March 25, 2008

James Bolton, Jr.
James Bolton, Jr., 29, of Rexville, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 as the result of an automobile accident in St. Louis. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 2, 1978, the son of James and Deborah Mitchell Bolton. He married Sherrie Owens on March 26, 2005 and she survives.
Other survivors include two sons, David and Joseph Bolton, both at home; step sons, Isaiah Whiteney and Elias Whiteney, both at home; his father, James, of Vevay; his mother, Deborah Loughan of Holton; his brother Nicholas Bolton and sister Anastasia Bolton, both of Vevay; mother-in-law Jan Brunner of Frankfort, Kentucky; father-in-law David Owens of Old Town, Florida; paternal grandfather, James Bolton of Greendale; maternal grandparents, Jim and Jean Mitchell of Victorville, California.
Mr. Bolton was a 1998 graduate of South Ripley High School and a graduate of Owens Community Col-lege. He served six years in the Army Reserves and was employed with Ironworkers Local 44.
Funeral services are being held today, Tuesday, at 11 a.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. Don Buck of the First Baptist Church in Osgood officiating. Burial will be in the Grandview Memorial Garden near Madison. Memorials may be given to a fund for his children in care of the funeral home.

Gary J. Witteride
Gary J. Witteride, 55, of Aurora passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at Dearborn County Hospital. He was born on February 9, 1953 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Harry and Louise Art Witteride. He married Bonnie West in 1973, and she survives.
Other survivors include two children, Lori (Donnie) Klayer and Greg Witteride, both of Aurora; three grandchildren, Tristin, Nathan and Grayce; his mother; one sister, Rosemarie Page, and many, many friends.
Funeral services are being held today, Tuesday, at 10:30 a.m. at Riverview Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro.

Anna Lee Roberts
Anna Lee Roberts, 78, of Bear Branch, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at University Hospital in Cincinnati. She was born in Sale Creek, Tennessee on March 28, 1929. She married Sam Roberts in 1963 and he survives.
Other survivors include two children, John Roberts and fiancé Jennifer Artressia, and Mary Lou Roberts, both of Bear Branch; step children, Sam Roberts, Jr., Eddie Ray Roberts, Carol Ann Weaver, Vernon Roberts, Kenneth Roberts, and Leslie Davidson; several grandchildren; and one brother, Leon Marshall of Ohio.
Mrs. Roberts was employed for over 35 years at the Waters of Dillsboro as a housekeeper and enjoyed gardening and working on the family farm.
Funeral services are being held today, Tuesday, at 11:30 a.m. at the Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro. Burial will be in the Oakdale Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Dearborn County Cancer Fund. Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro is in charge of arrangements.

March 18, 2008

Jesse "Junior" J. Shelton, Jr.
Jesse "Junior" J. Shelton, Jr., 78, a lifelong Dillsboro resident, passed away on Friday evening, March 14, 2008 at the Waters of Dillsboro. He was born April 14, 1929 in Ripley County, the son of Jesse Shelton Sr., and Alma Niemeyer Shelton. On May 1, 1948, he was united in marriage to Frances Oak, who survives.
Other survivors include: six children: Kenny (LeeAnn) Shelton, of Aurora, Don (Tami) Shelton, of Dillsboro, Bill (Kelly) Shelton, of Aurora, Linda (Mike) Kreinhop, of Aurora, Sharon (Ken) Cleeter, of Aurora, and Sarah (Danny) McClellan, of Dillsboro; 14 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; one brother, Bobby Shelton; one sister, Nancy Smith; and his former business partner and brother-in-law, Arnold Rump. He was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.
Mr. Shelton, Jr., was a builder and contractor for many years in the Dillsboro area, and was co-owner of Shelton & Rump Contractors. He was a member of Dillsboro United Methodist Church and served on the board of directors of Oakdale Cemetery in Dillsboro. In 2003, Jesse was named the Dillsboro Outstanding Citizen of the Year at the Homecoming Parade. He loved mowing grass and being outdoors working.
Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Dillsboro United Methodist Church. Visitation is being held today, Tuesday, from 4-9 p.m. also at Dillsboro United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Oakdale Cemetery or to the Alzheimers Assoc. Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro is charge of arrangements.

Leona Clara Walterman
Leona Clara Walterman, 80, of Greensburg, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2008. Visitation is being held today, Tuesday, from 4-8 p.m. at Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville, with funeral services on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ in Batesville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Decatur County Hospice or ASPCA. Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville is in charge of arrangements.

