Obituaries

Daniel C. Vanaman

May 8, 1952 to January 5, 2022

WINAMAC - Daniel C. “Dan” Vanaman, 69, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly at home Wednesday, Jan. 5. 

He was born May 8, 1952 in Knox, to the late Claude E. and Mildred Sims Vanaman. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1970. On July 4, 1982, he married Connie L. Fritz Kistler in Winamac. She survives.

Daniel Vanaman

He is also survived by:
Dana K. (Darrin) Field, Winamac, Daughter
Daniel H. (Doug DeCleene) Vanaman, South Bend, Son
Dawn M. Vanaman, Daughter
Jeff W. (Trina) Kistler, Winamac, Step-Son
Daniel R. (Aida) Kistler, Knox, Step-Son
Brian J. (Amanda) Kistler, Winamac, Step-Son
12 Grandchildren: Dustin, Emily, Valerie, Eric, Aiden, Aaron, Breanna, Devin, Danica, Santiago, Clay, and Caleb.
5 Great-Grandchildren: Aiden, Amelia, Axel, Noah, and Beckham
Donna (Bud) Cowger, Half-Sister
Betty Good, Half-Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Leon Depoy, Half-Brother
Tom Depoy, Half-Brother
Katherine Shidler, Half-Sister

Following high school graduation, Mr. Vanaman took a job with Indiana Department of Transportation that turned into a career spanning 38 years, during which time he also farmed with Darrel Gudeman for 18 years. Most recently, he was the proud owner and operator of Dan’s Mowing; a mowing and snow removal business he started in 2008. He attended the Winamac Church of the Heartland. He was a longtime member of FOE Lodge #2580 in Winamac and Pulaski County React. He served eight years on the Winamac Town Board and two years on the Winamac Cemetery Committee. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed gardening and mowing. He also enjoyed visiting with friends and strangers. He was kind, friendly, and most of all very hardworking. He loved his family very much and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 9, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 10, at the funeral home with Pastor Heath Hiatt officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Animal Center.

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

Willie A. Wilcoxon

October 13, 1946 to January 8, 2022

MEDARYVILLE - Willie A. Wilcoxon, 82, of Medaryville, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his residence in Medaryville.

He was born Oct. 9, 1939, in Georgia to the late Loss and Vira Wilcoxon. On March 22, 1983 he married Lois J. McCoy Neely. She survives.

Willie Wilcoxon

He is survived by:
Harvey (Colleen) Wilcoxon, Son
Willie A. (Janet) Wilcoxon Jr., Son
Phillip Wilcoxon, Son
Barbara A. Tracy, Daughter
April (Mark) Berg, Daughter
Daniel G. (Barbara) Neely, Step-Son
Robert A. (Heidi)  Neely, Step-Son
James Neely, Step-Son
James Wilcoxon, Brother
Jimmie Wilcoxon, Brother
J.L. Wilcoxon, Brother

Preceded in death by:
Elizabeth Ann Wilcoxon, First Wife
Dawn Marie Neely, Step-Daughter
Donny Berg, Grandson
Lily Hovis, Great-Granddaughter
Randall Wilcoxon, Brother
Christine Wilcoxon, Sister-in-law

Mr. Wilcoxon was retired from LTV Steel where he worked for 33 years. Willie enjoyed cutting grass. He cared for the Medaryville Methodist Church for many years. Willie enjoyed fishing and watching western movies.

To honor Mr. Wilcoxon’s wishes no services will be scheduled.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Medaryville.

Edward L. Marcinkowski Jr.

May 1, 1943 to January 4, 2022

WINAMAC - Edward L. “Ed” Marcinkowski Jr., 78, of Winamac, passed away at 3:45 a.m., Tuesday, January 4, at Life Care Center in Rochester.

He was born May 1, 1943 in Valparaiso, to the late Edward L. and Virginia Sherrick Marcinkowski. He graduated from Liberty Township High School in Porter County. On Oct. 20, 1989, he married Judy Watts Robinson in Logansport. She survives.

Edward Marcinkowski Jr.

