Obituaries

Edith M. Watkins Slentz

May 15, 1939 to March 7, 2024

ROYAL CENTER - Edith Marie (Watkins) Slentz, 84 of Royal Center, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 7, at her home surrounded by her family.

Born May 15, 1939 in Warren County, she was the daughter of the late Jesse L. and L. Maxine (Scarlett) Watkins. On Jan. 25, 1959, she married Walter E. Slentz. He survives.

Edith Slentz

Survivors also include her daughter Julia L. Fuller of Royal Center, and son Kevin D. (Deanna) Slentz of Monticello; brother Maurice E. (Eiko) Watkins of Georgia, and sister Jean Ensinger of Stockwell; grandchildren Daniel Waters, Christina Waters Odom, Jacob Waters, Jessica Waters, Rebecca Waters Leach, Michelle Slentz Belcher, Walter Waters and Christopher Slentz. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by two great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Slentz was an educator and a lifelong student. She received her bachelor's degree in three years, retiring in 2001 with a master's degree and 31 credit hours beyond it. For 30 years, she enjoyed teaching Kindergarten second, fourth and fifth grades, plus sixth-grade math at Eastern Pulaski School Corporation.  She received many awards for excellence in teaching during her career. She was a member of John Purdue Club of Cass County, she decorated for the Purdue Alumni banquet and for several years she participated in the Purdue Alumni Club's Reality Store. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, walking the beach and taking care of her flowers. She was very active in giving her time and talents tutoring children, working with Food Finders, and participating in the Logansport BackPack Program providing school supplies to students. She especially cherished her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 16, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center.  Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. A graveside service will be at 3 pm., Saturday, at Davis-Kochert Cemetery at Greenhill in Warren County.

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

Mark E. Stout

February 13, 1952 to March 2, 2024

WINAMAC - Mark E. Stout, 72, of Star City, passed away at 4:38 p.m., Saturday, March 2, at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne.

He was born Feb. 13, 1952 in rural Winamac to the late Burl and Fern [Roberts] Stout. He graduated from West Central High School in 1970. On Nov. 17, 1973, he married Sharron L. “Sherry” Korner. She survives.

Mark Stout

Survivors also include:
Ryan (fiancé Ana Barraza) Stout, Rancho, CA, Son
Sean (fiancé Melissa Humphrey) Stout, Star City, Son
Tricia Lowry, Kewanna, Daughter-in-law
Andrew Risner, Grandson
Magdalen Stout, Granddaughter
Cooper Stout, Grandson
Kori Stout, Granddaughter
Lovilla Tetzloff, Howe, Sister
Leroy (Maggie) Stout, Star City, Brother
Carol Pinks, Winamac, Sister
Devon Stout, Star City, Brother
Carol Stout, Crawfordsville, Sister-in-law
Jim Dunkel, LaGrange, Brother-in-law
Kathy (Kirk) Good, Tyler, TX, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Robert and Mary [McClure] Korner, In-laws
Arnold Lavon Stout, Brother
Darlene Kay (Charles) Stout, Sister
Ruth Elaine (Bill) Oliver, Sister
Lowell Thomas Stout, Brother
Roberta Jo (Don) Johns, Sister
Shirley Fay Dunkel, Sister
George Burley (Edris) Stout, Brother
Charles Pinks, Brother-in-law
Hugh Tetzloff, Brother-in-law
Bonnie Stout, Sister-in-law
Michael Jones, Nephew
Leroy (Wanda) Stout Jr., Nephew
Douglas Stout, Nephew

Mr. Stout worked at Galbreath Inc. for 49 years where he made a lot of friendships over the years. He worked hard his entire life and was a talented welder. He had previously worked at US Steel, A & A Sheet Metal, and FRATCO. He attended Heartland Church in Winamac. He was an avid Mopar enthusiast and a dog lover (especially Belle). He enjoyed being outdoors, especially mowing the lawn, fishing on Fletcher Lake and working on his old Buick. He also enjoyed woodworking. He was a loving husband and devoted dad. He supported his grandkids in all that they did. He greatly enjoyed family reunions. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 7, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, March 8, at Heartland Church in Winamac, with Pastor Heath Hiatt officiating. Burial will be at Koster Cemetery in Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Animal Center or Warrior Youth Baseball or Star City Lions Club.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com

Mary "Deb" Coble

June 20, 1953 to March 2, 2024

WINAMAC - Mary “Deb” Coble, 70, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, March 2, at home surrounded by her family following a brave battle with cancer.

She was born June 20, 1953 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to the late Arthur and Mary [O’Rourke] Chinery. In 1971, she graduated from Andrean High School in Gary, and moved to Winamac later that year.

