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December 27, 2011

Melissa Kay Clark
Melissa Kay Clark, 44 of New Point, passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2011. Funeral services were held Friday, December 21, at New Point Christian Church with burial in the Rossburg Cemetery in New Point. Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville, was in charge of arrangements.

December 20, 2011

Elsie K. Franklin
Elsie K. Franklin, 78, of Versailles, formerly of Holton, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2011 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. She was born near New Marion on December 23, 1932, the daughter of Howard and Marie Siebein Andress. She was married to William Franklin on February 28, 1949 and he preceded her in death on September 2, 2004.
Survivors include two sons, Gary (Lois) Franklin and Dennis (Dixie) Franklin both of Holton; six grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Carolyn (Paul) Fisk and Brenda (Delmar) Mills both of Versailles. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her sister Betty Shinkle Wilson.
Mrs. Franklin worked as a cook and also as an instructional aide at the Holton and South Ripley Elementary Schools. Elsie was a member of the Holton Christian Church for over 50 years where she participated in the Mother’s Class and was a Sunday school teacher.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 20 at 11 a.m. at the Holton Christian Church with Dale Day and Bro. Bob McCreary officiating. Burial will be in the Holton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of services Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be given to the Holton Christian Church or the Holton Cemetery in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home, Versailles.

Whitey E. Garrison
Mr. Whitey E. Garrison, age 80, of Dillsboro, passed away Wednesday evening, December 14, 2011 at The Waters of Dillsboro, Ross Manor. He was born December 30, 1930 in Cincinnati to Raymond and Laura Hebner Garrison.
Whitey served his country in the US Navy from 1951 to 1955, and served in Korea during the Korean Conflict. Whitey was employed at Ford Motor Company in Sharonville for over 30 years as a crane operator. He also was a pastor, and served for a while at the Moores Hill Baptist Church.
Whitey coached baseball in Aurora for the Legion League for several years, and was the coach in 1985 when they were the state champions. He loved golf, fishing, and hunting, and loved being around his family. Whitey never met a stranger, and loved little kids, babies, and was always willing to help someone in need.
Surviving is his son, John Garrison, of Dillsboro; three daughters, Vicki (Barry) Steele, of Brookville, Brenda Schantz, of Sunman, and Kris Cooley, of North Vernon; three stepsons, Gary Good, of Dillsboro, Scott Good, of Kentucky, and Alan Good, of Cincinnati; one stepdaughter, Gloria Good, of California; four sisters, Laura "Weezie" Hitchen, Helen Getz, Lillian St. Pierre, and Dorothy Walls; nine grandchildren; several great grandchildren; 13 step grandchildren. Preceding him in death was his son, Billy Garrison, a stepson, Steven Good, one grandson, Josh Garrison, and one great grandson, Kyle Garrison; five brothers; Orville, Harold, Loren, Raymond, and Floyd Garrison; two sisters, Evelyn Bowman and Janet Korb.
Funeral services for Whitey were held Monday, December 19, at Cedars of Lebanon Fellowship, in Dillsboro, with Pastor Charles Hill officiating. He was laid to rest at Forrest Hill Cemetery in Moores Hill, with the Korean War Veterans providing military rites. The family would appreciate memorials to Make a Wish Foundation, envelopes available at the visitation. Arrangements were entrusted to Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro

Daniel Lee White/David C. Hofstetter
Daniel Lee White, 52 of Milan, and his father, David C. Hofstetter, 69 of Lawrenceburg, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2011. Graveside services for both Daniel and his father David will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 23 at Forest Hill Cemetery in Moores Hill. Memorials may be given to Lung Cancer Research through the Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home, Milan.

Virginia Rae Van Winkle
Virginia Rae Van Winkle, 63, of Aurora, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2011. Funeral services are being held today, Tuesday, at 1 p.m. at Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home, Moores Hill with burial in the Mt. Sinai Cemetery. Visitation will also be Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to New Horizons Senior Day Program or Ryan Livingston Scholarship Fund. Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home, Moores Hill, is assisting the family.

