Logansport Pharos-Tribune from Logansport, Indiana • Page 2

Page A2 Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Indiana, Wednesday, December 25, 1991 Obituaries Stella Ellen Bitterling WINAMAC Stella Ellen Bitterling, 85, Winamac, died at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday in Pulaski Healthcare Center. Arrangements are pending at Frain Mortuary. Wayne L. Day WINAMAC Services for Wayne L.

Day, 84, Okeechobee, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in Frain Mortuary. He died at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Holy Cross Parkview Hospital in Okeechobee. Born Aug.

14,1907, in Thornhope, he was the son of Ernest and Beatrice McCullen Day. On July 14, 1926, in Winamac, he was married to Josephine Moncel, who died Nov. 14,1930. On Feb. 15,1932, in Winamac, he was married to Minnie M.

Moncel, who survives in Okeechobee. Mr. Day had lived in Okeechobee for most of his life, and also lived in Star City. He was retired from farming and trucking, where he was self-employed. Also surviving are two sons, Larry and Monte, both of Star City; one daughter, Marjorie Tomlinson, Kentland; two sisters, Geneva Shafer, twelve Mile, and Jenetta Shafer, Mesa, 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Two sons, one brother and three grandchildren preceded him in death. The Rev. Scott Moss will officiate the services. Burial will be in the Star City IOOF Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m.

Friday and after 8 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. DEC. 23,1991 Santa Continued From Page A1 After a quick round of "Ho, Ho, Ho's" outside the chimney, I was led to THE BIG CHAIR in the center of Logansport Mall, and one thing became readily apparent. It wasn't the love I felt as each child came up and spoke to me about his or her Christmas wishes.

I had pretty much expected that. After all, I was a kid once. No, the one thought that came to mind minutes into my hour-long shift was that I had tied that dang beard way too tight. So tight, in fact, I could feel my upper lip starting to go numb. Now, I felt self-conscious enough with the beard and red suit and all, so I kept my mouth (the half I could feel) shut about my predicament.

Sheila kept herding excited children down the red carpeted path to talk to Santa. Unfortunately, Santa was be- ginning to sound more and more was like one of those terrible voiceovers in a Kung-Fu movie. Example: Santa: So, nan you din a goo nidelgurl-nisyea? Small child: Uh, huh, but my sister put her foot on my neck. Santa: Nell, Nanta wi ju han to ban a talg wi her won he? Small child: Uh, huh. Santa: Wa noo you wan for Crit- mus? Small child: Nothin.

Santa: "Small child: Well, maybe something. Santa: Nike wha? Small child: A Barbie and a sword and a puppy and a Baby Cries A Lot Well, you get the idea. After our brief chats, the little ones were propped up on my knee for a photo, if the parent so desired. Then I would ask them to go to bed early on Christmas Eve because I had a lot of traveling to do, and the sooner I could come by their house, the better. (You're welcome, parents).

Actually, the hour passed quickly, despite the spreading numbness in the lower half of my face. Before I knew it, Shelia was leading me back to the chimney. My Santa stint was over. I took a seat in the dressing room and began to change back into my civilian garb. I could feel blood beginning to rush back into my face and, with a little rubbing, I almost regained full use of my upper lip.

Just as I was ready to leave, I caught the odor of a pipe and plum pudding, maybe? I turned, and of course, who was stationed at the slippery end of the pipe but the real Santa Claus himself. "So, how did it go?" he asked so- licitiously. "Actually, it was fun," I replied. "I really enjoyed seeing what it's like to be looking out from the other side of the beard." He grimaced. "Oh, the beard," he said, almost apologetically.

"Sorry about that. I should have warned you." A thought occurred to me. "But, how did you know?" I asked. "I was watching the whole time from the music department in Woolworth 's," he bellowed. "You did a fine job.

