Obituaries from December 2023

Charles L. Cox Sr., 90, of Greencastle, passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. He was born at his family home near Eminence on Dec. 24 1932, to the late Maurice and Ruth (Maxwell) Cox. Charles “Sonny” was the oldest child and was raised on a farm in rural Morgan County. He was a graduate of Eminence High School in the class of 1950. Upon leaving the farm, Charles and Vera Jean (Sullivan) Cox wedded on Feb. 9, 1952...

Betty Grace Sims Foxx, 92, of Greencastle, passed away on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at Asbury Towers. Betty was born in Greencastle on April 3, 1931, the daughter of George F. and Effie Inis (Reed) Sims, and was a 1949 graduate of Greencastle High School...

Judith Kay Stockton, 81, of Greencastle, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at Hendricks Regional Health. Judith was born in Tangier on June 21, 1942, the daughter of William Ray and Lilly Waunita (Little) Griffin. Mrs. Stockton was a member of the Eastern Star. She worked as a cook for North Putnam Schools for 30 years, starting at the elementary level and moving to North Putnam High School as a cook and cashier until she retired. She love to sew, crochet and cook...

Marian Campbell Ford Nelson passed away Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, residing at Hickory Creek at Sunset in Greencastle. She was born March 15, 1925, in Dayton, Ohio, the only child of Walter Wood Campbell of Cherryfield, Maine, and Ruth Osborn Campbell (Keel), born in Hendricks County...

Donald “Don” Henson, 87, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Nov. 28, 2023 from pneumonia and a 20-plus year battle with Parkinson’s Disease, surrounded by his family. Don was a caring and loving soul and will be missed and remembered by the many lives he touched...

Bernice Stewart Wilson, 91, Roachdale, passed away on Dec. 2, 2023, at Ben Hur Health in Crawfordsville. She was born Aug. 22, 1932, in Montgomery County to James and Ada Stewart. Bernice attended school in Parkersburg and New Market and graduated in 1950...

Mrs. Juanita Merle Farlow, 84, Indianapolis, went home to be with the Lord on the morning of Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. Juanita was born Oct. 15, 1939, in Reelsville, a daughter of the late Raymond and Valla Tyler. Juanita attended Ben Davis High School and was a member of the graduating class of 1957...

Madonna Jean Foulke, 97, Carmel, formerly of Center Point, passed away Dec. 3, 2023 at Bridgewater Health Center of Carmel. Madonna was born to the late Carl and Tina (James) Anderson on May 16, 1926 in Center Point. Madonna attended Bowling Green High School and graduated from Ashboro High School in 1946...

Wanda Jean Ensor Sutherlin Bitzer ended her struggle with dementia and went to her Heavenly Home on Dec. 4, 2023. Wanda was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend who enjoyed life and made sure those around her were loved, well-fed and entertained. She was at her best taking care of people in whatever way they needed. She enjoyed her family, cooking, traveling, playing cards, knitting, camping, skiing and socializing...

Philip “Phil” Taylor Carrington, 97, of Russellville, passed away Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, at Whitlock Place Assisted Living in Crawfordsville. He was born Oct. 2, 1926, in Crawfordsville to the late Alva and Della (Pyle) Carrington. On Dec. 20, 1953, he married Doris (Marsteller) Carrington. They shared nearly 70 years of marriage together. Doris survives...

Russell W. Fitzsimmons, 85, died peacefully Dec. 4, 2023, at The Waters of Greencastle. He was born May 4, 1938, in Greencastle, the son of Willard W. Fitzsimmons and Hazel M. (Buis) Scott. Russell graduated from Greencastle High School in the class of 1957...

Donald Graham, 86, of Plainfield, passed away peacefully on Dec. 7, 2023. He was born in Clayton on Dec. 31, 1936, to the late Leslie and Mary Graham. Don was a United States Air National Guard veteran. He married the love of his life, Shirley Graham, on Oct. 18, 1957. She survives...

John Michael Hecko, 83, of Greencastle, passed from this life to his eternal home on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. He was born in Bloomington to George and Lendora Rader Hecko, then lived in Greencastle from early childhood until after his graduation in 1958 from Greencastle High School...

Doyne Earl Priest, 89, of Greencastle, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 19, 1934 in Brick Chapel, the son of Clifton K. and Bessie O. (Woodworth) Priest. He was a graduate of Bainbridge High School in the class of 1952...

Vicky Sue Petrey, 69, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 at home following an extended illness. She was born on Dec. 16, 1953 in Indianapolis to Gene and Deloris Torrence. Vicky worked for the Banner Graphic for several years, and she was also a bus monitor for 15 years for the Greencastle Community School Corporation. She loved her job, as she loved interacting with the little kids who all loved her...

Brian Edward Pohlar, 51, of West Lafayette, died peacefully at home on Dec. 4, 2023. His memory is cherished by his children, Cole, Cecilia and Bennett, and family, friends and community members. Visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 14 from 9-11 a.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Lafayette...

Hilajean Douglas, 76, passed away Dec. 5, 2023. She was born on Sept. 9, 1947 in Brazil to George and Patsie Wells. She enjoyed fishing and motorcycle riding. She is survived by her sons, Kevin Daniels, Alan Douglas (Becky) and Rick Douglas (Laurie); daughter Cheryl Gross; brother Ron Wells; sister Lynn Wells; grandchildren Courtney Jackson (Chris), Scott Daniels (Charla), Eli Daniels and Justus Daniels; and several great-grandchildren...

Nancy D. Andis, 90, of Greencastle, passed away on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. Nancy was born Feb. 15, 1933 in Greencastle to Edmond H. and Ethel L. (Hunt) Torr. Nancy was a 1951 graduate of Greencastle High School and attended Central Business College in Indianapolis...

