Lowell Wayne Sullivan
Lowell Wayne Sullivan, 62, of Vevay, passed away at 9 p.m., Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 at his residence in Vevay.
He was born June 23rd, 1948, in Milan, the son of Cecil V. and Beulah “Boo” (Madison) Sullivan, who both preceded him in death. He was raised in Vevay, and was a 1966 graduate of Vevay High School, where he lettered in basketball, baseball, track and cross country. He was the Senior Class President and was a coordinator for the Class of 1966 Class Reunion that was held every five years since their graduation. He received a basketball scholarship to attend North Florida Junior College in Madison, Florida.
He was inducted into the United States Army on June 12th, 1969, in Louisville, Kentucky, rising to the rank of Specialist Four, serving during the Vietnam War. He was injured during his service to his country, when he was shot in the abdomen in Cambodia, on Mother’s Day in May of 1970. He was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” Device, for his heroism in connection with ground operation against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. He distinguished himself by valorous action on April 22nd, 1970, when his unit became engaged with a determined enemy force, with complete disregard for his own safety. He exposed himself to intense hostile fire as he moved forward to the point of heaviest contact and began placing a heavy volume of suppressive fire upon the insurgent forces.
His actions were an inspiration to the other members of his unit and were instrumental in the successful completion of the mission. His display of personal bravery and devotion to duty is in keeping with the highest tradition of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army. He also received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Sharpshooter Badge. He was honorably discharged on January 27th, 1971, at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
He was united in marriage on June 28th, 1968, at the Switzerland Baptist Church by Reverend Carroll Buchanan, to Rita Lynn Brown and unto this union three sons arrived to bless their home.
He began his employment at the Grote Manufacturing in Madison. He became a substitute mail carrier for Norman Seaver in July of 1973, later becoming a fulltime mail carrier on October 11th, 1986, retiring after 32 years of service in 2003, walking over 100,000 miles during his years as the mail carrier for the Town of Vevay. In his spare time he was a professional painter with his father-in-law, Ralph Brown, and had done custom painting in Switzerland County. He served as the Jefferson Township Trustee from 2007-2010.
He was a life member and past commander of the Vevay American Legion Post 185 for over 20 years and also a life member of the Vevay VFW Post #5396. He served on the honor guard of the Vevay American Legion Post 185 and the Vevay VFW Post 5396 for over 20 years. He was Chairman of the Christmas food basket program for the Vevay American Legion Post 185 for the past 22 years. He was a life member of the AMVETS and Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of the 40/8 Voiture 612. He served as 9th District Commander and the Southern Vice Commander and was a past commander of the American Legion Department of Indiana from 2002-2003. He served on the Board of Directors of the Rising Sun Regional Foundation from 1997-1999. He was District Chairman of the Flag Education and Etiquette Program for fourth grade elementary students for the past 20 years. He was a volunteer fireman for the Jeff-Craig Volunteer Fire Department for several years. He managed and ran the little league program at the Kiwanis Park for 17 years. He coached elementary boys’ basketball and varsity boys’ cross country for Switzerland County High School for several years. He served with Art Adams in securing funding for the War Memorials that were installed on the Switzerland County Courthouse lawn. He was instrumental in the dedication program held on May 29th, 2004, at the Switzerland County High School to honor the veterans of World War II and the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., with 86 veterans from Switzerland County serving during World War II who were present and honored during the service.
He will be remembered for his love of golf, I.U. Basketball, a huge Bobby Knight Fan, the Cincinnati Reds and the Indianapolis Colts. He enjoyed Casino Gambling and was a fan of the Sizzling Sevens. He attended the Olive Branch Baptist Church, where he received his strength in faith to battle the dreaded disease of Colon Cancer. He battled the disease for the past 23 months and received expert care from Dr. Romnee Clark, Oncologist and her staff at the Simon Cancer Center at the I.U. Medical Center, in Indianapolis. Lowell Wayne Sullivan was the true man of the words, Duty, Honor and Country. He lived by his motto, “True To The Red, White and Blue”.