Earl Tingle
Earl Tingle, 69, of Versailles passed away Friday, March 14, 2008 at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in New Albany. He was born at New Castle in Henry County, Kentucky on October 16, 1938 the son of Gilbert and Leona Raisor Tingle.
He is survived by two sons, Freddie (Sandy) Tingle and Mike Tingle both of Madison; two daughters, Glenda (Shannon) Mayo of Tennessee and Brenda Baker of Madison; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Charlie Tingle of Elrod and Donnie Tingle of Vevay; four sisters, Shirley Hewitt of Vevay, Shelby Garland of Madison, Leora Marsh of North Vernon, and Wilma Romans of Brooksburg. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Robert, sister Lois Taylor, and brother James Everett Tingle.
Mr. Tingle was a former employee of Thayer Farms at Osgood and of the Hanover Marathon. He was a member of the Bethany Baptist Church at Osgood, Amvets, Versailles American Legion, and the North Vernon Eagles.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 19 at 11 a.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. Howard Wade officiating. Burial will be in the Grandview Memorial Garden at Madison. Visitation is being held today, Tuesday, from 4-8 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Bethany Baptist Church or the Gideons in care of the funeral home.

Leona Elizabeth Davis
Leona Elizabeth Davis, 86, of Batesville, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2008. Funeral services were held on Monday, March 17 with burial in the St. Paul Church Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the St. Paul Cemetery Fund. Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville was in charge of arrangements.

Marcella "Sally" Jansing
Marcella "Sally" Jansing, 87, of St. Marys, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2008. Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, March 15. Burial was in the St. Marys Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St. Marys Church Building Fund, the VFW Building Fund or Masses. Cook Funeral Home in Brookville was in charge of arrangements.

Donald Woodrow Copeland
Donald Woodrow Copeland, 65, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Ky. He was born on March 12, 1943 in Madison, the son of Paul Woodrow and Grace Marie Horton Copeland.
Survivors include sons: Robert Henry (Verlene) Copeland of Milan and Donald Kevin Copeland of Indianapolis; sister: Elizabeth Ann (Henry) Southerland of Madison; brother: Benjamin Lee (Connie) Copeland of Madison; grandchildren: Paul Vincent Copeland, Holly Marie Copeland & Villette May Copeland; aunts: Wilamena Copeland & Mary Lou Brinson of Madison; several nieces, nephews & other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother: Harold Phillip Copeland, and his niece: Lora Ann Southerland.
Mr. Copeland resided all of his life in Jefferson County and was a 1961 graduate of Madison Consolidated High School. He was a member of the Liberty Christian Church and had been a member of the Madison Moose Lodge #765. He was employed for 22 years with Reliance Electric Company and was a former employee of the Indiana Kentucky Electric Company having worked in the maintenance department. He was a former bus driver for the Madison Consolidated School System.
Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, March 20 at 11 a.m. at Liberty Christian Church in Madison with Brother Dale Canull officiating. Interment will follow in the Hebron Cemetery near Madison. Friends may call Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre in Madison and Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of the services at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Christian Church. Cards are available at the funeral home. Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre is in charge of arrangements.

Richard C. Hallgarth
Richard C. Hallgarth, 74, of Dillsboro, passed away Friday evening, March 14, 2008 following a long illness. "Dick" as he was known, was born May 19, 1933 in Vineland, NJ, the son of Clarence and Elizabeth Crothers Hallgarth. He married Mary Jane Diefendahl on December 23, 1956 and she preceded him in death in 1999.
Survivors include his wonderful friend and caregiver, Judie Hamby; two sons; James (Trina) Hallgarth, of Dillsboro, and Richard (Lisa) Hallgarth, of Moores Hill; two daughters, Elizabeth (Steve) Blair, of Dillsboro, and Deborah Hallgarth, of Shelton, WA; five grandchildren; Alica, Kyle, Kortney, Katheryn, and Mary; six great grandchildren; Cristal, Auriana, Tanner, Janelle, Payton, and Bai'Leigh.
Mr. Hallgarth graduated from Dillsboro High School in 1951, and entered the US Air Force in 1952 where he served until 1956. He was a past Master of the Hopewell Masonic Lodge in Dillsboro.
Memorial services will be Thursday, March 20, at 4:00 p.m. at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Dillsboro, with Rev. Arnold Cutter officiating. Masonic services will follow. Memorials may be given to the Hospice of Dearborn County. Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro is in charge of arrangements.

