Rosalee "Peggy" D. Robbins, 64, North Vernon, died at 1:51 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 17, 2002 at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis.
born May 18, 1938 in North Vernon, she was the daughter of George Clarkson Jr. and Juanita Buchanan, both deceased.
She married Charles "Bill" Robbins on Sept. 29, 1957 at Pleasantview Church, and he survives.
A 1956 graduate of Vernon High School, she was a member of the New Bethel United Methodist Church and the Shiloh Rebekah Lodge 560 in Westport.
She worked as a deputy election clerk from 1985-2001.
She was a PBX operator and receptionist at ITT Thompson from 1957-1960, a Western Union operator at Bob Lutz jewelry store and enjoyed making wedding cakes.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her stepfather, Carl Mozingo of North Vernon; two daughters, Cheryl Gibson and Charla Nash, both of North Vernon; one son, Jeff Robbins of North Vernon; five brothers, Dennis and Gerry Clarkson, both of North Vernon, Gene and Harold Clarkson, both of Westport, and Robert Clarkson of Seymour; one sister, Georgetta Gilmore of Columbus; her mother-in-law, Elizabeth Robbins of North Vernon; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Pickett Funeral Home in North Vernon with Connie Barr officiating.
Burial will follow in Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Bethel Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society or Rolling Hills Shrine Transportation fund.
Paul A. Bauer, 75, Greensburg, died at 7:38 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
born May 5, 1927 in Napoleon, he was the son of Harry and Carrie B. (Drescher) Bauer, both deceased.
He married Jane Barley on June 1, 1952 in Greensburg and she survives.
He was a banker at the Decatur County Bank in Greensburg.
A 1945 graduate of Greensburg Community High School, he served with the U.S. Navy seabees during WWII.
He was past president, lieutenant governor and secretary-treasurer of the Greensburg Kiwanis Club, where he boasted perfect attendance for 43 years.
He served as president, treasurer and building chairman for the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, of which he was a member.
He was treasurer of the Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce and in 1975, received the Distinguished Community Service Award.
He served as treasurer of South Park Cemetery and chairman of the United Fund.
He was also a member of the Greensburg posts of the VFW and American Legion and a 4-H leader.
Besides his wife, he is survived by one son, David (Brenda Sefton) Bauer of Greensburg; and two granddaughters.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Greensburg with Pastor Mark Flory officiating.
Burial will follow in South Park Cemetery in Greensburg.
Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home in Greensburg or from 9:30 a.m. to the time of the funeral Monday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or to the Greensburg Kiwanis Club for use for Riley Children's Hospital.
Mary J. Wilkerson, 81, North Vernon, died at 10:01 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003, at her home.
born Jan. 28, 1922, in Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Arthur and Filo (Kollitides) Johns.
She married Robert M. Wilkerson Aug. 10, 1945, and he preceded her in death Jan. 26, 1992.
A Jennings County resident since 1971, she graduated from Bryant High School in Queens, N.Y., and worked as a secretary for Pennsylvania Railroad for 31 years. She also farmed with her husband for 18 years. She was a member of St. Francis Jennings Hospital Guild, Kappa Delta Phi Sorority and The Caring Connections.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, George Johns.
Survivors are a son, David Wilkerson of Greensburg; a sister, Ann Sydlowski of Brooklyn, N.Y.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral service is at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bass & Gasper Funeral Home, Westport, with the Rev. David A. Scaggs officiating.
Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Friday.
Memorials may be made to the Jennings County Hospice or the Jennings County Animal Shelter.
James W. "Bill" Hold, 88
James W. “Bill” Hold, 88, Greensburg, died at 7:45 p.m. on Friday in the Morning Breeze Nursing Home in Greensburg.
born, Dec.10, 1916 in Montezuma, Indiana, he was the son of the late James Otis and Gladys (Manley) Hold.
He was retired from Ford Motor Co. in Indianapolis.
He was a member of the Elks Club and the American Legion in Florida.
He was a veteran of the Army serving in World War II.
He was married to Erika H. Henkel on June 11, 1949.
She survives, with a son, Kenneth Hold of Lexington, Ky.; two granddaughters and one great-granddaughter.
He was also predeceased a brother and a sister.
Private services took place Sunday in the Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home in Greensburg.
Burial will be in the Southpark Cemetery.
Jean S. (Plummer) Finley, 85
Jean S. (Plummer) Finley, 85, passed away following years of chronic illness.
born in Larwill, she grew up through the Depression years and graduated from Purdue with Distinction and multiple Honorary memberships.
She worked with the Farmers Home Administration teaching better family living skills to low income families.
Later she was the first woman hired to direct ammunition testing at the Jefferson Proving Grounds.
She next became a Home Demonstration Agent in Decatur County.
In 1969 she added to her previous 25 years of involvement with the Red Cross by becoming the Executive Secretary of the local chapter.
All these jobs were well suited to her philosophy, “Those to whom much has been given, should give much in return.”