Ho, Ho, Ho!" Well, what in the What about the overbooking, the busy schedule? Why, he hadn't needed me at all. I couldn't believe my ears. "But Santa, I don't get it," I said. "Why would you have me fill in for you? Especially at this time of year; when I'm so busy with work and everything?" He took a puff of his pipe, pulled it from his mouth, and smiled the biggest, most infectious, type of smile. "Merry was all he said, and he headed toward the chimney where the children waited.

Bethlehem Omar H. Leininger AKRON Services for Omar H. Leininger, 81, of 302 Westwood Lane, Rochester, formerly of Rt. 2, Akron, will be held at 10 Friday in Hartzler Home. He died at 8:15 p.m.

Monday in the Rochester Lifecare Center. Born June 27,1910, in Fulton County, he was the son of Oliver and Dora Kindig Leininger. On March 31,1931, in Deer Creek, he was married to Elnora Jane Kelley, who survives. Mr. Leininger was a retired farmer.

Also surviving are two sons, David, Akron, and Terry, Rochester; three daughters, Sara Bunch, Edwardsville, Dora Jones, Akron, and Kathleen Leach, Niceville, 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. One grandson, two sisters and one brother preceded him in death. The Rev. John Campbell will officiate the services. Burial will be in Nichols Cemetery, north of Akron.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and one hour before the services Friday at the funeral home, DEC. 23,1991 Lucille A. Polzin Services for Lucille A. Polzin, 73, of 1408 E.

Market will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in All Saints Catholic Church, She died at 9:50 p.m. Monday in Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, Bom Aug. 20, 1918, in Stiles, she was the daughter of Justin and -Leona Jacquart Renier. On Nov.

25,1936, in Jefferson, she was married io Victor R. Polzin, who died Nov. 28,1975. Mrs. Polzin retired in 1990 after 17 years as an assembler for the Hilde- Corporation.

Continued From Page A1 by Palestinian activists and opened their doors on Christmas Eve for the first time since the uprising against Israeli rule began four years ago. In Vatican City, thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Basilica to await midnight Mass by Pope John Paul II. A 75-foot Christmas tree and a nativity scene with life-size figures decorated the vast St. Peter's Square in a tradition begun by the Polish-born pontiff.

Yule spirit also was found amid the grim conditions of the battlefield in Yugoslavia, -where thousands have died in a 6-month-old civil war. Croatian soldiers erected Christmas trees decorated with ornaments found in destroyed homes. They also planned Christmas services in bomb shelters. But unrest in Bethlehem gave way to joy around Manger Square and near the Church of the Nativity, which contains the site revered as the site of Jesus birth. "There could be nothing better than to stand and to be in the place where Jesus was born," said Sister Veronica Mary Miracle, a Roman Catholic nun from Los Angeles.

"It's just a thrill." Palestinian activists had urged owners of shops and restaurants to close in solidarity with the uprising, but the businesses stayed open, responding to a plea Monday by Bethlehem's Palestinian mayor, Elias Freij. Freij, however, canceled a reception for choir singers to protest the lack of an Arabic-language sign on the choir stand alongside Hebrew and English signs. Israelis hastily put up a sign in Arabic, but Freij said it was too late. In the asphalt-covered plaza, ordinarily a crowded parking lot, pilgrims did not wait for the organized caroling and broke out in songs, some accompanied by guitars. Other visitors sat down and wrote postcards.

One Arab souvenir dealer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said one factor in ignoring the strike call was optimism caused by the Middle East peace talks. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers and police patrolled the area. Visitors had to submit to searches and pass through a metal detector to enter Manger Square. The holiday officially began with the arrival of the Roman Catholic patriarch of the Holy Land, Archbishop Michel Sabah, who was led into the church by traditional Muslim guards wearing red fezzes. Paul Gabb, a 23-year-old architect from South Africa, said, "It means a lot to me to come to the place where Christ was born." The Tourism Ministry predicted about 4,000 foreigners would visit Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.

