Obituaries

Omer Joseph

December 4, 1942 to October 21, 2019

WINAMAC - Omer Joseph, 76, of Winamac, passed away Monday, Oct. 21, at his home.

He was born Dec. 4, 1942 in Medaryville, to the late Clarence and Lola Wireman Joseph. He served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam. On Dec. 8, 1979, he married Judith Donovan in Buffalo, IN. She survives.

He is also survived by:
Steven Jo Joseph, Flora, Son
Michael (Amie) Joseph, Buffalo, IN Son
Jennifer (Jason) Grzych, Camden, Daughter
5 Grandchildren: Stephanie, Caitlin, Kiersten, Isabel and Noah
1 Great-Grandson
Ruby Garbison, Sister
Larry Joseph, Brother
Janet (Lester) Ferrell, Sister
Sharon (Bill) Jackson, Sister
Lonnie (Pam) Joseph, Brother
Several Nieces and Nephews
Linda, Former Spouse

Preceded in death by:
Alamo Joseph, Brother
Delos Joseph, Brother
Charles Joseph, Brother
Lorretta Bailey, Sister
Emmett Joseph, Brother

Mr. Joseph was a truck driver for over 30 years after which he worked at several area factories. He really enjoyed working at Walmart during his retirement. He was a member of the Teamsters Union and Fraternal Order of the Eagles.

No services will be held.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Sarah M. Bleicher

December 26, 1927 to October 26, 2019

WINAMAC - Sarah Margaret Bleicher, 91, of Indianapolis, (formerly of LaPorte) passed away at 5:45 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, at Community Hospital South in Indianapolis.

She was born Dec. 26, 1927 in Francesville, to the late Herman and Irene Margaret Hackett Nightengale. She grew up in Winamac and spent most of her life in LaPorte. She married Arthur E. Bleicher who preceded her in death on April 16, 1983.

She is survived by:
Arthur E. "Jake" (Connie) Bleicher, Jr., Indianapolis, Son
James P. "Jim" Bleicher, Monroe, NY, Son
John (Gina) Adamson, Grandson
Sara Johnson, Granddaughter
Amanda (Adam) Clark, Granddaughter
Arthur E. "Ted" (Miranda) Bleicher III, Grandson
Jeff (Brittany) Bleicher, Grandson
Many Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great-Grandchildren
Edward (Elaine) Bleicher, Brother-in-law
Gertrude Bleicher Stout Rife, Sister-in-law
Gretchen Bleicher, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Nancy Bleicher Adamson, Daughter
Carrie Adamson, Granddaughter
1 Great-Granddaughter
Caroline (Ray) Maurer, Sister
Richard "Dick" (Bert) Nightengale, Brother
Thomas (Liz) Nightengale, Brother
David Nightengale, Brother
Phillip (Thelma) Nightengale, Brother
Robert Bleicher, Brother-in-law
Carl Bleicher, Brother-in-law
Lewis Bleicher, Brother-in-law
Esther (Mel) Dust, Sister-in-law
George Bleicher, Brother-in-law

Mrs. Bleicher was a proud wife of a World War II veteran and a life member of the VFW Auxiliary. She was retired from Howmet factory in LaPorte and was a member of the Howmet Quarter Century Club. She enjoyed volunteering at the local senior center and serving meals on wheels. She loved her dachshund, Pepper. She devoted her life to her husband and children. Most of all, she loved her grandchildren. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 12 Noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home with Arthur E. Bleicher III officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to LaPorte Senior Center or VFW Auxiliary.

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

John E. Wall

September 7, 1942 to October 23, 2019

WINAMAC – Word has been received of the death of John Ellsworth Wall, 77, of Ocala, FL, formerly of Winamac, who passed away Oct. 23, 2019, at Advent Hospital, Ocala.

He was born Sept. 7, 1942 in Argos, to the late Edwin and Helen Biddle Wall. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1961, and attended Central Florida Community College in Ocala. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He married Phyllis Podell Knarr on May 15, 1971 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac. She survives.

John is also survived by:
Michelle Menke, Land O’ Lakes, FL, Daughter
Mathew Knarr, Ocala, FL, Son
Richard (Monica) Knarr, Belleview, FL, Son
Phillip Wall, Ocala, FL, Son
John A. (Ambuir) Wall, Mascoutah, IL, Son
David (Marcie) Wall, Forth Wayne, Brother
Edwina (Rich) Ploss, Star City, Sister
Gladys (George) Knebel, Winamac, Sister
11 grandchildren
4 great-grandchildren

He was preceded in death by:
Dean Wall, Brother

While residing in Winamac, Mr. Wall and his family developed the Rising Sun Campground in Monterey. He and his family moved to Ocala in 1981. He retired from Lockheed Martin Co. after 20 years of service as an electronics assembler for the Pershing missile and the Patriot and Night Lantern projects. He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and St. John Lutheran Church choir and men’s group. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, playing cards and spending time with family.

Christian burial services were held Oct. 28, 2019 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Joe Signore III officiating. Cremation followed. A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3, at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac with Pastor Tom Woodley of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac officiating. The VFW and the American Legion will conduct military graveside services. Burial will follow.