He is survived by his wife: Rita Sullivan of Vevay; three sons: Scott Sullivan and his wife Joanne, Jason “J.J.” Sullivan and his companion Gayle, and Tye Sullivan and his wife Brooke, all of Vevay; 11 grandchildren: Sarah Perkins, Alex Curran, Ryan Sullivan, Meighan Sullivan, Ben Curran, Emma Sullivan, Anna Sullivan, Luke Sullivan, Natalie Sullivan, Corey Lay and Hailee Lay; his sister-in-law, Judy Sullivan of Madison; his brother-in-law, Ralph Wayne Brown of Greensburg; two aunts, Faye Hatton Lewis and Norma Lee Brindley, both of Vevay; his uncle, Bob Brown of Vevay; three nephews, Stan Sullivan, Wayne Sullivan and Barrett Brown; two nieces, Kim Hartwell and Kristi Brown; two great-nieces and his great-nephew, Brandi Sullivan, Nicki Dailey and Joey Hartwell; his great-great-nephew, Owen Dailey; several cousins and a host of friends;
He was also preceded in death by his brother: Robert V. “Bob” Sullivan on November 28th, 1998; his grandparents, James W. and Zula (Barker) Madison; John Freely and Rosa (Truitt) Sullivan; his great-great-niece, Isabella Dailey.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 6th, at the old Vevay gymnasium, officiated by Reverend Pat Lanman. Burial was in Vevay Cemetery with military rites conducted by the honor guard of the Vevay American Legion Post 185 and the Vevay VFW Post 5396 at the cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lowell Wayne Sullivan, True To the Red, White and Blue Endowment Fund, in care of the Community Foundation of Switzerland County. Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home of Vevay was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website at www.haskellandmorrison.com.
Gene Curl
Russell Eugene “Gene” Curl, 74, of Moorefield, formerly of North Vernon, passed away at 5:56 p.m. Sunday, March 6th, 2011, at Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
He was born April 19th, 1936, in West Fork, Indiana, the son of Ivan and Estella Galey Curl, who both preceded him in death. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on January 5th, 1955, in Indianapolis and rose to the rank of Specialist Three during the Korean War. He served Company C 79th Engineers Battalion and was honorably discharged from the Reserves on January 4th, 1963, from Fort Sheridan, Illinois, receiving the Good Conduct Medal. He was employed with Grote Industries in the maintenance department from May, 1960 to September, 1995.
He married Sheila C. Wilson on November 19th, 1977, in Robertson County, Tennessee. He spent most of his life in North Vernon until moving to Switzerland County last year. He treasured fishing, hunting and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of Jefferson Post 9 of the American Legion, Madison VFW Post 1969, National Rifle Association and the Holy Cross Church in St. Croix, Indiana.
Survivors include his wife, Sheila C. Wilson Curl of Moorefield; his son, Robert E. Curl and wife Rachael of Holton; his stepdaughter, Rebecca E. Baker and husband Tony of Dupont; his stepson, William David Lenhart and companion Rebecca Zimbleman of North Vernon; his grandchildren, Samantha Curl, Richard Smith, Shane Baker and Jonathan Lenhart; his sisters, Rosemary Bastin and husband John of Bloomington and Mayme Mix and husband Tom of Canaan; his brothers, Herb Curl and wife Katie of Bloomington, Francis Curl and wife Georganna of Moorefield; his sister-in-law, Beulah Curl of Madison; several nieces, nephews and many other relatives.
He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Merle, Galey, Peter and James Curl; his sister, Edith Ruby Curl Guillame; and his brother-in-law, Alvin F. “Bob” Guillame.
Funeral services will be conducted by Brother Randy Thieman at 11 a.m. today (Thursday, March 10th) at Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre in Madison. Interment will be in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison with full military honors conducted by Jefferson Post 9 of the American Legion at the cemetery chapel. Friends may call today (Thursday, March 10th) from 9 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans Administration Medical Center ICU. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the funeral home’s website at www.morgan-nay.com.
Norma J. Golden
Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Norma J. (Lauderbaugh) Golden, 86, of Indianapolis, passed away Friday, January 14th, 2011, in Indianapolis.
She was born September 2nd, 1924, in Switzerland County, the daughter of Ray Brooks and Mamie (Stevens) Lauderbaugh. She enjoyed 22 years in the U.S. Air Force and this led to travel in a number of foreign countries.
Survivors include her sister, Ramona Griffin and husband Herbert; her brother, Michael L. Lauderbaugh and wife Diane; her sister-in-law, Mary Lauderbaugh; numerous nieces and nephews, grand-nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Gerald D. Lauderbaugh.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ’s United Methodist Church in Westfield, Indiana, Gleaners Food Bank and Wheeler Mission. Funeral services were held Saturday, January 22nd, at Shirley Brothers Fisher-Castleton Chapel.