Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992
Dr. Leonard H. Wiatt
Apr. 17, 1922 – Apr. 12, 2005
Dr. Leonard H. Wiatt, 82, of New Castle, died Tuesday, April 12, at Americare Living Center following an extended illness. He was brn April 17, 1922, in Crawfordsville, son of the late Walter Huelet and Georgia Leonard Wiatt.
Dr. Wiatt was a 1939 graduate of New Palestine High School, a graduate of Purdue University, and a 1951 graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed his internship at Gary Methodist Hospital and established a general practice in Knightstown. He served as a physician at the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home and was an anesthesiologist at Henry County Memorial Hospital from 1966-1983. He also worked as an emergency room physician as well as a physician for the New Castle State Developmental Center and the Henry County Jail until retiring in 1994.
Dr. Wiatt was a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was a longtime member of the Foursquare Gospel Church in New Castle. He was past president of Henry County Memorial Hospital’s physician staff and of the Hospital’s Medical Society. He also served as president of the Indiana State American Medical Agency. Dr. Wiatt was a member of the Knightstown Masonic Lodge, the Knights of Columbus and the Kiwanis Club.
Dr. Wiatt married Mary Lou in 1969, and she survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Barbara (husband Mike) Garland of Greenfield and Christine A. Wiatt of Knightstown; a stepson, Paul Harris of Mount Summit; a stepdaughter, Nancy (husband Clark) Sennett of Waynetown; five grandchildren, Adam L. Garland, Joseph Garland, Lance A. Sennett, Jill Duncan, and Elizabeth B. Harris; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Patricia A. Plummer of Phoenix, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.
A son, John Leonard, and a brother, Wally, preceded Dr. Wiatt in death.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 15, at Foursquare Gospel Church, with the Rev. Charles McDonald officiating. Burial followed in Green Hills Memory Gardens. Military graveside rites were provided by the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Visitation was held Thursday, April 14, at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
George W. Hall
Sept. 15, 1916 – May 15, 2005
George W. Hall, 88, of Wilkinson, died Sunday, May 15, at Hancock Memorial Hospital, Greenfield. He was born September 15, 1916, in Ermine, Ky., son of the late Geoge and Lorena (Horn) Hall.
Mr. Hall retired as a blacksmith and owner and operator of Hall’s Garage in Wilkinson. He was a 50-year member of the Shirley Masonic Lodge #531. He was the first Fire Chief of Wilkinson, served as a Town Marshall, and helped organize the Wilkinson Fire Department. Mr. Hall was a devoted family man.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Florence (Hewson) Hall of Wilkinson; two sons, George R. “Bob” (wife Patsy) Hall of Wilkinson and Jerry L. (wife Linda) Hall of Wilkinson; a daughter, Betty (husband Vern) Denney of Nashville, Tenn.; 11 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Charles Hall of Greenfield and Alex Hall of Sturgis, Ky.; three sisters, Mae Austin of Sturgis, Ky., Mabel Hughes of Pound, Va., and June Wicker of Greenfield; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Hall was preceded in death by a son, Ralph Hall, in 1959; four brothers; and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 19, at the Condo & Son Funeral Home, Wilkinson, with Ron Baker and Russ Lutes officiating. Burial will follow in McCray Cemetery, Wilkinson.
Visitation will be at the funeral home, Wednesday, May 18, 5-9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Heart Association.
Mildred Lois Gaddis
Mar. 2, 1919 – May 16, 2005
Mildred Lois Gaddis, 86, of rural Straughn, died Monday, May 16, at her residence, following an extended illness. She was born March 2, 1919, in Straughn, daughter f the late Arthur C. Johnson and Mabel Stewart Johnson.
Mrs. Gaddis was a 1936 graduate of Lewisville High School. She was a member of the Richsquare Friends Church and a member of the Sesame Circle. She worked at the Heller Brothers Greenhouses in New Castle, but for most of her life she was a homemaker, mother and loving grandmother. Mildred enjoyed watching her daughter play tennis and faithfully watched her grandchildren’s ball games.
