Obituaries

Shirley J. Hettinger

December 4, 1935 to November 23, 2023

WINAMAC - Shirley J. Hettinger, 87, of Winamac, passed away Thursday, Nov. 23, at Hickory Creek in Winamac.

She was born Dec. 4, 1935 in McClure, OH, the youngest of three daughters born to the late Rev. Arthur and Lera [Kinder] Wenner. The family made their home in several Ohio communities as they followed Rev. Wenner’s pastoral duties. In the early 1950s, the family settled in Royal Center. Shirley met Paul E. Hettinger of Star City after his return from service in the U.S. Navy. They wed on June 26, 1954 in Winamac. He survives.

Shirley Hettinger

She is also survived by:
Lera (Paul) Mayer, Winamac, Daughter
Paul A. (Michelle) Hettinger, Winamac, Son
Shirley Good, Winamac, Granddaughter
David (Jenny) Mayer, Valparaiso, Grandson
Paul T. (Mary) Hettinger, St. Louis, MO, Grandson
Kyle Hettinger, Winamac, Grandson
Miranda “Mandi” Hettinger, Winamac, Granddaughter
Great-Grandchildren: Lera (Jax) Jewell, Caleb Good, Aliya Mayer, Noah Mayer, and Mason Hettinger.
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Mona Shumaker, Sister
Meredith Dewitt, Sister

Mrs. Hettinger was a current member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Winamac. Through the years, she was active in various area churches where she taught Bible School, played the piano, sang in the choir, and led youth group. She enjoyed spreading the Gospel and attending tent revivals. She was a proud homemaker who loved cooking, baking, and sewing as well as being a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was also a very successful Avon representative in the 1970s. She loved animals, especially cats and kittens. She was a devoted volunteer at the Pulaski Health Care Center and Hickory Creek for many years. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Private services will be held at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Private burial will be at Bell Center Cemetery in Bell Center, IN.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center or the Pulaski County Public Library.

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

 

Marsha A. Flagg

August 7, 1953 to November 22, 2023

 Marsha Flagg

KNOX - Marsha Ann Flagg, 70, of Ora, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 22.

She was born Aug. 7, 1953, in Columbus, Ohio to Edward and Barbara Moore, both deceased. On April 14, 1972, she married Alex Flagg, He survives.

Also surviving are her children, Carey Ann Flagg, and Johnathan William Flagg, both of Ora; brothers and sisters, Robert Moore of Monterey, Edward Moore of Winamac, Timothy Moore of Monterey, Cindy Tijerina of Portage, and Connie Henson of East Bernstadt, KY; grandchildren, Breann Milam, Alexis Grove and Bobbi-Alanna Flagg, and great-grandchildren, Damien Walker, Murfi Linhart, Alic Burkett and Daisy Linhart.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Sabrina Lynn Milam and a brother Christopher Moore.

Mrs. Flagg earned an associate’s degree in accounting, but loved being a homemaker, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Private graveside services will take place at Alexander Heinemann Cemetery in Ora.

Arrangements have been entrusted to M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox.

 

Chloee R. Compton

December 30, 2008 to November 21, 2023

FRANCESVILLE - Chloee Rose Compton, 14, of Medaryville, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Nov. 21.

She was born Dec. 30, 2008 in Hobart. She was a freshman at West Central High School, and active in the school choir and enjoyed cooking class.

Chloee Compton

She is survived by:
Donna Ellen (Michael) Compton-Grinnell, Mother
Jason Lee Compton Sr., Father
Jason Lee Compton Jr., Brother
Faith Ann Compton, Sister
Bradley James “BB” Compton, Brother
Deborah L. Bradley, Maternal Grandmother
James M. (Ellen) Hickman, Maternal Grandfather
Carolyn D. Gentry, Paternal Grandmother
Rose M. Bradley, Maternal Great-Grandmother
James F. (Kathryn) Hickman, Maternal Great-Grandparents
Jennifer M. Hickman, Maternal Aunt
Kimberly A. Hickman, Maternal Aunt
Lenard L. Gentry, Paternal Great-Uncle
Michael G. Gentry, Paternal Great-Uncle
Teresa L. (Stephen) March, Paternal Great-Aunt
Janet J. Muller, Paternal Great-Aunt
Many Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Randy Lee Compton, Paternal Grandfather
Robert Donald Bradley, Maternal Great-Grandfather
James (Faye) Gentry, Paternal Great-Grandparents
Clara Gentry, Paternal Great-Aunt
Anthony A. Gentry, Paternal Great-Uncle

Chloee was an avid reader and loved to draw and go to the beach. She was a great big sister and a helpful, loving daughter.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m., (Dec. 2) at the funeral home with Pastors Tom Dewlen and Mark Promnitz officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

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

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

 

William Watts

January 31, 1937 to November 14, 2023

WINAMAC - William “Bill” Watts, 86, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Northwest Health Hospital in LaPorte.

He was born Jan. 31, 1937 in Royal Center, to the late Russell Dale and Genevieve Opal “Jerry” {Reinholt] Watts. He married Rosemary Catherine Hawkey on Aug. 5, 1966. She passed away Jan. 8, 2015.

