Fafalene “Fluff” Jenkins
Fafalene “Fluff” Howard Jenkins, 86, of Winamac, passed away Feb. 21, at Pulaski Healthcare Center.
She was born Sept. 20, 1937 to the late Homer and Edna Mae Howard. On April 29, 1972 she married William T. Jenkins. He preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 2024.
Fluff had a love for adventure. As a young girl, she would take trips to Chicago on the train by herself and as an adult she traveled across Europe with the Sounds of Hope Mission. She often went to Fanfare for concerts, sporting events to watch her beloved Chicago Cubs and interesting landmarks across the U.S.
Fluff was a voracious reader and a closet romantic. She could be found curled up in a chair at any hour of the day reading a romance novel, watching the Hallmark Channel or Days of our Lives or blasting Newsmax.
Fluff was always in motion. She loved traveling, shopping and socializing. She enjoyed helping out where she could and volunteered with many organizations over the years. Recently she could be found at the front desk at the hospital signing people in. She even volunteered while wintering in Lake Placid, Florida at the Salvation Army and Manna Mission.
The most important thing to Fluff was her family. She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with single-minded devotion. She was your fiercest supporter, your loudest cheerleader, your warm embrace, the squeeze on the arm when you needed it. She tried to make every event and if she couldn’t she listened on the radio or wanted to see pictures. She was a baked good or an attentive ear over a sacred kitchen table, the miracle worker with laundry, the costume maker and the patcher of all things holey. She was a treasure and will be treasured always.
Survivors include her children: Susan Foust [Jeff] of Rochester, Mark Kolish [Diane] of Winamac; daughter-in-law, Linda Kolish of Winamac; stepdaughter, Melissa Behny [Josh] of Fishers; sister, Iva Jean Minix; brother, Roger Howard [Phyllis]; sister, Sharon Baker [Jim]; sister-in-law, Donna Howard; grandchildren: Chad Kolish [Monica] of Winamac, Beth Kolish of Winamac, Ryan Kolish [Lindsey] of Winamac, Austin Foust [Emily] of Rochester, Matthew Kolish [Laura] of Winamac, Jordan Kolish [Jess Bank] of Winamac, Kaitlin Foust of South Bend, Finian Behny of Fishers and Cameron Behny of Fishers; and great-grandchildren: Jackson, Sawyer, Charlotte, Cale and Ava Kolish and Zander, Rowan and Cason Foust.
She was preceded in death by husband, William Jenkins; sons: William Kolish and Kevin Kolish; grandson Liam Behny; parents: Edna and Homer Howard; brothers: Clifton Howard, Fred Howard and Justin Howard; sisters: Joyce Sallee, Carolyn Minix and Mandy Howard.
A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 9 at the Opera House 101 E. Main St. Winamac, with Pastor Heath Hyatt officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the time of service.
Memorial contributions can be made to Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Fluff’s online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the family at ransfuneralhomes.com.
Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.
(Pulaski County Journal — March 6, 2024)