Billy ‘Bill’ Roberts
Billy Lee “Bill” Roberts, age 87, of Winter Springs, Florida, passed away at 5:25 a.m. on Friday, July 21st, 2023, at Hospice Care in Winter Springs, Florida.
Bill entered this life on January 25th, 1936 in Vevay. He was the loving son of the late James Arthur and Maude Myrtle Ricketts Roberts. He was raised in Vevay and graduated from Vevay High School.
On October 19th, 1956 Bill was united in marriage to Mary Higgins at the Bennington United Methodist Church in Bennington. They had resided in Bennington, Hanover and in Florida.
While living in Bennington he owned and operated Swiss Swings that he built, as well as other furniture. He also owned and operated Idle Hour Campers in Vevay and Jack Mobile Homes in Florida. Bill built many homes in the Vevay and Switzerland County communities.
He was a member of the Brushy Fork Baptist Church in Pleasant and had served as deacon.
He had served as the alumni president, loved woodworking, he was a self taught painter, liked to draw, loved watching college basketball and was a former basketball coach. Bill loved socializing with friends, family and his neighbors.
Bill will be missed by his loving daughters: Valerie Roberts of Lafayette, Louisiana, Venita Zimmerman of Lakeland, Florida, Vanessa Huber of Winter Springs, Florida, and Vonetta Roberts Schnebelt of Lakeland, Florida; by his grandchildren: Ryan Mefford, Tiffany Bianchini, Brian Zimmerman, Andrea Scott, Lacey Barrett, Olivia Sims, Keith Mefford, Angie Roberts, and Benjamin Huber; by his great-grandchildren: Isabella Jordan, Leo Jordan, Levi Jordan, Nikolina Mefford, Sawyer Scott, Nash Scott, Crew Scott and Rylee Zimmerman; by his brother Joe Roberts and his wife Darlene of Mission, Texas; by his sister-in-law Wanda Treadway of Aurora, Indiana; by his niece and his nephew, Joelle McCullar and Vince Roberts; and by his other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his father James Arthur Roberts, who died on December 25th, 1970; by his mother, Myrtle Ricketts Roberts Gullion, who died on October 20th, 1997; by his granddaughter, Brittany Nicole; and by his beloved wife of 64 years Mary Higgins Roberts, who died on June 16th, 2020.
Memorial services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 4th, by Pastor Chris Clements at the Brushy Fork Baptist Church, 2 Brushy Fork Road near Pleasant, Indiana. There will be a meal following the ceremony in the church fellowship hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to Brushy Fork Baptist Church. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison or Hanover or at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home in Vevay, or at the church.
Larry Ray
Larry Dale Ray, 65, of Franklin, Tennessee, formerly of Maumelle, Arkansas and Vevay, passed away suddenly from natural causes during the early morning hours on July 22nd, 2023, in Double Springs, Alabama while on a lake trip with dear friends.
Larry was born on March 11th, 1958, at King’s Daughters Hospital in Madison. He was the son of William R. (“Bill”) Ray and Dorothy Evelyn Craig Ray and was the youngest of nine children.
Growing up in Switzerland County, Larry spent most of his time working the fields of his family’s tobacco and dairy farm in Vevay. When not hard at work, Larry enjoyed hunting and fishing with his older brothers and playing ball with friends. Like many people in farming families, this dedication to hard work would become a standard in his everyday life.
Larry’s talent on the baseball diamond was evident throughout his youth where he played for Switzerland County’s varsity baseball team. During his senior year, Larry’s team won the ORVC conference championship by going undefeated. Larry graduated high school with a .558 batting average, the conference batting championship, and the MVP title. He continued playing baseball with the Madison Legion team until he went off to Roane State Community College in Tennessee with an athletic scholarship. He soon transferred to Kentucky Wesleyan College before being drafted by the Houston Astros in 1979. He quickly made an impression in both the minor league and the Class A Florida State League, winning multiple player of the week awards as well as the MVP of the Southern Division.
In 1981, he was called up to the Double-A Columbus Astros and invited to the Houston Astros spring training roster where he played alongside stars like Nolan Ryan. In 1982 Larry earned his way onto the Major League roster where in the clubhouse his side of the locker room looked like this… Nolan Ryan #34, Don Sutton #35, Joe Neikro #36, Larry Ray #37, and Tim Tolman #38…quite a group. He was sent to AAA in Tucson, Arizona just before spring training ended that year. Larry had a great start to the season but during a game, while going for a ball, crashed into an outfield fence and injured his ankle severely. He missed 40 games that year. But, resulting from his early success that year, he was called up to the Majors.
