Obituaries

Gilbert L. Stepp

August 16, 1943 to April 8, 2020

WINAMAC - Gilbert Leroy “Gibby” Stepp, 76, of Star City, passed away at 1:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 8, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born Aug. 16, 1943 in Lafayette, to the late Roy G. and Martha Blessing Stepp. He was a 1962 graduate of Star City High School. On Jan. 4, 1963, he married Mary Ellen Weaver at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pulaski. She survives.

Survivors also include:
Joe (Enid) Stepp, Rochester, Son
Phil (Traci) Stepp, Monticello, Son
Theresa Anderson, Star City, Daughter
Becky (Emily) McLeroy, Star City, Daughter
13 Grandchildren
10 Great-Grandchildren
Alma Cunningham, Florida, Sister
Kathy Rhodenbaugh, Logansport, Sister
Georgia (Ron) Browning, Star City, Sister
Ed Stepp, Logansport, Brother
Rod Stepp, La Paz, Brother
Shirley Kujawa, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Josh Stepp, Grandson
Alan Stepp, Brother
Kenny Stepp, Brother
Jeanette Stepp, Infant Sister

Mr. Stepp worked at RCA in Monticello, and Wilsons in Logansport for many years. He retired from the Pulaski County Maintenance Department several years ago. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR and was a dedicated fan of Bitterling Racing (#225 and #X225). He was a loyal patron of Oak Grove Restaurant in Star City. He loved his family very much and will be sadly missed.

Private family services will be held at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A private family burial will take place at Star City West Cemetery in Star City.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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

Connie S. Loehmer

March 3, 1964 to April 2, 2020

WINAMAC - A memorial mass for Connie Sue Loehmer, 56, Monterey will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 30, at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Monterey, with Rev. Michael McKinney officiating.

She passed away peacefully Thursday, April 2, with her family by her side.

She was born March 3, 1964 in Knox, the youngest of three children. She graduated mid-term from Knox High School, Class of 1982. She married Maurice Loehmer, on April 17, 1982. He survives.

Survivors also include Adam (Lindsay) Loehmer, son; Ashley (Keith) Risner, daughter; Leland, Landon, Laken, Lyla, Asher, and Adelyn (due July 2020) grandchildren; Shirley Woods Gerstandt, mother; Pennie (Mark) Brettin, sister; Butch (Andrea) Gerstandt, brother; Carol Shank, aunt; Maxine Engel, aunt; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and Charlotte Rymph, best friend.

She is preceded in death by Harold Gerstandt, father.

Mrs. Loehmer knew how to love and care for others deeply. She left imprints on many people’s lives by the way she showed her love. She put other people’s needs above her own, would often go out of her way to make someone else feel special, and would bring out the best in people and anything she put her hands to. Connie was a talented cook and loved to provide meals for anyone who needed fed. She had a knack for organizing awesome and well-planned parties. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially those who fondly knew her as “Grandma Connie”. She loved Christmastime and marveled at how Disney World celebrated the season. She also had a unique love for all animals, especially her yellow lab, Gracie. Her special way with animals had a positive influence on the manner in which Loehmer Dairy cares for its livestock.

With respect to guidance from local health officials, private family services will be held at a later date at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, with private family burial at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Monterey.

In memory of Mrs. Loehmer’s giving spirit, memorial donations may be made to Hoots to Howls Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. (5046 S. 400 E. Star City, IN 46985) or to any local organization in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Dolores M. Grizzell

October 1, 1932 to March 31, 2020

WINAMAC - Dolores Margaret Grizzell, 87, of Winamac, passed away Tuesday, March 31, at her home surrounded by family. 

She was born Oct. 1, 1932 in Chicago, to the late Ernest Myron and Margaret Anastasia Russell Small. On April 22, 1952, she joined the U.S. Air Force and served three years during the Korean War as a cryptographer with top secret clearance. She married Claud Si Grizzell on May 31, 1986 at All Saints Catholic Church in Logansport.  He passed away Jan. 29, 2013.

She is survived by:
Cherylann Johnson, Macomb, IL, Daughter
Carrielynn Huse, Winn, MI, Daughter
Amanda (Nicholas) Cook, Logansport, Daughter
7 Grandchildren: Stacie, William, Michael, Casey, Jessica, Crystal, and April
Many Great-Grandchildren

Preceded in death by:
Gailmarie Ayers, Daughter
John Allen Wilson, Grandson

Mrs. Grizzell was a longtime member of All Saints Catholic Church. She was very devoted to her Catholic faith. She felt a strong connection to St. Kateri Tekakwitha and was an avid supporter of the St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD. She was proud of her military service and was a lifelong member of the Winamac American Legion Post #71. She was a dedicated member of the local honor guard and had the privilege of presenting the U.S. Flag to numerous families. She was a longtime employee of Eaton’s (formerly Singer) in Winamac and retired after 25 years. She enjoyed staying in touch with her Eaton family. She enjoyed many years of traveling, especially in the motor home. She was in a motor home club. She raised and showed German Shepherds and she won many awards. She was a member of the Red Hat Society. She was well known for her spunky spirit and outgoing personality. She had a giving soul and always cared for others. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Public viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Friday, April 3, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. (Please sign up online at www.frainmortuary.com or by calling Frain Mortuary 574-946-3222.) Or sign up for Public Viewing by clicking here

A private family funeral service will be held at the funeral home with Rev. Jeff Martin officiating. Private family burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.  The USAF, American Legion, and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

A public memorial mass will be held at a later date at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac, with the rosary recited prior to and a luncheon to follow.

