Obituaries

Marlana D. Aviles

May 13, 1984 to September 7, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Marlana Danielle Aviles, 37, of South Bend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Tuesday, Sept. 7, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

She was born May 13, 1984 in Rensselaer. She was a 2002 graduate of Oregon-Davis High School in Hamlet.

Marlana Aviles

She is survived by:
Christopher Aviles, Mishawaka, Son
Autumn Aviles, Mishawaka, Daughter
Christopher Aviles, Mishawaka, Former Husband
Mike and Cathy Harris Burger, South Bend, Parents
Chambler Wireman, Wheatfield, Brother
Matthew (Sara) Miller, Eglin AFB, CA, Brother
Finas Ray Conley, Rensselaer, Brother
Rebecca (Michael) DeFranco, Lakeville, Sister
LaShena Andrew, Rensselaer, Sister
Janena Conley, Rensselaer, Sister
Freda (Tony) Marshall, Leslie, MI, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins
Steve Boyle, Hamlet, Best Friend (of 20 years)

Preceded in death by:
John and Thelma Wireman Harris, Maternal Grandparents

Mrs. Aviles attended IUSB and Ancilla College. She enjoyed spending time with her family, making candles, and decorating her home. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

No services will be held at this time.

Memorial donations may be made to Heartland Hospice of Elkhart.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Francesville.

Raymond Saltsman Sr.

June 16, 1942 to September 5, 2021

WHEATFIELD – Raymond Saltsman Sr., 79, passed away Sunday, Sept. 5.

He was born June 16, 1942, in Medaryville, to Hallie Everett and Edna Mae Brick Saltsman. On May 19, 1962, he married Shirley Ann Shelton. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage. She survives.

Raymond Saltsman Sr.

He is also survived by children Ray (Pam) Saltsman Jr of Rensselaer and Gina (Tod) Masters of Medaryville; 3 granddaughters; Holly (Darin) Owens, Leticia (Corey) Sutton and Sydney (DJ) Vogt; great-grandchildren: Levi and Caden Owens, Emmalynn, Elaina, Leonidas and Cyrus Sutton, Shawn Marsteller and Emmett Vogt. Survivors also include brothers Don (Jean) Saltsman and Tom Saltsman; sisters Mary (Art) Coburn and Peggy (Bill) Coburn; former daughter-in-law Gina Byroad; and grandchildren Jeri Chapman, Brandon (Elyse) Williams, Rylee (Travis) Rodriguez and Nathan (Breanne) Williams; and 14 great-grandchildren, along with a host of church family, friends, nieces and nephews and children whom he treated as his own. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Brian Duane Saltsman, sisters Doris June Saltsman, Helen Wrench, Evelyn Nelson, Ruthanne Terry, Mildred Bennett, Violet McCoy and Lucille Dunn, and one brother: Archie “Skip” Saltsman.

Mr. Saltsman worked hard through the years to provide for his family, being employed by Chet Coburn, Kiser Aluminum, Hicks Gas, Northway, Allis Chalmers, and Monon Trailer; and he retired in 2011 after many years of working at Talbert Trailers. He also served on the Medaryville Town Board. He deeply loved his family and cherished spending time with them. He also enjoyed building and remodeling, yardwork, feeding and watching birds and squirrels, hunting, fishing, camping, bonfires and cookies. Being a jack-of-all-trades, he was the one that everyone in the family went to for help. He loved teaching people how to care for things and others. He was a member of Amazing Grace Fellowship Church in Francesville. 

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Amazing Grace Fellowship Church in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 10, also at the church, conducted by Pastor Steve DeMoss and Evangelist Tod Masters. Burial will be at the Bethlehem Cemetery in Medaryville.

In lieu of donations, the family asks for you to “pay it forward” to someone in need. 

Boersma Funeral Home in Wheatfield is in charge of these arrangements.

Dorothy M. Burch Talbott

December 19, 1921  to August 30, 2021

WINAMAC - Dorothy M. Burch Talbott, 99, of Plymouth (formerly of Monterey), passed away at 9:05 p.m., Monday, Aug. 30, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth.

She was born Dec. 19, 1921 in Delong, to the late Grover C. and Pearl M. Bunnell Kline. She spent her youth growing up on the family farm in Delong. Her first marriage was to Raymond E. “Ray” Burch in 1942, and they had one son. They made their home on a farm outside of Monterey. She and her husband worked together at the Monterey School for many years. Mr. Burch passed away in 1979. Several years later, she met a widower, Charles Talbott from Rochester. They were married in 1983. He preceded her in death in 1999. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by:
Alan R. (Linda) Burch, Plymouth, Son
Kim (Xavier) Dvorak, Satellite Beach, FL, Granddaughter
Greg (Joy) Burch, Plymouth, Grandson
4 Great-Grandchildren: Delaney, Macey, Olivia, and Davin
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Evelyn L. Mackenzie, Sister
Robert C. Kline, Brother
Frances P. Bowersox, Sister
Martha W. Ginther, Sister
Margaret E. Corbin, Sister
Betty J. Stayton, Sister
LaJune Welling, Sister

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon Wednesday, Sept. 8, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon Wednesday at the funeral home, with Pastor Matt Elliott officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Grace Baptist Church in Plymouth.

