Zay to seek U.S. House seat

By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

State Sen. Andy Zay returned to his home town of Huntington on Thursday, March 2, to officially kick off his campaign for Indiana’s 3rd Congressional District Seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Surrounded by family and friends, Zay, a Republican, made the announcement at Nick’s Kitchen in the downtown business district.

He said he chose Nick’s Kitchen because “the community gathers here … to solve Main Street’s issues, not only here in Huntington, but throughout the country.”

The 3rd District seat is now held by Republican Jim Banks. Banks announced earlier that he won’t seek re-election in 2024, opting instead to seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mike Braun. Braun is running for governor.

“Gas prices are up,” Zay said. “Food prices are up. The cost of healthcare is up. Inflation is running rapid. It’s time for us to push back.

“Main Street America has been under assault for the last year and a half, two years. It’s time to push back. We need to take Hoosier values to D.C. and put D.C. values back out east.

“The first step of a long journey begins today, to take back Main Street values and fight for Indiana and fight for the Third District.”

In a press release issued to coincide with his announcement, Zay said, “Congress is broken. Washington D.C. politicians have left Main Street behind while saddling future generations with more debt, less opportunities, and misplaced priorities. It’s time we chart a different course. In Congress, I will work to cut taxes on working families, spur job creation, and create opportunities for the next generation while defending our Hoosier values of family, faith, life, and the United States Constitution.”

He also took a shot at the current administration, saying, “The Biden administration has failed. Record inflation and a floundering economy have pushed an agenda that puts left-wing interest groups ahead of everyday Americans. In Congress, I will defend our values and put Hoosiers first.”

Zay has served in the Indiana Senate since 2016, replacing Banks who left the Indiana Senate to begin serving in the U.S. House of Represenatives.

A Huntington native, Zay and his wife, Cindy, have been married for 28 years and have five children and two grandchildren. He is a small business owner and an active member of Peter and Paul

Catholic Church.

The 3rd Congressional District consists of all of Huntington, Adams, Allen,

Blackford, DeKalb, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley counties, as well as northern Jay and northeast

Kosciusko counties.

He represents Wabash County in the Indiana House of Representatives.

Betty Stowe, 79

Enjoyed cooking & canning

Feb. 18, 1944 – March 5, 2023

Betty Jean Stowe, 79, of Wabash, died at 5:00 am, Sunday, March 5, 2023, at her home. She was born on Feb. 18, 1944, in Biloxi, Miss., to Edward Walker and Gladys (Ice) Lavely.

Betty married James L. Stowe in Wabash on Oct. 5, 1968; he died Nov. 18, 1996. She worked at General Tire, Walmart, and First National Bank, all in Wabash. Betty was a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church and the Wabash American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, working in her yard, cooking, canning, playing cards, and especially spending time with her family.

She is survived by four children, Michael (Vicki)

Shircliff of Carmel, Sheila Rossmann of Kokomo, Leila (Mike) Brandt of Roann, and Mark (Deidre) Shircliff of Carmel; nine grandchildren, Branden (Jessica Sparks) Gray of Roann, Danielle (Ernie) Thayer of Ashville, N.C., Brook (Casey) McLain of Roann, Heather (Connor) McCulley of McCordsville, Shelby (Josh) Kessler of Greenfield, Megan Fry of South Korea, Korey (Grace) Shircliff of Carmel, Alex Shircliff of Carmel, and Courtney (Clayton) Childers of Minnesota; 10 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Nancy Walker of New Albany.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, brother, James Walker, and sister, Rose Connley.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m., Thursday, March 9, 2023, at GrandstaffHentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash, with Father Jay Horning officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 1-3 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are St. Bernard Catholic Church or St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital.

The memorial guest book for Betty may be signed at www.grandstaffhentgen.com.

Norma Fingerle, 69 Worked at Heckman Bindery

Oct. 22, 1953 – March 1, 2023

Norma Jean Fingerle, 69, daughter of Chester and Helen (Frantz) Fingerle, was born on Oct. 22, 1953 and died March 1, 2023.

Visitation and services were March 5, at the Old German Baptist Brethren Church, North Manchester.

Mary Halverson, 90 Retired from Wabash Electric

Sept. 5, 1932 – Feb. 28, 2023

Mary C. Halverson, 90, of Wabash, died at 6:05 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at Wellbrooke of Wabash.

She was born on Sept. 5, 1932, in Faribault, Minn., to John and Grace (Hagerty) Mahoney.

Mary was a 1950 graduate of Mechanic Arts High School in St. Paul, Minn.. She married Warren Halverson in St. Paul, on June 30, 1956; he died Dec. 4, 1986. She worked at Wabash Electric, retiring after 20 years. Mary was a member of the Wabash American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by two sons, Jamie Halverson of Wabash, and John Halverson of Fort Wayne; several grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and several greatgreat-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, four sons, William Halverson, David Halverson, Paul Halverson, and Gary Halverson; two daughters, Laurie Bailey and Colleen Mitting; two brothers, six sisters.

