Obituaries from February 2020

Melissa “Lisa” S. Attkisson, 44, of Greencastle, passed away on Jan. 28, 2020. She was born on Aug. 22, 1975 in Indianapolis to Thomas D. Goodman and Cynthia L. (Roberts) Rogers. Lisa graduated from North Putnam High School in 1993. She had worked in various skilled trades as her profession. Lisa was previously married to Daniel W. Attkisson.

Francisco “Frank” Nuz Jr., 75, of Greencastle, passed away Monday, Jan. 20, 2020 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. Frank was born in Austin, Texas, on Jan. 29, 1944, the son of Francisco Sr. and Maria Constancia (Cavazos) Nuz. Frank was a member of Harmony Baptist Church. He proudly served in the United States Marines during the Vietnam War. Frank worked for many years with the City of Austin as a supervisor in waste management until his retirement...

Larry Joseph Krieg, 65, of Greencastle, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020 at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital of Indianapolis. Larry was born in New Bremen, Ohio on Dec. 1, 1954, the son of Lionel and Ruth (Hummel) Krieg, and was a graduate of New Bremen High School...

Marjorie May Cooper, 91, Greencastle, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020 surrounded by her family. Born June 21, 1928 in Brazil, she was the daughter of Lawrence E. and Wanda B. (Johnson) Meadows and was a 1946 graduate of Brazil High School. Marjorie was a secretary at Miller School in Greencastle for 12 years. She had previously been a secretary for attorney Rex Boyd’s office and AT&T (Western Electric) in Indianapolis. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Greencastle...

Robert D. Newton Jr. died Feb. 4, 2020 from complications of pneumonia at Putnam County Hospital. Robert was born Jan. 3, 1928 to Ora Belle Simmons Newton and Robert D. Newton in Camden, Ark. He spent his early years in Camden, in Moss Point, Miss. and in Memphis, Tenn., where he attended Central High School, played football and was graduated in 1945...

Annetta Joyce Shonkwiler, 64, of Greencastle, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, surrounded by her family. Born April 3, 1955 in Greencastle, she was the daughter of Sherman Clyde and Carol Jean (Carrington) Lowe. She was a 1973 graduate of Greencastle High School...

Daniel “Bud” Pleake Jr., 91, of Greencastle, went to be with the Lord, Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. He was born Nov. 24, 1928 in Greencastle to the late Daniel Sr. and Mary R. (Wilhite) Pleake. He was a farmer for many years in Putnam County. He is survived by his grandchildren, Allan Lee Pleake, Jr. ...

Melvin W. Ellis, 95, of Greencastle, passed away on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. Born June 5, 1924 in Greencastle, he was the son of Cecil Paul and Katy (Harmon) Ellis and was a 1942 graduate of Greencastle High School. He was a United States Army Veteran having served in the 97th Infantry Division Company D 322nd Medical Battalion during World War II and was a member of the V.F.W...

Nancy Ann Mendenhall, 70, of Brownsburg, previously of Roachdale, passed away on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 at Traditions at Reagan Park in Avon. She was born on Nov. 1, 1949 to the late Cecil and Virginia (Thomas) Perkins and the step-daughter of Lyle Clodfelter...

Dr. Katherine “Kit” Hoyt Price Blount reached apoapsis and departed this space-time continuum on Feb.5, 2020. She was born on Sept. 20, 1951 in Rochester, N.Y. Kit was an active planetary geologist and geomorphologist, and served on the inaugural NASA Mars mapping program throughout the 1990s...

Danny Lynn Fortner, 58, Coatesville, passed away Sunday afternoon, Feb. 9, 2020 at Hendricks Regional Health, Danville. He was born in Pennington Gap, Va,. on Oct. 18, 1961. Danny worked as a diesel mechanic for Avon Community Schools. He loved to tinker, ride motorcycles and anything mechanical...

Clifford “Cliff” Earl Phillips, 89, Greencastle, was called to heaven on Jan. 31, 2020, in Punta Gorda, Fla. He was born Nov. 1, 1930, the youngest of seven children to Olney and Hazel (Figg) Phillips of Coatesville. Cliff was the beloved husband to S. Louise (Stienecker) for 61 years and she survives. He was much-loved father to daughters Cheri (John) Janssen and Susie (Jim) Curtis...

Kenneth Leroy St. John, 75, of Greencastle, formerly Mt. Zion, Ill., passed away on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. Kenneth was born on Aug. 18, 1944, the son of Lloyd and Mary (Peters) St. John in Mattoon, Ill. Kenneth was united in marriage on Feb. 18, 1966 to Virginia Kay St. John. This union was blessed with three children, Michael, Scott and Heather...

