner) Lerch, Knox, Son
Amber (Jeremy) Moore, LaPorte, Daughter
Bethany (Adam) Rust, Hanna, Daughter
5 Grandchildren: Kara, Zoey, Breanne, Audrey and Joshua
Susan (Mark) Hoover, Angola, Sister
Connie Mitzner, Wanatah, Sister
Mr. Lerch and his wife enjoyed operating "The Country Griller" food trailer at area festivals for the last 10 years. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wanatah and was a 3rd Degree Knight of the Wanatah Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing. He was an avid supporter of his children's 4H projects and athletic events. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. (CT), Monday, Nov. 27, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Fellowship Hall, Wanatah. A vigil service will be at 5 p.m. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. (CT), Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Wanatah with Rev. Mick Kopil and Rev. Jerry Schweitzer officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wanatah.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society.
Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
Janice L. Stotler
January 27, 1960 to November 22, 2017
WINAMAC - Janice L. Stotler, 57, of Monterey, passed away at 1:04 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 22, at her residence.
She was born Jan. 27, 1960 in Plymouth, to the late Francis Theodore and Patricia Margaret Scheuer Bauer. She graduated from Culver Community High School in 1978. She married Garry Stotler on June 14, 1980 in Monterey. He died July 25, 2005.

She is survived by:
Jeremy (Nikki) Stotler, Cleveland, OH, Son
Erin (Josh) Thomas, Madison, Daughter
Anne Stotler, Grandchild
Ellie Stotler, Grandchild
Jackson Stotler, Grandchild
Francine (Thomas) Turflinger, Centreville, VA, Sister
Carolyn (Anthony) Vantwoud, Monticello, Sister
John Bauer, Yorktown, Brother
James Bauer, Monterey, Brother
Tedmund (Amy) Bauer, Monterey, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Don Thaxton, Monterey, Companion
She is preceded in death by:
Diane Christine Bauer, Sister
Mrs. Stotler was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, Monterey. She was an administrative assistant at Culver Community Schools for many years. She developed many friendships at the school and impacted many of the children's lives while she was there. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She was an excellent cook, enjoyed relaxing outdoors, and going on golf cart rides in Monterey. She will always be remembered for her sense of humor and infectious laugh. She always looked for the bright side and would always put others before herself.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will follow at 8 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 29, at St. Anne Catholic Church, Monterey, with Rev. Michael McKinney officiating. Burial will be at St. Anne Cemetery, Monterey.
Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
Frieda G. Houghton
July 30, 1917 to November 21, 2017
WINAMAC - Frieda G. Houghton, 100, of Winamac, passed away at 8:21 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, at her residence.
She was born July 30, 1917 in Francesville, to the late Ernest A. and Edna Taylor Nimz. She graduated from Winamac High School in 1935 and attended South Bend College of Commerce. On March 17, 1945, she married Everett R. Houghton in Culver. He passed away May 21, 1981.

She is survived by:
Jerry (Freida) Ruch, Nephew
Ralph (Geraldine) Ruch, Nephew
Carol (Tom) Willis, Niece
Dale (Rosie) Nimz, Nephew
Jan (James) French, Niece
She is preceded in death by:
Albert Nimz, Infant Brother
Marie Ruch, Sister
Jack Nimz, Brother
Junior Nimz, Brother
Carl Ruch, Nephew
Elna Ruch, Niece
Mrs. Houghton retired from First Union Bank & Trust, Winamac, where she had worked as a bookkeeper for 51 years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Winamac where she had formerly been active in the bell choir. She enjoyed gardening, gospel music, playing organ, and traveling the world. She was a caring person. She was a loving wife, sister, and aunt. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 27, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral services will follow at 2 p.m., Monday (Nov. 27), at the funeral home with Rev. Ruby Kleyman officiating. Burial will be at Culver Masonic Cemetery, Culver.
Memorial donations may be made to "Houghton Scholarship."
Loren P. Cheadle
March 31, 1922 to November 17, 2017
WINAMAC - Loren Perry Cheadle, 95, of Winamac, died at 3:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born March 31, 1922 in Chicago to the late Tom and Bethely DeMiere Cheadle. On Aug.17, 1946, he married June E. Johnson in Oak Lawn, Ill. She died Jan. 16, 2013.
He is survived by:
Marsha Gearhart, Winamac, Friend and Caretaker
Mr. Cheadle served in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in Germany and France. He was retired from the William Wrigley Jr. Co. in Chicago. He and his wife moved to Winamac in 1984. He loved riding his bicycle, swimming and diving. He was an avid Cubs fan and would skip work to go the Cubs games. He also enjoyed playing pool.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 20, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., Monday (Nov. 20), at the funeral home with Father Terry officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.
Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Healthcare Center Activities Fund or the Panhandle Pathway.
Rebecca A. Mueller
February 23, 1952 to November 16, 2017
FRANCESVILLE - Rebecca Ann Mueller, 65, of Francesville, passed away Thursday Nov. 16, surrounded by her family at Monticello Healthcare, Monticello.
She was born Feb. 23, 1952 in Indianapolis, to the late Jack Edward and Virginia Weltzin Lewis. She graduated from North White High School in 1970. She was formerly married to Alan Mueller.