Last year, only a few people ventured to Bethlehem because of the Persian Gulf War, Many of those in Manager Square on Tuesday were Christian Palestinians who stayed away in recent years in sympathy with the uprising against Israeli occupation. More than 1,400 Palestinians and Israelis have been killed in the unrest. "It's a special day for us," said Susan Shaheen, 28, a Christian from Bethlehem. "But because of the suffering the Palestinians are going through, it would not be fair to celebrate." Most shops away from Manger Square remained shuttered. Freij, a Christian and a Palestinian delegate to the U.S.-sponsored peace talks, called for a peace where Jews and Arabs "can live here without fear, without hatred, without quarreling." "The message of Bethlehem is peace on earth," Freij said.

"We pray and hope that next year there will be peace in the Middle East." Manger Continued From Page.AI Orleans' French Quarter. His meals are free at the Center of Jesus the Lord, and if he makes $3.75 he can sleep in a city shelter. "I call that a blessing, not luck," Anthony said. "I blow my harmonica and sing and think about how at least 1 got that. a blessing was ladies Surviving are one son, Robert, Lantana, two daughters', Barbara Ben- Logansport, and Kathleen Gear, Fairfax, five brothers, Joseph Renier, -Manitowoc, Gilbert Renier, Duluth, Justin Renier, Norway, and Orville Renier and Clifford Renier, both of Faithom, one Sister, Julia Miller, Logansport; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; lone great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

Two sisters preceded her in death. Father Donald Gross will officiate at the services. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Kroeger Funeral where the rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity. DEC. 23,1991 smile: you 7 from the 'kids. The par- to stand with those who have nothing." In the Gospel, the poor were always with Jesus, even from the beginning when an angel of the Lord called shepherds standing watch over their flock to be the first to greet the child. The shepherds, considered peasants in that era, also Funeral Notices Adair Services for Richard W.

Adair, 68, of 610 Washington will be held at 10:30 Friday in Fisher Funeral Chapel. Burial wilj be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Peters Services for Florence Peters, 86, Rt.

6, Logansport, will be held at Thursday in Fisher Funeral Chapel, Burial will be in Davis Cemetery. Friends may call one hour prior to the services Thursday in the funeral chapel. Rose, FRANCESVILLE Private family services for Floyd R. Rose, 66, Rt, 2, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Vollmer Funeral Home.

Correction In Monday's edition of the Club News on the Lifestyle page, Marilyn Swartzlander, who discussed her uncle's experiences in World War was misidentified in the Daughters of the American Revolution Item. The Pharos-Tribune apologizes for the error. Winning Lottery Numbers thescene." Eight-year-old Valerie Matias, a robust-looking girl with long brown hair and brown eyes who portrays Mary when her family re-enacts the biblical Christmas, is writing her life story, beginning with her first Christmas, which she spent in the hospital. "Mommy didn't think I was going to make it, but I did," wrote Valerie, who suffers from cystic fibrosis and diabetes. "We think it was because God helped the doctors through the prayers people sent up to God," After two milleniums, the story of a child born in a Bethlehem manger finds its echoes in a shelter in North Dakota, soup kitchens in Las Vegas and New Orleans and a home for the severely retarded in Tennessee.

In.the Gospel of Luke, Mary gives birth and then places Jesus in a manger "because there was no place for them in the inn." Scholars debate whether this was a cave or a stable, or even whether Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But most interpreters agree the Gospel writer wanted to identify Jesus with the- poor of his time. Some find joy in this identification with the Christ child. Amid broken dreams of prosperity that drew them to Las Vegas from New Mexico, the Sandoval family is planning to spend their best Christmas ever in a homeless shelter a few blocks from the casino-lined Strip. "What we're going through reminds me of what Mary and Joseph went through in Bethlehem," said Lorraine Sandoval, 28, as she watched her two boys, ages 4 and 3, play with other children at the Crossroads shelter.

