Obituaries

Velma M. Schiuszi

February 21, 1930 to May 11, 2016

WINAMAC - Velma M. Schiuszi, 86, of Rochester, passed away at 4:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 11, at Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester. 

She was born Feb. 21, 1930, in Mosheim, Tenn., to the late Robert Earl and Ada Van Della Trent Carter. She married John Edward Schiuszi on Sept. 16, 1961 in Chicago. He died Dec. 18, 2012.

Survivors include: 
Vivian (Mike) Long, Logansport, Daughter 
Douglas (Lanie) Brigman, Egg Harbor, Wis., Son 
Chris (Linda) Schiuszi, Lafayette, Son 
Leisa (Phillip) Watterson, West Lafayette, Daughter
Cynthia (Earl) Burdine, Battle Ground, Daughter
Venell (Josh) Lett, Rochester, Daughter 
18 Grandchildren 33 Great grandchildren 2 Great-great grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Nathan Watterson, Grandson 
Kyle Downing, Great grandson
Nora Gradowski, Sister 
JR Carter, Brother 
Roy Carter, Brother 
Floyd Carter, Brother
Bert Carter, Brother 

Mrs. Schiuszi was a former member of the Baptist Church, Winamac. She had worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac. She had also worked as a cook at Oak Grove Restaurant, Star City. She was a babysitter for many area families for years. She enjoyed Bingo, gambling, playing cards and Yahtzee. She was an avid Cubs fan. She also enjoyed cooking and listening to gospel music. Family and friends will remember her red lipstick. She loved God and her family. She will be missed by her family and friends. 

No funeral services will be held. Burial of cremated remains will be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Gordon C. Taiclet

July 27, 1932 to May 3, 2016

PLYMOUTH - Gordon Clark Taiclet, 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Tuesday morning, May 3, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth Campus. He was a former resident of Monterey and Argos.

He was born July 27, 1932, in Warren, Ohio to Louis C. and Mabel I. Clark Taiclet, and following his mother’s death at an early age was raised by his father and step-mother Esther V. Taiclet who have all preceded him in death. He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy “Dot” Mae Byrge. In 1954, the couple moved to the Monterey area.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dot, and their six children: Terri J. (Dr. John) Ewalt of Madison, WI; Pamela M. (Michael) Rarick of Beavercreek, OH; Barbara A. (Jim) Toussaint of Knoxville; Danny C. (Marlene) Taiclet of Plymouth, David L. (Kathey) Taiclet of St. Louis; and son-in-law, Cress (Lynn) Hizer of Indianapolis; as well as 22 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters - Lois Poort, Carol Domingo, Betty Chester, and Margie Taiclet.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Rebecca Taiclet Hizer, and his sister Leah Chapman.

Mr. Taiclet will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, as well as a businessman, philanthropist, community volunteer, and devout Catholic. After graduating from Oxford Stewart High School where he lettered in basketball and football, he attended the University of Notre Dame for one year and then attained his B.S. in business from Miami University in 1954. He also attended multiple business management seminars at Harvard University throughout his business career. After college, he joined his father, Louis, in their family-owned country elevator business involving grain, feed, fertilizer and farm related services named Buckeye Feed & Supply, Inc. and later named Buckeye Ag-Center, Inc. The business grew from one location to five locations (Monterey, Leiters Ford, Winamac, Argos, and Kewanna) and employed hundreds of colleagues in these businesses who were integral parts of their local communities. A hard working man and entrepreneur, Mr. Taiclet was involved in many ventures, including poultry and hog livestock production. He also owned and operated a small cattle operation and family farm for approximately 20 years. As part of his business, he founded and created the Tippecanoe Railroad Company in 1980 and created one of the first successful short line railroads in the country.

Mr. Taiclet was an active volunteer in numerous community organizations. He served as three-term director of the National Grain and Feed Association, serving on the executive board and national transportation committee. He was a three-term director and two-term president of the Indiana Grain and Feed Association. He was past president of the Monterey Lions Club and Argos Lions Club. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council. He was past president and board member of the Marshall County Community Foundation. He has served as trustee and board secretary for Ancilla College and founding director of the Holy Family Foundation in Monterey.

He was known for his special football tailgate parties throughout the Notre Dame football seasons and for his love of ND basketball, where he was a season ticket holder for over 40 years. He was an avid traveler and fisherman. He loved playing cards and storytelling. He was very interested in international cultures and sponsored 12 foreign exchange students; many have remained friends. In summary, his best friend said of him, "Many people loved him because he gave so much love to so many."

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 7, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 613 N. Center St., Plymouth. Burial will follow at St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery, Monterey. A celebration of Mr. Taiclet's life and a reception for friends and family will begin at 1 p.m., at Swan Lake Resort 5203 Plymouth-LaPorte Trail, Plymouth.

Memorial donations may be made to the Rebecca Taiclet-Hizer Memorial Scholarship for Cancer Research at the University of Notre Dame, the Boys and Girls Club of Marshall County, or the Marshall County Community Foundation to the Taiclet Family Fund for Agricultural Excellence at Ancilla College.

