Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992
Jo Ellen Pitts
July 15, 1943 - May 16, 2010
Jo Ellen Pitts, 66, of Dunreith, died May 16 at Henry County Memorial Hospital in New Castle.
She was born July 15, 1943, in Rushville, a daughter of the late Harold and Shelby (Newkirk) Linville.
Mrs. Pitts was a 1961 Spiceland High School graduate and a third generation clerk-treasurer for the town of Dunreith. She was a U.S. Postal Service retiree and a longtime member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church in in New Castle, where she assisted with vacation Bible school. Mrs. Pitts enjoyed traveling with her sisters-in-law, Betty and Judy, and had been a caregiver to several family members. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Leonard "Lee" Pitts; three daughters, Terri (husband, Greg) Moore of Winchester, Robin (husband, Tim) Minneman and Teresa (husband, Steve) Blake, all of Dunreith; a sister, Jeanne (husband, William) Conn of Spring Hill, Fla.; a brother, Jack Linville of North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Becky Linville of New Castle; four grandchildren, Joshua Prince and Jodi Prince, both of New Castle, Samantha Lane of Dunreith and Sgt. J. Bradley Lane of Fort Riley, Kan.; three step-grandchildren, Corey Blake of Peoria, Ill., Chris (wife, Lexi) Blake of South Carolina and Patti Blake of Muncie; four step-great-grandchildren, Damon Prince, MaKenna Storms, Jacob Lane and Aryia Storms; a great aunt, Betty Newkirk of Dunreith; several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews Tiffany White, Bryce Roop, Austin Linville and Brooke Linville.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, James "Jim" Linville; and her mother- and father-in-law, Allie and Endie Pitts.
Funeral services are at noon Thursday, May 20, at Sproles Family Funeral Home with Revs. Charles Dugger and Tony Piper officiating. Burial will follow at Dunreith Cemetery. Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grand Avenue Baptist Church in New Castle.
Almeda E. Burton
October 15, 1916 - May 14, 2010
Almeda E. Burton, 93, of Knightstown, died May 14 at Henry County Memorial Hospital in New Castle.
She was born Oct. 15, 1916, in Rushville, a daughter of the late David and Alice (McKee) Gorman.
Mrs. Burton was a homemaker and a member of Knightstown First Christian Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Sue (husband, John) Bryson of New Castle, Nancy (husband, Ken) Foertsch of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Debi Burton of Knightstown; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William V. Burton; one son; one daughter; six brothers; and two sisters.
Funeral services were May 18 at Todd Funeral Home in Knightstown with Rev. Richard Thayer officiating. Burial followed at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown. Visitation was May 18 at the funeral home.
Helen J. Gibson
January 9, 1937 - May 24, 2010
Helen J. Gibson, 73, of New Castle, died May 24 at her home.
She was born Jan. 9, 1937, in Cumberland Co., Ky., a daughter of the late Willie G. and Cora E. (Rhoades) Spears.
Mrs. Gibson retired from Jefferson Smurfit Corporation, formerly Container Corporation, in 1999 after 19 years of service. She was recently employed as a receptionist at Futuristic Hair Care. A member of Cross Road Church and Women of Worth, Mrs. Gibson was a former Red Hat Society member. She enjoyed church activities, traveling, dancing and spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include five children, Gary Wages of Pendleton, Trish Wages DeVaney of Greenwood, Pamela (husband, Brian) Johnson of Muncie, Carla (husband, David) Wages Hardwick of New Castle and Shawn (husband, Ken) Lahey of Wilkinson; a stepson, Mark Solomon of San Diego, Calif.; a step daughter, Karen Stevens of South Carolina; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bertie (husband, Charles) Darling of Kennard and Lenora Hart of Scottsville, Ky.; a sister-in-law, Suzie Spears of Scottsville, Ky.; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Waymon Spears; and stepson David Solomon.
Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 27, at Cross Road Church with Pastor Danny Douglas officiating. Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, at Sproles Family Funeral Home in New Castle and one hour prior to services at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cross Road Church.
