Obituaries

James M. Kennedy

December 18, 1960 to September 20, 2019

WINAMAC – A service will be held in June to memorialize the life of James M. Kennedy, 58, of Austin, TX, who passed away Sept. 20, 2019 in Austin. 

He was born Dec. 18, 1960 in Indiana.  He grew up in Winamac and moved to Texas with his parents, the late Urban and Doris Hunt Kennedy, in the early 1970s. 

He is survived by his siblings, Jean (Larry) Thompson of Conyers, GA, Janet McWherter of Merritt Island, FL, and John Robert (Diana) Kennedy of Fate, TX; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family will gather at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac, to share memories of James at  2 p.m., Monday, June 21. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

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

Local arrangments have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Jean A. Crissinger Dixon Scheffer

August 25, 1956 to April 5, 2021

WINAMAC - Jean Ann Crissinger Dixon Scheffer, 64, of Rochester (formerly of Star City), passed away Monday, April 5, at IU Health Hospital in Lafayette.

She was born Aug. 25, 1956 in Winamac, to the late George A. and Leona E. McClellan Crissinger. She graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1974. She married Robert Lee Dixon on June 5, 1976 in Star City. He passed away Oct. 8, 2008. She later married Gary Scheffer on Oct. 12, 2013 in Leiters Ford. He survives.

She is also survived by:
Brett (Jessica) Dixon, Lafayette, Son
Bobby (Becky) Dixon, Star City, Son
Bessie (Andy) Proffet, Indianapolis, Daughter
Robert Lee (Fiona) Dixon Jr., Step-Son
Lori Clinger, Step-Daughter
Bobbi Jo (Ferris) Scheffer, Step-Daughter
Paul Scheffer, Step-Son
21 Grandchildren
Many Great-Grandchildren
Virginia “Ginny” Keehn, North Judson, Sister
James “Jim” Crissinger, Star City, Brother
Ruth Crissinger, Star City, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Brenda Fenske, Step-Daughter
One Great-Granddaughter
Richard “Dick” Crissinger, Brother

Mrs. Dixon Scheffer worked many years at North Express in Winamac. She was always the primary caregiver for her first husband, and when he received his transplant, she was given the opportunity to complete EMT training. She was active with the local Girl Scouts for many years, having held many roles. She was a member of Tippecanoe Christian Church in Winamac. She was a collector of many things, especially Garfield and Minions memorabilia. She enjoyed Facebook and shopping as well as playing pool and Bunco. Following her marriage to Mr. Scheffer, the couple enjoyed living on the river and watching the floaters pass by. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 17, at Tippecanoe Cemetery in Winamac, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to American Kidney Foundation or Tippecanoe Christian Church.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Dianna L. Pelsy

September 15, 1953 to April 4, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Dianna L. Pelsy, 67, of Francesville, passed away at 9:20 a.m., Sunday, April 4, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Rensselaer.

She was born Sept. 15, 1953 in Lafayette, to the late Thomas and Donna Herr Walker. She graduated from West Central High School in 1972 and earned an associate’s degree from Ivy Tech in 1992. On Sept. 25, 2012, she married Dean Pelsy in Las Vegas. He survives.

She is survived by:
Necola (Mike) Kidwell, Cincinnati, Daughter
Gary (Jennifer) Hunter, Medaryville, Son
Tonja Hunter, Francesville, Daughter
Alexis Hunter, Granddaughter
Devin Hunter, Grandson
Rebecca Hunter, Granddaughter
Liam Hunter, Grandson
Hunter Newton, Grandson
Jeremiah Newton, Grandson
Arianna Watson, Granddaughter
Mike (Jenny) Walker, Brother
Kathie (Steve) Allen, Sister
Many Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

Mrs. Pelsy was a proud homemaker and enjoyed helping her husband on the farm. She enjoyed wintering in Cape Coral, FL. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a creative person with a variety of hobbies and interests. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 8, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville; and one hour prior to services Friday. The funeral service will be at 12 noon, Friday, April 9, at the funeral home with Rev. James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

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

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

Sarah L. Hutchens Bonnell

July 23, 1951 to March 18, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS/WINAMAC - Sarah Lynn Hutchens Bonnell, 69, of Indianapolis, passed away Thursday, March 18.

