Obituaries

Floyd A. Podell

November 10, 1931 to January 13, 2021

WINAMAC - Floyd Allen Podell, 89, of Winamac, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Hickory Creek Healthcare in Winamac. He was a former Franklin Township Trustee and Pulaski County Commissioner.

He was born Nov. 10, 1931 in Winamac to the late Isadore L. Sr. and Martha Lucille Hendry Podell. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1949 and was an alternate for the Marshall Carper Scholarship Award. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and served four years during the Korean Conflict, stationed at Kimpo Air Base in Japan. On Nov. 28, 1957 (Thanksgiving Day), he married Jeanette Cargel in Agawam, MA. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Annette (Jeff) Dixon, Calico Rock, AR, Daughter
Cheryl McGovern, Winamac, Daughter
Stefanie McGovern, Granddaughter
Quinn McGovern, Grandson
Lois Alfeld, Sister
Arlene Luehrs, Sister
Thelma Pace, Sister
Phyllis Wall, Sister
Kenneth (Shelley) Podell, Brother
Robert (Marsha) Cargel, Jr., Brother-in-law
Many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Theodore “Ted” Podell, Son
Richard Podell, Brother
Carl Podell, Brother
Isadore L. Podell Jr., Brother
Robert and Mary Kielec Cargel, In-Laws

In 1956, Mr. Podell received an honorable discharge at Westover Air Force Base in Springfield, MA. During this time, he met his future wife while attending a big band dance with his military buddies. He decided to stay and take a job at United Aircraft and attend Western New England College. A year after their marriage, the Podells moved to Winamac where they dedicated their life to farming. Together, they raised three children. Just last year, they celebrated 63 years of marriage. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Denham. He was also a member of the Pulaski County Aviation Board, Pulaski County Farm Bureau, and Eastern Pulaski School Board. He was a founding member and past president of the Kankakee Valley Workforce Development Services. He was a lifetime member of the Winamac VFW Post #1728 and the Winamac American Legion Post #71. He had a passion for flying and owned his own aircraft, a Cessna 170 (Charlie). He truly enjoyed being a member of the Indiana Flying Farmers organization, giving airplane rides, and flying over his farm to check out his crops. He loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren. He will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 23, at the funeral home with Rev. Mark Fakih officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

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

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

Johnny L. Bradshaw

April 6, 1942 to January 13, 2021

WINAMAC - Johnny L. Bradshaw, 78, of Winamac (formerly of Knox), passed away unexpectedly at 1:03 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Northwest Health Starke Hospital in Knox.

He was born April 6, 1942 in High Point, NC to the late Paul and Iva Lee Mills Bradshaw. He served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Survivors include:
Jeffrey John Bradshaw, Bruce Lake, Son
Lynn (Wes) Terry, Winamac, Daughter
Joaunpaey Davis, Logansport, Granddaughter
McKenzie Terry, Winamac, Granddaughter
John Terry, Winamac, Grandson
Cora Linback, Logansport, Great-Granddaughter
Patricia Proctor, Thomasville, NC, Sister
Paul Richard Bradshaw, Thomasville, NC, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews
Dianna Swayze Wilder, Winamac, Former Spouse

Preceded in death by:
Darrell Bradshaw, Brother

Mr. Bradshaw retired in 2006 from Polygon Manufacturing in Walkerton. He enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, playing solitaire, and going back to the pond to fish. He also enjoyed playing the lottery. He loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral services will follow at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be at Pro Cemetery in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to Pro Cemetery.

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

Christine A. Smith

September 14, 1948 to January 11, 2021

WINAMAC - Christine A. “Chris” Smith, 72, of Winamac, passed away Monday, Jan. 11, at University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago.

She was born Sept. 14, 1948 in Logansport, to the late Dan and Bonnie Brady Rausch. She was married to Robert E. “Bob” Smith for 50 years. He survives.

She is also survived by:
Rita (Thomas) Thurman, Kansas City, MO, Daughter
3 Grandchildren: Kelly, Anya, and Serenity
1 Great-Granddaughter: Raven
Judy (Butch) Fitz, Winamac, Sister
Jeannie Neff, Winamac, Sister
Tony Rausch, Winamac, Brother
Barney (Patti-Jo) Rausch, Winamac, Brother
Evelyn Cramer, Ripley, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews
Numerous Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Mark Rausch, Brother

Mrs. Smith was an active member of the Pulaski County community. She and her husband enjoyed working, volunteering, and traveling together. She founded the Northern Indiana Power From the Past, Inc. and was instrumental in the creation of the organization’s annual Antique Power Show in Winamac. She was a valued member of the Pulaski County 4-H Fair Board, Pulaski County Historical Society and Pulaski Animal Center. She was an avid supporter of the Alicia Marie Smidler Animal Rescue Fund. There was always a positive project she was working on or a local group she was volunteering with. In 2004, Mrs. Smith was awarded the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious Dr. HJ Halleck Community Service Award.

Together, Chris and Bob owned and operated Smith Motors and Smith Auctions in Winamac for 50 years. She enjoyed working with her husband and serving their customers. For many years, she worked alongside her mom and siblings at Bonnie’s Punkins in Winamac creating lifelong memories for local families during the fall season. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially foraging for mushrooms and berries. She also enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening as well as canning. She was a talented cook and baker. She was kind, hardworking, creative, and thrifty. It goes without saying, she was a woman of many talents. Family always came first in her life. There was no such thing as a small get-together; everyone was always invited. Her nieces and nephews were very important to her. Her black labs (all dogs really) always held a special place in her heart, too. She was a loving wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

No services will be held at this time. The family will celebrate Mrs. Smith's life after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Boy Scouts of America Troop #229, or Northern Indiana Power from the Past, Inc. The donations may be directed to Smith Motors 435 N. Northwest St. Winamac, IN 46996.

