John Michael “Mick” Williams
John Michael “Mick” Williams, 88, died on June 17, 2012 at his home on Lake Tippecanoe, Syracuse, IN. He was surrounded by his seven children. He was born in Elwood, IN to Joseph & Anne Williams on November 7, 1923. He married Mary Ann Biltz on June 24, 1950. She passed away on September 14, 1968. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood until moving to Lake Tippecanoe and was a current member of St. Martin dePorres parish in Syracuse. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6323. He is survived by seven children in whom he instilled the importance of family, faith, and having fun in their lives. Terri Wentz (Orv Myers) of Goshen, Karen (Randy) Tunis of Elwood, Joe (Debbie) Williams of Goodyear, AZ, Tim Williams of Muncie, Ann Williams of Denver, CO, Betsy Williams of Leesburg and Vince Williams of Indianapolis. Nine grandchildren – Lisa (Eric) Bishop of Columbus, Angela Wentz of Atlanta, GA, Julia (Christopher) Bernard of San Francisco, CA, Michele Wilson of Elwood, Stephanie (Zach) Head of Elwood, Chris (Julie) Williams of Goodyear, AZ, Clint (Christina) Williams of Goodyear, AZ, William Thieme of Denver, CO and Michael Thieme of Denver, CO. Twelve great-grandchildren – Erica Bishop, Madyson Lane, Alexandra Rudig, McKenzie Wilson, Macy Wilson, Quentin Head, Connor Bernard, Gabby Graham, Mya Williams, Jada Williams, Kami Williams and Keith Williams, along with one great-great-grandchild Eli Miller. Mick is also survived by two sisters – Joanne Prieshoff of Elwood and Margaret Brenner of Alexandria, and a brother Tom (Abby) Williams of Inverness, FL. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his little brother, Larry Williams and grandson Eric Wentz, who shared his birthday. He graduated from Elwood High School in 1942 and attended Butler University, where he was a member of the football team. He graduated from International Business College in Ft. Wayne. Mick served his country as a cryptographer as a Staff Sergeant under General Hap Arnold in the US Army Air Corp in Italy and North Africa in WWII and was offered a position in the Diplomatic Corp at the end of the war. He was retired from Farm Bureau Insurance, having worked in Muncie, Anderson, Ft. Wayne and Warsaw. He was a member of the American Legion Post 253 in North Webster and the Benevolent Protectorate of Elks in Elwood. Calling will be Tuesday, June 19, 2012 from 4-8 PM at the Eastlund Funeral Home at 7458 E. 1000 N. Syracuse, IN 46567 with a Rosary service at 7:30. A funeral mass will be Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 10:30 AM at St. Martin dePorres Catholic Church with Father Richard Hire officiating. Interment will be at the St. Joseph Catholic cemetery in Elwood with full Military Honors at 3:00 PM. Family members will receive those wishing to express their condolences at the cemetery after 2:30. Memorial contributions may be made to: Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice or The Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.