 

March 11, 2008

Hilda Dorthea Stepleton
Hilda Dorthea Stepleton, 74, of Osgood, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was born on February 12, 1934 at Osgood, the daughter of Joseph and Norma Wolf Fields.
Survivors include sons: Michael Allen of Newburgh and Rodney Stepleton of Osgood; daughters: Tammy J. Dilk of Osgood and Rhonda Stepleton of Osgood; brothers: Doug Fields of Kentucky and Bill Fields of Greensburg; sister: Rheadawn Peetz of Osgood; ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe and Gene Fields; one sister, Marcella Adkins and one granddaughter, Nicole Tunny.
Ms. Stepleton was a past employee of Randall Textron of Greensburg for approximately 28 years. She was a member of the Osgood Ladies American Legion and attended Cedar Creek Church.
Visitation is being held today, Tuesday, March 11, from 5-8 p.m. at Neal’s Funeral Home in Osgood with funeral services being held on Wednesday, March 12 at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home. Burial will be in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Napoleon. Memorials may be given to the donors choice. Neal’s Funeral Home in Osgood is in charge of arrangements.

John A. "Pete" Hayes
John A. "Pete" Hayes, 55, of Hanover, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2008. Visitation is being held today, Tuesday, from 4-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until time of the service at 11 a.m. at Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre in Madison. Burial will be in the Grandview Memorial Garden near Madison. Memorials may be given in memory of Pete to the donors choice. Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre is in charge of arrangements.

Ruby Lois Cutter
Ruby Lois Cutter, 72, of Dillsboro, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. She was born on November 17, 1935 in Ripley County to Dewey and Aldean Peelman Ricketts. She married Carroll Cutter in 1953 and he preceded her in death in 1992.
Survivors include three children: William "Bill" (Melody) Cutter of Dillsboro, Mary Kephart of Tennessee and Melody (George) Barber of Dillsboro; one brother, Dale Ricketts; one sister, Eva Fern Jackson; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and her son, Rick in 1990.
Mrs. Cutter attended school in Friendship and was a member of Dillsboro Church of Christ and enjoyed playing bingo with her friends. She raised Pekingese dogs for many years, and enjoyed it.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, 11 a.m. at Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro with visitation at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. Burial will be in the Oakdale Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Dillsboro Emergency Unit or Ripley Crossing Activity Fund. Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro is in charge of arrangements.

Karlita Kay Meyer
Karlita Kay Meyer, 42, of Aurora, passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Funeral services were held on Monday, March 10 with burial in the Mt. Sinai Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Mt. Sinai Methodist Church to defray funeral expenses. Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home in Moores Hill was in charge of arrangements.

Loreda E. Behlmer
Loreda E. Behlmer, 94, of Batesville, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2008. Visitation will held on Wednesday, March 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with funeral services immediately following at 1 p.m. at Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville. Burial will be in the St. Mark Church cemetery. Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville is in charge of arrangements.

Raymond E. Cyphers
Raymond E. Cyphers, 92, of Pierceville, passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. He was born on December 4, 1915 in Zenia, Ohio. He married Mary Elizabeth (Schaaf) Cyphers and she preceded him in death on July 1, 2001.
Survivors include several nieces and nephews including Loraine (Mike) Rowland who cared for him.
Mr. Cyphers was a retired employee of Hill-Rom at Batesville and he attended the Pierceville United Methodist Church. He was elected king this past Valentine’s Day at Ripley Crossing.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 8 at Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home in Milan with Pastor Jack Bible. Burial was in the Mt. Sinai Cemetery in Aurora. Memorials may be given to the Pierceville United Methodist Church. Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home in Milan was in charge of arrangements.

March 4, 2008

E. Gayle Geisler
E. Gayle Geisler, 85, of Versailles passed away Sunday, March 2, 2008 at the Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Florida. He was born near Benham on May 3, 1922 the son of Edmund and Hattie Morrow Geisler. He was married to Joan Daily on September 14, 1947 and she survives.
Other survivors include two daughters, Lynn (Charles) Baurley of Benham and Melody (Jim) Arney of Versailles; 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Geisler was a 1940 graduate of Cross Plains High School. He was a farmer, a former employee of Hunter’s Hardware in Versailles, and for several years was an independent trucker along with Mr. Robert Underwood, buying, selling, and hauling grain for area farmers.
Mr. Geisler was a member of the Tyson United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of the Versailles Lions Club, and a member of the Bradenton, Florida Lions Club. He was also a member and director for the Indiana Lions Eye Bank and a former member of the South Ripley School Board.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 7 at 10:30am at the Tyson United Methodist Church with Rev. James Byerly and Rev. Lynn Snyder officiating. Burial will be in the Benham Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4pm to 9pm at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles and from 9:30am until time of services Friday at the church. Memorials may be given to the Tyson United Methodist Church or the Benham Cemetery in care of the funeral home.

