Obituaries

Margaret A. Falvey Pierce

August 30, 1932 to August 9, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS - Margaret (Peg) Ann Falvey Pierce, 79, of Indianapolis, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Aug. 9, of complications following surgery.

She was born Aug. 30, 1932 in Logansport, Indiana to Richard J. and Ruth A. Shank Falvey. She married Dr. Emmett (Bill) Coin Pierce on June 8, 1954. He died in 2004.

She is survived by her children Lauralee (Peter) Middleton of Kalamazoo, Mark R. Pierce of Cincinnati, William D. Pierce of Indianapolis, Robert E. Pierce of Chicago, Suzanne (Joseph) Rauh of Fishers, Anastasia (Penney) Pierce of Terre Haute, John C. Pierce of Indianapolis and Patrick J. Pierce of Chiang Mai, Thailand; grandchildren Lindsey M. Neal of Grand Rapids, Carrie A. (Mike) Desjardins of Kalamazoo, Thomas Rauh of Indianapolis, Becca Rauh of Denver, CO; step-grandchildren Catelin F. Middleton of Kalamazoo, P. Hyatt Middleton of Hendersonville, NC, and Jevin S. Middleton of Kalamazoo; sisters Kay Lanter of Roanoke, VA, Jo (Abe) Bernstein of Goshen and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her sister Patricia Falvey.

Mrs. Pierce grew up in Winamac. The oldest of four sisters, she attended St. Peter Catholic School in Winamac and was active in 4-H, and the American Legion's Girls State convention in high school. She attended St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Lafayette, where she earned her RN diploma.  She was a stay at home mother of eight who stayed busy and productive being a Cub Scout den mother, a room mother at Little Flower Catholic School where her children attended. She was a long time member of Little Flower Catholic Church.

She loved backyard birding, cultivating roses, and growing peonies and tomatoes. She loved the abundant forsythias, lilac bushes and redbud tree in her backyard. She was active in the Newman Guild at Butler University, Sertoma Club of East Indianapolis, and The Eastside Orchestra Guild. She had a passion for history particularly Indiana State History. She was a perennial Indy 500 fan, attending the race with her husband and a cadre of friends for several years. She loved swimming, playing tennis, reading historical fiction, and loved traveling all over the world with her husband. 

The funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday (Aug. 14), at Feeney-Hornak Shadeland Mortuary, Indianapolis,  followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church. Visitation will be Monday, from 4 – 8 pm at the mortuary. Entombment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Donations may be made in her name to Little Flower Catholic School or Arthriitis Foundation.

Everette Steele

October 20, 1941 to August 27, 2012

KNOX - Everette Steele, 70, of Winamac, passed away Monday, Aug. 27, a Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.

Born on Oct. 20, 1941 in Wide Mouth, W. Va., he was the son of the late Cecil and Corby Steele. He married Dorothy Steele on July 2, 1961 in Birmingham, Ala. She preceded him in death.

Survivors include six daughters: Carolyn [Nick] Ress of Star City, Deborah Steele of Winamac, Amanda Steele of Winamac, Tina Finkley of Winamac, Vanessa [Charles] Weaver of Winamac and Candice Steele of Georgia; three sons: Clifford [Toni] Steele of Hammond, Darrell [Dorine] Steele, Sr., of Hammond and Darrell Steele, Jr. of Hammond; two brothers, Clerence Steele of Statesville, N.C. and Don Steele of Dayton, Ohio; a sister, Virgie Wyatt of Steeles, W. Va.; 16 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Lola Lester and Shirley Roberts; and a brother, Luther Steele.

Mr. Steele was a self-employed plumber who enjoyed playing in his band, “Southern Express.”

Funeral services will be held at a later date.