He is also survived by:
Brett Marcinkowski, Son
Jeff (Kristen) Marcinkowski, Son
Mark (Solly) Marcinkowski, Son
Rusty (Vicki) Robinson, Step-Son
Claude Robinson, Step-Son
Fonda Robinson, Step-Daughter
15 Grandchildren
7 Great-Grandchildren
Michael (Ginger) Marcinkowski, Brother
1 Nephew
Sharon [Bond] Beach, Former Spouse

Mr. Marcinkowski worked at NIPSCO for 38 years and retired as a construction superintendent. He was an accomplished, lifelong coon hunter. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. He bred, raised, and sold award-winning sporting dogs. He loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral servics will follow at 6 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Boys Town.

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

Kurt D. Simoni

August 3, 1974 to January 4, 2022

WINAMAC - Kurt David Simoni, 47, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 4, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born Aug. 3, 1974 at PMH to Bill and Mary Rater Simoni of Winamac. He was a 1994 graduate of Winamac Community High School.

Kurt Simoni

Survivors include:
Scott (Teri) of Newnan, GA, Brother
Brandon Simoni of Christiansburg, VA, Nephew
Brianna Simoni (Landon Neal) of Narrows, VA, Niece
Cypress Scott Neal of Narrows, VA, Great-Nephew
Cousin to many from the Northern Illinois, Knox and Valparaiso area

Mr. Simoni was a member of First Baptist Church in Denham.  All who knew him were well aware of his love of Elvis Presley, having visiting Graceland twice. He loved watching his WWE Wrestling and was a huge “The Rock” fan. He was always seen wearing his Indiana University shirt and sweats. He loved listening to old time country music and also loved old time 50s rock-and-roll. His infectious smile will be missed by all. 

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 10, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home with Pastor Lynda Hosek officiating. Burial will be at Denham Cemetery in Denham.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Denham.

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

Stephanie R. Minix

November 25, 1988 to January 2, 2022

Stephanie Minix

KNOX - Stephanie Rose Minix, 33, Monterey, passed away Sunday, Jan. 2, in Valparaiso.

She was born Friday, Nov. 25, 1988 in Knox, the daughter of Michael Collins and Tammy Minix Collins.

Surviving are her parents Tammy and Richard Collins of Knox,  and Michael Collins of North Judson; Sons Tylor Jene Griggs of Monterey and Carter Lacy Minix of Monterey; Brothers Adam (Kelli) Minix of Knox and Garth(Nichole) Richard Collins of LaPorte; Sister Amanda Minix of Knox; Grandmother Bertha  Collins of Knox; and Grandfather Lacy Minix of Francesville.

She was preceded in death by sister Catherine Minix; grandparents Kathleen and  Ernie Carlson; grandfather Garland Collins; grandmother Nellie Minix; grandparents Jim and Lois Collins; Aunt and Uncle John and Ella Minix; and Aunt Missy Carpenter.

Ms. Minix was a member of the youth club of Culver. Her greatest passion was spending time with her children and family. She worked as a foster parent/ caregiver.

Friends will be received from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 10, at the Braman & Son Memorial Chapel, Knox. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. (CT), Monday, at the funeral home, with Rev. Bruce Bennett officiating.

Memorials may be made to the funeral home to help with funeral expenses.

John S. Freeman

October 31, 1931 to January 2, 2022

WINAMAC - John S. Freeman, 90, of Winamac, passed away at 6:15 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 2, at Hickory Creek in Winamac.

He was born Oct. 31, 1931, in Winamac to the late Denzil and Ruth Lane Freeman. After graduating from Winamac High School, he served four years in the U.S. Navy. While serving, he met and married Nancy S. Dulaney. She passed away Jan. 8, 2011.

John Freeman

He survived by:
Linda S. (Chris) Spieller, Gilroy, CA, Daughter
Peggy A. (Jeff) Borg, Monterey, Daughter
John C. (Nancy White) Freeman, Daytona Beach, FL, Son
Cassie M. Borg, Essex, CT, Granddaughter
Lucas J. Borg, Monterey, Grandson
Sam Spieller, Portland, OR, Grandson
Carl Freeman, Winamac, Brother
Joan (Mac) Byer, Knox, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Ruth Freeman, Sister
Tom Freeman, Brother
Jerry D. Freeman, Brother

Mr. Freeman was a lifetime member of the Winamac VFW Post #1728. He worked as a salesman at Von Tobel’s in Winamac and retired from Floors & More after many years of dedicated service. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening and fishing. He also enjoyed traveling as well as spending time with his family and friends.

A graveside service will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Winamac VFW Post #1728.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.