Milton L. Platt
Milton L. Platt, 93, of Moores Hill, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2008. Graveside funeral services will be held today, March 4 at 1 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery in Moores Hill with Rev. J. William Robinson officiating. Memorials may go to the charity of donor’s choice. Cook Funeral Home, Sunman, is in charge of the arrangements.

Grace Hoff
Grace Hoff, 79, of Sunman, passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2008. Funeral services are being held today, Tuesday, at 11 a.m. at St. Jacobs United Church of Christ-Blue Creek. Burial will be in the St. Jacobs Cemetery, also in Blue Creek. Memorials may be given to the St. Jacobs UCC, Sunman Life Squad or charity of choice. Cook Funeral Home in Sunman is in charge of arrangements.

Carl Townsend
Carl Townsend, 81, of Madison, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2008 at the Waters of Clifty Falls in Madison. He was born September 12, 1926 in Indianapolis the son of Polly Powell. He married Nancy (Walker) Townsend on October 19, 1990 and she survives.
Other survivors include two step-daughters, Kathryn Fleenor of Eugene, OR, Maria Earl of Phoenix, AZ; two step-sons, Geoffrey Fleenor of South Bend, Curtis Fleenor of North Vernon; six step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews including Ronald C. Scott of Madison, Robert W. Scott of South Bend, Richard L. Scott of Madison; and several great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lucille (Uhlman) Townsend; two sisters; and one brother, Phillip Townsend.
Mr. Townsend was a retired electrician having worked at Reliance Electric for several years and retiring on March 3, 1989. He was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Moose Lodge No. 765, American Legion Post #9 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1969. He was a US Navy Korean War veteran last serving in 1956.
Visitation will be held today, Tuesday, March 4 from 4-8 p.m. at Vail-Holt Funeral Home, Downtown Chapel, and after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5 until time of services.
Funeral services will follow visitation at the funeral home on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Burial will be in the Grandview Memorial Gardens with the Honor Guard of the American Legion Post #9 conducting military graveside services.
Memorials may go to the American Cancer Society. Contribution cards will be available at the funeral home.

Alfred H. Dierckman
Alfred H. Dierckman, 88, of Oldenburg, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2008. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 5 from 4-8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Church in Oldenburg. The family requests memorials to the Eagle Fire Company or Hospice of Margaret Mary Hospital.

Charles M. Bowers
Charles M. Bowers, 83, of Milan, passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 in Dillsboro. He was born on Monday, February 2, 1925 in Milan, the son of the late Millard A. Bowers and the late Bertie Smith Bowers.
Survivors include: wife, Ann Bowers of Moores Hill; son, John E. Bowers of Idaho; daughters, Carol Ann Morton of Brookville, Pamela Cook of Tennessee and Patricia Milburn of Greensburg; eight grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Charles Andrew Bowers.
Mr. Bowers was a lifelong resident of Ripley County and a member of Moores Hill Masonic Lodge & Scottish Rite. He attended Hope Baptist Church in Dillsboro. He was a former Milan school bus driver, Farm Bureau Insurance Agent and delivered flowers for Annabelles Treasures. He was also a township trustee for several years.
Memorial Visitation will be from 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, March 15 at the Hope Baptist Church in Dillsboro with services following at 2 p.m. with Pastor Tom Holt officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Moores Hill. Memorials may be given to the Milan Life Squad Rescue #30 or a charity of donor’s choice. Please call the funeral home office at 812-926-1450 and they will notify the family of your donation with a card.
Rullman Hunger Denney Funeral Home in Aurora is in charge of arrangements

Shirley Disbro
Shirley Disbro, 74, of Versailles, passed away Sat-urday, March 1, 2008 at the Jennings Health Care Center in North Vernon. She was born in Indianapolis on August 12, 1933 the daughter of Harley and Hilda Scalf Spann. She was married to Arthur Disbro, Jr. on June 16, 1949 and he preceded her in death in 1970.
Survivors include one son, Terry Disbro of Bedford; one daughter, Bonnie Ann Welker of North Vernon; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mary Lowder of Smyrna, GA, Kay Spann of Davies, FL and Joan Maydak of Homestead, FL. She was also preceded in death by her parents, daughter Connie Jean Disbro, her granddaughter Traci Lovins, three brothers and one sister.
Mrs. Disbro was a member of the Tanglewood Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and had provided home health care for many elderly in the community.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 5 at 11 a.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. Becky Pohle of the Tanglewood Baptist Church officiating.
Burial will be in the Tan-glewood Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of services.
Memorials may be given to the Tanglewood Cemetery or the Hospice of South Central Indiana in care of the funeral home.