LaVern Heller
Chandler resident LaVern A. Heller died Saturday, July 31 at the St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville. He was 86.
LaVern was a WWII U.S. Army veteran serving in New Guinea. He farmed in Nebraska before working for 20 years as a foreman for the Erie County, N.Y., Highway Dept.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Elvera Foote; and two wives, Althea and Alma.
LaVern is survived by three sons, Rodney D. Heller of Chandler, Larry Heller of Norfolk, Neb., and Myron Heller of Ester, Alaska; six grandchildren; one step-grandchild; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Sylvia Abell of Cedar Bluff, Neb.; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 3, with memorial services by the Warrick County Veterans Memorial Service, at Koehler Funeral Home-Perigo Chapel in Chandler. Burial will be in Nebraska at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Care Hospice.
Rita Behagg
Boonville resident Rita (Hurm) Behagg died Sunday, Aug. 1 while camping with her family. She was 59.
Rita was a 1962 graduate of Boonville High School, where she was Valedictorian of her class. She then extended her education at the University of Wisconsin Madison.
Rita was Vice-President of People's Trust and Savings Bank in Boonville, where she was employed for 41 years. She was a member of the St. Clement Catholic Church in Boonville. Rita's family was her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Esther (Keil) Hurm; and a brother, Robert E. Hurm.
Rita is survived by her husband of 39 years, Carl Behagg of Boonville; two sons, Bob Behagg of Avon, Minn., and Jim Behagg of Corydon; one daughter, Kris Reese of Newburgh; three sisters, Betty Hack of Boonville, Linda Wilz of Jasper and Pam Miller of Boonville; six grandchildren, Jordon, Libby and Logan Behagg, Noah Reese, and Hope and Ashley Behagg; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 9:45 a.m. at Bradley's Colonial Chapel in Boonville, continued at 10 a.m. at the St. Clement Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Midway Cemetery in Midway. Father Lowell Will will officiate. A rosary was said Tuesday night. Friends may call from 8 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions in memory of Rita may be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital.
James Devin Arthur
PRINCETON - James Devin Arthur, age 94, of Princeton, died at 12:40 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, 2004, at the Gibson General Hospital in Princeton.
He was born July 26, 1910 in Francisco. He was a retired printer at Standard Printing Co. in Princeton, where he had worked for 50 years.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. Bassett in the Pacific, which rescued many of the survivors who served on the U.S.S. Indianapolis.
He had lived in Princeton since 1956, moving there from Patoka. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Princeton, where he served as an Elder.
He was a 50-year member of the Columbia Lodge No. 450 F.&A.M. in Patoka. He was a recipient of the 33rd Masonic Degree, the highest award you can receive in the Masonic Order. He was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter No. 281 in Patoka, the Royal Arch Chapter Council and Commandry, the K.Y.C.H. in the York Rite, Scottish Rite in Evansville, a life member of the V.F.W. Post 1147 and a member of the American Legion Post 25.
He was a former member of the Gibson General Hospital Board of Directors. He had served on the Board of Directors of the former Patoka National Bank, where he also served as Bank President.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Margaret Fern Arthur of Princeton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Joan Fern and Noah Shouse of Kokomo and Janet and Marcus Petty of Silver Springs, Fla.; five grandchildren, Phyllis Crow of Ft. Myers, Fla., Richard D. Rogerson of Brookston, Eric Petty and Ralph Petty of California and Ted Petty of Orlando, Fla.; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin Luther and Essie Mae (Devin) Arthur; five sisters; and two grandchildren, Brent Arthur Petty and Gloria Jane Rogerson.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Colvin Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made at the First Presbyterian Church or to a favorite charity.
Linda D. Otahal
Linda D. Otahal, age 52, of Huntingburg, formerly of Princeton, died at 8:20 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville from cancer.
She was born March 9, 1952, in Elgin, Ill., to Glenn and Joan (Johnson) Glover. She was a graduate of Barrington High School and attended Harper College, majoring in fine arts.
She was united in marriage to Gerald F. Otahal on Feb. 14, 1974.
She and her husband resided in Princeton from 1985 to 2000. They were both very active in the community.
Linda was an active member of First Baptist Church in Huntingburg, where she served as church treasurer, Sunday school teacher, choir member and discipleship trainer.
She was enrolled in the Moody Bible Institute's home study program. She was a certified instructor for Crown Financial Ministries, as well as a trained volunteer for Prison Fellowship Ministries.