She was born July 23, 1951 in Speedway, to the late John Wilson and Dorothy Wilmena Lynn Hutchens. She was a 1969 graduate of Speedway High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in theatre from Ball State University, as well as a master’s degree in education from Indiana University at Kokomo.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years Tom Bonnell; her sons, Shay (Angie) Bonnell, Dominick (Tiffany) Calabrese, Trent Bonnell and Travis (Jessica) Bonnell; her brother, Jim (Cheri) Hutchens; her niece Amy Hutchens Terry, and her nephews, Michael and Mark Hutchens; her grandchildren, Avery, Brady, Bowen and Briggs Calabrese; Audrey, Grant and Aspyn Bonnell; Carter and Connor Bonnell, and Ethan Lamar; a host of dear friends, grateful students, and a forever-grateful community that witnessed the ongoing education of more than 3,000 students during the teaching tenure of Sarah Bonnell.

Mrs. Bonnell was dedicated to serving the students of Eastern Pulaski Elementary School in Winamac for 34 years. She was a former member of Winamac United Methodist Church, the Indiana State Teachers Association and the National Education Association. She was a kind and gentle soul who was happiest making memories with her family and friends. She absolutely loved enriching the lives of her students, her children, and grandchildren through teaching and new experiences. She never passed on an opportunity to read to her grandchildren, and appreciated her own quiet moments with her husband and family, often times celebrating life with a Coca-Cola or nice glass of wine.

She loved high school and college basketball, and disconnected herself every March to closely follow the NCAA Basketball Tournament. She rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on her Indiana Hoosiers, Purdue Boilermakers, and her beloved Winamac Warriors, where she also served as cheerleader sponsor for many years. When there was time to get away, she would make her way with her family to Lake Maxinkuckee where many memories were made. Finally, she is honored and remembered by those students whose theatric talents were developed under her tutelage while participating in the Summer Playhouse children’s theatre program at the Winamac schools.

Mrs. Bonnell will be honored and remembered as a parent, wife, colleague, friend, and professional educator, with a gathering as a family and community at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 2. Mom's Celebration of Life will be held at: St. Luke's United Methodist Church 100 West 86th St. Indianapolis. A meal for those attending will follow at one of Sarah’s favorite restaurants: MCL Cafeteria, 2370 West 86th St., Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be given to the Community Foundation of Pulaski County, designating the donation to the Sherald & Verla Bonnell Family Educational Fund. Donations may be made online, and dedicated to and in the name of Sarah L. Bonnell. The Community Foundation of Pulaski County can be found at the following website: www.cfopc.org

Online condolences available at: www.leppertmortuary.com and www.frainmortuary.com

F. Alan Utes

April 20, 1951 to March 25, 2021

WINAMAC - Dr. Frank Alan Utes, 69, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 25, at his home in Winamac.

He was born April 20, 1951 in Chicago, to Frank E. and Esther Rowoldt Utes. He graduated from Maine West High School in Des Plaines, IL in 1969 and University of Illinois in 1973. He earned his doctorate at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1978. On June 23, 1973, he married Karen M. Younker in Rochester, IL. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Christy (Jason) Hague, Winamac, Daughter
Julie (Mike) Warner, Anderson, Daughter
Laurie Utes, Greenville, SC, Daughter
Ella Hague, Winamac, Granddaughter
Alex Hague, Winamac, Grandson
Blake Warner, Anderson, Grandson
Emily Warner, Anderson, Granddaughter
Frank E. Utes, Des Plaines, IL, Father
Gary (Marci) Utes, Brother
Glen Utes, Brother
Karen (Jim) Chelsvig, Sister
Several nieces and nephews