Memorial donations may be given to St. Luke Lutheran Church.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Nicholas R. Shank Sr.

August 29, 1943 to October 13, 2019

WINAMAC - Nicholas R. Shank Sr., 76, of Casa Grande, AZ (formerly Winamac and Rochester) passed away Sunday, Oct. 13,  in Casa Grande.

He was born Aug. 29, 1943 in Logansport to the late Kermit and Rose Nicolas Shank. On June 21, 1969, he married Brenda Hiatt in Winamac, and they were  married for 49 years. She preceded him in death.

He is survived by:

Paige Shank (Debbie), Daughter 
Nicholas R. (Judy) Shank, Jr., Son
Cindy (Steve) Clark, Daughter
Samuel (Yolanda) Shank, Son
10 Grandchildren
John Shank, Brother
Mary Baker, Sister
Jim (Carol) Shank, Brother
Judy Shank, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

He was preceded in death by:
Heather Shank, Daughter
Elizabeth "Betty" Shank, Sister
George Shank, Infant Brother
Thomas P. Shank Sr., Brother
and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Maddie Shank and Bill Baker

Mr. Shank served in the U.S. Air Force in Texas, New Mexico, and Turkey before meeting his wife. For 20 years, the couple were co-owners of Shanks Ladies Store in Winamac which later became Shanks Shoes. Mr. Shank retired from the U.S. Postal Service before retiring to Casa Grande. While in Winamac, he was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. In 2008, he moved with his wife to Casa Grande and joined St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church where they made deep friendships with the Knights and Catholic Daughters. He was doing what he loved most, serving breakfast with the Knights, when he was called to join his wife and daughter in heaven.

A rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Casa Grande, followed by a Catholic mass at 10 a.m., and a reception to follow. Locally, a celebration of Mr. Shank's life will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, at Winamac Church of the Heartland, also with a reception for family and friends to follow. A private burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery in Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to St. Anthony of Padua Knights of Columbus Council 3136, P.O. Box 12537 Casa Grande, AZ 85130-0639.

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

Patricia J. Powers

February 20, 1927 to October 14, 2019

WINAMAC - Patricia J. "Patty" Powers, 92, of Winamac, passed away at 11:15 p.m., Monday, Oct. 14, at Miller's Merry Manor in Culver.

She was born Feb. 20, 1927 in Winamac to the late Daniel S. and Martha Hood White. She graduated from Star City High School in 1945. On Nov. 27, 1948, she married Thomas R. Powers. He passed away Feb. 13, 1995.

She is survived by:

Michael T. Powers, Son
Timothy M. (Elaine) Powers, Son
Erin (Nick) Bourff, Granddaughter
Alison Powers, Granddaughter
Clive Bourff, Great-Grandson
Emily Bourff, Great-Granddaughter
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
David Powers, Infant Son
Mary Ann (Bill) Planck, Sister
Don R. (Norine) White, Brother
Richard Daniel White, Infant Brother
Douglas A. White, Nephew

Mrs. Powers worked as a secretary for many years at Rice Corporation and Gast & Shurn. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, at St. Peter's Cemetery in Winamac, with Rev. Jeffery Martin officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter's Catholic Church or Center for Hospice Care.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Edward F. Loehmer

October 20, 1926 to October 15, 2019

WINAMAC - Edward F. Loehmer, 92, of Winamac, passed away at 7:55 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac.

He was born Oct. 20, 1926 in Chicago Heights, IL to the late Mathias A. and Rose M. Schutz Loehmer. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. On March 31, 1951, he married the late Beverly Ledford. She passed away Jan. 27, 2018.

He is survived by:

James (Brenda) Loehmer, Pulaski, Son
JoEllen (Gary) Burton, Logansport, Daughter
Margaret (Robert) Gurley, Hebron, Daughter
David (Ronda) Loehmer, Winamac, Son
12 Grandchildren: Jeremiah Loehmer, Jamie (Nick) Dittemore, Ashley Loehmer, April (Jared) Simmermaker, Amy Parish, Abbey (Gregg) Eskridge, Sara (Eric) Marxmiller, Travis (Ashley) Seidel, Amber (Taylor Simpson) Seidel, Alex (Rachel) Burton, Chad (Katie) Burton and Scott (Caitlin) Thornburton
16 Great-Grandchildren
Laverne Reutebuch, Indianapolis, Sister
Ronald (Judy) Loehmer, Winamac, Brother
Marie Loehmer, Virginia Beach, VA, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Howard (Edna) Loehmer, Brother
Lawrence Loehmer, Infant Brother
Dolores (Dick) O'Conner (Ike) Haselby, Sister
Matthew Loehmer, Brother

Mr. Loehmer and his wife were retired dairy farmers in Winamac and received multiple awards for their herd production. He was a member of Farm Bureau, Dairy Commodity Committee and St. Peter's Catholic Church in Winamac. He had a strong work ethic and good sense of humor. He loved his family very much. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 8 p.m., at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Winamac, with Rev. Jeffery Martin officiating. 
Burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery in Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Health Care Center Activity Fund.

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