Obituaries, January 9, 2024
Clyde E. “Pink” Penkwitz
Clyde E. “Pink” Penkwitz, 81, of Peru, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, December 30, 2023. He was born November 9, 1942, in Milwaukee, WI to Harvey and Viola (Roelse) Penkwitz. He retired from Chrysler in 2001 with 34 years of service as a pipefitter. He served his country in the United States Air Force in Vietnam.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Arlene Moore and Elaine McCarthy and his aunts Alice Roelse and Laura Walsh.
Surviving family included his companion of many years Barbara J. Bigalke of Kokomo, Indiana. Her two brothers, Kurt Bigalke of Kenosha, WI and his girlfriend Joan Hildebrandt. Paul and Michele Bigalke, Emma and Ava Bigalke, His beloved cats Dexter, Rigel, Nova, Blitzen and Sabatini. And his many beloved friends that he considered adopted children and grandchildren. Jacob Zody and Maddie Guyer, Tanner and Cami Fye and their children Blaine, Maebreigh, and Landon. Tim and Ashley Keenan and their children Jaden and Ross. Trevor and Carolina Conrad and their children Juan and Samuel. Robert and Barbara Lees. Crystal, Veronica and Grace Lynne Mertins. Nick Lees, Sarah Petersen and their children Cheyenne, Bronson and Phoenix, Steve Shrock, Robert and Renee Robertson. And his extended family in Mississippi Ms. Vadeen Burcham, Gerald and Joyce McKibben and their children and grandchildren along with the one and only Ms. Rosey Beth.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Thursday January 11, 2024, at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston, IN. With a memorial service to follow at 6:00 p.m. Pink will be laid to rest in Mississippi at a later date.
George W. “Bill” Vautaw
George W. “Bill” Vautaw, 90, Kokomo, passed away at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, January 7, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born June 5, 1933, in Kokomo to Harry P. and Ellen E. (Clare) Vautaw. On April 12, 1958, he married Mary Ellen Harvey, and she survives.
Bill was a 1952 Kokomo high School Graduate and served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He spent his working years as an auto mechanic. Along with his brother, he owned and operated Vautaw Bros. Texaco Service Station. After closing his business, Bill worked at Steve Wunderlich’s Texaco/Phillips 66 Service Station. He then worked at McGonigal’s Buick GMC Cadillac until his retirement.
Bill will be remembered as a generous and loving husband, dad, and grandpa. He loved the Lord and cherished time spent with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Vautaw; children, Beth Ann (Christopher) Smith, Michael William Vautaw, Jodi Lynn Vautaw, Keith Eugene (Sherrie Meadows) Vautaw, and Marilea (Krik) Fawcett; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a son-in-law, Daniel Arnett.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and a daughter, Lisa Ellen Arnett.
Funeral Services celebrating Bill’s life will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road with Willam Babb III officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2024, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s name to the Cass County Community Foundation, Lisa Arnett Scholarship fund, P.O. Box 441 Logansport, In 46947. Messages of condolence may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.