Delores A. “Dee” Girton
Delores A. “Dee” Girton, 86, of Winamac, went home to be with the Lord at 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at Hickory Creek.
Delores was born on April 13, 1933, in Monterey, to the late Peter G. and Anna C. (Schmicker) Hammes. She attended grade school at Holy Family/St. Anne’s in Monterey and graduated high school from Ancilla Domini/Poor Hand Maids of Jesus Christ in Donaldson. After graduation, she became a beautician and owned her own beauty shop. On July 31, 1953, Delores married the late Clarence R. Girton at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac.
Delores was a devoted member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. She was an active member and past president of the Ladies of Charity and Christian Mothers. Delores (along with her mother and husband) was instrumental in the founding of the Good Samaritan Store in Winamac which celebrated 50 years in 2019. She was a longtime member of the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Delores and Clarence were foster parents of many children over the years. Delores dedicated her life to the service of the Lord and others as evident in her faithful volunteer work in the community.
Delores was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her daughters: Pat Mersch of McCordsville, Mary Girton Kasten of Winamac, and Gerilynne [Lars] Rishaug of New Carlisle; sons: Bill Girton of Winamac, and Rob Girton of Winamac; foster daughter Margie [Jay] (Willoughby) Rifkind of Greenwood; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Peter G. and Anna C. (Schmicker) Hammes; husband Clarence R. Girton; son Bobby Girton; sisters: Margaret Effinger, Catherine Reutebuch and Pauline Houin.
A scriptural wake service was held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, followed by the Ladies of Charity service, Christian Mothers service and rosary. Visitation followed from 2-6 p.m. A funeral mass was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiated. Burial took place at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ladies of Charity or St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
Online condolences may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
(Pulaski County Journal — Dec. 25, 2019)