Born: 1/30/1930
Died: 9/13/2003
Services will be held at: at noon on Friday, Sept. 19th, an interfaith service is planned on the west steps of the Statehouse, where O’Bannon was inaugurated in 1997. Plans are pending for private services in Corydon this weekend. At a later date, O’Bannon’s body will be cremated. The ashes will be interred in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Corydon, in a private ceremony.
Visitation times are: The governor’s official portrait, painted by Michael Chelich of Hammond and unveiled in December 2001, will be displayed in the rotunda along with artifacts significant to O’Bannon’s life. The public will be allowed to file past the display from noon to 10 p.m. Visitors will be invited to write a message or memory about the governor in a memorial book.
"Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch, which I got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as I can before turning it over to future generations." These words were spoken by Governor Frank O'Bannon at his inaugural speech in 1997. Governor Frank O'Bannon died Saturday, Sept. 13th, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, five days after suffering a massive stroke. The two-term governor, who was born Jan. 30, 1930, was 73. O’Bannon, elected Nov. 5, 1996, and Nov. 7, 2000, performed with energy, vision, creativity and compassion. O’Bannon was a tenacious consensus-builder who quietly pressed others to do the right thing for the people of Indiana. His strongest belief about public service, expressed frequently in both public statements and in meetings with his immediate staff, was that elected leaders from both political parties should set aside their differences to work together for the betterment of Indiana. He was a good listener who sought the counsel of others, but never shied from making a decision. He was a gentle and humble man whose windowsill behind his desk bore more pictures of family than of fellow politicians. He firmly believed in open government and the freedom of the press. His optimism and enthusiasm for all things Hoosier never wavered, even under the most trying circumstance of his tenure - the national recession that has pummeled Indiana’s economy for three years. He devoutly believed that his native Indiana was a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family and he regularly exhorted others to spread the word. His greatest achievements are testament to those beliefs. O’Bannon, a Democrat, teamed with Republican Suellen Reed, the superintendent of public instruction, to induce the strangest of political bedfellows to join them on the Education Roundtable, which then tackled the most intractable problems facing public schools. The result is that Indiana children are learning more and Hoosier schools are improving under some of the toughest academic standards in the country and an accountability system to ensure that they are followed. And the cooperation that was born of the Education Roundtable has spread to other policy discussions, laying a foundation to forever make Indiana a better state. In 2002, O’Bannon employed his trademark quiet but persistent leadership to persuade lawmakers from both political parties to restructure the state’s tax system, making it more conducive to job creation, and to extend $1 billion in property tax relief to homeowners, mitigating the effects of a court-ordered reassessment that shifted a significant portion of the tax burden from businesses to homeowners. Earlier this year, he built on the momentum created by tax restructuring and persuaded lawmakers to pass Energize Indiana, the boldest economic development plan ever undertaken in Indiana. Energize Indiana offers an array of incentives, assistance and tax breaks to high-tech businesses, as well as skill assessments and job matching for workers. Its goal was to take advantage of Indiana’s promise in four high-tech economic sectors: the life sciences, advanced manufacturing, information technology and 21st century logistics, or high-tech distribution. In both the 2002 and 2003 legislative sessions, O’Bannon addressed a serious budget deficit but maintained that doing that, and nothing else, did not adequately serve the people of Indiana. And so, unlike any other governor in the nation, the unassuming Hoosier leader simultaneously addressed issues of the moment and those of the future - and fundamentally changed the Indiana economy forever. Of all his many accomplishments, two others also stood out to O’Bannon: creation of the Community College system, which provided a higher education alternative for Hoosiers for whom a four-year college was not a good fit, and movement of people with developmental disabilities from state institutions to less-restrictive community settings. Also during the O’Bannon years, nearly half a million children without health insurance received health care through Hoosier Healthwise and thousands of miles of state highways and local roads were built or repaired. O’Bannon had just 16 months left in his second term, but he shunned the very notion of “lame duck” and had already directed his staff to begin work on his next major project. He fervently wished to return to a subject particularly dear to him - early childhood education. He hoped that, even with budgetary constraints, state government could play a larger role in encouraging new Hoosier parents to stimulate learning in their very young children. Indeed, children, their education and their well-being were O’Bannon’s passion. He sparkled when a young