James A. "Jim" Brugh passed away at the Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary's Campus in Rochester Minnesota on February 17, 2022.  This followed a nearly 1-year battle with lung disease.   

On September 24, 1948, James Arthur Brugh was born, the second son of Joseph Leonard and Mildred Wentzel Brugh.  Growing up he shared his childhood with his older brother Randy.  Jim graduated from Rochester High School in 1966.  After a brief stint at Indiana State University, Jim transferred to Manchester College to continue his studies in German where he graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in secondary education. During his Manchester years he studied in Germany at Philipps-Universität Marburg, perfecting his linguistic skills.  Later, Mr. Brugh earned his Master of Arts from Indiana University.

On July 1, 1972, Jim married Ronda Rae Hood at the St. Joseph Catholic Church.  They shared nearly 50 years of life's adventures.  From their union came four sons and a daughter, with two more generations that followed.

With great dedication and devotion to his students Mr. Brugh, a Master Instructor, taught German for more than four decades at Culver Military Academy.  He held the Eugene C. Eppley Chair of Foreign Language from 1998 to 2014.  Voted on by the student body, Jim received the Kaser Award in 1995 for recognition of his scholarly interests, enthusiastic teaching, sympathetic understanding, and wise council.  He was an esteemed role model, admired by his students and respected by his peers.  Mr. Brugh took great satisfaction in helping to provide the skill sets necessary to empower the success and confidence of his students. 

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he was the head coach of the boys’ varsity soccer team from 1984 to 2014, making him the longest-serving head soccer coach in the state of Indiana.  He was an assistant coach for 10 years prior.  He guided the Eagles to the State Finals on multiple occasions, inspiring his team for 40 years.  

As a musician, Jim played his trombone for student musicals and on stage for various musical ensembles at the Eppley Auditorium at Culver Military Academy.  He also played big band and jazz at other non-school venues.  As a self-taught harmonica player, he would often play songs in German class for his students to sing along.

In 1982 a family tradition was established, by Jim and Ronda and their children staying at a lake resort near Hackensack, Minnesota.  They later bought their own cabin in that area.  Many memories were made at their cabin, where the family enjoyed fishing, exploring and embracing nature together.  Jim was a skilled handyman, adept at fixing anything around their country home.  He passed those skills on to his children.  He enjoyed woodworking very much, culminating in more recent years with turning bowls from logs on his lathe for friends and family.

As the patriarch of his family Jim was especially proud to see the arrival of each of the grands and great-grands.  The Brughs enjoyed taking to the roads in their motorhome to travel to Arizona, California, and Texas to visit other members of their family. 

Left to cherish Jim's memory are his wife, Ronda of Rochester; a daughter, Audra Lomba and husband Ray Anthony of Valley Center, CA; two sons: Jason Brugh and wife Nicole of Flagstaff, AZ, and Jim Brugh and wife Melissa of Granger; 10 grandchildren: Addison Brugh, Harper Brugh, Tenaya Brugh, Zander Brugh, Jackson Hayes, Ashlyn Hayes, Sierra Bryant and husband Justin, Lily Lomba, Raena Lomba and Myla Lomba. 2 great-grandsons: Ira and Odin and a brother Joseph Randall "Randy" Brugh of Rochester.

Jim was preceded by two sons, Joel A. Brugh on July 28, 2009 and Joshua A. Brugh on April 3, 2017; in-laws, Doris Hood on December 24, 2018, Kenneth Hood on October 2, 2004; parents: Mildred Brugh on November 5, 2012 and Joseph Brugh on October 15, 2014.

A celebration of the life of Mr. Jim Brugh will be at the Culver Academies chapel Friday afternoon, March 4, 2022. 

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 pm.  A service will follow at 4 pm. 

Jim will be laid to eternal rest on the family plot at the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. 

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Mayo Pulmonary Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota  55905. 

Online expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com

Donald William Kuhn 92, of Peru, and formerly of Rochester, passed away at 10:29 P.M. Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at Duke’s Memorial Hospital, Peru, Indiana.

He was born on May 27, 1929 in Rochester, Indiana, the son of Calvin and Mildred (Rogers) Kuhn.

