Obituaries

Thomas A. Halleck Sr.

October 27, 1936 to November 14, 2021

WINAMAC - Thomas Abraham “Tom” Halleck Sr., 85, of Winamac, passed away surrounded by his family at 12:40 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 14, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

He was born Oct. 27, 1936 in Logansport, to the late Dr. Harold J. and Bernice L. Carson Halleck. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1954. He attended Purdue University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1959 and a master’s degree in 1971. On June 12, 1960, Tom married Barbara Jean Dickey, in Indianapolis. She survives.

Thomas Halleck Sr.

Survivors also include:
Thomas A. (Tammy) Halleck Jr., Star City, Son
Beth A. (Brad) Ruff-Crawford, Winamac, Daughter
Jennifer L. (Dan) Knebel, Winamac, Daughter
Cynthia H. (Joe) Garnett, Westfield, Daughter
Edwina (Pooh) Murray, Fort Covington, NY, Daughter
Marie Mulcare, Massena, NY, Daughter
10 Grandchildren: Tiffany (Evan) Howe, Jake (Jenna) Ruff, Taylor (Grant) White, Garrett (Katelyn) Knebel, Josh (Hayley) Ruff, Catherine (Brent) Evans, Tabatha (Anthony) Chapman, Alyssa (Greg) Burns, JT (Lindy) Garnett, and Kelsey Crawford.
10 Great-Grandchildren
2 special nephews: Jim and Kurt

Preceded in death by:
Jeff Ruff, Son-in-law
Shirley (Richard) Reidelbach, Sister
Marilyn (Jim) Cory, Sister

In addition to being a well-respected teacher at Winamac Community High School for 38 years, Mr. Halleck was also a lifelong farmer. He was fondly known to many as “Big Dog” and was famous for his fruit fly genetics project. He and his wife were avid supporters of the Winamac Music Boosters program and started the moon crater and lemon shakeup fundraiser; which continues today. His hobbies included cheering on the Purdue Boilermakers, playing board games, and fishing. He often fished in Minnesota, with a lifelong goal of catching the elusive prize bass fish he called Walter. He was a longtime member of Star City United Methodist Church, as well as a supporter and fundraiser for Winamac’s July 4th fireworks. In his youth, he was recognized with a Certificate of Heroism from the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America for having saved the lives of three mothers and their three children, who were drowning in the Tippecanoe River just behind his home on Riverside Drive. He did this despite not knowing how to swim. His greatest passion was his family. In addition to raising their own children, he and his wife opened their home to many others and loved them as their own.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac; and one hour prior to services at the church Thursday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at Star City United Methodist Church in Star City, with Pastor Tom Richards officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donatons may be made to Winamac Fireworks Fund or Star City United Methodist Church.

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

Michael S. Kiest

February 15, 1956 to November 13, 2021

WINAMAC – Michael “Mike” Steven Kiest, 65, of Winamac, (formerly of Porter County) passed away at 9:11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, at Northwest Health Porter Hospital in Valparaiso.

He was born Feb. 15, 1956 in Hammond to the late Cecil Marion and Dorothy Marie Black Kiest. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. On July 3, 1981, he married Suzanne Marie Brassard in Charleston, SC. She survives.

Michael Kiest

He is also survived by:
Stefanie Marie Kiest, Chesterton, Daughter
Madeline Suzanne (Thomas) Kingery, Chesterton, Daughter
Isabella Nowka, Granddaughter
Adrianna Nowka, Granddaughter
Olivia Nowka, Granddaughter
Lynn Kingery, Granddaughter
John (Mary Ellen) Kiest, Brother
Beverly Rodda, Sister
Dennis (Patricia) Kiest, Brother
Terence (Cynthia) Kiest, Brother
Kimberly (Joel) Mora, Sister
Many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Jerry Rodda, Brother-in-law

Mr. Kiest was the proud owner of Northern Indiana Mechanical which is a family business that included his father Cecil and brother Terry. He was the assistant fire chief of Porter Fire Department for many years. He enjoyed fishing, especially on the Tippecanoe River. He was a loving father, fierce defender and devoted supporter of his daughters. He cherished his granddaughters who brought him great joy and happiness. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family will host a celebration of life at a later date at his home on the Tippecanoe River.

Although Mike was known to send flowers to funerals, he recently changed his mind, explaining “People should take that money and do something fun and memorable with their own loved ones – and in the end, if the raise a glass to me, that would make me happier.”

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Regina M. Kupke

December 21, 1933 to November 12, 2021

WINAMAC - Regina M. Kupke, 87, of Winamac (formerly of Lake Bruce) passed away at 7:10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 12, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born Dec. 21, 1933 in East Gary to Reggie and Mildred Friedel Jones. She graduated from East Gary Edison High School in 1952. She married Arthur R. Kupke on Sept. 25, 1954 in East Gary. He survives.

