Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992
James H. Wells
September 15, 1923 - December 6, 2009
James H. Wells, 86, died Dec. 6 in Shirley. He was born Sept. 15, 1923, in French Lick, a son of the late James Wells and Alphia (Pleasant) Wells.
Mr. Wells retired from the Carthage Box Company in 1986. He was a member of Knightstown United Methodist Church and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was also a member of the Lions Club, Rushville American Legion and was a 32nd degree Mason. An avid sportsman, Mr. Wells enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf.
Survivors include a daughter, Deb (husband, Steve) Hickey of Shirley; three grandsons, Matthew (wife, Megan) Hickey of Shelbyville, James (wife, Erin) Hickey of Yorktown and Samuel (wife, Shannon) Hickey of Martinsville; and one great-granddaughter, Gracie Hickey.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Wells.
Funeral services were Dec. 8 at Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson with Bill Roberts officiating.
Military rites were conducted by the Knightstown American Legion Post 152 Honor Guard. Visitation was Dec. 8 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hancock County Hospice Foundation, 801 N. State St., Greenfield.
Douglas Stearns
February 26, 1929 - November 13, 2009
Douglas Stearns, 80, of rural Greenfield, died Nov. 13 at Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield.
He was born Feb. 26, 1929, in Knightstown, a son of the late Ezra and Bertha (Renfro) Stearns.
Mr. Stearns served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked at Meridian Insurance for 40 years, retiring in 1991. Mr. Stearns enjoyed spending time in Gulf Shores, Ala., working part-time at Arrowhead Golf Course and spending time with friends and family.
Survivors include a daughter, Beverly (husband, Duncan) Giles; a granddaughter, Madison Giles of Indianapolis; two sisters, Virginia (husband, Harold) Rihm and Ann (husband, Jan) Wright; four brothers, Kenneth (wife, Virginia) Stearns, Clifford (wife, Sue) Stearns, Mike (wife, Mary) Stearns and David (wife, Lee) Stearns; two sisters-in-law, Ethel Drager and Nina Mantock; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy (Fry) Stearns; and a sister, Betty Bence.
Funeral services were Nov. 19 at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield with Pastor Sally Dickerson officiating.
Burial followed at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown. Visitation was Nov. 18 at the funeral home.
Freddie K. Ray
April 10, 1931 - November 26, 2009
Freddie K. Ray, 78, of Shirley, died Nov. 26 at St. Vincent Seton Hospital in Indianapolis.
He was born April 10, 1931, in Muncie, a son of the late Floyd and Libby (Garner) Ray.
Mr. Ray served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He retired from Indiana Bell (Ameritech) after 31 years of service. He was a member of Telecom Pioneers, Eagles club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Honor Guard, and he served as vice president of Shirley Senior Citizens.
Survivors include his wife, June (Pitts) Ray of Shirley; a daughter, Sheila Rodgers of New Castle; two sons, Rick Ray and David Van Norman, both of Muncie; two stepsons, Jerry (wife, Char) Pitts and Kelly Pitts, both of California; a stepdaughter, Jan Pitts of Indianapolis; a sister, Naoma (husband, Joseph) Elliott of Muncie; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Magdalene; and a son, Patrick Ray.
Visitation was Dec. 1 at Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson. Military graveside rites were conducted by Knightstown American Legion Post 152 at McCray Cemetery in Wilkinson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Knightstown American Legion Post 152 Honor Guard.
Justine L. Cooper
October 18, 1914 - November 27, 2009
Justine L. Cooper, 95, formerly of Knightstown, died Nov. 27 at Franklin United Methodist Community.
She was born Oct. 18, 1914, in Fayette County, a daughter of the late Albert and Margaret (McKee) May.
Mrs. Cooper was a lab technician at Eli Lilly in Greenfield for several years. She was a member of Psi Iota Xi sorority, the Fort Nightly Women’s Group and First Christian Church of Knightstown. Mrs. Cooper was a 1932 Orange High School graduate who enjoyed quilting, knitting, sewing, cooking, gardening and music.