He served with the United States Marines during the Korean War. On December 31, 1966 in Rochester, Indiana, he married Darlene (Cumberland) Ulerick and she survives.

Mr. Kuhn had worked as a door to door milkman and then moved to work for the Torin Corporation where he met his wife of fifty five years. Before he retired he was working for Little Debbie.

He enjoyed playing golf and in his younger days was an avid pool player.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene Kuhn, Peru, Indiana, children, Randy (Dena) Kuhn, Logansport, Indiana, Mark (Liz) Kuhn, New Holstein, Wisconsin, Tara (Dave) Bright, Morton, Illinois, stepchildren and in-laws, Teresa (Nate) Kimmell, Rochester, Indiana, Brian Ulerick, Florida, Alee Ulerick, Rochester, Indiana, fifteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, sister, Ester Godshalk, Warsaw, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents and step-son, Bobby Ulerick.

No services are scheduled at this time.

Arrangements by Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester

Sharon L. Cramer, 81, of Winamac, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.  She passed away peacefully and gracefully at home surrounded by her family who loved her dearly. 

Sharon was born on June 3, 1940 in Knox, IN to the late Frank and Elsie [Keehn] Elgin.  She graduated from Knox High School. 

Sharon married Robert A. “Bob” Cramer on August 30, 1959in Knox.   They bought a house in Winamac which became their home for 62 years. 

Sharon served the Lord faithfully throughout her life.  She loved her family more than anything, especially spending time with her grandchildren.  Sharon will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by:

Robert A. “Bob” Cramer, Husband

Kim (Terry) Reinholt, Daughter

Lisa (Mark) Henderson, Daughter

Sarah Henderson, Granddaughter

Brandon Henderson, Grandson

Evelyn Stailey, Sister

Several Niece and Nephews

Preceded in death:

Frank and Elsie [Keehn] Elgin, Parents

Barbara Chambers, Sister

Carolyn Elgin, Sister

Virginia Elgin, Sister

Sherry Mott, Sister

Visitation will be from 3-7 PM EST Friday, February 25, 2022 at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM EST Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Frain Mortuary in Winamac with Dan Litfin officiating. 

Graveside Services will be held at 2 PM EST Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Hanna Cemetery in Hanna, IN.

Burial will take place at Hanna Cemetery in Hanna.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Gideon’s International. 

Online Condolences may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have  been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac, IN. 

Edgar “Junior” Hunter, 68, of Rochester, passed away at 1:28 PM on Monday, February 21, 2022 at Life Care center of Rochester.

On September 9, 1953, Edgar Charles was born in Trion, GA to Edgar and Mary Ruth Hunter.

As the owner and operator of a construction company, Junior worked in the residential communities.  Fulton County has been his home for a year and a half, coming from Georgia.

Left to cherish the memories of Edgar are a daughter, April Hunter of Summerville, GA; three sons: Casey Hunter and wife Shelby of Summerville, GA, Jeremiah C. Hunter and wife Leann of Rochester, Steven M. Hunter of Peru; numerous grandchildren; two sisters: Beth Hunter, Carol Hunter both of Trion, GA; two brothers: Randy Hunter and wife Cathy and Charles Hunter and wife Joan, all of Trion, GA; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Edgar in death are his parents.

Private family services will be held at a later date. 

Good Family Funeral Home of Rochester has been entrusted with the arrangements. 

Bernard James Junge, 74, of Rochester, passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022 at his residence.

Bernard was born on November 5, 1943, to Emil and Martha Junge, and was baptized on November 14, 1943. He grew up in the small town of Holgate, Ohio, with four brothers and one sister. Upon graduation from Holgate High School in 1961, Bernie served four years in the Submarine Service of the US Navy on the USS ODAX.

After his honorable discharge, Bernie returned to Ohio and attended the University of Toledo, earning a degree in business. He held several Controller and General Manager positions with companies that had businesses in multiple states, including Johns Mansville, Redman Industries, HNP and General Woodworker.

Following the sale of General Woodworker in Plymouth, Indiana, Bernie remained active in the business community and served as a business broker, facilitating the sale of area companies. His last management position was as a partner in Electri-Tec in Angola, Indiana.

