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Grace Bessire
Life-long Brown County resident Grace Tracy Bessire died Monday morning, April 11, 1999. She was 81.
Mrs. Bessire was born September 6, 1917, in Brown County to Everett and Blanche Murphy Tracy.
She was married to William Sayer Bessire. He preceded her in death.
Mrs. Bessire had worked at Granny's Christmas Shop in Nashville for many years.
She had been a member of Nashville Uni-ted Methodist Church. Mrs. Bessire had belonged to the Tuesday Bridge Club for more than 50 years.
She was an avid gardener.
Mrs. Bessire was graduated from the old Nashville High School in 1933.
Survivors include a son, William Jed Bessire of Nashville; a daughter, Barbara Bessire Kerr of Nashville; a grandson, David William Scott Kerr of St. Louis, Missouri; three sisters, Mary Pogue, Ruby Christie and Olive Voland, all of Nashville; and three great-granddaughters, Asher Kerr, Sara Kerr and Bonnie Kerr, all of St. Louis, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, George Tracy and James Tracy.
A service will be conducted Thursday, April 15, at 2 p.m. in the Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home on State Road 135 North.
Friends may call at the funeral home today, April 14, from 6 until 8 p.m.
Burial will be in Nashville's Greenlawn Cemetery.
Rebecca Borter
Actress Rebecca Ann Borter, the sister of Artist Drive resident Stewart Huffman, died Friday, April 2, 1999, at her home in Homewood, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She was 64.
Mrs. Borter was born September 22, 1934, in Spencer to Neil and Julia Fulk Huffman.
She and Leonard Borter were married August 25, 1956, in Columbus. He survives.
Mrs. Borter began her acting career in high school drama club and continued at Indiana University, where she appeared on stage at the Brown County Playhouse.
More recently, she had appeared in several television series including "Turks" and "Lady Blue." Mrs. Borter had also appeared in several television movies including "Dillinger," "Miracle on 34th Street," "Early Edition," "The Jackal," "The Magic Door," and "Missing Persons."
She had also appeared in several television commercials and training films.
Mrs. Borter was active in the Actors' Equity Association. She had served as chairman of the edcuation and public relations committee for the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild.
Mrs. Borter was a former president of the Illinois Community Theater Association and had served on the executive board of the Illinois Theater Association.
In 1990, Mrs. Borter recieved the Olly Award for administering theaters in the Chicago area.
She was also active in the Cook County League of Women Voters and the Alliance for the Mentally Ill for the South Suburbs.
She had been a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Order of the Eastern Star.
Other survivors include five children, Laura Ann Vollmer of Indianapolis, Pamela Dale Richards of Macomb, Illinois, Willard Dale Borter of South Chicago Heights, Illinois, and Fredrick Joseph Borter and John Leonard Borter, both of Hammond; another brother, John Huffman of Indianapolis; a sister, Martha Odel of Spokane, Washington; and seven grandchildren.
Cremation followed a private family service. Mrs. Borter will be remembered at a service scheduled for Saturday, April 17.
Sandra A. Briggs
Sandra Anne "Sandy" Holderness Briggs died Sunday, April 4, 1999, at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. A resident of rural Johnson County with church ties to Brown County, she was 50.
Mrs. Briggs had been an active member of New Life Community Church on State Road 135 North.
She was born October 9, 1948, in the Johnson County community of Jolity to Russell A. Holderness and Bettie Rose Miller Woodward.
She and Arthur F. "Art" Briggs were married June 23, 1968, at Nineveh Christian Church. He survives.
Mrs. Briggs was graduated from the old Nineveh High School in 1966 and House of James Beauty College at Indianapolis in 1968.
She had worked as a beautician at Bettie's Beauty Shop in Nineveh for three years. Mrs. Briggs had also been a homemaker.
Mrs. Briggs was a life-time member of the Indian Creek Brave Backers and had worked concessions during games. She also was active with the Nineveh Little League.
Other survivors include two sons, Jeffrey Dean Briggs of Franklin and Michael DeWayne Briggs of rural Johnson County; a brother, Russell "Rusty" Holderness of Nineveh; a sister, Darlene Hodson of Edinburgh; a grandson, Brandon Dean Briggs of Franklin; six nieces; and six nephews.
Pastor Darrell Stout and the Reverend Rick Herman conducted a service Wednesday morning, April 7, at Vandivier-Tudor Funeral Home in Franklin.
Burial was in Johnson County's Nineveh Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Life Community Church, Post Office Box 654, Nashville, Indiana 47448, or the Lupus Foundation of America, Incorporated, Central Indiana, Post Office Box 51066, Indianapolis, Indiana 46251-1006.
Howard Carney
Lawson Road resident Howard G. Carney died Wednesday evening, April 7, 1999, at his home. He was 70.
Mr. Carney was born February 10, 1929, in Indianapolis to Lester and Pearl Smith Carney.
He and Janet "Jan" Herring were married July 3, 1968. She survives in Brown County.
