SERVING HENDRICKS COUNTY SINCE 1847
Thursday, April 22, 2021
The Republican
Page 11
Obituaries
(M o r e O b i t u a r i e s
TRACI B. SMITH, 57, of Danville, passed away April 16, 2021. She was born on July 18, 1963 in Wadsworth, Ohio, to Rhea Ann (Griffiths) Melendy and the late Larry Dean Trent. Traci married Ralph Lee Smith in 1985 in Phoenix, Arizona. She was a homemaker and at one time, a radio talk show host. Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Ralph Smith of Danville; daughter, Rhea Louise Smith of Oregon; siblings, Timmy, Terry, Toni and Tricia. Baker Funeral Home, Danville, is handling the arrangements. Private services will be held. Online condolences may be made at www.bakerfuneralservice.com ________________________ KIMBERLY J. “KIM” HARVEY, 51, of Mooresville, passed away on April 16, 2021 in IU Health Bloomington Hospital. Kim was born on May 20, 1969 to Russell Eugene Soots and Carol (Smith) Scott. She married Michael L. Harvey on July 16, 1989. Kim was a production scheduler for Meritor in Plainfield for 22 years. She enjoyed spending time outdoors along with many activities: camping, kayaking, reading and traveling. She also loved spending time at the ocean. Kim was usually the dedicated party planner. Above all she enjoyed spending time with her family. Kim is survived by her parents; husband; daughter, Josie (Ben) Davis of Martinsville and son, Michael Harvey of Mooresville; three grandchildren: Aubrey, Asher and Brodie Davis. She is preceded in death by her step mother, Shirley Soots. Servoces were Tuesday, April 20, at Jones Crossing Banquet and Event Center, Mooresville. Private graveside services took place in White Lick Cemetery. To leave an online condolence or to share a favorite story about Kim, please visit www.jonesfamilymortuary. com ________________________ WILLIAM RICHARD “DICK” FIELDS, 76, of Plainfield, passed away on April 12, 2021 at home, surrounded by his family. Dick was born on January 9, 1945 in Peru, Ind. Dick proudly served his country during Vietnam in the U.S. Army. Upon returning from service, Dick completed his education earning a Bachelor’s degree in engineering. He owned Triangle Machine Tool Manufacturing company for many years. However, he will be fondly remembered as “The Master” of Fishing, Mushroom Hunting and Golf. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Waldo Bostel and a sister Carol Werstler. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Shelley (Campbell) Fields; son Mike (Sheila) Tackett; sister Priscilla (Thames) Goon; three grandchildren Bethany (Wesley) Mitchell, Heather (Harley) Brown, Taylor Brown; great grandchildren Kamdyn Brown, Theodore Mitchell along with several nieces, nephews and extended family. According to Dick’s wishes, he will be cremated and no formal services will be observed at this time. Final arrangements and cremation are entrusted to Carlisle Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Please visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry. ________________________
RONALD JAY HELM, 65, of Avon, passed away peacefully on Tuesday April 13, 2021. Ron was born April 23, 1955 in Omaha, Nebraska the son of Harold and Virginia Helm. He was an insurance adjuster for 35 years most recently with Met Life. Ron was a graduate of University of Nebraska (BA in history) and a retired member of the Bellevue Rod & Gun Club. He is a retired Veteran that served from 1973-1976 and 2000-2017 in the U.S. Army National Guard. Ron was deployed to Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom X from 2009-2010. He achieved the rank of E-8 (Master Sergeant) and for his service he received the Meritorious Service Award and a Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star. Ron was also a member of the American Legion Avon Post #145. Ron is survived by his wife; Kathy; daughters, Rachel and Lindsay; sons, Reece, Cameron and Blaine and one grandson, Davis. He’s also survived by his mother, Virginia; sister, Mary (Richard) Betts; brother, Howard (Cindy) Helm; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Harold Helm. Ron was a big Husker fan and liked his Nebraska Cornhuskers Football, listening to classic country music, sitting around a bonfire, cruises and his newly purchased retirement home in Florida. Ron was always tinkering around the house working on a project. He also loved his time with family on Casper Mountain in Wyoming. A Celebration of Life will be held in Omaha, Nebraska at a later date still to be announced. Fond memories and condolences may be made at www.familyfuneralcareindy. com ________________________ HERBERT SCHORTEMEYER, age 96, passed away at his senior living community in Carmel, Indiana on April 16, 2021. He was born near Sunman, Indiana on January 22, 1925. Herb spent his childhood and high school