Reta Sullivan
Reta Farrell Sullivan, 88, of Madison passed away Wednesday, February 13th, 2013, at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison.
She was born October 29th, 1924, in Pleasant in Jefferson County, the loving daughter of the late Alfred and Helen Steele Farrell. She was raised in Switzerland County and resided there until 1960.
She was united in marriage on July 5th, 1946, in Carrollton, Kentucky, to Clarence Leland “Lee” Sullivan. This happy union was blessed with two daughters, Mary and Wilma, and two sons, Bob and Ernie. He passed away January 27th, 2012.
She was employed early in life at the Fiesta Restaurant as a waitress. She later worked for 20 years at Conn Organ Company as a forelady for the assembly line. She then worked for 14 years as the hostess at Scrub Board Laundry. She was a faithful member of the West Street Ministries in downtown Madison. She enjoyed crocheting, raising African violets, and was an avid IU fan for years. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandma.
Survivors include her two daughters, Wilma Sullivan of Madison and Mary K. Owens and husband Noble of Lexington, Indiana; her two sons, Robert “Bob” Sullivan and wife Bobbie of Beech Grove, Indiana and Ernie Sullivan and wife Sallie of Madison; her half sister, Mary Beach of Aurora; her sisters-in-law, Mary Farrell of Lawrenceburg and Mary Charlotte Earls of Vevay; her grandchildren, Penny, Rusty, James Lee and Cameron Allen; her great-grandchildren, Becca, David and Ally; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was also preceded in death by her brother, Clyde Bernard Farrell; her sisters, Pauline Juanita Brandon and Anna Marie Sedam Marsh; and her niece, Judy Thornton.
Funeral services were conducted by Reverend Jerry Wheeler Monday, February 18th, at Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre in Madison. Interment was in Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Street Ministries. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website at www.morgan-nay.com.
Marvin VanTyle
Marvin VanTyle, 89, of Streator, Illinois, passed away Monday, January 14th, 2013, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator.
Born July 23rd, 1923, in Switzerland County, he was the son of the late Augustus “Gus” and Pruda Ann (Rayles) VanTyle. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the South Pacific, Philippine Islands Campaign and Luzon Campaign. While in the service, he earned the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Campaign Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Arrowhead and the Purple Heart.
He lived in Switzerland County until he moved to Streator in 1941. He worked at Owens Glass Company in Illinois, New York and Michigan. He retired in 1987 with more than 40 years of service. He was a member of VFW Post 1492 and the Streator Moose Lodge. He was an avid fisherman and a bowler. He also owned many horses over the years and participated in horse pulls at local fairs.
He married Madelyn Vivian Dunning on April 26th, 1941, in Rising Sun. She preceded him in death on March 14th, 2002.
He is survived by his daughters, Sandra (Mick) Ligori of Streator, Sharon Spivey of Aurora and Karla (Doug) Roll of Mulliken, Michigan; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives.
He was also preceded in death by his five brothers, Omar, Oren, Lawrence, Paul and Myron; and his sisters, Pauline Carlton and Pearl Stephenson.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 21st, at Solon-Telford Funeral Home in Streator. Burial was in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Streator. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Pamela Courter
Pamela Jane (Wagner) Courter, 64, of Rising Sun, passed away at 2:20 p.m. Thursday, February 14th, 2013, at the Regency Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.
She was born March 14th, 1948, in Lawrenceburg, the daughter of the late Raymond “Dick” and Pauline “Polly” (Wilson) Wagner. She was raised in Switzerland County and attended Patriot High School.
She was united in marriage on July 1st, 1966, to Howard Donald Courter. Unto this union three daughters and one son arrived to bless their home. They shared 43 years of marriage together until his death on April 4th, 2009.
She enjoyed being a homemaker and taking care of her family. She was a member of the Grants Creek Baptist Church near Rising Sun. She will be remembered for her love of quilting, gardening and cooking for her family. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt.
