Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992
P. Helena Dempsey
Nov. 8, 1911 – Apr. 21, 2005
Mrs. P. Helena (Larmore) Dempsey, 93, died Thursday, April 21, at her home in Vemilion, Ohio. She was born in New Castle, on Nov. 8, 1911.
Mrs. Dempsey was a 1929 graduate of Knightstown High School and attended Toledo University. While there, she was a member of the Drama Club and worked with the makeup department. She was very active and held office in the Toledo Federation of Art. Several of her watercolors have been displayed in the Toledo Museum of Art. From 1944 to 1956, Mrs. Dempsey was active with the Lakeside School, helping to design costumes for plays, backdrops for proms. She used her artistic talents for many in the community. She and her late husband, Stanley, sold their property to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and it is now known as the Dempsey Fishing Access.
Mrs. Dempsey enjoyed reading, painting, sewing, music, gardening and traveling. A highlight for her was attending the Knightstown High School reunions every year.
Survivors include her daughter, A. Suzanne Novotny-Hartenfeld; three granddaughters, Laura A. Cammarn of Ocala, Fla., Debra L. Adkins of Vermilion, Ohio, and Margaret Christensen of Virginia Beach, Va.; two grandsons, Morgan Dempsey of Phoenix, Ariz., and Peter Dempsey of Convent Station, N.J.; and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Dempsey was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley J. Dempsey in 1998; a son James Birch Dempsey of Westford, Mass. in 2004; a brother, Richard Larmore of Toledo, Ohio in 2001; a sister, Evelyn See of Fortville, Ind. in 2000; and her parents, Myrtle (Kuhn) Larmore in 1985 and Stephen Larmore in 1931, of Knightstown.
Contributions may be made to New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph, 3700 Kolbe Rd., Lorain, Ohio 44053, or Ritter Public Library Endowment Fund, 5680 Liberty Ave., Vermilion, Ohio 44089, or Serving Our Seniors – Medication Program, 620 E. Water St., Sandusky, Ohio 44870.
There will be no services. A celebration of Helena Dempsey’s life will be held at a later date for family and friends.
James H. Hammond, Jr.
Feb. 12, 1931 – Apr. 26, 2005
James H. Hammond, Jr., 74, of Carthage, died Tuesday, April 26. He was born February 12,1931, in Sumner County, Tenn., son of the late James H. Hammond, Sr. and Ethel (Eckels) Hammond.
Mr. Hammond worked for Bill Kuhn, Dan Young and Blossom Chevrolet dealerships for 36 years as an automotive body technician. After retiring in 1993, James and his wife Roberta worked for the Indianapolis Star for four years and the Greenfield Daily Reporter for over seven years. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors with his family.
Mr. Hammond is survived by his wife of 54 years, Roberta Hammond; daughter Pamela (husband Tony) Brake; son James H. (wife Dee Dee) Hammond, III; grandchildren Brian Brake, Lindsey Brake, Braden Hammond, Sydney Hammond; brother Bobby Hammond; sister Addie Pearl West, both of Portland, Tenn.
Mr. Hammond was preceded in death by his brother, Vergil G. Hammond.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 20, at Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center-Washington Park East. Burial followed at Washington Park East Cemetery.
Visitation was held Friday, April 29, at the funeral center.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hancock County Hospital Hospice.
Mary Lou Zapf
Sept. 14, 1926 – May 8, 2005
Mary Lou Zapf, 78, of Greensburg, died Sunday, May 8, at the Indiana University Medical Center, Indinapolis. She was born September 14, 1926, in Greenfield, daughter of the late Charles and Flora Bell (Jones) Hawks.
Ms. Zapf retired in 1986 from Western Electric Company in Indianapolis after 16 years of service. She had also worked at Danner Brother’s, B-NEA Jewelry, Western Auto and Owens TV and Appliance, all in Greenfield. She was a member of Clarksburg Christian Church and a former member of Knightstown Eastern Star.
Survivors include four daughters, Teresa Lynn Carlson of Greensburg, Janice Annette Niece of Bullhead City, Ariz., Jacqueline Louise Moran of Morgantown, Ind., and Cheryl Denise Gallagher of Greensburg; one son, Charles Michael Zapf of Knightstown; one sister, Marjorie Zapf of Frostproof, Fla.; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Condo & Son Funeral Home, Wilkinson, Friday, May 13, 10 a.m., with Rev. Jerran Jackson officiating. Burial will follow at McCray Cemetery, Wilkinson.
Visitation will be at the funeral home, Thursday, May 12, 4 - 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Zapf Scholarship Foundation.
Sally Elizabeth Land Smith
July 31, 1931 – May 9, 2005
Sally Elizabeth Land Smith, 73, of Indianapolis, died Monday, May 9, following an extended ilness. She was born July 31, 1931 in Ashland, Ky., the only child of Leonard R. and Florris (Seitz) Land.
