Obituaries

Dolores C. Swartzell

July 4, 1948 to May 21, 2023

WINAMAC - Dolores C. Swartzell, 74, of Winamac, passed away Sunday, May 21, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born July 4, 1948 in Winamac to Marion J. and Mary Jo. [Bender] Swartzell. She graduated from Holy Family grade school and attended Monterey High School.

Dolores Swartzell

She is survived by:
Jim Galbreath, Son
Bill Galbreath, Son
Laura Wolfe, Daughter
6 Grandchildren
Michelle Swartzell, Sister
Mary Swartzell, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Marion Swartzell, Father
Mary Swartzell Fowler, Mother
Harold Fowler, Step-Father
Joe and Clara Bender, Maternal Grandparents

Ms. Swartzell was a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Florida and currently a member of Winamac Eagles Auxiliary #2580. She loved her dog, Ginger very much. She enjoyed flowers and gardening. Most of all, she was a devoted mother and grandmother.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, May 26, at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. Burial will follow at the cemetery..

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Cemetery or Pulaski Animal Center.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Charles A. Peters

January 26, 1963 to May 19, 2023

MONTICELLO - Charles A. "Chuck" Peters, 60, of Monticello (Buffalo area), died Friday, May 19, in rural Pulaski County. 

He was born Jan. 26, 1963, in Ft. Benning, Ga., to George Edward and Dorothy Janet (Wilson) Peters. He attended West Central High School.

Chuck Peters

He is survived by his parents of Winamac; sister, Jacqueline S. Starr of Plymouth; half-brother, Steven L.(Sherry) Peters of Monon; nieces Brittney R. Starr of Plymouth, Crystal L. Starr of Knox, Rochelle (Bobby) Brown of Buffalo, Natasha Davey of Monon, and Chantel Davey of Monon; nephews, Shay (fiancée Niedra) Davey of Delphi, Derek (Sarah) Davey of Reynolds and Tory (Lyndsi) Davey of Reynolds; aunt Linda White of Oklahoma, uncle Andrew (Debbie) Wilson of New Jersey, several great-nieces, -nephews, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Dorothy and Richard Blythe, paternal grandparents, Edith and Edward Peters, brother-in-law, Jeffery L. Starr, and several aunts and uncles.  

Mr. Peters worked on the family farm and was his father's right-hand-man. “Back in the day” he could be found building models and woodworking. He was an avid drawer and was extremely artistic. He was a jack-of-all-trades and was known for helping others. Those who knew him best said “he would give you the shirt off his back.” 

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4 p.m. until the time of a memorial celebration of life service at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 25, at the Miller - Roscka Funeral Home in Monticello. Pastor Ed Clark will officiate.  A private family burial will be at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the family; make checks to Jacqueline Starr. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed to 6368 E. US 24, Monticello, Indiana 47960 C/O Peters Family.

Kathryn Eileen Sommers

December 21, 1939 to May 19, 2023

KEWANNA - Kathryn Eileen Sommers, 83, of Grass Creek passed away May 19, in Brownsburg, Ind., following a recent illness. 

She was born Dec. 21, 1939 to, Harry and Ruby Rice Quinn. Raised on the family farm in Liberty Township, Carroll County, she graduated from Delphi High School in 1958 and attended Indiana Business College. On June 23, 1963, she married David Lee Busch in Calvary Presbyterian Church in Logansport. They celebrated 34 years of marriage until his death on Dec. 6, 1997. On Jan. 15, 1999, she married Carl D. Sommers, who preceded her in death on Aug. 19, 2019.

Eileen Sommers

She is survived by her two sons, Michael David Busch of rural Rochester, and  Steven (Tammy) Busch of Brownsburg;  stepson, Randy (Lisa) Sommers of Grass Creek; grandchildren, Joshua (Shaun-Marie) Busch of Fort Hamilton, NY, and Elisabeth Busch of Brownsburg, currently with the U.S. Army; step-grandchildren, Kaitlin (David) Peraino of Findlay, Ohio and Kyle (Amanda) Sommers of Grass Creek; great-grandsons; Dean Phillips and Charles Busch step-great-grandchildren Addison Peraino, Alex Peraino, and Callum Sommers; brother David R. (Lori Klein) Quinn of Tomball, Texas; nieces and nephews in Texas, Georgia, and Ohio;  and a stepson and stepdaughter. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and husbands, an infant daughter, brother Harold E. Quinn of San Antonio, Texas, sister Rebecca J. Quinn of Tomball, Texas, and step-great-granddaughter Alaina Peraino.  

Mrs. Sommers worked for GTE, various local tax preparers, Smith Office Supply, and the Cass County Assessor’s office. She was widely known in the region for her position as an outside sales representative for Barton’s, visiting businesses in Logansport, Winamac, Rochester, Flora, and Monticello for over 30 years. She was a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church for 41 years, where she served as an elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Communicants Class leader.  Following her move from Logansport to Grass Creek in 1999, she attended the Grass Creek United Methodist Church and was active with many church activities, including making loaves of bread for military service members overseas and preparing funeral dinners for members of the church and the Grass Creek community. Eileen and Carl were beloved for hosting church members after their annual Christmas caroling, serving a bountiful assortment of Christmas cookies and hot chocolate topped with her delicious homemade marshmallows.  

Eileen was active in numerous volunteer and civic efforts throughout north central Indiana, including the Cass County Historical Society, the Logansport School Board nominating committee, the Logansport Lioness Club, the Grissom Air Force Base Community Council, the Indiana Canal Society, the Elks Lodge, and the Grass Creek Lions Club, where she focused on grant writing to improve the community park and preserve the historic Grass Creek Depot. She was a founding board member of the Friends of the Fulton County Parks and Recreation Department, Inc., and a 52-year member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, most recently as a member of the Preceptor Delta Beta chapter. She was an avid reader and loved assembling jigsaw puzzles. She collected Heisey glassware, accumulating hundreds of pieces during a 40-year span of attending auctions and yard sales. She enjoyed tending to her garden that yielded vegetables for her family and neighbors. Her favorite activity was traveling with family and friends to China, Germany, Hawaii, Cancun, Alaska, and scores of places all over the U.S.   

