Obituaries

Patricia C. Skillen

February 26, 1928 to April 17, 2017

WINAMAC - Patricia C. Sturm Skillen of Hartford City (formerly of Spring Hill, Fla. and Leesurg) passed away at the Trails of Orono Assisted Living Facility, Orono, Minn. on Monday, April 17.

She was born Feb. 26, 1928 in Jasper, Ind. to the late Victor and Clara Sturm. She married John D. Skillen on July 17, 1954 in Jasper. He preceded her in death in 2013.

Survivors include sons Jeffrey Charles Skillen and Steven Victor Skillen; daughter Ann Clare (Tom) Lockwich and grandchildren Natalie Skillen and Blake Skillen

She was preceded in death by sisters Marianne Fritch and Ruth Suttmiller; and brother George Sturm.

Mrs. Skillen graduated from Jasper High School in 1946. A year later, she left with $50 and two dresses for Indianapolis to attend St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing. She was a student council representative and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1950. After graduation she worked for Western Electric in Indianapolis as an industrial nurse where she met her husband. After marriage they moved to Dayton, OH for his work. They later moved to Hartford City, and then to Keokuk. Upon her husband's retirement in 1989, they moved to Tippecanoe Lake in Leesburg where they enjoyed many fine years with friends and family on the lake. In 2000, they moved to Spring Hill, Fla. to reside at the Timber Pines golfing community. After her husband's passing, she stay stayed in Florida with her daughter, and later in Orono, Minn. with her youngest son.

Mrs. Skillen was an excellent, lifelong golfer playing in the weekly women’s golf league at the Blackford Country Club in Hartford City, competing and winning in invitational golf tournaments in the regional area. She was also was a member of the Keokuk, Iowa Country Club league. She achieved her first hole-in-one when she was 72 years old while playing in the weekly league at Timber Pines in Spring Hill, Fla. She and her husband were avid bridge players, belonging to a couples bridge club, and she belonged to a women’s bridge club as well. She was an active member in Psi Iota Xi Sorority in Hartford City. She and her husband were active supporters of charitable and church organizations. She became a real estate agent in 1976 and worked as a realtor in Hartford City and in Keokuk. She was also the consummate homemaker; an accomplished seamstress, anexcellent cook and baker. Patricia had an artistic side to her and painted water colors, sketched women’s profiles and landscapes. She had a knack for interior decorating. Most of all she was a beloved wife and cherished mom who brought her sense of humor and love to her home and family's lives. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by all.

A memorial service will be held on May 20, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, followed by mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Winamac. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be given to Wounded Warrior Project or to Hospice Care for Veteran’s directed to the Henry B. Melrose Veterans Honor Fund.

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

Dennis H. Burger

October 20, 1943 to May 7, 2017

MEDARYVILLE - Dennis H. Burger, 73, of Hammond, passed away Sunday, May 7.

He was born Oct. 20, 1943 in Winamac, to the late Harold and Ada Tetzloff Burger.

He is survived by: 
Rodney Burger, Son 
Randy Burger, Son 
Scott Burger, Son 
Bree Burger, Granddaughter 
Elaine Parish, Sister

Mr. Burger was a 1961 graduate of Medaryville High School. He enjoyed horse racing. 

A private graveside service will be held at St. John's Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ, Medaryville.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville.

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

Vern Planck

July 7, 2016

WINAMAC - Vern Planck, 95, of Goshen, died July 7, 2016.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 6, at St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac. 

Frain Mortuary, Winamac, is in charge of local arrangements. 

Nina Davis

October 8, 1940 to May 5, 2017

FRANCESVILLE - Nina J. Davis, 76, of Francesville, passed away at 2:15 a.m., Friday, May 5, at her residence.

She was born Oct. 8, 1940 in Lafayette, to the late Ted and Lura Weltzin Myers. She married Billy M. Davis on June 7, 1964 in Francesville. He survives. 