Howard Eugene Rippy Sr., 93, Ladoga, died on Feb. 5, 2020. He was born at Indianapolis to Carlin and Myrtle (Lentz) Rippy on June 28, 1926. Howard was the youngest of three children. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Carl Rippy, and sister Elizabeth (Betty) Kassig...

Joseph D. Fogle, 82, of Greencastle, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020 with his loving family by his side. Joe was born in Greencastle on Nov. 1, 1937, the son of Frank and Ida Mae (Albright) Fogle. He was a 1956 graduate of Greencastle High School...

Rev. Samuel Freeman, Greencastle, went peacefully at home with the love of his life, his wife of 49 years, Connie Dickey Freeman, to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sam leaves behind four sons, Sam Freeman III of Athens, W.Va., Ray (Angie) Freeman of Evansville, Wade (Kara) Freeman, Robert Freeman of Nitro, W.Va., and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren he loved very dearly, as well very special sister-in-law, Pam Dickey. ...

John Michael Doty, 78, of Greencastle, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at his residence surrounded by his family. John was born in Atlanta, Ga., on Sept. 26, 1942, the son of John Henry Doty and Doris (Carlson) Doty-Cain. He was a 1960 graduate of Southport High School. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Indiana University, then earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1972...

Elizabeth M. Douglass, 58, of Cloverdale, passed away Feb. 17, 2020. She was born Nov. 5, 1961 to Paul and Christanna (Hileman) Nose. Elizabeth married Mark Douglass on Aug. 2, 1980 and he survives. She is also survived by her mother Christanna Nose; children Nicole Douglass, Shelley Robbins and her husband James and Ian Douglass; grandchildren Logan Hamm, Gabby Robbins and Gibson Robbins...

John Charles “Chuck” Tilton, 81, Coatesville (Heritage Lake), passed away Monday morning, Feb. 10, 2020 at his residence. He was born in Rensselaer on Oct. 28, 1938, the son of John and Sophie Sommers Tilton. He had worked as a high school teacher and was also a coach and a mentor. He had also worked in sales and marketing around Chicago...

Debra Jeanne Poynter went to be with Jesus on Feb. 20, 2020. She was born to Johnny and Charlene Hasselburg on May 20, 1958 in Indianapolis. She was preceded in death by her parents. She was survived by the love of her life, Woody Woodrum, and her children: Roy Poynter (Tiffany) and Rachele Poynter; her siblings: Jeri Sue Stitzer (Carl), Chris Hasselburg (Sudie), George Hasselburg (Judy), Sue Ferrand (Bill), Joney Lewis (Jeff), Johnny Hasselburg (Bre), Johnica Roach (Charlie), Ashlynne Kyle (Jeremy), and Jonetta Overstreet (Declan); her grandchildren, Desirae, Gage, Jayden, Jaymen, Lilly and Roy; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.. ...

Danny L. Gregory, age 71, of Martinsville, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. He was born on Sept. 13, 1948 to the late Paul and Wilma (O’Mullane) Gregory. Danny married Paricia (Bratcher) Gregory in May of 1975 and she survives. Danny retired from GM in 1999 after working there for 30 years...

Robert W. Steuerwald, 73, of Brazil, passed away at his home on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020 following a battle with cancer. Bob was born on Oct. 14, 1946, the son of Wayne Alfred and Bernice Irene (Taggart) Steuerwald. He graduated from Gerstmeyer High School with the class of 1964, and then from Indiana State University with a double major in math and economics. ...

John Ballinger Blaydoe, 84, died February 19, 2020 at the Hickory Creek at Sunset, a caring and loving community in Greencastle. He was born on Nov. 8, 1935 in Birmingham, Ala. as the son of Louis and Cora Jane Blaydoe. John served in the US Army and was discharged in 1959. He served as the fire chief of the Eminence Indiana Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of Masons, Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine, the Flying Fez, Gatling Gun Club and Kentucky Colonels, as well as the American Legion...

Helena L. (Pease) DeBoer, 82, of Avon, passed away at Country Side Meadows on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. At her request, no services have been scheduled. Cremation has been entrusted to French Funeral Home. Visit www.frenchfuneralhome.com to light a candle in her memory...

