Obituaries

John C. Reiss

July 21, 1947 to November 29, 2021

WINAMAC - John Charles Reiss, 74, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Nov. 29, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born July 21, 1947 in Chicago, to the late William Charles and Carmelita Mercedes Ginter Reiss. He served in the U.S. Navy as a PT boat operator and saw combat during the Vietnam War. On March 25, 1977, he married Mable Thacker. She survives.

John Reiss

He is also survived by:
William (Andrea) Reiss, Lakevilla, IL, Son
Randy Williamson, Denver, CO, Son
Karla Reiss-Sitko, St. Charles, IL, Daughter
Russell (Anna Armstrong) Carrico III, Winamac, Son
Cheryl (Eric) Browning, Richlands, NC, Daughter
12 Grandchildren: Tommy, Jonathan, Austin, Claudia, Darien, Aidan, Connor, Brennan, Randy, Aaron, Rayann, and Amber.
5 Great-Grandchildren: Elena, Andrew, Jonathan, Trevor, and Colby
Kathy Kitzmiller, Sister
Beth (John) Paul, Sister
Christine Bailey, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Ed (Betty) Reiss, Brother

Mr. Reiss was the plant manager at Raguard Printing in Chicago for over 20 years. In1994, he and his wife moved to Knox. The next year, they moved to Winamac, where he started John’s Painting. He was fondly known to many as “John the Painter.” He enjoyed sitting on the front porch and leading the “neighborhood watch.” He was outgoing and social, having never met a stranger. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He was a proud member of the Republican Party and supporter of President Trump. He loved his family very much and will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 10, at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

DeAnna K. Pletka

February 7, 1947 to November 27, 2021

WINAMAC - DeAnna K. Pletka, 74, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly at 7:16 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 27, at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

She was born Feb. 7, 1947 in Winamac to the late Henry W. and Annabelle Bitterling Sparks. She was a 1965 graduate of Winamac High School. On Aug. 30, 1970, she married Dennis F. Pletka in Logansport. He passed away on July 29, 2017.

DeAnna Pletka

She is survived by:
Scott E. Pletka, Logansport, Son
Bryan C. (Shanan) Pletka, Logansport, Son
Brennan Pletka, Grandson
Sadie Pletka, Granddaughter
David H. Sparks, Winamac, Brother
Douglas A. (Catherine) Sparks, Winamac, Brother
Mary (Donald) Bowman, San Pierre, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Daniel Sparks, Brother
Carol J. Sparks, Sister-in-law

Mrs. Pletka was a devoted wife and provided special care for her husband in his later years. She was retired, having served the community for 30 years as a deputy clerk at the Winamac Town Hall. She made many dear friends during her time working there. She had several passions in life including raising cats (since childhood), baking, and visiting the Pulaski County Public Library. She enjoyed watching TV, reading books, and taking shopping trips with her friends. She was a loving mother and grandmother. Her grandchildren always brought a smile to her face. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 30, at Winamac Cemetery (Town Addition) in Winamac, with Rev. David Broad officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the Winamac Volunteer Fire Department or Pulaski County EMS.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Donald D. Cotner

April 5, 1927 to November 26, 2021

WINAMAC - Donald Dwight Cotner, 94, of Winamac, passed away at 7:05 p.m., Friday, Nov. 26, at St. Joseph Hospital in Plymouth.

He was born April 5, 1927 in Pulaski, to the late Henry Chester and Ruth Ida Hare Cotner. He was a Winamac High School graduate. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On Jan. 27, 1952, he married Eula Irene Degner at the Methodist Church in Winamac. She died Oct. 4, 2015.

Donald D. Cotner

He is survived by:
Steven (Mary) Cotner, Winamac, Son
Amy (Ato) Prado, Oxnard, CA, Daughter
Joshua (Alicia) Cotner, Grandson
Craig (Danielle) Cotner, Grandson
Samantha Cotner, Granddaughter
Jack Prado, Grandson
Mya Prado, Granddaughter
Austyn Cotner Great-Grandson
Caroline Cotner Great-Granddaughter
Rita Roberts, Crown Point, Step-Sister

Preceded in death by
Benjamin Thomas Cotner, Grandson
Margaret Nitzschke, Sister
Robert Cotner, Brother

Mr. Cotner was a farmer and former water superintendent for the Town of Winamac. He was a member of the Pulaski County Pilots Association, Masonic Lodge 262 in Winamac and the American Legion Post 71 in Winamac. He enjoyed fishing trips to Wisconsin, farming and spending time with his family. He and his wife enjoyed motorcycle trips in their younger years. He always had a smile on his face and a story to tell. He would give anyone in need the shirt off of his back.

Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (Town Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Winamac Volunteer Fire Department.

Online tributes may be offered online at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Kim M. Baker

August 29, 1957 to November 25, 2021

WINAMAC - Kim Michael Baker, 64, lifelong resident of Winamac, passed away at 8:12 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 25, at home while holding his sister’s hand. He had battled multiple forms of cancer since 2009.

He was born Aug. 29, 1957 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lafayette, to the late Ralph W. and Dorothy A. Weaver Baker. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac where he attended grade school as well. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1975. Later in life, he earned an associate’s degree from Ball State University. On Dec. 23, 1995, he married Judy Kay Lovely, at the Smokey Mountain Wedding Chapel in Sevier County, TN. She passed away on April 13, 2001.

He is survived by:
Michael Mollencup, Bruce Lake, Son
Tonya Williams, Hazard, KY, Step-Daughter
Sonya Terry, Beech Grove, Step-Daughter
Grandchildren: Gavin Mollencup, Rylenn Hathaway, Patrick (fiancée: Julie) Tuley,
Zack Tuley, Katelynn Tunis, Kyia Snider, and Amyia Terry.
5 Great-Grandchildren
Deborah (Jody) Stillwell, Sister
Brenda S. Baker, Sister-in-law
Alvin Stamper, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews
Mary Baker, Aunt
Mary Pratt, Aunt
Catherine (Ed) Pratt, Aunt
Numerous Cousins
Judith Tunis, Mother-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Paige Swartz, Granddaughter
Casin Tuley, Great-Grandson
Randy E. Baker, Brother
Monica Stamper, Sister
Brenda Baker, Infant Sister

Mr. Baker was a hard worker, a trait he inherited from his father. Over the years, he worked at Switches, Winamac Steel, Dietrich’s, Braun’s, and Subway. No matter where he worked, he always made good friends. He was an avid fisherman and was fondly known to many as “Fish”. He enjoyed antiquing, flea markets, flower and vegetable gardening, playing pool, and cooking. He was also an incredibly talented woodworker and enjoyed making unique items for others as gifts. He loved to spend time with his family, especially fishing with his grandson and sister. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 7 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating, followed by a rosary service. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac, with Rev. Andrew DeKeyser officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (Town Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Heart Association, or American Cancer Society.

Joseph G. DesJardins Sr.

August 4, 1936 to November 25, 2021

WINAMAC - Joseph G. DesJardins Sr., 85, of Winamac (formerly of Knox), passed away at 5:45 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 25, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac. 

He was born Aug. 4, 1936 in Harvey, IL to the late Gilbert J. and Ann DesJardins. He served in the U.S. Army.

He is survived by:
Billy DesJardins, Son
Debbie DesJardins, Daughter
Joseph G . DesJardins Jr., Son
7 Grandchildren

No services will be held. Burial will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Ethel E. Johns

September 19, 1927 to November 22, 2021

WINAMAC - Ethel Eunice Johns, 94, of Winamac, passed away at 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 22, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born Sept. 19, 1927 in Edgerton, WI to the late Frank and Hilda Locke Banker. On June 17, 1948 she married Charles Pearl Johns. He died March 20, 1985.

Ethel Johns

She is survived by:
Donna (Kenny) Dorn, Waterloo, WI, Daughter
Dianna Tiede, Beaver Dam, WI, Daughter
Charles Gary (Tammy) Johns, Chesterton, Son
8 Grandchildren
16 Great-Grandchildren
5 Great-Great-Grandchildren
Hilda Witt, Edgerton, WI, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Sharon Johns, Daughter
Donald Tiede, Son-in-law
1 Sister
3 Brothers

Mrs. Johns was a homemaker. She had also worked at Harris Garment Factory in Winamac and had been a housekeeper. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and attended Crocker Bible Church in Crocker, IN. She enjoyed Gospel singing, crocheting and crossword and picture puzzles. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and family especially her grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. Dec. 4, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 4 p.m., (Dec. 4), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to help with final expenses.

Online tributes may be offered online at www.frainmortuary.com.