Obituaries

Cameron L. Patrick

November 19, 1993 to January 23, 2021

WINAMAC - A celebration of life event has been set for Cameron Lee Patrick, 27, of Winamac, who passed away Saturday, Jan. 23.

He was born Nov. 19, 1993 in Winamac. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 2012 where he was a member of the wrestling team. He was also a member of Boy Scouts.

Survivors include:
Richard Lee (Amy) Patrick, Culver, Father and Stepmother
Patti Dale Patrick, Kokomo, Mother
Steven Hartwick, Winamac, Brother
Randi Hartwick, Kokomo, Sister
Cassondra (fiancé: Ethan Gniadek) Patrick, Valparaiso, Sister
Hana (Josh) Conley, Rochester, Stepsister
Erica (Steven) Nicholson, Imboden, AR, Stepsister
Jessica (John) Bishop, Chino Valley, AZ, Stepsister
Nieces and Nephews: Natalie, Ethan, Myra, Ryan, Derek, and Thomas
Peggy (Paul) Patrick-Childers, Knox, Paternal Grandmother

Dorothy Coad, Monterey, Paternal Great-Grandmother
Toss Scott, Hinckley, IL, Step-Maternal Grandmother

Preceded in death by:
Charles I. Rea, Step-Maternal Grandfather

After high school, Mr. Patrick went to Ft. Sill, OK where he attended boot camp. He was a true gearhead. His love and passion was working on cars, especially his Nissan 300ZX. He enjoyed playing Forza and Borderlands on Xbox as well as kayaking and floating the Tippecanoe River. He had a love for animals at an early age and loved his dog, Bear. and cat, Jordan. He liked to be around his friends and was always trying to make everyone laugh (he had such corny jokes). He loved spending time with his nieces and nephews. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In keeping with Cameron’s wishes, a celebration of life event will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 10, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski County Drug Free Council or Respite House in Valparaiso.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Loretta L. Day

October 12, 1975 to January 22, 2021

MEDARYVILLE - Loretta L. Day, 45, of Medaryville, passed away Friday, Jan. 22.

She was born Oct. 12, 1975 in Winamac, to JB and Barbara Wireman Rowe. She graduated from West Central High School in 1994. She was also a graduate of Knox Beauty College. On May 28, 1996, she married Brandon W. Day in Medaryville. He passed away Nov. 17, 2006.

Survivors include:
Corey Day, Medaryville, Son
Taylor (Samantha) Day, Winamac, Daughter
Roweyn Day, Grandson
Barbara Wireman Rowe, Medaryville, Mother
Kevin Beliles, Germany, Brother
Sherri (Dennis) Cooper, Monticello, Sister
Tammy (Dana) Howard-Gibson, Medaryville, Sister
Christina Rowe, Medaryville, Sister
Nieces and Nephews: Tyler, Quentin, Shania, Kyle, Ayden, Kamryn, and Brianna
Several Great-Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
JB Rowe, Father
Jayden, Niece

Mrs. Day had previously worked at Hair Cuttery in Michigan City. She enjoyed watching movies and collecting DVD’s. She was an avid fan of Halloween and was proud of making award-winning costumes. She had a great sense of humor and could make anyone laugh. She loved all children, especially her grandson. She was a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, and sister. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Goodway Baptist Church in Medaryville. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Tuesday, at the church with Pastor James Rowe officiating. Burial will be at Goodway Cemetery in Medaryville.

Per the governor’s order, facial coverings are required.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

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

Nellie M. Howard

June 11, 1931 to January 22, 2021

MEDARYVILLE - Nellie Mae Howard, 89, longtime resident of Medaryville, passed away Friday, Jan. 22, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville. 

She was born June 11, 1931 to the late Cecil and Elizabeth Loucks Dulin.