Robert J. Booster
Robert J. Booster, 86, of Versailles, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at the Cornerstone Hospice Center in Tavares, Florida. He was born in Johnson Township near Versailles on October 6, 1925, the son of Clifford and Laura Ehlers Booster. He was married to Esther Hunteman on August 10, 1946 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Napoleon and she survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Donald (Belinda) Booster of Noblesville and Rev. Mark (Ruth) Booster of Republic, Ohio; three daughters, Marilyn (Wayne) Percifield of Mt. Dora, Florida, Carol (Sam) Lapin of Burlington, Kentucky, and Ann (John) Tuhela of Longwood, Florida; eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Louis Booster and his brother James Booster who also died December 14, 2011.
Mr. Booster was a Navy veteran of WWII where he served in Hawaii as a Radioman Second Class. He received the WWII Victory Ribbon, American Area Ribbon, and the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon. He attended Texas A & M and also studied electronics at Northwestern University near Chicago.
Bob was a farmer and a self-employed truck driver. He was also the former owner of the Sinclair Station in Versailles and Booster’s TV in Versailles and Osgood. Mr. Booster was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Olean.
Funeral services were held Monday, December 19 at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. Mark Booster officiating. Burial was in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Olean with military graveside rites by the Versailles American Legion. Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or St. Peter’s Cemetery in care of the funeral home.

James H. Booster
James H. Booster, 90, of Versailles, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. He was born in Johnson Township near Versailles on October 13, 1921, the son of Clifford and Laura Ehlers Booster. He was married to Odella Fruchtnicht on January 18, 1944 and she preceded him in death on December 22, 2009.
Survivors include one son, Kenneth (Janet) Booster of Plainfield, Illinois; two daughters, Janice (Nick) Minkler of Forest, Virginia and Sally Davison of Versailles; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Eric Davison, his brother Louis Booster, and his brother Robert Booster who also died December 14, 2011.
Mr. Booster was a Navy veteran of WWII where he served with the 26th Naval Construction Battalion. He received the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Booster was a farmer and had owned and operated J.H. Booster Electrical and Refrigeration.
Jim was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Napoleon and the Versailles American Legion.
Funeral services were held Monday, December 19 at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Pastor Gary Groth officiating. Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery at Napoleon with military graveside rites by the Versailles American Legion. Memorials may be given to the Versailles American Legion in care of the funeral home.

Bennie Lee Bingham
Bennie Lee Bingham, 64, of Greensburg, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2011. Funeral services were held Friday, December 16 at Cook Funeral Home, Sunman. Additional services are being held at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be given to Riley Children’s Hospital, Indianapolis. Cook Funeral Home, Sunman, was entrusted with arrangements.

George Allen Kephart
George Allen Kephart, 53, of Milan, passed away Friday, December 16, 2011. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Hope Baptist Church. Arrangements are entrusted to Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro.

Charlotte Jean Jones
Charlotte Jean Jones, 79, of Batesville, passed away Monday, December 19, 2011. Services will be set at a later date. Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville, is serving the family.

Marietta Eileen Smith Schroder
Marietta Eileen Smith Schroder, age 96 of Osgood, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2011 at Margaret Mary Community Hospital, in Batesville. She was born March 24, 1915 to the parents of George and Pansy Hull Straber. She married Irvin Smith in 1938 and he preceded her in death in 1980. She then married George "Joe" Schroder in 1985 and he preceded her in death in 1993.
Survivors include daughter, Melinda Jill Frazel of Helena, Montana; sister, Geneva Alexander of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Krista Tipton, Rob Price, Kelly Brebberman and Casey Reeter; eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Karen Smith Price; three brothers, Nelson, Walter and Wallace Straber; two sisters, Evelyn Hiner Caldwell and Kathlyn Vayhinger Rouse.
Mrs. Schroder was a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ of Osgood. She had taught school for 33 years. She taught seven years at the Osgood Grade School and 26 years at Napoleon Grade School. She had served with the AM Heart Association in Ripley County for Center Township in the organizing and the collecting of money. She was a past member of the Jolly Circle Home Ec. Club of the Osgood Otter Creek area.
Funeral services were held Monday, December 19, at Neal's Funeral Home, Osgood with burial in the St. Peter's Cemetery "Fink's" near Osgood. Memorials may be given to the American Association or "Finks Church". Arrangements by: Neal's Funeral Home.