Survivors include her two daughters, Christina Koons and husband Michael of Rising Sun and Tamara Baker of North Bend, Ohio; her son, Donald Lee Courter and wife Julie of Aurora; her eight grandchildren, Micky Bovard, Dena Walton, Nikki Curry, Christopher Baker, Joshua Baker, Brittany Baker, Alyssa Aerni and Alexandra Courter; her 11 great-grandchildren, Riley, Jacob, Madeline, Emily, Tyler, Evan, Chyanne, Braxton, Wesley, Lilli and Evalyn; her three sisters, Sharon Smith of Indianapolis, Jenny Devers of Patriot, Ruby Murphy of Greendale; her two brothers, Robert “Sonny” Wagner of Vevay and Wayne Wagner of Rising Sun; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Crystal Renee Courter; her three sisters, Patricia Courter, Wanda Washnock and Irene Walcott; and her infant brother, Raymond Leon Wagner.
Funeral services were conducted by Brother Nathaniel Simpson Monday, February 18th, at Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home in Vevay. Interment was in the German section of the Rising Sun New Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website at www.haskellandmorrison.com.
Larry Griffin
Larry Dale Griffin, 58, of Rising Sun, passed away at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 14h, at Dearborn County Hospital in Lawrenceburg.
He was born in Madison on March 12th, 1954, the son of the late Abe Griffin and LaVetta (Bowling) Griffin, of Rising Sun. He grew up in Ohio County and attended the Freedom and Cass-Union grade schools before graduating from Rising Sun High School in 1972. He was a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church in Bear Branch for several years. He later attended the Ludlow Hill Nazarene Church in Lawrenceburg. He last worked as a sales clerk at Midway Supply in Lawrenceburg and also had worked for the Ohio County Highway Department.
Survivors besides his mother, LaVetta Griffin of Rising Sun include a daughter, Jennifer Wright (Blake) of Rising Sun; his son, Tyler Griffin and fiance´e Kayla Ferreira of Lawrenceburg; his granddaughter, Eva Griffin; his sister, Linda Griffin of Dillsboro; and his three brothers, Kenneth Griffin (Connie) of Dillsboro, John Griffin of Rising Sun; and Greg Griffin of Rising Sun.
A memorial service was held Monday, February 18th, at Markland Funeral Hone in Rising Sun with Reverend Kelly Privett officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the family. marklandfuneralhome.com.
John Lee, Jr.
John William Lee, Jr., age 90, of Osgood, formerly of Bennington, passed away at 6:50 a.m., Saturday, February 16th, 2013, at the Manderly Health Care in Osgood.
He was born January 19th, 1923, in Switzerland County, the loving son of the late, John William, Sr. and Nellie A. (Gibbs) Lee. He resided in Switzerland County most of his life and in Ripley County, for 18 years and graduated high school from the Armed Forces Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii.
He was united in marriage in January of 1939, to Lucille Littrell. He was later united in marriage in 1951 to Marcile Elizabeth Watson. In 1973, he was united in marriage to Nancy Sue Parrish.
He was inducted into the United States Navy on July 10th, 1943, in Louisville, Kentucky, rising to the rank of Boatswain’s Mate First Class, serving with the 117th U.S. Naval Construction Battery, during World War II. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon, the C.B. Insignia and the Golden Dragon Order. He was honorably discharged on December 9th, 1945, in Great Lakes, Illinois. He retired after 60 years of service at the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers, Machinery Movers and Riggers Local #44 in Hebron, Kentucky. He was a member of the Most Sorrowful Mother of God Catholic Church in Vevay, Vevay American Legion Post #185 and the Vevay VFW Post #5396. He enjoyed visiting shut-ins at nursing homes as long as his health would permit. He will be remembered for his love of farming and raising Angus cows, channel catfish, chickens and turkey. He was a loving father, grandfather and brother.