She is survived by:
Cecil Ray Wireman, Son-in-law
Laura Wireman, Granddaughter
Randal Wireman, Grandson
Amber (Glen) Hoffman, Granddaughter
Wendy (Jeremiah) Kopka, Granddaughter
Gavin Wireman, Grandson
Justin (Nicole) Burns, Grandson
Thomas Burns, Grandson
Carri Flumerfelt, Granddaughter
Many Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great-Grandchildren
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Ronald Wayne Hendershot, Son
Robert Burns, Son
Diana Wireman, Daughter
Shelia Wireman, Daughter
Sisters: Marjorie Hale Bowers, Julia Brumbarger, Betty Burtner, and Evelyn Dulin.
Brothers: Harlan Dulin, Sid Dulin, Merle Dulin, Earl Dulin, and Cecil Dulin.

Mrs. Howard attended the Medaryville Assembly of God Church. She was a lifelong seamstress and worked at Eastmoor Garment factory in Michigan City for many years. She also worked at the Medaryville Garment Factory and the Redwood for many years. She was a “sweet and sassy redhead,” and had an “outspoken gift to gab to tell it like it was.” She loved to play BINGO and scratch off lotto tickets. She loved to wear her red lipstick and have her fingers and toes painted. She was an avid George Jones fan; he was royalty in her book. She also enjoyed reading Readers Digest and the Enquirer. She enjoyed butterflies and cats (as long as they were fake). “Oh yeah, can’t forget her legs - she would tell you they were the sexiest around.” She was a light to all that knew her and she loved her family very much.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville. A graveside services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 29, at Green Lawn Cemetery in Frankfort, with Pastor Tom Dewlen officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Medaryville Assembly of God Church.

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

Reece J. McGee

October 9, 1929 to January 20, 2021

WINAMAC - Reece J. McGee, 91, of Lafayette (formerly of Francesville), passed away Wednesday, Jan. 20, at The Springs at Lafayette.

He was born Oct. 9, 1929 in St. Paul, MN to the late Reece J. and Vivian J. McGee. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1952, a master’s in 1953, and a PhD in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On Dec. 2, 1978, he married Sharron A. Onken in Winamac. She preceded him in death on Oct. 26, 2011.

He is survived by:
Kaelin McGee Shipley, West Lafayette, Daughter
Reece Jon (Stacie) McGee, San Marcos, TX, Son
Shanna Beth McGee, Cleveland Heights, OH, Daughter
Lisa A. (Shaker) Cavness Hites, Monon, Step-Daughter
Lydia L. (Tim) Cavness Mounce, Francesville, Step-Daughter
Katy Hites, Mocksville, NC, Granddaughter
Sarah Watts, Brooklet, GA, Granddaughter
Kate Richey, (Sam) Rockford, IL, Granddaughter
Christina R Cassidy (Sean), Nashville,TN, Granddaughter
Jacob R McGee, Waco, TX, Grandson
Hannah McGee, Rohnert Park, CA, Granddaughter
Haley Clark, (John) Westport, Step-Granddaughter
Heath Mounce, Carmel, Step-Grandson
8 Step-Great-Grandchildren

Dr. McGee was a retired professor of sociology from Purdue University. He spent his entire professional life in higher education, which he dearly loved. His first academic job was at Humboldt State College in California in the fall of 1956. A year later, he joined the sociology department at the University of Texas where he was an assistant professor from 1957 to 1961 and an associate professor from 1961 to 1964. He later accepted an offer from Purdue University’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology, where he spent the next 28 years as a full professor. He was head of the department from 1987 to 1992 and retired in 1995. As one of only two people ever designated a master teacher at Purdue, he taught large classes of introductory sociology (classes that were so engaging they were broadcast on Purdue’s public radio station). In 1995, Purdue’s School of Liberal Arts granted him its award for educational excellence, and a year later, Purdue’s board of trustees created the Reece McGee Distinguished Professorship. In 1999, Dr. McGee was in the first class of professors to be honored in Purdue’s “Book of Great Teachers.”

Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville. The American Legion will provide military graveside services.

