Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992
Merritt W. "Redd" Smith
December 14, 1929 - May 28, 2010
Merritt W. "Redd" Smith, 80, of Indianapolis, formerly of Knightstown, died May 28. He was born Dec. 13, 1929, in Cass County, a son of the late Gerald F. "Pickle" and Ida Frances (Redd) Smith.
Known as a gifted athlete, Mr. Smith was elected president of, and graduated with the Plymouth High School Class of 1948. He attended Indiana University on an athletic scholarship. He lettered in football and joined Sigma Chi fraternity, of which he was a lifetime member. Mr. Smith then enlisted in ROTC and married Sally Elizabeth Land of Knightstown.
He graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the Indiana University School of Physical Education in 1953 and, although he received draft notices from the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Redd entered Advanced Officer Training with the U.S. Army at Fort Benning, Ga. He was assigned to the 31st Division at Camp Atterbury, Ind., where he became a rifle company commander of King Company, 329th Infantry Regiment. The 31st Division was transferred to Fort Carson, Colo., where its colors were retired to be replaced by the 8th Mountain Division, and Redd became rifle company commander of "L" Company, 28th Infantry Regiment.
Following his honorable discharge from active military service, the couple returned to Knightstown in June 1955 and had two sons, Carson C. and Robin R. "Rob" Smith. The family lived at 5 E. Pine Street in Knightstown until 1961 when, following the death of Sally’s father, Leonard R. Land, they moved to 7265 Sylvan Ridge Road in Indianapolis. Mr. Smith was a vice president in the National Accounts Division of Indiana National Bank. In 1970, he became chairman and CEO of Baldwin & Lyons Insurance Company until his retirement in 1979. In 1981 Mr. Smith founded M.W. Smith and Associates, Inc., Mid-America Brokers, Inc., and in 1984 he acquired Business and Commerce Insurance, Inc. An enthusiastic supporter of Indiana University athletics, Mr. Smith was past-president of the IU Men’s Club of Indianapolis, past-president of the "I" Men’s Association, a member of the board of directors of the Varsity Club, a member of the executive council of the Indiana University Alumni Association and the Hoosier Hundred, the Woodburn Guild, the Twelfth Man Club and the Well House Society. In 1981 he received the Zora G. Clevinger Award, which is presented to living "I" Men who, as alumni, have made outstanding contributions to Indiana University through service to its athletic program, and in 1985 he received the Athletic Director’s Award for Distinguished Service.
Mr. Smith was also a Sagamore of the Wabash, a member of Junto, a "life loyal" member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, a 50-year member of Golden Rule Lodge No. 16 F&AM in Knightstown, the Indianapolis Valley of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and the Murat Shrine of Indianapolis. He was president of Highland Golf and Country Club, director of the Western Golf Association and a member of the Columbia Club. He coached Broad Ripple Little League and was president of the Fairbanks Memorial Fund, a member of the exec utive committee of the Bicentennial Renovation of Obelisk Square and the War Memorial Plaza, past director of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, past director and finance chairman of Citizen’s Forum, treasurer and director of the Marion County Heart Association and director of the Indiana Affiliate of the American Heart Association. Survivors include two sons, Carson (wife, Patty) Smith and Rob Smith; and three grandchildren, Sara, Alexander and Elizabeth.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Richard; and his wife, Sally.
Funeral services are at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 4, at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Home in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis. Visitation is 3-7 p.m. Thursday, June 3, at the funeral home. Masonic services are at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 3. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
William P. Willey, Jr.
December 23, 1919 - May 30, 2010
William P. "Bill" Willey, Jr., 90, of Charlottesville, died May 30 at his home.
He was born Dec. 23, 1919, in Rush County, a son of the late William Parker and Leila (Wilson) Willey.
A 1937 Rushville High School graduate, Mr. Willey retired from Ford Motor Company in Indianapolis after 20 years of service. He was also a lifelong Henry and Rush County farmer. Mr. Willey was a member of the Masonic Lodge and East Street Christian Church in Carthage. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during World War II. Mr. Willey was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Shriners. He also served on the Charlottesville Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years.
Survivors include eight children, Roy (wife, Susan) Willey of Mt. Summit, Rose Willey of Adairsville, Ga., Buddy (wife, Ronelle) Willey of Carthage, Bob (wife, Debbie) Willey of Charlestown, Linda Shue of Charlottesville, Jerry (wife, Kellie) Willey of Middletown, Charles (wife, Sherri) Willey of Winfield, W.V., and Kathy Donzell of Dallas, Tex.; 20 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; four sisters, Naomi Esprovnik, Pat Kunstick, Fate Gillette and Dorothy Walker, all of Indiana; a brother, Wilfred "Ted" Willey of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lorena Willey; a daughter, Lillian Willey; a son-in-law, Michael Donzell; a granddaughter, Whitney Cornell; two sisters, Nancy Heim and Marjorie E.; and two brothers, Walter R. "Dick" Willey and Weldon Willey.
Funeral services are at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in Knightstown. Burial will follow at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown with full military graveside rites conducted American Legion Post 152. Visitation was June 1 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Sharon Kaye Smith
June 20, 1943 - May 18, 2010
Sharon Kaye (Barnes) Smith, 66, of Greenfield, died May 18.
She was born June 20, 1943, in New Castle, a daughter of the late Henry and Jewell Barnes.