Survivors include:
Chris Mueller, Francesville, Son
Darin (Gerri) Mueller, Holly Springs, NC, Son
Kimberly (Sam) Stotler, Holly Springs, NC, Daughter
Grandchildren: Daylan Mueller, Cameron Mueller, Madison Mueller, Marla Mueller,
Carson Stotler, Kyle Stotler, and Ethan Stotler.
Nick (Marilyn) Lewis, Monon, Brother
Jackie Roy, Paxton, IL, Sister
Tony ( Diane) Lewis, Riverview, FL, Brother
Cindy McElroy, Monon, Sister
Julie Beckefeld, Monon, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Mrs. Mueller enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandkids.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, at First United Methodist Church, Monon. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m., Tuesday (Nov. 21), at the church with Pastor Russ Alley officiating.
Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville.
William L. Rater
April 12, 1932 to November 16, 201
FRANCESVILLE - William Lewis "Bill" Rater, 85, of Monon, passed away at 12:04 p.m., Thursday, Nov.16, at his home.
He was born April 12, 1932 in Denham, to the late John and Leila Rater, and was raised by the late Wayne Wood and Mary Catherine Fitz . He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1951, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On May 22, 1955, he married Eileen Kay Koebcke. She survives.

He is survived by:
Victor (Charlotte) Rater, Monon, Son
Mitchell Rater, Monon, Son
Shelly Steinkamp, Monon, Daughter
4 Grandchildren: Billy, Steven, Toni and Colson
11 Great-Grandchildren
3 Great-Great-Grandchildren
Ann Rater Cowger, Sister
Minnie Rater Ledford, Sister
Mary Catherine Fitz Becker, Sister
Wayne (Judy) Fitz, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Preceded in death by:
Anthony Thomas Rater, Son
Lorna DePoy, Sister
Alberta Smith, Sister
Gertrude Smirniotis, Sister
John Rater, Brother
Bob Rater, Brother
Mr. Rater was a truck driver for Jones Chemical for over 30 years. He was an avid car collector and enjoyed working with his hands. He was a member of Francesville First Christian Church. He was also a member of the VFW Post #1728 in Winamac. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.
He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was looking forward to the birth of his first great-great-grandson. He will be sadly missed.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 20, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.
Memorial donations may be made to the Francesville First Christian Church.
Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
Alberta M. Smith
October 5, 1940 to November 15, 2017
FRANCESVILLE - Alberta Mai Smith, 77, of Francesville, passed away at 4:02 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15, surrounded by her family at St. Elizabeth East, Lafayette.
She was born Oct. 5, 1940 in Winamac, to the late Wayne Wood and Mary Catherine Neusbaum Fitz. She graduated from Pulaski High School in 1958 and earned an associate's degree from Ft. Wayne International Business College. On Oct. 15, 1961, she married Albert E. Smith in Winamac. He survives.

Survivors include:
Albert E. (Kathy) Smith, Jr., Francesville, Son
Rosa (Brian) Dahn, Winamac, Daughter
5 Grandchildren: Dustin Dahn, Ryan Smith, Kassi Dahn, Kyle Smith and Levi Smith
Minnie Rater Ledford, Winamac, Sister
William (Kay) Rater, Monon, Brother
Mary Catherine Fitz Becker, Winamac, Sister
Wayne (Judy) Fitz, Winamac, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Extended Family: Dr. Christopher & Trisha Rumsey, Kaitlyn Rumsey and John Rumsey
Preceded in death by:
Caleb Michael Smith, Infant Grandson
Lorna DePoy, Sister
Mrs. Smith was a retired bookkeeper and had worked for Francesville Cooperative Elevator, Novotny Insurance, Gutwein Seeds, and Herd Health Veterinary Services.
She was a member of St. James Salem United Church of Christ where she played piano and organ, sang in the choir, and played bells. She and her sister, Lorna, enjoyed singing duets together. Mrs. Smith was a talented cook and baker and she loved to share her baked goods with others. She enjoyed blessing others with cards throughout the year and spoiling her grandkids with their favorite candies. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville; and one hour prior to services at the church Sunday. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, at St. James Salem United Church of Christ, Francesville, with Rev. Judith Doll and Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, Indiana Lions Cancer Control Fund, Inc., or St. James Salem United Church of Christ Ladies Guild.
Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
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