Obituaries

Herman R. Hayes

April 28, 1942 to November 30, 2019

WINAMAC - Herman Rogers Hayes, 77, of Winamac (formerly of North Judson), died Saturday morning Nov. 30, at his home.

He was born April 28, 1942 in Knox, to the late Fred O. and Maude L. Scott Hayes. He married Ruth P. Rowe on Oct. 11, 1965, in Colorado Springs, CO. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Roger of Semmes, AL and James of North Judson; one daughter, Valerie (Craig) Jones of Winamac; 11 grandchildren, including a very special grandson, Thomas Clemons of Semmes, AL; and 21 great-grandchildren, including two very special ones, Willow and Zayla.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Freda Reading; and six brothers, Russell, Eddie, Richard, Fred, Jim and Floyd.

Mr. Hayes retired after 40 years from Casting Services of LaPorte. He served in the U.S. Army from 1963-1970 during the Vietnam War. He was a collector of belt buckles and enjoyed mowing yards. He always helped others and will be sadly missed.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral with Pastor Mark Pilger officiating. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in LaCrosse. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with funeral expenses, or to the First Baptist Church of Winamac.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

Larry S. Tanner

October 7, 1939 to November 26, 2019

MEDARYVILLE - Larry Stewart Tanner, 80, of Medaryville, passed away, surrounded by his family, at 8:55 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, at IU Health Arnett in Lafayette.

He was born Oct. 7, 1939, in Winamac, to the late Floyd and Lillian Stewart Tanner. In 1957, he graduated from Medarvyille High School. He volunteered and served in the U.S. Army for eight years. He married Beverly Rater on March 15, 1958, at the Medaryville Christian Church. She survives.

Survivors also include:
Carrie Lynn (Roger) Mummert, Dayton, OH, Daughter
Gregg Eugene (Raula) Tanner, Terre Haute, Son
Brian (Janet) Spencer, Grandson
Courtney (Jon) Wolfe, Granddaughter
Kevin Mummert, Grandson
Jennifer (Brian) Melton, Granddaughter
David Wright, Step-Grandson
7 Great-Grandchildren
Roger (Denice) Tanner, Francesville, Brother
Carol Jean Smallfelt, Indianapolis, Sister
Carol Tanner, Medaryville, Sister-in-law
Thelma Tanner, Medaryville, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Nathan Melton, Great-Grandson
Ralph Tanner, Brother
David Tanner , Brother

Mr. Tanner was a lifetime member of the Medaryville Christian Church. He was a welder at Bethlehem Steel in Burns Harbor, for 36 years. He enjoyed farming, carpentry, reading and helping anyone in need. He loved his family very much and will be dearly missed by all.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at the Medaryville Christian Church in Medaryville. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, at the church with Rev. Donald Nedza officiating. Burial will be at Bethlehem Cemetery in Medaryville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Medaryville Christian Church.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

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

Steven L. Fulmer

September 3, 1968 to November 29, 2019

WINGATE - Steven Lee Fulmer, 51, of Winamac, passed away at 2:10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac, following a courageous battle with Glioblastoma. 

He was born Sept. 3, 1968 in Rensselaer, son of the late Richard Eugene and Patricia Marie Hilton Fulmer. He was a 1987 graduate of West Central High School and soon after joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Operation Desert Storm. He was discharged with the rank of corporal. He married Trina Dawn Crist, Oct. 8, 1994 in Winamac. She survives.

Also surviving are sons Gavin (Destiny Crawford) Fulmer of Winamac and Cooper Fulmer at home; a brother, Eugene Fulmer of Indianapolis; sister Cathy (Scott) Vollmer of Francesville; and brother-in-law Dave Scott of  Winamac. Other survivors include his in-laws Wayne and Phyllis Crist of Winamac; sisters-in-law Tasha (Parish) Foerg of Arizona, Tiffany (Steve) Davis) of Indianapolis and Tennille Calabrese of Winamac. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Kim Scott.

Mr. Fulmer was employed the past nine years by Wastequip in Winamac as a sales representative. He twice earned ‘Salesman of the Year’ award. He was very customer service oriented and went out of his way to accommodate their needs. He was previously employed by Braun Corporation and Pentair-Krystil Klear. He was a proud Marine and served as past commander at the Winamac VFW Post 1728 where he was an active member. He enjoyed following his sons, Gavin as he played football at Anderson College and as a football coach at Winamac High School, and Cooper as he played football and basketball. He coached girls softball summer league for many years, and loved all sports. He was an avid fan of the Black Hawks, Redskins, Cubs, NASCAR with Bill Elliott his favorite driver. He enjoyed watching Notre Dame football, IU basketball, and his favorite college team was anyone playing Purdue!  Most of all, he loved his family, his VFW family and his dog Denver.

Visitation hours are 11a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at First Christian Church, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., Saturday, at the church with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating.  Burial will follow in McKinley Memorial Gardens, with military honors by VFW Post 1728. 

Memorial donations may be directed to Glioblastoma Reasearch or VFW Post 1728.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate.  Visit online at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guest book or leave a condolence.