She was a member of the advisory board and a certified counselor. She was a member of the advisory board and a certified counselor at the Dubois County Center for Women's Ministry in Huntingburg.
She was an accomplished photographer and a great cook.
She was preceded in death by her father, Glenn Glover of Barrington, Ill.; by her mother, Joan Glover Conyers of New Harmony; and by her brother, Glenn Glover Jr. of Elberfeld.
She is survived by her husband, Gerald F. Otahal of Huntingburg; two daughters, Mrs. Mike (Harmony) Gratzer of Princeton and Mrs. Michael (Bethany) Wilhite of Huntingburg; two sisters, Ms. Dorothy Glover of Mt. Vernon and Mrs. Julie Carroll of Carmi, Ill.; as well as nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Linda Otahal will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004, at the First Baptist Church of Huntingburg, which is located at 326 N. Geiger St. at the corner of Fourth and Geiger streets in downtown Huntingburg. A lunch will be served at noon in the church's fellowship room prior to the funeral service. The Rev. Paul Wellinghoff of Evansville will lead the services and the Rev. James Carroll of Olive Hill, Ky., will bring a message from God's Word. Burial will follow in the Maple Hill Cemetery in New Harmony.
Friends may call for visitation at the Nass and Son Funeral Home in Huntingburg from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday and at the First Baptist Church of Huntingburg from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, the day of the funeral service.
John W. "Lawnmower" Lawn Sr.
PRINCETON - John Wesley "Lawnmower" Lawn Sr., 47, Princeton, died at 1:03 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004, in an accident on Ind. 64 East.
He was born in Stuttgart, Germany, Aug. 30, 1956. He lived in Princeton most of his life, graduating from Princeton Community High School in 1974. Self-employed, he served in the U.S. Navy, and formerly attended the Princeton Church of Christ.
Surviving are his wife Jeannie; son John Wesley Lawn Jr. of Princeton; daughter and son-in-law Amy Jo and Clint Murphy of Princeton; mother, Renate Tismer of Princeton; grandchildren Megan, Zachary and Jesse Murphy; two brothers, Randy Dearing and Michael Frinken, both of Princeton; sisters Jackie Hood of Missouri, Elizabeth Masters of Princeton, Uschi and Susan of Princeton and Marion, Sabrina, Nancy and Gabe, all of Germany.
He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Saturday at Colvin Funeral Home of Princeton, Rev. Larry Meadows officiating. Burial will be at Columbia General Baptist (White Church) Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-8 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. until funeral hour Saturday.
Memorial contributions ma be made to the John Wesley Lawn Sr. Memorial Fund. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Etoile E. "Billie" Lindy
Etoile E. "Billie" Lindy, 85, died Thursday, Aug. 26 2004, at 11:15 a.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes. She was born in Gibson County on April 1, 1919.
She was a homemaker, and she lived in Haubstadt after coming from Patoka.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Oral and Leola May "Finnie" Jones; and her husband, Eugene Lindy.
Survivors include seven children, David Fisher of Gary, Judy Smith of Evansville, Carolyn Dreiman of Vincennes, Roberta Hedge of Eugene, Ore., Robert Lindy of Patoka, Kathy Buck of Vero Beach, Fla., and Stan Lindy of Evansville; 21 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; and a sister, Maxine Terry of Patoka.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. at Colvin Funeral Home, Pastor Steve Clayton officiating. Burial will be at Hazleton Community Cemetery in Hazleton. Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday at the Colvin Funeral Home.
Eva Grace LaMar
Eva Grace LaMar, 83, died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis. She was born in rural Princeton on Nov. 16, 1920, and was a retired missionary, serving in many different parts of the world.
She lived in Silva, Mo., since 1964 and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Princeton.
She is survived by one sister, Ina Houghtaling of Hazleton; a brother, Ellsworth LaMar of Hazleton; two sisters-in-law, Vickie LaMar of Hazleton and Norma LaMar of Crystal Lake, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hobart and Venus (Turpin) LaMar; two brothers, Lester and Chet LaMar; and a sister, Martha Warner.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Colvin Funeral Home, Rev. David Griesemer officiating. Burial will be in Hazleton Community Cemetery. Friends may call at the Colvin Funeral Home from 4 until 8 p.m. Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Bernard Lewis Mayer
Bernard Lewis Mayer, age 68, of Jacksonville, N.C., died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004, at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, N.C.
Bernie was born in Elgin, Ill., on Feb. 21, 1936, and resided in Newton, Ill., before moving with his family to Princeton. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1954. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and served proudly for 20 years. He was a member and current president of the Richlands Ruritan Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Lela (Cavitt) Mayer of Princeton.