December 13, 2011

Walter J. Strassell
Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Walter J. Strassell of Moores Hill peacefully passed away at his home Sunday, December 11, 2011 at the age of 84. He was the son of Elmer and Pauline (Koch) Strassell. Walter was born December 10, 1927 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He married Dolores (Smith) Strassell on May 6, 1950.
Mr. Strassell and his wife were the founders of W.J. Strassell & Sons Greenhouses. Walter enjoyed being on the tractor working the farm and greenhouse business with his family, whom he deeply cherished.
Walter is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dolores; children, Pam (Ed) Shannon and Lois (Gary) Smith both of Cincinnati, Paul (Carol) Strassell of Moores Hill, John (Nancy) Strassell of Dillsboro, Mark (Shari) Strassell of Morris, Mary (John) Browning of Moores Hill, James (fiancé Kim) Strassell, Donna (James) Van Cleave, Robert (Beth) Strassell all of Dillsboro, Diane Schilling of Moores Hill and Lisa (Bobby) Davis of Milan; 31 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jeanne Bruns-Hollmeyer and a grandson, Paul Joseph Strassell, Jr.
Funeral mass is being held today, Tuesday, at 11 a.m. at St. Pius Catholic Church north of Milan with Pastor Frank Eckstein officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Capushia Franciscan Fliers. Isaiah 58:7 Ministries of Cave Hill Church or Trinity Missions. Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home, Milan is assisting the family with arrangements.

Larry A. Taul
Larry A. Taul, 62, of Aurora, passed away Saturday, December 10, 2011 in Lawrenceburg. He was born February 13, 1949 in Milan to Arthur Taul and Kathleen Pope Taul, and was a lifelong area resident.
Larry was employed at Rising Star Casino as a security guard, and enjoyed cooking, reading, and gardening. Larry was a US Navy Veteran.
Surviving is his sister, Denise Taul of Ludlow, KY, and his brother, Robert L. Taul of Aurora. He was preceded in death by his parents.
According to his wishes there will be no services or visitation. The family would appreciate memorials be given to help defray his medical expenses. Arrangements are entrusted to Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro.

Gary L. Molter
Gary L. Molter, 68, of Manchester, passed away Friday, December 9, 2011. Funeral services are being held today, Tuesday, at 1 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home, Sunman, with burial in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Manchester, with military honors. Memorials may be given to the donor’s choice. Cook Funeral Home, Sunman, is in charge of arrangements.

David C. Hofstetter
David C. Hofstetter, 69, of Lawrenceburg and formerly of Moores Hill, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2011. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 10 at Hope Baptist Church near Dillsboro with burial at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be given to Lung Cancer Research through the Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home, Milan, who was in charge of arrangements.

Daniel Lee White
Daniel Lee White, 52, of Milan, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2011. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 10 at Hope Baptist Church near Dillsboro with burial at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be given to Lung Cancer Research through the Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home, Milan, who was in charge of arrangements.