years living in Greensburg, Indiana. After attending Indiana University for just two years, he was offered a position at Eli Lilly and Co. where he worked for 42 years. From purifying penicillin to purchasing raw materials for a cancer drug, Herb valued his work and put his trust in his company. After his retirement, he continued to work part time at Brickyard Imported Car Parts for his son-in-law, Bill Kikendall Jr. While living in Indianapolis Herb met and married his wife, Jane Wells, and started his family with two daughters, Carol and Linda. Herb was actively involved in his church and his daughters’ school activities. He was often found fishing from a dock, planting vegetables and flowers, playing with his grandchildren, and in later years watching a Pacers/Colts game or holding a great-grandchild in his arms. Herbert is survived by his daughter, Carol, and his granddaughter, Jen Kikendall Wilkinson and family, his grandsons, Brandon, Ross, Trevor, and Derek Kikendall and families, his nieces, Patty Izuno, MaryKay Rutledge (deceased), and Kathy Hamman and families, his nephew, John Wells and family, as well as 13 great-grandchildren. Herbert was preceded in death by his wife, Jane, and his daughter, Linda. Visitation will be held at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Avon, Indiana on Thursday, April 22, from 9 to 11 a.m. The funeral service for family and friends will be held in the sanctuary at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery in Cartersburg. Donations can be made to your favorite charity in memory of Herbert or to Our Shepherd Lutheran School or Church.
WILLIS G. PARKER, age 84, Clayton, passed away Thursday morning, April 15, 2021, at Life’s Journey Hospice, Avon surrounded by his family. It was his wish to be cremated and there will be a memorial service sometime in May. Date, time, and place to be determined. His cremains will be buried in Clayton Cemetery. Arrangements: Bousley Funeral Home, Coatesville. ________________________ HENRY FERDINAND VOLK passed away on April 9, 2021 in The Villages, Florida at the age of 83. He was born on June 10, 1937 to Anthony and Henrietta (Picker) Volk in Enochsburg, Indiana. He served in the Marine Corp. Reserves before earning a bachelor’s degree from Franklin College of Indiana and a master’s degree from Rutgers University. He was married to his beloved bride Norma Jean Keith on September 20, 1963. Henry was a mathematician and educator, teaching for the Indianapolis Public School systems for 46 years at Arlington and Northwest high schools. He enjoyed coaching and watching his children play sports, gardening, fishing, watching baseball, reading the newspaper, doing puzzles, and golfing. He especially loved time spent with family including his four cherished grandchildren. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Norma as well has his children, Matthew (Kelly) of Cicero, Elizabeth Russell of Carmel, and Pamela (Chris) Woolf of Chicago, as well his grandchildren Hannah, Payton, Noah, and Tony, and his brother Anthony M. of Batesville. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Sylvester, and his infant siblings, Mary, Joseph, and Gerome. Services were Monday, April 19, St. Malachy Catholic Church, Brownsburg. Memorial donations may be made to the Society of St Vincent de Paul at www.svdpindy.org Arrangements: Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg. ________________________ RICHARD MICHAEL LEISURE, 49, Belle Union, passed away at home, after an ardous battle with lung cancer, on November 6, 2020.. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, May 8 at 11 a.m. with visitation from 10 a.m. at the Bousley Funeral home with Pastor Mike Mann officiating. Richard was the son of John Stephen Leisure, Terre Haute, and Sarah (Vaughn) Phelps, born August 22, 1971. He graduated from Edwardsville High School, Edwardsville, Illinois in 1989 with an Auto/Diesel Scholarship to Lincoln Tech Technical Institute and a partial ASM degree. He then graduated as salutatorian of his class from Lincoln Technical Institute, Indianapolis in 1990 with an ASM degree in Auto/Diesel Mechanics. After school, Richard was a lifelong farmer on Fair Land Stock Farm in Belle Union. Richard was preceded in death by his son Vaughn Leisure, both sets of grandparents, Marvin and Pat Vaughn, Belle Union, and George and Norma Leisure, Greencastle, and an uncle Steve Vaughn. He is survived by his parents, a daughter, Erika Rogers, Stilesville, an aunt, Rebecca (Mike) Roach, Belle Union, two uncles Sam Vaughn, Greencastle and James (Barb) Vaughn, Belle Union, and many cousins. ________________________