Deb Coble

She is survived by:
Kellie (Brian) Ritchie, Anderson, Daughter
Michael (Dee) Coble, Winamac Son
Richard (Stephanie) Coble, Knox, Son
Elaine (Josh Huelat) Bacewic, Knox, Daughter
Robert (Brenda McIntosh) Coble, Winamac, Son
Grandchildren: Ashley Ritchie, Tyler Ritchie, Zoey Coble, Zane Coble, Zelda Coble,
Dalton Bacewic, Wyatt Bacewic, and Keagan Huelat.
Noel Coble, Ex-Husband

Preceded in death by:
Anne Marie Chinery, Sister

Mrs. Coble worked at Miller’s Department Store for short time, ran a daycare out of her home for several years, and worked at Eaton until it closed - which allowed her to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She worked full-time and raised three teenagers while attending nursing school at Ivy Tech. She graduated top of her class and began a career at Pulaski Memorial Hospital that ended in 2020 when she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She liked to take walks and travel to new places as well as going to movies and live music shows. She also enjoyed book club (even if she didn’t finish the book!). She loved Christmastime, bird watching, gardening and good food. She was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac where she served as a liturgical minister and was active in the Christian Mother’s. She was a former Girl Scout leader. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 8, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A scriptural wake service will follow at 8 p.m., at the funeral home, and then a nursing honor guard ceremony. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 9, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac, with Rev. Dennis Faker officiating. Private burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Portage.

Memorial donations may be made to The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

James O. Hahn

November 23, 1940 to March 2, 2024

WINAMAC - James Oliver ”Jim” Hahn, 83, of Culver (formerly of Crete, IL and DeMotte), passed away Saturday, March 2, at the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka, following a hard-fought battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

He was born Nov. 23, 1940 in Chicago Heights, IL to the late Elmer Arnold and Marie Catherine [Gunther] Hahn. He was a 1958 graduate of Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959 and served three years of active duty in the U. S. Army Signal Corps. He was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve, and after faithfully serving his country, he received an honorable discharge on May 20, 1968. On Sept. 14, 1963, he married Charlotte Ann “Shotsie” Grimes, in Steger, IL. She survives.

Jim Hahn

He is also survived by:
Timothy (Jeanne) Hahn, Cary, NC, Son
Jeff Hahn, Durham, NC, Grandson
Dylan Hahn, Durham, NC, Grandson
Judith Hahn, Lisle, IL, Sister
William Hahn, Park Forest, IL, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Tom Hahn, Brother

It was during Mr. Hahn’s time in the Signal Corps that he learned the trade of information technology which would become his life’s work. He had a distinguished 33-year career at NIPSCO and retired as the director of information technology. He was a longtime board member and past-president of the NIPSCO Federal Credit Union. After retirement, he worked as a consultant for several small businesses. He and his wife enjoyed traveling together, notably visiting all 50 states and six continents (missing Antarctica). Their love for each other remained steadfast until the end. He was a man of Christian faith and a devoted member of the St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Culver. His passion for woodworking together with his devotion to serving the Lord led him to undertake a very special project for his parish church. He lovingly created the beautiful wooden frames for the Stations of the Cross and two wooden candle holders for the altar. He was always active in the Culver community. He was a member of the Maxinkuckee Yacht Club and Culver Lions Club. He served on the Culver Union Township Library Board as a board member and past-president. He enjoyed leisure time on Lake Maxinkuckee, as well as spending time with his friends in the ROMEO Club and at Wine Time events. He also enjoyed building and collecting garden scale trains. He was an avid sports fan and supported Notre Dame Football and Notre Dame Girls Basketball, as well as the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered for his infectious laugh and great stories.

A Lions memorial service will be at 9:30 a.m., Friday, April 12, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Culver, and will be followed by the praying of the rosary. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., (Friday, April 12), at the church in Culver with Rev. Stephen Felicichia officiating. Private burial will take place at a later date at the Momence Cemetery in Momence, IL.

Memorial donations may be made to Center for Hospice Care, Culver Lions Club, or St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

S. Paul Meyer

August 30, 1939 to March 1, 2024

WINAMAC - S. Paul Meyer, 84, of Winamac, passed away Friday, March 1, at Hickory Creek in Winamac.

He was born Aug. 30, 1939 in rural Pulaski County to the late Sylvester William and Margaret Ilene [Kline] Meyer. He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1957. He married Janice C. Braun on May 7, 1960 in Winamac. She survives.

