Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992
Alice Coomer
August 31, 1957 – August 31, 2011
Alice Coomer, 54, of Shirley died Aug. 31 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.
She was born Aug. 31, 1957, in Tampa, Fla., a daughter of Virginia A. Wilt and the late Ralph T. Wilt, Sr.
Ms. Coomer was employed by Ball Memorial Hospital as a respiratory therapist for 17 years and was a member of the Friends Church in Shirley.
Survivors include her mother; a daughter, Stacey (husband, Brad) Coomer of Carthage; a son, Dustin Coomer of Shirley; three sisters, Margaret (husband, Burl) Philyaw of North Caroline, Thelma (husband, Mark) Lamaster of Noblesville and Mary Jane (husband, Kevin) Green of Munster; two brothers, Ralph (wife, Lori) Wilt of Charlottesville and Albert (wife, Mary) Wilt of New Castle; three grandchildren, Macey Denger, Jarrett Magee and Kelton Magee, all of Carthage; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Tutrow; and a daughter, Lori Tutrow.
Visitation was Sept. 6 and funeral services were Sept. 7 at Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson with Pastor Jim Jackson officiating. Burial followed at McCray Cemetery in Wilkinson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cystic Foundation Indiana Chapter, 1261 W. 86th St. Suite E-2, Indianapolis, IN 46260.
Denise Sue Kern
July 5, 1961 - August 22, 2011
Denise Sue (Owens) Kern, 50, formerly of Knightstown, died Aug. 22 in Burlington, Vt.
She was a daughter of the late Rex and Thelma Owens.
Ms. Kern was well known in Knightstown. For years, she worked at the license branch. She designed and owned her own genealogy website and enjoyed sharing history with her family. She was an avid IU basketball fan and enjoyed her three dogs. She also enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Survivors include her husband, Norman; a sister, Deidre Powers of Knightstown; sister-in-law Karen Owens of Leesburg; nephews Matthew Owens, Jonathan Owens and Ryan Patton; nieces Tiffany Owens Massela and Emily Patton; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, David; sister Debbie; and her grandparents.
Burial will take place in Vermont. A memorial service will be held Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. at Christ Fellowship Church, 4833 S. State Road 109, Knightstown.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Obituary information submitted by Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in Knightstown.
Rufus K. Adkins
September 1, 1922 - September 12, 2011
Rufus K. Adkins, 89, of Greensboro, died Sept. 12 at Hickory Creek nursing home in New Castle.
He was born Sept. 1, 1922, in Upper Tygart, Ky., a son of the late Elliott and Dicie (Hill) Adkins.
Mr. Adkins lived in Greensboro since the mid-1960s. He retired from Chrysler Corporation in 1978 after 31 years of service as a set-up man. Mr. Adkins also farmed and was a World War II U.S. Army veteran. He served in the European Theater, earning a Purple Heart. Mr. Adkins was a member of Knightstown American Legion Post 152. He formerly attended North 14th Street Church of God in New Castle. Mr. Adkins enjoyed hunting and was an avid coon hunter.
Survivors include five children, Barbara (husband, Donald, Sr.) Dalton of Greensboro, Marvin (wife, Cindy) Adkins of Knightstown, Larry (wife, Mary) Adkins of Greensboro, Gary Adkins of Monticello, Ky., and Marlena (husband, Dennis) Adkins of Knightstown; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Delcie Mae Adkins; a son, Danny Ray Adkins; a grandson, Christopher Adkins; a great-grandson, Charles Adkins; and eight brothers and sisters, Vinnie Hill, Anthony Adkins, Russell Adkins, Hobert Adkins, William Adkins, Raymond Adkins, Okie Adkins and Lillian Adkins.
Funeral services are at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in Knightstown with Rev. Elwood Evans officiating. Burial will follow at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown. Visitation is Friday, Sept. 16, from 1 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home. Military graveside rites will be conducted by Knightstown American Legion Post 152.
Olla Kay Mummert
January 9, 1952 – September 11, 2011
Olla Kay Mummert, 59, of Carthage, died Sept. 11 at her home.
She was born Jan. 9, 1952, in Rushville, a daughter of the late John and Jose (Fletcher) Wilson.
Mrs. Mummert had worked at Rush Memorial Hospital in the dietary department, but had been a homemaker for the last several years. She was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Rushville.
Survivors include her husband, Tom Mummert; two daughters, Debra Jones-Browning (husband, Steve) and Christina Miller, both of Rushville; one brother; four sisters; six step-children; and five grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Louis Franklin Frazee II.
