Obituaries

Mary Thelma “Dotsy” Merrill, 95

Mary Thelma “Dotsy” Merrill, 95, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Aperion Care of Peru.

Mary was born on October 28, 1927 in Pilot, Kentucky to Sherman and Bernice (Townsend) McQuinn. She married Ocie Merrill and he preceded her in death. “Dotsy”, as she was fondly known , enjoyed gardening and spending time outdoors. She was employed at Woolsworth in Logansport and a member of the Christian Pilgrim Church. She is survived by a sister, Wilma Walker, of Peru, Indiana and nieces; Elizabeth McQuinn of Logansport, Indiana, Joan McQuinn, of Walton, Indiana, Lisa Chiavola of Logansport, Indiana, nephew, Wes McQuinn of Ohio, great nieces; Ashley Chiavola, Jocelyn Chiavola, Kendall Hlebasko, and great nephews; Jordan Chiavola, Quinton McQuinn, and Lee Edwards. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, Aubrey Fay McQuinn. Visitation was Thursday, January 19, 2023 at FlowersLeedy Funeral Home. A funeral service immediately followed with Pastor Paul Lane officiating. Burial took place at Ever-Rest Memorial Park Cemetery in Logansport, Indiana. Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

Beverly Joe Carpenter, 83, Rochester, Indiana, passed away at 4:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at her residence.

Born on June 8, 1939, in Rochester, Indiana, she was the daughter of Harold Ray and Florence W. “Betty” (Powers) Price. On January 23, 1969, in Rochester, Indiana, she was married to Kent Eugene Carpenter, and he preceded her in death on December 2, 1987.

She was retired from Hart Schaffner & Marx in Rochester, Indiana. She loved line-dancing, and for many years, taught classes around the area.

Survivors include three children, Kellie Jo Gillenwater, Rick Dawson Carpenter, and Kent Eugene Carpenter, Jr.; five grandchildren, Kimberly, Joshua, Shannay, Taylor, and Jaden; three step-grandchildren, Ashley, Rachelle, and Eugene; and one sister, Bea Stephenson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister, Barbara Jones.

There will be no services or visitation. In honoring Beverly’s wishes, cremation arrangements have been handled by McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana. Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclainfh.com.

James “Jim” Rairigh passed away Friday, January 13, 2023.

Born July 15, 1967, Jim was the son of William and Frances (Pasquale) Rairigh, who preceded him in death.

He married Denise K. Sholty on January 3, 1987. Together they raised three children, Kayla C. (Rairigh) Lockwood (James) of Sanford, FL, Brandon J. Rairigh, who preceded him in death, and Tayler L. Rairigh of Peru, IN. He was also loved by three grandchildren.

Jim was a 1985 graduate of North Miami High School where he enjoyed choir and band. He entered the United States Air Force in 1986 and served 11 years. Jim loved spending time with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, daughters, and 3 grandchildren, Jim is survived by one sister, Christina M. (Rairigh) Miltenberger (Rex) of South Bend, IN, and two brothers, Robert W. Rairigh (Kathy) of Milford, IN, and Timothy J. Rairigh (Debbie) of Tehachapi, CA, and several nieces and nephews.

A private burial will take place at Marion National Cemetery with Pastor Rod Correll officiating.

A memorial service will be held at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, you may make memorial donations to the family through Zion Chapel Church at 915 S Broadway, Peru, IN 46970.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

Margaret S. Robillard, 90, of Muncie, passed away at 9:15 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at her residence. She was born in Bath, England, Aug. 30, 1932.

Margaret married John R. Robillard in Schenectady, New York, July 5, 1958, and he preceded her in death Nov. 11, 2001.

Margaret was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church and also at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Muncie. She enjoyed reading and spending time with her family, especially spoiling the grandchildren.

Surviving are her children Mark (Tammy) Robillard of Canton, GA, David (Maggie) Robillard of Richmond, KY, Ann (Tim) Robacker of Belleville, IL and Steven Robillard and Becky of Muncie, IN; grandchildren Jon Mark Robillard, Tyler Robillard, Lauren Robillard, Casey Robacker, Jay Robillard, Alec Robillard and Parker Robillard and a brother George Laycock.

A Catholic Mass celebrating the life of Margaret S. Robillard was held Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at St. Charles Catholic Church, 58 W. 5th St., Peru, IN. Burial followed at St. Charles Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through the EikenberryEddy Funeral Home to the St. Charles Catholic Church.

Diana Jean Conrad, 73, Peru, Indiana, (rural Twelve Mile), passed away at 8:53 a.m. on Monday, January 16, 2023, at Blair Ridge Health Campus, Peru.

Born November 30, 1949, in Peru, Indiana, she was the daughter of Robert A. and Carolyn R. (Conner) Conrad.

Diana was a graduate of Caston High School in 1967. She received a B.S. from Ball State University before attending IUPUI where she received a B.A. in Communications Studies while minoring in Spanish and Creative Writing. She worked as a Medical Technologist, ASCP Registered, for South Bend Medical Foundation at Memorial Hospital in Logansport. She was a member of Corinth Brethren Church near Twelve Mile, and hosted many Bible studies in her home.

Survivors include two brothers, John Robert Conrad, Brooklyn Center, MN; and Matthew (Pat) Conrad, LaPorte, Indiana; one aunt, Janet Dalman, Holland, Michigan; several cousins and friends, and her church family from Corinth Brethren Church, Twelve Mile.

Diana was able to stay in her home until her health declined too much over the last month. She was blessed and appreciative to have her close friends, church family, and Guardian Angel Hospice to help care for her in her final days.

Funeral services were Thursday, January 19, 2023, at McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, with Pastor Cole Westwood officiating. The service was live-streamed at www.mcclainfh.com/livestream. Burial followed in Corinth Cemetery, Twelve Mile.

McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclainfh.com.

Dennis E. Hughes, 73, of Peru, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at his residence. Born on July 8, 1949, in Tecumseh, Michigan, Dennis was the second child of Haskell and Helen Hughes.

He married his wife, Jo Ann, on November 1, 2004.

Dennis served in the United States Air Force for 33 years. He enjoyed traveling the world and meeting people throughout his years in the military. He retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant on August 1, 2008.

Frequenting car shows was one way Dennis enjoyed spending his weekends. He was often joined by his wife and grandson. He was a huge Wolverine fan and loved rooting for the University of Michigan. He looked forward to evenings by the campfire with family and regularly attended athletic events for his grandchildren.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Hughes, of Peru, sister Karen Messersmith of Florida, brother Cy Hughes of Michigan, son Christopher Hughes of South Carolina, and grandchildren Lily and Tyler Hughes. He also had the privilege of embracing the love of family members Christy (Chris) McGuire, grandchildren Trey Christensen (Jamie Rutledge), Masyn, Avery, Regan, Kynle & Kaden McGuire, and great-grandchild Jason J. Christensen. He was proceeded in death by his parents, his sister Jo Ann Harwick, family members Jason E. Christensen and his namesake great-grandson Everett Christensen.

A “Celebration of Life” visitation was held Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at the Mt. Hope Cemetery Chapel, 411 N. Grant Street, Peru, Indiana. Military honors were provided by Peru VFW.

His grandchildren were the light of his life, so in lieu of flowers and in loving memory of Dennis, please reach out and enrich a child’s life, even with a small act of kindness.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.