The Braman and Son Memorial Chapel in Knox is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth E. Tanner

December 2, 1930 to September 1, 2012

MEDARYVILLE - Ruth E. Tanner, 81, of Medaryville, died 1:10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

She was born Dec. 2, 1930, in Medaryville, to the late LeRoy and Elva Pullins Watson. She married Frank LeRoy Tanner on Dec. 12, 1948, in the Medaryville Christian Church. He survives.

Also surviving are:
Charlene (Ron) Warner, Princeton, Daughter
Patrice (Terry) Freestone, Dickinson, TX, Daughter
Raymond Tanner, Medaryville, Son
Jerry (Cathy) Tanner, West Lafayette, Son
Kathy (Bruce) Wuethrich, Rensselaer, Daughter
Margaret (Doug) Leman, Francesville, Daughter
Marsha (Richard) Jurek, Naperville, IL, Daughter
Richard (Darlene) Tanner, Francesville, Son
Douglas (Suzanne) Tanner, Phoenix, AZ, Son
27 Grandchildren. 31 Great Grandchildren, 2 Great Great Grandchildren
Alice Clayton, Kouts, Sister
William Watson, LaPorte, Brother
Ben Watson, Paulding, OH, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Jordan Wuethrich, Grandson
Stephen Dornhecker, Son-in-law
Her brothers John, Joe, Walter, Estel, Omer and Jim

Mrs. Tanner was a lifetime member of the Medaryville Christian Church where she taught Bible School and Sunday School. She was also a member of the Ladies Aide and Circle 2. She was a 1948 graduate of Medarville High School. She was a former 4-H Leader and a member of the Gingham Pals Home Ec Club. She received many awards for her canning and quilting at the Pulaski County Fair.

She loved quilting and made quilts for many of her grandchildren at their births. She also enjoyed baking, music, along with making and decorating cakes for many occasions. She loved and served her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and faithfully served Him her entire life.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville and one hour before the service Tuesday in the church. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday (Sept. 4), at the Medaryville Christian Church, Medaryville, with Don Nedza officiating. Burial will be in  White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.  

Patty A. Leman

September 21, 1955 to August 30, 2012

WINAMAC - Patty A. Leman, 56, of Pyrmont, passed away at 8:17 a.m., Thursday, Aug 30, in Lafayette.

She was born on Sept. 21, 1955 in Lafayette, to Kenneth and Marian Alberding. She married Steve Leman on Oct. 16, 1976 at the First Baptist Church in Francesville. He survives.

Also surviving are:
Marian (Jeremy) Lesher, Rossville, Daughter & Son-in-law
Kyle (Erica) Leman, Lafayette, Son & Daugher-in-law
Christian Leman, Pyrmont, Son
Bethany (James DeHaven) Leman, Pyrmont, Daughter & Fiance
Dawson Lesher, Grandson
Bryant Lesher, Grandson
Camryn Lesher, Grandson
Ellie Leman, Granddaughter
Kenneth & Marian Kendzora Alberding, Francesville, Parents
Donna (Mike) Schultz, Austin, TX, Sister & Brother-in-law
Many Nieces & Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Janice Barton, Sister
Linda Mobley, Sister

Mrs. Leman was a 1973 graduate of West Central High School in Francesville. In 1976, she received her associate's degree from Methodist Hospital School of Radiology in Indianapolis. She worked as an x-ray technician at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette for 25 years. She liked sewing, cooking, and helping out with high school musicals. She looked forward to family vacations and gatherings. She enjoyed traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway with he husband on the motorcycle and the two cruises she took with her sisters and parents.

She was a member of the Community Reformed Church in Lafayette for over 20 years. She loved and served her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was looking forward to the upcoming birth of her fifth grandchild in December.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, at Community Reformed Church (2501 S. 18th St. Lafayette, IN 47909) and one hour prior to services at the church Sunday. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Sunday (Sept. 2), at the church with Chad Schuitema officiating. Burial will be at Pyrmont Cemetery, Pyrmont.

Memorial donations may be given to the  Baptist Children's Home or Gideon's International.

