Obituaries

Betty L. DeSabatine

October 20, 1932 to September 22, 2023

WINAMAC - Betty Louise [Reutebuch] DeSabatine, 90, of Winamac, passed away at 9:10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, in Winamac.

She was born Oct. 20, 1932, at home in Pulaski, to the late John and Cora [Link] Reutebuch. She was the fifth child in a family of 13. She graduated from Pulaski High School. On Oct. 20, 1951, she married Paul “Rusty” DeSabatine at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. He passed away April 18, 2017.

Betty DeSabatine

She is survived by:
Barbara (Steve) Rausch, Winamac, Daughter
Robert (Sandy) DeSabatine, Winamac, Son
Ronald “Rudy” (Cindy) DeSabatine, Winamac, Son
Donna “Guba” (Alan) Nicholson, Winamac, Daughter
David “Butch” (Monica) DeSabatine, Winamac, Son
Joan (Tim) Murray, Winamac, Daughter
John “Chopper” (Robin) DeSabatine, LaPorte, Son
Rhonda “Weez” (Dave) Parcel, Winamac, Daughter
Thomas DeSabatine, Culver, Son
45 Grandchildren
54 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Granddaughter
Marlene (Ron) Roth, Monticello, Sister
Kay Ann (Tom) Derheimer, Columbia City, Sister
Sharon (Jerry) Cloud, Indianapolis, Sister
Marcia Lehman, Indianapolis, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

She is preceded in death by:
Ida DeSabatine, Daughter-in-law
Bill (Babe) Reutebuch, Brother
Junior (Evelyn) Reutebuch, Brother
Richard Reutebuch, Brother
John (Janet) Reutebuch, Brother
Gerald “Popcorn” (Georgette) Reutebuch, Brother
Marjorie “Chiz” (Chester) Hanus, Sister
Dorothy (Melvin) Linback, Sister
Ronald Reutebuch, Infant Brother
Alfonso and Anna [DePirro] DeSabatine, In-laws
Rich Lehman, Brother-in-law

Mrs. DeSabatine worked from the early age of 10 babysitting and cleaning for a couple of her schoolteachers. She also did ironing for an aunt. She worked in a sewing factory after graduating from high school. She was the bookkeeper for 65 years for her husband’s excavating business, DeSabatine Brothers Excavating. While helping with the family business, she had nine children in 10 years and did a wonderful job raising them. She was very active at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac where she was a CCD teacher for many years. She was also a member of the Christian Mothers and Ladies of Charity. She was proud to be a part of the first group of parishioners allowed to distribute the Eucharist at St. Peter’s. Aside from raising her family, Betty loved to work in her garden, read, cook for her family, play Euchre on Friday nights, and watch her family swim in her pool. A day did not go by without her watching her favorites on TV, The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy.

Visitation will be from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 29, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Winamac (enter through north door off of parking lot). A scriptural wake service will be at 8 p.m., Friday. The rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, at the church, and will be followed by the prayers at the closing of the casket. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, at the church with Rev. Andrew DeKeyser officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Dup15q Alliance Mission which helps fund Autism research. Mrs. DeSabatine held this charity close to her heart to help her great-grandson Beau. Donation envelopes will be available through the funeral home.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Guadalupe Tijerina

August 13, 1951 to September 21, 2023

ROYAL CENTER - Guadalupe “Lupe” Tijerina, 72, of Winamac passed away Thursday, Sept. 21, at I.U. Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Born on Aug. 13, 1951 in San Benito, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Jose and Vicenta (Sanchez) Mendiola. She moved to Indiana in 1966 with her family and worked as a migrant worker harvesting various crops and traveling to different states. Her work introduced her to her future husband Ramon Tijerina. Together they continued working as migrant workers. Their work introduced them to many people and opportunities. They decided to call Winamac their home in 1978.

Lupe Tijerina

Survivors include her husband Ray Tijerina of Winamac; her children;, Linda (Josh) Overmyer of Winamac and Johnny (Julie) Tijerina of Winamac; sister Margarita (Mark Miller) Mendiola  of Winamac; brothers Jose Mendiola of Santa Rosa, Texas, Angel (Chris) Mendiola  of Winamac and Tony Mendiola of Carthage, Mo.; and grandchildren, Eli Overmyer, Kinley Overmyer, Tate Tijerina and Rylie Tijerina.

She was preceded in death by brothers Miguel and Jesse Mendiola.

Mrs. Tijerina worked at Pulaski Memorial Hospital for several years as a nurse’s aide. Her kindness and caring heart provided her patients with exceptional care. Hard worker was just one word to describe her. She proved that when she went to work for Wirtz & Yates Construction doing road construction and building bridges. As her children grew older she made the decision to look for employment closer to home. She worked as a custodian at Eastern Pulaski School Corporation for 26 years, retiring in 2015. 
Grandchildren kept her busy. She enjoyed taking them to the splash pad, parades, shopping trips to Bailey’s, cheering for them at their sporting events, taking them to church and golf cart rides on the trail. She enjoyed watching Notre Dame football. She was a member of the Winamac Nazarene Church. She was the most genuine person known and loved by many. Her kindness, generosity and beautiful smile was shown to all, including strangers.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Winamac Nazarene Church. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 28, at the church. Burial will be at Franklin Township Cemetery/ Mt. Zion.

Mrs. Tijerina’s online guestbook is available, and condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center.

