Katherine E. “Bunny” Brogdon
Katherine Elizabeth “Bunny” Brogdon, 83, of Winamac, formerly of Lake Bruce, passed away Tuesday, May 20.
She was born on July 11, 1941 at Carneal’s Hospital in Winamac to the late Herman and Hannah (Dunker) Smidler. Bunny graduated from Francesville High School in 1959. She lived in Chicago, Illinois and worked at Nestlé during the years after high school and before her marriage.
On Oct. 28, 1962, she married Melvin LaVon “Nub” Brogdon at St. James Lutheran Church in Reynolds. Nub passed away on Oct. 10, 2015. Bunny was a devoted wife and mother who also worked part time at the A&P Store and Alexander’s Meat Market in Winamac.
Bunny and Nub loved living on Lake Bruce, especially time spent fishing and boating. They enjoyed 21 years of wintering at Pine Island, Florida and Avon Park, Florida. They camped all over the United States and Canada, which often included the granddaughters.
Bunny was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Winamac. She was a proud supporter of her granddaughters in all their activities. When she was not spending time with them, they stayed in touch through social media and texting. She truly enjoyed receiving pictures of her great grandchildren.
She is survived by daughter Pamela Joy [husband: Craig] Barr, Kokomo; son Melvin Scott [wife: Missie] Brogdon, Winamac; granddaughters: Lauren Elizabeth [husband: Zach] Decker, Emily Margaret Barr, Bethany Marie [husband: Nick] Terruso and Erika Lavon Brogdon; great-grandson Beau Wallace Decker; great-granddaughter Myla Marie Terruso; sister Paula [husband: Larry] Beauchamp, Monticello; brother Herman “Sonny” [wife: Norma] Smidler, Monticello; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by parents: Herman and Hannah (Dunker) Smidler; husband Melvin LaVon “Nub” Brogdon; sister Francis Hoover; and brother Fred Smidler.
Cremation will take place at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
Memorial visitation will be from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sunday, June 8 at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, June 8 at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
Burial will take place at Bruce Lake Cemetery in Lake Bruce.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pulaski Animal Center or Ronald McDonald House.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
The family would like to offer sincere thanks to Patricia Korzeniowski, Karla Johnson and Elaine Powers for their tender care of Bunny.
(Pulaski County Journal — May 28, 2025)