Elwood P. Vowell – Bedford
Elwood P. Vowell, 93, of Bedford, died at 1:32 pm on Sunday, August 3, 2014 at St. Vincent Dunn Hospital.
Born February 6, 1921 in Daviess Co., he was the son of John B. and Lidia (Howerton) Vowell. He married Ruth Stoll on June 29, 1946 and she survives. He was an officer with the Bedford Police Dept. and veteran of WW II serving with the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Bedford Masonic Lodge #14 F & AM, Gillen Post #33 American Legion, Order of the Eastern Star and Stone City Lodge 94 F.O.P.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth, of Bedford; a son, Jim Vowell and wife, Pamela, of Bedford; grandchildren, Annette Buechlein, Corey Keith, and Eric Keith and wife, Amanda all of Bedford; great grandchildren, Kelsei Keith, Drew Keith, Emily Keith, Memphis Buechlein and Peyton Keith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Ollie Vowell, Hazel Mowery, Bert Vowell, Keith Vowell, John Vowell, Jr., Alveretta Weddle, Alma Stroud, William Vowell, Hallie Corn and Joyce Vowell.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 pm on Wednesday, August 6th in the Elmwood Chapel of Day & Carter Mortuary with Pastor Jeff Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery where military rites will be accorded by members of Gillen Post #33 American Legion and D.A.V. Chapter #2. Visitation will be from 3 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday, August 5th and from 11 am until the hour of service on Wednesday, August 6th.
Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book and light a candle in memory of Elwood at www.daycarter.com.
Donna Kay (Gratzer) Hawkins – Needmore
Donna Kay (Gratzer) Hawkins passed away at IU Health Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis Saturday, August 2, 2014 after a 3 1⁄2 year battle with lymphoma. She was 69 years old.
The daughter of George Gratzer and Juanita (Owens) Sykes, Donna grew up in the Needmore area with her brother Charles Gratzer and her sister Betty (Gratzer) Arnold and graduated from Needmore High School in 1962. Her mother married Glenn Sykes in 1957 and he would become a cherished and beloved member of their family. A younger brother, Tony Sykes, followed and their family was made complete.
Donna attended Oakland City University. Later she transferred to Indiana University where she graduated in 1966 with a BS in Elementary Education following with her MS in Education just two years later. Donna married David W. Hawkins on October 17, 1970 and he preceded her in death on June 11, 1993. Donna taught for a total of 45 years at Franklin, Southport, Hopewell and Needmore (39 of those years). Donna was kind, sweet, generous loved without judgment and forgave as a reflex. A life-long Christian, she had been a member at Avoca Baptist church for around 40 years and loved the members of her Sunday school class deeply.
Donna also loved to travel with her son Brian and his wife Lacy (White) Hawkins. In the past 8 years she visited Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, The Netherlands, Italy, Turkey and Greece. Donna also was a co-owner of Inklings Bookstore in downtown Bedford, a long-time member of the Indiana State Teachers Association, the Indiana and Lawrence County Retired Teachers Associations and Altrusa. She attended the Needmore Alumni banquets almost every year and was awarded the Ray W. Fry Outstanding Alumni Award in 2012.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Dave, son Brett Lee Hawkins, father George Gratzer, step-father Glenn Sykes, sister, Betty (Gratzer) Arnold, grandparents, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her mother, Juanita Sykes; her sons Brian (Lacy) Hawkins and Michael Hawkins; brothers Charles (Elizabeth) Gratzer, Tony (Kimberly) Sykes, Steve (Janice) Gratzer, Don (Tanya) Gratzer; sisters-in-law Cecelia (A.G.) Rankin, Louella (Steve) Hendricks; grandchildren Patrick Wellman, Paul Wellman, David Hawkins, Lela Hawkins; aunt Marilyn Amerson; uncle Terry (Edith) Owens; nieces Cindy Brooking, Michelle (Mark) Neuman, Kristen (Mark) Haas, Melody (Scott) Courtney, Brianna Sykes, Victoria Sykes; nephews Barry Brooking, Robert (Peggy) Mitchell, Bill (Sandy) Rankin, Mike (April) Hendricks, Chris Hendricks, Tyler Sykes; as well as many cousins, great-nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests honoring Donna with contributions to Between the Crowd and/or the White River Humane Society.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 am on Wednesday, August 6th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 8pm on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 and from 9 am until the time of the service on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Nick Mullis and Dave Adams will officiate while friends and family will offer stories
and remembrances, laughter and tears in honoring the life of this extraordinary lady. Gravesite rites will be conducted immediately after the service at Green Hill Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to the only great love of her life, Dave.
Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book and light a candle in memory of Donna at www.daycarter.com.
Mildred Elizabeth Ratkovich – Bedford
Mildred Elizabeth Ratkovich, 89, of Bedford, and formerly of Indianapolis, died at 6:45 pm on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Johnson’s Christian Village in Bedford.
Born March 16, 1925 in Lawrence Co., she was the daughter of Matthew and Mary (Maros) Ratkovich. She retired from Eli Lilly in 1995 after working 47 years and was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.
Surviving is a brother, Daniel Ratkovich of Bedford; her caregivers, Beverly and Lary Wray and Donna Myers all of Bedford; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, five sisters, Rosa Taylor, Catherine Poole, Anna Spaulding, Josephine Strunk and Amanda Skidmore; one brother, John Ratkovich.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 pm on Thursday, August 7th in the Elmwood Chapel of Day & Carter Mortuary. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 am until the hour of service on Thursday, August 7th at Day & Carter Mortuary.
Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book and light a candle in memory of Mildred at www.daycarter.com.
Viola R. York – Bedford
Viola R. York, 64, of Bedford died at 7:41pm on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at the IU Health Bedford Hospital.
Born March 31, 1950 in Linton, IN she was the daughter of James and Opal (Lankford) Doane. She worked 10 years for the City of Bloomington as a Public Works Secretary retiring in 1997. She was a member of the Oolitic United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sons: Shawn Hall and his wife Nubucko of Atlanta, GA, and Jason Hall of Virginia; three grandchildren: Katie and Alex Voorhies, and Soma Hall; three brothers: Carl Doane of Bloomfield, Charles Doane of Ohio, and Paul Doane of Vincennes; two sisters: Jane Quillen of Crane, and Mona Doane of Bloomfield; three step grandchildren: Whitney, Ashley, and John D. Terrance; two daughters in law: Amber Howe, and Melinda Tarrance; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Nathan Voorhies; four brothers; and one sister.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm on Tuesday, August 5th at the Mundell Cemetery with Pastor Dan Voorhies officiating. Visitation will be from 11 am until 1:30pm on Tuesday at the Day & Carter Mortuary.
The family asks that friends consider memorial contributions be made to the Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services or to the American Heart Association.
Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book and light a candle in memory of Viola at www.daycarter.com.
Gloria Mae (Brock) McKeaigg – Medora
Gloria Mae (Brock) McKeaigg, 70, of Medora, died at 11:30 p.m. Friday, August 1, 2014, at her residence.
Born January 1, 1944, in Lawrence Co., she was the daughter of William Silas Patton and Lily Grace (Taylor) Patton. She married Larry McKeaigg of Medora, and he survives.
She attended Fayetteville High School and was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Leesville; she was retired from G.E., Bloomington, where she had worked 27 years. Gloria enjoyed life to its fullest and loved spending time with her family and friends; she was very proud of her children and grandchildren.