Survivors include his wife of 47-plus years, Susan (Kolb); his son and daughter-in-law, Bernie and Anita Mayer of Ft. Sill, Okla.; his daughter and son-in-law, Jacque and Marty Hollingsworth of Pin Hook, N.C.; grandsons Perry Cole, Brandon Mayer, Denver, Dallas, Jackson and Logan Hollingsworth; his great-granddaughter, Aija Cole; brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Sharon Mayer of Phoenix, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at the Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton with Rev. Tom Stiles officiating. Burial will be in the Decker Cemetery in Patoka. Friends may call at the Colvin Funeral Home Friday from 2 p.m. until service time on Friday. VFW Post 1147 will conduct military graveside services.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types (FIRST), 1601 Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA 19446. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Clarence Sensmeier
Clarence Sensmeier, 95, of Evansville, died Monday, Aug. 30, 2004 at Alterra Sterling House of Evansville.
Clarence owned and operated Sensmeier Feed and Grain in northern Vanderburgh County for 40 years, retiring in 1974. He also raised turkeys, chickens, and farmed in northern Vanderburgh County.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Darmstadt.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Irene E. Sensmeier in 1992.
Clarence is survived by his daughter, Eileen Meyerholtz and her husband, Robert of Evansville; son, Alan Sensmeier and his wife, Barbara of Owensville; grandchildren, Mark Meyerholtz and his wife, Kimberly of Avon; Brad Meyerholtz and his wife, Kimberly of West Lafayette; Rebecca Carter and her husband, David of Louisville, Ky.; Jay Sensmeier and his wife, Jill of Owensville; 11 great grandchildren; brother, Edwin Sensmeier of Evansville; and nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept.2, 2004 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Darmstadt, officiated by Reverend Martin Keller. Friends may call Wednesday, Sept. 1 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Alexander North Chapel and Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Southern Care Hospice or Trinity Lutheran Church in Darmstadt. Condolences may be made online at www.mem.com. Arrangements by Alexander North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Road, Evansville, IN 47711, (812) 428-0102.
Linda S. Miskell
Linda S. Miskell, 64, died Thursday morning, Oct. 14, 2004, at her home in Princeton. She was born in Oakland City on Feb. 5, 1940, and was a homemaker.
She attended Princeton Holiness Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Delouris (Gentry) Cox; and a brother, Paul Cox.
Survivors include her husband, Sherman Miskell of Princeton; five sons, Tom Miskell of Mackey, Jeff Miskell of Boonville, Dave Miskell of Princeton, Gary Miskell of Princeton and Tim Miskell, also of Princeton; two daughters, Theresa Thompson of Princeton and Sharon Douglas of Owensville; 16 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and nine brothers and sisters, Clara, Bill, Jimmy, Bobby and Donny Cox, Georgetta Kozar, Kay Bajzath, Mona Davis and Debbie Hoover.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at Colvin Funeral Home, Rev. Larry Meadows officiating. Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Colvin Funeral Home.
Drew Mason Porter
Drew Mason Porter, 20, of Mt. Carmel died on Oct. 24, 2004, in Wabash County from the results of a motorcycle accident.
He was born on July 28, 1984, in Evansville, the son of Dale and Stephanie Porter and Dana (Mann) and Geoffrey Brown.
Drew graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in May 2002. He loved to ride his motorcycle and lived life to the fullest.
He was a member of Parkview Christian Church and worked full time for T&WA Tire Wheel Assembly in Gibson County.
Surviving are his parents of Mt. Carmel; maternal grandparents, Mary and Charles Jordan, Grayville; paternal grandparents, William E. and Carolyn Porter, Mt. Carmel; brother, Dylan Porter, Mt. Carmel; and step-brother, Justin Dowdy, and step-sister, Melissa Dowdy, both of Mt. Carmel.
Preceding him in death were his maternal grandfather, Robert Mann, and paternal grandmother, Joyce A. Porter.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28, in the chapel of Short Funeral Home, with burial in Highland Memorial Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Carmel Soccer Association.
Kenneth Ray Fortner Sr.
Kenneth Ray Fortner Sr., 67, of Summerfield, Fla., a native of Mt. Carmel, died on Sept. 12, 2004, at Estelle's House, a hospice home in Marion County, Fla., after a long battle with cancer.