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LARRY LEON PIERSON, age 75, of Clayton, passed away April 9, 2021 in Greencastle. Born July 27, 1945 in Indianapolis, he was the son of W. Leon Pierson and Imogene (Kelly) Pierson. He had served 4 years in the Navy. Larry retired from the Dow Chemical where he had worked in the lab for several years. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, riding horses and Team Pinning. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and helping people. Survivors include 3 children, Lori Alexander (Jeff), Greencastle, Lisa Zeiner (Todd), Fillmore, and Lyle Pierson (Krysten), Ohio; grandchildren, Bethany Kieffer (Josh), IN, Lydia Zeiner (fiancee Malik), IN, Megan Zeiner (fiancee Grant), IN, Dallas Zeiner, IN, Landon Pierson, OH; Great grandson, Rhonen Kieffer, IN; ex-wife Linda Pierson, IN; and 3 nephews. His parents, 2 sisters Nona Knauer and infant sister Dianna Jo Pierson preceded him. Burial services handled by Bousley Funeral Home in the Coatesville Cemetery on Saturday, April 24, at 12:30 p.m. with Pastor Steve Ranson officiating. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow the Coatesville Community Center. ________________________ DARIN LEE PING, 55, of Plainfield, passed away on April 13, 2021. He was born on September 12, 1965 in Danville, to the late Roscoe and Mildred Ping. Darin enjoyed impersonating Elvis and various other actors to get a laugh out of people. He loved watching old classic movies. Darin was a member of the Belleville Church Of Christ. Funeral services and burial in Spring Hill Cemetery were private. Arrangements: Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield. Survivors include his siblings, Charlene (Buddy) Dorn, Larry (Linda) Ping, Roseanna (Jim) Cadwell, Peggy (John) Berlin and Jenny (Jim) Alexander. ________________________ RICHARD “DALE” FITZWATER, 64, passed away December 13, 2020. He was born October 31, 1956 in Greencastle. He worked in marketing at Eli Lilly for 19 years. He is survived by his mother, Barbara (Jacobs) Denton; an aunt, Peggy Jacobs; a brother, Will Garrigus; two sisters, Katherine Fitzwater and Lisa (Scott) Busenbark; and a step-mother, Phyllis Fitzwater. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Fitzwater. Graveside services took place Monday, April 19, at Maple Hill Cemetery, Plainfield. Arrangements by Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield. ________________________ DAVID J. GRAHAM, 51, passed away on April 2, 2021. He was born in Crawfordsville on April 21, 1969. He was a 1987 graduate of Tri-West High School. Following high school he was a supervisor at Hendrickson in Lebanon. David enjoyed working on electronics, cooking, yardwork, music, karaoke, Star Wars movies and memorabilia. He also attended Your Venture Church in Lizton. Survivors include his father, James R. Graham of Indianapolis; mother, Vickie Wright of Danville; girlfriend, Stacey Clore of Crawfordsville; son, James (Rachael) Graham of Lebanon, daughter, Amber Gilbert of Lebanon; grandchildren, Harper Graham, Hudson Graham, Raylan Harvey, Lexi Harvey; brothers, Ronald Proctor, Kenny Proctor and sister, Deedra Martin. A Celebration of Life took place Saturday, April 17, at Eel River Township Community Center, North Salem. Arrangements: Myers Mortuary. Memorials may be given to A.A. Central Indiana, 2320 South Tibbs Ave., Suite C, Indianapolis, IN 46241. ________________________
ANGELIQUE L. McCLEARY, 42 of Danville, passed away April 10, 2021. She was born on November 21, 1978 in Sacramento, California, to Vicki DaQuisto Meunier and the late Alan Meunier. Angelique received a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Indiana State University. After graduation Angelique entered the health care field helping others as an advocate for mental illness and drug addiction. She met her soul mate Joseph McCleary, and the two married on December 10, 2016. She was a member of the American Legion Post #331 in Brownsburg. She was a loving wife and amazing mother. Angelique loved to cook for all and let no one go hungry. Her love of cooking, especially her meatballs, brought together many people over the years. Angelique was a caring soul whose love for cooking was matched only by her compassion for animals. Survivors include her mother, husband, daughter, Sofia McCleary, and brother, Vince Meunier. Visitation was Monday, April 19, in Hall-Baker Funeral Home, Plainfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Mental Health America of Hendricks County 75 Queensway Drive Avon, IN 46123 or Wounded Warrior Project P. O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675. Online condolences may be made at www.bakerfuneralservice.com ________________________ CAROLYN “CONNIE” NEFF, 79, of Jamestown, passed away on April 15, 2021. Born November 9, 1941 in Danville, she was the daughter of Ralph and Dorothy (Owens) Montgomery. Connie was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Floyd “Bill” Neff, her parents, brothers John and Hollis Montgomery, and sisters Betty Euliss, Sally Paletta, and Shirley Schuh. Connie is survived by her loving family: daughters Debbie Shubert, Rhonda Hoskins, Angie (Jim) Hieston, son Eric (Julie) Neff, 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Connie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Connie worked for a newspaper in her younger years as well as modeling for Block’s Department Store in Indianapolis. She later dedicated her time to raising her family, keeping the books for the family owned Neff SS Service Company, and working several years for the State Bank of Lizton. Connie was a faithful Christian and member of the Jamestown Christian Church. She had a heart for helping others and spent countless hours sorting and organizing donated clothing for an annual clothing giveaway which later developed into the current Giving Tree initiative. Connie also served as a volunteer at the Caring Center in Lebanon. Memorial services were Monday, April 19, at the Jamestown Christian Church. Burial followed at the IOOF Cemetery in Jamestown. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jamestown Christian Church for the support of the Giving Tree in Connie’s honor. Arrangements: Porter Funeral Home. ________________________ The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand. The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the land. The music stops, and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains..... For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains. Anonymous
DAVID N. CASE, age 34, of Indianapolis, passed away on Saturday April 17, 2021. He was born on November 17, 1986 in Indianapolis, to John and Connie Thompson Case. He was a graduate of Marian University with a B.S. degree. He married Candace Sloan on January 19, 2016. David was a school teacher for Avon Intermediate School and touched many lives through the impact program that he was involved in. David was also a dedicated Avon high school soccer coach. David was very talented young man. He enjoyed playing guitar, soccer player and coach, Avid video game player, artist, blowing glass sculptures and was always known for being the funniest man in the room. Survivors include his wife Candace Sloan Case; daughter, Harper L. Case; step-son, Gavin M. Sterling; parents, John and Connie Case; sister, Megan M. French and husband Kenny W. French; brother, Jacob D. Case. Calling hours will be on Thursday April 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Hall-Baker Funeral Home, Plainfield. A memorial service will take place at 7 p.m. with Rev. Larry Hamm officiating. All guests attending visitation and/or services will be required to wear a mask at all times in an effort to promote a safe environment. You are also invited to watch the services via live stream on the Hall-Baker Funeral Home Facebook Page. The family has set up a GoFundMe to help Candace and her family please donate at https://gofund.me/921933c2 ________________________ ALBERT “AL” CUMMINS GENTRY II, 58, of Brownsburg, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2021, surrounded by family. A native of Richmond, Indiana, Al was born November 28, 1962, to his parents Albert and Loraine (Kidwell) Gentry. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1981 and continued on to Indiana University where he obtained his business degree in 1985. The majority of Al’s working career was concentrated in management or IT. Al loved and cherished his children and his country. Inspired by his own experience as an Eagle Scout, Al became a Scout Master and provided assistance to Troop 303, where both of his sons also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Al enjoyed the outdoors, woodworking and nature, but most of all, he enjoyed the time spent with his family and children. Al is survived by his son Zach Gentry (Kenzie) of California; daughter Kelsey Gentry (Aron Wetzel) of Indiana, brothers Andrew Gentry (Pascal Tesniere-Serfati) of Paris, France and Alan Gentry (Stacey Shapiro) of Indiana; sister Mary Gentry Adams; and nephew Alexander Adams of Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Al was preceded in death by his son Nathan E. Gentry; parents;and grandparents. Family and friends will gather at the Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home, Pittsboro on Tuesday, April 27, from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 3 p.m. Burial at Brownsburg Cemetery. A huge thank you to Paradigm Hospice (Michele, Vicky, Rachel) and Waters of Lebanon (Linda, Deb, Beth) for all their time and support during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made thru GoFundMe to assist his son with his funeral expenses at https:// www.gofundme.com/manage/ tribute-for-al . ________________________