He will be missed by his daughters, Joy Dean Lee of Orlando, Florida, Mary Hunt of Versailles, Joyce Ann Buchanan of Versailles, Patricia Lee of Bloomington, Denise Stevens of Cambridge City and Rebecca Ann Lee of Bloomington; his sons, Joe Lee of Butlerville, Mike Lee of Colorado Springs, Colorado, John William Lee, III of Williamsburg, Virginia, Paul Lee of Bloomington, Edward Lee of Kankakee, Illinois, James Lee of Madison, Rick Lee of Madison and John Aaron Lee of Bloomington; his 36 grandchildren; his 17 great-grandchildren; his 12 great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Kenneth Lee of Royal Oak, Michigan; his sisters, Bonnie Bliss of Greenfield and Nellie Cooper of Fortville.
He was also preceded in death by his son, William Edwin Lee; his grandson, Charles Atlas Buchanan; his great-grandson, Brandon Buchanan; his brothers, Grant Lee, Archie Lee and Edwin Lee; his sisters, Pauline Long, Ruth Demit, Hazel Lee, Mary Rochat, Beulah Nave, Helen Cooper, Opal Boats and Anna Lee.
Mass of Christian Burial was conducted Wednesday, February 20th, by Reverend John A. Meyer, at the Most Sorrowful Mother of God Catholic Church in Vevay. Interment followed in the Lee Cemetery in Fairview. The Rosary was prayed on Tuesday at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home in Vevay.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Most Sorrowful Mother of God Catholic Church, Parkinson’s Foundation or to the American Heart Association.
Pearl Byram
Pearl E. (Cole) Byram, 98, of Vevay, passed away at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, February 17th, 2013, at Swiss Villa Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Vevay.
She was born October 12th, 1914, in Switzerland County, the daughter of Harvey E. and Nellie M. (Newkirk) Cole, who both preceded her in death. She resided most of her life in East Enterprise. She worked at many various jobs during her life. She did wallpapering, worked in her sister’s restaurant, Rieman’s Grocery Store and the Vevay Package Store.
She was united in marriage on December 18th, 1934, in Vevay to Park K. Byram.
After she and Park retired she loved working in her flowers, gardening and making many beautiful quilts by hand. Pearl loved children and enjoyed the times when her grandchildren came to visit. She was a hard worker and a very good neighbor and friend. She touched the lives of many with her kindness and beautiful smile. She was a member of the East Enterprise Methodist Church for many years.
After 67 years of marriage, Pearl lost her loving husband on September 8th, 2002, and soon moved to Switzer Square in Vevay to live for six years. She then moved to Swiss Villa Living Center in Vevay to live because of poor health the last few years of her life.
She will be lovingly remembered for her love of quilting 38 quilts, gardening and caring for her loved ones.
Survivors include her two sons, Donald W. Byram and wife Beverly of Simpsonville, South Carolina and Gailen D. Byram, and wife Janet of Evansville; her two daughters, Lois L. Ackerman of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Diane K. Byram of Greensburg; her nine grandchildren, David, Lisa, Michael, Cindy, Eric, Greg, Kirk, Lantz and Kelli; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Leo Gulley of Indianapolis; her two brothers, Alvin Cole and Emerson Cole, both of Fairview; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by her five brothers, Raymond E. Cole, Hilbert K. Cole, Dilver Cole, Donald Cole and Wilford Cole; and her four sisters, Arlena Brown, Hazel Wiley, Golda Hebel and Mavis Scudder.
Funeral services will be conducted by Reverend Arnold Cutter at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 23rd, at Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home in Vevay. Burial will be in New Liberty Cemetery near East Enterprise. Friends may call Saturday from 11 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the East Enterprise United Methodist Church or the Switzerland County Emergency Unit. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website at www.haskellandmorrison.com.
Sue Burk
Beverly Sue Burk, 75, of Vevay, passed away at 12:05 p.m. Saturday, February 16th, 2013, at her residence.
She was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on March 12th, 1937, the daughter of the late Otis and Mildred (Havercamp) Todd. She was a graduate of New Ross High School.
On June 27th, 1958, she married Bernard Burk, who survives her. Sue and Bernie were married almost 55 years.
