Gladys “Joan” Lutes, 86, Warsaw, passed away with her family surrounded by her side at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 3, 2013, at Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw. She was born Feb. 14, 1927, in Warsaw, to Alfonzo Ruse and Iris Luckenbill Ruse-Fitzgerald. On Aug. 3, 1946, she married John W. Lutes, who preceded her in death Jan. 13, 1991. She was a lifetime Warsaw resident. She worked at Atwood Elementary School in the cafeteria, and for the Atwood Café. She was a member of the Atwood Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Survivors include two sons, Michael (and spouse Carolyn) Lutes, Warsaw, and Chris (and spouse Janet) Lutes, Winfield, Ill.; five grandchildren: Laura (and spouse David) Hale, Reneé (and spouse Rob) Parker, Joshua (and spouse Stephanie) Lutes, all of Warsaw; Jeremiah Lutes, Los Angeles, Calif.; Malachi Lutes, Winfield, Ill.; seven great-grandchildren: Samantha and Courtney Hale, Trenton and Kiersten Parker; Ella, Lila and Owen Lutes; seven brothers: George Fitzgerald, Massachusetts; Bernard Fitzgerald, South Carolina; Gerald (and spouse Jeannette) Fitzgerald, Georgia; Jim Fitzgerald, Ohio; Tom (and spouse Sue) Fitzgerald, Michigan; Walter (and spouse Bev) Ruse, South Whitley; a sister, Sheila Laing, Logansport; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, with Pastor Stormy Scherer-Berry officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to Atwood Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 105 E. Hovey St., Atwood, IN 46502.
