Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992
Helen Louise Plank
August 31, 1920 – May 13, 2011
Helen Louise (Hubler) Plank, 90, died May 13 at Golden Living Center at Brandywine in Greenfield.
She was born Aug. 31, 1920, in Braffetsville, Ohio, the daughter of the late Ralph and Maude (McKinney) Hubler.
Mrs. Plank graduated from New Madison High School in Ohio. She worked as a manager for Betty Brite Dry Cleaners in Indianapolis for many years. She was a member of Knightstown Christian Church, where she taught Sunday school, and was a deaconess for Agape Christian Church, where she was involved in the women’s group and worked with the youth. Mrs. Plank was a 4-H and Girl Scouts leader, a volunteer EMT for Buck Creek Township Fire Department, a member of the Hancock County Home Ec Club and a women’s leader of Farm Bureau. She served on the state highway safety committee, volunteered for the Pan Am Games and was an honorary member of the ladies auxiliary in New Madison, Ohio. Mrs. Plank enjoyed gardening, traveling throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. She collected baskets and ceramic chickens. She was known as a loving family member and a faithful church member.
Survivors include her daughter, Deanna "Dee" (husband, Walter) Steely of Amelia, Ohio; sons Terry (wife, Pat) Plank of Danville, Jack (wife, Linda) Plank of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Tim (wife, Sandy) Plank of McCordsville; siblings Jim (wife, Daisy) Hubler of Tennessee, Colleen (husband, Bill) Brickler of Ohio, Joan Parks of Texas, Norma Gettinger of Indiana and Carol Brown of Arkansas; grandchildren Krista, Josh, Ashley, Mike, David, Heather, Melody and Effie Jo; three great-grandchildren, Colton, Shailynn and Brody; two step-grandchildren, Ritch and Stacy; and three step-great-grandchildren, Conner, Mikala and Kaci.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bufford "Dutch" Plank; her daughter-in-law, Debbie Plank; and siblings Murl Hubler, Frank Hubler, Dorothy Ray, Evelyn Frey, Bobby Hubler and Don Hubler.
Visitation was May 17 and funeral services were May 18, both at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. Burial followed at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Debra L. Plank Scholarship Fund, c/o Erlewein Mortuary, 1484 W. US 40, Greenfield, IN 46140.
Kenneth I. Stearns
February 5, 1935 – May 12, 2011
Kenneth I. Stearns, 76, of Knightstown, died May 12 at Hancock County Hospital.
He was born Feb. 5, 1935, the son of the late Ezra and Beartha M. (Renfro) Stearns.
Mr. Stearns owned and operated Stearns Constructions beginning in 1952. He was a member of Knightstown United Methodist Church and Independent Order of Oddfellows Lodge.
He served on the Knightstown Area Planning Commission and Knightstown Board of Zoning Appeals.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia (Roberts); two sons, Kenneth Jr. (wife, Anna) and Jay (wife, Linda) of Knightstown; four daughters, Judy (husband, Bill) Golightly of San Antonio, Texas, Vicky (husband, Rocky) Reece of Knightstown, Terry (husband, Marlin) Moore of Rushville, Dotty (husband, Bill) Schneider of Flint, Mich.; three brothers, Clifford Stearns of Connersville, David (wife, Lee) Stearns of Mobile, Ala. and Mike (wife, Mary) Stearns of Grand Rapids, Mich.; two sisters, Virginia (husband, Harrold) Rihm of Sun City, Fla., and Ann (husband, Jan) Wright of New Castle.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Jeff Stearns, Sr.; one grandson, Joseph; one sister, Betty Bence; and one brother, Doug Stearns.
Visitation was May 15 and funeral services were May 16 at Todd Funeral Home in Knightstown. Burial followed in Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown.
Beverly Watters
July 17, 1948 – May 8, 2011
Beverly "Bev" Watters, 62, of Indianapolis, died May 8 at her home.
She was born July 17, 1948, the daughter of the late Guy Leroy and Marcile O. (Buchanan) May.
Ms. Watters grew up on a farm south of Lewisville. She attended Raleigh School and graduated from Lewisville High School in 1966. She was a homemaker and had worked at Chrysler in New Castle and RCA in Indianapolis. She was member of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include one son, Ryan M. (wife, Nisa) Wilson of Beirut, Lebanon; one granddaughter, Ismat Wilson; a brother, Jack L. (wife, Pat) May of Blandon, Pa.; and an aunt, Pat Copeland of Knightstown.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Ellen Marlene Graham.
Funeral services were May 14 at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church with Rev. Peter Zinn officiating. Burial followed in Ebenezer Cemetery. Marshall and Erlewein Funeral Home of Lewisville was in charge of arrangements.
