Dwight McKenzie
Dwight McKenzie, 89, of Indianapolis, formerly of Vevay, passed away Friday, February 4th, at Altenheim Community Health Care Facility in Indianapolis, of congestive heart failure.
He was born October 23rd, 1915, in Switzerland County, the son of John and Stella (Joyce) McKenzie. He was the youngest of one half brother, four brothers, and three sisters.
On January 12th, 1934, in Vevay, he married Christine Peelman. This union was blessed with two sons, Jerry and Darrel.
He grew up on his father’s farm. He attended elementary school at Five Points and graduated eighth grade from Spring Branch elementary school. He had a talent to fix cars.
He worked on his father’s farm from 1934-1938 while his parents ran the County Poor Farm. In 1938, he and his wife moved in with Jack Allen on his farm out on Long Run. They continued to live on the farm until January, 1944, when they moved to Vevay. In his early years of marriage, he enjoyed being a square dance caller and loved to dance and play the guitar. The McKenzies lived at 408 Tell Street in Vevay from 1944 until they sold the house and property in 2002.
Upon moving to Vevay in 1944, he worked for the Slawson Ford Dealership as a mechanic until 1945. He then went to Davenport, Iowa in 1945 to receive “Bear Automobile Body Repair Training.” After receiving the training, he and Robert Smith became partners and opened a body shop in Vevay in 1946. Later, he became the sole owner and operated the McKenzie Body Shop until 1968.
In the 60’s, he and Grover Thompson were instrumental in establishing an emergency unit for Switzerland County. Haskell and Morrison Funeral Home donated a hearse for the emergency unit. He reconfigured the hearse to a usable emergency unit and he served as the driver until a new vehicle was later purchased.
He served as a volunteer of the fire department for about 40 years. He loved and enjoyed spending time with his sons fishing and hunting, attending track meets, softball, basketball and baseball games, and school plays.
After closing the body shop he worked for the Town of Vevay at the Water Plant and spent a number of years pumping water and reading water meters. He operated the Water and Sewage plants for a number of years prior to retiring.
He was a very loving and caring person and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. One of the things he loved to do was to lend a helping hand at the voting booths at the election polls. He served on the Election Board for approximately 40 years. He served as a member of the Vevay Town Board for a great number of years.
He was a member of the Switzerland Baptist Church where he served as deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher, choir member, front door greeter and member of the Dinner Committee. He was a true servant of the Lord and spread God’s word to many people in Vevay. He carried out all of his responsibilities and gave a helping hand to many members of the church who were in need.
He was called “Papaw” by more people in Vevay than anyone else because his wife Christine took care of about 97 children who covered three generations. He loved dogs and had a Pekingese named “Cookie” for several years.
He loved his parents who lived next door and he and his wife took care of his parents in the last years of their lives. They also cared for Nettie McKenzie, his sister-in-law, and Leona Leap, his sister, during the last years of their lives. He moved them into the house next door, in which his parents had lived, to make it easier to care for them.
Survivors include his wife, Christine of 71 years; his sons, Jerry McKenzie and wife Brenda of Beavercreek, Ohio, and Darrel McKenzie and wife Pat of Martinez, Georgia; his grandsons, Derrick, Dwayne, Jeff and Craig; his great-grandsons, Lance, Simon and Connor; his great-granddaughter, Katelyn; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Mollie Netherland, Hessie and Leona Leap; and his brothers, Herman, Forrest, Robert and Charles McKenzie.
Funeral services were conducted by Reverend Howard Wade and Pastor Pat Lanman Wednesday, February 9th, at Switzerland Baptist Church in Vevay. Burial was in Vevay Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Switzerland Baptist Church or the Altenheim Community. Haskell and Morrison Funeral Home of Vevay was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s website guest book at www.haskellandmorrison.com.
Danny Wilson, Jr.
Danny Lee Wilson, Jr., 26, of Patriot, passed away Saturday, February 5th, from injuries sustained in an auto accident on Nelson Road, in Ohio County.
He was born November 24th, 1978, in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Danny L. Wilson Sr., and Luann (Chandler) VanSickle. He attended Switzerland County High School. He was a driver-operator for Marksberry Towing in Rising Sun.
On September 6th, 2003, he married Gloria Partin, who survives.
Other survivors include his father, Danny L. Wilson, Sr., and wife Barbara of Columbus, Ohio; his mother, Luann (Chandler) VanSickle of Warsaw, Kentucky; his son, Trenten Blake Wilson, Joshua Dakota Lozier, and Jeremiah Tyler Wilson, all of Patriot; his brothers, Robert Wilson and Kevin Wilson, both of Patriot; his stepbrother, Justin VanSickle of Patriot; his stepsisters, Tasha Simons and Kimberly Simons, both of Columbus, Ohio, and Whitney VanSickle of Patriot; his grandparents, Joseph and Joan Chandler of Columbus, Ohio; great-grandparents, Ralph and Gladys Blosser of Columbus, Ohio; other family members and many friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. today (Thursday) by Reverend Floyd Noble at Markland Funeral Home in Rising Sun. Burial will be in Vevay Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Tommy Davies
Tommy Davies, 66, of Farmers Retreat, passed away Thursday, February 3rd, at his residence.