She is survived by:
Mike (Jackie) Kupke, Goshen, Son
Stephanie (Mike) Malchow, Star City, Granddaughter
Hillary (Brandon) Nissley, Goshen, Granddaughter
Great-Grandchildren: Kaitlyn Malchow, Luke Malchow, Isaiah Hattery, Abram Hattery,
Cole Nissley, Ethan Kupke, Mason Kupke, Harrison Kupke, and Finn Kupke.

Preceded in death by:
Reggie Jones and Mildred Friedel Jones Corter, Parents
Robyn Kupke, Daughter
Daniel Kupke, Son
Jack Kupke, Grandson
Richard Jones, Brother
Verl Jones, Brother
Edna Mae, Half Sister

Mrs. Kupke was a proud homemaker and beloved daycare provider. She enjoyed reading, cooking, traveling and art. She also enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially being by the Tippecanoe River. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. (Thursday), at the funeral home. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Lake Bruce.

Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Swinging Bridge Project.

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

Phyllis M. Nawrocki

October 4, 1951 to November 11, 2021

WINAMAC - Phyllis M. Nawrocki, 70, of Winamac (lifelong resident of Westville), passed away Thursday, Nov. 11, at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

She was born Oct. 4, 1951 to the late Eugene and Rosemary Greening Nawrocki. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class from Jackson Township High School in Valparaiso, and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University.

She is survived by:
Alan Conrad, DeMotte, Brother-in-law
Rose Flinchum, Valparaiso, Cousin
John Shuey, Valparaiso, Cousin
James Shuey, Michigan, Cousin

Preceded in death by:
Donna Rose Targonski Conrad, Sister
Paul E. Nawrocki, Brother
1 Niece: Tuesday

Ms. Nawrocki grew up on the family farm and loved being a farm girl. She enjoyed crafting and reading. She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chesterton. She was a retired deli clerk from Town and Country Market in Valparaiso. She will be dearly missed.

Private burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Chesterton.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Raymond W. Miller

December 21, 1933 to November 12, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Raymond W. “Ray” Miller, 95, of LaCrosse, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Northwest Health Hospital in LaPorte.

He was born March 26, 1926 in Gary, to the late Frank and Rena Etchison Miller. He married Lucille McCormick on Aug. 10, 1949 in Valparaiso. She passed away on Jan. 2, 2013.

Survived by:
Cheryl Kay Miller, Wooster, OH, Daughter
Connie Maxine McMeans, Wooster, OH, Daughter
Rex Elliot Miller, Wooster, OH, Son
Dave (Kelly) McMeans, Grandson
Faye Miller, Granddaughter
4 Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Ronald Alan Miller, Son
1 Great-Granddaughter

Mr. Miller enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and was known to say “riding free since 1943.”

Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

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

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

Marjorie M. Conn

October 13, 1940 to November 8, 2021

WINAMAC - Visitation and services will be Sunday, June 12 for Marjorie M. “Marge” Conn, 81, of Winamac, who passed away Monday, Nov. 8, at Woodbridge Health Campus in Logansport.

She was born Oct. 13, 1940 in Knox to the late Arthur and Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Hanson Hoffman. After graduating from Winamac High School in 1958, she attended classes at Ball State University. Prior to returning to Winamac, she briefly lived and worked in Chicago. She married Robert E. “Bunny” Conn, on Oct. 22, 1960 at the Methodist Church in Winamac. He died Dec. 22, 2020.

Marge Conn

She is survived by:
Brad (Judi) Conn, Winamac, Son
Jason (Stacey) Dunderman, Grandson
Austin (Heather) Dunderman, Grandson
7 Great-Grandchildren: Katie, Adeline, Lucy, Lizzy, Alek, Natalie, and Jason
Arthur (Barb) Hoffman Jr., Winamac, Brother
Howard Hoffman, Rochester, Brother
Betty Jean Reinhold, Francesville, Sister
Tom (Linda) Hoffman, Asheboro, NC, Brother
Dan (Dawn) Hoffman, Lansing, MI, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Brian D. Conn, Son
John Hoffman, Brother

First and foremost, Mrs. Conn was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She served a teacher’s aide for several years at Guidance Nursery School in Winamac. She also served numerous years as the administrative assistant at the Winamac First United Methodist ChurchShe was a longtime member of the Winamac Methodist church where she served on numerous boards, committees and as a Sunday school teacher. She also served several years the secretary of the Winamac Alumni Association. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, as well as traveling to St. Joseph, MI and Orange Beach, AL. She also enjoyed reading and had a passion for sharing her Christian faith. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m., Sunday, June 12, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.  A celebration of life service will follow at 2 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home. Burial be at a later date at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition), Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the Brian D. Conn Memorial Scholarship at the Community Foundation of Pulaski County.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.