Graveside services will be held at East Hill Cemetery in Rushville on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Jeff Edwards officiating. Todd Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sheehan Cancer Center, 1300 N. Main St., Rushville, IN 46173.
Ronald Kent "Ronny" Elliott
June 15, 1936 – September 18, 2011
Ronald Kent "Ronny" Elliott, 75, of Knightstown, died Sept. 18 at Henry County Hospital.
He was born June 15, 1936, in Knightstown, a son of the late Freeman and Corrine (Pettit) Elliott.
Mr. Elliott was a lifelong resident of Knightstown and had served on the Knightstown Town Council. He graduated from Knightstown High School in 1954. He retired from Chrysler Corporation in 1991 after 37 years of service. He was a member of Knightstown Christian Church, where he had served as a deacon. He was a former member of the Eagles Lodge at New Castle. Mr. Elliott enjoyed cutting wood, playing cards and golfing. He also enjoyed bowling and traveling to Chicago for tourneys. Following retirement, he restored his 1955 Chevy. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include five daughters, Cindy (husband, Marvin) Rees of Glenwood, Cynthia (husband, Mike) Gasper of Westport, Rhonda (husband, Anthony) Tompkins of Shirley, Melissa Elliott and Natalie Elliott, both of Knightstown; a son, Kevin (wife, Pam) Elliott of Ogden; 13 grandchildren, Brad Elliott of Shirley, Jessica (husband, David) Raynard of Indianapolis, Britney Tompkins of Lewisville, Paul Gasper of Westport, Krista (husband, Randy) Gilbert of Anderson, Katie Tompkins of Greenfield, Corrine Rees of Glenwood, Jake Tompkins of Shirley, Loys Rees of Glenwood, Abby Moles of Knightstown, Cordell Dickerson of New Castle, Solomon Rees of Glenwood and Gavin Elliott of Knightstown; two great-grandchildren, Sierra Gilbert of Anderson and Waylon Key of Greenfield; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Erma E. (McRoberts) Elliott; and a brother, Freeman DeWayne "Dee" Elliott.
Visitation is Sept. 21 from 4-8 p.m. and funeral services are Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in Knightstown with Richard Thayer officiating. Burial will follow at Glen Cove Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Knightstown Christian Church, Henry County Hospice or American Heart Association.
Richard L. Leakey
January, 16, 1936 - September 13, 2011
Richard L. "Dick" Leakey, 75, of Knightstown, died Sept. 13 at Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield.
He was born Jan. 16, 1936, a son of the late Oris and Naomi (Garriott) Leakey.
Mr. Leakey was a 1954 Knightstown High School graduate. He attended and played basketball for Purdue University for one year before entering the U.S. Army. Mr. Leakey served in Korea and played for the Army All-Stars basketball team. After his discharge from the Army, he attended the University of Arizona, where he also played basketball. Mr. Leakey was a member of Rushville Elks Lodge #1307, and a former member of Knightstown’s Golden Rule Masonic lodge. A former Shriner, he was a member of the Murat Temple in Indianapolis.
Survivors include his wife, Jane (Brooks) Leakey of Knightstown; four sons, Rick (wife, Patti) O’Neal of Michigan, David (wife, Beth) O’Neal of Indianapolis, Joe (wife, Peg) O’Neal of Kentucky and Chad (wife, Emily) Leakey of Knightstown; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister.
Visitation was Sept. 17 at Todd Funeral Home in Knightstown.
Diana Closser
June 22, 1961 – October 7, 2011
Diana Closser, 50, died Oct. 7 in Las Vegas, N.M.
She was born June 22, 1961, in Sacramento, Calif., a daughter of Bob and Carol (Conard) Closser.
She attended Knightstown High School in 1980. Ms. Closser was known for her edgy sense of humor, her distrust of the government and her passion for her animals. She enjoyed spending time with her grandmother and her cousins in Wilkinson.
Survivors include her parents, of Carthage; sisters Tammy Steeves of Wilton, Calif, Darla Graham of San Diego, Calif., Karalene Closser of Clear Lake, Calif., and Kathy Hadley of Crockett, Calif; brothers Tim Meeker of Dallas, Texas, Dan Meeker of La Jolla, Calif., Richard Closser of Bloomfield and Jeff Meeker of Greenfield; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A graveside service will be held at McCray Cemetery in Wilkinson on Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson is handling the arrangements.