December 6, 2011

Betty Jean Dennis Williams
Betty Jean Dennis Williams, 85, of Osgood, formerly of Bear Branch, passed away Friday, December 2, 2011 at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was born on October 19, 1926 in Ohio County, the daughter of McKinley and Esther C. (Richards) Dennis.
Survivors include one daughter, Debbie (Irvin) Hartig of Osgood; two sons, Roger (Connie) Williams of Madison and Rodney Williams of Bear Branch; two grandsons, Jerrod and Jakob Williams; four great grandchildren, Christian, Logan, Cheyanne and Kaiden Williams; two brothers, Raymond (Donna) Dennis of Bear Branch and Lowell M. Dennis of Osgood; one sister, Leola Brinson of Benham; one brother-in-law, Eslie Alford of Fairview; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Basil Lee Williams on September 12, 2005; sister Gladys Alford on May 16, 2010; and brother-in-law Wilbur Brinson.
Betty was raised in the Bear Branch community and was a 1945 graduate of Dillsboro High School She was united in marriage on November 1, 1947, in Jeffersonville, to Basil Lee Williams, and to this union arrived one daughter and two sons to bless their home.
Betty was a homemaker and enjoyed working with her husband on the family farm. She was a wonderful seamstress and enjoyed making her children’s clothes. She was an avid reader and her favorite author was John Grisham.
Betty was a faithful member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church in Bear Branch, where she had resided all of her life until 2008, when she moved to Osgood to be closer to her daughter.
Betty will be remembered for her love of working puzzles, crocheting and gardening.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 7, at 11 a.m. at Olive Branch Baptist Church in Bear Branch, with Rev. Pat Lanman officiating. Burial will be in the Olive Branch Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 6, from 5-8 p.m. at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, Vevay, and from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church on Wednesday. Memorials may be given to the Olive Branch Cemetery, contribution cards are available at the funeral home.
Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, Vevay, was entrusted with arrangements.

Jesse S. Atkinson, Sr.
Jesse S. Atkinson, Sr., age 93, of Dillsboro, passed away early Sunday morning, December 4, 2011 at Dearborn County Hospital. Jesse was born in Monticello, KY on April 16, 1918, the son of Millard Atkinson and Betsy Catron Atkinson and moved to the Dearborn County area as a young man.
Jesse served his country in the US Army during WWII from 1942 to 1945, serving for a time in Italy.
On December 16, 1941, he married Iralue Peercy, and she passed away exactly six years ago on December 4, 2005. Jesse and Iralue lived in Moores Hill for a number of years when he was employed at the Dillsboro Health Resort in maintenance, a position he held for many years. Jesse then became head of the laundry area at Dillsboro County Hospital for 18 years. They moved to Dillsboro when he accepted the position at the hospital.
Jesse loved music and was active in a kitchen band in Dillsboro and was one of the "old rascals" that played in various nursing homes in the area. He also played in a house band in the senior center in Rising Sun, and was a member of Dearborn Diamonds, a pool club. He started shooting pool at age 89, and has won trophy’s that he was very proud of.
A devout Christian, Jesse attended Hope Baptist Church in Dillsboro.
Surviving Jesse is his fiancee` and special friend, Patricia Speckman; three sons, Jesse Samuel (Janice) Atkinson, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL, Dennis (Joyce) Atkinson of Mooresville, and Mike (Nancy) Atkinson of Indianapolis; two daughters, Barbara (Elbert) Bruce and Leatha (Charles) Tudur, both of Dillsboro; one brother, Tom Atkinson; one sister, Irene Lorett; 16 grandchildren; 49 great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Iralue, in 2005; one daughter, Doris Ann Atkinson; 11 brothers and sisters.
Funeral services for Jesse will be Friday, December 9, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Hope Baptist Church with Pastor Tom Holt officiating. Friends may meet his family on Thursday, December 8, from 5-8 p.m. at Hope Baptist Church and also on Friday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Oakdale Cemetery in Dillsboro. Memorials may be given to the Neurofibromitosis Foundation (NF Association). Arrangements have been entrusted to Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro.