Belva N. Skinner

May 4, 1924 to August 23, 2012

KEWANNA - Belva N. Skinner, 88 of Winamac, passed away at 12:15 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 23, at Monticello Assisted Living Healthcare Center.

Born on May 4, 1924 in Logansport, she was the daughter of the late Wilbur and Mildred (Kistler) Williams. On Aug. 25, 1946, she married Harry Skinner and he preceded in death in May 9, 1983.

Survivors include her daughters, Marcia Link (Larry) of Winamac, Charlotte Rowland of California and Marlene Bowers (Stephen) of Oklahoma; brother, Glenn Williams (Margaret) of Fulton, sister, Bertha Antico (John) of Connersville, sister-in-law, Phyllis Williams of Florida; grandchildren, Brandon Link, Jodi Pogue (Matt), Jeff Rowland (Melanie), Steve Rowland, Pam Ward (Jim), Nathan Rowland, Lynn Ann Shugart (David) and Billy Bowers (Tammy). She is also survived by great grandchildren, Kiara King, Cy’anne Wooten, Toniya and Amiya Link, Sadie and Shaylynn Pogue, Brandi Cheshier, Reb, Toby, Barrett and Brittany Bowers, Jonathon Paul Stearns, Steven Hood, Cheyanne Bowers, Jeffery, Heath, Zachery, Brandley, Hannah and Austin Rowland, Clayton Dudley, Bailey and Raeanna Rowland, one great great grandson, Michael Castillo and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Sherilyn Skinner and 2 brothers, Keith Williams and Homer Eugene Williams.

Mrs. Skinner was a 1942 Star City High School graduate. She was formerly a seamstress at Hart-Schaffner Marx in Rochester where she retired after 28 years. She was also a homemaker and enjoyed canning, baking and quilting. After her retirement, she loved attending her grandchildren’s school functions and activities.

She was a member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church where she formerly taught Sunday School and served as lay leader for several years. She also participated in the Circle of Love Ladies. She was also a member of the Monroe Modern Home Extension Club of Winamac.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Sunday, at Harrison-Metzger & Rans Funeral Home, Kewanna Chapel. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday (Aug. 27), at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, Lake Bruce with Pastor Jon Magnum officiating.
Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Lake Bruce.

Memorial donations may be made to Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.

Thomas Dennis

October 30, 1949 to August 24, 2012

WINAMAC - Thomas Gilbert Dennis, 62, of Winamac, passed away at 4:20 p.m., Friday, Aug. 24, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 30, 1949, in Star City, to Gilbert and Anna Kochel Dennis. He married Pamela Olds on Jan. 30, 1971 in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are his sons Bradley (Gretchen) Dennis and their son Finnegan of Chicago; Nathan (Melissa) Dennis and their children Lindy Dennis, Caitlin Haley, Justin Haley, and Quentin Haley of Winamac; and Kenton Dennis of Atlanta; his mother Anna Marie Kochel Dennis of Winamac; his sisters Kaye (Allen) Olson of Winamac; and Sharon Criswell of Winamac; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Gilbert W. Dennis; his sister Carol A. Hayes; and his brother-in-law David Criswell.

Mr. Dennis graduated from Star City High School in 1967. He served in the Army National Guard as a recruiter at the Plymouth Armory. He was the former manager of CFS in Winamac. He later worked in the truck industry at Galbreath Inc., GalFab and Jasper Truck Sales. Currently he was the used truck manager for Pozzo Truck Center Gary.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Winamac. He was a former Sunday school teacher and MYF leader. He also was active in the Gideons International. He enjoyed yard work, cars and his kids' and grandkids' sporting events. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac and one hour prior to services at the church Tuesday. The funeral service will be at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday (Aug. 28), at the First United Methodist Church in Winamac with Rev. Matt Landry officiating.  Burial will be in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the Pulaski Memorial Hospice or to the First United Methodist Church.