Obituaries

Christian Welker

September 21, 1929 to December 6, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Christian “Chris” Welker, 91, of Francesville, passed away peacefully Sunday, Dec. 6, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

He was born Sept. 21, 1929 in Cervenka, Yugoslavia to the late Ludwig and Luisa Koch Welker.

He is survived by:
Luisa Welker Bratt, Warrenton, MO, Sister
Julie Welker Bauman, Mansfield, OH, Sister
Hilda Welker Gutwein, Bluffton, Sister
Gertrude “Trudi” Gischka Welker, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Christl Nahrath, Niece
Luisa Jordan, Niece
Ron (Marie) Baumann, Nephew
Dawn (Jim) Kazmierzak, Niece
Gery (Mary) Welker, Nephew
Norman (Lynn) Welker, Nephew

Preceded in death by:
Ludwig Welker, Brother
Konrad Welker, Brother
Gisela (Adam) Welker Roth, Sister
Eduard Welker, Brother
Eddie Bratt, Brother-in-law
Jacob Bauman, Brother-in-law
Erven Gutwein, Brother-in-law

Mr. Welker and his family were forced out of their homeland in 1944. They not only lost their home and properties, but they lost Ludwig and Konrad (Chris’s brothers) as a result of World War II. The Welker family lived as refugees in Austria until they moved to the U.S. in 1951. Mr. Welker was a mechanic in his younger days and spent most of his life as a farmer; having farmed in Missouri, Iowa, and Indiana. He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville. He was a loving brother and uncle who will be dearly missed.

A private funeral service will be held at the Apostolic Christian Church in Francesville with ministers of the church officiating. Private burial be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Humanitarian Distribution Center.

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

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

Patricia Branson

August 5, 1934 to November 26, 2020

ROYAL CENTER - Patricia “Pat” Branson, 86, of Winamac passed away at 6:33 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 26, at Pulaski Healthcare Center, Winamac.

Born Aug. 5, 1934 in Kewanna, she was the daughter of the late Lovell and Frances Engle Hurlburt. She married Carl Branson on May 24, 1952 in Kewanna Church of Christ.  He preceded her in death on June 29, 2009.

She is survived by her son, Terry (Tammy) Branson of New Jersey; brother, Chester Hurlburt of Texas; grandchildren, Dana Gilbert of Winamac, Robert (Samantha) Bruce of Star City and Ryan (Christina) Branson of New Jersey; and great-grandchildren, Dylan, Haylee, Danny, Lauren and Mila.

She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Vickie Bruce; son, Carl Wayne Branson; brothers, Phillip Blaine Hurlburt and Kenneth Wayne Hurlburt; and sister, Catherine Wright.

Mrs. Branson formerly owned and operated the Lions Den Restaurant at Bruce Lake for over 15 years. She was a former member of the Griffith 1st Christian Church and the American Legion #66 Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed bowling, bingo and going to the casinos.

Services will be at 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Royal Center with visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.  Minister Joshua Rude will officiate. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bruce Lake.

Mrs. Branson’s online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Donald R. Rausch

June 22, 1946 to December 4, 2020

ROYAL CENTER - Donald Richard Rausch, 74, of Winamac passed away unexpectedly at 9:11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 4, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

He was born June 22, 1946, the son of Casper Christian “Cap” and Frances Elizabeth Reidelbach Rausch. He briefly attended St. Joseph College before pursuing what came natural to him, farming. He was innovative, determined, hardworking and somewhat of a gambler, of course, but he always managed to tend a crop come rain or come shine and spent the last 54 harvests in a combine.

He is survived by his best friend and partner Beulah ‘Bea’ Braun and her three sons Thomas, Charles (Brittney), and Lucas (JoAnna); son Tim (Melissa) Ritchie; daughter Jody (Josiah) Klinedinst; sisters, Carolyn (Ken) Harpole and Deborah (Mark) Moss; brother Robert (Maureen Callahan) Rausch; several grandchildren, a great-grandchild; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Theodore Rausch, and Lois Vollmer who was like a daughter to him.

In addition to farming, Mr. Rausch was a “grease monkey,” an avid hunter, card player, sports fan and enjoyed tractor pulls. His passion and favorite past time was racing. All roads led to the race track where he racked up the points year-in and year-out winning King of the Hill and Ironman at his favorite drag strip. Competitive spirit notwithstanding, it was the comraderyand friendships he collected that mattered most. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Royal Order of Moose Lodge 3000, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Elk’s Warsaw Lodge #802, NRA and IHRA Motorsports. A consummate good time and source of strength, his presence will be missed!

