EUGENE PUGH
For Starke County Council District 4 & Republican Party State Delegate
As a Candidate for Starke County Council District 4, I would like to share information regarding the role of the County Council. The County Council serves as the fiscal body of the county government. The Council is responsible for the ultimate decision-making pwer over the county’s financial affairs including taxation.
Fair taxation. What do I mean by fair taxation?
Equity, efficiency, adequacy and transparency. Fair taxation can be challenging, it requires compliance and fairness among all taxpayers. 20 year 100% abatements that benefit large corporations at the expense of smaller businesses and individual taxpayers is an example of unfair taxation and has become a contentious issue in Starke County I am specifically referring to the current industrial solar project corporation tax abatements. A huge source of contention with the current abatements is the small amount of permanent jobs for Starke County residents which is an example of unfair taxation. These projects once completed have generated 10 or less permanent job positions, few of which live in Starke County.
Tax abatements should be awarded to incentivize the generation of numerous well paying jobs for Starke County residents. That, in my opinion, is fair taxation.
As a Starke County Council member I will not vote for 20-year 100% tax abatements for large corporations that do not bring significant benefits to all the Starke county taxpayers, nor will I support new taxation.
If implemented fairly, tax abatements could benefit all stakeholders not just the large corporations. I stand in support of tax abatements for local business and those that bring strong economic develop in the form of employment opportunity for Starke county residents. If this is something you believe in, I would appreciate your support and vote on May 5th.
A lifelong resident of Starke County with a career background in management and financial responsibility, I feel I am well qualified to serve as your representative on the County Council.
Paid for by Eugene Pugh for Starke County Council District 4
Birthdays
April 9th
Melissa Keating
April 12th
Rick Patrick
April 13th
Taylor Strong 9 yrs.
April 14th Wayne Gurney 81 yrs.
FRIDAY, APRIL
Starke County Retired Teachers will meet Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, at 12:00 noon at the Country Kettle Restaurant in Knox.
Guest Speaker: Dave AltmanKankakee Valley Marsh
retired teachers welcome!
JAMES ORBIE PENICARO
WINAMAC, IN - James Orbie
“Jimmy” Penicaro, 42, died Sunday, March 22, 2026. He was born August 11, 1983 in Plymouth, Indiana to Timothy Joseph and Brenda Carol (McCullough) Penicaro.
Jimmy attended Winamac High School. He enjoyed playing sports, cooking and was a lifelong Chicago Bears fan. He was a mechanic. He loved his family fiercely. He is survived by two daughters: Alysa and Carmela Penicaro, his mother and step father, Brenda Carol and Greg Henry, three sisters: Angela (Jason) Hale, Deanna (Donald) Gradowski and Melinda Penicaro and two brothers: Shawn (Kelly) Penicaro and Gavun Henry. He was preceded in death by his father, Timothy and grandparents: Frank and Arnabelle Mary (Stepp) Penicaro, Obrie and Christine (Finley) McCullough and Stanley Keith and Lois Charlotte (Zellers) Henry. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the family for his daughters’ education.
Arrangements were made by Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
DAVID EUGENE WIENING
NORTH JUDSON, IN - David Eugene Wiening, 76, died Wednesday, April 1, 2026 in Hobart, Indiana. He was born February 6, 1950 in Hammond, Indiana to the late Robert and Jean (Beltman) Wiening. On March 20, 1995, in Cotter, Arkansas he married Patricia Walls.
David was a US Navy veteran. He had worked for road construction. He enjoyed traveling on his motorcycle, watching NASCAR and sports and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia, two daughters: Carrie Ann (Robert) Waltz and Kelly Jean Putzler, both of Molena, Illinois, four grandchildren, one great grandchild and one brother, Damian (Fay) Wiening of Hammond. He was preceded in death by siblings: Robert Wiening, William Test and Marsha Wiening.
No services will be held at this time.
Arrangements were made by Braman & Bailey Funeral Home in North Judson.
SOFIA BOGDAN IOVU
NORTH JUDSON, IN - Sofia Bogdan Iovu, 76, died Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born January 12, 1950 in Medias, Romania.
Sofia was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She had lived and worked in Romania, Italy, Mexico and the US. She loved people, simple joys of life and nature and the mountains. She will be deeply missed.
She is survived by one daughter, Simona (Gabriel) and two grandchildren.
HOMER SALYER
JR.
NORTH JUDSON, IN - Homer Salyer Jr., 79, died Sunday, March 29, 2026 in North Judson. He was born June 3, 1946 in Salyersville, Kentucky to the late Homer Salyer and Easter (Poe) Adams.
