Obituaries

Rosezella M. Smith

October 23, 1922 to March 28, 2019

WINAMAC - Rosezella Marie “Rosie” Smith, 96, of Winamac, (formerly of Granger) passed away at 12:30 a.m., Thursday, March 28, at Brookdale Assisted Living, Granger. 

She was born Oct. 23, 1922 in rural White County, to the late Claude Verl and Goldie Mae Irvin Swayze. She grew up in Pulaski, and graduated from Pulaski High School in 1942. On Aug. 30, 1947, she married Harold B. “Hap” Smith in Pulaski. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by:
Sheila (Buck) Gerou, Edwardsburg, MI, Daughter
Sandra (Bob) DeSabatine, Winamac, Daughter
Britney (Ray) Robinson, Granddaughter
Sienna Cox, Granddaughter
Logan Cox, Great-Grandson
Several Nieces and Nephews

She is preceded in death by:
Gerald Swayze, Brother
Sylvia Rogers, Sister
James Swayze, Brother
Claudine Mae Shank, Sister
Mary Lou Adams, Sister
Bobby Swayze, Brother

Mrs. Smith was a longtime member of the Winamac First United Methodist Church where she enjoyed attending Bible study on Thursday nights and the Sunday school friendship class. After moving to Granger, she became an active member of the Presbyterian Church where she faithfully served as an ordained elder and commissioner. She also chaired many women’s praise services, led Bible study for the Women’s Association and taught Sunday school for adults and children. She cherished time spent at the Bible Study Fellowship of South Bend. She served her Lord well throughout her life and loved sharing the Lord with others; inspiring all who met her to know and love Jesus. 

She was a proud homemaker and especially enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening and canning. She also enjoyed the years she worked for Penn Harris Madison Schools serving lunch to the students. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She considered her family to be her treasures and treated them as such. She was a woman who demonstrated unconditional love; welcoming everyone with a smile and a warm embrace. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturday, April 6, at Winamac First United Methodist Church, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon (Saturday), at the church with laity leader Barbara Kleinofen officiating. A graveside service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, at Thompson Cemetery, Royal Center. Burial will follow.

Memorial donations may be made to Winamac First United Methodist Church.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.

Melvin J. Leman

December 17, 1924 to March 21, 2019

FRANCESVILLE - Melvin J. Leman, 94, of Francesville, passed away at 8:55 p.m., Thursday, March 21, at Creasy Springs Health Campus, Lafayette.

He was born Dec. 17, 1924 in Metamora, IL to the late Henry and Cordelia Gudeman Leman. He graduated from Francesville High School in 1942. On March 22, 1953, he married Margaret Ann Gutwein in Francesville. She survives.

He is also survived by: 
Janice (Justin) Sewell, San Luis Obispo, CA, Daughter 
Sueleen (Ron) Bailey, West Lafayette, Daughter 
Emily (Ryan) Pahler, Granddaughter 
Tyler (Hillary) Sewell, Grandson 
Stewart Bailey, Grandson 
Lauren (fiance: Kellan Kalbaugh) Sewell, Granddaughter 
Landon Pahler, Great-Grandson 
Wyatt Pahler, Great-Grandson 
Cora Leman, Sister-in-law 
Fern Leman, Sister-in-law 
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Patricia Leman, Daughter 
Lois Leman, Sister 
Arthur Leman, Brother 
Harold (Ann) Leman, Brother 
Edward (Ruth) Leman, Brother 
Elsie (Howard) Eilers, Sister 
Edith (Simon) Traub, Sister 
Frances Leman, Sister 
Sidney Leman, Brother

Mr. Leman was a lifelong farmer and enjoyed taking care of the family home place. He was a member of the Francesville First Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school and sang in the church choir. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, March 24, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 25, at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to Gideon's International or to the Francesville First Baptist Church Mission Fund.

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

Esther J. Gabhart

November 9, 1932 to March 16, 2019

WINAMAC - Esther Joan Gabhart, 86, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, March 16, at her home.

She was born Nov. 9, 1932 in Grandville, MI to the late Rev. Renus and Alida VanAsselt VanDerLey. She graduated from Gulfport High School in Gulfport, MS and received training at Midwest Bible and Missionary Institute in St. Louis, MO. On July 11, 1953 in Akron, OH, she married Lt. James H. Gabhart.

She is survived by: 
Dr. James H. Gabhart, Winamac, Husband 
Patty Hansen, Albuquerque, NM, Daughter 
James H. (Lorri) Gabhart II, Sun City, AZ, Son 
Della (Dave) Myers, Francesville, Daughter 
Alida (Roger) Mays, Delphi, Daughter 
15 Grandchildren 
23 Great Grandchildren 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Chris Hansen, Son-in-law 
Ray VanDerLey, Brother 
Ruth Reed, Sister 
Paul VanDerLey, Brother 

Mrs. Gabhart assisted her husband in various parts of the local ministry and religious activities in the U.S. Air Force and in the churches which he pastored for over 60 years. She also served two years as chairman of the GARBC - IFRBC Ladies (which consisted of 126 churches in Indiana). She worked as a supervisor at G.L. Perry in Winamac for five-and-a-half years and as a deli clerk at Sanders IGA in Winamac for seven-and-a-half years. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 21, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. Private burial will be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial donations may be made to the Baptist Children's Home in Valparaiso.

