Dakota Cormell
Dakota Cormell, stillborn infant son of Joseph David Cormell and Bethany Lyn Gatto of Vevay, passed away Tuesday, December 16th, at Dearborn county Hospital in Lawrenceburg.
Funeral arrangements were pending at press time at Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home in Vevay. A full obituary will be printed in this newspaper when it becomes available.
Nelson L. Graham
Nelson L. “Red” Graham, 85, of Vevay, passed away Tuesday, December 16th, at Norton Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.
He was born December 28th, 1922, in Switzerland County, the son of Robert L. Graham and Juanita (Ramseyer) O’Day. He was raised in Switzerland County and was a 1941 graduate of Vevay High School. He was inducted into the U.S. Navy on February 1st, 1943, in Louisville, Kentucky, rising to the rank of Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class, serving during World War II. He served on the Admiralty Islands, the Palou Islands, Iwo Jima Island, Okinawa and was on board ship during three typhoons. He earned the Philippines Liberation Medal with three stars, the Presidential Unit Citation and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged on December 19th, 1945, in Great Lakes, Illinois.
After serving his country he graduated from watch making school in Cincinnati, Ohio, with Joe Ricketts. He was employed for several years at Jefferson Proving Ground in Madison and sold insurance for Woodman Accident and Life Insurance Company. He was also employed at Olinger Distributor in Indianapolis for several years. He owned and operated Cuzz’s Bar in Vevay from 1970-1983, when he retired. He will be remembered for his love of fishing, golf, bowling, the Cincinnati Reds and IU basketball. He w as a member of Vevay American Legion Post 185, Vevay VFW Post 5396, Switzerland Lodge #122 F.&A.M., the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis and the Murat Shrine.
On June 21st, 1952, in Cincinnati, Ohio, he married Helen L. Swearingen, who survives.
Other survivors include his daughter, Christi Dixon and husband David of Henderson, Kentucky; his son, Mark Graham and wife Deanna of West Chester, Ohio; his grandchildren, Jesse Dixon, Neil Dixon, Nathan Graham, Nicole Graham, Natalie Graham and Evan Graham; his great-granddaughter, Tessa Dixon; his step-brother, Earl O’Day of Rising Sun; his sister, Jean Adkins of Versailles; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert L. Graham; his mother and stepfather, Juanita (Ramseyer) and Everett C. O’Day; and his son, Brett Lee Graham on February 16th, 2008.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 20th, by Reverend Ronald Sandidge at Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home in Vevay. Burial will be in Vevay Cemetery with military rites conducted at the graveside by the Honor Guard of Vevay American Legion Post 185 and Vevay VFW Post 5396. Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Switzerland County. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website at www.haskellandmorrison.com.
Raymond Patterson
Raymond Earl Patterson, 79, of Sebring, Florida, passed away Thursday, December 11th, at Highlands regional Hospital in Florida. He was known as “Bud” to his family and later to many friends as “Ray.”
He was born in Florence, July 21st, 1929, to Paul and Mariam Patterson, who both preceded him in death. A graduate of Patriot High School, Class of 1 947, he later became a tool and die maker and then owned a trucking company. His trucking company became successful with him managing and driving over most of the United States. In early life he accepted Christ at Florence Christian Church. In Sebring he belonged to and attended Bible Fellowship Church.
In 1949, he married Janet Ashcraft. Unto this union three daughters were born, Melanie (Jeff Griggs), Susan (Tony Beck) and LeAyn Patterson. He later married Cloretta Carlson. This added three children to the family, Lynda Borders, Michael and Robert Carlson.
Other survivors include his grandchildren, Hilarie (Jason) Mullines, Kyle Beck, Jonathon Patterson, Courtney Mantel, Erica, Duane and Joshua Carlson; his great-grandchildren, Blayzek, Evan and Tyler; his sister, Lura Patterson Smith of Fishers, Indiana; his nieces, Carol Whitlock, Lynn Nestler, Monica Patterson and Kimberly Curry; and several cousins and their families.
He was also preceded in death by his brother, James Kenneth Patterson.
Funeral services were conducted by Reverend Marion Glover Wednesday, December 17th, at G. H. Herrmann Funeral Home in Greenwood, Indiana. Interment was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Greenwood. Online condolences may be made to www.ghherrmann.com.
Mildred Hamilton
Mildred (Gray) Hamilton of Madison, formerly of Canaan, passed away Tuesday, December 16th, at her home.
She was born in Jefferson County, the daughter of Clarence and Nell F. (Woodfill) Gray, who both preceded her in death.
She was married to Leroy “Pard” Hamilton on July 5th, 1934, in Ripley County. They had celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary before his death on December 16th, 2002, at 8:25 a.m. Unto this union a son, Carroll “Tuffy” Hamilton, and then a daughter, Janet Hamilton Lyon, arrived to bless their home. Their daughter Janet fought a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer and died on August 15th, 1998.
She was a member of Jefferson Presbyterian Church near Canaan where she had taught Sunday School for many years and served as an Elder. She began working at the property office at Jefferson Proving Ground during World War II and continued for two years. She then decided to become a homemaker, raising her children and working on their farm until 1953. She then began a new career, working for the Madison State Hospital in patient accounts section, serving as trust officer. In this capacity she would represent the State of Indiana at various times, meeting with the Deputy Attorney General to present an accounting due the State for patients’ care in the various Southern Indiana County seats. She and her co-workers were recognized by the State for the best record of reimbursement for several years in patient care.
She attended North Madison High School and was a 1937 graduate of Central High School. She later earned certificates from Indiana University School of Business for the years 1971, 1973 and 1975. She also received training and certificates from Blue Cross & Blue Shield for the concurrent and retrospective review training program in 1975. She also held a certificate for her work with the Social Security Administration on behalf of patient care at the Madison State Hospital. While serving as reimbursement officer at the Madison State Hospital she w as elected to join the National Association of Reimbursement Officers and served as a panelist for the workshop “Governmental Benefit” and chaired the Resolution Committee for two years. She was elected treasurer for the NARO in 1973 at their 23rd National Conference in Nashville, North Carolina. She declined the Vice Presidency in 1982, due to her anticipated retirement in April, 1982. She has served as an honorary member of the NARO since 1982, for her 29 years of service with the State of Indiana.
She enjoyed raising flowers, shopping, decorating, cooking, quilting, traveling with her late husband in their RV, and enjoyed painting in water colors and oils. The Hamiltons enjoyed wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona for 17 years until their daughter’s illness. She enjoyed being a caregiver to her mother, daughter and her beloved husband for many years. She will be lovingly remembered for her smile, her inner and outer beauty and her caring way.
Survivors include her son, Carroll L. “Tuffy” Hamilton of Madison; her grandchildren, Kelly Hamilton, Bridget Freni and husband John, Wendy Papagan and husband Jason, Kimberly Partin and husband Doug, Tamara Adams, Kyle Lyon and wife Cheryl; her great-grandchildren, Rayna, Briana and Drew Partin, Hannah Adams, Samantha Lyon, Sean, Ryan and Calli Alderman, Winter and Colby Papagan; her brother, Kenneth Gray and wife Mary of Canaan; her sister, Gwendolyn Gosman of Scottsburg; her close friends, Mary Hill of Tampa, Florida and Carole Hamilton of Delmar, California; her caregiver, Emma Dell of Madison; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, December 20th, at 1 p.m. by Reverends Marshall Guthrie and Elisa Owen at Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre in Madison. Private interment will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Madison. Friends may call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until service time Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to LifeTime Resources, Jefferson Presbyterian Church or Hospice of King’s Daughters’ Hospital. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website at www.morgan-nay.com.