His first major league hit came as a pinch hit against Tom Niedenfuer, of the Dodgers, in front of 50,000 fans. Steve Garvey, of the Dodgers, recovered his ball and gave it to Larry and wished him well. Larry did not get to stay up long but what a dream come true. He eventually transitioned to a player-coach role with the Astros minor league system where he developed a reputation as a selfless, helpful, soft-spoken leader. For various reasons, Larry hung up his baseball cleats in 1987.
Larry went on to have a long, rewarding career as a sales representative in the automotive industry where his strong work ethic, honesty, and reliability allowed him to build relationships with his colleagues, many becoming true friends.
Larry had three sons: Dylan, Tanner, and Logan. When they were young, Larry would pick the boys up after school and go hit baseballs or go to the driving range. They were never idle — always finding fun things to do together. He took the boys fishing, camping and enjoyed all types of water sports. Constantly an elite athlete, Larry would show no mercy at the boys’ dodgeball birthday parties, in league softball games, and even recently in golf outings.
Larry coached the boys’ sports teams over the years and received great joy watching their high school endeavors. He loved his boys very much and formed great friendships during the years of raising them — many of these friendships lasting throughout the rest of his life.
In September of 2006, while watching Arkansas play its first football game of the year at a small restaurant in Maumelle, Arkansas, Larry’s world was forever changed when he met the love of his life, Robin. A mutual friend introduced them and the rest, as they say, is history. It was an instant romance and true love story. In February 2007, immediately after their favorite team, the Indianapolis Colts, beat the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl, Larry proposed to Robin. The couple was married that weekend in The Little White Chapel in Las Vegas.
Larry and Robin lived in Maumelle until relocating to Franklin, Tennessee after Larry’s work territory expanded in 2017. They loved building their lives together in Franklin, enjoying every moment together while also dreaming of their future. As usual, Larry’s care for others, humility, and willingness to lend a helping hand never subsided. This helped the couple meet wonderful neighbors who quickly became friends. He and Robin loved entertaining as often as they could. You’d often find Larry grilling and serving everyone with a smile.
Larry is survived by and will be forever missed by his loving wife, Robin Wright Ray. He is also survived by his three sons: Dylan Ray of Tampa, Florida, Tanner Ray of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Logan Ray of Fayetteville, Arlansas; by his bonus daughter, Amanda (Nic) Smith of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by his bonus son Michael Dickens of Jonesboro, Arkansas; and by his bonus grandchildren: Kai Dickens, and Evan, Ryan, and Avenly Smith, who all lovingly called him “ LRay” continuing the nickname from his early baseball days.
Larry is also survived by his sisters: Mary Jane (Tom) Demaree of Vevay, Phyllis (Pat) Collier of Vevay, Kay (Rick) Roland of New Albany, Indiana, Connie (Ronnie) Spurlock of Bennington, and Rita (Randy) Scudder of Rising Sun; by his loving brothers: Doug Ray of Vevay and James “Jim” (Sharon) Ray of Vevay; by his sisters-in-law: Toni (Kim) Inboden of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Betty Jones Ray of Cincinnati, Ohio; by his mother-in-law, Pat Wright of Jonesboro, Arkansas; by his 25 nieces and nephews; by his 33 great nieces and great nephews; and by many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, William R. “Bill” Ray; by his mother, Dorothy Evelyn Craig Ray; by his brother, Danny Craig Ray; and by his father-in-law, Jackie “Jack” Glenn Wright.
Larry’s celebration of life service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 4th, at the North Madison Christian Church Auditorium, 1400 East State Road 62 in Madison.
Family will begin gathering at noon in the gathering area at the North Madison Christian Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Larry’s memory may be made to the Community Foundation of Switzerland County, Inc., for the Larry D. Ray Memorial Fund. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centers of Madison and Hanover or at the church or at Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home in Vevay.
Bradley Pike
Bradley Tyrone Pike, age 35, of Madison, formerly of Switzerland County, passed away from a work accident at 11:04 a.m. on Monday, July 31st, 2023, at the Norton King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison.
