Obituaries

Nancy K. Johnson

July 17, 1943 to September 20, 2012

WINAMAC - Nancy K. Johnson, 69, of Conroe, Texas, passed away at 2:40 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 20, at her home.

She was born to Floyd and Dorthy Schultz Heald on July 17, 1943 in Francesville..

Survivors include:
Denise (Terry) Beckner, Winamac, Daughter
Kathy (Glen) Zellers, Winamac, Daughter
James (Maria) Nicolas, Winamac, Son
Jeffery V. (Kelly) Johnson, Cypress, TX, Son
Rex (Paige) Johnson, Conroe, TX, Son
Craig (Kristy) Johnson, Conroe, TX, Son
Grandchildren: Jamie Beckner, Jeremy (Stacey) Beckner, Amanda (Brian) Kistler, Beth (Ben) Christian, Matthew (Kim) Nicolas, Nicole Nicolas, Keith Fritz, Emily Fritz, Nick Fritz, Katie Johnson, Mitchell Johnson, Miranda Johnson, Sydney Johnson, Rex Johnson, Jake Johnson, Shelby Johnson, Ashley Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Vanden Johnson, and Avery Johnson
7 Great Grandchildren
Chico (Rick) Horner, LaPorte, Sister
Betty (Kevin) Murphy, Cininnati, OH, Sister
Pauline (Dan) Chiz, Hickory, NC, Sister
Paul (Pam) Thomas, Winamac, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Floyd Heald, Father
Dorthy Schultz Thomas, Mother
Scott Murphy, Nephew

Mrs. Johnson had lived in Texas since 1976. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, and reading. She loved her family very much, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nancy will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (Nov. 3), at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville, with Pastor Donald Norrick officiating. 

Memorial donations may be made the American Cancer Society or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Frain Mortuary, Winamac, is handling local arrangements.

Lester L. Manis

January 13, 1929 to October 5, 2012

WINAMAC - Lester L. "Bud" Manis, 83, of Winamac, died at 8 a.m., Friday, Oct. 5,  at his residence.

He was born on Jan. 13, 1929 in Hammond, to the late Lester S. and Ruth Gray Manis. He married Deloris J. Brown on Nov. 4, 1950 at the Knox United Methodist Church, Knox. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Deborah D. (Bob) Carpenter, Lafayette, Daughter
Suzanne M. (Tim) Coonrod, Mooresville, Daughter
Mary Margaret (Jack) Van Lieshout, Evansville, Daughter
Jeffery A. (Laurie) Johnston, Winamac, Grandson
Sabra A. (Mark) Hanson, Star City, Granddaughter
Anastacia Lyn Burgener, Evansville, Granddaughter
3 great-grandchildren
3 Sisters

Preceded in death by:
1 Half Brother

Mr. Manis served as an MP in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He liked old cars and antique guns. He especially loved to fly is private plane.

No services will be held. Private burial will take place at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Frain Mortuary, Winamac, is handling arrangements.

Mary E. Poston

April 1, 1919 to October 2, 2012

WINAMAC - Mary E. Poston, 93, of Kewanna, passed away at 7:10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 2, at her residence. 

She was born April 1, 1919 to the late Charles "Charlie" and Edith Sylvesta Jones Hall in Medaryville. She was married to Charles Turner and Milton Poston who both preceded her in death. 

Survivors include: 
John W. (Jean) Turner, Sr., Wanatah, Son 
Dennis L. "Denver" (Carol) Turner, Hanna, Son 
Betty Jean Mann, Knox, Daughter 
Jack D. (Margaret) Turner, LaCrosse, Son 
Pam (Robert) Dolliver, Valparaiso, Daughter 
12 Grandchildren 
14 Great-Grandchildren 
Evelyn (James) Watson, Valparaiso, Sister

Preceded in death by: 
Mildred Wireman, Sister 
Charles Hall, Brother 
Roy Hall, Brother 

Mrs. Polston had lived at Bruce Lake for over 20 years. She enjoyed fishing, catching turtles, and mushroom hunting. She was a great cook and made good pies. She liked to garden and do yard work. 

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon, (Friday, Oct. 5), at the funeral home with Rev. Ray Squibb officiating.  Burial will be in Independence Cemetery, Medaryville,  at 4 p.m.

Memorial donations may be given to the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.

