Obituaries from September 2023

Janis Marie Irwin went to be with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, on Aug. 30, 2023. She was born in Muncie on July 18, 1952, to Merl and Alberta Green. Her mother survives her. Jani, as she was fondly called by her family and friends, received her LPN from Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie and then a respiratory therapy degree from Ball State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in history from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and from the University of Montana...

Coleton James Giberson, 26, of Cloverdale, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Coleton was born in Mattoon, Ill., on July 15, 1997, the son of Chrissy Baker. He was employed with York Automotive. Coleton loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed fishing, hiking in the woods, traveling and animals. He loved his family and friends above all else...

Brenda Sue Smith, 64, of Greencastle, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at home with her family. Brenda was born in New Albany on Nov. 4, 1958, the daughter of Nova June Cooper nee Tolliver and Farrell Hollen. She was the stepdaughter of Gerald Cooper and Gay Hollen and sister of Dianna Cox (Gary) of Clayton, Curtis Cooper of Greencastle and Patty Hollen Doyle (Frank) and Paul Robinson of New Albany...

John G. Black, 80, Aurora, Colo., formerly of Greencastle, passed away on Aug. 31, 2023, at Castle Rock Assisted Living. Born Feb. 20, 1943, in Greencastle, he was the son of Edwin Gifford and Mary Jane Black. He was a 1961 graduate of Greencastle High School and went on to attend Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Mo...

Amelia L. Crodian, 89, of Greencastle, passed away peacefully on Sept. 3, 2023, surrounded by her family. Amelia was born in Jamestown on July 10, 1934, the daughter of Burl and Ruth Sperry. On Oct. 17, 1954, Amelia married Hubert W. Crodian. Together they had four daughters, Diantha (Tony) Thornburg of Crawfordsville, Susan Crodian and Debra (Donald “Rum”) Rumley of Greencastle and Sharon (Marty) Wertz of Crawfordsville, and were blessed with one grandchild, Michael Rumley, Greencastle. ...

Garnet Ann Bacon, 68, passed away on Sept. 4, 2023. She leaves a legacy of love and compassion. Garnet is survived by her children, Michelle Wood (Chris Wood) and Jessica Wourms, as well as her cherished grandchildren, Cameron and Jessa. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 10 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at American Legion Post 58, 1401 Indianapolis Rd., Greencastle, IN 46135...

Perry Bryan Norman, of Cloverdale, passed away Sept. 6, 2023. He was born Sept. 8, 1970, the son of Charles Earl Norman Sr. and Dorothy Frances (Cross) Norman. He was a longstanding member of American Legion Post 281. He was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Charles Earl Norman Jr., Jerry Ryan Norman, Tony Bee Norman and Troy Lee Norman; and his sister, Angela Ellen Norman...

Rebecca Clarice Sears, 63, Sheridan, passed away on Sept. 4, 2023 at her residence. Rebecca was born in Greencastle on June 23, 1960, the daughter of John C and Beverley (Liptrap) Sears. Ms. Sears was very active in Special Olympics and was a member of the Daughters of the Revolution (DAR). She loved her time at PCCS in Greencastle, and was very dedicated to her parents and family...

Jimmie Ray Heller, of Greencastle, passed away Sept. 9, 2023, at his home. He was born Dec. 12, 1948, to Reva M. (Evens) Bundy and James L. Heller in Putnam County. He formerly worked for the Greencastle Stock Yard and Greencastle Convalescent Home, owned Mr. J’s Barber Shop for a number of years as well as Food Service Management (concession stands) and was a avid wood cutter...

Barbara Joan White Bryan, 69, of Greencastle, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023 surrounded by her family. The Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements. A full obituary will be published at a later date.

Belinda Jean Zeffel, 53, of Fillmore, passed away on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at her residence. Belinda was born in Greencastle on May 31, 1970, the daughter of Vernon and Peggy (Carper) Zeffel. She was a 1988 graduate of South Putnam High School. Ms. Zeffel worked for 22 years with IAC...

Robert Lee “Bob” Chastain, 76, of Bainbridge, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 26, 1946, in Salem, the son of Hobart and Harriet (Branaman) Chastain. He was a graduate of Medora High School. Bob was a timber cutter and log truck driver, working for Pingleton Sawmill for several years. He also served in the Army National Guard...

Lila M. Jones, 85, formerly of Greencastle, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Wellbrooke of Avon in Avon. She was born in Brazil to Daniel and Ruth (Allen) Eaglin. Lila worked as a sales clerk for Prevo, a teller at First Citizens Bank, a customer service clerk for the Indiana BMV and a customer service representative for Duke Energy before retiring...

Freda Maxine Thrasher, 90, of Morgan County, passed away Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Life’s Journey in Avon. She was born Friday, Dec. 16, 1932, to the late Carl and Dorotha (Beck) Pursell in Fillmore. Freda spent her life raising and caring for her family, having successfully raised five children. ...

Jennifer Marie Kiplinger, 54, of Roachdale, passed away Saturday morning, Sept. 9, 2023, at her home. Jeni was born May 19, 1969, in Hendricks County to the late George Abell and Jane (Taylor) Abell. Jeni was a 1988 graduate of Cascade High School and went on to be a beautician for 25 years...