Survivors include two sons, Jack L. (wife, Mary Ann) Cooper of McClean, Va., and Jerry L. (wife, Mary Jo) Cooper of Ocala, Fla.; a daughter, Lisa (husband, Jim) Browning of Franklin; four grandchildren, Claudia Miller of Reston, Va., Jerry L. Jr. (wife, Darlene) Cooper of Huntsville, Ala., Jeremy (wife, Patty) Howard of Knightstown and Blair (wife, Katie) Howard of Englewood, Ohio; and nine great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell Cooper; two sisters, Isabelle Carson and Dorothy Mohler; and three brothers, E. Paul May, Rolland May and Charles May.
Funeral services are at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at Moster Mortuary in Rushville with Kenton K. Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Orange Cemetery in Fayette County. Visitation was Dec. 1 at the funeral home.
Norman F. Crum
August 20, 1924 - December 18, 2009
Norman F. Crum, 85, of Shelbyville, died Dec. 18 at his home.
He was born Aug. 20, 1924, in Shelby County, a son of the late Merritt and Emma (Pfendler) Crum.
Mr. Crum was a 1942 Moral Township High School graduate. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1949. He was the only Shelby County draftee that year. Mr. Crum served as a field superintendent for E.I. Brown Architectural Co. of Indianapolis for 27 years. He oversaw construction of Weir Cook Airport and many municipal schools. He was a member of the United States Trotting Association. He was interested in horses and he trained and raced standard bred horses. Mr. Crum also participated in many parades with his draft horses pulling wagons he had restored. He also enjoyed playing cards with friends and singing around his player piano.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Crum of Shelbyville; a son, Charlie (wife, Becky) Crum of Shelbyville; three daughters, Judy (husband, Denny) Hurst of Carthage, Pat Willis of Carmel and Linda (husband, Ed) Swickard of Noblesville; a sister, Geneva Scott of Shelbyville; 12 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond M. Crum.
Funeral services will be held at a later time.
Arthur L. Miller, Sr.
January 5, 1916 - December 7, 2009
Arthur L. Miller Sr., 93, of Wilkinson, died Dec. 7 at Rawlins House in Pendleton.
He was born Jan. 5, 1916, in Delaware County, a son of the late George and Mary (Gustin) Miller.
Mr. Miller was a 1933 Daleville High School graduate, who later attended the University of Cincinnati where he majored in electrical engineering. He worked at Champion Paper and Fiber Co. in Hamilton, Ohio, from 1935-1941. Then he worked at Delco Remy in Anderson from 1941-1956. He transferred to Olathe, Kan., then on to Arlington, Tex., where he retired in 1975. Mr. Miller was a past master of Ovid Masonic Lodge. He was also past president of the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Power Engineers.
Survivors include a son, Arthur L. Miller Jr. of Wilkinson; a daughter, Anedra N. (husband, Leon) Duckworth of Fortville; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one great-great-grandchild; and two nieces.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Hartzell; and two brothers, John Miller and Robert Miller.
Funeral services were Dec. 11 at Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson with Pastor Gary Sickle officiating. Visitation was Dec. 10 at the funeral home. Masonic services were provided by Ovid Lodge #164.
Dace E. Riggs
December 7, 1980 - December 7, 2009
Dace E. Riggs, 29, of New Castle, died Dec. 7 at St. Francis Hospital in Indianapolis.
He was born Dec. 7, 1980 in Richmond, a son of Randy E. and Cherene J. (Thalls) Riggs.
A 1999 Eastern Hancock High School graduate, Mr. Riggs enjoyed theater and was a member of the high school drama club. He attended Anderson University for one year, where he also participated in theater. He enjoyed staying in touch with friends on the computer and playing video games. Mr. Riggs’ favorite time of year was Christmas.
Survivors include his father, Randy (wife, Kathi) Riggs of Morristown; his mother, Cherene "Jody" Riggs of New Castle; a sister, Lacey Jo Riggs of New Castle; two stepsisters, Karri (husband, Derek) Brown of Morristown and Tarra (husband, Sean) Youngclaus of Greenfield; one niece; three nephews; a step-grandmother, Pat Anderson of Morristown; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Jack and Edna Mae Thalls; and his paternal grandparents, Jesse and Reba Riggs.
Funeral services were Dec. 12 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in Knightstown with Chaplain Sarah Ellis officiating. Burial followed at West Lawn Cemetery in Hagerstown. Visitation was Dec. 11 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dace E. Riggs Memorial Fund, c/o Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, 7355 S. State Road 109, Knightstown.
