Obituaries

Dale Ward

May 29, 1940 to May 20, 2022

WHEATFIELD - Dale Ward, 81, of Monon passed away peacefully Friday, May 20, , in Carmel.

He was born May 29, 1940 in Francesville, to R. E. and Lena (Honegger) Ward. He met Anne Jackson in the summer of 1960 and they married in November of that year. They had five children, and had been married for 59 years when Anne passed away in 2020.

Dale Ward

He is survived by his children Brian (Dana) Ward, Angela (Larry) Mainstone, Kerri (Rodney) Westerhouse, Brad (Anna) Ward, Nikki (Sam) Wireman; 17 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and siblings Roger (Sandi) Ward and Nola Wuethrich.

He was preceded in death by his wife and parents, sisters Barbara Wuethrich and Mary Ann Sanders, and brother David Ward.

Mr. Ward was always fascinated by his father’s stone quarry in Francesville. He started helping R.E. the summer of his seventh-grade year. He rode with his father to work every day working as a clean-up man, and his pay was a new motor scooter. He continued to work at the quarry throughout school, learning to operate cable shovels and drag lines. He attended Kentucky Military Institute his junior and senior years of high school.  After graduating from KMI in 1959, he returned to Francesville to work at the quarry. He did whatever was required, learning as he went. Within a year, Dale was responsible for the plant. R. E. sold the Francesville quarry in 1962 and Dale stayed on, being promoted to superintendent in 1963. In 1967, at age 27, he resigned and started his own quarry in Monon. The quarry was a success and Dale was approached to sell the operation to and rejoin the company that bought his father’s quarry.

Mr. Ward resigned his position in 1975 and began construction on a storage and super-flow system for Gutwein Seed Company in Francesville. In the fall of 1976, with the upgrade complete, he was asked to manage the construction of Parkview Haven Nursing Home in Francesville. He donated a year of his time to the project, only accepting a salary for the second year after the board insisted that he be compensated for his effort. Once Parkview as complete, he returned to Gutwein Seeds to build a new grading and bagging plant. In 1979, he started Ward Stone, Inc. in Francesville. He continued to grow the business, purchasing and permitting a 260-acre quarry site south of Monon in 1996.  In 1997 he acquired the Babcock Quarry in Rensselaer. Dale and Anne sold the quarries in the spring of 1999. Within a few years, they started a railroad museum/restaurant in Monon in an effort to preserve the local railroad heritage. He was a lifelong member of the Apostolic Christian Church of Francesville.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. (EST), Tuesday, May 24, at the Francesville Apostolic Christian Fellowship Center, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. (EST), Wednesday, May 25, at the church with Randy Gudeman officiating. Interment will follow at the Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humanitarian Distribution Center, 447 S Bill St., Francesville, IN 47946.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Boersma Funeral Home, Wheatfield.

Pattricia M. Axley

August 7, 1937 to May 20, 2022

WINAMAC - Pattricia Marie “Patt” Axley, 84, of Schererville (formerly of Winamac), passed away Friday, May 20, at Munster Community Hospital in Munster.

She was born Aug. 7, 1937 at St. Catherine’s Hospital in East Chicago, to Frank and Mary Baginski Dicken. She graduated from Thornton Fractional North High School and Don Roberts Beauty School, both in Calumet City, IL. She also attended the Chicago Art Institute on a scholarship. On May 21, 1960, she married Charles William Axley in East Chicago. He passed away on Aug. 21, 2003.

Patt Axley

She is survived by:
Daniel Dicken, Crown Point, Brother
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Frank Dicken, Father
Mary Baginski Dicken Gorman, Mother
Carol Dines, Sister
Jeff Dicken, Brother
David Dicken, Brother

After retiring from Three Sisters Beauty Salon in Hammond, Mrs. Axley found great satisfaction in helping others. She served as a nurse’s aide, ward clerk, and hospice team member at White County Memorial Hospital in Monticello. She was currently an active member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Schererville and a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. She served in a variety of ministries at both parishes including hospice outreach, delivering Eucharist or meals, and so much more. She was a talented artist and won numerous awards for her oil paintings and sketches. She was a fabulous cook and animal lover. Most of all, she loved her family very much and will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Friday, May 27, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. A memorial mass will follow at 2 p.m., Friday, at the church with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West in Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be made in the form of Mass Intentions.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Helen J. Downey

January 31, 1939 to May 19, 2022

WINAMAC - Helen J. Downey, 83, of LaPorte (formerly of Winamac), passed away  Thursday, May 19, at Miller’s Health and Rehab in LaPorte surrounded by her family.

She was born Jan. 31, 1939 in New Boston, OH. On Dec. 15, 1956, she married Walter L. Downey in Brookville, IN and made their home in Ohio. Several years later, they moved to northwest Indiana where they raised their three children.