Please feel free to share happy memories with the family at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Fred J. Hefner

January 23, 1929 to January 10, 2021

WINAMAC - Fred J. Hefner, 91, of Olympia Fields, IL (formerly of Medaryville) passed away Sunday, Jan. 10, at Palos Heights Rehab Center in Crestwood, IL.

He was born Jan. 23, 1929 in Pontiac, MI to the late Fred G. and Lily Finney Hefner. When he was young, Fred’s parents died from tuberculosis. He and his siblings were raised by family in Galacia, IL. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He is survived by:
Gail Morgan, Olympia Fields, IL, Special Friend and Companion
Fred James (Joanne) Hefner, Bureau, IL, Son
Steve (Debbie) Hefner, Steger, IL, Son
Linda (Tom) Castle, Tyler, MN, Daughter
Teresa (Richard) Gaston, Burbank, IL, Daughter
Carol (Mike) Muehe, Steger, IL, Daughter
Tom Hefner, Bradenton, FL, Son
Dennis (fiancée: Nickie) Hefner, Bradenton, FL, Son
Daniel Hefner, Beaverville, IL, Son
Lauretta (Ron) Graska, Park Forest, IL, Daughter
David (Kimberly) Hefner, Monticello, Son
Darren (Shannon) Hefner, Yeoman, Son
53 Grandchildren
79 Great-Grandchildren
10 Great-Great-Grandchildren
Phyllis Hefner, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews
Darlene Hassing Hefner, Former Spouse

Preceded in death by:
Tim Hefner, Son
Bill Hefner, Son
Mildred Trujillo, Sister
Gene Hefner, Brother
Wilma Sinagra, Sister
Betty Roberts, Sister
Arlene Hefner, Sister-in-law
Norma Jean Warren, Special Friend and Companion

Mr. Hefner retired from the Ford Stamping Plant in Chicago Heights, IL and was a member of the UAW Local #588. As a teenager in the 1940’s, he once started hitchhiking to Alaska from southern Illinois. He made it as far as the Black Hills, in South Dakota where he got a job for a Mrs. Duhamel. The Duhamels owned several businesses, including Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns. Fred lived on the grounds by himself in a cabin and had various jobs. He proudly fostered positive relationships with local Native Americans. It was during this time, he met his future wife, Darlene Hassing. Needless to say, he had a very adventurous life with no regrets. In 1989, Fred finally made it to Alaska - on a vacation with his family.

He was a member of the Medaryville American Legion Post #96. He was a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Medaryville and the Winamac Knights of Columbus Council #1561. He was the loving father of 13 children and 12 foster children. He was the cherished grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather of 155 blessings. He will be remembered as a good friend to many. Eternal rest grand unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him, Amen.

A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 22, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac, with Rev. Daniel Shine officiating. Burial will be at St. Henry Cemetery in Medaryville. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Indian School (PO Box 326 Chamberlain, SD 57326), Boys Town (PO Box 8000 Boys Town, NE 68010), or Covenant House (PO Box 731 New York, NY 10108-0900). Donations may be made online or by mail. The funeral home will have envelopes available the day of services.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

James R. Howard

October 9, 1968 to January 3, 2021

WINAMAC - James Ray “Jimmy” Howard, 52, of Winamac, passed away Sunday, Jan. 3, at his home.

He was born Oct. 9, 1968 in Prestonsburg, KY to Ray and Gail Kathleen Toosley Howard. He attended North Judson San Pierre High School with the class of 1988.

He is survived by:

Jesse Ray Howard, Francesville, Son
Sheena (Jacob) Messer Bisher, Wheatfield, Step-Daughter
5 Grandchildren: Charisma, Weston, Lillyana, Jake, and Peanut
Gail Howard, San Pierre, Mother
Rhonda (Rick) Helton, San Pierre, Sister
Christina (Shawn) Suprenant, Port St. Lucie, FL, Sister
William B. Howard, Winamac, Brother
Many Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Scott Messer, Step-Son
Ray Howard, Father
Tracey L. Jackson, Sister

Mr. Howard made his career as a welder. He loved his family and served them with a big heart. He was a very genuine man who could make you smile and laugh. He was always sure to bring a good time. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him

Private burial will take place at a later date at Highland Cemetery in North Judson, with Bishop Rick Helton officiating.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

John R. Ulery

October 18, 1950 to November 26, 2020

WINAMAC - John Robert Ulery, 70, of Lake Jackson, TX passed away Thursday, Nov. 26.

He was born Oct. 18, 1950 in North Manchester, to Robert Leon and Doris L. Grossnickle Ulery. He graduated from Logansport High School and Tri-State College. He worked as a civil engineer, building power plants all over the world.

He is survived by:
Elizabeth (Darren) Merritt, Lake Jackson, TX Daughter
4 Grandchildren
Robert Leon Ulery, Star City, IN Father
Susan (Norman) Pollock, Decatur, IN Sister
Danny Lee (Sandra) Ulery, Pinnacle, NC Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Roger (Sue) Grossnickle, Hoagland, IN Maternal Uncle

Preceded in death by:
Doris L. [Grossnickle] Ulery, Mother

Private burial will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in North Manchester.

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

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.