constituent sought to shake his hand or pose for a picture with him. He was passionate about giving children every opportunity to succeed in life, from their very earliest moments through higher education. O'Bannon’s love and concern for children were reflected in his two inaugurations, which made history for very different reasons. After his 1996 election, he invited Indiana’s fourth-grade students - who study Indiana history - to witness his Jan. 13, 1997, inauguration, something no governor had ever done. Despite sub-zero temperatures that day, hundreds of Hoosier school children, for the first time ever, watched as their governor was sworn in at a ceremony on the west side of the Statehouse. After his reelection, the governor repeated his invitation to a new crop of fourth-grade history students. Recalling how daunting Indiana weather can be, organizers moved the inaugural festivities inside the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. More than 25,000 students and visitors from across Indiana watched as the first governor of the 21st century was sworn in Jan. 8, 2001, making it the largest gubernatorial inauguration crowd in Indiana history. Hoosiers who had the privilege of personally meeting O’Bannon can attest that he was warm and friendly, especially when a young constituent sought to shake his hand or pose for a picture with him. That persona was not put on; he was equally kind to political allies and foes; to his staff; and to members of the news media. He rarely lost his temper and often sought to be a conciliator. It is said that eyes are the windows to one’s soul. That was certainly true with O’Bannon. When he was particularly delighted, his eyes positively twinkled. When he was learning about an issue, he watched the speaker with a thoughtful gaze, listening intently, taking in every detail. And in those rare moments of pique, his eyes flashed with fire. O’Bannon unabashedly exhibited a whimsical side, delighting in shooting photographs with a credit card-sized digital camera at some news events, including the U.S. Midwest-Japan Association conference he was attending when he was stricken and the recent State Fair balloon race. In fact, the governor was a gadget and computer aficionado. He had a computer on his desk and at home and used the Internet and e-mail long before it became routine. He also was an avid reader, favoring non-fiction, particularly political history, foreign affairs and natural history. And he loved to bird watch and hike on his property in Harrison County, at Eagle Creek and Fort Benjamin Harrison state parks; and elsewhere. O’Bannon was long in the public eye - nearly seven years as governor, eight as lieutenant governor (1989 to 1996, under Governor Evan Bayh) and 18 years as a state senator from Corydon, representing all or part of eight Southern Indiana counties. He spent two years as Senate Finance chairman and 11 years as Democratic floor leader. But his personal life was enormously important to O’Bannon as well. There were few things he loved more than spending time with his family in his rebuilt log barn in his native Harrison County. O'Bannon, who was graduated from Corydon High School in 1948, received a bachelor's degree in government from Indiana University in 1952. He served two years in the U.S. Air Force and then returned to Bloomington to earn a law degree from IU in 1957. That same year, he married Judy Asmus, whom he met on a blind date in college. After he received his law degree, O’Bannon returned to Corydon with his bride, where he started a law practice. It was slow at first, so he spent time at the family-owned newspaper, The Corydon Democrat, doing a little bit of everything - shooting pictures, covering general news, writing sports stories and stuffing the paper’s sections together. O’Bannon wrote the newspaper’s editorial about President Kennedy’s assassination. Until his death, he served as chairman of the O'Bannon Publishing Co., which publishes weekly newspapers in Harrison and Crawford counties. When O’Bannon was lieutenant governor, he and Mrs. O’Bannon purchased a home on the Old Northside of Indianapolis. After his election as governor, they lived in the governor's residence on North Meridian Street in Indianapolis but moved to the Harrison House on the grounds of the former Fort Benjamin Harrison while the governor’s residence is made accessible to people with disabilities. The O’Bannons have three children - Polly, Jennifer and Jonathan - and five grandchildren - Beau, Chelsea, Asher, Demi and Elle. Expressions of memorial can be made in Governor O’Bannon’s name to: O’Bannon Foundation C/o Union Federal Bank 45 N. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Online condolences may be entered at www.in.gov or by clicking below on "condolences." A book of condolences is available for area residents to sign at any Fisher Family Funeral Home location. The books of condolences will be forwarded to the O'Bannon family.The governor's family has asked that, in lieu of sending flowers, those who attend callings in Indianapolis Thursday and Corydon Saturday may wish to donate school and art supplies, including pens, pencils, paper, paint and paintbrushes.
Lula M. Weisenburger
Born: 9/28/1910
Died: 12/2/2004
Services will be held at: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, in Fisher Funeral Chapel with Rev. Art Maloney officiating. Burial will be in Walton I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
Visitation times are: From noon until the time of services on Saturday.