Mr. Fortner was a professional in the auto upholstery business. In his younger years, he dove for muscles in the Wabash River. He retired to Summerfield, where he spent his time relaxing and fishing.
Much gratitude goes to the niece and nephew of Mr. Fortner, Mr. and Mrs. Howard and Linda Knapp of Summerfield. They opened their hearts and home to Mr. Fortner and his daughter in a time of great need. Their generosity will never be forgotten.
Survivors include a daughter, Karen L. Fortner, Mt. Carmel; grandson, James M. D. Fortner, Kingsburg, Ill.; son, Kenneth R. Fortner Jr., Talmadge, Ohio; brother, Clayborn Fortner, Princeton; sisters, Charlotte Reed, Francisco, Ind., Goldie Perry, Mt. Carmel, DeElla Thompson, Evansville, and Hazel Wininger, Summerfield. Also surviving is ex-wife Margaret Mason, Mt. Carmel.
Beyers Funeral Home, Inc. of Lady Lake, Fla., provided cremation arrangements.
Brandon Meredith
Boonville resident Brandon Tomas Meredith died Friday, Oct. 15 at St. Mary's Warrick Hospital in Boonville. He was 4 months old.
Brandon is survived by his parents, Brandi N. Meredith and Larry E. Miller, both of Boonville; a half-sister, Sarah L. Miller of Boonville; grandparents, Connie and Terry Freeman and Wanda Lee and Gerald Miller, all of Boonville, and Bob and Alice Meredith of Evansville; great-grandparents, Evelyn and Ron Meredith of Evansville, Lucille K. Simpson, Jeanette Miller and Linda and Butch Freeman, all of Boonville, and Jack C. Simpson of Hatfield; and aunts and uncles.
Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 18 at Koehler Funeral Home-Boonville Chapel, with Pastor Jim Ingram officiating. Burial followed in Maple Grove Cemetery in Boonville.
Cleo Kaiser
Newburgh resident Cleo Naomi Kaiser died Monday, Oct. 18 at Angel River Health and Rehab. She was 84.
Naomi was a member of Zion's United Church of Christ in Newburgh, Daughters of American Revolution, and Zion's Women's Guild. She was also a Warrick County 4-H Leader for over 30 years and was a member of Dayville Home Extension Club, DAV and VFW Auxiliaries.
Naomi enjoyed flowers, reading and embroidering quilts.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Sylvester Kaiser, in September 2004.
Naomi is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Wayne A. and Lynne Kaiser of Parkville, Mo.; a daughter, Linda K. Turner of Richmond; four grandchildren, Kevin Turner, Stacey Spencer and her husband, Toby, Christy Kaiser and Sara Kaiser; and a sister, Mildred Brindis of Warren, Pa.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 21 at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, officiated by Pastor Dan Kennedy. Burial followed at St. John's Cemetery in Newburgh.
Memorial contributions may be made to Zion's United Church of Christ Memorial Fund, 10 West 1st Street, Newburgh, IN 47630; or the Vista Care Foundation, 601 Martin Luther King, Evansville, IN 47713.
Kenneth Hames
Newburgh resident Kenneth Ray Hames died Tuesday, Oct. 19 at St. Mary's Medical Center. He was 64.
Kenneth started working at Brake Supply Company in 1966, where he retired in December 2002. He was Salesman of the Year in 1992.
Kenneth was a member of Gateway Baptist Church.
He enjoyed gardening, watching NASCAR (he was a big Jeff Gordon fan), watching Indianapolis Colts football, and deer hunting. Kenneth raced at Chandler Speedway for many years. He was a coach for Newburgh Little League during the 1970s and 1980s and was also a league officer.
Most of all, Kenneth enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren. He loved to ride his Honda ATV with his grandchildren. Kenneth helped many people and was glad to do so. He was a loving and caring man whose kindness, generosity and sense of humor will be missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his infant brother, Wilford Shiver; and brother, Donald Hames.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 42 years, Bevarly (Barth) Hames of Newburgh; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Kevin Ray Hames and Brent and Melissa Hames, all of Newburgh, and Kurt Hames of Hendersonville, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Amber, Mark and Shawn; four sisters, Edna Major and Alice Schroeder, both of Newburgh, Shirley Pace of Evansville and Ruth Gregg of Lafayette; four brothers, Frank Shiver, David Hames and Steve Hames, all of Newburgh, and Ed Hames of Boonville; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 22 at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, officiated by Pastor Derrick Davenport. Burial will take place at a later date at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Newburgh.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation, Riley Hospital for Children or American Cancer Society.