He was born on Davies Hill in Clay Township in Dearborn County, on December 4th, 1938, the son of Franklin and Anna (Jacobs) Davies. He was retired from Monsanto and was a U.S. Navy veteran.
He was married to Frances Randall on September 17th, 1960, and she survives.
Other survivors include her daughter, Tina Devers and husband Chuck of Fairland; her sons, Michael Davies and wife, the former Amy Althoff, of Dewberry, Patrick Davies and Heidi of Rising Sun, and Franklin Davies and friend Marie Meyer of Cross Plains; 10 grandchildren; his sister, Dorothy Snyder of Cincinnati; his sisters-in-law, Helen Davies of Olean, Betty Davies of Dillsboro and Ellen Ann Carroll of Ross, Ohio; his brother-in-law, John Rodolo of Madison.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Nellie Rodolo; and his brothers, Dale, Denver and Floyd Davies.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 6th, at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Reverend Tom Fehrman officiating. Burial was in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Olean. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Dearborn County in care of the funeral home. Online condolences are available at skfuneralhome.com.
Chloe Atkins
Chloe E. (Kenton) Atkins, 81, of Vevay, passed away Friday, February 4th, at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison.
She was born December 24th, 1923, in Fleming County, Kentucky, the daughter of Simon and Ara (Woodward) Kenton. She was raised in Fleming County and later moved to Newport, Kentucky and later to Cincinnati. She was employed in Newport at the Tag Company for several years, later managing apartments with her husband Ed Atkins in various parts of the country. She was employed as a waitress for several years in Newport and later at the Main Street Grill in Vevay. She had resided in Switzerland County the past 34 years. She was a member of Vevay American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 185 and Vevay VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 5396. In her spare time she enjoyed all kinds of card games, socializing, gambling and gardening. She attended Switzerland Baptist Church in Vevay.
Survivors include her stepson, Clarence Atkins and wife Linda of Olathe, Kansas; her grandchildren, Janet Roades and Rhonda Chestnut; four great-grandchildren; her brother, Ray Kenton and wife Dottie of Union, Kentucky; her nephews, Frank Insko and wife Janet, Wayne Riley and wife Shirley, Roland Craft and wife Barbara, Donald Craft and wife Pat, and Sonny Ray Kenton; her nieces, Karen Kenton, Norma Jean Garrison and husband William, Donna Rae Melotte and Marlene Kenton; several great-nieces; great-nephews, and other relatives, and her caregivers Libby Ray and family of Vevay.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ed Atkins; her brothers, Donald and Roger Kenton; and her sisters, Martha Acito and Lida Moore.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, February 8th, by Reverends Ronald Sandidge and Howard Wade at Haskell and Morrison Funeral Home in Vevay. Auxiliary services were held Monday evening at the funeral home. Chapel graveside rites were held Tuesday afternoon with burial in St. Joseph New Cemetery in Cincinnati. Memorial contributions may be made to the Vevay VFW Relief Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website guest book at www.haskellandmorrison.com.
Vivian Skirvin
Vivian Louise (Dillingham) Skirvin, 88, of near Vevay, passed away Saturday, February 5th, at Swiss Villa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Vevay following an extended illness.
She was born August 19th, 1916, in Indianapolis, the daughter of Charles L. and Floy (White) Dillingham, who preceded her in death. She was raised in Indianapolis and graduated from Washington High School in 1934.
She was united in marriage to Edward L. Skirvin, Sr., on April 5th, 1970, in Indianapolis. They moved to Switzerland County in December, 1979. She was a member of the Vevay American Legion Auxiliary Post 185 and Vevay VFW Auxiliary Post 5396. She was a homemaker all of her life. She loved all animals, especially horses. She loved to go fishing, taking the boat out and the outdoors.
Survivors include her husband, Edward L. “Peanut” Skirvin, Sr., of near Vevay; her daughters, Barbara Ann Bolin, Susan K. Burton, and Carol Jean Byrd, all of Indianapolis; her son, Thomas Lee Barnes of Florida; her stepdaughters, Linda Anast-May of Chicago, Illinois, Brenda Rickett of Mooresville, Indiana, and Sandy Taylor of Avon, Indiana; her stepsons, Edward Skirvin, Jr., of Greenwood and Allen Dean Skirvin of Indianapolis; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; step grandchildren; step great-grandchildren; and other relatives.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, February 8th, by Reverend Howard Wade at Haskell and Morrison Funeral Home in Vevay. Burial was in Vevay Cemetery. Auxiliary services were conducted Monday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Swiss Villa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website guest book at www.haskellandmorrison.com.
