Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992
Doris E. Johns
June 7, 1915 – June 30, 2004
Doris E. Johns, 89, a resident of Wilkinson, died Wednesday, June 30 at Hancock Memorial Hospital in Greenfield. She was born June 7, 1915 in Hancock County, a daughter of the late Robert C. and Stella (Walker) Young.
After 24 years of service, Mrs. Johns retired in 1980 from Indiana Knitwear as a supervisor. On November 30, 1935, she married Robert Johns and they were married for 56 years. She was a member of the Ingalls Church of God and was an avid quilter and a good cook.
Surviving are two sons, Jerry (wife Donna) Johns of Anderson and Terry (wife Phyllis) Johns of Charlottesville; three daughters, Janet (husband Floyd) Neal of Shirley, Diana (husband Richard) Roberts of Wilkinson and Ruthie (husband Ronald) West of Wilkinson; 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ralph Young of Markleville and Robert Young of Middletown; two sisters, Evelyn Karpenski of Morristown and June Zirkle of Anderson; a sister-in-law, Emogene Young of Greenfield; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1991; a brother, Gerald Young; a sister, Ruth Scott; and a granddaughter, Amy Jo West.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 3 in the Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson with Rev. Michael West officiating. Burial was in McCray Cemetery in Wilkinson.
Visitation was held at the funeral home Friday, July 2.
Howard L. Finch
Sept. 30, 1914 – June 30, 2004
Greenfield resident, Howard L. Finch, 89, formerly of Carthage and Knightstown, died Wednesday, June 30 at Community East Hospital in Indianapolis following an extended illness. He was born September 30, 1914 in Muday, W.V., a son of the late George and Patience (Dewees) Finch.
A resident of Carthage and Knightstown for many years, he retired in 1969 from Carthage Container Corp. after 35 years of service. He retired from Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home in Knightstown in 1980 after 11 years of service. He was a member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Greenfield. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Jones and Mae Jones; a brother, William Finch; and one son, Leroy Finch.
Services were held Saturday, July 3 at the Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Greenfield with Rev. Kenneth Brown officiating. Burial was in the Carthage Cemetery.
Visitation was held Friday, July 2 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Knightstown Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Velma E. Beach
Feb. 24, 1925 – July 11, 2004
Velma E. Beach, 79, of Knightstown died Sunday, July 11 at her residence following a brief illness. She was born February 24, 1925 in Christiana, Tenn., a daughter of the late Frank Newton and Eleanor Pauline (Boyle) Kelton.
She was a resident of Martinsville for many years, moving to Knightstown in 2000. A homemaker, she was an avid doll collector.
Survivors include her husband of 63 years, William E. Beach of Knightstown; six children, Dan R. (wife Kitty) Beach of Greenwood; James W. Beach of Martinsville; Margaret Ann Cross of Knightstown; Eldon T. (wife Carol) Beach of Martinsville; Patricia S. (husband Rick) Booher of Knightstown; and Michael W. (wife Tammy) Beach of Beech Grove; 25 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, a sister preceded her in death.
Services will be 10 a.m. today (Wednesday, July 14) at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Knightstown Chapel with Rev. George Maloyed, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Cove Cemetery.
Visitation was held at the funeral home Tuesday, July 13.
Velma Howe
April 19, 1928 – July 17, 2004
Shirley resident Velma Howe, 76, died Saturday, July 17 at Regency Place Health Care Center in Greenfield. She was born April 19, 1928 in Merl, Ky., a daughter of Worley and Margaret (Hughes) Brown.
Mrs. Howe was a homemaker and attended Shirley Christian Church.
Survivors include a step-daughter, Eva (husband Forest) Reeves of Shirley; two step-sons, Robert (wife Charlotte) Howe of Shirley and Dale (wife Mary) Howe of Pendleton; five step-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Woodrow Howe in 1983; a son, Timothy Howe in 1976; and three sisters, Pearl Barton, Evalee Barton and Bonnie Hicks.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 20 in the Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson with Rev. Darrell Deck officiating. Burial was in Mechanicsburg Cemetery.
Visitation was held at the funeral home Monday, July 19.
Walter J. Getz
Feb. 9, 1940 – July 17, 2004
Walter J. Getz, 64 of rural Connersville, died Saturday, July 17 at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. He was born February 9, 1940 in Taylors Creek in Hamilton County, Ohio, a son of Walter H. and Helen Noes Getz.