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

Gail J. Feleki

August 27, 1939 to August 30, 2021

FRANCESVILLE - Gail J. Feleki, 82, of Francesville, passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 30, at her home.

She was born Aug. 27, 1939 in Decoy, KY to the late Charlie and Laura Davis Smith. She was a 1957 graduate of Wheatfield High School. On Jan. 27, 1968, she married John Feleki. He survives.

Gail Feleki

She is also survived by:
Kimberly Powell, Arlington, VA, Daughter
Denise (Rick) Allen, Monticello, Step-Daughter
4 Grandchildren
9 Great-Grandchildren
Phyllis Mow, Sister
Wilgus (ZoeAnn) Smith, Brother
Jewell (Tom) Hazelgrove, Sister
Freida Passmore, Sister
Brenda (Larry) Gibson, Sister
Debbie Humphrey, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Sharon Feleki, Infant Daughter
Lois Wayne, Sister
Ray Smith, Brother
MaryAnn Roberts, Sister

Mrs. Feleki was a member of the Francesville First Christian Church. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Friday, Sept. 3, at the Francesville First Christian Church. The funeral service will follow at 12:30 p.m., Friday, at the church with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Burial will be at Independence Cemetery in Medaryville.

Memorial donations may be made to Francesville First Christian Church.

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

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

Herman Parish

May 21, 1940 to August 30, 2021

MONTICELLO – Herman Parish, 81, Monticello, passed away Monday, Aug. 30, at Creasy Springs Healthcare Campus, Lafayette.

He was born May 21, 1940 in Forest, Ill., the son of Herman Eddie and Thelma J. Strode Parish. He graduated from Medaryville High School in 1958. He was widowed.

Herman Parish

Survivors include:
Pam (Paul) Mitcham, daughter
Deb (Jeff) Sizemore, daughter
David (Stephanie) Parish, son
Six grandchildren: Derek (Jessica) Sizemore, Alex Sizemore, Alyssa (Zack) Tetrault,
Austin Parish, Andrew Parish, and Cruz Mitcham.
Three great-grandchildren: Isabelle Sizemore, Cora Sizemore, and Farrin Tetrault.
Olene Dahler, sister
Alvin Parish, brother
Nancy Aldridge, sister
Several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.

Preceded in death by:
Wilma Miller, sister
Lawrence Parish, brother
Mitchell Parish, brother

Mr. Parish resided in Monticello most of his life. He had worked and retired as a mechanic for the former Howard and Sons John Deere of Monticello, from January of 1989 until his retirement in May of 2008. Previously, he had farmed for 28 years. He was an active member of the Monticello United Methodist Church. He also belonged to the Medaryville Lions Club and was a 50-year member of the Royal Center Masonic Lodge #585 F&A.M. He was an avid Notre Dame University fan, train enthusiast, and loved to ride motorcycles. Back in the day (when it was cool), he enjoyed country line dancing. He also liked to travel when he was able.

Visitation will be from 12 noon until the time of services at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 3, at the Miller-Roscka Funeral Home in Monticello. Masonic rites will be held at 2 p.m., conducted by the Royal Center Masonic Lodge. A celebration of life service will be officiated by Rev. Keith Raderstorf. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens, Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, memorals may be given to Fransican Hospice Care, Creasy Springs Legagcy Unit both of Lafayette, or the Alzheimer’s Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home, or can be mailed to Miller-Roscka Funeral home at 6368 E. US 24, Monticello, IN 47960.

Barbara D. Kopka Davis Hardy

November 25, 1945 to August 27, 2021

WINAMAC - Barbara Diana Kopka Davis Hardy, 75, of Winamac (formerly of Royal Center) passed away Friday, Aug. 27, at Hickory Creek Healthcare in Winamac.

She was born Nov. 25, 1945 in Valparaiso, to the late Fred John and Cora Ellen Hall Kopka.

Barbara Hardy

She is survived by:
Frank (Kim) Widner, Winamac, Son
Fred (Jeanette) Widner, Monticello, Son
Starlett Widner, Granddaughter
Chrystle Olson, Granddaughter
Karli Widner, Granddaughter
Hailey Widner, Granddaughter
Ian Widner, Grandson
6 Great-Grandchildren
Connie Brownfield, Sister
Mary Ellen “Sis” (Ravi) Pawar, Sister
Rick (Deb) Kopka, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Debra Walter, Daughter
Daniel Widner, Grandson
Dennis Kopka, Brother
Richard A. Davis, Former Spouse

Mrs. Hardy enjoyed karaoke and BINGO. She loved her dog, Peewee. More than anything, she loved her family. She will be sadly missed.

A private service will be held at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.