Per Mary’s request there will be no services. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.

The preferred memorial is the Wabash American Legion Auxiliary.

The memorial guest book for Mary may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.

Jack Davidson, 76 Taught at Heartland Career Center

Feb. 14, 1947 – March 3, 2023

Jack D. Davidson, 76, of rural Lagro, Indiana, died at 9:44 am, Friday, March 3, 2023, at his daughter’s home in Peru, Indiana. He was born on February 14, 1947, in New Castle, Indiana, to Alfred and Mary (Pugh) Davidson.

Jack was a 1965 graduate of Mt. Summit High School, in Mt. Summit, Indiana, received his bachelors degree from Ball State University, and his master’s degree in Education from Indiana State University. He married Louise (Murray) Copeland in Wabash on Sept. 4, 1983; she died May 15, 2009. Jack was an Industrial Arts teacher, beginning his career in Maxwell. He also taught at the Heartland Career Center in Wabash, and finished his teaching career at Kokomo High School. He also was the curriculum supervisor and taught ABATE motorcycle classes several years and also was a reserve deputy for the Wabash County Sheriff Department. After his retirement, Jack worked at Science Central in Fort Wayne. He was a member of the Lagro United Methodist Church, and the Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by six children, Jana K. Futrell of Peru, Andy (Krysha) Davidson and James (Priscilla) Davidson, both of Muncie, Sharon (Rod) Hanes of Peru, Veva (Tom) Torres and Patricia Copeland, both of Wabash; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his sister, Karen Logan of New Castle.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Ronald and Terry Davidson, and two children Kenneth David Copeland and Kathy Miller.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Andrea Lantz officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 3-7:30 pm Tuesday, at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic service at 7:30 pm Tuesday.

Preferred memorial is American Cancer Society. The memorial guest book for Jack may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.

Robert Connell, 73 Was a retired teacher

Nov. 20, 1949 – Feb. 16, 2023

Robert M. Connell, 73, of Wabash, died at 3:29 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, at his home. He was born on Nov. 20, 1949, in Akron, Ohio, to Balfour Y. and Sarah (Renaker) Connell.

Robert and his family moved to Wabash in 1958. He was a Wabash High School graduate and received his law degree from Indiana University. Robert was a retired teacher. He moved back to Wabash from La Puente, Calif. in 2004.

He is survived by his brother, Walter Connell of Redondo Beach, Calif.; two nieces, April Connell of West Covina, Calif., and Michelle Montgomery of Pomona, Calif.; great nieces and great nephews, Karly Hoffman, Haylee Anders, Lily Montgomery, Jody Anders, and Noah Montgomery; and his sister-in-law Sonja Connell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, George Connell. There will be a graveside service at Falls Cemetery, with the Rev. Nathan Whybrew officiating at a later date. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.

Preferred memorial is the Woman’s Clubhouse.

The memorial guest book for Robert may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.

Russell Frantz Jr., 93 Enjoyed IU athletics

Sept. 5, 1929 – March 5, 2023

Russell Frantz Jr., 93, Winona Lake, died March 5, 2023.

Visitation 4-7 p.m. March 10, at McKee Mortuary, North Manchester. Services 10 a.m. March 11, at Packerton United Methodist Church, Claypool; calling at 9 a.m.

Wabash County Sheriff’s Department Accidents

A vehicle driven by Levi J. Dyson, 36, LaFontaine, struck a deer at 6:57 a.m. March 1, on County Road 900 S, east of CR 390E. Damage was estimated at between $2,501 and $5,000.

A vehicle driven by Kennedy J. Brackett, 23, Wabash, struck a deer at 5:45 a.m. March 1 on Old State Road 15, south of SR 124. Damage was estimated at between $1,001 and $2,500.

A vehicle driven by Pamela S. Kratzer, 61, Marion, struck a deer at 8:04 a.m. Feb. 27, on State Road 124. Damage was estimated at between $1,001 and $2,500.

Vehicles driven by Billy E. Hawkins III, 29, Wabash, and Madison M. Hartenstein, 22, Uniontown, Ohio, collided at 8:39 a.m. Feb. 24 at the intersection of U.S. 24 and CR 200W.

Damage was estimated at $25,001 to $50,000.

A vehicle driven by Liberty T. Tabor, 20, Huntington, went into a ditch on CR 900 N, west of CR 600 E.

Damage was estimated at between $5,001 and $10,000.

A vehicle driven by Steven A. Goodpaster, 35, Lagro, struck a deer on Baumbauer Road, west of CR 75 E. Damage was estimated at $1,001 and $2,500.

Vehicles driven by Spencer N. Brown, 35, Wabasdh, and Timothy L. Lake, 60, Fort Wayne, collided at the intersection of U.S. 24 and CR 200 W. Damage was estimated at between $5,001 and $10,000.

Darren G. Forrester, 31, Lagro, and Garrett T. Pape, 24, Andrews, collided on Davis Street and