Obituaries

Sandy A. Craig

December 28, 1960 to August 9, 2023

WINAMAC - Sandy Arnett Craig, 62, of Winamac passed away Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Northwest Health Hospital in LaPorte. 

She was born Dec. 28, 1960 in South Bend, to J.B. and Kathleen Collins Arnett.  She was raised in North Judson, and graduated from NJSP High School in 1979.  On April 30, 1988, she married Steve Craig in Winamac.  He survives.

Sandy Craig

She is also survived by:
Kandice D. Craig, Daughter
Steven Jacob Craig, Son
Katy Benfield, Step-Daughter
Grandchildren: Chance Howard, Casen Fritz, Kamden Gudas, Rayne Craig, Rowan Benfield and Mason Benfield.
Kathleen Collins Arnett, Mother
Kathy (Howard) Connelley, Sister
Ricky (Letha) Arnett, Brother
Marvin (Lois) Arnett, Brother
Jeanettie Marcella “Sis” Fox, Sister-in-law
Ron Craig, Brother-in-law
Linda Craig, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Dwayne “Tootie” Howard Jr., Son
J.B. Arnett, Father
Lisa Arnett, Infant Sister
Silas Craig, Father-in-law
Marcella “Marcy” Boyer, Mother-in-law
Marjorie Ries, Sister-in-law
Bill Craig, Brother-in-law
Art Fox, Brother-in-law
Jamie Crawford, Niece
Bradley Hartwell, Nephew

Mrs. Craig worked at Eaton’s for many years until they closed. She retired from Dr. Heinsen’s office where she had worked as a medical clerk. She was a member of the Winamac FOE #2580. She was also a member of Church of the Heartland. She loved her family dearly, and especially cherished spending time with her grandsons, Casen and Kammy as well as talking on the phone with her grandson, Chance. She was Casen’s number one fan at the ballpark. She enjoyed shopping, getting her hair done, and tanning (thanks Gerry Jo!). She liked going to church and riding in the golf cart with Steve and their dog, Spud. She was full of life and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 13, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. (Sunday), at the funeral home. Private burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

Bruce C. Morgan

September 18, 1957 to August 9, 2023

FRANCESVILLE - Bruce Clayton Morgan, 65, of Rochester passed away Wednesday, Aug. 9.

He was born Sept. 18, 1957 in Knox, to the late Glenn Edward and Dorothy Mae [Davis] Morgan. He graduated from West Central High School in 1975.

Bruce Morgan

He is survived by:
Michelle (Ryan) Street, Columbia City, Daughter
Adam (fiancée: Usha Wyant) Morgan, Star City, Son
Allyssa (Michael) Lamorgese, Monticello, Daughter
8 Grandchildren: Zachary, Zoey, Wesley, Benson, Barrett, Jakub, Nelle, and Andrew.
Jan (Jim) Vollmer, Durham, NC, Sister
Bob Morgan, Lebanon, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Jorene Ann Morgan, Sister
Andrew Glenn Paul Morgan, Infant Son
Ellen Morgan Howat, Former Wife

Mr. Morgan worked as a heavy equipment operator at Ward/Hanson Stone Quarry in Francesville for 36 years. He was a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150. He enjoyed fishing and golfing. He also enjoyed going out to eat and making homemade ice cream. He loved his family very much and will be deeply missed.

The family will host a celebration of life event at a later date. Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Animal Center or Happy Tails Animal Center.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in  Francesville.

Linda R. Boehning McDole

July 30, 1942 to August 7, 2023

FRANCESVILLE - Linda Rae Boehning McDole, 81, of Francesville (formerly of Lafayette), passed away Monday, Aug. 7, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

She was born July 30, 1942 in Francesville to the late Virgil Allen and Catherine Ann [Hofferlin] Boehning. She attended Francesville High School, and later in life she earned her QMA and EMT certifications.

Linda McDole

She is survived by:
Jacob (Yong) Vogt III, Scottsboro, AL, Son
Catherine Ann (Stephen) Overton, Francesville, Daughter
Kimberly Rae (Fiancé: Jimmy Schumacher) Young, Bradenton, FL, Daughter
Tonya Lee Stadler, Tell City, Daughter
Luke Allen Malachi McDole, Osh Kosh, WI, Son
13 Grandchildren
20 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Grandson
Richard “Dick” (Penny) Boehning, Ft. Myers, FL, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Jerry Lynn Boehning, Brother

In her younger years, Mrs. McDole worked alongside her mother in hospitality. She also worked at General Foods for several years. She retired from the healthcare industry after many years of helping others. She liked people and always enjoyed a good conversation. She was a talented musician who could sing and play the guitar. She had numerous hobbies and interests including doll collecting, country music, dancing, and karaoke. Most of all, family gatherings were the most important part of her life. She loved the Lord and caring for others. She will be deeply missed by all who had the opportunity to know her.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 11, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 12, at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church or Roseland Cemetery.