Memorial donations in Reece and Sharron McGee’s name may be made to the media center at West Central School Corporation, 1850 S. US 42. PO Box 578, Francesville, IN 47946.

Arrangements entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Thomas S. Capper

September 1, 1941 to January 17, 2021

ROYAL CENTER - Thomas S. Capper, 79, of Winamac passed away peacefully at 3:35 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 17, at his home, surrounded by family.

Born Sept.1, 1941 in Logansport, he was the son of the late John S. Jr. and Romaine Tiffany Capper. He was a 1959 Star City High School graduate and a 1963 Purdue University graduate. On June 2, 1962 he married Tressa Sayers. She survives.

Survivors also include daughter Tammy (Tom) Halleck of Star City; son Chad Capper of Ft. Wayne; brothers-in-law, Ed (Mary) Sayers of Winamac and Elston (Andrea) Sayers of Bedford; sister-in-law Linda Kroft of Winamac; grandchildren, Tiffany (Evan) Howe, Taylor (Grant) White, Tabby (Anthony) Chapman, Brendan Elder, and Rylan Capper; and great-grandchildren Asher, Canaan, and Reagan Howe, Hadley and Mila White. Another great-grandchild is expected in April.

He was also preceded in death by brother John “Jack” Capper III and sisters Betty Ley, Virginia Kinsel, and Marilyn Heinsen.

Mr. Capper was a farmer and a district seed salesman for over 30 years. Within the community, he was a member and youth leader of Star City United Methodist Church, a Pulaski County 4-H leader and livestock judge, and a former Little League and Babe Ruth coach. He was a diehard Purdue fan and part of the John Purdue Club. He enjoyed traveling, going to Cubs and Purdue games, and most of all spending time with family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 22, at the Star City United Methodist Church; and also from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday. A private service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 23, at the church with Pastor Chris Kosary officiating. The service will also be live streamed at starcityumc.com. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Star City United Methodist Church and/or the IU Methodist Transplant Team.

Mr. Capper’s online guestbook is available and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Royal Center.

Donna J. Antrim Straka Clark

September 15, 1931 to January 20, 2021

WINAMAC - Donna Joy Antrim Straka Clark, 89, of Warsaw (formerly of Winamac), passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 20, at home.

She was born Sept. 15, 1931 in Francesville to the late Russell Lester and Olive Rice Leach. In 1952, she married Dean Antrim and they had four children together. In 1970, she married Danny Straka, and they were the owners of Garden Beauty by Straka in Winamac. Both husbands preceded her in death.

She is survived by:
Michael Clark, Warsaw, Husband
Sheila Wilson, Warsaw, Daughter
Jeff (Pam) Antrim, Francesville, Son
Russell (Chris) Antrim, Bass Lake, Son
Kevin (Kim) Antrim, Rochester, Son
21 Grandchildren: Rhonda, Johna, Mary Helen, Phillip, Stephen (Jennifer), Christopher (Kerri), Jakim (Meagan), Michael (Lauren), Angela, Ericka (Daniel), Nathan, Ashley (Alex), Nicholas, Michael, Stormie (Miguel), Henry (Krystal), Russ, Brian, Bradley (Venus), Brianna, and Bethany
42 Great-Grandchildren
1 Great-Great-Granddaughter
Alice Leach, Kokomo, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Johnny Antrim, Son
Fred Wilson, Son-in-law
James Antrim, Grandson
Abram Rivera, Infant Great-Grandson
Russell Lester Leach Jr., Brother

Mrs. Clark was a devoted Christian woman and a member of the Fellowship Ruwm Church in Warsaw. She was an avid gardener. She liked to attend her grandchildren’s ski shows on Hidden Lake in Warsaw. She loved her family very much and especially enjoyed watching all of her grandchildren grow up. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A private funeral service will be held at the funeral home with Pastor Tom Dewlen officiating. Private burial be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to Mission 61.

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