John Maxwell
John V. Maxwell, 79, of Milan, passed away Friday, February 4th, at Select Specialty Care in Indianapolis.
He was born April 19th, 1925, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of John Virgil and Edith Josephine (Mattner) Maxwell. He had served as the County Extension Agent through Purdue University for Decatur, Ripley and Morgan counties for several years. In his retirement, he was proud to be called a farmer. He was a faithful member of the Washington Baptist Church in Elrod. He was an active member of the Gideons, having served in many capacities. He was an Awana leader at his church, member of Farm Bureau, former 4-H leader, and a member of the Indiana Sheep Association. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.
On August 28th, 1954, he married Ruth Smith, who survives. They had celebrated 50 years together.
Other survivors include his son, Jon Maxwell and wife Denise of Switzerland County; his daughters, Janet Roseland and husband Craig of Laurel, Maryland and Mary Ortiz and husband Gary of Leavenworth, Kansas; his brother, Tom Maxwell and wife Joann of Iola, Kansas; and nine grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, February 8th, by Pastor Bruce Fitzsimmons at Washington Baptist Church in Elrod. Burial was in the Washington Baptist Cemetery with military rites conducted at the graveside by Milan Legion Post 235. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons or Washington Baptist Church. Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home of Milan was in charge of arrangements.
Edna Turner
Edna Geraldine (Kennett) Turner, 70, of Madison, formerly of Vevay, passed away Saturday, February 5th, at The Waters of Clifty Falls in Madison.
She was born February 12th, 1934, in Switzerland County, near Allensville, the daughter of Walter E. and Nola B. (McClellan) Kennett.
She was united in marriage to James Howard Turner on December 22nd, 1953, in Switzerland County. Unto this union four daughters and one son arrived to bless this home.
She was a homemaker all her life and helped her husband farm the family farm near Patriot. The family later moved to Madison and had resided there the past 22 years.
Survivors include her daughters, Mary Ann Turner of Arkansas, Connie S. Otter and husband Ray of Versailles, and Betty Jean Curran; her daughter-in-law and caregiver, Janet Turner of North Vernon; eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; her sister, Ruth Creech of Greensburg; and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her father, Walter E. Kennett on October 9th, 1997; her mother, Nola B. (McClellan) Kennett on May 1st, 1973; her husband, James Howard Turner on May 25th, 1993; her daughter, Linda Kay Turner on December 26th, 1962; her son, Larry Wayne Turner on December 27th, 1999; and her granddaughter, Jeanne Nicole Curran on August 29th, 1978.
Graveside services were conducted Wednesday, February 9th, by Reverend Howard Wade with burial in Vevay Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Haskell and Morrison Funeral Home of Vevay was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s web site guest book at www.haskellandmorrison.com.
Drew Thorne
Andrew Michael “Drew” Thorne, 11, of Madison, passed away Thursday, February 3rd, at Kosair’s Children’s Hospital in Louisville.
He was born December 20th, 1993, in Madison, the son of Brian L. and Mary M. (Hertz) Thorne. He was a lifelong resident of the Jefferson County community. He was raised in Madison and Hanover where he attended Southwestern Elementary School from kindergarten through fourth grade. He moved to the Graham Road area in August, 2004, and was currently a fifth grade student at Canaan Elementary School.
He was an outstanding young man who enjoyed playing video games, collecting Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, playing with his friends and watching The Simpsons on TV. He was a very talented and active soccer player. His favorite position was goalie. He was active in the Lide White Boys and Girls Club, the Hanover/Southwestern Soccer League and also played on the Jefferson County United Soccer U-11 Boys Travel Team. He attended the Hanover Baptist Church.
Survivors include his mother, Mary M. (Hertz) Thorne and her fiance, Tom Spry of Madison; his father and stepmother, Brian L. and Scarlet Thorne of Canaan; his sisters, Janet D. Hertz and Heather N. Hertz-Simmons, both at home, and Sarah B. Thorne of Hanover; his brothers, Darrin L. Thorne and Bobby R. Thorne, both at home; his stepbrother, Brennan Green at home; his maternal grandparents, Albert and Betty Haviland Hertz of Hanover; his paternal grandparents, Barbara Thorne of Hanover and Walter “Bim” Ralston of Hanover; his step grandparents, Mary Taylor of Madison and Edward and Jackie Owen of Canaan; his paternal great-grandfather, Gayle Ralston of Hanover; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal great-grandparents, Allison “Jackie” Ralston, Bobby Thorne, Gilberta Thorne, Charles and Louise Katherine Rousch Hertz, Roscoe Haviland and Flora Franklin Haviland.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, February 7th, by Pastors JD Traylor and Joe Maldonado at Calvary Baptist Church in Madison. Burial was in Hebron Cemetery in Madison. Memorial contributions may be made to the Andrew M. Thorne Memorial Fund. Morgan-Webster-Nay Funeral Home of Madison was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website guest book at www.morganwebsternay.com.