Obituaries

John E. Brown Jr.

August 29, 1942 to October 8, 2015

MONON - John E. Brown Jr., 73, of Olney, IL died at 9:50 pm, Oct. 8, at Carle Foundation Hospital of Urbana, IL.

He was born Aug. 29, 1942 in Francesville to the late John E. and Ida M. (Widner) Brown Sr.

He is survived by his wife Nedra; 3 children, Rachelle (Gerard) Goodbold of Lafayette, Tish (Gary) Kruger of Francesville; and Jason (Molly) Brown of Monticello; 10 grandchildren; and a sister, Connie Dalka of Reynolds.

Mr. Brown was a 1960 graduate of Monon High School and also graduated from the Indiana Police Academy at Indiana University. He married Dianne Robinson in 1961 in Monon and they had three children together before divorcing. He then married Nedra Brown, she survives. Mr. Brown was an avid farmer, police officer, and White County Coroner. He was a member of the Eagles and the Fraternal Order of Police.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 19,  at Bedford Cemetery in Monon with Rev. Chris Dodson officiating. A gathering for family and friends will immediately follow at the home of daughter Tish Kruger, Francesville.

Please mail memorial contributions to Gary and Tish Kruger, 10507 W 800 S, Francesville, IN 47946-8271.

Share memories and online condolences at www.clapperfuneralservices.com

Leona R. Utterback

May 12, 1923 to October 21, 2015

FRANCESVILLE - Leona R. Utterback, 92, of Francesville, passed away at 7 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Hickory Creek, Winamac.

She was born on May 12, 1923 in Francesville to the late William and Minnie Kruger Cords. She married Donald C. Utterback on Sept. 2, 1942 in Medaryville. He passed away Sept. 21, 1996. 

Survivors include:

Wayne D. (Linda) Utterback, Valparaiso, Son 
Allen L. (Ann) Utterback, Winamac, Son 
Dennis D. (Phyllis) Utterback, Wheeler, Son 
11 Grandchildren 
20 Great Grandchildren 
1 Great Great Granddaughter 
Irene Walter, Albuquerque, NM, Sister 
Howard (Judy) Cords, Medaryville, Brother 
Merl Cords, Medaryville, Brother 
Charlotte Cords, Lafayette, Sister-in-law 
Several Nieces and Nephews 

Preceded in death by: 
Ralph Cords, Infant Brother 
Harry Cords, Brother 
Judy Utterback, Daughter-in-law 

Mrs. Utterback graduated from Francesville High School in 1941. She was retired from Peoples State Bank in Francesville, where she had worked many years as a banker. She was a very active member of St. James-Salem United Church of Christ where she taught Sunday School and was also active in the Ladies Guild. She was also a member of the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was an avid reader and enjoyed crosswords and word searches. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 26, at the funeral home with Rev. Judith Doll officiating. Burial will be at St. James Salem Cemetery, Francesville.

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

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

Glenn Cole

March 25, 1964 to October 18, 2015

WINAMAC - Glenn Cole, 51, of Winamac, died at 4:03 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born March 25, 1964, in Salyersville, KY, to the late Henry and Shirley Faye Barnett Cole. He married Cindy L. Hines on June 30, 1985 in Ripley, She survives. 

Survivors include: 
Dustin M. (Deanna Brummitt) Cole, Winamac, Son 
Jeremy A. (Michelle Kmetz) Cole, Winamac, Son 
Amanda F. Cole, Winamac, Daughter 
Serenity Marshall, Granddaughter 
Arik Cole, Grandson 
Hazel E.(Steven) White, North Judson, Sister 
Linda S. Collins, Kokomo, Sister 
Adam (Jackie) Cole, North Judson, Brother 
Charles (Suzzie) Cole, Portage, Brother 
Barry E. Hartung, Peru, Brother 
Dennis R. Hartung, Indianapolis, Brother 

Mr. Cole was employed as an inspector at the Braun Corporation in Winamac for 17 years. He was a member of the NRA and the National Association for Gun Rights. He enjoyed eagle collectables and working in the garden. He grew beautiful roses. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and cutting wood. He also raised animals. He enjoyed reading westerns by Zane Gray and Louis L'Amour. He liked "old time" country and blue grass music. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, at the funeral home with Pastor Tod Masters officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Zion-Franklin Township Cemetery, Winamac. 

Judith A. Propes

May 31, 1939 to October 17, 2015

MEDARYVILLE - Judith Anne “Judy” Propes, of Idaville, passed away at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, at Monticello Healthcare, Monticello. 

