CATHERINE STACY-RUTLEDGE
AKRON, IN - FORMERLY OF KNOX,
IN - Catherine “Cathy” Stacy-Rutledge, 62, died Saturday, May 24, 2025 in Rochester, Indiana. She was born August 18, 1962 in Knox, Indiana to the late Dexter and Claudine (Campbell) Stacy.
Cathy enjoyed gardening, being outside, cooking, looking nice, spending time with her family and her two dogs. She is survived by two daughters: Amber Howard of Knox and Heather Sehstedt of Rochester, one son, Shane (Casey) Warner of Plymouth, Indiana, seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, her stepmother, Marlene Stacy of Knox, three brothers: Dexter Stacy Jr of Leiters Ford, Indiana, Darren Stacy of Knox and Greg Stacy of Winamac, Indiana and one sister, Crystal Gudas of Rochester. She was preceded in death by one son, Ryan Stacy and one granddaughter, Korie Howard.
Services were held Friday, May 30 at Braman & Son Memorial Chapel with Rev. Heath Hiatt officiating. Burial was in the Fletcher Cemetery in Grovertown, Indiana. Memorials may be made to the family. Arrangements were made by Braman & Son Memorial Chapel in Knox.
CYNTHIA SUE SCHULTZ
WINAMAC, IN - Cynthia Sue “Cindy” Schultz, 74, died unexpectedly on Monday, May 26, 2025. She was born June 28, 1950 in Winamac to the late Orval and Betty (Marquis) Burgess. On June 21, 1969 in Star City, Indiana, she married Michael “Mike” (aka Mr. Right) Schultz.
Cindy was a 1968 graduate of Winamac High School and worked as an Instructional Assistant at Eastern Pulaski Elementary School for 35 years. In addition to her career at the school, she was a Certified Naturalist at Tippecanoe River State Park for 6 years. She was a member of Bethel Bible Church in Winamac, where she taught Sunday School and VBS for several years and was an active member of the church quilting ministry and enjoyed the fellowship of life group gatherings. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, canning, cooking, baking, visiting State and National Parks and rescuing animals. She loved her family very much.
She is survived by her husband, Mike, two daughters: Kristine “Kris” (Steve) Christensen and Kari (Neil) Hamilton, both of Winamac, one son, Brian (Vicki) Schultz of Concord, North Carolina, six grandchildren and one brother, Dan (Julie) Burgess of Winamac.
Services were held Saturday, May 31 at Frain Mortuary with Pastors Matt Dodd and Thomas Hopewell officiating. Burial was in the Star City West Cemetery in Star City. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Tippecanoe River State Park or Gideon’s International.
Arrangements were made by Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
ANTON BORTKIEWICZ
MEDARYVILLE, IN - Anton “Tony” Bortkiewicz, 87, died Monday, May 26, 2025 at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville, Indiana. He was born April 8, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Herman and Stella “Stephanie” (Kawalec) Bortkiewicz.
Tony was a lifelong farmer.
He is survived by one niece and two nephews. He was preceded in death by siblings: Renee Knapp and Frank J. and Jerry J. Bortkiewicz.
Private burial was in St. Henry Cemetery in Medaryville.
Arrangements were made by Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville.
LOLA HOWARD
KNOX, IN - Lola Howard, 89, died Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at her home. She was born April 4, 1936 in Magoffin County, Kentucky to the late Branch Jordan Sr. and Jane (Howard) Jordan. On November 3, 1956, she married Otto “Joe” Howard. He died November 11, 2011.
She is survived by one daughter, Kim (Pete) Brown, one sister, Bobette Mann and one brother, Branch Jordan Jr., all of Knox, six grandchildren, six great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. She was preceded in death by one son, Keith Howard and siblings: Geneva Childers, Beaureda Owens, Earl Jordan, Ethel Tolson, Rosie Campbell, Freda Shelhart, Dick Jordan, Paul Jordan and Barbara Nimon.
A private family service and burial at Round Lake Cemetery has taken place.
Arrangements were made by M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox.