"Nobody wanted us, then we found this place, we found a home." Mark Anthony, 46, has lived on the streets for 10 years and plays his harmonica in New But'others'in'th'e'modern mangers'find it hard to keejj the spirit of Christmas alive: The secular 'aspects of tfie tioli'day'can weigh heavily on poverty-stricken families. Cassandra Conn, 24, also lives -on the edge of the French Quarter. Amid the world-famous restaurants that dot nearly every block, she brings her four kids for the "free lunches at the Center of Jesus the Lord. Seven-year-old David wants a bike and 4- year-old Ashley wants a doll, but Ms. Conn only gets $277 a month in welfare.and her rent is $195.

"I tell them about the real meaning of Christmas, about how the baby Jesus was poor and cold," Cohn said. "They know how he felt, I guess." Hazel Greiser, a 58-year-old widow who is among the mountain poor of West Virginia, said faith is 'the only thing that prevents her from dreading Christmas. She is unable to give her two pre-teen daughters the things they desire. "They know we're poor, but sometimes I hear them when they don't know I'm listening. They have their dreams, but they look and dream knowing that they cannot have things.

It just seems like everyone is more interested in what they can get rather than what they can give," she said, "Ask kids what Christmas is about and they tell you it's presents and Santa Claus. It's never about the Christ child and how he came into the world." He did not come into the world in the beatific fashion of Christmas cards and paintings by the 15th-century artist Fra Angelico, most scholars say. There is nothing romantic about giving birth in a stable, "I don't think the Gospels romanticize the poor," said the Rev. Cynthia Campbell of First Presbyterian Church in Salina, Kan. "It glorifies one who has the option to side with the poor.

The one who has everything sets it aside in order "Those who are poor and dispossessed can claim him in a way others cannot because of his complete identification with them," Hendricks said. I Some 95 percent of the residents of th'e Clover Bottom Developmental Center on the outskirts of Nashville are severely or profoundly retarded, with an IQ of 20 or less. The gift they ask for a home of their own is not easy to give, but they have a special understanding of Christmas. "He (Jesus) wanted more friends. That's what he was sent down for.

But people wouldn't believe," says one resident, Marilyn. Jose Dubon, an Atlanta native who has searched for work in several states, said he finds "great joy" in Christmas at the City Mission in Buffalo, N.Y. "That's what Christmas is all about. Speaking about Jesus, he came from a manger because he did not have a place, he gives a hope for all of us who don't have a home. It's a special day, Christmas is," says DuBon, 31.

Not for Carolyn Nunley. "What's Christmas? Another day," she says. Nunley is 37 but looks more like 50 as she panhandles for change in front of a porno theater in Boston's red light district, known as the Combat Zone. "What's a holiday without family?" she says. She wears a knit cap pulled low, a ragged overcoat and a button that reads, "I Am Somebody." But in that same city, a young mother seeks a clothing voucher at a Salvation Army center to buy a hat and scarf for her 2-year-old son.

She has faith and optimism to spare. Sheila Beasley, 23, said this Christmas will be more austere than those of her childhood, but the glitter is not as important as the love of a child. "It will be a happy Christmas, just by seeing my child happy," she said. "He has everything I want him to have." Hoosier Lottery 'Tuesday's, drawing Daily Three: 6-0-8 Daily Four: 6-6-8-3 Police Reports, (UPS 317-780) PHAROS-TRIBUNE Dally and Sunday (except Saturdays) $1.95 par weak by carrier In all cities and townt; In office 13 26 52 $8.45 per month by motor route. By mall In Indiana where no carrier or motor route Mrvlce maintained: 13 26 52 By mall outtlde Indiana: 13 28 52 All mall subscriptions payable In advance.