She married Neil Gaddis on March 25, 1939, and he survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Joyce Gaddis of Straughn; two sons, Terry Gaddis of Pensacola, Fla. and Douglas (wife Barbara) Gaddis of Centerville; five grandchildren, Julie Gaddis, Rachel Mullen, Justin Gaddis, Brandon Gaddis and Trenton Gaddis; and two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Gaddis was preceded in death by her parents; two infant brothers; a sister, Marjorie Johnson, who died in 1996; and a daughter-in-law, Jean Gaddis, who died on September 21, 1997.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 19, 4-8 p.m., at Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home, Lewisville Chapel, Lewisville, followed by cremation.
David E. Newkirk
July 26, 1944 – May 17, 2005
David E. Newkirk, 60, of Wilkinson, died Tuesday, May 17, at Hancock Memorial Hospital, Greenfield. He was born July 26, 1944, in Henry County, son of Betty (McDonald) Newkirk ad the late Robert A. Newkirk.
Mr. Newkirk was a 1962 graduate of Spiceland High School and attended Spiceland Friends Church. He served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967 and was stationed in Germany with the Signal Corp. Mr. Newkirk was employed by Condo & Son, Inc. as an Emergency Medical Technician and Funeral Home Assistant for the past 25 years. He was a life member of the Knightstown American Legion Post 152 and served as Post Adjutant. In addition, he served on the Veterans Memorial Committee, Legion Scholarship Committee and Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home Committee. He was also a member of the Knightstown Masonic Lodge F & AM # 16 as a 33rd degree mason.
Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Virginia (Reece) Newkirk of Wilkinson; his mother, Betty Newkirk of Dunreith; a daughter, Kelley (husband Jason) Sitton of Shirley; a son, Andrew (wife Kelly) Newkirk of Pendleton; two stepsons, Rob (wife Trish) Frost of Columbus, Ind. and Brad Frost of Chicago, Ill.; five grandchildren; a brother, Jim (wife Linda) Newkirk of Knightstown; a nephew, Jimmy Newkirk of Knightstown; and a niece, Andrea Newkirk of Carthage.
Mr. Newkirk was preceded in death by his father, Robert A. Newkirk in 1999, several aunts, uncles, and a niece.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, May 20, at the Condo & Son Funeral Home, Wilkinson, with Rev. Jeff Hinshaw and Rev. Kenton Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Cove Cemetery. The Knightstown American Legion Post 152 will provide military Graveside Rites.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday, May 19, 3 – 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Spiceland Alumni Scholarship Fund or the Knightstown American Legion Post 152.
Gary Virl Black
Aug. 22, 1945 – May 17, 2005
Gary Virl Black, 59, of New Castle, died Tuesday, May 17, at his residence following a brief illness. He was born August 22, 1945, in Bull Fork, rural Morehead, Ky., son of Virl Blackof Dunreith and the late Pruda (Pence) Black.
Mr. Black was a 1963 graduate of Knightstown High School. He served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. National Guard. He retired in 1995 from Westinghouse in Muncie after 31 years of service. He owned and operated a welding business for many years. He was co-owner of Mid-States Auto Sales in New Castle. Mr. Black was an active member and Sunday School Superintendent of Ninth Street Church of God. He was an Ordained Elder of Lewisville Church of God where he served as an adult Sunday school teacher. Mr. Black proclaimed that he was a servant of the one and only true God and his son Jesus Christ. He served his fellow man and showed great love for his family.
