Obituaries

Lenora E. Pullins

April 30, 1939 to April 30, 2021

MEDARYVILLE - Leona E. Pullins, 82, of Chalmers (formerly of Medaryville), passed away Friday, April 30, at her home.

She was born April 30, 1939 in Newland, IN to the late Louis and Leona Risner Jones. She graduated from Wheatfield High School in 1957. She married George E. Pullins on Oct. 3, 1959 in Medaryville at the Methodist Church. He passed away Dec. 7, 2004.

She is survived by:
Janice R. (Kevin) Whalen, Derby, KS, Daughter
Pamela E. Whitten, Chalmers, Daughter
Matthew G. (Shelly) Pullins, West Lafayette, Son
Ashley (Nathan) Beach, Granddaughter
Joshua (fiancée: Jennifer Baldwin) Terry, Grandson
Jacob (Cassie) Terry, Grandson
Joseph (Chelsy) Whalen, Grandson
Kierston (Jonathan) McKinley, Granddaughter
Sean Whalen, Grandson
6 Great-Grandchildren
Dave (Alice) Jones, Wheatfield, Brother
Glen Jones, West Lafayette, Brother
Patricia Jones, DeMotte, Sister-in-law
Marilyn Jones, DeMotte, Sister-in-law
Beverly Jones, San Pierre, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Curt Whitten, Son-in-law
Clifford Jones, Brother
Robert Jones, Brother
Kenneth (Marlene) Jones, Brother
Ronald Jones, Brother
Barbara Jones, Sister-in-law

As a young woman, Mrs. Pullins worked at the Medaryville Garment Factory. For many years, she was a babysitter for local children. She retired from the West Side Senior Center as site manager. Most importantly, she was a devoted wife and mother. She was a lifelong member of the Medaryville United Methodist Church, where she was a youth leader as well as a VBS and Sunday school teacher. Most recently, she was attending Chalmers Community Church. She enjoyed reading her Bible and loved serving the Lord. She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, crocheting, quilting, and sewing. She also enjoyed bird watching and reading. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Monday, May 10, at White Post Cemetery in Medaryville, with Rev. Jonathan McKinley officiating. Burial will follow..

Memorial donations may be made to Medaryville United Methodist Church, Chalmers Community Church, or West Side Senior Center.

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

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

Gregory P. Dolezal

April 10, 1954 to April 28, 2021

KNOX - Gregory P. Dolezal, 67, of Kewanna, passed away Wednesday, April 28.

He was born April 10, 1954 in Gary, to Edward and Geraldine Dolezal, both deceased. He married Cheryl Blessing on Aug. 23, 1996. She survives.

He is also survived by his children, Kara (Jon) Rhoda of La Crosse, Jennifer (Steve) Jozwiak of Juneau, Alaska, and Brett (Beth) Dolezal of North Judson; a stepdaughter, Kelly (Mark) John of St. Charles, Ill.; a brother, David (Cynthia) Dolezal of Marietta, Ga.; and 10 grandchildren, Jesse and Ethan Rhoda, Tyler, Zachary and Benjamin John, Hannah, Bentley and Mackenzi Dolezal, and Michael and Anna Jozwiak.

Mr. Dolezal had been the proprietor of Ed’s Auto Parts in Knox for over 50 years, and most recently was the owner of G&G Guns in Star City. He loved hunting and fishing, and was an active member of the Star City Lions Club and the Winamac First United Methodist Church.

A funeral service will be at 12 noon (ET), Tuesday, May 4, with visitation two hours prior to services, at First United Methodist Church, Winamac. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Knox. Barbara Kleinofen, Lay Leader at Winamac First United Methodist Church will officiate.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Star City Lions Club would be appreciated.

M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox is handling arrangements.

Caroline R. Boos Johnson

June 13, 1933 to April 18, 2021

WINAMAC - Caroline R. Boos Johnson, 87, of Birmingham, AL (formerly of Lake Bruce), passed away Sunday, April 18, at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham.