Everett E. Knebel

May 18, 1920 to May 5, 2016

WINAMAC - Everett Earl Knebel, 95, of Winamac, (formerly of Star City) passed away at 10:03 p.m., Thursday, May 5, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born May 18, 1920, on a farm in Van Buren Township, to the late Floyd and Opal Knebel and remained in the Star City area for most of his life. He married Ethel J. Hultgren of Portland, Oregon on April 21, 1945. She preceded him in death.

Survivors include:
Donald E. (Jennifer) Knebel, Zionsville, Son
Linda (Robert) Pruden, St. Paul, MN, Daughter
Thomas L. (Holly Field) Knebel, Fort Collins, CO, Son
Joseph E. Knebel, Duluth, GA, Son
14 Grandchildren
12 Great Grandchildren
William (Marie) Knebel, Brother
Harold Knebel, Brother
Virginia Knebel, Sister-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Carol E. (Kenneth) Preiser, Daughter
Darl Knebel, Brother
James (Marge) Knebel, Brother

During the Great Depression, Mr. Knebel was forced to quit high school to help on the family farm.  He proudly earned an honorary diploma in time for the 50th Anniversary of the Star City High School graduating class of 1939. Within days of the attack on Pearl Harbor, he entered the U.S. Navy and served in the 1st Seabee Battalion in the South Pacific for the next four years. During the war, he met the woman he would share his life with for the next 66 years. They farmed for a few years and then moved in to the house he built in Star City. He retired from farming and spent the next several years raising five children in that home while building close to 40 other houses in the surrounding areas as a building contractor. In 1967, they bought the grocery store in Star City and operated it as Knebel Grocery for the next 20 years. Mr. Knebel was noted for his quality meats, his willingness to chat with customers, and especially for his ham salad.

Mr. Knebel was active in the Star City United Methodist Church, was Van Buren Township Trustee for 19 years, and was active in numerous Star City and Pulaski County organizations. In the 1950s and 1960s, he invested his spare time assisting with his children’s activities. He served as a Cub Scout Master, Little League coach, Sunday school teacher, and 4-H Leader.  In his later years, that energy was devoted to joining various service organizations and serving on Pulaski County boards. He served on the Welfare Board, Pulaski County Human Services Board, Recycle Committee, Kankakee Iroquois Regional Planning Commission, Lion’s Club, and the American Legion. In 1988, he was named Pulaski County Senior Citizen of the Year. His life was dedicated to serving God, country, and family. He will be missed.

Friends may call at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 11; and one hour prior to services at the church Friday. A Lion’s Club service will be held at 6:30 p.., Thursday at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, May 13, at the Star City United Methodist Church, Star City, with Pastor Ruth Waite officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 p..m., Friday at Victor Chapel Cemetery, Star City. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services. 

Memorial donations may be given to the Star City United Methodist Church or Star City Lion’s Club, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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

Russell D. Allen

April 13, 1941 to October 26, 2015

FRANCESVILLE - Russell Dale Allen, 74, of Killen, TX (formerly of Monon), passed away at 11:37 p.m., Monday, Oct., 26, 2015 at Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX. 

He was born on April 13, 1941 in Francesville to the late Robert and Geraldine Wentz Allen. He married Enid Westphal on Aug. 19, 1960 in Francesville. She survives.

Mr. Allen graduated from Monon High School in 1959. He served in the U.S. Army with Black Ops during Vietnam and received many commendations, including a Bronze Star Medal. He always carried a challenge coin that read "Black Ops" on one side and "I Wasn't Here" on the other. He loved his comfort dog, Bo, who died one month before him. They were always together the past eight years.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held Saturday, July 16, 2016, at Monon Cemetery.

Frain Mortuary in Francesville is in charge of arrangements.

Julia J. Myers

March 2, 1940 to September 29, 2015

FRANCESVILLE - Julia Jane "Judy" Myers, 75, of Davis, CA (formerly of Francesville), passed away on Sept. 29, 2015 in Davis where she had resided since August 2013. She was also a former resident of Pennsylvania. 

She was born March 2, 1940 in Reynoldsville, PA to the late John and Alice Tangren Pegnetter. 

She is survived by:

Michael Roy (Debra) Myers, Middletown, MD, Son
Dawn Myers (David) Purkey, Davis, CA, Daughter
Kyle Roy Myers, Grandson
Corie-Mae Lee Myers, Granddaughter
Hannah Alice Purkey, Granddaughter
Sage Martha Purkey, Granddaughter
Gail Buttermore, Tampa, FL, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Frain Mortuary in Francesville, with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Entombment of cremated remains will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Joan M. Sierzputowski

June 2, 1931 to April 30, 2016

WINAMAC -  Joan Mildred Sierzputowski, 84, of Winamac, passed away at 4:10 p.m., Saturday, April 30, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

She was born June 2, 1931, in Winamac, to Albert and Olga Laurina Podell Rhode. She married David Herman Sierzputowski on Nov. 9, 1957, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Denham. He died Feb. 10, 2011.

Survivors include:

20 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren

Edna Grieger, Sister

Mrs. Sierzputowski was a member of St Paul Lutheran Church, Denham. She was also a member of the Extension Homemakers and Bunco club. She was a former 4-H Queen. She enjoyed playing bridge, cooking, gardening, reading, bingo and crocheting. She especially loved her family and being a farm wife.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. (Wednesday, May 4), at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Fakih officiating.

Memorial donations may be given to the Diabetes Association.