Helen Downey

She is survived by:
Kimberly (Joe) Napier, LaPorte, Daughter
Doug (Jennifer) Downey, South Bend, Son
11 Grandchildren
5 Great-Grandsons
Bev Baker, Beloved Niece
Many Other Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
John Payne, Father
Hattie Fitch Clifford, Mother
Walter L. Downey, Husband
Gwen (Eric) Thorgren, Daughter
Luella Newman, Sister
Wilma Bailey, Sister
William Clifford, Brother
Wally, Beloved Dog

The Downeys retired in Winamac where they lived for many years. She was a member of LaPorte First Church of the Nazarene and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) of Ohio. She owned and operated the Mary Jo Motel in LaPorte for many years. She loved hosting and providing meals for any visitors to her home. She had a special way of making everyone feel they were family. She enjoyed watching TV and was an avid sports fan. She also enjoyed attending musicals at the theatre and playing BINGO. Most of all, she loved her family dearly. Helen’s family would like to thank Miller’s Health and Rehab of LaPorte for their unconditional love and wonderful care they provided her over the past five years. Helen loved all her special nurses and aides as her own family.

Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. (CT), Wednesday, May 25, at Pinola Gathering Hall (5005 W. SR 2 LaPorte) where family and friends may visit from 3 to 5 p.m. (CT). Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. (ET), Thursday, May 26, at Reed Cemetery in Winamac. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Miller’s Health and Rehab activity program.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Thomas C. Hunneshagen

June 2, 1952 to May 18, 2022

CULVER - Thomas C. Hunneshagen, 69, of Monterey, passed away Wednesday, May 18, at home.

Thomas Hunneshagen

He was born June 2, 1952 in rural Rochester, one of 11 children born to Ralph and Florence Scheuer Hunneshagen. He married Cheryl "Sherry" Woodward on April 19, 1969. She preceded him in death in 2020.

He is survived by his daughters, Kellie (Pete) Manzuk of Plymouth and Krista (Brandon) Van Horn of Dubuque, Iowa; three grandchildren, and eight brothers and sisters.

A gathering with family and friends will be held from 3 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 23, at the Odom Funeral Home, Culver. A spiritual wake service will be at 7:30 p.m. (Monday) led by Father Leroy Kinnaman. Father Andrew DeKeyser will officiate at a mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 24, at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Monterey, with burial following at St. Anne's Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in Mr. Hunneshagen’s memory to St. Anne's Cemetery Fund.

The Odom Funeral Home, Culver, has been entrusted with caring for the family.

Richard E. Lowry

July 5, 1937 to May 18, 2022

FRANCESVILLE - Richard E. Lowry, 84, lifelong resident of Francesville, passed away Wednesday, May 18, at home following a six-month illness.

He was born July 5, 1937 in Francesville to the late Donald H. and Alice Catherine Bayless Lowry and was raised on the family farm in rural Salem Township. He graduated from Francesville High School in 1956. On Jan, 13, 1957, he married Martha Lou Jones in Francesville. She survives.

Richard Lowry

He is also survived by:
Larry (Maria) Lowry, Lakeville, MN, Son
Pamela (Richard) Kurtz, Centerville, OH, Daughter
David Lowry, Oswego, IL, Son
Diana (Walt) Hanselman, Daughter-in-law
9 Grandchildren: Sara, Alisha, Brett, Bradley, Steve, Brian, Catie, Adam, and Erin
6 Great-Grandchildren
Donna (Richard) Wen, New Brighton, MN, Sister
Mary (Eldon) Everidge, Indianapolis, Sister
Carol Lowry, Francesville, Sister-in-law
Dianna Lowry, Lebanon, Sister-in-law
Harold (Lois) Jones, Leesburg, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Terry E. Lowry, Son
Kenneth (Phyllis) Lowry, Brother
Dean Lowry, Brother
Paul Lowry, Brother
James (Donna) Lowry, Brother
3 Infant Sisters

In 1972 the Lowrys moved to their current farmstead in rural Beaver Township. Mr. Lowry was a member of Francesville First Christian Church, where he served as a deacon for several years. He served in the Indiana National Guard from 1956-1962. He worked at Francesville Tile Co. and Ward Stone Co. until becoming a self-employed truck driver delivering MoorMan’s Livestock feed, retiring after 29 years. He enjoyed attending tractor shows and talking with fellow collectors of Minneapolis Moline tractors, especially the Prairie Gold Rush Club. He had collected 100 tractors and loved showing them. He had several tractors that were photographed for calendars and magazines as well as being showcased on RFDTV. People recognized him everywhere as “Mr. Moline”. He loved farming and tilling the soil.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 22, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, May 23, at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Private burial with military honors 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.

Virginia A. Hettinger

July 27, 1940 to May 17, 2022

ROYAL CENTER - Virginia A. Hettinger, 81, of Star City passed away at 1:04 a.m., Tuesday, May 17, at South Bend Memorial Hospital.

Virginia Hettinger

Born July 27, 1940 in Logansport, she was the daughter of the late Larus and Mildred Davis O’Brien.

She married Homer Hettinger on Nov. 29, 1968. He survives.

Survivors also include sons, Paul (Gina) Hettinger of Virginia, David (Denise) Hettinger of Star City and Justin (Ana) Hettinger of Winamac; daughters, Audrey (Dan) Burnette of Bringhurst, Krista (Brian) Riner of Texas and Susan (Clay) Helton of Alabama; and sister, Mildred Sherman of Logansport. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by one son, Ronald Hettinger.

Mrs. Hettinger worked for many years in home healthcare.  She enjoyed horses and her cat Mitsy, flowers, drawing, gardening, cooking, her family and her Lord.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 20, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 21, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Davis Cemetery, Burnettsville.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to help the family with funeral expenses.

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