Also surviving are:
Lorraine Kay (Roger) Funk, Lafayette, IN Daughter 
James Ralph (Karen) Davis, Monroe, MI, Son 
Grandchildren: Kayla Balser, Kendra Funk, Baxter (Sunnie) Davis and Keifer Funk .
Great-grandchildren: K'Lee Balser, Kya Balser, Maverick Funk and Kayson Flora. 
Richard Myers Monticello, Brother 
Sue (Darrell) Allen Francesville, Sister 
Helen Wilson, Monticello, Sister 
Jim Myers, Monon, Brother 
Rose (Mike) Salyer, Francesville, Sister 

Mrs. Davis was a member of the Francesville First Christian Church and the American Legion Auxiliary in Francesville. She worked at Fagen Pharmacy in Francesville for 26 years. She retired in 2015. She also managed and worked as a cashier in the concession stand at Shadyhill Raceway for 31 years. She worked in the concession stand at Rensselaer Raceway. She enjoyed her children, grandkids and great grandkids. She also enjoyed playing cards and playing bingo. She enjoyed life.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 8, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville; and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.  The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 9, at the Francesville First Christian Church, with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society.

Richard W. Stoll

December 14, 1945 to May 4, 2009

WINAMAC - Richard W. Stoll, 63, died at 8:40 p.m., Monday, May 4, at St. Clare Medical Center, Crawfordsville.

Born Dec. 14, 1945, in Logansport, he was the son of Emmett L. and Edna M. Button Stoll. He was married May 28, 1966, in Winamac, to Kathryn J. Allen, who survives.

Also surviving are children, Angela (Scott) Kirchner, Greenup, Ky., Rodney (Jennifer) Stoll, Peru, Jacqueline Stoll, Winamac, and Ronald W. Stoll, Misawa, Japan; eight grandchildren; his father, Emmett L. Stoll, Winamac; and sister, Mardell (Bill) Retschlag, Winamac.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

Mr. Stoll retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1989 as a captain. He served as a budget officer. He was a member and past president of Winamac Rotary Club. He was a member of Winamac VFW Post 1728. He was a former assistant Boy Scout leader in Winamac. He was active in the Winamac community after his retirement. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. He served on the parish council and had served as a lay eucharistic minister. He was a 1964 graduate of Francesville High School. He also was the 1964 Pulaski County 4-H King. He received his master of systems degree from the University of Southern California. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, watching birds and raising horses.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Frain Mortuary, Winamac where a scriptural wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Peter’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Martin Sandhage will officiate. Burial, with military graveside services, will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Association of Indiana.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.frainmortuary.com.

Iva M. Pratt

January 8, 1928 to May 1, 2017

WINAMAC - Iva May Pratt, 89, of Winamac, passed away surrounded by her family at 9:25 a.m., Monday, May 1, at Hickory Creek, Winamac, after a brief illness.

She was born Jan. 8, 1928 in Kingman, Kan. to the late Keith and Daisy Rippey Leland. She was a 1946 graduate of West High in Plymouth. On Jan. 30, 1953, she married Melvin Pratt in Erding, Germany. He survives.

Also surviving are: 
John (Nancy) Pratt, Son 
Michael (Lisa) Pratt, Son 
Lisa (Dennis) Day, Daughter 
Daniel (Annette) Pratt, Son 
Regina Waits, Daughter 
Mark (Judy) Pratt, Son 
Maria (Jim) Nicolas, Daughter 
Dominic Pratt, Son 
Matthew (Carla) Pratt, Son 
29 Grandchildren 
35 Great Grandchildren 
Robert (Karen) Leland, Brother 
Mary Meyer, Sister 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Waylon Cox, Great Grandson 
Jack Leland, Brother 
John Leland, Brother 
Keith Leland, Jr., Brother 
Donald Leland, Brother 
Norma Serrato, Sister 
Wanda Brown, Sister 
Anita Leland, Sister

Mrs. Pratt was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac and formerly a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church, Monterey, where she had been active in religious education.She enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening and nature walks. She was a devoted homemaker who had a knack for baking pies and canning. She was nurturing and loving to everyone, especially her family. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her. 

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 4, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The rosary will be recited at 4 p.m., and a scriptural wake service will be at 7:30 p.m., at the funeral home.  The funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Friday, May 5, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating.  Burial will be at Rochester IOOF Cemetery, Rochester.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter's Catholic Church, St. Anne's Catholic Church, or to a charity of the donor's choice.