Meredith D. Clifford, 44, of Roachdale, passed away Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, peacefully at home with her family by her side. Meredith was born Jan. 10, 1979 in Champaign, Ill., to Allen Price and Rose (Harris) Johnson. She graduated from Greencastle High School in 1997. Later, she followed her passion for helping others by earning her bachelor’s in nursing from WGU...

David Alan Book, 61, died on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at Putnam County Hospital in Greencastle. He was born July 24, 1962. He resided in Cloverdale and graduated from Cloverdale High School. He was retired from Grady Brothers Inc. in Indianapolis. His family included his two children, Heather Book and Ryan Book; his mother, Joan Book of Cloverdale; and siblings Donna Book of Cloverdale, Eddie Book and wife Mitzy of Shelbyville; Linda Chiles of Cloverdale and Theresa Southgate of Florida...

Angie M. Norris, 59, of Brazil, passed away at her home, with her family by her side, on Dec. 5, 2023, following a brief illness. Angie was born on Nov. 10, 1964, in Brazil, the daughter of Merlyn and Dorothy H. (Kidwell) Vanatti. She graduated from Brazil High School and worked for IAC for 32 years...

Frances O’Conner Periconi, 85, passed away peacefully on Nov. 7, 2023, at her home in Decatur, Ga. She was born on Feb. 19, 1938, in Cloverdale to Estell O’Conner and Beatrice Huber O’Conner. Frances graduated from Cloverdale High School in 1956, and later graduated with an RN license from Marion County General Hospital’s School of Nursing (later known as Wishard Memorial Hospital). ...

Eileen Harrington Johnson, loving mother, sister, aunt and beloved friend, left this life in the early hours of the morning of Dec. 6, 2023. Born on Jan. 31, 1947 on Chicago’s South Side, she was the daughter of Thomas and Catherine (O’Malley) Harrington...

Amos Paul Thomas, 93, passed away peacefully on Dec. 16, 2023. He was born at Vermillion County Hospital in Clinton on March 16, 1930 to Joseph James and Madge Hazel (Gross) Thomas. Amos grew up in Rockville and graduated from Rockville High School in 1948...

Chet O’Neal, 88, of Greencastle, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 at Terre Haute Regional Hospital. Chester was born in Cloverdale on June 25, 1935, the son of Joshua and Ruby (Siddons) O’Neal, and was a graduate of Cloverdale High School. Mr. ...

Samantha Lynn Giles, 27, of Westfield, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 at her residence. Samantha was born in Greencastle on June 3, 1996, the daughter of Rusty Giles and Amanda (Morlan) Hubbard. She was a 2014 graduate of North Putnam High School. She attended Ivy Tech and was working on a double major in cyber security and software development...

Judge Diana Jane (nee Ziegler) LaViolette, born in Sullivan on Aug. 29, 1945, passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2023 from a stroke. She was 78 years old. She is survived by her husband, John of Greencastle; her son, Alan of McLean, Va.; daughter Jean (LaViolette) Athey of Elmhurst, Ill.; sister Sue Waddell of Cincinnati, Ohio; and five grandchildren, Archer, Kinsey, Bowen, Gus and Violet...

Wanda Carol (Huchel) Richardson entered Heaven’s gates on Dec. 18, 2023. Born on Jan. 22, 1939, she was the third of four daughters born to Dorothy (Thompson) and Robert L. (R.L) Huchel, all of whom preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was an infant son, Wayne Fore...

Dona Joan Pierce, 90, of Greencastle, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 at home surrounded by her family. She was born Nov. 28, 1933 in Rockville, the daughter of Elbert and Frances (Thornton) Irwin and was a graduate of Greencastle High School in the class of 1951...

Our father, De Eilar, 82, passed away Tuesday evening, Dec. 19, 2023. Dad was born on Sept. 1, 1941 in Whitestown. He spent his formative years in Stilesville on the family’s farm known as “Maple Lane Hybrids” producing farm seeds. He graduated from Stilesville High school in 1959. He worked at IBM and completed an apprenticeship at General Motors...

Wynona Johnson Moore, 78, Lexington, Ky., passed away suddenly on Dec. 20, 2023. Wynona was the beloved mother of two, grandmother of four and great-grandmother of two. She cherished her family beyond words and would do whatever she needed to do for them. She was the very definition of dignity, grace and class. She was completely selfless, never asking for anything in return...

Our beloved father, grandfather and husband Thomas J. Greene died peacefully in his home in Greencastle, on Dec. 24, 2023 at the age of 85. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 28, 1938. Several years later, he moved to Willoughby, Ohio, where he graduated from Saint Joseph High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged...

Lola Elizabeth Crosby, 89, Roachdale, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 at Avon Health Care. She was born on Dec. 14, 1934 in Carpentersville, to the late Clifford and Catherine (Igo) Pickel. She graduated from Roachdale High School in 1952. On Aug. 15, 1953, she married John Edward Crosby. John passed away June 29, 2010...

Lloyd Irwin Blubaum, 75, of Greencastle, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. Lloyd was born on Nov. 17, 1948 to the late Edgar and Maxine Blubaum in Vincennes. After graduation from Lincoln High School, he attended Indiana State University where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. Lloyd was a beloved teacher at North Putnam High School, where he touched many young lives. He retired in 2006 after 33 years of service...

Gary David Vickous, 77, of Martinsville, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 at IU Bloomington. Gary was born in Indianapolis on Nov. 20, 1946, the son of Olden and Marjorie (Spargur) Vickous. He was a graduate of Greencastle High School. Mr. Vickous proudly served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War... Mr. Vickous proudly served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He worked as a feed salesman for Nutrina and was owner and operator of Greencastle Feed Service for many years. He was a lifetime member of the VFW...