Mr. Black is survived by his wife of 40 years, Linda (Gray) Black of New Castle; four children, Gary Black, Jackie Black, Jenny Brown and Josh Brown; seven grandchildren, Brison and Taylor Brown, Gary II, Elijah, Levi, A.J. and Skylar Black, all of New Castle; his father, Virl (wife Betty) Black of Dunreith; two brothers, Tom (wife Millie) Owsley of New Castle and Randy (wife Debbie) Black of Knightstown; two sisters, Kathy (husband Alan) Miller of Shirley and Bonita (husband Bill) Flannery of Brookville; two brothers-in-law, Phil (wife Jane) Gray of Muncie and Carlos (wife Teresa) Gray of New Castle; several aunts and uncles; several nieces and nephews; and cousins.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Black was preceded in death by two nephews, Tommy “Bo” Owsley and Randy Black; paternal grandparents David and Anna Black; maternal grandparents Ollie and Dona Pence; father and mother-in-law John and Mildred Gray.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 20, 1 p.m. at the Main and Frame Funeral Home, New Castle, with Rev. Elwood Evans officiating. Burial will follow in the South Mound Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 19, 4 – 8 p.m., at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society with envelopes available at the funeral home.
Verlin D. Cox
Feb. 18, 1919 – May 18, 2005
Verlin D. Cox, 86, of Van Buren, Ind., died Wednesday, May 18, at Marion General Hospital, Marion. He was born February 18, 1919, in Hanfield, Ind., son the late Wade Cox and dna L. Dawson.
Mr. Cox lived all of his life in the Hanfield and Van Buren areas. He was a 1937 graduate of Van Buren High School. He worked for 30 years as a sprinkler fitter for Liniger & Son Co. of Marion and was a member of the Sprinkler Fitters Local 669. In the last two years before his retirement, he worked for Shambaugh & Sons Co. of Ft. Wayne. Mr. Cox was a former member of the Old Hanfield United Methodist Church and the Morris Chapel United Methodist Church. He was a current member of the Grace Community Church and the Manatee United Methodist Church in Bradenton, Fla., where he spent the winters.
Mr. Cox was noted for his ministry as God’s messenger. It is said that one would know he had been in a certain place because he always left his calling card.
Mr. Cox is survived by four sons, Roger (wife Rita) Cox of Colorado Springs, Colo., Wayne (wife Maureen) Cox of Trafalgar, Kevin (wife Renee) Cox of Marion, and Charles (wife Gail) Cox of Inverness, Fla.; five grandsons, Chris Cox of Greenwood, Eric (wife Stacy) Cox of Shirley, Jeff Peck of Lubbock, Texas, Derek (wife Courtney) Kibble of Fishers, and Danny Kibble of Indianapolis; four granddaughters, Marcy (husband Mike) Hamilton of Pasadena, Md., Andrea Cox of Pasadena, Md., Morgan (husband Brad) McCarty of Warren, Ind., and Simone Neil of Colorado Springs, Colo.; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Esther (husband Charles) L. Melton of Arcadia, Fla.
Mr. Cox married Shirley Golding on December 1, 1940. She preceded him in death in 1995. In addition to his parents, a brother, Harold Cox, also preceded him in death.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 23, at Grace Community Church, Marion, with Rev. Tom Mansbarger and Rev. Lloyd Hall officiating. Burial followed in Van Buren Cemetery, Van Buren.
Visitation was held Sunday, May 22, at Ferguson Funeral Home, Van Buren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Community Church, Marion, in care of the funeral home.
Josephine F. Sisson
May 11, 1929 – May 22, 2005
Josephine F. Sisson, 76, of Greenfield, died Sunday, May 22, in Indianapolis. She was born May 11, 1929, in Indianapolis, daughter of the late Anthony Annarino and Rose (Straffa) Annarino.
Mrs. Sisson, a hoemaker, was a graduate of Greenfield High School and a member of Kappa Delta Phi.
She is survived by a son, Craig Sisson of Charlottesville; a daughter, Diane Fiega of Knightstown; a brother, Michael Annarino of Greenfield; a sister, Rosemary Logan of Indianapolis; and five grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Sisson was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Sisson, in 1992; a brother, John Annarino; and a son, William E. “Bill” Sisson, Jr.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 25, at 2 p.m., at Pasco-Stillinger Funeral Home, Greenfield, with Rev. Randall Parker officiating. Burial will follow in Park Cemetery, Greenfield.
Visitation was held Tuesday, May 24 at the funeral home.