Barbara Joan (White) Bryan, 69, of Greencastle, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born Jan. 8, 1954, in Greencastle, the daughter of Donald H. and Rosalie (Allison) White. She was a graduate of Greencastle High School in the class of 1972 and received her bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University in 1976 and her CPA in 1980...

Robert S. Flint, 98, died peacefully at St. Vincent Kokomo Hospital on Sept. 9, 2023. He was born in Detroit on Aug. 21, 1925 to Cecil and Georgia Flint. His family moved back to Greencastle when he was three years old, and he was raised there. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific theatre during World War II. After returning home, he met the love of his life, Helen Tzouanakis, to whom he was married until her death 44 years later...

Cynthia Myra Oare Dewes was born Oct. 30, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minn., the only child of Arthur Henry Oare and Pearl Marion Keller Oare. She was the apple of her parents’ eye and spent her childhood in Wayzata and Minneapolis. In 1954 she graduated cum laude in English from the University of Minnesota and married Edward Henry Dewes II on Sept. 11 of that same year...

Larry Max Jones, 88, of Roachdale, passed away Wednesday evening, Sept. 13, 2023, at Wellbrooke of Crawfordsville. He was born on Nov. 5, 1934, in Jeffersonville to Marvel Ruth (Dean) and Jesse Franklin Jones. He and the family, including older sister Joan, moved to the Roachdale area after the Ohio River flood of 1937...

Craig Robert Hess, 55, of Greencastle, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. Born July 9, 1968 in Indianapolis, he was the son of Donald and Patricia (Oden) Hess. He was a 1986 graduate of Greencastle High School and received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Butler University in 1990...

Kendra Kathleen (Petiniot) Mihlfeld, 30, of Robinson, Ill., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, due to injuries sustained in an accident. She was born in Terre Haute on Jan. 7, 1993, the daughter of Patrick J. “P.J.” and Leslie J. (LeCocq) Petiniot...

He was born at the hospital on Hillsdale Avenue, grew up in a house on Hillsdale Avenue, and married his high school sweetheart who also grew up on Hillsdale Avenue. He graduated from Greencastle High School in 1957. He attended DePauw University and pledged Phi Gamma Delta. He continued his studies at Indiana University in Bloomington and completed his degree in English from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich...

Floyd Stanley Decker, a longtime Putnam County resident, crossed the bridge to his eternal life on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, with his family by his side. He was born July 5, 1932, to Mervin Henry and Lettie Nora Guise Decker in Greencastle. He was baptized in the Presbyterian Church at an early age. He graduated from Greencastle High School in 1950 and enlisted in the United States Air Force...

Candy Jo Booe, age 65, of Mount Meridian, passed away Sept. 23, 2023. She was born April 27, 1958, in Greencastle to Robert Langdon and Shirley (Cummings) Brewer. She married Brad Booe on April 9, 1978, and he survives. She retried from Public Service Incorporated after 20-plus years and worked for South Putnam Schools for many years...

Wanda Lee Costin, 72, of Greencastle, passed away on Sept. 25, 2023, at her residence. Wanda was born in Norton, Va., on Oct. 7, 1950, the daughter of Claude Wilson and Alice Virginia (Hall) Kegley, and was a graduate of Speedway High School. Mrs. Costin was a member of New Providence Baptist Church, Moose Lodge 1592, Elks Lodge 1077 and Eagles 4388. She was house mother for Delta Tau Delta for over 26 years and truly enjoyed her job...

Richard Harold Pitts, 70, of Fillmore, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 at Hendricks Regional Health. Richard was born in Wyandotte, Mich., on Oct. 3, 1952, he was the son of Richard Charles and Margry May (Yost) Pitts. He was a graduate of Paw Paw High School in Paw Paw, Mich. He graduated from heavy equipment operator school in Florida...

Keith Leonard Clodfelter, 89, of Bellevue, Tenn., passed away Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. Born July 1, 1934, in Putnam County, he was the son of Hubert Keith and Elizabeth Eggers Clodfelter. Keith has often been remembered as being the best, kindest man that would give you the shirt off his back. ...

Linda Louise Spivey (nee Tuttle), of Cloverdale, passed away Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, after a brief illness. Linda was born on April 26, 1950, to Frances Tuttle Phillips in Deadwood, S.D. On July 3, 1969, she married John Spivey Sr. and they had three children, Frances Spivey Lewis (David) of Cloverdale, John Spivey Jr. (Diana) and Amanda Spivey (Wayne). She also had many nieces and nephews. She had nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren...

Gregory Mark Stephan was born Oct. 28, 1951 in Atlanta, Ga. He died Sept. 27, 2023, in Greencastle at age 71. Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth R. Stephan and Jacqueline M. Stephan, and his sister, Katie Homrighausen. He is survived by his wife, Kathy E. Stephan; brother Robert J. Stephan; children Eric T. Stephan (Skye), Erika L. Haynes (Thax), Alex D. Stephan and Holly A. McLauchlin (Mac); and grandchildren Sadie, Solomon, and Emeleia...