Bill Watts

He is survived by:
Tammy (Jim) Button, Winamac, Daughter
John (Melissa) Watts, Winamac, Son
Grandchildren: Tommy Prophet, Shaun Prophet, Shawn Burns, Derrick Burns, Stephanie Burns, Richie Brown, Amber (Jacob Green) Watts, Nikki (Andrew Short) Watts and Dylan (Madison Arvin) Brown.
5 Great-Grandchildren
Richard “Dick” (Shirley) Watts, Buffalo, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Thomas Prophet, Son
Shelby Watts, Granddaughter
Judy (Ed) Marcinkowski, Sister

Mr. Watts worked at Von Tobel’s in Winamac until it closed and then went to work at Broken Arrow Campground in Winamac. He was a former member of the Winamac FOE #2580 and Pulaski County REACT. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and going to Shady Hill. He also enjoyed collecting recipes. He was a master story teller – especially the one where he roller-skated (with his brother Dick and their friend Bill Murray) from Logansport to Indianapolis to go to the Indy 500. He loved his family very much, especially his great-grandchildren, Madysen and Hunter. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 20, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Riverbank Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

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

 

Howard W. Hollenbaugh

August 24, 1924 to November 8, 2023

WINAMAC - Howard Wilburn Hollenbaugh, 99, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Plymouth.

He was born Aug. 24, 1924 in Gary, to the late George and Ora [Thompson] Hollenbaugh. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as an infantry rifleman.

Howard Hollenbaugh

He is survived by:
Jerry (Alice) Hollenbaugh, Son
Penny (Jeff) Taylor, Daughter
Scot (Pam) Hollenbaugh, Son
Nona (Jason) Jarman, Granddaughter
Lauren (Brian) Castleberry, Granddaughter
Julia (Lewis) Prebble, Granddaughter
Susan (Bryan) Harasty, Granddaughter
Hayden (Erin) Hollenbaugh, Grandson
Jordan Hollenbaugh, Grandson
10 Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Barbara [Rhynearson] Hollenbaugh, First Wife
Betty [Davis] Hollenbaugh, Second Wife
3 Siblings

Mr. Hollenbaugh retired from US Steel in 1975. He taught welding at El-Tip-Wa and retired in 1989. He had a love of old cars and belonged to the Winamac Old Auto Club for many years. He also loved to play the piano. His family was the pride of his life, and he leaves behind his legacy in all of their lives. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. (Thursday), at the funeral home. Burial be at Winamac Cemetery (Southlawn Addition) in Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Breast Cancer Society.

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

 

Sharon K. Calabrese-Shanks

February 7, 1946 to November 7, 2023

WINAMAC - Sharon Kay Calabrese-Shanks, 77, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Northwest Health Porter Hospital in Valparaiso.

She was born Feb. 7, 1946 in LaPorte, to the late Byron and Emma [Fry] Hazlett, and was raised in the North Judson area. She married her high school sweetheart, Rocco J. Calabrese, in 1964 and they had eight children. He passed away unexpectedly in 1979.

Sharon Calabrese

She is survived by:
Carmen Paul (Corrina) Calabrese, Rockwall, TX, Son
Regina M. Calabrese, Winamac, Daughter
Christina A. (Jason) Fritz, Ennis, TX, Daughter
Anthony M. (Dorinda) Calabrese, Winamac, Son
Domenick G. (Tiffany) Calabrese, Indianapolis, Son
Frank A. Calabrese, Winamac, Son
Ralph M. (Tennille) Calabrese, Winamac, Son
16 Grandchildren
Audrey Hernandez, Sister
Deborah (Javier) Silva, Sister
Michael Hazlett, Brother
Janet Reiss, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Rocco Joseph Calabrese, Son
Cameron Calabrese, Grandson

Mrs. Calabrese-Shanks was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac where she taught CCD and was active with the Christian Mother’s organization. She lived in Rockwall, TX for nearly two decades before returning to Winamac in 2020. She was a devoted wife and mother, as well as a beloved grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in memory of Sharon via www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

 

Ivanka Vucic

February 12, 1973 to November 6, 2023

Ivanka Vucic

WHEATFIELD - Ivanka Vucic, 50, of Francesville, passed away Monday, Nov. 6.

She was born Feb. 12, 1973, to Ivan and Mary (Barunica) Vucic in East Chicago, IN.

She is survived by her parents, sister: Angela (Arturo) McDaniel, niece: Faith (Aaron) Maxwell, and nephew: Alex Cruz, and friend: Adam Kuss.

Ms. Vucic worked with Healthy Families in Jasper County as a secretary. She liked to collect Breyer Model horses, enjoyed camping, and loved her horses, cats and dogs. Her nieces and nephews said she made the best lasagna in the world.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 until 4 p.m. (ET) Wednesday, Nov. 15,  at Boersma Funeral Home, Wheatfield. Services will follow at 4 p.m. (ET) at the funeral home.