Obituaries

John J. Gutwein Jr.

October 23, 1933 to October 24, 2012

RENSSELAER - John Jacob Gutwein Jr., 79, of Rensselaer passed away Wednesday, Oct. 24, at George Ade Memorial Healthcare.

He was born in Francesville, on Oct. 23, 1933, the son of the late John Sr. and Helen Albrecht Gutwein. On Feb.12, 1956, in Francesville, he married Charlene Ann Rogers who survives.

Surviving with his wife are three children, Curtis (wife Helen) Gutwein, Rensselaer, Jennifer (husband Mark) Ritter, Valparaiso and Julie (husband Dave) Malone, Rensselaer; fourteen grandchildren; two sisters, Rovene (husband Herb) Geyer, Denver, CO and Lillian (husband Donald) Hildewig, Sarasota, FL and two brothers, Arnold (wife Dorothy) Gutwein and Marvin (wife Paulette) Gutwein, both of Denver, CO.

He was preceded in death by a son, Lynn Gutwein, and one sister.

Mr. Gutwein graduated from Francesville High School with the class of 1951. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a farmer for many years. He held his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying. He was a member of the Retired Iron Club, former school board member, past FSA Board member, past Soil & Water Conservation Board member and a past member of the Jasper County Planning Commission.

He was a member of the Tri-County Bible Church, Rensselaer.

Friends may call Friday, from 2 to 8 P.M. CDT at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer. The funeral service will be held Saturday (Oct. 27), at 10:30 a.m. (CT), at Tri-County Bible Church, Rensselaer with Pastor Andy Overly officiating. Burial will follow at Crockett Cemetery, Rensselaer.

Memorials may be given to the Jasper County Hospital Home Healthcare and Hospice or Wycliffe Associates.

Lily V.Bair

July 1, 1927 to November 3, 2012

WINAMAC - Lily V. Bair, 85, of Winamac, died at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, at Hickory Creek, Winamac.

She was born July 1, 1927, in Royal Center, to the late Edward and Flossie Bensen Miller. She married Donald H. Bair on Feb. 16, 1943 in Knox. He died Sept. 22, 1982.

Survivors include:
Judith (Ronald) Loehmer, Winamac, Daughter
Michael (Margaret)Bair, Knox, Son
Kim (Bob) Adamski, Winamac, Grandchild
Greg Loehmer, Winamac, Grandchild
Sharonda (Jeff) Eiler, LaPorte, Grandchild
David (Devan) Levine, LaPorte, Grandchild
12 Great Grandchildren
1 Great Great Grandchild
Paul (Wilma) Miller, Royal Center, Brother

She was preceded in death by:
1 Grandchild
4 Brothers & 1 Sister

Mrs. Bair worked as a checker at the former A & P Grocery in Winamac for 18 years. She served as the superintendant of Pleasant View Rest Home in Winamac from 1978 until 1989. She y loved dancing and playing cards. She enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, NV. She was a great cook. She loved having friends and family come to her home to eat. Lily also enjoyed raising flowers.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday (Nov. 7), at the funeral home with Pastor Brian Pinson officiating. Burial will be in Reed Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Friends of Pleasant View Retirement Home.

James E. Neeley

March 30, 1966 to October 31, 2012

WHEATFIELD - James E. Neeley, 46, of Medaryville passed away Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 31, from injuries suffered in an automobile accicent northeast of Medaryville.

He was born March 30, 1966, to James and Sharon Howard Neeley in Rensselaer.

Survivors include his his fiance’ Teresa Rowe, daughter: Heather Rowe, mother: Sharon Neeley, siblings: Kathy (Frank) Owens, Kenneth (Wanda) Neeley, Tanya Neeley, and Justin Neeley.

He was preceded in death by his father: James.

Mr. Neeley was a lifetime area resident and worked as a laborer for the Local 41 out of Hammond.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Goodway Baptist Church. The funeral services will follow at 2 p.m., (Saturday, Nov. 3), at the church with Pastor James Rowe officiating. Interment will follow in the Goodway Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family.

Boersma Funeral Home of Wheatfield has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Violet M. Lukac

October 29, 2012

NORTH JUDSON -Violet M. (Fort) Lukac, 86, of Winamac, Indiana passed away Monday, Oct. 29, at IU Health LaPorte Hospital. 