She was born June 13, 1933 in Chicago to the late Freidel Henry and Bernice Busch Renee.  She graduated from Kewanna High School and attended Indiana University in Bloomington.

She is survived by:
Renee (James) Price, Glasgow, KY, Daughter
Christina Major, Birmingham, AL, Daughter
Timothy (Jennifer) Boos, Naperville, IL, Son
4 Grandchildren: Whitney Marie (Jason) Woodcock, Jameson Manley (Jessie) Price, Allison Renee Boos, and Grant Timothy Boos.
3 Great-Grandchildren: Madison Grace Woodcock, Wyatt Jase Woodcock, and Brielle Renee Woodcock,
Peter Renee, Dallas TX, Nephew
5 Step-Children: Deborah (Jim) Barbour, Atlanta, GA, Andrea (Garry) Kloz, Lenexa, KS, Charles Johnson, Indianapolis, Lori Johnson, Rochester, and Matthew (Shanda) Johnson, Salem, VA.

Preceded in death by:
Edward Boos, Former Husband
Paul Johnson, Second Husband
Harvey Renee, Brother
Suzanne Renee, Niece

Mrs. Boos/Johnson worked in the horsemanship department at Culver Military Academy in Culver from 1967-1980, was employed as an administrative assistant for the American Librarians Association 1980-1984,  and served as a project accountant at W.E. O’Neil Construction in Chicago from 1984 until her retirement in 1998. She attended Leiter’s Ford United Methodist Church and Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, where she and Paul were married. She enjoyed singing with The Notables (along with her husband Paul and step-daughter Lori).  She was also a member of a local Red Hat Ladies Club. She enjoyed traveling with Paul, and together they toured many destinations in the U.S. and Europe. The couple also visited children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, sharing precious time with family, eating, talking, and playing cards. She loved to read, swim, grow flowers, cook, and decorate her home. She also loved to visit antique shops. She and Paul shared a passion for watching hummingbirds and a variety of other birds that visited the feeders on her back porch.

A graveside services will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 27, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Lake Bruce, with Pastor Dave Sommers officiating.  All are welcome.

Memorial donations may be made to: Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association, Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church or Leiter’s Ford United Methodist Church.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

John C. Keller

November 5, 1939 to April 16, 2021

KEWANNA - John C. Keller, 81, of Winamac passed away Friday, April 16, at his home. 

Born Nov. 5, 1939 in Monterey, he was the son of the late Clem and Marjorie Prendergast Keller. He was a 1958 Monterey High School graduate. On Sept. 21, 1989, he married Colleen G. Foust. She survives.

Survivors also include son, Michael Keller (Marielle) of South Bend; daughters, Susan Maes (Mark) of Culver, Sheila Broeker (Tim) of Monterey, Nancy Davis (Rob) of New Jersey, and Becky Risner (Boyd) of Plymouth; brothers, Thomas Keller of Nappanee, Robert Keller of Monterey, James Keller of Monterey, Jerry Keller of Monterey, and Danny Keller of Culver; sisters, Pat O’Donnell of Francesville, Ruth Zehner of Monterey, Mary Personett of Logansport and Marjorie Wise of Monterey; sister-in-law, Jean Keller; grandchildren, Meagan Maes Hladik, Mark Robert Maes, Mitch Maes, Jonathan Broeker, Jordan Broeker, Chloe Broeker, Hannah Davis, Ben Davis, Noah Risner, Luke Risner, and Monroe Keller; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Clem Keller Jr.

Mr. Keller owned and operated the Keller Advisory Group in Winamac for 35-plus years. Throughout his life, he enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, playing cards, especially Euchre, and spending time with family and friends.  He was a strong advocate of No Child Should Go Hungry in a Farming Community.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Metzger Chapel, Kewanna. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 22, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Leiters Ford Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski County Community Foundation, John C. Keller Memorial Ag Scholarship and/or a local community food pantry.