Homer enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, joke and prank others and spending time with his family. He is survived by his companion, Charlotte Thompson of North Judson, his children: Bruce Turney, Thurman Turney and Wanda Milliser, two grandchildren, three great grandchildren and
siblings: Rex (Jackie) Salyer of Knox, Indiana, Lola Fletcher and Anna (Gary) Young, both of North Judson. He was preceded in death by two sons: Mike and David Salyer, and siblings: Larry, Maywood, Fontain, Jay and Melvin Salyer and Nora Lee Fletcher.
Services were held Friday, April 3 at Braman & Son Memorial Chapel with Rev. Robert Kirby officiating. Burial was in the Round Lake Cemetery in Knox. Memorials may be made to the family.
Arrangements were made by Braman & Son Memorial Chapel in Knox.
PEARLIE JEAN CAUDILLO
SAN PIERRE, IN - Pearlie Jean Caudillo, 80, died Saturday, March 21, 2026 at her home. She was born April 6, 1945 in South Lyon, Michigan to the late McClellan and Peggy Pauline (Caudill) Stamper, Jr.
Pearlie grew up in Kentucky and Indiana. She worked hard throughout her life having held jobs at Pariso Industrial Glove Manufacturing Co., Ford Motor Co., Culver Military Academy and Rose Acres. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, dogs. She loved her family very much.
She is survived by five sisters: Edith Fletcher of Plymouth, Indiana, Sylvia (Michael) Vician, Kathy Bailey and Rhonda (Larry) Salyers, all of Knox, Indiana and Myra (John) Fawley of San Pierre and three brothers: Kelly Stamper of Ober, Indiana, Keith (Wanetta) Stamper of Patterson, Missouri and Kendall Stamper of Knox. She was preceded in death by her husband, Toto J. Caudillo, Sr., and siblings: Janet Charlene Black, Ruth Mae Stamper, Calvin C. Stamper and Corbett Stamper.
Memorials may be made to the funeral home to assist with final expenses.
Arrangements were made by Frain Mortuary in Winamac, Indiana.
ROY R. HENSLEY
KNOX, IN - Roy R. Hensley, 80, died Monday, March 30, 2026 in La Porte, Indiana. He was born January 8, 1946 in Clayhole, Kentucky to the late Ossie and Beulah (Combs) Hensley. On September 14, 1965 in Clayhole, he married Wilma Cox.
Roy loved to play guitar, sing and spend time with his family. He was a US Army veteran and was the pastor of the Bass Lake Pentecostal Church for 19 years. He had worked as a carpenter making cabinets at Konrad’s.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma, two daughters: Tammy (Joe) Coulter of North Little Rock, Arkansas and Tracey (Scott) Parish of Royal Center, Indiana, seven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and siblings: Bonnie (Robert) Fugate and Larry (Shirley) Hensley, both of Clayhole, Michael (Diane) Hensley of Mississippi and Paul (Rose) Hensley of Cockreels Fork, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Carrie Ann Hensley and two brothers: Dennis and Ernie Hensley.
Services were held Thursday, April 2, at the Braman & Son Memorial Chapel with Rev. Carl Manns and Rev. Harlan Manns officiating. Burial was in the Crown Hill Cemetery in Knox. Memorials may be made to the family.
Arrangements were made by Braman & Son Memorial Chapel in Knox.
HEATHER D. GUMZ
KNOX, IN - Heather D. Gumz, 51, died Tuesday, March 24, 2026. She was born July 8, 1974 in Valparaiso, Indiana to Fred and Elaine Gumz. On October 2, 2021, she married Robert Vandy.
Heather was a 1992 graduate of North Judson-San Pierre High School, North Judson, Indiana. She had a great sense of humor and a kind soul. She enjoyed baking, cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with her friends and family.
She is survived by her husband, Robert, one son, Alex Gumz of Fishers, Indiana, one daughter, Nicholle (Seth) Vandy of Knox, her father, Frederick Gumz of Fishers and one sister, Danielle (Scott) Gumz of Guelph, Ontario. She was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine and grandparents: Arthur and Dorothy Gumz and Edward and June Wallen.
A gathering of friends and family was held Saturday, March 28 at the Knox VFW. Memorials may be made to the family to assist with final expenses.
Arrangements were made by O’Donnell Funeral Home, Inc. in North Judson.
JAMES C. YOUNGGREEN
KNOX, IN - James C. “Jim” Younggreen, 82, died Monday, March 30, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born June 18, 1943 in La Porte, Indiana to the late Walter Younggreen and Imogene (Beauchamp) Mazzio. On April 8, 1967 in Burr Oak, Indiana, he married Carolyn Boggs. She died July 1, 2022.