Bradley entered this life on June 26th, 1988 in Madison. He was the son of Michael Eugene Brown and Mary Elaine “Lainie” (Tapp) Parson. Bradley was raised in Switzerland and Jefferson counties. He graduated in 2006 from Southwestern High School in Hanover, Indiana.
Bradley was inducted into the United States Army/Army National Guard on May 1st, 2006 in Vevay. He was activated on federal orders in Fort Wayne, Indiana and served his country in Iraq for 8 months and 16 days specializing as a cavalry scout. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device and the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver Wheeled Vehicles Clasp.
Bradley was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist on December 8th, 2008 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.
At a young age, Bradley became involved with his adopted father’s business, Pike’s Tree Care where he was still currently employed. Bradley loved working, cutting trees and spending time with children always brought great joy to his life. He became a follower of Christ and was a member of the New Life Fellowship Church in Madison. Bradley became involved in the New Life Fellowship REC, Residents Encounter Christ where he shared his life story and suicide prevention recovery, as well as, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in jails and prisons in southern Indiana.
Bradley will be lovingly remembered by his biological mother and step-father: Mary Elaine “Lainie” (Tapp) and Paul Parson of Vevay; by his biological father Michael Eugene Brown of Saltsburgh, Pennsylvania; by his adopted father and step-mother Steve and Vanetta Pike of Madison; by his adopted mother and step-father Natalie and Michael Huscheck of Mansfield, Texas; by his brothers: Brian Pike and his wife Stevi of Madison and James Pike of Dallas, Texas; by his sisters: Maggie Pike of Dallas, Texas, Mollie Chinnery and her husband Kris of Dallas, Texas, and Olivia Pike of Dallas, Texas; by his step-brother Zane Bennett of Madison; by his niece and nephews: Maddy Pike, Malachi Pike, Aiden Pike and Levi Chinnery; by his grandparents: Jesse Dale Edwards of Vevay, James Brown of Vevay, Carolyn Bates of Columbus, Indiana, Betty and Jeff Lyons of Port St. Joe, Florida, John and Sharon Pike of Lake Wales, Florida, Dave and Terry Nixon of Mansfield, Texas, and Gayle and Janet Macrander of Brooksburg, Indiana; and by his aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother Brandon Michael Pike, who died on August 18th, 2014; and by his grandparents: Ella May (Tapp) Edwards, who died on December 24th, 2015 and Tom Bates.
Visitation will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, August 6th, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana, 47043.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 6th at the funeral home.
Full military rites will be conducted at the funeral home by the Honor Guard of the Jefferson Post #9 of the American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson House. Cards are available at the funeral home.
Sharon LeMasters
Sharon June (Bear) LeMasters, age 74, of Versailles, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, May 7th, 2023, at the Signature Healthcare of Carrollton, Kentucky.
Sharon entered this life on May 14th, 1949 in Madison. She was the loving daughter of the late Ray and Virginia (Brooks) Bear. She was raised in Vevay and was a 1967 graduate of Vevay High School.
Sharon attended Southeastern Career Center while in high school and earned her certificate in cosmetology. She also worked as a nursing aide (candy striper) for King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison.
She was united in marriage in 1967 to Eric Christman in Vevay. They were blessed with two sons, Brian and Darin.
Sharon was employed as an auditor in the Treasurer’s office in the Switzerland County Courthouse for many years. She was then an auditor for the State Board of Accounts of Indiana. Sharon retired after many years but continued to work at various other jobs.
Sharon was the third child of eight siblings, and she loved to spend her free time with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Sharon will be deeply missed by her sons: Brian Christman and his wife Penny of Vevay and Darin Christman of Versailles, Indiana; by her siblings: Beverly Jones and her husband Ronald of Lebanon, Tennessee, Gerald Bear of Vevay, Mike Bear and wife Sue of Vevay, Debbie Gregory and her husband Eddie of Florence, Indiana, and Cathy Bear and Wade Eldridge of Charlestown, Indiana; by her sister-in-law Vickie Bear (wife of the late Lynn Bear) of Moorefield; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father Lowary Ray Bear; by her mother Virginia Ann (Brooks) Bear; by her brothers: Gregory Bear and Lynn Bear; by her niece Lisa Bear; and by her nephew Clayton Bear.
Sharon was cremated at the Alliance Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Florence, Kentucky.
No services are being held at this time.