William F. Mefford
April 13, 1962 – May 21, 2011
William "Willie" F. Mefford, 49, of Knightstown, died May 21 at St. John’s Health System in Anderson.
He was born April 13, 1962 in Maysville, Ky., the son of William C. Thomas Mefford and Violet Clay.
Mr. Mefford was employed by Comcast Communications as a technician, where he had worked for over 20 years. He had owned and operated Mefford Racing for many years, racing mini stocks before racing late models. He raced at Winchester and Anderson Speedways, and at Mt. Lawn Speedway, among others. He enjoyed playing golf, camping and traveling to the Smokey Mountains. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family time in general.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy (Williams) Mefford of Knightstown; five children, Brandon (wife, Margaret) Mefford of Spiceland, Nicole Mefford of Knightstown, Brittany Williams of Knightstown, Justin Mefford of Dunreith and William Christopher Mefford of Knightstown; five grandchildren, Hannah Mefford, Gracie Elliott, Kaleigh Williams, Aaron Mefford and Jacob Williams; his mother, Violet Clay of Greenfield; a brother, Jeff (wife, Debra) Mefford of New Castle; a sister, Rita (husband, Bill) Overman of Greenfield; brothers and sisters-in-law, Linda (husband, Eugene) Sells of New Castle, Margie (husband, Donald) Strunk of Ohio, Larry Williams of Kentucky, Bob (wife, Jeania) Williams of Ohio and Angie (husband, Jason) Zentz of Mt. Summit; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father; his in-laws, Ray and Myrtie Williams; a niece, Rebecca Cook; his paternal grandparents, Otis and Odie Mefford; and his maternal grandparents, Forest and Bertha Steward.
Visitation is May 25 from 12-8 p.m. at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Funeral services are May 26 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Doug Stroud officiating. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery West Lawn Addition.
Memorial contributions may be made to Riley Children’s Hospital, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202 or Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 East 56th Street 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022.
Thelma V. Bundy
July 3, 1916 - May 24, 2011
Thelma V. (Stephens) Bundy, 94, of New Castle, formerly of Knightstown, died May 24 at Heritage House Nursing Home in New Castle.
She was born July 3, 1916, in Connersville, a daughter of the late Edward and Minola Stephens.
Mrs. Bundy was a member of Knightstown United Methodist Church and a longtime employee of Indiana Knitwear in Greenfield. Survivors include a stepdaughter, Sue (husband, Kenneth) Buckley of Knightstown; a grandson, Mark (wife, Tina) Buckley of Knightstown; and two great-grandchildren, Kyle Buckley of Knightstown and Kelsey Buckley of New Castle.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence O. Bundy; and several brothers and sisters.
Funeral services are at 2 p.m. Friday, May 27, at Todd Funeral Home in Knightstown. Visitation is from noon until time of services on May 27. Burial will follow at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown.
Earl M. Brown Jr.
February 24, 1953 – May 28, 2011
Earl M. Brown Jr., 58, of New Castle, died May 28 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.
He was born Feb. 24, 1953, a son of the late Earl M. and Isabelle (Dishman) Brown.
A lifelong New Castle resident, Mr. Brown graduated from New Castle Chrysler High School in 1971. He worked in the building trades and was a self-employed carpenter, specializing in home remodel and repair. He held a private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying out of New Castle Airport. He liked to fish and play chess.
Survivors include one sister, Tonekka (husband, Ron) Brown-Hall of Cicero; his former wife, Cynthia "Cindy" Brown of Muncie; and two nieces, Marnye Hall and Embere Henningsen-Hall.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. on June 1 at Marshall and Erlewein Funeral Home in Lewisville. Funeral services are June 2 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Marion L. Hickman officiating. Burial will follow at Lewisville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Liver Foundation, 39 Broadway, Suite 2700, New York, NY 10006.
Dora Clay
October 4, 1915 – May 25, 2011
Dora Clay, 95, of Grayson, Ky., formerly of New Hebron, Ill., Knightstown and Carthage, died May 25.
She was born Oct. 4, 1915, in Jackson, Ky., a daughter of the late Elijah and Tressie (New) Clay.
Mrs. Clay retired from Western Electric after 25 years of assembly work and was also a homemaker. She was a member of New Hebron, Ill. Independent Baptist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Jessie (husband, Wilbur) Keesling; a son, Rev. Jack (wife, Mary Ann) Clay; a sister, Rose Strong of Grayson, Ky.; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ollie Clay; sisters Cora Howard, Pearl Stevens and Lillian Watts; brothers Sol, Willie, Alec, Lange, Woodrow, Jim and Coolige Clay; and a granddaughter, Terry Keesling.
Visitation and funeral services were May 28 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service Knightstown Chapel with Rev. Jack Clay officiating. Burial followed at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown.