Jim was a lifetime member of the Knox American Legion Post #131. He enjoyed watching NASCAR, spending time outdoors, listening to old country music and spending time with family. He had worked as a manager for Roll Coater.
He is survived by three daughters: Lynn Younggreen, Donna (Ted) Hardel, both of Knox and Diann (Wes) Sheets of Winamac, Indiana, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one brother, Pat (Fay) Younggreen of Michigan City, Indiana. He was preceded in death by siblings: Gene and Jack Younggreen, Ester Ranns and Betty Bechinski.
Services were held Monday, April 6 at the Braman & Son Memorial Chapel with Rev. Bruce Bennett officiating. Burial was in the Round Lake Cemetery in Knox. Memorials may be made to the family.
Arrangements were made by Braman & Son Memorial Chapel in Knox.
RUTH ANN MINIX
GROVERTOWN, IN - Ruth Ann “Granny” (Troyer) Minix, 83, died Tuesday, March 31. 2026 at her home. She was born November 10, 1942 in Starke County, Indiana to the late Irvin and Leona (Burger) Troyer. On Christmas Eve, 1966, she married Parniel Minix. He died in June of 2019.
Granny and Parniel ran a little country store from 1980-2004 out of their home. She loved her family God, bingo and decorating with owls. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ in Argos, Indiana.
She is survived by two daughters: Lisa Ann Cordial of Kendallville, Indiana and Pamela Bradley of North Judson, Indiana, five grandchildren, one great granddaughter, one step daughter, Mary Louise Minix of Texas and siblings: Carolyn Hensley of Star City, Indiana and John Troyer of Plymouth, Indiana. She was preceded in death by one great granddaughter, Rhiannon McIntosh and siblings: Thomas, Dewey and Charlie Troyer and Norma Jean and Betty Troyer, Darlene Badsky, and Arlene Ritchie.
Services were held on Saturday, April 4, at the Braman & Son Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jimmy Snyder officiating. Memorials may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ in Argos. Arrangements were made by Braman & Son Memorial Chapel in Knox, Indiana.
MARY SMOLEK
DeMOTTE, IN - FORMERLY OF NORTH JUDSON, IN - Mary (Klosinski) Smolek, 90, died Sunday, March 29, 2026 in Crown Point, Indiana. She was born May 11, 1935 in rural Starke County, Indiana to the late William and Clara (Guzik) Klosinski. Mary was defined by her unwavering dedication to her family and she truly never knew a stranger. She worked the family farm with her husband, Joe, and they shared a lifetime of travels and stories they loved to recount together. She is survived by her children: Betty M. Travis, Marilyn (Kenneth) Lukac, Arlene Gray, Joseph E. (Ruth) Smolek Jr. and Helen (Robert) Valiquet, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren with one more on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph E. Smolek, one son, Richard Smolek and one sister, Clarice Blazo.
A funeral mass was held on Tuesday, April 7 at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church. Burial was in the St. Jacob Cemetery in North Judson.
Arrangements were made by O’Donnell Funeral Home in North Judson.
HELEN LEWANDOWSKI BUTLER
SILVERHILL, AL - FORMERLY OF NORTH JUDSON & KNOX, IN - Helen (Dunkelberger) Lewandowski Butler, 93, died Wednesday, December 17, 2025 in Silverhill, Alabama. She was born May 15, 1932 in Starke County, Indiana to the late Dewey and Anis Dunkelberger.
She is survived by her children: Sandra (Dave) Miller, Nancy (Mike) Tillman, Steve (Geri) Lewandowski and Rebecca Bedford, twelve grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, seven great great grandchildren and two sisters: Marge (Orv) Ward and Jean Dunkelberger. A celebration of life will be held at 11am on Saturday, April 18 at the First Baptist Church of Knox. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Knox.
MARY LOU THOMAS
WINAMAC, IN - Mary Lou Thomas, 92, died Sunday, March 29, 2026. She was born November 2, 1933 to the late Neil I. and Addie A. (Compton) Pankow. On July 6, 1951 she married Ralph Thomas. Mary was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who cared deeply for her family. She helped on the family farm. She enjoyed playing Bunco, traveling with friends, weekly drives around the county. She was a member of the Tippecanoe Twirlers square dance club.
She is survived by her children: Marsha Ann Tetzloff and Jean Ann (David) Newman, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren, two step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, children: Peggy Ann Thomas and Randy L. Thomas, one great grandson, Tyler Thomas and siblings: Irene Trapp and Neil Pankow.
A graveside service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center. Arrangements were made by Rans Funeral Homes, Winamac Chapel.