Marjorie B. Thompson

September 4, 1923 to November 29, 2019

WINAMAC - Marjorie B. Thompson, 96, Winamac, passed away, surrounded by family, at 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at Hickory Creek Nursing Home in Winamac.

She was born Sept. 4, 1923 at the old Galbreath homestead along the Tippecanoe River, south of Winamac, to the late Frederick Walter and Emma Ellen Galbreath Brinker. She was a 1941 graduate of Winamac High School. She married Norman S. Thompson on June 8, 1941, and they celebrated 73 years of marriage before he passed away Oct. 31, 2014.

She is survived by:

Donald (Jean) Thompson, Winamac, Son
Larry (Jean) Thompson, Conyers, GA, Son
Richard (Denise) Thompson, Plano, TX, Son
June (Tom) Roth, Star City, Daughter
9 grandchildren: Angie Crawford, Tracy Brandenburg, Rebecca Riordan, Randy Thompson, Natalie Roth, Joe Roth, Kyle Roth, and Wyatt Roth.
16 great-grandchildren: Bekah and Abby Brandenburg, Alex, Margo and Hannah Riordan; Trevor Thompson and Victoria Coldiron; Aria and Owen Roth, Griffin, Holden, Cameron, and Finley Roth; Colin, Brodie, and Hensley Roth.
2 great-great-grandchildren: Macy and Leeland

She is preceded in death by:
Mildred Powers, Sister
Mary Ellen Cook, Sister
Donald Paul Brinker, Infant Brother
Jennifer Jo Thompson Terry, Granddaughter

Mrs. Thompson worked at United Telephone Company as a telephone operator after high school and then stayed home to raise her family. In 1964, she went to work at Winamac schools as a secretary for Lamoin Nice and Richard Irven. Later she became a secretary at Eastern Pulaski Elementary School until she retired in 1983. She always had a large garden and canned and preserved all of the extra produce that wasn't eaten. She loved working in her flower garden and was known for all of her beautiful flowers. She was a former member of the Monroe Modern Homemakers Extension Club. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Winamac. She and her husband traveled to Florida to their winter home for many years where she enjoyed getting together with their Winamac friends. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her dog Mitzi.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Seger officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to the First Christian Church or to the Pulaski Animal Center.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

Gerald E. Kruger

January 25, 1937 to November 22, 2019

MONON - Gerald E. Kruger, 82, of Francesville, passed away at 12:20 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, in Francesville as a result of an automobile accident.

He was born Jan. 25, 1937 in Francesville, to the late Everett Kruger and Edith Garling Kruger Tucker and was a 1954 graduate of Francesville High School. He was a lifelong resident of Francesville. His marriage of 63 years was to Carolyn Stoll. They married on July 7, 1956 at St. James United Church of Christ, Francesville. She survives.

Also surviving are a son, Jerry L. (Lorie) Kruger of Rossville; a daughter, Jana L. (Jack) Drone of Rensselaer; and a sister, Marilyn Chafey of Indianapolis. His grandchildren are Tylyn, Tate, Graham, Beck and Merrick, plus a great-granddaughter Avery.

Mr. Kruger served in the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Ala. for over three years. He was honorably discharged. He trained to become a carpenter after high school. He completed many projects in the area during his 50-plus-year career. He fondly remembered helping with the addition to his church and the raising of the new steeple. He was rarely without his wooden ruler and a truck full of tools. He lived on and farmed the family farm most of his life.

He served on the Carroll White REMC board of directors for over 20 years; serving as chairman for many years. He was the Trustee of Beaver Township for over 20 years. He was a lifetime member of St. James Salem United Church of Christ where he served on the board. He enjoyed riding horses with his kids, watching his grandsons play ball and following Purdue sports. Above all, he loved spending time with his family.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at St. James Salem United Church of Christ (10934 West 600 South Francesville). Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made in his name to St. James Salem United Church of Christ.

Clapper Family Funeral Home of Monon is entrusted with arrangements.

Share memories and online condolences at www.clapperfuneralservices.com

Joan Bucinski Scheffer

June 13, 1943 to November 23, 2019

ROYAL CENTER - Joan Bucinski Scheffer, 76, of Star City passed away at 6:15 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, at Woodbridge Health Campus in Logansport.

She was born on June 13, 1943 in Kewanna, the daughter of the late Leo and Virginia Bucinski. She was a graduate of Winamac High School and St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Lafayette. 

Survivors include her daughters, Tammy (Donny) Powers of Winamac, Patty (Brian) Scheffer of Star City, Judy (Jeremey) Rasmussen of Star City and Jo (Jim) Runk of Star City; grandchildren, Melissa Hickle, SaDonna Mayer, Tonya Kasten, Rose Criswell, Seth Barton, Bryce Rasmussen, Kallie Rasmussen, Hunter Peterson, Brennen Runk and Kaden Runk; sister, Mary (Joe) Wegner; and brother, Tom (Brenda) Bucinski. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by sister, Janice Shultz and brother, Joe Bucinski.

Mrs. Bucinski Scheffer was a registered nurse at Pulaski Memorial Hospital for many years. She was an avid Cubs fan who enjoyed bingo, reading, bowling and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory, Harrison Chapel, Royal Center.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.

Please sign Joan’s online guestbook or leave a condolence for the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.