Charlotte D. Lewark

June 8, 1956 to September 19, 2023

MEDARYVILLE - Charlotte D. Lewark, 67, of Medaryville, passed away at 8:55 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Lafayette.

She was born June 8, 1956 to the late Merrill and Joan [Meadway] Smith. She graduated from West Central High School. On July 27, 1974, she married Kenneth Joe Lewark at Bethel Bible Church in Winamac. He passed away March 14, 2014.

Charlotte Lewark

She is survived by:
Aaron Lewark, Medaryville, Son
Andrew Lewark, Medaryville, Son
Holly (Jeremy) Neeley, Medaryville, Daughter
Samantha (Taylor) Day, Star City, Granddaughter
Madison Black, Pampa, TX, Granddaughter
Parker Lewark, Medaryville, Grandson
Colten Lewark, Medaryville, Grandson
Zoey Lewark, Francesville, Granddaughter
Isaac Woolsey, Star City, Grandson
Darrell (Joy) Smith, North Judson, Brother
Crystal Smith, Myrtle Beach, SC, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Raymond Smith, Brother
Kenneth Smith, Brother

Mrs. Lewark attended the Medaryville Assembly of God Church. She was a volunteer at Happy Tails in Buffalo (IN), and cherished spending time at the West Side Senior Center in Medaryville. She enjoyed shopping and collecting. She was always willing to help others and serve the Lord. Most of all, she loved her family, especially her grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 25, at the funeral home with Pastor Tom Dewlen officiating. Burial will be at White Post Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to Happy Tails, West Side Senior Center, or Medaryville Assembly of God Church.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

James E. Rausch

James Rausch

September 3, 1947 to September 19, 2023

ROYAL CENTER - James E. Rausch, 76, of Star City passed away at 9:45 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the Life Care Center in Rochester.

Per his wishes there will be no services.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center.

Patricia L. Bailey

March 31, 1968 to September 9, 2023

FRANCESVILLE - Patricia L. “Patty” Bailey, 55, of Medaryville, passed away at 9:10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 9, at her home.

She was born March 31, 1968 to Willie and Versie [Stone] Catt. She grew up in Stockbridge, MI and moved to Indiana 33 years ago. On Feb. 22, 1986, she married Jessie Bailey. He survives.

Patty Bailey

She is also survived by:
Shellie (Jason) Patton, Medaryville, Daughter
Kellie (Joey) Shepherd, Crown Point, Daughter
Clinton Shepherd, Grandson
Kameryn Sigman, Grandson
Brianna Shepherd, Granddaughter
Layla Patton, Granddaughter
Noah Patton, Grandson
Willie Catt, Jr., Mason, MI Father
Brenda (Rodney) DeRossett, Medaryville, Sister
Melissa Berlin, Leslie, MI, Sister
Sandra Catt, Mason, MI, Sister
Courtney (Brad) Starnes, Jackson, MI, Sister
Brian Catt, Leslie, MI, Brother
Chelsey Barden, Lansing, MI, Sister
Cadey Barden, Lansing, MI, Sister
Nathan Barden, Leslie, MI, Brother
Presten Barden, Leslie, MI, Brother
Harley Bliss, Mason, MI, Sister
Linney Catt, Medaryville, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Versie [Stone] Catt, Mother
Paul Catt, Brother
Benjamin Berlin, Brother-in-law

Mrs. Bailey was a proud 30-year employee of Rose Acres. She was a member of the Francesville First Christian Church. She enjoyed camping, family barbeques and traveling. She loved her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville.  The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Francesville First Christian Church.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Nicholas Kasten

August 18, 1987 to September 6, 2023

ROYAL CENTER - Nicholas “Nic” Kasten, 36, of Winamac passed away peacefully at 4:21 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 6, at the Northwest Healthcare Center in LaPorte, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

He was born Aug. 18, 1987 in Logansport. He graduated from Winamac Community School in 2006.

Nic Kasten

He is survived by his two sons Avi Kruz Kasten and Kash Lee Kasten, his parents Tim (Sherri) Kasten of Rochester and Kim (Bob) Adamski of Winamac, his sister Natalie (Carl) Reynolds of Bluffton, his brother Eric (Kara) Kasten of Winamac, his grandparents Ronald and Judy Loehmer of Winamac, his niece Phoebe Reynolds, his nephew Memphis Kasten, and many cousins, aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Mary Lou and Bob Swartzell.

Mr. Kasten He was blessed with his first son, Avi in December 2017 and his second son Kash in January 2019. He was an avid music listener. He often loved sitting in the pool with his mom, playing music trivia. He amazed people with his vast knowledge of all kinds of genres of music. He loved playing cards with his friends and family, even though he was often “spanked” by his talented sister. He was often found tinkering in his garage on different cars. He acquired a lot of his knowledge from participating in several years of high school Super Mileage, his bonus dad, and working at Braun’s dealership while in high school. He used his skills to help his little brother in different racing endeavors. He also had a love for hunting and fishing; a hobby he learned from his dad. Nic loved to make others laugh, whether it would be with jokes he had heard or videos he had found. His late night phone calls will be sorely missed by his sister as he would always find a way to make her laugh until she cried. Above all else, he loved his sons more than anything on this earth.

A celebration of life gathering will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 11, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, 304 S. Chicago St., Royal Center.

Memorial donations can be made to the family that will be trusted for Nic’s two sons, Avi and Kash.

Mr. Kasten’s online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.