A graduate of Whitewater High School in Franklin County in 1959, he played high school basketball and was also a member of the Old Timers Basketball Team. A U.S. Army veteran, he served from 1959 until 1961 and was a peacekeeper in Korea following the Korean War. For 32 years, he was employed at Stant Manufacturing in Machine Development.
He was a member of St. Gabriel Church and a devoted active member of Council #861, Knights of Columbus, where he was Knight of the Year in 1986. He was a member of the K of C Wednesday mixed couples bowling league and the Tuesday night league. He was always involved with the chicken fry at the St. Gabriel Church Festival, the Chicken at the Fair and any time his help was needed. He and his wife, Judy, were chairpersons of the Spaghetti Supper at the K of C for many years and also co-chaired the Lenten breakfasts. He enjoyed working in his flower and vegetable gardens, playing euchre and going out to eat with family and friends.
Mr. Getz was the uncle of Stacy and Eric Cox of Shirley. Other survivors include his wife, Judy “Fred” Maze Getz, whom he married July 1, 1977 in Tennessee; four sons, Brian (wife Chrissy) Getz of Connersville, Greg (wife Angie) Getz of Laurel, Mike (wife Emma) Getz of West Harrison, and Neil (wife Jennifer) Getz of Connersville; his mother, Helen Getz of West Harrison; five grandchildren; two brothers, Dave (wife Karen) Getz and Kenny (wife Diane) Getz, both of West Harrison; a sister, Mary (husband Gene) Sacksteder of West Harrison; and several nieces and nephews.
His father and stepmother, Walter and Ruby Getz preceded him in death.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday, July 21) in St. Gabriel Church. Burial, with military rites conducted by the Fayette County Veterans Council, will be in Dale Cemetery.
Visitation was held at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 20.
Memorial contributions may be made to the I.U. Bone Marrow Transplant Nursing Education Fund, 550 N. University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Roy A. Keller
Mar. 13, 1917 – July 14, 2004
Former Knightstown resident, Roy A. Keller, 87, died in Riverside, Calif., Wednesday, July 14. He was born March 13, 1917 in Cumberland, a son of the late Kosy and Alice Wheeler Keller.
Mr. Keller was a resident of Knightstown and New Castle until 1956 when he moved to California. He was a 1934 graduate of Knightstown High School. He served as a Deputy Co. Assessor of Henry County from 1939-41; was an insurance agent for Empire Life and Accident Insurance Co. in Indianapolis in 1946; Henry County Deputy Recorder 1947-1948; bank teller at Citizens State Bank in New Castle, 1948-1950; Assistant Manager, Commonwealth Loan Co. in New Castle, 1951-53; Manager Citizens Insurance Agency in Knightstown, 1953-1956; senior accountant at Motorola, Inc. in Riverside, 1956-1963; and retired from County of Riverside, California in 1980. Keller was a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945, serving in the American Theater, EAME Theater and Asian Pacific Theater.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, L. Viola (Runyan) Keller; children, S. Kay Pratt, M. Jay Keller, Katrina D. Terkelsen, all of Riverside and Karen D. Hebeler of Sun City, Calif.; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John James Keller and C. Ray Keller and a sister, Emma Kennard.
Services were held Saturday, July 17 at Olivewood Cemetery in Riverside. Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary handled funeral arrangements in Riverside.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5900 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1100, Los Angeles 90036 and First United Methodist Church of Riverside, 4845 Brockton Ave., Riverside, CA 92506-0134.
Charles F. Soots
April 21, 1931 – July 19, 2004
Charles F. Soots, 73, of Knightstown, died Monday, July 19 at the home of his sister in Mooresville. He was born April 21, 1931 in Indianapolis, a son of the late Edward Lee and Dorothy (Oliver) Soots.
Mr. Soots worked for the Indiana State Highway Department for 50 years. He was affiliated with the Pentecostal Church.
Survivors include two sisters, Dorothy Lee Scaggs and Debbie (husband Hubert) Stapleton, both of Mooresville; two brothers, Junior (wife Helen) Soots and Eugene (wife Shirley) Soots, both of Mooresville; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Janice Smith of Knightstown.
In addition to his parents, a sister, Louise Ooley, preceded him in death.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 22 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Knightstown Chapel with Rev. Gene Bennett officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Cove Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. today (Wednesday, July 21) at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to the American Lung Association with envelopes available at the funeral home.