Gertrude T. Meisberger
Gertrude T. Meisberger, 90, of New Marion, passed away Monday, December 5, 2011, at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born near New Marion on June 21, 1921, the daughter of John and Regina Holzer Eckstein. She married to Romuald Meisberger on September 3, 1938 and he preceded her in death on July 14, 1987.
Survivors include nine sons, Melvin (Sandra), David (Sherron), Phillip (Rita), John (Diane), Dwight, and Charles Meisberger all of New Marion, Donald (Josie) Meisberger of Camby, Arthur Meisberger of Olean, Mark Meisberger of Indianapolis; two daughters, Dolores (Howard) Souder and Mary (Greg) Hilton both of New Marion; 22 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild; two sisters-in-law, Opal Day of Versailles and Mildred (Damon) Webster of Benham. She was also preceded in death by her parents, daughter Michelle Lynn Meisberger; great granddaughter Kayleigh Marie Meisberger; brothers John, Matthew and Edward Eckstein; sisters Carrie Stewart, Katherine Kurtz and Margaret Eckstein; half-brothers Herman, Charles and Bernard Eckstein; and half-sisters Irene Doyle and Leona Suttinger.
Mrs. Meisberger obtained her high school diploma later in life graduating with the first class at South Ripley in 1967. She was a life member of the St. Magdalene Catholic Church and was also a member of the Ripley County Red Hatters, the Versailles American Legion Auxiliary, and the Homemakers Club.
Gertie was a homemaker and had worked as a cook at the New Marion School and the Versailles Elementary School.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Magdalene Catholic Church in New Marion with Father Shaun Whittington officiating. Burial will be in the St. Magdalene Cemetery at Madison. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with rosary services at 7:30 p.m. Memorials may be given to the St. Magdalene Catholic Church or cemetery in care of the funeral home.

Lucy Jane Roberts
Lucy Jane Roberts, age 78, of Aurora, passed away unexpectedly Saturday evening, December 3, 2011, at Dearborn County Hospital. She was born February 15, 1933 in Manchester, KY, the daughter of Carter Fields and Louvina Hoskins Fields, and had resided in the Aurora area since 1952.
In 1954 she married Charles Roberts, and they were the parents of five sons and one stepson. Lucy and Charlie attended Trinity Chapel Pentecostal Church in Lawrenceburg. She was employed for 31 years at Dillsboro Manor, and was a great mother to her sons, and loved very much by her family.
She is survived by her husband, Charlie Roberts; five sons and their wives, Jimmie and Joan Roberts of Milan; Ronnie and Lesa Roberts of Ft. Mitchell, KY, Bobbie and Bonnie Roberts of Dillsboro, Tommie and Kim Roberts of Aurora, and Johnnie and Jan Roberts of Moores Hill; 11 grandchildren; two step grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and one brother, Ervin Fields.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 7, at 11 a.m. at Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro, with Pastor Bobby Brigmon officiating. She will be laid to rest at Oakdale Cemetery, Dillsboro. Friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Trinity Chapel in Lawrenceburg. Filter-DeVries Funeral Home, Dillsboro, is entrusted with arrangements.

Paul E. Huber
Paul E. Huber, 77, of Sunman, passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2011. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 3 at the Cook Funeral Home, Sunman, with burial in the St. Nicholas Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Activity Fund of St. Andrews Health Campus, Sunman Life Squad or the Batesville Rescue 10. Cook Funeral Home, Sunman, was in charge of arrangements.

Teresa Ann Fette
Teresa Ann Fette, 57, of Dillsboro, passed away Monday, December 5, 2011 at her home. She was the wife of Larry Fette and the mother of Kimberly (Shawn) Day and Stacie (Gus) Callen, both of Burlington, KY. Service arrangements will be published in Thursdays issue of The Versailles Republican by Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro.

Faith E. Westerfeld
Faith E. Westerfeld, 81, of Batesville, passed away Friday, December 2,2011. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 7, from 9 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. all at Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville, with Rev. David Johnston officiating. Burial will be in the St. John Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. John UCC, Ripley County Humane Society or VFW in care of the funeral home. Online condolences are available at www.-meyersfuneralhomes.com. Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville, was in charge of arrangements.

Rita Jo Miller Adams
Rita Jo Miller Adams, 57, of Madison, passed away Sunday, November 27, 2011. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 3, at Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, Madison, with burial in the Caledonia Cemetery in Moorefield. Memorials may be given to the Rita Miller Adams Memorial Fund with the Jefferson Community Foundation, contribution cards are available at the funeral home. Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, Madison, was in charge of arrangements.

Lou Ellen Geabes
Lou Ellen Geabes, 82, of Seymour, passed away Monday, December 5, 2011, at the Hospice of South Central Indiana in Columbus. Services are pending at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.