An online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the Keller family at www.ransfunerahomes.com.

Haley M. Fox

January 24, 2000 to April 13, 2021

WINAMAC - Haley Marie Fox, 21 of Winamac, passed away at 7:01 a.m., Tuesday, April 13, surrounded by her family at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, following a courageous battle with leukemia.

She was born Jan. 24, 2000 in Winamac to Darrell and Angie Nelson Fox. She was baptized at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. She was a 2018 graduate of Winamac Community High School, and was a student at the University of Indianapolis where she was studying nursing.

She is survived by:
Angie (fiancé: Matt Taberski) Fox, Granger, Mother
Darrell Fox, Winamac, Father
Parker (girlfriend: Michaela Ingram) Fox, Winamac, Brother
Taylor Fox, Cannelton, Half-Brother
Jim Scott, Clearwater, FL, Paternal Great-Grandfather
Brenda Hadley, Winamac, Maternal Grandmother
Mike Nelson, Fish Lake, Maternal Grandfather
Melissa Hanson, Winamac, Paternal Grandmother
Fran (Marlene) Fox, Winamac, Paternal Grandfather
Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Paul and Mary Lou Bonnell, Maternal Great-Grandparents
Lindy and Barb Nelson, Maternal Great-Grandparents
Joe and Noan Fox, Paternal Great-Grandparents
Cleona Scott, Paternal Great-Grandmother
Marilyn Nelson, Maternal Grandmother
Gary Hanson, Paternal Grandfather
Jason Fox, Uncle

In high school, Haley was active in cross country, volleyball, track, and cheerleading, as well as Sunshine Society, Athletic Leadership, and National Honor Society. She worked at Dairy Queen in Winamac and also at MJ’s Sweets and Sally’s in Culver. She had a big heart, was always helping others, and never knew a stranger. She touched so many people in so many ways – from childhood to her most recent time spent at Riley’s. Despite the recent trials in her life, she continued to inspire everyone with her courage, her contagious smile, and zest for life. Haley deeply cherished her friendships, especially the special love she shared with Dylan who was a guiding light to Haley in her darkest times. She loved her family very much, especially her brother, Parker. She made a lot of good memories with her many cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents. She enjoyed mushroom hunting, cooking, kayaking the Tippecanoe, and traveling. Upon receiving her diagnosis at age 19, Haley had a conversation with a dear friend and they came to this revelation, “disappointment isn’t proof that God is withholding good things from us, sometimes it’s His way of leading us Home.” The family wishes to thank Haley’s entire health care team and the community for all of their love, prayers, and support.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 8 p.m., Sunday, April 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, April 19, at the funeral home with Pastor Teri White officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West in Pulaski, with Rev. Daniel Shine officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Christmas Lights or Haley Fox Memorial Scholarship at Alliance Bank. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Sandra Perez Blanco

February 18, 1932 to April 6, 2021

WINAMAC - Sandra Perez Blanco, 39, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, April 6, surrounded by her loved ones at her home in Winamac.

She was born  Feb. 18, 1982 in Los Reyes de Juarez, Puebla, Mexico, the youngest of seven children.

She is survived by:
Indalecio Perez Flores and Esperanza Blanco Machorro, Parents
Teodulfa Noemi Perez Blanco, Sister
Jose Raul Perez Blanco, Brother
Jaime Perez Blanco, Brother
Georgina Perez Blanco, Sister
Miguel Angel Perez Blanco, Brother
Analia Perez Blanco, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews

Ms. Perez Blanco attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rochester. She was a hardworking woman and set a good example for others. She enjoyed painting, doing puzzles, and traveling. Most of all, she loved animals, especially cats. She was a good friend, excellent daughter, and loving sister who will be dearly missed.

Services will be held in Mexico at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in the form of Mass Intentions to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rochester.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.