Surviving are her husband Larry McKeaigg, Medora; two daughters, Robbin Ricketts, Bedford and Nedra (Scott) Fleetwood, Heltonville; one son, Shannon (Kyla) Brock, Bedford; one step-son, Brandon (Lisa) McKeaigg, Bedford; ten grandchildren, Jared, Sean and Tianna Ricketts, Haley and Ethan Brock, Allie and Jaylee McKeaigg, Brock Fleetwood, Britney (Brett) Baker and Lacie (Ricky) Riggle; four great grandchildren Jaxsen and Fynley Baker, Blayton Chaillaux and Raiden Riggle; her mother-in-law Elizabeth Fern McKeaigg; her brother-in-law Bob Grona; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Jerry Lee Brock; two brothers, William Eugene and Roger Patton; three sisters, Barbara Parker, Peggy Terrell and Diana Patton; and one sister-in-law Mary Ann Grona.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2014, at Ferguson-Lee Funeral Home, Bedford with Pastor Mark Thompson officiating. Burial will be in Leesville Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and from 11 a.m. until the service on Tuesday.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fergusonlee.com.
Hermon Leland Cole – Mitchell
Hermon Leland Cole, 69, passed away at 10:10 p.m. Saturday, August 2, 2014, at his residence.
Born August 19, 1944, in Massena, New York, he was the son of Arthur and Crystal Mae (Ash) Cole. He married Zelma (Grogan) Jones October 23, 1992. Hermon retired from General Motors with 33 years of service, and had been a member of the New York National Guard.
Survivors include his wife, Zelma Cole, Mitchell; children, Tim (Mary) Cole, Canfield, Ohio, Brian Cole, Massena, New York, Allison (Tim) Lundin, Sidney, New York; stepchildren, Eric (Chrissy) Jones, Mitchell, Cindy (Vince) Tanksley, Mitchell; 11 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter; siblings, Shirley (Theron) LaRue, Norwood, New York, Dana Hope Cole, Norwood, New York, Ruth Spore, Norwood, New York
His parents; and siblings, Ronnie Cole, Junior Cole, and Audie Toth, preceded him in death.
Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 6, at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center. Following cremation, burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107.
Memorial Gifts: Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
John “Jake” Phillips – Mitchell
John “Jake” Phillips, 63, of Mitchell, passed away at 6:28 p.m. Saturday, August 2, 2014, at his home.
Born December 19, 1950, in Bedford, he was the son of Edward and Barbara (Harrison) Phillps. He married Rita (Wilson) Kesterson May 3, 2008. He had been employed at Regal Beloit 33 years and retired from Whitney Tool. Jake was a U. S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War Era, a past commander of American Legion Post No. 250, and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107. He was a member of Orleans Masonic Lodge No. 153 F&AM, and past president of La Or Ma Shrine Club.
Survivors include his wife, Rita Phillips, Mitchell; son, John David (Pam) Phillips II, Orleans; daughter, Melissa (Shawn) Quackenbush, Orleans; stepsons, Troy Kesterson, Paoli; Brady (Kerrie) Kesterson, Mitchell; grandchildren, Hannah Jo Phillips, Jocelyn Phillips, Sophia Phillips, Devin Quackenbush, and Madison Quackenbush; stepgrandchildren, Sadie Kesterson, Kameron Kesterson, and Austin Kesterson; siblings, Patrick (Cathy) Phillips, New Albany, Steven (Donna) Phillips, Orleans, Pam Grimes, Mitchell, Tim (Sandi) Phillips, Crosby, Texas, Kris (Jeff) Grissom, Mitchell
His parents; and sister, Kay Wedgewood, preceded him in death.
The funeral service will be in the First Christian Church, where he was a member, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, with Brother Mike Collins, Patrick Phillips and John David Phillips II officiating. Burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107. Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center and from 9:30 a.m. until the service on Wednesday at the church. The Orleans Masonic Lodge No. 153 F&AM and Mitchell Masonic Lodge No. 228 F&AM will conduct a memorial service at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Honorary Casketbearer: Nathan Grissom
Casketbearers: Brennen Fults, Braeden Fults, Zach McCallister, Nicholas Grissom, Steven Phillips, and Steven Phillips II, all nephews of Jake.
Memorial Gifts: Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