Angela ‘Angie’ Kelley
Angela Marie “Angie” Rucker Kelley, age 70, of Madison, passed away at 12:03 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26th, 2023 at the Norton Brownsboro Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.
Angie entered this life on March 20th, 1953 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was the loving daughter of Lewis G. and Ruth E. Brindley Rucker. She was raised in the Pleasant Community and was a 1971 graduate of Switzerland County High School.
On January 22nd, 1972, Angie was united in marriage to Danney Dee Kelley at the Brushy Fork Baptist Church near Pleasant. This happy union of nearly 52 years was blessed with a son, Chad William and a daughter, Daniele Elaine. She was raised in the Brushy Fork Baptist Church and was now a faithful member of the Kent Christian Church in Kent, Indiana.
She retired after 35 years of service with the Madison Consolidated School System serving as a special services assistant.
Angie was an awesome cook, baker, gardener, loved her flowers, and was devoted to her family. At church she led the kitchen team and the food for the Southern Indiana Family Rally. She truly loved to travel especially with her kids, grandkids, and her family.
Angie traveled out west numerous times, fishing trips to Canada and traveled to Hawaii this past March. She along with her husband, Danney were instrumental in Sharing the Gospel with Haiti Project since 1996. Angie will be long remembered for her sweet and caring nature for others, the beautiful presence she would bring to any room when she was there with the love she expressed for others.
In death Angie chose to be a donor to provide life to others.
Angie will be missed by her loving husband of nearly 52 years Danney Dee Kelley of Madison; by her loving son Chad William Kelley of Lexington, Indiana; by her loving daughter Daniele Elaine Kelley Geary and her husband Rob of Madison; by her adoring grandchildren: Caleb Geary, Kirsten Geary, Haley Kelley, Amelia Kelley, Ava Kelley, and Jackson Kelley; by her loving mother Ruth E. Brindley Rucker of Pleasant; by her mother in law Cora Duke Kelly of North Vernon, Indiana; by her loving sister Diana Rucker Hand and her husband George of Madison; by her loving brother Randy Rucker of Aurora, Indiana; by her sisters-in-law: Nancy Griffith and her husband Harold Eugene of Madison, Evelyn Morris and her husband Danny of North Vernon, Indiana, Geraldine Reed and her husband David of North Vernon, Indiana, and Barbara Hornsby and her husband Gary of Lexington, Indiana; by her aunt Marjorie Brown of Bennington; by her uncle Harry Brindley and his wife Wilma of Milroy, Indiana; and by her several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her father Lewis G. Rucker, who died on June 25th, 2014; by her sister-in-law Debbie Rucker, who died on June 26th, 2023; by her sister-in-law Beverly Cook, who died on September 18th, 2009; and her brother-in-law Gary Cook, who died on January 13th, 2018.
Friends may visit on Thursday, August 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kent Christian Church, 8082 W State Road 256 (in Kent) near Madison.
Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, August 3rd, at 3 p.m., by Brother Brian Schulz at the Kent Christian Church.
Interment will follow in the Grandview Memorial Gardens, 9306 North US 421 near Madison.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kent Christian Church or Sharing the Gospel with Haiti Project. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover or the Haskell and Morrison Funeral Home in Vevay, or at the church.
Ada Beiler
Ada S. Beiler was born on July 27th, 2023 at the Norton King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison. She was the daughter of parents Elam S. and Rebecca S. (Stoltzfus) Beiler of Rexville, Indiana.
Ada went to be with Jesus at 12:27 p.m. on Monday, July 31st, 2023, at the Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.
In addition to her parents, Ada is survived by her sisters and brothers of Rexville, Indiana: Hannah S. Beiler, Daniel B. Beiler, Sarah S. Beiler, Jesse S. Beiler, Elam S. Beiler Jr., Ruth F. Beiler and Issac S. Beiler; by her paternal grandparents G. Amos E. and Sarah Beiler of Milton, Pennsylvania; by her maternal grandparents Samuel S. and Barbara Stoltzfus of Millville, Pennsylvania; along with several aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family held visitation hours on Tuesday, August 1st, at the Beiler residence, 8499 South Old Michigan Road, Madison, Indiana, 47250.
Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday, August 2nd, at the Beiler residence.
Interment followed on Wednesday, August 2nd in the Ridge View Cemetery, Rexville, Indiana.
Arrangements are in the care by Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana, 47043, which is serving the family during this difficult time.