Lula M. Weisenburger, 94, Logansport, died at 12:53 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004, in Chase Center. Born Sept. 28, 1910, in Pulaski County, she was the daughter of Matt and Zella Good Weisenburger. Lula was a homemaker. Surviving are one brother, Orville Weisenburger, St. Joseph, Missouri; one sister, Leland Thompson, Logansport; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children.
Mildred V. Baker
Born: 4/22/1915
Died: 8/9/2004
Services will be held at: Private graveside services will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery with Rev. Cameron Douglas officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Visitation times are: From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, August 12, 2004, in Fisher Funeral Chapel, Logansport.
Mildred V. Baker, 89, Logansport, died Monday, August 9, 2004, in Memorial Hospital. Born April 22, 1915, in Cass County, near Adamsboro, she was the daughter of Lora M. and Laura Bowyer Duckworth. On January 6, 1940, in Albion, Indiana, she was married to Cleo Baker, a city policeman. In 1933, she graduated from Fulton High School. She was a retired seamstress from the H.W. Gossard Company in Logansport, where she was employed for over 20 years. She was a member of River of Life Christian Church, formerly known as 9th St. Christian Church. Surviving are three nephews, Larry "Butch" Jones and his wife, Judy, of Logansport, William R. "Bob" Jones and his wife Peg of Logansport, and Skip Duckworth, of Wisconsin; three nieces, Sue Mackey, of Phoenix, Arizona, Joann Devenney, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Rosalie Duckworth, of Cerro Gordo, Illinois; one sister-in-law, Evelyn Baker, Walton; several great nieces and great nephews; and several great great nieces and great great nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, one brother, Russell Duckworth, and two brothers who died in infancy. Memorial contributions may be made to the River of Life Christian Church Building Fund.
Herma Conrad
Born: 8/20/1917
Died: 8/5/2004
Services will be held at: 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 9, 2004, at Yorktown Church of Christ with Mr. Herb Derryberry officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery, Twelve Mile.
Visitation times are: 1 TO 5 P.M. Sunday, August 8, 2004, in Fisher Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Monday.
Herma Conrad, 86, Logansport, Indiana, died Thursday, August 5, 2004, in Woodbridge Health Campus. Born August 20, 1917, in Cass County, she was the daughter of Hubert T. and Mary Kinzie Runkle. On February 27, 1938, in Mexico, Indiana, she was married to Edgar H. Conrad, who preceded in death. A homemaker, Mrs. Conrad was a member of the Yorktown Church of Christ. Herma traveled the world for 30 years as a missionary. She also spent 42 years as a Red Cross volunteer. Surviving are one son, Thomas E. Conrad, of Madison, Indiana; one daughter, Suzanne Pollard, St. Petersburg, Florida; four brothers, Hubert Runkle Jr., Fort Wayne, Kenneth Runkle, Nyona Lake, Joe Runkle, Inverness, Florida, and Don Runkle, Angola; one sister, Norma Pugh of Peru; her friend Susan Herd, Lucerne; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters. Memorial contributions may be made to the Yorktown Church of Christ.
Dale Hardy
Born: 10/8/1923
Died: 8/5/2004
Services will be held at: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, August 7, 2004, in Fisher Funeral Chapel, Logansport, with Rev. Dirk Raderstorf officiating. Burial will be in Harper Cemetery, Logansport.
Visitation times are: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 6, 2004, in Fisher Funeral Chapel.
Dale Hardy, 80, Logansport, died Thursday, August 5,2004, in his residence. Born October 8, 1923, in Cass County, he was the son of Carl Sr. and Nola Ide Hardy. He graduated from Royal Center High School in 1942. A farmer, he raised cattle, traded dogs and bought furs. He owned and operated Dale Hardy's, an outfitter store. He loved his animals and his dogs. He was a member of Logansport's Tipton Masonic Lodge #33. He was a kind and caring person. Surviving are one brother, Olin "Speed" Hardy and his wife, Mary, Logansport; three sisters, Reva Denman, Kokomo, Lulu Belle Cridlebaugh and her husband, Don, of Middletown, Ohio, and Shelby Fultz, Logansport; five nephews, three nieces, several great-nephews and great-nieces; three great-great-nephews; and two great-great-nieces. Also surviving are two close friends, Mike and Norma Martin of Twelve Mile, who worked for him, and Shirley Homann, Logansport. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl Hardy Jr. and Edgar Hardy; two sisters, Fern and Avis Hardy; two brothers-in-law, Elmer Denman and Bill Fultz; and three nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons and/or the American Cancer Society.
