Obituaries

Betty J. Neff

May 24, 1927 to January 20, 2018

WINAMAC - Betty Josephine Neff, 90, of Brentwood, TN, passed away at 11:23 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, at her home in Brentwood.

She was born in Detroit, MI and spent her early years living in that state. She met Dan Neff shortly after the end of World War II, and they were married in June of 1946. They were married 68 years; he preceded her in death.

Survivors include children Thomas Neff of Lehigh Acres, FL, John (Terri) Neff of Winamac, and Randy (Lucinda) Neff of Brentwood. Grandchildren include Todd (Laura) Vandawater of Franklin, TN, Trisha (Jason) Kasten of Winamac, Shane Neff of Hilton Head, SC, Catherine Jachim of Pulaski, Randa (Frank) Hill of Asheboro, NC, Nathan (Lisa) Jachim of Winamac, Chris Neff of Lexington, NC, Leslie (Dom) Zappia of Indianapolis, Melinda (Doug) Satorius of Culver, Shawn Neff of Decatur, AL, Daniel (Amy) Neff of Columbia, TN, and Reed (Katherine) Neff of Franklin, TN. Her great grandchildren include Chelsee (Randy) Freeman, Hannah (Corey) Hunt, Ariel Smoll, Shania, Ryan and Christopher Neff, Kaylee, Hunter and Morgan Hamby, Keegan (Tonya), Kiely, Kamron and Karson Kasten, Matthew, Mason and Luke Vandawater, Anna Marie, Nicholas and Nicole Satorius, Konner Cockrell, Brooklyn and Harrison Jachim, Ethan Messer, Madison Jachim, Jett Moyer and Tucker Neff. Great-great grandsons are Avery, Cooper and Grainger Freeman. She also has numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Thomas Reed, Opal and stepfather Murney Conley, along with her sisters, Bonnie and Ruth. Also, two children, Lynette Vandawater and Richard "Rich" Neff, along with a son-in-law, Lee Vandawater and grandson Aaron Jachim.

Mrs. Neff was a homemaker most of her early married years and then went to work for Singer/Eaton Corporation in Winamac. When she retired from Eaton, she and her husband traveled and enjoyed visiting friends and family. They moved to Ft. Myers Beach, FL and lived there nearly 20 years. She enjoyed painting, walking/biking and serving as the head of the nursery department at Ft. Myers First Church of the Nazarene for 17 years. The couple moved to Nashville, TN in 2011, where they joined the Agape Class at Trevecca Community Church. Mrs. Neff was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grand mother, sister, friend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ.

She and her husband will be laid to rest in Winamac Cemetery later this spring.

Mrs. Neff loved children and the family would appreciate any gift made in her honor and memory to any charity that helps children feel the love and warmth of family. Memorial gifts to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) would always be appreciated.

Frain Mortuary in Winamac is in charge of local arrangements.

Jeffrey L. Jacobs

May 2, 1987 to January 20, 2018

FRANCESVILLE - Jeffrey L. Jacobs, 30, of Delphi, died Saturday, Jan. 20, at IU Health Memorial Hospital, Monticello.

He was born May 2, 1987 in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

He is survived by: 
Kim and Gerald Shepherd, Winamac, Parents 
Ryley Merriman, Francesville, Daughter 
Zaelyn Jacobs, Francesville, Daughter 
Damien Jacobs, Delphi, Son 
Corri Shepherd, Winamac, Sister 
Ryan Shepherd, Winamac, Brother 
Gayle and Ron Clark, Gurnee, IL, Maternal Grandparents 
Jackie Leggett, West Branch, Iowa, Maternal Grandmother 
Jack and Nancy Jacobs Sr., Monticello, Paternal Grandparents

He was preceded in death by: 
Jackie Jacobs Jr., Father 
Doug Leggett, Maternal Grandfather 
Gary Catlett, Maternal Grandfather

Mr. Jacobs worked as a construction laborer. He enjoyed music, cars and hanging out with his friends and family. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and easy going personality.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday Jan. 27, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. A private family memorial service will be held.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Jeff Jacobs Memorial Fund established at any Alliance Bank.

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

Dale R. Mitchell

November 28, 1920 to January 21, 2018

WINAMAC - Dale R. Mitchell, 97, lifelong farmer and resident of Winamac, died at 4:10 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 21, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

He was born Nov. 28, 1920 in Mooresburg, to the late Charles E. and Grace Rouch Mitchell. Following graduation from Star City High School, he earned a bachelor of science degree from Purdue University where he was a member of the Purdue Glee Club. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a lifetime member of the Winamac American Legion. On Nov. 2, 1946, he married Doris J. Simmons in Indianapolis. She died Feb. 13, 2011.

Survivors include: 
Randall J. (Sondra) Mitchell, Winamac, Son 
Marsha L. Sayers, Tipton, Daughter 
Nancy M. Coates, Evansville, Daughter 
Ryan (Diane) Mitchell, Grandson 
Joshua (Sarah) Mitchell, Grandson 
Corey (Mesa) Mitchell, Grandson 
Sarah (Todd) Carrington, Granddaughter 
James (Stacy) Sayers, Grandson 
Gregory (Andrea) Sayers, Grandson 
Timothy (Rebecca) Sayers, Grandson 
Valerie (Ryan) Bishop, Granddaughter 
Kyle Coates, Grandson 
Benjamin Coates, Grandson
20 Great Grandchildren 
Several Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Helen Weeks, Sister 
Hilda Heimansohn, Sister

Mr. Mitchell was a man of faith and was currently a member of the Pisgah Christian Church. He was a past board member of Emily Flinn Retirement Home in Marion and the Star City Telephone Co., as well as a longtime director of Farmer's Grain and Supply in Thornhope.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 26, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A celebration of life service will follow at 5 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor James Sayers officiating. Private burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery,  Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made Samaritan's Purse / Operation Christmas Child (www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child).