Fred E. Wagner

July 4, 1927 to September 30, 2012

MEDARYVILLE - Fred Eugene Wagner Sr., 85, of Medaryville, died at 9:15 p.m., Sunday, Sept.30, at  Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

He was born on July 4, 1927 to the late Fred McCarny and Gail Lowe Wagner. He married Dolores Mae Schultz on May 17, 1947 at the Medaryville United Methodist Church. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Fred Eugene (Patricia) Wagner, West Lafayette, Son
Bruce Allen Wagner, Winamac, Son
Susan Elaine (Fred) Jungels, Medaryville, Daughter
Glendon Jungels, Grandson
Ryan Jungels, Grandson
Brett (Greta) Jungels, Grandson
Kurt (Megan) Jungels, Grandson
Lori Wagner, Granddaughter
Amy Wagner, Granddaughter
April (Kirby) Wuethrich, Granddaughter
Corey (Lori) Wagner, Grandson
3 Great Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
June Sage, Sister
Bettilou Pullins, Sister

Mr. Wagner was a member of the Medaryville United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Medaryville Supreme Lodge No. 765 F&AM. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and in the Naval Reserves for many years. He orked as a carpenter his entire life and was a member of the Carpenter's Union No. 1005.

Mr. Wagner and his wife owned and operated Wagner's Pizza in Medaryville for 12 years. They also shared several hobbies together including gardening, China plate painting, and making porcelain dolls. He loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. (Thursday, Oct, 4), at the funeral home with Pastor Tom Dewlen and Pastor Susan Jennys officiating. Burial will be in White Post Cemetery, Medaryville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to the Medaryville Park Fund for the purchase of playground equipment. 

Beatrice B. O'Grady

May 7, 1926 to September 25, 2012

EVERGREEN PARK, ILL. - Beatrice B. Brown O’Grady, 86, (formerly of Monterey), died Tuesday, Sept. 25.

She was born May 7, 1926. She married John J. O'Grady who preceded her in death.

Survivors include children Jacqueline M. Costello of Orland Park, Ill, John J. Jr. (Bridget) of Naperville, Ill, and Michael P. (Theresa) O’Grady of Naperville; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Williams.

She is preceded in death by children Eileen Ulm, James S. O’Grady and Mary Frances O’Grady; and brothers William “Pat” J. Brown, Jr. (the late Patricia), and Robert Brown.

Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. (CT), Sunday. The funeral mass will be 9:30 a.m., Monday (Oct. 1), at the Incarnation Catholic Church in Palos Heights, Ill. A commital service and interment will be held at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Monterey at 2 p.m.( ET).

Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund, 333 N. Summit Street, P.O. Box 10086, Toledo, OH 43699-0086. The Heeney-Laughlin Funeral Directors of Evergreen Park, Ill. are in charge of arrangements.

Max A. Grostefon

February 5, 1929 to September 30, 2012

WINAMAC - Max Arden Grostefon, 83, of Winamac, died at 1:25 p.m., Sunday, Sep. 30, at Hickory Creek, Winamac.

He was born Feb. 5, 1929, in Star City, to the late Carl B. "Nick" and Nellie Mae Powers Grostefon. He married Lula A. Hilficker on April 22, 1967 in Logansport. She died on Sept. 28, 2008.

Survivors include:
Jack R. (Donna) Grostefon, Ft. Myers, FL, Brother & Sister-in-law
Sandra K. Grostefon, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Nicholas E. Grostefon, Brother
Clara Elizabeth Korba, Sister
Don A. Grostefon, Brother

Mr. Grostefon was a member of Star City United Methodist Church in Star City. He had served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He had worked at Plymouth Tube in Winamac for over 25 years. He was a loving husband, son, brother and friend. He cared about his family and friends very much.

Vistiation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will followe at 11 a.m. (Saturday, Oct. 6), at the funeral home with Rev. Matt Landry officiating. Burial will be in Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be given to Star City West Cemetery.

Charlotte Brandt

October 1, 1942 to September 28, 2012

WINAMAC - Charlotte Brandt, 69, Culver (formerly of Winamac) died at 10 p.m.,Friday, Sept. 28, at Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso.

She was born Oct. 1, 1942, in Winamac to the late Ules A. and Martha A. Gumz Brandt

Survivors include:
Arnold (Nancy) Brandt, Winamac, Brother and sister-in-law
Jeffrey (Tammy) Brandt, Winamac, Nephew
Joseph (Annette) Brandt, Winamac, Nephew
Gerry (Mary) Brandt, Winamac, Nephew
Several great nieces and great nephews
Vern Faulstich, Monterey, Companion

Ms. Brandt was born and raised on the family farm in Winamac. She moved to Culver in 1998. She  worked as a seamstress at the Hart, Schaffner and Marx factory in Rochester for 35 years. She was also a farmer. She enjoyed farming and decorating her home. She enjoyed raising a garden and canning her produce.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday (Oct. 2), at the funeral home with Pastor Denny Wilson officiating. Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to: American Stroke Association.