James R. McMillan, 88, of Greencastle, passed away at his home on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2020. He was born in Indianapolis on April 13, 1931, the son of Lossan V. and Nell (Wilson) McMillan. He married Doris Fletcher on May 28, 1954, and she preceded him in death on Nov. 21, 1999. Together they owned and operated McMillan Carpets for more than 30 years. Indeed, he continued to install flooring into his late 70s...

Candie (Nelson) Branneman, 57, of Reelsville, passed away at her home on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 surrounded by her family and friends after a battle with cancer. Candie was born on March 28, 1962 to Gerald and Bev Nelson. Candie graduated in 1981 from Greencastle High School...

Robert D. Newton Jr. died on Feb. 4, 2020 from complications of pneumonia at Putnam County Hospital. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29 at Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, with calling hours beginning at 2 p.m. and after the service...

Millard Joseph Cox, 86, Brazil, passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2020 at his home. He was born in Knightsville on Feb. 28, 1933 to the late Walter and Naoma (Jones) Cox. Millard attended Van Buren High School and earned his associate’s degree from IUPUI...

James Harvey Poynter, 84, of Kokomo, formerly of Greencastle, passed away on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Born April 25, 1935 in Coatesville, he was the son of James William and Ada (Ashby) Poynter and was a 1955 graduate of Greencastle High School...

Barbara June Ames, 67, of Cloverdale, passed away on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 in Fort Wayne. She was born on July 17, 1952 to Harrison and Inez Johnson in Peru, Ind. She was adopted shortly after by Lawrence and Mildred Ames. Barbara was a 1971 graduate of New Market School...

Patricia “Pat” Steagall, 87, of Bainbridge, passed away at her home Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. She was born in Farmersburg to the late Pascal and Lillian (Pittman) Fidler. Pat was a 1950 graduate of Farmersburg High School. She married Hayden B. Steagall Mar. 25, 1957. He preceded her in death Sept. 19, 2010...

Hershel C. Rigney, 96, of Greencastle, passed away on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020 at Hickory Creek at Sunset. Hershel was born in Liberty, Ky. on July 22, 1923, the son of George A. and Dessie (Long) Rigney. Mr. Rigney was a member of First Assembly of God, now The StoreHouse. He was also a stewart with Teamsters Union #135. He was a farmer and was a vendor at the Farmers Market for over 30 years. He was also a truck driver with Spector Mid-State Trucking...

Rebecca Lynn Rogers, 64, of Greencastle, passed away on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at her residence surrounded by her family. Rebecca was born in Bamberg, S.C., on May 29, 1955, the daughter of Charles “Charlie” and Hattie Daythel (Thompson) Poe. She and was a 1973 graduate of Greencastle High School. She received her associates degree in administration from Vincennes University...

Ralph Wayne Ash, 71, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Feb. 17, 2020 in Apache Junction, Ariz. He as born in Greencastle at the Putnam County Hospital on Nov. 10, 1948 He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Eunice (Jent) Ash. He is survived by his wife of 24-1/2 years, Jeanette (Bushman) Ash. The were married on Sept. 9, 1995 in Evergreen, Colo...

Angela “Angie” Marie Blake, 56, of Roachdale, passed away surrounded by her family on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. She was born on Aug. 6, 1963 in Portland, Ore., to the late David L. and surviving Ruth (Fadner) Crossen. On Aug. 20, 2013 in Greencastle, she married Edward P. Blake. He survives...

James C. Cox, 83, of Greencastle, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 in his residence. He was born on Feb. 2, 1937 in Greencastle to A.J. and Vera Maxine (Robinson) Cox. James was retired from Ford Motor Company. He loved fishing, watching NASCAR, camping and going to the ocean, where he enjoyed metal detecting...

David Lynn Boutwell, 69, of Reelsville, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2020 in the St. Vincent Clay E.R. He was born on April 8, 1950 in Indianapolis to Ray and Beatrice (Parsley) Boutwell. David was a retired Sgt. 1st Class with the U.S. Army. David was a 1968 graduate of Ben Davis High School and later with Ivy Tech...

Charles “Pat” Clahan, 64, of Russellville, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 at home while surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Crawfordsville on Jan. 13, 1956 to the late Paul David and Frankie June (McMasters) Clahan. Pat attended South Montgomery High School and on July 17, 1976 he married the love of his life, Rebecca Jane Boller...

Louis J. “Lou” Fontaine died Feb. 12, 2020 in Greencastle at Asbury Towers. He was 89. Lou was born April 1, 1930 in Lafayette. He graduated from DePauw in 1952 with a degree in speech and English. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and Sigma Delta Chi. Lou earned his masters degree at Indiana University...