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

Mary K. Williamson

October 20, 1918 to January 13, 2018

KEWANNA - Mary Katherine “Mary Kay” Williamson, 99, a lifelong Pulaski County resident, passed away at 7:38 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 13, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

Born Oct. 20, 1918 in Pulaski County, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Katherine (Miller) Wiesjahn. She was a 1937 Star City High School graduate. On Oct. 21, 1936 she married Ed Williamson. He preceded her in death on March 10, 1989.

Survivors include her children, Katherine “Kay” Brown (Jerry) of Kewanna, Karen Kruger of Star City, John Williamson of Star City, Carol Fernandez of Star City and Rita Williamson of Winamac. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 24 great-great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by granddaughter, Abby Smith, brothers, Donald, Edgar and Ralph Wiesjahn, sisters, Ethel Overlease and Zelda Wiesjahn, step sisters, Mildred Martin, Bessie Handy and Jane Jeziorski and foster sisters, Martha Vester and Tillie Merrill.

Mrs. Williamson was a lifelong homemaker and farmwife. She was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Kewanna where she played the organ for over 50 years. She was active over the years serving on the Star City Centennial and Sesquicentennial committees, Winamac Book Club, Star City TOPS, and she was also a 2007 Women of Pulaski County Honoree. She was known for her oil and watercolor painting and also her poetry. She was very proud that her poem “The Hoosier State of Indiana” was published in the Logansport Pharos Tribune. She enjoyed crafts, genealogy, traveling and helping friends and neighbors.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 19, at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Kewanna Chapel where there will also be a scripture service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Kewanna with Father Mike McKinney officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the Star City Lions Club to benefit any future Star City community projects.

Please sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence for the Williamson family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com

Mary A. Kistler Fry

January 9, 1928 to January 19, 2018

WINAMAC - Mary Arlean Kistler Fry of Winamac, 90, died 1:32 a.m., Friday, Jan. 19, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

She was born Jan. 9, 1928 in Star City, to Oliver Jacob and Hazel Manona Rock Grostefon. She graduated from Star City High School 1946. She married Darl Kistler on March 16, 1947, at Star City Methodist Church. He died in 1992. She then married Bruce Fry on Sept. 3, 1994, at Star City Methodist Church.

Survivors include: 
Bruce Fry, West Lafayette, Husband 
Sharon (Greg) Weldy, Springfield, OH, Daughter 
David (Alla) Kistler, Ft. Wayne, Son 
Don (Dottie) Kistler, Winamac, Son 
Todd (Suzanne) Weldy, Grandson 
Grandchildren: Stephanie Weldy, Amanda Woods, Jeffery Kistler, Danny (Aida) Kistler, Abby Kistler, Justin Potter, and Janna Potter. 
14 Great Grandchildren: Jack, Maddie, Phoebe, Nina, Aaron, Breanna, Devon, Danica, Santiago, Clay, Caleb, Carter, Grayson, and Harper.
2 Great Great Grandchildren: Aiden and Amelia.
Several Nieces and Nephews

She was preceded in death by: 
Lyle Grostefon, Brother 
Ray Grostefon, Brother 
Neil Grostefon, Brother 
Jean Marie Grostefon, Sister

Mrs. Fry was a former member of the Star City United Methodist and the Pulaski Presbyterian churches. She was  a member of the Krazy Quilt Club, Tippecanoe Twirlers, and the Happy Homemakers Home Extension Club. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, canning and freezing. She was famous for her quilts. She especially enjoyed raising her kids.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, with Rev. Edward Clark officiating. Burial will be at Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be given to Krazy Quilt Club or Quilts of Valor.

Beverly J. Krasner Albright

January 26, 1934 to January 19, 2018

WINAMAC - Beverly J. "Bev" Krasner Albright, 83, of Lafayette (formerly of Winamac), passed away at 8:05 a.m., Friday, Jan. 19, at St. Mary's Healthcare, Lafayette.

She was born Jan. 26, 1934 in Omaha, NE. On June 30, 1958, she married Albert Crissinger in Omaha. He passed away Dec. 20, 1979.

She is survived by: 
Linda (Chris) Schiuszi, Lafayette, Daughter 
Connie (Dave) Scott, Winamac, Daughter 
Alan (Deb) Crissinger, Lafayette, Son 
Grant Krasner, Step Son 
Clay (RyLee) Krasner, Step Son 
Jackie Clark, Step Daughter 
11 Grandchildren & 2 Step Grandchildren 
16 Great Grandchildren & 3 Step Great Grandchildren 
Georgia Darlene Bockmann, Sister 
James L. (Pam) Bockmann, Brother 
Robert R. Bockmann, Brother 
John C. (Modra) Bockmann II, Brother 
Blaine (LaVonne) Brown, Half Brother 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Lucille E. & George Bockmann, Mother & Step Father 
Gordon E. & Anna Brown, Father & Step Mother 
Albert L. Crissinger, Husband 
Stephen Krasner, Step Grandson 
Karen Brown, Half Sister 
JoKay Bockmann, Sister-in-law 
Lucille Bockmann, Sister-in-law 

Mrs. Albright worked many years as a teacher's aide at Eastern Pulaski Elementary School and retired in 1996. After retirement, she worked for and participated in Weight Watchers. She was a member of the Winamac First United Methodist Church where she had been active in the bell choir. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting and sewing. She was an avid genealogist and enjoyed traveling, especially visiting family. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 25, at the funeral home. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Winamac First United Methodist Church or St. Mary's Healthcare.

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