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, at Rans Funeral Homes, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 24, at the funeral home. A private family graveside service will be held at Woodville Cemetery in Carroll County.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Grass Creek Lions Club, the Fulton County Community Foundation, or a charitable organization of one’s choice.

Nicholas J. Diment

February 18, 1948 to May 18, 2023

WINAMAC - Nicholas John “Nick” Diment, 75, of Winamac, passed away Thursday, May 18, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

Nick Diment

He was born Feb. 18, 1948 in Croydon South, England to the late Reginald James and Beryl Marguerite [Preater] Diment. On May 2, 1948, he was baptized at St. Matthew’s Church in Croydon, England.  On Sept. 21, 1968, he married Evelyn Payne, at St. Matthews Church in Manchester. She survives.

He is also survived by;
Michelle (Dennis) Arnold, Winamac, Daughter
Kaylee Evans, Mishawaka, Granddaughter
Pamela Diment, Kent, England Step-Mother
9 Siblings: Ruth, Geoff, Stephanie, Rachel, Maria, Andrew, Jeremy, Paul, and Hayley

Preceded in death by his parents

At age 14, Mr. Diment joined the British Royal Navy. He served aboard HMS Eagle for five years and also aboard HMS Porpoise and HMS Repulse for five years. In 1981, he and his wife moved to the U.S., living in Huntington Beach, CA and Lake Elsinore, CA until moving to Winamac in 2018. He enjoyed cooking and watching TV. He loved his family very much and will be dearly missed.

No services will be held.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Dennis E. Pitcher

May 15, 1941 to May 15, 2023

WINAMAC - Dennis E. Pitcher, 82, of Winamac, passed away Monday, May 15, surrounded by his family.

He was born May 15, 1941 in Stevens Point, WI to the late Glen L. and Lahoma N. [Skoor] Pitcher. On Aug. 16, 1986, he married Elizabeth “Ann” Cottrell in Winamac. She survives.

Dennis Pitcher

He is also survived by:
Irene (Bob) Surma, Daughter
James (Chris) Pitcher, Son
Dennis C. (Stella) Pitcher, Son
Betty (Steve) Winn, Step-Daughter
Bob (Tammy) Lovely, Step-Son
16 Grandchildren
21 Great-Grandchildren
Carol (Jerry) Stackhouse, Sister
Connie (Bob) Brady, Sister
June (Chuck) Peterson, Sister
Janet Amick, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Tammy Lee Pitcher, Daughter
Roy Lynn Lovely, Step-Son
Donna Pratt, Sister
Arnold Pitcher, Brother
Nialetta “Edie” Hall, Sister
Eugene Pitcher, Brother
Linda George, Sister
Clayton Pitcher, Brother

Mr. Pitcher was a lifelong truck driver, having worked for Galbreath and later DH&W in Winamac. He was a former member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, and Eagles. He was an amazing craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and carving. He collected vintage items with history behind them. He was always willing to help anyone in need (including family home remodel jobs). He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his best friend and wife, Ann. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac .The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, May 19, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Bell Center Cemetery in Bell Center, IN.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

Helen L. Peters

October 8, 1928 to May 9, 2023

WINAMAC - Helen L. Peters, 94, of Winamac, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 9, at Hickory Creek in Winamac.

She was born Oct. 8, 1928 in Winamac to the late Carroll H. and Esther K. [Wiesjahn] Skinner. She grew up in rural Harrison Township and lived her entire married life within a mile of where she was raised. She attended Fairview School and graduated from Winamac High School. She married Willard H. Peters, on Dec. 5, 1948 at Pleasant Hill Church. He passed away Sept. 14, 2019.

Helen Peters

She is survived by:
Connie (Don) Reid, Star City, Daughter
Joan (Ray) Schultz, Medaryville, Daughter
Linda (Dan) Ruhl, Star City, Daughter
11 Grandchildren
32 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Granddaughter
Several Nieces and Nephews (and their families)

Preceded in death by:
Will Powlen, Infant Great-Grandson
Harry C. (Belva) Skinner, Brother
Marion G. (Leona) Skinner, Brother

Mrs. Peters was a founding member of Tippecanoe Twirlers and the Twilight Twenty Home-Ec Club as well as a 50-year member of Tippecanoe Chapter #96 OES. She was a lifelong member of Pleasant Hill Church where she faithfully played the organ for over 60 years. In their later years, she and her husband enjoyed traveling all over the U.S. They took numerous bus trips to places like to Branson, MO and Washington, D.C. On their first flight, they flew to Australia to visit their exchange student, Ann Palfreyman Houston. Their most cherished trips were to Redbird Mission and Henderson Settlement in Kentucky where they served the Lord as missionaries. The couple treasured time spent with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had previously worked as a teller at First National Bank in Monterey as well as a cook at the Pulaski County Jail in Winamac. She enjoyed quilting, spending time at Lake Bruce, and baking pies. Most of all, she loved to serve the Lord by serving others. She will be dearly missed but forever remembered.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 15, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Eastern Star Services will be at 3:30 p.m., Monday at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 16, at Pleasant Hill Lake Bruce Community Church at Lake Bruce, with Chaplain Todd Wilson officiating. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church Tuesday. Burial be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Lake Bruce.

Memorial donations may be made to Pleasant Hill Cemetery Maintenance Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice.

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