Rex R. Shilling
Born: 5/31/1928
Died: 8/8/2004
Services will be held at: 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 13, 2004, in Fisher Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Allen Rogers officiating. Military rites will follow the funeral service.
Visitation times are: From 10 a.m. Friday, August 13, 2004, until the time of the services.
Rex R. Shilling, 76, Logansport, died at 8 p.m. Sunday, August 8, 2004, in Chase Center. Born May 31, 1928, in Peru, he was the son of Benjamin C. and Maude Erbaugh Shilling. On May 30, 1954, he was married to Lorraine Cotner in the Broadway Methodist Church in Logansport. A graduate of Logansport High School, he was a member of the Class of 1946. He served as a Tech Sergeant in the 6th Infantry of the U.S. Army. From 1973 to 1993, he worked as a technician for Chrysler Manufacturing. He had owned and operated the former Logansport Marine Sales. From 1995 to 2000, he worked part-time at WalMart. A member of the Baptist Temple, Rex last served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He had been a member of the Satan Spoilers bowling team and the 4L Sunday School Class. He was a member of the American Legion and Logansport's Tipton Masonic Lodge #33. He helped maintain and run the JC Train at Riverside Park. His hobbies included mushroom hunting, fishing, bowling, horseback riding, woodworking and photography. His family was very precious to him. Surviving with his wife of 50 years are his children, Bradley D. Shilling and his wife, Polly, of Logansport; Tamara E. Minks and her husband, Eric, of Logansport; and Benjamin L. Shilling, and his wife Anne, of Rapid City, South Dakota; four granddaughters, Jennifer Rowcliff and her husband Andy, Allison Lathrop and her husband Landis, Emily Shilling, and Samantha Minks; five grandsons, Jared Shilling, Jesse Shilling, Evan Lee Shilling, Joey Shilling and Guy Minks; and one great granddaughter, Madilyn Lathrop. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Kim; three brothers; and one sister. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Baptist Temple and/or the American Lung Association.
Donald E. Coy
Born: 11/5/1927
Died: 8/6/2004
Services will be held at: Fisher-Loy Funeral Chapel, Lafayette, IN at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 9, 2004. Reverend Dr. Clayton Kendall officiating. Interment Tippecanoe Memory Gardens.
Visitation times are: Friends may call on Sunday, August 8, 2004 from 4-7 p.m. at Fisher-Loy Funeral Chapel, Lafayette, Indiana
Donald E. Coy, 76, of 94 Point East, died at 11:28 a.m. Friday, August 6, 2004, in Home Hospital. Born Nov. 5, 1927, in Lafayette, he lived here all of his life and was a graduate of Jefferson High School. He married Patsy R. Lockard on October 6, 1963, in Delphi, and she survives. Mr. Coy worked for the Postal Service in Lafayette as a mail clerk for 31 years, retiring in 1990. He was a member of Eagles Lodge, Aerie 347, and served in the Army during World War II. Surviving with his wife are a son, Donald D. Coy (wife: Barbara) of Farmington Hills, Michigan; four daughters, Joan Roudebush (husband: Jerry) of Battle Ground, Gloria DeVault of Lafayette, Christine Graves (husband: William) of West Lafayette and Bobette Holmes of Lafayette, a brother, Harry Coy (wife: Georgia) of Lafayette, and a sister, Thelma Golden (husband: Donald) of Daytona Beach, Florida. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Neal, 4 sisters, and 1 brother. If friends desire, memorials may be made to the Diabetes Foundation.
Gordon Lee Kirkham
Born: 8/1/1956
Died: 8/7/2004
Services will be held at: Private services will be held.
Visitation times are: none
Former Monticello resident Gordon Lee Kirkham, 48, Kokomo,died Saturday, August 7, 2004, in his residence. Born August 1, 1956, in Logansport, he was the son of Charles R. and Wanda Winegardener Kirkham. A 1974 graduate of Twin Lakes High School, he enjoyed music and playing his guitar. Surviving are his mother, of Monticello; two brothers, Ronald Kirkham and his wife, Vonda, of Indianapolis, and Chucky Kirkham, of Monticello; two sisters, Hazel King and her husband, Bobby, of Idaville, and Edith Collins and her husband, Charles, of Metford, Oregon; three half-sisters, Ida May Murray and her husband, Jess, of Lake Cicott, Rose Wood and her husband, Dan, of Walton, and Christina Titus and her husband, Steve, of Logansport. His father and two half-sisters preceded in death.