For the past 40 years, Bernie cultivated the herb, ginseng. While traveling in Wisconsin for business, he first inquired about the herb and discovered it would do well on is 186-acre farm in Indiana. Ginseng is highly prized in the Chinese culture and is found in many health-related products sold in the United States.

Bernie was regularly active in the U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc. Silversides Base as the Base Commander of the Indiana District. He was instrumental in procuring a plaque that is now displayed in the American Legion in North Webster, Indiana, in honor of the fifty-three submarines and 3500 servicemembers that were lost during WWII. Among those lost were four Medal of Honor recipients.

No matter where Bernie lived, he was a faithful church member and usually sang in the choir and was always willing to teach Sunday School and serve on various boards and committees. When he settled in Rochester, he was able to rekindle his interest in horses and standard - bred harness racing. With his friend, Jack Kieninger, he enjoyed caring for and racing horses at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana. He was a member of the U.S. Trotters Association.  Bernie loved music and dancing and acquired the nickname, “BJ the DJ” in high school as he spun the records for the high school dances. Since there were no opportunities for adults to gather and dance in Rochester, he started a monthly dance night for Rochester and area community members  but was shut down due to the COVID pandemic.

Bernie was active in his community, serving on the United Way board, was President of the Rotary Club in Plymouth, Indiana and, most recently, the Rotary Club of Rochester, Indiana. He  was past Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ancilla College in Donaldson, Indiana.

Bernie was proceeded in death by his parents and his two brothers, Raymond Junge and Walter Junge.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Lisa (Brian) Allen of Plymouth, Indiana; Troy Junge  and Chad Junge of Huntersville, North Carolina; grandsons, Trent Allen of Seattle, Washington, and Damon Allen of Plymouth, Indiana; siblings Everett Junge of Edina, Minnesota; Elmer (Rosalyn) Junge of Napoleon, Ohio, and Florence (Bernie) Dielman of Napoleon, Ohio; first wife Shirley Damman Junge of Plymouth, Indiana; and significant other, Karen Kingsley of New Buffalo, Michigan.

Services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 404 Jefferson St., Rochester, Indiana at 3:00 PM on Friday, February 25, 2022.

Friends may visit with the family one prior to the service.

Military Honors will be conducted by the Fulton County Veterans Honor Guard and the US Navy Honors Team.

Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rochester, Indiana. Arrangements have been entrusted to Good Family Funeral Home of Rochester.

Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.

Agnes I. Milliser 96, Monterey, Indiana, passed away at 11:05 P.M. Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Life Care Center of Rochester.

She was born on April 11, 1925 in Monongalia County, West Virginia, the daughter of Walter Simon and Dorothy (Radcliffe) Iser. On December 7, 1962 in Logan, Ohio, she married Franklin E. Milliser. He preceded her in death on July 4, 1986.

Early in Agnes’ life she had worked in the coal mines of West Virginia and during World War II worked in the local factory as “Rosie the Riveter” making supplies to help the war effort. She, along with her husband, owned and operated an upholstery shop in Leiters Ford, Indiana, for many years. Later in life she worked as a care giver. She had been a member of the Jehovah’s Witness and the Pentecostal Church. She enjoyed vacationing, making pepperoni buns, cooking, gardening and caring for her family, especially all of her grandchildren.  

Survivors include her children, Edward (Laurie) Maley, Roseburg, Oregon, Dan (Cheryl) Felda, Monterey, Indiana, Kimberly Milliser, Monterey, Indiana, nine grandchildren, twenty six great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by five brothers, four sisters, and her great grandson, Cody Hatter.

Friends may visit from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Saturday, March 5, 2022 at the Leiters Ford Community Building with a Memorial Service being conducted at 4:00 P.M. Burial will be at a later date at the Leiters Ford Cemetery, Leiters Ford, Indiana. Arrangements by Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrsofh.com

Beverly Jane Mark 90, Rochester, and formerly of Plymouth, Indiana, passed away at 12:45 A.M. Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at her residence.