Mr. Carney had worked at Western Electric in Indianapolis, retiring in 1985.
He was a member of the Nashville Masonic Lodge, Morgantown Order of the Eastern Star, Pioneer Club of Indianapolis. Mr. Carney was a life-time member of the Firecrafters, Boy Scouts of America in Indianapolis.
Other survivors include a daughter, Tammy Orr of Morgantown; three sons, Dale Carney of South Carolina and James Julian and Scott Julian, both of Indianapolis; a sister, Ginger Striebeck of Greenfield; two brothers, Gene Carney of Utah and Charles Carney of Martinsville; and 10 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother; and two sisters.
Pastor Darrell Miller led a service Saturday afternoon, April 10, at the Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home on State Road 135 North.
Burial was in Bean Blossom's Weeping Willow Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Artie J. Dill
Depperman Drive resident Artie J. Dill died Sunday afternoon, April 11, 1999, at Bloomington Hospital. She was 49.
Mrs. Dill was born November 25, 1949, in Lafayette, Tennessee to Franklin Falor and Lillie Pedigo.
She was married to John H. Dill. He died May 16, 1998.
Mrs. Dill was a homemaker.
Survivors include two daughters, Hope L. Dill and Michelle S. Castetter, both of Nashville; a son, Paul Dill of Nashville; two sisters, Patty Petro of Nashville and Susie Falor of Cloverdale; six brothers, John Falor, Jesse Falor and Isaac Falor, all of Edinburgh, Delbert Falor of Titusville, Florida, Richard Falor of Morgantown and Kenneth Falor of Nashville; and three grandchildren.
Mrs. Dill was preceded in death by her parents; and a daughter, Lillie Clara Dill in 1972.
Pastor John "Buddy" Cave will conduct a service today, April 14, at 1 p.m. in Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home on State Road 135 North.
Friends may call at the funeral home today from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Burial will take place in Hamblen Township's Unity Baptist Church Cemetery.
Joseph Fears Jr.
Joseph Leo Fears Jr. died Sunday, April 4, 1999, at Community Hospital East in Indianapolis. A resident of that city, he was 57.
Mr. Fears' parents were long-time residents of Brown County.
He was born January 2, 1942, in Terre Haute to Joseph Fears Sr. and Mary Fears.
He was married to Sandra Burton. She survives in Marion County.
Mr. Fears had worked at Ford Motor Company in Indianapolis for 30 years, before ill health forced him to retire in 1995.
He inherited his father's love of animals. Mr. Fears took in many homeless cats and dogs.
Mr. Fears was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War.
Other survivors include a daughter, Stacy Ison of Spencer; two sisters, Sandra Biltz and Cynthia Fears Riddle, both of Indianapolis; his step-mother, Frances Fears of Franklin, and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister.
A service was conducted Friday, April 9, at Shirley Brothers Memorial Chapel in Indianapolis.
Burial was in that city's Washington Park East Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brown County Humane Society or the American Lung Associaton.
Wanda Haislup
Retired educator and Brown County native Wanda I. Haislup died Monday evening, April 5, 1999, at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin. A resident of that city's United Methodist Community, she was 90.
Mrs. Haislup was born October 1, 1908, in Brown County to James Noble and Olive M. Anthony Dobbs.
She was married to the Reverend James Floyd Haislup. He died May 31, 1972.
Mrs. Haislup had taught in elementary schools at Crothersville, Taylorsville, Newbern, New Point, Connersville and Rising Sun. She had also been a Methodist minister at a Jennings County church.
She had been a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin.
Survivors include a son, Jim L. Haislup of Columbus; a daughter, Lois McCreary of Tennessee; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Haislup was preceded in death by a brother, Victor Dobbs; and a grandson, Jeffrey Haislup.
The Reverend Tim Dillingham conducted a service Friday morning, April 9, at Norman Funeral Home in Hope.
Burial was in Garland Brook Cemetery at Columbus.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Community in Franklin.
Dorothy Knight
Brown County Community Care Center resident Dorothy M. Knight died Sunday, April 4, 1999, at the center in Salt Creek Park. She was 95.
Mrs. Knight was born October 3, 1903, in Thompsonville, Michigan to Loren Berthold Putney and Ella Elmira Borland Putney.
She and George Clinton Knight Sr. were married April 12, 1924, in Trenton, Michigan. He died in 1988.
Mrs. Knight was graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1921. She attended Kalamazoo Norman School, now Western Michigan University, for two years in order to receive a teaching certificate in 1923.
Mrs. Knight had taught at Wyandotte School in Michigan for one year. Later, she and her husband owned and operated Knight's Radio and TV
She had also been a board member of Knight's Incorporated, a furniture and appliance business, and was active in the store until it moved in 1950.
Mrs. Knight was a member of Sonoma United Methodist Church. She also served as a Grey Lady volunteer at Lakeview General Hospital in Michigan for 12 years.