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20, at Rans Funeral Home, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center. A private family funeral mass will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Winamac. Burial will be at Franklin Township Cemetery at a later date.

Per Mr. Rausch’s wishes, a celebration of life event will be held at the Eagles Lodge, where the last drink will be on Don, at a later date.

Brent Aguirre

June 12, 1981 to November 24, 2020

WINAMAC - Brent Aguirre, 39, of Texas (formerly of Indiana) passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Nov. 24.

He was born June 12, 1981 to Freddy Y. and Rhonda Munsey Aguirre.

He is survived by:
Madison Aguirre, Daughter
Rhonda Munsey Aguirre, Mother
April Aguirre Gagliardi, Sister
Kilee Jo Aguirre, Sister
Sophia Aguirre, Sister
1 Nephew: Carmine
2 Nieces: Ariel and Zeniah
Madison’s Mother: Michelle
Grandma Victoria Camacho
Many More Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Freddy Y. Aguirre, Father

Mr. Aguirre was an ambitious and outgoing man. He was a hard worker no matter what he was doing. Most of all, he was a loving father, son, and brother. He will be sadly missed.

Arrangements are pending at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist with final expenses.

Duane C. Earhart

February 26, 1959 to November 30, 2020

WINAMAC - Duane Carl Earhart (Duck), 61, of New Richmond, WI passed away at 4:44 p.m., Monday, Nov. 30, at Westfields Hospital in Wisconsin.

He was born Feb. 26, 1959 in Winamac, to the late Lestel LaGene and Denise Alva Dommer Earhart. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1979. 

He is survived by his sisters Penny (Tom) Saltsman of Winamac, and Brenda (Bob) Lanham of Gosport; brothers: Randy (Jeanne) Earhart of Valparaiso and Kerry Earhart of Indianapolis; his roommate Dennis Robinson; three nieces Shauna, Sheena and Katrina, three nephews Jeremy, Jason and Anthony;  three Aunts Roselyn Budd Clark, Carolyn (Howard) Gordon and Delores Albee.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents. 

Mr. Earhart was known as a hard worker. At age 16, he began working at Colonial Inn Restaurant in Winamac. He moved to Wisconsin in 1985 where he worked at TA Truck stop/restaurant. He worked at North States in Siren, Philips and 3M factories in Wisconsin. He was a laborer and became a working supervisor (line lead). He retired after working 28 years at 3M. He enjoyed going to casinos and their buffets. He loved landscaping at his home, cooking, and watching soap opera (Days of our Lives). He loved Christmas decorating and watching Hallmark Christmas movies. He was a collector of Elvis memorabilia. With his family, he enjoyed eating Pizza King (BBQ pizza) and playing cards and board games. He really enjoyed spending time with all his dogs (Max, Snowball, Gismo, Chong, Cheech). He loved to tease his sister Penny on her birthday. He was a godfather to Katrina (Earhart) Westfall. He loved his family and friends very much, especially spending time with his siblings. He will be dearly missed.

A private graveside service and burial will take place at Koster Cemetery in rural Francesville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the donor’s favorite charity.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

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

Richard H. Thompson Jr.

July 5, 1978 to November 30, 2020

WINAMAC - Richard Henry “Richie” Thompson Jr., 42, of North Hollywood, CA (formerly of Ora) passed away Monday, Nov. 30, at his home.

He was born July 5, 1978 in Knox, to the late Richard Henry and Mary Louise (Halicki) Thompson Sr. He graduated from Culver Community High School in 1997 and Purdue University in 2001.

He is survived by:
Cindy (Dean) Poort, Peotone, IL, Sister
Brenda (James) Broeker, Ora, Sister
Bill (Tammy) Thompson, Ora, Brother
Jay (Angie) Thompson, Ora, Brother
Cody Poort, Nephew
Scott Poort, Nephew
Megan (Lincoln) Whisman, Niece
Blake Thompson, Nephew
Sydney Thompson, Niece
Ellie Thompson, Niece
Mason Thompson, Nephew

Preceded in death by:
Michael Richard Thompson, Brother

Mr. Thompson worked for Barnes and Noble for many years. Although he has been confined to a wheelchair since he was 12 years old, he never let it keep him from achieving big things - he completed college, worked hard, and visited many parts of the country. He was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

A graveside service will be held at a later date, followed by burial at Alexander Heinemann Memorial Cemetery in Ora.

Memorial donations may be made to IU Health Riley Hospital for Children or Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.