She was a member of the Mace Methodist Church and the Bennington Eastern Star. She worked as the branch manager for the Indiana DMV in Vevay, retiring in 2002. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her devoted husband Bernie, Sue is also survived by two daughters, Pam McClure of Patriot and Debi (Bob) Lucas of Moorefield; her son, Brad (Lisa) Burk of Vevay; her grandchildren, Lance McClure, Tiffany Lucas, Bradlee Burk, Braden Burk, and Randa (Josh) Combs; and her great-grandchildren, Zach and Makenna Perkins and Mason and Ellie Combs; her two sisters, Janis Jorgensen of Brazil, Indiana and Marlis Hankins of Advance, Indiana; and her brother, Marlin Todd of Brazil.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Sharon Peeples; and her son-in-law, Mike McClure.
Funeral services are private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Switzerland County, Inc. for the Mike McClure Scholarship Fund. Markland Funeral Home of Rising Sun is serving the family. marklandfuneralhome.com.
Lorraine Monroe
Lorraine Monroe, 89, of Madison, passed away Tuesday, February 19th, 2013, at Hickory Creek of Madison.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre in Madison.
Beryl Meyer
Beryl Meyer, 91, of Hamilton, Ohio, formerly of Aurora, passed away Tuesday, February 19th, 2013, in Hamilton.
She was born Monday, March 21st, 1921, in Florence, the daughter of the late Harry Boone and the late Bessie Mae Boone. She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church. She was an avid reader and loved to work in her garden as she enjoyed growing, caring for and preserving tomatoes. Family time was how she especially enjoyed filling her days. She will be missed.
Surviving are her loving sons, Jeff Meyer and wife Christy of Greenfield and Mike Meyer and wife Sharon of Hamilton, Ohio; her grandchildren, Jeff, Jr., and Nicholas Meyer, Kristopher and Kathleen Meyer and Bonnie Meyer; and her great-grandchildren, Elliot and Owen Meyer.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Meyer.
Friends will be received on Friday, February 22nd, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 220 Mechanic Street in Aurora.
Services will be held at the church following visitation at 2 p.m. with Pastor Edward A. Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Riverview Cemetery in Aurora.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. John Lutheran Church or Schroder Manor. Rullman Hunger Funeral Home of Aurora is in charge of arrangements. www.rullmans.com.
Paul Chase
Paul Vernon Chase, 82, of Florence, passed away at his home on Friday, February 15th, 2013.
He was born in Switzerland County on October 16th, 1930, the son of Clarence and Mary Ellen Reed Chase.
On April 10th, 1954, he was united in marriage to Doris Scudder in Vevay. They became the parents of two daughters.
He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict from 1952-1954, and was a combat engineer in Europe and Germany. He was highway foreman for two years and highway superintendent for three years in Switzerland County. He also worked at Laughery Gravel as a grader operator and truck driver and was a farmer. He served four years as York Township trustee and was a precinct committeeman for many years.
He will be sadly missed by his wife, Doris Chase of Florence; his daughters, Debbie and husband George “Bud” Vann of East Enterprise and Connie Jo and husband Bruce Thies of Florence; his grandchildren, Paul David and Ronda Humphrey of Florence, Amanda and Randy Vann of Florence, Heather and Donald Bolton of East Enterprise; his great-grandchildren, Laura, Johnathan, Peyton and Weston; his sisters, Viola “Sis” Gregory of Rising Sun, Betty Raisor of Moores Hill, Ruth Romans of Vevay, Cora Wilson of Madison, Beulah “Bootie” Thornton of Vevay, and Elizabeth “Liz” Little of Florence; and one brother, Clarence “Buster” Chase, Jr., and wife Norma of Vevay.
Graveside services and burial were held Monday, February 18th, in New Liberty Cemetery near East Enterprise with Reverend Mike Jones officiating. Humphrey-Taylor-Detmer Funeral Home of Rising Sun was in charge of arrangements.