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

Kevin S. Minix

Kevin Minix

July 27, 1963 to August 6, 2023 

ROYAL CENTER - Kevin S. Minix, 60, of Winamac passed away Sunday, Aug. 6, at his home.

Private graveside services will be held at a later date.

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

Marilyn Fox

June 12, 1932 to August 5, 2023

WINAMAC - Marilyn D. Fox, 91, of Winamac, died along with her new husband, at his home in Crawfordsville, Saturday, Aug. 5, as the result of a house explosion.

She was born June 12, 1932 in Chicago, to the late Arnold A. and Ruth M. Johnson. She graduated from Monterey High School. She attended Purdue University and transferred to the University of Nevada Reno where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She went on to earn a master’s degree from Ball State University and later completed some higher-education courses at Indiana University.

While attending Purdue University, she married Jerome W. Friedrich of Kewanna. They were together 28 years and had three children. On March 16, 1990, she married Lloyd Fox of Monterey. Many great memories were made with the Fox family during their 19-year marriage. He died Sept. 22, 2009 and is buried at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Monterey. A few years after Lloyd’s death, Marilyn found companionship with Richard “Dick” Chastain (who just so happened to be the widower of her late Purdue roommate). They were recently married in June.

Marilyn Fox

Dick Chastain

She is survived by:
Rochelle Friedman, Appleton, WI, Daughter
Denise Hughes, Middleville, MI, Daughter
Steven Friedrich, Delafield, WI, Son
Michael Friedman, Grandson
Stephanie Friedman, Granddaughter
Sunshine (Jason) Fowler-Howell, Granddaughter
Tabitha Fowler, Granddaughter
Logan Friedrich, Grandson
Alexandra Friedrich, Granddaughter
Owen Handley, Great-Grandson
Emmett Handley, Great-Grandson
Ethan Handley, Great-Grandson
Numerous Extended Family Members

Preceded in death by:
Amy Johnson, Infant Sister
Liam Handley, Great-Grandson

Mrs. Fox dedicated her life to teaching. She taught at Kokomo and Haworth high schools for over 35 years. She was not only a teacher, but also a coach, mentoring girls in numerous sports including tennis, synchronized swimming, and cheerleading. During the summers, she served as the recreation director for 20 years for the Disciples of Christ Christian Assembly at Crystal Lake in Frankfort, MI. In addition to her successful career, she was an active member of various organizations, including Delta Kappa Gamma academic sorority and Indiana Retired Teachers Association. She was a 50-year member of Psi Iota Xi philanthropic sorority in Kokomo and also was a founding member of the Winamac chapter. She was a member of the Lion’s Club in Monterey, and the Mentone Flying Club in Rochester, as well as the Book Club and Iris-Elm Garden Club in Winamac. She was a member of First Christian Church in Winamac. The family reports Marilyn and Dick Chastain enjoyed traveling together, especially visiting family. They had a lovely life together. While their death was sudden and tragic, we know they were led Home by angels. Marilyn leaves behind a loving legacy and will be deeply missed by her family and everyone who knew her.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19, at First Christian Church in Winamac with Pastor Stephen Sundquist officiating. Private burial will take place at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Monterey.

Memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Richard L. Chastain

August 4, 1933 to August 5, 2023

CRAWFORDSVILLE - Richard L. (Dick) Chastain, 90, passed away suddenly, along with his wife, Marilyn Fox, Saturday, Aug 5. It was the day after his 90th birthday, and friends and family were planning to celebrate with him later that afternoon. His partner of the past 11 years, Marilyn, was from Winamac. They were married June 7.  He and Marilyn were best friends, and constant companions, for the last years of their lives.

He was born Aug. 4, 1933, in Salem, Ind., to Ernest G. and Leo I. (Stephenson) Chastain. He graduated from Campbellsburg High School, and then Purdue University, with a degree in agriculture education. He was in ROTC at Purdue and was commissioned a second Lieutenant upon graduation in 1956. He married B. Marlene Cowan, on June 12, 1956; they were married for more than 54 years, when she died in 2011. The couple had four children, who all survive, Cindy Chastain (husband Pete McCormick) of Crawfordsville, David Chastain of Bloomington, Jeff  (Kathy) Chastain) of Crawfordsville, and Laura (Lester) Smith, also of Crawfordsville.