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

Anthony F. Conti

April 6, 1953 to March 14, 2019

WINAMAC - Anthony F. "Tony" Conti, 65, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 14, at home.

He was born April 6, 1953 in San Diego, CA and spent many years in California. On Feb. 14, 1981, he married Kathy Field at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in rural Logansport. The couple moved to the Winamac area in 1983 where they raised their two children.

He is survived by: 
Kathy Field Conti, Winamac, Wife 
Aubrae (Chris) Dunifon, Ft. Wayne, Daughter 
Landon Conti, Winamac, Son 
2 Grandchildren: Chloe and Blake 
Several Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law 
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Mary Cornblith Conti, Mother 
Bill Conti, Brother 
Harold and Pauline Engels Field, In-Laws

Mr. Conti was a deep sea fisherman and railroad track worker. He moved to Indiana in 1974 and shortly thereafter went to work for Hammell Chrysler in Rochester. He worked as a mechanic trainee and on the pit crew for John Hammell's Funny Car drag racing team. He drove semi for several area companies for many years; most recently hauling for local farmers. 
He was also a proud union carpenter. He was a man of many talents which he displayed throughout his life. He enjoyed family outings, especially camping and boating. He was a true outdoorsman. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 30, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m., (Saturday, March 30), at the funeral home. Private disposition will take place at a later date.

In lieu of plants and flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Pulaski County Special Olympics.

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

Raymond I. Berger

December 6, 1928 to March 14, 2019

WINAMAC - Raymond I. Berger, 90, of Star City, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, March 14.

He was born Dec. 6, 1928 in Pulaski, to the late Jacob and Rose Winter Berger. He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1947 where he played baseball and basketball, and also participated in drama. He served in the U.S. Army 46th Engineer Corps during the Korean Conflict. While on leave, he married Charlotte Roth on July 21, 1951 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski. She survives.

He is also survived by: 
Christina Fugate, Monticello, Daughter 
Frederick (Sally) Berger, Rensselaer, Son 
Larry Berger, Monticello, Son 
Jonathan Berger, Indianapolis, Son 
7 Grandchildren: Elizabeth, Stephanie, Katherine, Joseph, Adam, Samuel and Wade. 
18 Great-Grandchildren 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:  
Elizabeth Shedrow, Sister 
Catherine Allen, Sister 
Rosella Shields, Sister 
Dorothy Keller, Sister 
Donald F. Berger, Brother 
Arthur Berger, Brother

Mr. Berger was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he had served on the parish council and as a lector. He also sang in the church choir and was a member of the Holy Name Society. He worked for 48 years at Farmers Grain and Supply of Thornhope; the last 25 years as manager. At one time, he served on the Indian Creek Township Advisory Board and was a former member of the Northwest Indiana Grain Dealers Association.

He enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping and canoeing. At age 75, he made his fourth trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota. In 1978, Ray and his canoe partner, Kerry Fox, won the Winamac Area Merchants Canoe Race on the Tippecanoe River. He enjoyed woodworking, especially making rocking horses for the grandkids, as well as Adirondack chairs. He completed a lifelong dream of traveling to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. He and his wife were fortunate to have visited seven countries.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, March 17, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 6 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Monday, March 18, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery South in Pulaski.  The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be made in the form of Mass Intentions.

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

Theresa A. Logan

December 27, 1928 to March 9, 2019

FRANCESVILLE - Theresa A. Logan, 90, of Francesville, passed away at 8:55 p.m., Saturday, March 9, at Parkview Haven Retirement Home, Francesville.

She was born Dec. 27, 1928 in Lafayette, to the late Martin C. and Vera G. Littlejohn Tuberty. She spent her youth in Kentland, and graduated from AJ Kent High School in 1947. She earned a nursing degree from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Lafayette.
On June 26, 1952, she married George E. Logan in Kentland. He passed away Nov. 30, 1997.

She is survived by: 
Rita A. Hammack, Daughter 
2 Grandchildren: Sarah and John 
2 Great-Grandchildren: Collin and Logan 
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
3 Daughters: Mary Lou Logan, Rose Marie Logan and Patty Lou Logan 
Carl L. Hammack, Son-in-law 
2 Siblings: Mary Fowler and Charles M. "Bud" Tuberty

Mrs. Logan worked as a registered surgical nurse at Jasper County Hospital for 22 years, and also served on the hospital board for several years. She was a member of the Jasper County Nurses Association and the Francesville American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed volunteering at the hospital and West Side Senior Center. She was a devoted member of St. Francis of Solano Catholic Church in Francesville where she served as Eucharistic Minister and was active in the Diocese Women's Club. She enjoyed cooking and baking, listening to music, watching college basketball, playing Euchre and BINGO, as well spending time around animals. Most of all, she was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 13, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. (Wednesday), at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 2 p.m. (Wednesday), at St. Francis of Solano Catholic Church, Francesville, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. 
Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Francis of Solano Catholic Church or the West Side Senior Center.

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