Memorial donations may be made in the form of mass intentions to All Saints Catholic Church or St. Peter’s Catholic Church; OR to the Pulaski Animal Center.

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

Kathryn L. Britt Corbin

April 1, 1961 to April 1, 2020

FRANCESVILLE - Kathryn Leann Britt Corbin, 59, of Francesville, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, April 1, at St. Franciscan East Hospital inLafayette, with her soul mate by her side.

She was born April 1, 1961, in Lafayette to James L. Sr. and Kathryn L. “Katie” Overton Britt. She graduated from Tri-County High School in 1980. On Dec. 29, 1979, she married Donald L. Corbin II in Francesville. He survives.

Survivors also include:
Angala Corbin and Duke Conley, Francesville, Daughter and Son-in-law
Erin and Tony Gomez, Milwaukee, WI, Daughter and Son-in-law
5 Grandchildren: Tyler, Allie, Aiden, Keegan, and Kendall
James L. Britt, Sr., Remington, Father
Tim Britt, Remington, Brother
Don and Phyllis Corbin, Medaryville, Dad-in-law and Mom-in-law
Venus and Jerry VanBuskirk, Ft. Wayne, Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law
Tonja and Mark Jacklich, Sparta, TN, Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law
Nancy and Tim Elson, Indianapolis, Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law
Marquita “Kita” and Allen Fisher, Sparta, TN, Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law
Many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Kathryn L. “Katie” Overton Britt, Mother
James L. “Roller” Britt, Jr., Brother

Mrs. Corbin worked at Jasper County Community Services for two years and then started working as a teacher’s aide for KIRPC Head Start. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree and dedicated her life to teaching children for 15 years. She  taught at JCYC preschool in Rensselaer, until it closed. Most recently, she taught resource classes at Rensselaer Elementary School until the time of her illness. She loved each and every one of her students as if they were her own children. She cherished each hug she received from a student. She was a loving and devoted wife, mom, nana, sister, sister-in-law and aunt. She inspired us and always brought out the best in us. Leann had that special way of always making us smile. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date at Jasper County Community Services in Rensselaer.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Query-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville.

Patricia A. Braun

February 25, 1945 to March 27, 2020

WINAMAC - Patricia Ann “Pat” Braun, 75, of Chicago Heights, IL (formerly of Winamac) passed away at 6:30 a.m., Friday, March 27, at Bria of Chicago Heights. 

She was born Feb. 25, 1945 in Winamac to the late Clement Anthony and Bernice B. Kuhn Braun.

She is survived by:
Elizabeth “Betty” (Walt) Wallace, Winamac, Sister
Janice “Jan” (Paul) Meyer, Winamac, Sister
Dorothy Braun, Indianapolis, Sister
Margaret Shegas, Florida, Sister
Anthony “Tony” (Joy) Braun, Leiters Ford, Brother
George “Andy” Braun, Winamac, Brother
Ruth (Mike) Robbins, Whitesville, NY, Sister
Jerry Braun, Winamac, Brother
Clara Braun, Winamac, Sister
Many generations of Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Rosemary Cottrell, Sister
Terrance “Terry” Braun, Brother
1 Niece and 3 Nephews

Ms. Braun was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. Although she was afflicted with epilepsy in her youth, she proudly graduated from the eighth-grade from St. Peter’s Catholic School in Winamac. She always maintained a positive attitude throughout her entire life. She was loving, kind, and fun to be with. She was always encouraging others to be kind to one another. She was a treasure and will be dearly missed.

Viewing will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 29, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family requests those who are not feeling well, those who recently traveled outside of the state, or those who are high risk to not attend. Those who wish to attend viewing at the funeral home must sign up for a time slot – online, or by calling the funeral home at 946-3222.

A private funeral service will be held at the funeral home with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating. (The funeral service will be broadcast on Facebook.) Private burial be at Reed Cemetery in Winamac.

A memorial mass will be held at a later date at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac, with the rosary recited prior to mass and a luncheon to follow mass.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church in the form of Mass Intentions.

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

Sandra S. Johnston

July 19, 1960 to March 24, 2020

WINAMAC - Sandra Sue “Sandie” Johnston, 59, of Winamac, passed away at home Tuesday, March 24.

She was born July 19, 1960 in Chicago Heights, IL to Paul and Sue Lucas DeGroot. In 1971, the DeGroot family moved to Winamac. She graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1978.

She is survived by:
Thomas (Laurin) Johnston, Steger, IL, Son
4 Grandchildren: Faith, Kylie, Kara, and Gavin
Sue Lucas DeGroot, Winamac, Mother
Paul (Sheryl) DeGroot, Winamac, Father
Samantha (Aaron) Malchow, Francesville, Sister
Sheri Gaillard, Winamac, Sister
Perry (Katie) DeGroot, Winamac, Brother
Kelly (Mike) Bierrum, Star City, Step-Sister
Kim (Kevin) Podell, Winamac, Step-Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews
Glenn Sommers, Winamac, Companion

Preceded in death by:
Joseph Lucas, Maternal Grandfather
Mae and Herman Piacentini, Maternal Grandmother
Teresa (Herman) DeGroot, Paternal Grandparents

Mrs. Johnston was a retired from the Will County Sheriff’s Department in Will County, IL where she had served as a 911 dispatcher. In her youth, She loved to ride horses. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

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

Arangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.