Paul Meyer

He is also survived by:
Kimberly A. (Robert “Bob”) Daily, Kewanna, Daughter
Marie A. (Doug) Roth, Winamac, Granddaughter
David A. (Jennifer) Meyer, Star City, Grandson
Daniel P. (Stephanie) Meyer, Star City, Grandson
Heather K. (Austin) Clark, Winamac, Granddaughter
Cassandra M. (Bronson Monical) Hanson, Fulton, Granddaughter
Great-grandchildren: Brody M. Roth, Cash M. Roth, Grace K. Roth, Hannah M. Meyer, and Lydia G. Meyer.
Step-great-grandchildren: Brock A. (Libby) Guzman, Adam N. (Morgan) Wallace, and Riley W. (Melissa Bradley) Shafer.
Linda (Rick) Rausch, Anderson, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Randy J. Meyer, Son
Katherine J. Meyer, Daughter
Dora (Bob) Fisher, Sister
Tony Meyer, Brother

Fondly known as the “Gas Man,” Mr. Meyer delivered fuel to local farmers for over 30 years. He was a talented woodworker and made numerous birdhouses over the years. Paul and Janice loved spending summer weekends at Foxwood Hills in Middlebury. They enjoyed taking their grandchildren on vacations. He was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski and formerly served on the parish council. He was a charter member and past treasurer of the Star City Lions Club. He previously served on the Pulaski/White Rural Telephone Cooperative Board and Pulaski County Council. He was a legendary storyteller. Whether it was telling jokes around the campfire or just spinning a yarn in public, he never met a stranger. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor and friendly demeanor.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. A Lions memorial service will follow at 1:30 p.m., plus the praying of the rosary. The funeral mass will then be at 2 p.m. (Tuesday, March 5), at the church with Rev. Dennis Faker officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West in Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pulaski Animal Center or Star City Lions Club.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Dean E. Allen

March 23, 1945 — February 27, 2024

ROYAL CENTER - Dean E. Allen, 78, of Star City, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 27, at his vacation home at the Turtle Flambeau Flowage in Butternut, Wis.

He was born March 23, 1945, the son of Ralph and Lena Allen, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara (Chambers) Allen.

Dean Allen

He is survived by his children Jim (Chandra Allen of Cloquet, MN, Janette (Chris) Moore of Wabash, and Anita (Nate) Caskey of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren Elizabeth (Moore) Wickware, Isaiah Wickware, Jordan Allen, Amelia Allen, Madeline Moore, Gage Allen, Ellis Allen, Preston Moore, Piper Caskey, Malin Caskey and Fletcher Caskey. He is also survived by his exchange student son Antonio Ruis (Patricia) Risueno and their children Luna and Antonio of Madrid, Spain. He is also survived by his brothers Tim (Cris) Allen, Tom (Becky) Allen and sister-in-law Shelia Allen, as well as numerous, loving nieces and nephews and their families.

He is preceded in death by his in-laws Harold and Dorothy Jane Chambers, and his brother Richard Allen.

Mr. Allen, a retired farmer, was a graduate of Star City High School and Purdue University where he earned a degree in agricultural engineering.  He also proudly served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Throughout his life he was involved in a multitude of organizations and activities resulting in lifelong friendships. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, serving as the co-founder of the AGR Ag Rep program and co-creator of the infamous AGR Barnyard Brawl at the Purdue University chapter.  He was also a longstanding member of the Odd Fellows of Winamac. He formerly served as a school board member at the Pioneer Regional School Corporation and as a member of the Pulaski-White Rural Telephone Company.  He also enjoyed participating in a trap shooting league in Wisconsin.

His life was rich with love and laughter, centered around his family and friends (and fishing). He found great joy in the simple pleasures of life, including fishing, delving into the pages of a good book, creating ‘farm-fixes,’ exploring new destinations, and most of all, spending quality time with his loved ones and watching his grandchildren grow. His memory will forever be treasured by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His love, wisdom, and stories will continue to resonate through the lives of his grandchildren. His warm smile, gentle demeanor, infectious laugh and zest for life will be deeply missed.

Two celebrations of life are planned in places Mr. Allen loved: the family farm in Indiana and his fishing grounds in Wisconsin. Family and friends are invited to celebrate him at the Allen Family Farm in Star City on Saturday, April 20 beginning at 12 noon. A memorial neighborhood “board meeting” will occur at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6, at The Midway near the Turtle Flambeau Flowage in Butternut, Wis. 

Memorial donations may be made to Star City Volunteer Fire Department, Town of Mercer Volunteer Fire Department - Station 24, Pulaski Fest-A-Mill (Pulaski Christmas Lights) or the Mayo Clinic.

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