She was born May 31, 1939 in Medaryville, to the late Aley and Helen Saltsman Netzel. She married Ray E. Propes on Dec. 16, 1961 in Walton. He survives.

Survivors Include:
Diana Ayers, Casper, WY, Daughter
Ray E. (Justina) Propes, Jr., Windsor, CO, Son
Laura (Wesley Graham) Bohnet, Albuquerque, NM, Daughter
Steven (Suzanne) Propes, Casper, WY, Son
16 Grandchildren
21 Great Grandchildren
Ramona Doporto, Sister
Deborah Durham, Sister
Leroy Baker, Brother-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in Death by:
Helen Saltsman Netzel Wrench, Mother
Ethan DeSchneau, Grandson
Martha Baker, Sister

After she raised her children, Mrs. Propes earned her nursing degree at Casper College, Casper, WY. She worked many years as a registered nurse in Casper and Monticello. She was proud to be a nurse. She enjoyed nature, gardening, canning, cooking and working in the yard. She loved her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, at the funeral home with Pastor Tod Masters officiating. Burial will be at Independence Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to Great Lakes Home Health Hospice in Kokomo.

Online Condolences may be offered in the guest book at www.frainmortuary.com. 

Joseph J. Nicolas Jr.

October, 3, 1937 to October 16, 2015

WINAMAC - Joseph J. "Joe" Nicolas, Jr., 78, of Winamac, passed away at 5:46 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.

He was born Oct. 3, 1937 in Monroe Township, Pulaski County, to the late Joseph J. Sr. and Agnes Braun Nicolas.

Kathy (Glen) Zellers, Winamac, Daughter
Jim (Maria) Nicolas, Winamac, Son
Joetta (Dusten) Burns, Winamac, Daughter
JC (Josh Bradley) Nicolas, Winamac, Daughter
10 Grandchildren
5 Great Children
Paul (Betty) Nicolas, Indianapolis, Brother
Mary Swartzell, Winamac, Sister
Steve (Linda) Nicolas, Winamac, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
3 Step Children
Many Step Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

Clydetta Fitz Nicolas, Wife
Marjorie Field Heintz Nicolas, Wife

Mr. Nicolas graduated from Francesville High School. He was a lifelong farmer in Pulaski County and was retired from Plymouth Tube and Winamac Beverage. He had served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was a lifetime member of the Winamac Eagles Lodge #2580. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed tinkering with building projects. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Winamac Eagles Lodge #2580 or American Cancer Society.

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

Jeffrey Ruff

April 9, 1962 to October 15, 2015

WINAMAC - Jeffrey James "Jeff" Ruff, 53, of Winamac, passed away peacefully at 12:28 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15, at IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis.

He was born on April 9, 1962 in Logansport, to Otto and Donna Ruff. He married Beth Ann Halleck Ruff, on March 8, 1986 in Winamac. She survives.

Survivors include:  
Jacob F. (Jenna) Ruff, Rochester, Son 
Joshua A. Ruff, Indianapolis, Son 
Otto James & Donna J. White Ruff, Star City, Parents 
Rick J. Ruff, Brother 
James J. (Sheila) Ruff, Star City, Brother 
Robert J. (Shamay) Ruff, Rochester, Brother 
Thomas & Barbara Dickey Halleck, Winamac, In-Laws 
Thomas & Tammy Halleck, Star City, Brother-in-law 
Jennifer & Dan Knebel, Winamac, Sister-in-law 
Cynthia & Joe Garnett, Winamac, Sister-in-law 
Several Nieces and Nephews 

Mr. Ruff graduated from Winamac High School in 1980 and Ball State University in 1987. He worked in sales and marketing for 23 years at the Braun Corporation in Winamac.He had a passion for farming and began farming full time following his work at Braun. He also worked as a commodities broker and enjoyed agricultural risk management. What he cherished as his greatest accomplishment, however, was his and Beth’s two sons, Jake and Josh. His role as a father was the one which gave him the most joy, and he couldn’t be more proud of the young men they’ve become.

Mr. Ruff enjoyed spending time on the lakes of Northern Minnesota, playing cards with friends and family, and watching his favorite sports teams. He also loved animals, especially his two dogs, Barney and Lucy. He was a charter member of the Pulaski Animal Center. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. He was a loving husband, father, son, and brother. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pulaski, with Rev. Michael J. Heppen C.S.C. officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West, Pulaski. 

Memorial donations may be given to Pulaski Animal Center. 

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