An adjustment will be made to the expiration on a pro-rata basis for subscribers who transfer from carrier or motor route delivery to mall delivery. No mall subscriptions where carrier or motor service It maintained. On all subscriptions paid In advance publisher reserves the right to the expiration date on a pro-rata basis In the event any Increase Is made In the price of the newspaper. Adlustments shall be made on the effective date of any announced price Increase. ADVERTISERS: The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arlslnn out of the errors In advertisements beyond the amount paid for space actually occupied by that portion of the advertisement In which the error occurred, whether such error is due to the negligence of the publisher's employees or otherwise, and there shall be no liability for non-Insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement.

William C. Blake, Publisher Jim Burton, Advertising Dlr. Julia Schock-Leahy, Customer Service Tuesday 11:30 a.m. Property-damage accident, U.S. 24 East, 50 feet south of Mall Road.

A vehicle driven by Dana L. Grain, 42, 415 Shultz struck a curb. Logansport'Police 'Department. 5:45 p.m. Theft.

Dale Hoel, Lake Cicott Trailer Park, Rt, 6, reported two teen-agers took several bulbs from Christmas lights early in the morning. Cass County Police Department. Hospital Notes Daniel A. Blom, Editor Darlene Strasser, Circulation Mgr. Pharos astabHshed 1840 N-5 R.por1.r Tribune established 1907 Logansport Press established 1921 published by Logansport Newspapers, 517 East Broadway, Logansport, Indiana postage paid at Logansport, Indiana, under the act of March 3, 1987.

Member Audit Bureau Of Circulation ALL DEPARTMENTS PHONE 2J9.722-5000 Births Former Royal Center residents Jeff and Rhonda Allen, St. Louis, parents of- a April "Christine, born Monday, Dec. 23, 1991, 'in St. Louis. Maternal grandparents are Joe and Kathy Allen, and paternal grandparents are Ron and Carol Hodge, all of Royal Center.

and Heidi Nolle Fayetteville, N.C., are the parents of a -son, Phillip Charles, born Monday, Dec. 23, 1991, in Fayetteville. Maternal grandparents are Charles and Mary Jaine Fry, West Palm Beach, Fla. Paternal grandparents'are Barbara Brugh and Phillip Nolle Logansport. Logansport Birth: John S.

and Robin L. Williams, Rt: 6, are the parents of a son, Henry Gerald, bom Monday, Dec. 23,. 1991, in Memorial Hospital. The maternal grandparents are Roger and Anna Wescott, Rt, 6.

Paternal.grandparents are Theodore and Carrie Williams, Rt. 6,. and John and Linda Ely, Logansport. Soviet Continued From Page A1 Violence still raged on the southern fringes of the dead union. At least 30 people have been killed in fighting between rebel Georgian forces and troops of President Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who appealed Tuesday to the West for help.

The Tass news agency also said 20 people were reportedly killed in nearby Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian Christian territory within mostly Muslim Azerbaijan where ethnic fighting has flared in recent years. Gorbachev was being blamed for the violence even at his final hour. "Gorbachev induced chaos, which destroyed the doomed newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta commented Tuesday. "Gor- bachev became the first Soviet president and had to pay for it by being withdrawn from the post without pity or sorrow from his fellow politicians and the Soviet people." The president's office said Gor- bachev, 60, would address the nation live on Central Television at 7 p.m. (noon Logansport time) today.

Gor- bachev and Yeltsin aides he would discuss the commonwealth and announce his resignation. Gorbachev's announcement set only after he hammered out an orderly transfer of power to Yeltsin and ensured the well-being of himself and his staff during" an eight- hour meeting Monday with the Russian president. Gorbachev also handed over to Yeltsin "practically everything" needed to launch the country's 27,000 nuclear weapons, including secret codes and other instructions, said Yeltsin spokesman Pavel Voshchanov. Yeltsin told Russian journalists Tuesday that. Gorbachev will, hand over the nuclear button actually 3.3-pound briefcase containing communications equipment after the speech Wednesday.

The final meeting of presidents resolved two main points: transfer of the president's powers to Yeltsin; and ensuring of the "material well- being" of Gorbachev, his family and staff, Voshchanov said..