Jean gave her gift of time, compassion and special abilities to her community through 45 years of service.
She helped build the 4-H and Home Demonstration Programs in Decatur Co.
She organized the community’s first classes for expectant mothers, first learn-to-drive and minor auto maintenance classes for women, and first weight control support group.
Jean taught many classes ranging from tailoring to fine arts, which resulted in the formation of the Decatur Co. Community Artists and local Arts and Crafts Cooperative.
married in 1948, her husband Roger Finley shared a commitment to devote themselves to serving other people, and worked beside her in many activities.
They sponsored two European Displaced Persons families coming to this country, and shared a family home with a very special such family for 20 years.
They also recruited families to serve as hosts for the incoming IFYE delegates and local youths who went abroad under this program.
Her 45 years of service to the community were amplified by her ability to involve others.
She had a unique aptitude to identify the right person to do a volunteer job, and could enlist their support and provide training for them to succeed.
Through the Red Cross, Jean maintained the Hospital Volunteer program, built a Red Cross Safety Education program with CPR, First Aid and Water Safety classes, and provided a First Aid Station for over 20 years for the County Fair and other community events.
Also through Red Cross, she organized and provided disaster service for family and community disasters, and assisted military authorities to provide support and services to military families.
By organizing the volunteer group “Friends of Red Cross,” a community storeroom of clothing, food and household needs was established.
The Soup-Kitchen-Pantry Program along with the Jolly Holly Day (free Christmas dinner) Program offered food and fellowship, with home delivery to shut-ins.
Many times Jean and Roger raised funds and provided arrangements for critical needs, such as medical equipment and transportation for medical services, for community residents.
Jean assisted with the development of the county’s first classes for retarded children and supported the Muscatatuck volunteer program.
An annual picnic and visit to the County fair Midway for Muscatatuck State Hospital patients was initiated, and included hundreds of participants.
Jean directed the government’s Project Find program to serve Social Security recipients, and guided many applicants to the Vocation Rehabilitation program.
Prior to the initiation of the Hospice of Decatur County, she was also a volunteer for the Bartholmew County Hospital Hospice Program, served as an AARP Medicare consultant, and provided volunteer services to the elderly as the Avail Director under the Agency on Aging.
Jean received numerous prestigious awards of honor in recognition of her lifetime contributions.
These includes the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, The Jefferson Award given by the Indianapolis Star for outstanding volunteerism, Gideon Dignitary Bible Award, Cooperative Extension Achievement Award, a 50 year Service Pen from the American Red Cross, Certificate of Recognition from the Westport Kiwanis Club, and the Community Service Award from the Greensburg Chamber of Commerce which was jointly awarded to her husband Roger.
In addition, “Roger and Jean Finley Day” was proclaimed on March 25, 1994 by the Mayor of Greensburg.
Jean was also a sustaining member of Tri Kappa, a 50-plus year member of Eastern Star, and a 50-plus year member of Farm Bureau.
She is survived by her husband Roger, daughters Jane (Wayne) and Marybeth (Randy) Herbert); son Jon (Michele) Finley); has eight grandchildren: Emily and Sarabeth Willis, Betsy and Carrie Herbert, and Benjamin, Ian, Mathew and Nathan Finley.
No funeral services will be held since Jean donated her body to the Anatomical Society.
However, friends are invited to join a “Celebration of Life" Memorial Service on Sunday, 2-5 p.m. in Heritage Acres Restaurant (junction of Indiana 3 and 46W) in Greensburg.
Grinsteiner Funeral Home handled arrangements.
During the past several years, Jean was homebound due to a nerve-muscle disease, Myasthenia Gravis.
Contributions may be offered to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (1821 University Ave W, Ste S256, St. Paul, MN 55104 ), or the Hospice of Decatur County ( 720 N. Lincoln, Greensburg, In. 47240 ).
Donald F. Bruns, 75
Donald F. Bruns, 75, Greensburg, died at 1:40 p.m. on Monday in his residence.
born, March 11, 1930 in Millhousen, Indiana, he was the son of the late Dr. Alfred J. and Margaret (Witkemper) Bruns.
He had worked as a masonry contractor with Bruns Bros.
He then owned and operated Don Bruns & Sons Implement Dealership in Batesville.
He was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Colum-bus, the NRNA and AQNA.
He was married to Dorine Scheidler on April 7, 1951 in Greensburg.
She survives, with sons Bert (Linda) Bruns, Greensburg, David Bruns, Union City, Paul (Mary) Bruns, Greensburg; daughter, Debra Herndon, Greensburg; brothers, Ralph Bruns, Millhousen, Dale Bruns, Millhousen, Rob-ert Bruns, Greensburg, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was also predeceased by a sister, Marita Heidlage.
Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Wednesday in the Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home in Greensburg.
A Rosary will be prayed at 8 p.m..
Services are 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greensburg with Msgr. Harold Knueven officiating.
Burial will bein St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Decatur County Hospice, The St. Mary’s Church or the St. Mary’s School.