He is preceded in death by:
Esther Rowoldt Utes, Mother

In 1979, the Uteses moved moved to Winamac where they raised their three daughters. Dr. Utes was a board certified family practice physician for 46 years, retiring from the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Clinic in December 2019. He served most his medical career alongside his faithful staff at Utes Family Practice. He also served on the medical staff of Pulaski Memorial Hospital since 1979 and on the PMH Board of Trustees for several years. He was a dedicated member of First Christian Church in Winamac, where he served many roles including elder, trustee, and deacon as well as a longtime board member and former chairman of Guidance Nursery School. Throughout the years, he enjoyed being a part of the church choir, musical productions, and bell choir. He was a talented Sunday school, VBS, and Junior Church teacher. He will always be remembered for his lively children’s sermons and entertaining stints as worship leader.

Throughout his life in Winamac, Dr. Utes was involved in numerous community activities, which usually started with his loving support of his daughters. For many years, he coached softball and baseball. He spent many summer nights in the town park as the commissioner of the summer softball league as well as many Friday nights in the fall on the sidelines serving as team doctor for the Winamac Warrior football team. He was a former member of the Winamac Kiwanis Club and recently became a board member of the Pulaski Animal Center. He had various hobbies and interests, including gardening, fishing, horsemanship, tennis, swimming, and cross country skiing. Many did not know that he was a talented artist and that his oil paintings rivaled those of Bob Ross. He also dabbled in gem cutting and stained glass creations. More than anything else, He loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 31, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 1, at First Christian Church in Winamac, with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church, Guidance Nursery School, or Pulaski Animal Center.

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

Irene M. Mitchell

November 21, 1931 to March 20, 2021

WINAMAC - Irene Marie Mitchell, 89, of Winamac, passed away at 7:27 p.m., Saturday, March 20, surrounded by her family at her home.

She was born Nov. 21, 1931 to the late Frank and Martha Pucka Pletka. On Dec. 24, 1949 she married Raymond A. ”Bud” Mitchell in Winamac. He died Aug. 12, 2009.

She is survived by:
Betty S. (George) Staller, Peru, Daughter
Raymond A. (Sue Penn) Mitchell Jr., Kewanna, Son and Companion
Jeff A. Mitchell, Winamac, Son
Laura A. Mitchell, Winamac, Daughter
Cindy R. (Albert) Gudas, Kewanna, Daughter
Grandchildren: Rodney A. (Holly) Mitchell, Logansport; Stacie R. (Rocky) Flowers, Royal Center; Joni M. (David) Herring, Noblesville; Jeff A. (Tasha) Mitchell Jr., Winamac; Keith E. Mitchell, Rochester; Jay R. (Ann) Huff, Macy; Carrie N. (Lyndon) Field, Winamac; Becca I. (Matt) Wenzler, Winamac; Michelle R.(Kevin) Bangel, Rochester; and Ben W. Gudas, Kewanna.
Great-Grandchildren: Carissa M. Allen, Braiden P. Allen, Alyssa R. Lantz, Peyton Flowers, Baylee Flowers, Katelin A. Popejoy, Cara E. Popejoy, Alex Popejoy, Liberty Mitchell, Rylan Mitchell, Skylar Mitchell, Carlyn Crume, Cassidy Crume, Cameron Crume, Wren Mitchell, Dana Bangel, Daniella Bangel, Paige Field, Piper Field, Claire Wenzler, Leon Wenzler, Austin Handy, Dakota Huff, Olivia Huff, and Max Huff.
Mary Kaminski Bowman, San Pierre, Sister

Preceded in death by:
James Pletka, Brother
Raymond Pletka, Brother
Thomas Pletka, Brother
John Pletka, Brother
Frank Pletka Jr., Brother
Virginia Mills, Sister
Dennis Pletka Brother

Mrs. Mitchell was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac. She was a hard working farm wife, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She had also worked at the former Eaton Corporation in Winamac. She loved working in her garden and watching her hummingbirds. She was a great cook and enjoyed fishing with her husband. She also loved doing puzzles. She loved her family and will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 25, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac;  and one hour prior to services Friday at the church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, March 26, at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac, with Pastor Tom Woodley officiating. Burial will be at Independence Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac.

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