Jeff Heffelmire
Jeff Heffelmire of Vevay passed away Tuesday, August 8th, at the Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis.
Funeral arrangements were pending at press time at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home in Vevay. A full obituary will be printed in next week’s edition of this newspaper.
Dr. William Estes, Sr.
Dr. William H. Estes, Sr., 51, of Madison, passed away Thursday, August 3rd, at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis.
He was born June 1st, 1955, in Louisville, the son of Herbert D. and Mary Elsie Wells Estes. He was a physician in Madison since 1987, specializing in internal medicine and geriatrics. He had also formerly maintained an office in Vevay for a while. He enjoyed University of Louisville sports, reading, history and golf.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah K. McCauley Estes, whom he married May 10th, 2002; his mother, Elsie Estes Zangemeister of Louisville; his daughters, Kimberly M. Estes and Caroline E. Estes, both of Madison; his son, William H. Estes, Jr., of Madison; his stepsons, Mark A. Smith of Franklin and Bradley N. Smith of Greenwood; his sister, Marjorie Best of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; his brother, Donald W. Estes of Louisville; two grandchildren; and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Funeral services were held Sunday, August 6th, at Vail-Holt Funeral Home Madison Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vailholtfuneralhome.com.
Philip Cole, Jr.
Philip Samuel Cole, Jr., 77, of Georgetown, Texas, passed away Tuesday, August 1st, at Georgetown Community Hospital in Georgetown, Texas.
He was born August 21st, 1928, in Madison, the son of Philip Samuel Sr., and Margaret Wallace Cole. He lived in Madison the first 32 years of his life and was raised in the First Baptist Church in Madison. He was the sports editor for The Madison Courier for many years and wrote a weekly column, “Remember When,” until his death. At the age of 18 he had become one of the first on-air radio personalities at WORX, announcing many local ball games. In 1950, he was asked to fill in as the announcer for the Madison Regatta, and for the next quarter of a century he was “the voice of Unlimiteed Hydroplane racing.”
He was administrative assistant for Indiana 9th District Congressman Earl Wilson from 1961 to 1964, then worked for two years as director of special projects for Harrah’s Club Casino in Lake Tahoe. He was executive secretary for the Unlimited Racing Commission from 1967 to 1974, and from 1973 to 1982 was vice president of public relations for the Dayton Walther Company. He promoted the cross-country exhibition of antique automobiles as marketing and public relations director for the Great Race from 1986 to 1991. He retired from promotions in 1993 after suffering a stroke.
He promoted Madison wherever he went, and helped lead many projects, including saving the Madison Regatta and securing two hydroplanes for the Miss Madison, preserving the Broadway Fountain and St. Michael’s Catholic Church, and giving recognition to actress Irene Dunne. He coached and helped establish the Madison Small Stars Program, was a published author on many subjects including cooking and steamboating, and enjoyed reading, gardening and cooking. He was a member of the Madison Elks Lodge and was a Kentucky Colonel and a Sagamore of the Wabash. He was married to Wilma Jean Morris on January 27th, 1952.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Combs Cole, whom he married in 1992; his sons, Philip S. Cole III of Sacramento, California, John M. Cole of Franklin, Thomas M. Cole of Delaware, Ohio, and Bill Cole and Dan Cole, both of Madison; his stepchildren, Mark Seeley, John Seeley, Gail Ashley and Steven T. Holden; his sister, Marianna Cole Hartley of Indiana; his brother, Charles F. Cole; 18 grandchildren; six step grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John Philip Cole, who died in 1924; and twin grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Tuesday evening, August 8th, at Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre in Madison. Burial was Wednesday, August 9th, in Springdale Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Madison Regatta Inc., or Miss Madison Inc. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.morgan-nay.com.
Geneva M. Wickens
Geneva M. Wickens, 92, of Columbus, passed away Friday, August 4th, at Four Seasons Retirement Center.
She was born in Switzerland County. She was a retired school teacher, having taught for 40 years, the last 26 at Hauser High School in Hope, Indiana. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Sigma Phi Kappa Delta, One Delta Phi Epsilon and the Retired Teachers Association. She was a longtime member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Columbus.
Survivors include her husband, John P. Wickens of Columbus; her sisters-in-law, Mert Wickens and Jenny Wickens, both of North Vernon, Mabel Ann Myers of Bedford and Theresa Bruns of Milhousen, Indiana; her brother-in-law, Hugh Wickens; her niece, Debra Harrod of Louisville; her nephews, Clinton Grosz of Louisville and Wade Grosz of Worthington, Ohio; her great-nephews, Jason Lee Westbay and Brandon Scott Westbay; and her great-niece, Christy Grosz.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry M. and Luella Brimley Briggs; and her sister, Helen Briggs Grosz.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, August 8th, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, officiated by Father Clem Davis. Recitation of the Rosary was held Monday, August 7th, during calling hours at the Myers-Reed Dignity Memorial Chapel in Columbus. Entombment was in Garland Brook Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of South Central Indiana or to the donor’s favorite charity.
Dormand Akers
Dormand Akers, 82, of Columbus, formerly of Switzerland County, passed away Friday, August 4th, at Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.
He was born in Versailles and moved to Columbus in 1997. He retired in 1986 from the Jefferson Proving Ground as proof director. He was a life member of the Versailles American Legion #173. He was a past master and 60-year member of the Versailles Masonic Lodge #7. He was also a member of the Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rites for 45 years, Order of the Eastern Star #333 in Versailles, a member of the Columbus High Twelve Club #337, and the Bartholomew County Senior Center. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of Versailles Baptist Church and attended First Baptist Church of Columbus.
On December 11th, 1948, he married Shirley J. Brown, who survives.
Other survivors include his son, David L. Akers and wife Karen of Columbus; his daughter, Donna Sue Schneider and husband Ed of Columbus; his grandchildren, Matthew L. Akers and wife Natasha of Pensacola, Florida, Rebecca Brown and husband Daron, Mark Schneider and Julie Schneider, all of Columbus; and his great-grandchildren, Nicole Akers and Lindsay Akers.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Lindsay, Cecil, Elvan and Robert Akers; and his sisters, Valete Eads, Hibernia Baker, and Cathryn Akers.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, August 7th, by Reverend John Carlstrom at Versailles Baptist Church in Versailles. A Masonic memorial service was held Sunday evening, August 6th, at the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home in Columbus. Burial was in Cliff Hill Cemetery in Versailles. You may light a virtual candle and send a message to the family via the Internet at www.jewellrittman.com.