She was born on May 14, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana, the daughter of George and Waunita Crowel. On July 3, 1948 in Roseland, Indiana, she married Francis D. Mark Sr. He preceded her in death on March 18, 2010.

Mrs. Mark had been a homemaker.

Survivors include her children, Danny Mark, Fish Lake, Indiana, Dennis J. Mark, Houston, Texas, seven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, brother, Bob Crowel, Arizona. She was preceded in death her sons, Francis D. Mark Jr., Donald R. Mark, daughters, Gail Ann Mark, Dolores Jane Mark, sisters, Helen Lambert and Ruthie Lighten.

No services are scheduled at this time.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fulton County Animal Adoption and Education Center.

Arrangements by Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com

A former Rochester resident and graduate of the RHS Class of ’54,  Gary passed away of natural causes at age 85 in his treasured Lake Havasu City, Arizona home. Born to Gerald and Florence (Gruwell) McMillen in Rochester, IN, he was the big brother of the late Billy (Patricia) McMillen of Rochester. He moved to Evart, MI in 1966 as part of a long career with Dean Foods Corporation, from which he eventually retired in 1983.

He was married to Donna (Doerr-Flachs) McMillen in 1970, and together they owned and operated Flachs Party Store in Evartuntil 1999. He was a long-standing member of the Evart Chamber of Commerce, the Saladin Shriners Masonic Organization, and also the local Elks and Moose lodges. Gary grew up on a farm and had a life-long love of agriculture. He was very active in FFA as a youngster.

Gary and Donna were “snowbirds,”having initially purchased a home in Lake Havasu in 1988, and wintering there every year together until Donna’s passing in 2013. Gary continued to winter in Arizona through this season.

His love of the outdoors ran deep, and he enjoyed spending time fishing, hunting, and tinkering at his tree farm. Although it can neither be confirmed nor denied,he claimed to have fished every lake in Osceola County. His children would tend to agree that it is very likely. He treasured an annual family trip to the upper peninsula of Michigan, where quality time was spent with his sons and grandsons fishing in the pristine lakes of the Crystal Falls area. These trips are among the best times that any of us have ever had, not only on the water, but playing cards, cooking feasts, fixing boats, and contemplating life.

Gary and Donna loved gathering with family and friends, and card games were often the device to bring them together. Whether it was Euchre, Horsethief or Penny-ante Poker, he would say to the kids, “C’mon and play, it won’t cost you much.”  Between good-natured chiding and singing about the Jack of Diamonds, his joy of the game and the camaraderie of family and friends playing and laughing together was infectious.

Gary is survived by sons Mitchell McMillen (LisaDurba) of New Milford, CT; Jon McMillen(Cathy) of Huntsville, AL; Chuck Flachs (Karen) of Evart; daughters Jazanne McMillen of Gallatin Gateway, MT; Cheryl McMillen (ConnieJuntunen) of Falls Church, VA; June Mitchell of Evart; Margaret Westmaas of Marion, MI; Deb Bryant (Dennis) of Evart; daughters-in-law Lisa McMillen of Rochester and Melanie Flachs of Evart; 22 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, as well as special friend Wanda Rossiter of Evart.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Donna; sons Bill Flachs of Evart; Greg McMillen of Rochester;infant grandson Blaine McMillen; daughter Julie Paisley;sons-in-law Jim Mitchell and David Westmaas;and his parents Gerald and Florence.

Family was very important to Gary, and he greatly enjoyed visiting and spending time with his children, grandchildren, in-laws, friends and loved ones. In recent years, Gary and his dear friend Wanda were often hosted at family events, and it would be no surprise if he brought his famous pineapple upside-down cake or five-bean salad.  A fish fry at Gary’s house was a special event and the fish, onion rings and homemade chips would often be devoured before Gary could sit down to join dinner.

Gary’s influence on the lives of all that he touched was immeasurable, from his friends, acquaintances, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, to nearly all those that he encountered – he was truly one-of-a-kind.We’ll miss his stories, his wry sense of humor, colorful limericks and countless expressions, but we know them by heart and will share them with the next generation. We are assured knowing that in the end, he did everything his way.

A celebration of life will be held in Evart, MI at a time to be determined later.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Shriners Hospitals for Children.