He is also survived by his children, six grandchildren, Chris (Amy) Smith, Nathaniel (Kayla) Smith, Jacob (Katelyn) Smith, Marce’ Chastain, Hunter (Carleigh) Chastain, and Clay (Acaimie) Chastain; great-grandchildren, Vivian, Theodore, and Rowan Smith, and Morgan Chastain. He is also survived by his sister Gloria, and brother-in-law Jerry Rosenbaum; and his sister-in-law Jean Chastain; as well as many loved and cherished nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marlene, his brother Donald Chastain, and his sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Lloyd Oldson.

Mr. Chastain was a dedicated family man, a lifelong farmer, a decorated soldier, an elder and leader in his church, and a committed civil servant to his community. His military career began in 1956 after graduation and commissioning from Purdue. He served as a field artillery officer in Germany until November 1960 when he, Marlene and children moved home to her family farm north of Crawfordsville to raise their family. He began farming with his father-in-law. He went on to join the Indiana National Guard and commanded units in ascending order as he rose in rank. He retired from the National Guard in 1991 with more than 36 years of service. After his military retirement, he began serving his community on the Montgomery County Council for 11 years. He was also very involved in his church, Liberty Chapel, serving on the board and committees for many years.  

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug 16, at the Crawfordsville National Guard Armory. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 17, also at the Armory. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery, in New Richmond, Ind. with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Mr. Chastain’s name to either Liberty Chapel Church or the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund (Indiana National Guard Relief Fund (inguardrelief.org)).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hunt & Son Funeral Home, Crawfordsville. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.huntandson.com

Bonnie Ruhl

April 28, 1934 to August 3, 2023

ROYAL CENTER - Bonnie (Deam) Ruhl, 89, of Star City, passed away Thursday, Aug. 3, at Hickory Creek Nursing Home in Winamac, surrounded by family.

Born April 28, 1934 to Ralph and Marcella Deam in Ft. Wayne, she grew up in rural Decatur, IN. Bonnie had three younger siblings: Betty, Linda and Margie. She was a graduate of Monmouth High School (Decatur) where she enjoyed cheerleading, playing clarinet in the band, and acting in school plays. She married Dean Ruhl of Hoagland, IN on July 3, 1953. The couple recently celebrated their 70th anniversary. He survives.

Bonnie Ruhl

Also surviving are children Joe (Gail) of West Lafayette; Dana (Kathy) of Delphi; Dan (Linda) of Star City; Mark (Kelly) of Logansport; and Kelly (Penny) of New Castle. The couple have 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Barry Day of Winamac, and a great-grandson, infant William Powlen of Fayetteville, NC.

After high school, Mrs. Ruhl worked at Lincoln Life Insurance Company in Fort Wayne, until she and husband moved to West Lafayette where he pursued his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education at Purdue University, and she remained an avid Purdue basketball fan throughout her life. She enjoyed reading, gardening, swimming, fishing, walks in the woods, and raising her children. In addition to taking care of her five children and maintaining a spotless (she did teach her kids how to clean the kitchen, dust the furniture, and sweep the floors – regularly!), well-organized home, for a time she worked a few evenings a week as a waitress at Italian Gardens and later at the Shafer House in Monticello. In more recent years she worked part time at the video store and beauty shop in Winamac, as well as Oak Grove restaurant in Star City.

Her children (for several years they were a house of five teenagers!) will always remember their mother as a person who had compassion for all people, and who was a loving, devoted wife, as well as a hard-working, yet fun-loving mom with a contagious smile and laugh and a witty sense of humor. Home was a warm, happy place filled with unconditional love, laughter, singing, and the aroma of baking cookies in the kitchen. Precious memories will remain of a mom who taught us how to work and about God’s love for us; a mom who loved people; a mom who taught us to read, played baseball with us, ice skated with us in the woods, taught us to swim, rode bicycles through the countryside with us, dried our tears when needed; and a wise and “with it” counselor mom who we could talk to about absolutely anything.   

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Star City United Methodist Church, Star City. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 10, at the church with one hour of visitation prior to the service. Final place of rest will be at Victor Chapel Cemetery in rural Star City.

Expressions of sympathy can be messages or donations to Star City United Methodist Church and/or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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