She is survived by daughters, Linda Trenner of San Pierre, Susan Janik of Plymouth, Patricia Minix of North Judson, Terri Marquardt of Knox; sons, Paul M. Lukac of St. Charles, Ill., David Lukac of North Judson, Edward Lukac of Roscoe, Ill.; brothers, James Fort of Knox, Ralph Fort of Lebanon, Mo., Michael Fort of Indianapolis; 19 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is Thursday, from 4 to 8 p.m. (CDT) at O’Donnell Funeral Home, Inc., North Judson. The funeral service will be Friday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, North Judson.

Rosita B. Von Tobel

September 22, 1948 to October 31, 2012

WINAMAC - Rosita B. "Lynn" Von Tobel, 64, of Winamac, died at 3:45 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac. 

She was born Sept. 22, 1948, in Nannarian Penablanca Cagayan , Philippines, to the late Francisco and Tuluwan Berme. She married Edward E. Von Tobel on Feb. 21, 1969, in San Antonio, Philippines. He survives.

Also surviviving are:
Eric M. (Susan) Von Tobel, Royal Center, Son
Brian E. Von Tobel, Lafayette, Son
Christina L.(Jose Ayala) Von Tobel, Winamac, Daughter
Madison Von Tobel, Grandchild
Malori Von Tobel, Grandchild
Miles Von Tobel, Grandchild
Joe Von Tobel, Grandchild
John Von Tobel, Grandchild
1 Brother
2 Sisters

She was preceded in death by:
1 Daughter
Lena Berme, Sister

Mrs. Von Tobel was employed at Tysons in Logansport for over 15 years. She was more affectionatly known as "Lynn." Her baptismal name was Rosa Linda Berme. She loved to bowl and to cook. Her specialty was cherry tarts. She loved her children, grandchildren and her extended family. She loved to serve others. Her 64 years on earth were a blessing to all who came in contact with her. She will be missed by family and friends and her co-workers at Tysons.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3,  at the funeral home with David Broad officiating. Burial will be in  Reed Cemetery, Winamac.

James W. Albrecht

October 31, 1943 to October 29, 2012

FRANCESVILLE - James W. Albrecht, 68, of Francesville, died at 7:28 p.m., Monday, Oct. 29, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

He was born Oct. 31, 1943, in Winamac, to the late Philip F. and Louise K. Gutwein Albrecht. He married Karen Hendershot on Sept. 2, 2007 in New Albany. She survives. 

Survivors include: 
Jami (Ronnie) Rowe, Monon, Daughter 
Christina Albrecht, Monon, Daughter 
Todd Albrecht, Terre Haute, Son 
Tim (Nicky) Albrecht, Oklahoma, Son 
Stacey Eide Cronin, Tucson, AZ, Step Daughter 
Jason Eide, Francesville, Step Son 
Jon (Joan) Eide, Houston, TX, Step Son 
Grandchildren: Robby Albrecht, Nicole Albrecht, Michael Albrecht, Timmy Albrecht, Heaven Albrecht, Dakota Albrecht, Austin Rowe, Faith Rowe, Travis Rowe, Marissa Rowe, Jaylin Rowe, Trey Isom,  and Trinity Isom Harley Eide, Step Grandchild 
Lyra Eide, Step Grandchild 
Several Great Grandchildren 
Phyllis L. (Richard) Boehning, West Lafayette, Sister 
Roger (Marilyn) Albrecht, Lafayette, Brother 
Gary (Jane) Albrecht, Winston-Salem, NC, Brother. 

Preceded in death by 
Orie Heinold, Step Father 
Lewis Albrecht, Brother 

Mr. Albrecht was a farmer in the Francesville and Monon area for many years. He was the former owner of Albrecht Tire in LaCrosse, and had worked at Gutwein Seeds in Francesville before becoming a farmer. He attended the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed working the land and fishing.

On Oct. 28, 1995 Mr. Albrecht received a heart transplant at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was one of the earliest transplant recipients at St. Vincent Hospital. His survival exceeded the average life expectancy for a heart transplant patient. 

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville, and one hour prior to services at the church Friday. The funeral service will be  at 10:30 a.m., Friday (Nov. 2), at the Apostolic Christian Church, Francesville, with the ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. 

Memorial donations may be given to St. Vincent Hospital Foundation.