Obituaries from August 2021

James J. Hess, 72, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 31, 2021. He was born April 19, 1949 in Long Island, N.Y., to the late James and Wanda (Ahlm) Hess. Jim married Kathy Lybbert in the Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake, Utah, on April 6, 2009, and she survives...

Steven Ronald Hoopingarner, 70, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at his home. He was born on July 19, 1951 in Brazil to Ronald and Jeannine (Ewing) Hoopingarner. Steve attended Van Buren High School and graduated in the class of 1969...

Michaelene “Micky” (Terry) Costin, 73, of Frankfort, passed away Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 at Wesley Manor in Frankfort surrounded by family. Born Feb. 7, 1948, in Belle Union, she was the daughter of Ruth M. (Cox) and Paul Terry. Micky graduated in 1966 from Fillmore High School following the consolidation with Belle Union High School...

John Edward Tesmer, 69, Bainbridge, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville. John was born in Ohio on Feb. 27, 1952, the son of Theodore and Ruth Elizabeth (Lutz) Tesmer. He was a graduate of Greencastle High School...

Samuel “Sam” Alexander Whitaker, 19, of Roachdale, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021. He was born in Indianapolis on Feb. 28, 2002 to Terry L. Whitaker Jr. and Marcile White. Samuel attended North Putnam High School. He was a hard worker and had many different skills. He enjoyed volunteering around the community in various capacities. He recently returned from Panama Beach, Fla., where he had worked at Captain Anderson’s Marina on a fishing boat for several months. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, watching sunsets and spending time with his family and friends, especially his fiancé...

Allen Dale Wilson, 64, of Poland, passed away on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 at his residence. Allen was born in Greencastle on June 15, 1957, the son of William Riley and Mary Helen (Miller) Wilson. He was a graduate of Greencastle High School. Mr. Wilson was an over-the-road truck driver for 36 years. He owned and operated his truck and also contracted with Lone Star Trucking...

Thelma Jean Mason, 73, of Greencastle, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021 at her residence. Thelma was born in Greencastle on Jan. 19, 1948, the daughter of Thomas J. and Edna Flo (Williams) Young. She was a 1966 graduate of Fillmore High School. Mrs. Mason worked for more than 20 years as a receptionist with Surgery Center of Putnam County...

Donna Minnick, 85, passed away Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021 at Asbury Towers in Greencastle. She was born in Greencastle on June 23, 1936, the daughter of the late Donald and Mary Lou (Earley) Gorham. Donna graduated from Greencastle High School and later married Robert “Rocky” Minnick on June 4, 1960...

Charlene Rita Johnson was born a poor white Serbian on a dirt floor in Baltimore, Md., on Aug. 10, 1953. She was loving wife to a much younger man, Cory Johnson. Adored mother to three unstable children, Big Bro, Sissy and Lil Bro; 16 grandchildren, six great-granchildren and many more random children...

David “Mack” Kennedy, 78, passed peacefully into eternity on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. He was a resident of Concord, N.C., at the time of his passing. He was born in Clendenin, W.Va., to Gordon (Toots) Kennedy and Cleo Boatwright Kennedy. He was the second of six children...

Robert Tyler Miles, 33, passed away on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tyler is survived by his wife, Monica Miles; his children, Connor, Drew, Lauren and their unborn child, all of Indianapolis; his parents, Robert “Kell” and Tammy Miles, of North Salem;  his brother Tanner M­­iles (Zoe McDaniel) of Lafayette; his father- and mother-in-law, Gary and Mary Owen of Indianapolis; sister-in-law Emily Owen (Brantley Heath) of Indianapolis;  his maternal grandparents, Charles Robert “Bob” and Nancy Curran of Bainbridge; paternal grandparents Robert “Bob” and Donna Mae Miles of Coatesville; and many aunts, uncles and cousins who all adored Tyler. . ...

Gary Wayne “Mr. B” Branagin, 74, of Greencastle, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. Born May 11, 1947 in Lebanon, he was the son of Gearl and Virginia (Craig) Branagin. He was a 1965 graduate of Thorntown High School. He was a veteran having served in the United States Air Force and a member of the American Legion...

With great sadness we announce the loss of our beloved mother, Ila Irene Perkins, 94, of Roachdale. In loving memory of “Mamaw,” we are all saddened by her passing on Aug. 11, 2021. A life so simply lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. She married the late John Willard Perkins in 1945 and celebrated 67 years together...

Jeffrey K. McDonald, 60, of Greencastle, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2021. Arrangements are pending at Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home, Greencastle.