GARY LYNN EKART
KNOX, IN - Gary Lynn Ekart, 74, died March 21, 2025. He was born January 17, 1951 in Harrison County, Indiana to Manford and Norma Ekart. On October 15, 1996, he married Patricia Ekart. Gary attended Indiana University in Bloomington. He was an Indiana State Trooper for 10 years and a State Police Detective. He retired from ISP in 1999. He then became an investigator for Starke County Child Protection Services until 2014. He was a Knox Center Township Fireman for 20+ years and served as Fire Chief for several years. He was also a member of the Starke County Alliance Against Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, a softball coach and a member of the FOP and the zoning board. He will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia, five children: Myles Ekart of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Tara (Scott) Schindler of New Albany, Indiana, Jeff (Taya) Morris of Plymouth, Indiana, Jennifer (Kirby) Anderson of Knox and Valerie (Kevin) Richardson of Winamac, Indiana, twenty grandchildren, six great grandchildren and two siblings: Judy and John of Leveanworth, Indiana.
A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, June 7 from 1pm to 5pm CT at the Knox-Center Township South Fire Station.
Arrangements were made by M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox.
DELORES MARIE MILLER
MEDARYVILLE, IN - Delores Marie
“Dee” Miller, 88, died Friday, May 30, 2025 at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville, Indiana. She was born May 25, 1937 in Whiting, Indiana to the late Harold E. and Twilla Lavon (Small) Woodard. In 1952, she married Eligah Joseph. On December 31, 1987, she married Robert E. “Bob” Miller. He died November 18, 2015.
Delores was worked hard as a laborer at the Medaryville Garment Factory, Schumacher’s and Monon Trailer. She was a member of the Medaryville Assembly of God Church. She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, cooking, baking, doing puzzles and in their retirement years, traveling around the country with her husband Bob. She loved her family very much. She will be deeply missed.
She is survived by one son, Terry Lee (Pam) Joseph of Messina, New York, two stepsons: Rick and Jerry, two daughters: Debra Lyn (Mike) Ward and Tina Marie (Mark) Bailey, both of Medaryville, six grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, one great great grandson and her first husband, Eligah Joseph. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Ashland Wireman and siblings: Ernest Woodard and Viola Woodard.
Visitation from 4-8pm EDT on Wednesday, June 4 at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel and services at 10:30am EDT on Thursday, June 5 at the funeral home with Pastor Tom Dewlen officiating. Burial will be in the Goodway Cemetery in Medaryville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Medaryville Assembly of God Church or the Pulaski Animal Center.
Arrangements were made by Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Medaryville.
JEREMY BLOUNT
WESTVILLE, IN - Jeremy Blount, 46, died Saturday, May 24, 2025. He was born August 12, 1978, in Knox, Indiana to the late Linda May and Michael Blount.
Jeremy lived life full throttle-a true wild child who embraced every moment with passion, humor and a heart that loved fiercely. He will be missed more than words can express.
He is survived by his wife, Brittany Davison, five children: Alexa “Puddin” Jordan, Tyler “Porkchop” Blount, Elijah “Cornbread” Blount, Jeremiah “Soup Bean” Blount and Lilly “Peanut” Blount and two grandkids.
Services were held on Friday, May 30.
Arrangements were made by O’Donnell Funeral Home, Inc. in North Judson.
KERMIT E. PARCEL
WINAMAC, IN - Kermit E. “Buck” Parcel, 96, died Sunday, June 1, 2025 at his home. He was born January 31, 1929 in Star City, Indiana to the late Cecil and Eva (Miller) Parcel. On April 26, 1951, he married Elizabeth A. “Betty” Widup. She died November 30, 2015.
Buck was a 1947 graduate of Star City High School. He was a veteran of the US Marine Corps and a member of the Winamac American Legion Post #71. He received a Quilt of Valor. He had worked as a tractor mechanic at the local Case dealer for many years. He also held jobs at Eaton’s, Galbreath’s and the Winamac Elevator. At age 91, he retired from NAPA in Winamac. Buck was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Winamac. He enjoyed golfing and woodworking and was an avid Chicago Cubs and IU basketball fan.
He is survived by his children: Denise Parcel and Mark Parcel, both of Winamac. He was preceded in death by three brothers: Darwin “Doc”, Gerald and Darl Dean Parcel.
Visitation from 11am-1pm EDT on Friday, June 6 with services beginning at 1pm at Frain Mortuary with Pastor Kim Powell officiating. Burial will be in the Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac. Memorials may be made to Toys for Tots.
Arrangements were made by Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