Mrs. Smith was a member of United Auto Workers and retired from Ford Motor Company in 2007. She was a member of Knightstown Christian Church, Order of the Eastern Star, American Legion Post 152 Auxiliary, UAW Local 1111 and the Model A Car Club. Mrs. Smith enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was an avid Indianapolis Colts fan.
Survivors include her husband, Darius Warren Smith of Greenfield; a daughter, Teresa (husband, Jim) Kelnhofer of Champaign, Ill.; a son, Rob (wife, Noelle) Hall of Greenfield; a stepdaughter, Susan (husband, Vince) Perry of Greenfield; a stepson, Chris (wife, Robin) Smith of Pleasant Valley, Mo.; five grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; four step-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Juanda (husband, Buddy) Rose of Knightstown and Carol (husband, Bill) Charles of Spiceland.
Funeral services were May 20 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in Knightstown with Pastor Allen Southerland officiating. Visitation was May 20 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society PO Box 689 Columbus, IN 47202 or The IU Foundation (transplant surgery) Indiana University School of Medicine, PO Box 660245 Indianapolis, IN 46266.
Jean C. Jones
May 30, 1934 - June 9, 2010
Jean C. Jones, 76, of Knightstown, died June 9 at Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield.
She was born May 30, 1934, in Cambridge City, a daughter of the late Thomas and Maude (Lamb) Monger.
Mrs. Jones lived in Cambridge City and Pershing before moving to Knightstown in 1977. She was employed at the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home for six years, but retired in 1995 from Mayhill Publications in Knightstown, where she served as distribution manager.
Survivors include three daughters, Donna Norton of Frankfort, Ky., Linda Suec and Amity Jones; seven grand children; a great-granddaughter, and one sister, Betty Morgan of Gaston.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Monger; and a sister, Barbara Hill.
Graveside funeral services will take place at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown at the family’s convenience. Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home in Lewisville is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate, 208 S. LaSalle St., Ste. 1500, Chicago, IL 60604-1242.
Stephen Allen Horstman
July 28, 1945 - July 1, 2010
Stephen Allen Horstman, 64, of Dunedin, Fla., formerly of Spiceland, died July 1 at Bay Shores VA Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla.
He was born July 28, 1945, in Columbus, Ohio, a son of the late Gordon Horstman and Vera (Davis) Horstman.
Mr. Horstman graduated from Thomas Carr Howe High School in Indianapolis and the University of Florida. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1965-1969. A tennis pro in French Lick in the early 70s, Mr. Horstman won numerous singles and doubles tournaments in the 70s while living in Florida.
Survivors include his mother, Vera E. Davis of Indianapolis; a brother, Paul (wife, Gloria) Davis of Noblesville; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Funeral services are at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, at Todd Funeral Home in Knightstown. Burial will follow at Spiceland Cemetery. Visitation is 12-2 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, at Todd Funeral Home in Knightstown.
James E. Boese
November 3, 1918 - June 16, 2010
James E. Boese, 91, of Noblesville, formerly of Wilkinson, died June 16 at Maple Park Village in Westfield.
He was born Nov. 3, 1918, in Decatur, a son of the late Edwin and Miriam (Thomas) Boese.
Mr. Boese retired as a 40-year co-owner and operator of Shirley Feed Mill. His partner was his brother, Thomas R. Boese. He was a past-president of the Eastern Hancock school board, and served on the board during the consolidation and construction of the Eastern Hancock school facilities. Mr. Boese served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was a member and past elder of Wilkinson Church of Christ.
Survivors include a son, Lynn (wife, Cindy) Boese of Indianapolis; a daughter, Susan (husband, Doug) Orahood of Cicero; a grandson, Matthew (wife, Sara) Orahood of Carmel; two granddaughters, Amanda (husband, Corey) Paladino of Southern Pines, N.C., and Megan (husband, Richard) Shore of Southern Pines, N.C.; three great-grandchildren, Angelina, Samuel and Emerson; a brother, Thomas R. Boese of Greenfield; a sister, Jean Thornburg of Eaton, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Boese.
Funeral services were June 19 at Wilkinson Church of Christ . Burial followed at McCray Cemetery in Wilkinson. Visitation was June 18 at Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson.
Bernadine H. Morgan
March 30, 1909 - May 12, 2010
Bernadine H. Morgan, 101, formerly of Carthage, died May 12 at Regency Place Nursing Home in Greenfield.
She was born March 30, 1909, in Rush County, a daughter of the late John S. and Eva (McBride) Herkless.
Mrs. Morgan was an office nurse for Dr. George B. McNabb for over 30 years. She also served as Carthage clerk-treasurer for several years. She was a member of East Street Christian Church in Carthage.
Survivors include her nieces and nephews, David, Bruce and Beverly Morgan, Melanie Morgan Knight and Lisa Morgan; her extended family, Duane (wife, Debbie) Brooks of Indianapolis, James Robert (wife, Cindi) Brooks of Norcross, Ga., Stephen (wife, Lois) Brooks of Knightstown and Jane (husband, Richard) Leakey of Knightstown.
Private burial services will take place at a later date at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown.
Memorial contributions may be made to McNabb Park, in care of the town of Carthage, or to East Street Christian Church P.O. Box 121, Carthage, IN 46115.