Survivors include two sons, George Clinton Knight Jr. of Destin, Florida and Robert Allen Knight of Battle Creek, Michigan; a daughter, Dorothy Jean "Judy" Brown of Nashville; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Service arrangements will be announced later this month.
Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home on State Road 135 North was in charge of local arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sonoma United Methodist Church or Hospice of Bartholomew County.
Jerry L. Mathis
Brown County native Jerry Lee Mathis died Monday morning, April 5, 1999, at his home in North Vernon after an extended illness. He was 49.
Mr. Mathis was born November 9, 1949, in Nashville to Milta and Mabel Lucas Mathis.
He and Susan Lynn Mayhugh were married November 28, 1968, in Ogilville. She survives.
Mr. Mathis had worked at Golden Operations for 14 years. He had also worked for Jennings County Community Schools and at Arvins.
He enjoyed fishing and other outdoor activities.
He had attended Ruth Branch Methodist Church in Jennings County.
Other survivors include two sons, Darren L. Mathis and Erik S. Mathis, both of North Vernon; a brother, Milton Mathis of Greencastle; two sisters, Katherine Hoover and Virginia Wheeler, both of Columbus; and five grandchildren.
Mr. Mathis was preceded in death by his parents.
Marvin Wright led a service Thursday morning, April 8, at Pickett Funeral Home in North Vernon.
Burial was in Jennings County's Vernon Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Jennings County.
Tayler Mink
One-day-old infant Tayler Renae Mink died Friday, April 9, 1999, at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin.
She is survived by her parents, Damon K. Mink and Shonna D. Remington, both of the Trafalgar area; a brother, Billie Jessie Mink of Indianapolis; maternal grandparents, Jim and Donna Remington of Trafalgar; paternal grandmother, Terry Mink of Franklin; maternal great-grandmother, Maxcine Stoddard of Nocona, Texas; maternal great-great-grandmother, Ruby Moenning of Nocona, Texas; and paternal great-grandparents, Betty Higginbathan and Waldon Higginbathan, both of Franklin.
Tayler was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Jim Mink, in 1995.
Pastor Max Smith led a service Monday afternoon, April 12, at Friendship Church.
Burial was at Friendship Church Cemetery in rural Johnson County.
Meredith-Clark Funeral Home at Morgantown was in charge of arrangements.
Frances Richardson
Frances E. Richardson, the sister of Morgantown resident Terry Payne, died Wednesday morning, April 7, 1999, at Select Specialty Hospital in Beech Grove after an illness of one year. A resident of Martinsville, she was 52.
Mrs. Richardson was born January 10, 1947, in Patterson, New Jersey to George and Betty Hicks Payne. Her mother survives in Martinsville.
She and Michael W. Richardson were married April 25, 1981. He survives in Morgan County.
Mrs. Richardson had worked as a tow motor operator for Harmon Motive in Martinsville for 22 years, retiring earlier this month.
She was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Martinsville and Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary.
Other survivors include a son, T.J. White of Martinsville; three step-daughters, Lisa Hogan, Teresa Litton and Lori Hogan, all of Paragon; four additional brothers, Kenny Payne, Harold Payne, Jimmy Payne and George Payne, all of Martinsville; two sisters, Jackie Champlin and Wanda Cox, both of Martinsville; and seven grandchildren.
Mrs. Richardson was preceded in death by an infant son.
The Reverend Russ Cockrum conducted a service Friday morning, April 9, at Costin Funeral Chapel in Martinsville.
Burial was in Morgan County's Nebo Memorial Park.
Velma R. Wardlow
Velma Ruth Fowler Wardlow, sister of Nashville resident Patsy Galloway, died Monday, April 5, 1999, at the Franklin United Methodist Community. She was 74.
Mrs. Wardlow was born Christmas Day, 1924, to Leonard Alfred and Ruth Grace Porter Fowler.
She had attended Edinburgh schools. Mrs. Wardlow had worked at Allisons in Indianapolis and The Bendix Corporation in Franklin.
Mrs. Wardlow had also been a nurse's aid at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin.
Other survivors include two daughters, Bonita Lynn Cormierof Rome, Georgia and Cathleen Ann McBeath of Carmel; a son, Jeffrey Leonard Wardlow of Martinsville; two brothers, Lawrence A. Fowler of Taylorsville and Leonard D. Fowler of Evergreen, Colorado; five other sisters, Grace Brown of Columbus, Vivian Bridges of Nineveh, Florence Clevenger of Crystal Beach, Florida, Betty Shimkus of Newport Beach, Florida and Marcia K. Stadterman of Del Ray Beach, Florida; and seven grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Doreas A. Fowler; and a brother, John R. Fowler.
The Reverend John S. Eley led a service Thursday morning, April 8, at Wright Memorial Chapel of the Franklin United Methodist Community.
Burial was in that community's Greenlawn Cemetery.
Vandivier-Parsley Funeral Home in Franklin was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Franklin United Methodist Community's Special Care Unit, 1070 West Jefferson Street, Franklin, Indiana 46131.