Delano June Marsee, 88, of Greencastle, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021 at Asbury Towers. June was born in Middlesboro, Ky., on April 4, 1933, the daughter of Luther and Lydia (Reese) Roberts. Mrs. Marsee worked for Marsh in various positions over the years...

Virgil Burl Taylor Jr., passed away Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, surrounded by his loving wife of 61 years and four devoted children at the time of his death. Virgil is survived by his wife, Marilyn Taylor, and four children, Robert Taylor (wife Maggie), Doreen Phillips (husband Terry), Sherri Parker (husband Tony) and Stacy Robinson (husband Jamie). He was preceded in death by son, Gary Taylor. He had nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren...

Sandra L. Walters-Terhune, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., passed on Aug. 14, 2021 at 82 years old. She was born to Robert and Veva Schisler in Indianapolis. Sandra grew up and lived in Dugger and Cloverdale before moving to Lake Havasu City in 1985. She enjoyed cooking, golf, antiques and her cat, Miss Kitty...

Jeffrey Kenneth McDonald was born June 7, 1961 to Kenny and Marie McDonald (Thompson). He passed peacefully in his home on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenny and Marie, and his sister, Cathy. He leaves behind his two children, Paula (Dane) McFarland and Jeffrey McDonald II. ...

Mary Jane Tesmer, 69, of Greencastle, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. Born Feb. 27, 1952 in Norwalk, Ohio, she was the daughter of Theodore and Ruth Elizabeth (Lutz) Tesmer. She was a graduate of Greencastle High School, Liberty Bible College in Lynchford, Va., in 1974 and went back to school to receive her nurse’s training...

Mary Ann Staley, 86, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 at her home in Greencastle. Born Sept.13, 1933 in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of Ollie and Velva Guthrie. She was a 1951 a graduate of Ben Davis High School. Mary enjoyed farming, gardening and working at the DePauw University library. She was a member of the Fillmore Christian Church and Ladies Bible Study and the Club 16 Home Ec Club...

Max F. Smith, age 89, of Cloverdale passed away Aug. 21, 2021, working until the end on his farm. Born July 2, 1932, to the late Harold and Eva (Hart) Smith. He is survived by significant other of 34 years Anita McEnulty; his children Kim (Tim) Shinn of Fillmore, Dale (Juanita) Smith of Cloverdale; extended family Kendra (Mark) Coon of Cloverdale, Randy (LeAnna) McEnulty of Poland, Kevin (Amie) McEnulty of Greenwood, Cory (Jennifer) McEnulty of South Carolina; brothers Harold Smith, Mike (Marsha) Smith; sister Ellen Davies; grandchildren Rashell Harcourt, Marlana Dietz, Nick Shinn, Clint Smith, Adam Smith, Kedrick Coon, Brandon Tancak; 15 great-grandchildren.. ...

Betty L. Chew, 94, of Reelsville, passed away in her home on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 with her children at her side. She was a simple woman who loved her family — especially her grandchildren. Babies made her smile. She was a hard worker who could outwork most men, and she never backed down from a challenge. She had a heart of gold and would share her shirt off her back if you needed it...

James D. Hilburn Jr. “Jimmy,” 53, formerly of Bainbridge, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021 due to declining health conditions. Jimmy was born July 22, 1968, in Greencastle, to James “Jim” and Linda Hutcheson Hilburn. He is survived by his daughter, Chelsea (Nate) O’Hair; his son, Isaac Hilburn (Carmen Foster); grandson Bowen Allen O’Hair; granddaughter Baylor Rose O’Hair; and two bonus grandsons, Nolan and Briggs O’Hair...

James Louis Cooper Sr., a professor emeritus of history at DePauw University and a widely recognized expert on the study and preservation of Indiana’s historic bridges, died on Aug. 19, 2021. He was 86 years old. Son of James H. and Gladys Wambaugh Cooper, the Princeton, N.J., native moved to Greencastle in 1964 to join the faculty of DePauw University, where he served for more than three decades...

Lenora Alspaugh, 84, of Greencastle, passed away early Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. Born Oct. 31, 1936 in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of Emory Roe and Katie (Lively) Roe. She was a graduate of Bainbridge High School. Lenora had worked at many places such as PR Mallory, JC Penney, Prevo’s, McDonald’s as assistant manager, Bob Evans on Rockville Road, Indianapolis, and The Hub at DePauw University. ...

Randall L. Summers Jr., 43, of Danville, went to heaven on Aug. 17, 2021 of complications due to COVID-19. Randall was born in Danville on Dec. 23, 1977. He leaves behind his loving wife of 22 years, Janelle; four beautiful children, Maverick, Josie, Kassidy and Drake; a brother, Christopher (wife Haley); a sister, Danielle; and a sister-in-law, Angela Gorham (husband Troy); along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles...

On Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, we unexpectedly lost Tina Maria (Boswell) Watkins, age 57. Tina is survived by David Paul Watkins, her loving husband of 35 years. They were married on Sept. 21, 1985 in West Middleton, Ind. Tina is loving remembered by her four children, Daniel Nicole (Yates), Stephanie Dawn (Wilson), Crystal Lynn (Dorman) and David Michael Watkins; seven grandchildren, Kaleb, Rowan, Amaris, Luca, Joshua, Melody and Aspen; her parents, Larry Ray and Sandra Jean Boswell; and her siblings, Cynthia Kay (Marsh) and Brian Tad Boswell.. ...

Donna Rose Henson, age 85, of Cloverdale, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 with family at her side. She leaves behind her beloved husband William “Bill” Henson, as well as their five children, Bill (Tonette) Henson, Dave (Carol) Henson, Jill Henson Stanley, Dan (Rosemary) Henson and Patrick (Kristin) Henson...

Donald Lloyd South, 94, of Cloverdale, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 surrounded by his loving family following a long illness. Don was born Dec. 20, 1926 to Jesse and Clara South of Bainbridge. A graduate of Bainbridge High School, Don spent his entire working life as a farmer...

Carole Ann (Bucksot) Larson, 77, of Evansville, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021 at her home. She was born on Dec. 18, 1943 in Hammond, Ind., to the late William and June (Habben) Bucksot. Carole attended Crossroads Christian Church and loved her Monday evening Cancer group. She was an original charter member of Four Seasons United Methodist Church...

Mardenna J. Boler, 84, of Cloverdale, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. She was born June 26, 1937 in Marion County to the late Leon and Ione Haltom (Smythe). She worked for many years at Mallory’s in Greencastle until her retirement...

Brenda Sue Thompson, 61, of Coatesville, passed away on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. She was born in Greencastle on March 13, 1960 and was the daughter of Claude and Shirley (Coffey) Thompson. Brenda leaves behind a daughter, Jannifer (David) Hodge; a son, Carlos (Cara) Bumgardner; grandchildren Jaxon Hodge, Kaley Hodge, Carson Bumgardner and Carlee Bumgardner; her parents, Claude and Shirley Thompson; siblings Debbie (Mark) Cooksey, Danny (Debbie) Thompson, Stephen Thompson, Bobby (Tara) Thompson and Matt (Nicki) Thompson; and several nieces and nephews.. ...

Larry Wayne Dobson, 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on Aug. 25, 1942 in Greencastle to the late John and Lois (Neese) Dobson. Larry attended Reelsville High School and graduated in the class of 1962. The following year he married Mary Lanham on Oct. 5, 1963. Together they raised three children...

Linda R. Smith, 74, of Brookston, passed away Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 at Franciscan Health in Lafayette after a brief illness. She was born on May 16, 1947 in Greencastle to the late Nelson York and Wilma (Malayer) Zimmerman. On July 16, 1967 in Greencastle she married Richard Smith, and he survives...

James A. Swinney, 69, of Greencastle, passed away on Aug. 25, 2021 at Hendricks Regional Health, with his daughters by his side. Jim was born on Dec. 18, 1951 in Indianapolis to the late Dorothy L. (Farmer) and James R. Swinney. Jim worked in the family business as a repairman for Swinney Zenith TV, before working in maintenance for Indianapolis Water Co. for more than 25 years, retiring in 2017. Family was important to Jim. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandkids...

William Robert (Bob) Speedy passed away at home in Bainbridge, surrounded by family on Aug. 24, 2021 at the age of 89. He was born to William Carl Speedy and Mary (Edwards) Speedy on April 7, 1932. Both preceded him in death. He was also preceded by siblings Carolyn Cummings, Ronald Speedy, grandson JT Speedy and great-grandson Kace Schroer...

Eldon Duane Lewis, 84, of Greencastle, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Born June 8, 1937 in Greencastle, he was the son of Eldon Henry and Mary Thelma (James) Lewis. Eldon was a disabled American veteran, having served in the United States Navy on the New Jersey Battleship and Macon Cruiser...

Benita Lou Phillips, 62, of Greencastle, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. Born June 8, 1959 in Greencastle, she was daughter of Leon R. and Virginia (Pell) Phillips and was a graduate of Greencastle High School. Benita had worked in customer service in various restaurants in Greencastle. She was a former member of the Seelyville Pentecostal Church and attended Hanna Street Baptist Church in Greencastle...