Patricia L. Dennis
September 23, 1940 - May 22, 2010
Patricia L. Dennis, 69, of Noblesville, died May 22 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.
She was born Sept. 23, 1940, in Shelbyville, a daughter of the late Charles Wayne Wilkins and Rosella M. (Donica) Margason.
Mrs. Dennis was a legal secretary for Benesch-Dann Pecar for over 20 years. She was a member of the American Legion in Indianapolis and the United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Wes (wife, Cara) Dennis of Muncie and Craig (wife, Michelle) Dennis of Cartersville, Ga.; two grandsons, Wesley and Cameron Dennis of Muncie; a sister, Donna (husband, Donnie) Graham of Wintersville, Ohio; and two nieces, Kim and Jennifer.
Funeral services are at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 27 at Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson with Pastor Rusty Clements officiating. Burial will follow at Harlan Cemetery in Wilkinson. Visitation is 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Boy Scout Troop 1, in care of Wes Dennis.
Robert E. Lee Coomer
October 17, 1920 - June 5, 2010
Robert E. Lee Coomer, 89, of Wilkinson, died June 5 in Anderson.
He was born Oct. 17, 1920, in Monticello, Ky., a son of the late Robert Henderson Coomer and Minnie (Burris) Coomer.
Mr. Coomer enjoyed farming and was an avid coon hunter. He worked at Swindell Farm Equipment for several years. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II.
Survivors include five sons, Robert E. Lee Coomer, Jr., of Martinsville, Jimmie Coomer of Greenfield, Wayne Coomer of Russell Springs, Ky., Hughie Coomer of Knightstown and Doug Coomer of Shirley; five daughters, Patricia Porter of Wilkinson, Barbara Simmons of New Castle, Kathy Branscum of Wilkinson, Judy Morrison of Indianapolis and Donna Findlay of Anderson; 18 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Letha Myrtle Coomer; two brothers; and two sisters.
Funeral services are at 12 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, at McCray Cemetery in Wilkinson with full military graveside rites conducted by Knightstown American Legion Post 152. Arrangements are being handled by Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson.
James W. Beach
June 15, 1944 - May 29, 2010
James W. Beach, 65, of Knightstown, died May 29 at his home.
He was born June 14, 1944, in Simpson County, Ky., a son of William E. Beach and the late Velma E. (Bogole) Beach.
Mr. Beach was a member of the Elks Lodge in West Plains, Mo. for several years. He owned and operated two A&W Root Beer restaurants, a Mobile service station in Plymouth, Mich., and an industrial cleaning business for several years. He also owned a janitorial cleaning service in Nashville, Tenn., and was contracted by Dollar General stores and properties.
Survivors include his father, William E. Beach of Knightstown; six children, Angela Beach, Lisa Yates, Jody Nausse, Carl Beach, Jennifer York and Jessica McClain; 10 grandchildren; two sisters, Patricia (husband, Rick) Booher and Margaret Cross, all of Knightstown; three brothers, Dan Ray (wife, Kitty) Beach of Danville, Eldon T. (wife, Carol) Beach of Martinsville and Michael (wife, Tamarie) Beach of Beech Grove; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Denise Beach.
Funeral services are at 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, at the Elks Lodge, 1010 S. Josephine St., Martinsville. Arrangements are being handled by Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in Knightstown.
Nona Bazzell
September 24, 1949 - April 25, 2010
Nona (Grigson) Bazzell, 60, of Panama City, Fla., died April 25.
She was born Sept. 24, 1949.
She attended Knightstown High School and moved to Panama City in 1980. Her friends in Florida called her "karaoke queen" because she operated the karaoke event at Blue Waters Lounge every Friday night for five years.
Survivors include a daughter, Misty Burton Pope of Daytona, Fla.; two grandchildren, April Broadhurst and Jessup Burton; a brother, George (wife, Patricia) Grigson; and two nieces, Gwyn (husband, Derek) Bogue and Lindsay (husband, Andrew) McCauley, all of New Castle.