Mrs. Land graduated from Knightstown High School in 1948 and lived in Knightstown until 1961. She was a member of the Indiana University Alumni Association, the Hoosier Hundred, the Woodburn Guild, the 12th Man Club, the Well House Society and Alpha Chi Omega. She was also a member of the Children’s Bureau Auxiliary and St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild. She served as chairman of the 1970 Decorators’ Show House and was president of the John Strange Elementary PTO.
Mrs. Land is survived by her husband, Merritt W. “Red” Smith, whom she married in 1952; two sons, Carson (wife Patty) Smith and Rob Smith; and three grandchildren, Sara, Alexander and Elizabeth.
A Memorial service will be conducted in the Veterans Room and Solarium at Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center of Broad Ripple, Indianapolis, Friday, May 13, at 2:30 p.m.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 12, 4 - 8 p.m., at the funeral center, 1305 E. Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis.
Memorial contributions may be made to the scholarship fund of the Knightstown High School Alumni Association, P.O.B. 121, Knightstown, and/or to the Knightstown United Methodist Church, 27 S. Jefferson St., Knightstown, and/or to the charity of choice.
Condolences may be sent to Mr. Merritt W. “Red” Smith, 7265 Sylvan Ridge Rd., Indianapolis, Ind., 46240-3542.
Roy Raymond Reddick
Dec. 23, 1914 – May 4, 2005
Roy Raymond Reddick, 90, lifelong resident of Carthage, died Wednesday, May 4, at his residence. He wasborn December 23, 1914, son of the late Floyd and Bessie (Dalrymple) Reddick.
Mr. Reddick was a farmer and member of East St. Christian Church in Carthage. He served in the U.S. Army and was in the North African Theatre and the Sicilian Campaign.
Survivors include two daughters, Joy F. (husband Bill) Morgan of San Antonio, Texas, and Ann R. Reddick of Connersville; a grandson, Dr. Kabel (wife Jennifer) Morgan of Birmingham, Ala.; and a sister, Gladys Geise of Rushville.
Mr. Reddick’s wife, Crystal Heim, who he married June 12, 1941, preceded him in death. Two sisters also predeceased him.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 9, at Todd Funeral Home, Knightstown, with Rev. David Bonne officiating. Burial followed at Glen Cove Cemetery.
Visitation was held Sunday, May 8, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.
William E. Rucker
Feb. 15, 1931 – May 9, 2005
William E. Rucker, 74, formerly of Dunreith, died Monday, May 9, at his residence in Brownsburg. He was born February 15, 191 in Jonesboro, Ark., son of the late Cecil and Lela (Sims) Rucker.
Mr. Rucker was an equipment operator for the Indiana State Highway Department. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge in Rushville and the Moose Lodge of New Castle.
Mr. Rucker married Lillian Swain March 15, 1968 and she survives. Also surviving are two sons, William E. Rucker, Jr. of Jonesboro, Ark., David C. Rucker of Brownsburg; three daughters, Rebecca (husband Bill) Nickels, Ernistine (husband Dustin) Lee, both of Jonesboro, Ark., and Evyonne Jones of Brownsburg; three brothers, George (wife Shirley) Rucker of Manard, Mo., Bill Rucker of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Albert Rucker of Hardy, Mo.; two sisters, Joyce (husband Norman Dean) Cooper of Corning, Ark., and Gilda Jean of Bloomfield, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
His parents, two brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 12, 2 p.m., at Todd Funeral Home, Knightstown, with Rev. George Maloyed officiating. Burial will follow at Glen Cove Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 12, 12 – 2 p.m., at the funeral home.
Evelyn M. Siler
Nov. 5, 1919 – May 13, 2005
Mrs. Evelyn M. Siler, 85, lifelong resident of Carthage, died Friday, May 13, at Rush Memorial Hospital. She ws born November 5, 1919, in Rush County, daughter of the late Carl Carson, Sr. and Mary (Harvey) Carson.
Mrs. Siler was a homemaker and a member of Fletcher United Methodist Church of Carthage.
Survivors include a son, Gary (wife Sue) Siler of Rushville; two daughters, Sue Siemems of Rushville and Karen (husband Kenneth) Morrison of Great Falls, Mont.; a brother, Carl (wife Maxine) Carson of Carthage; four grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Mrs. Siler married John Russell Siler on May 12, 1941, and he preceded her in death on June 12, 1988. One sister also preceded her in death.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 17, at Fletcher United Methodist Church of Carthage, with Pastor Roger Campbell officiating. Burial followed in Glen Cove Cemetery.
Visitation was held at the church Monday, May 16. Todd Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
