Nelson Dilk, 87, of Versailles, passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at Salem Crossing in Salem. He was born in the Marble Corner community in what is now the Jefferson Proving Ground on February 3, 1925, the son of C. Harvey and Sina Ellen Wright Dilk. He was married to Dorothy Johnson on December 16, 1942 and his wife of 69 years survives.

Other survivors include one son, Marvin Dilk of Holton; one daughter, Patty Campbell of Salem; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Nelson Edward Dilk, grandson Jimmy Campbell, his parents, and his brothers Clarence, Ralph, Delbert, and Floyd Dilk.

Mr. Dilk was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church at Versailles. In his younger years, Nelson was employed with Arvins in Columbus and had also worked at White Castle in Indianapolis. He was also a farmer, hauled water in the Versailles community, and was a school bus driver for Versailles and South Ripley for 25 years.

Linda Bultman Walke

Linda Bultman Walke, 44, of Napoleon, passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at the Indiana Heart Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born at Batesville on November 22, 1967, the daughter of Cecil Jr. and Mary Cook Bultman. She was married to Dan Walke on October 12, 1991 and he survives.

Other survivors include her mother, Mary Bultman of Napoleon; daughters, Kayla (Ron) Reynolds, Samantha Walke, and Tori Walke all of Napoleon; granddaughter, Hannah Reynolds; three sisters, Judy Bultman and companion Dan Mulford and Karen (Bill) Huff both of Osgood, and Sue Ann (Jerry) Kruger of Franklin; and her mother-in-law, Emma Walke of Napoleon.  She was preceded in death by her father, grandparents Cecil and Alice Bultman and Clarence and Edna Cook, her brother Karl Bultman, and her father-in-law Kenny Walke.

Mrs. Walke was a 1986 graduate of Jac-Cen-Del High School and attended beauticians school. She was a former employee of Arbys in Batesville, the Jay C in Osgood, and had done hair for the Design Team in Osgood.

She and her husband were former owners of the D & L Beauty College in Columbus and Linda was a sales representative for Thirty-one brand purses. She had also been a bus driver for Jac-Cen-Del for 16 years.

Linda was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Napoleon and attended St. Maurice Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Osgood Lions Club.

March 20, 2012

Charlotte Meierle Terrican

Charlotte Meierle Terrican, 84, of St. Louis, passed away Saturday, March 17, 2012. Funeral services are pending at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versaillesp.

Janice Lee Struckman

Janice Lee Struckman, 64, of Lawrenceburg, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012. Graveside services were held Friday, March 16, at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Moores Hill. Memorials may be given to the family through the Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home, Moores Hill, who was in charge of arrangements.

Annette Mae Shaw

Annette Mae Shaw, 93, of North Vernon, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012. Funeral services were held Sunday, March 18, at the Vernon Baptist Church in Vernon. Burial was held in the Vernon Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Vernon Baptist Church Building Fund through the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, who was in charge of arrangements.

Jmes L. Pennington

James L. Pennington, 74, of Canaan, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2012, at Ripley Crossing in Milan. He was born in Leslie County, Kentucky on March 12, 1938 and was married to Marilyn Thieman on May 29, 1990 and she survives.

Other survivors include five sons, Andrew (Rhonda) Lochard of Cross Plains, Chris (Melissa) Lochard of Madison, Fred (Susan) Pegg of Floyds Knobs, Kentucky, Charles L. Pennington of Canaan and Jim Pennington of Hanover; three daughters, Rebecca (Benny) Mohr of Versailles, Loretta Thompson of Dupont and Gailia Cloud of Madison; 30 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; one brother, Lindbergh (Shirley) Couch of Deputy; one sister, Galyean (Bill) Morris of Canaan. He was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Pennington and his brothers, Pearl and Nathan.

Mr. Pennington had worked for 15 years in the Terry Glenn Coal Mine in Kentucky. He was also a former employee of Grote in Madison and for the last 19 years he and his wife were meter readers for Canaan Utilities.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin S. Franklin, 67, of Versailles, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012 at his home.  He was born near Holton on July 20, 1944, the son of Floyd and Ida Barricklow Franklin.  He was married to Henrietta Sloan on January 1, 1986 and she survives.

Other survivors include two sons, Benjamin Scott (Sandra) Franklin of Kendallville and Michael (Alecia) Franklin of Columbus; two stepsons, Ronald (Brandi) Bowling and Donald (Dina) Bowling both of Greensburg; one stepdaughter, Cassandra (Rob) Dick of Lawrenceburg; 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren; three brothers, Allen (Louella) Franklin, Gene (Shirley) Franklin and Frank (Myrtie) Franklin all of Holton; three sisters, Leota Conover of Holton, Rowena (Robert) Sanders of Murray, Kentucky and Eva Mae (Charles) Wagoner of Lake Placid, Florida.
His parents preceded him in death.
Mr. Franklin was a 1962 graduate of Holton High School and was employed with Cummins Engine Company in Columbus from 1963 to 1999 where he worked in shipping and handling.  He was a member of the Hopewell Baptist Church and the North Vernon Moose Lodge and was an avid golfer.

Funeral services were held Monday, March 19 at 11 a.m. at the Hopewell Baptist Church with Rev. David Shivers officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Hopewell Baptist Church in care of the funeral home.

George Coldiron

George Coldiron, 80, of Versailles, passed away, Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at the home of his nephew John Cornet.  He was born at Wilhurst in Breathitt County, Kentucky on October 2, 1931, the son of James and Sara Trent Coldiron.

Survivors include two sisters, Geneva Horner of Dayton, Ohio and Opal Lewis of Booneville, Kentucky, along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Frank and James and sisters, Laura Coldiron, LaVerne Steele and Hazel Coldiron. 

Mr. Coldiron was a member of the Cedar Creek Community Church and was a former employee of the Ripley County Farm Bureau in Holton.

Funeral services were held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home with Randy Thieman of the Shelby Christian Church officiating.  Burial was in the Rest Haven Cemetery at Edinburgh.

Marilyn Brinkman

March 13, 2012

Delmar J. Bradley USAF Ret.

Carl Leslie Bruns

Carl Leslie Bruns, 83, of Sunman, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2012. Survivors include his wife, Viola (nee Neukam) Bruns; sons, Byron (Carol) Bruns of Sunman and Mark (Barbara) Bruns of Cincin-nat, OH; grandchildren, Scott (Lesley), Craig (Kimm), Leslie (Alex Trakas), and Blake Bruns; great grandchildren, Drew, Lauren, Madeline and Nolan Bruns. He was pre-ceded in death by his par-ents and brothers Robert and Earl Bruns. Carl was born in Sunman on June 3, 1928, the son of Alvin and Catherine (Ratheiser) Bruns. He was employed and co-owner of Nedderman's Feed Store in Sunman for 47 years, Su-perintendent of Sunman Utilities for many years, a member of Sunman Fire Department from 1949-2012 and Fire Chief for 25 years.
Mr. Bruns was named Kenneth L. Diver American Legion Post #377 Fire-fighter of the Year 1977-1978, District Chairman of Indiana Volunteer Firemans Association 1971-1981, Vice President I.V.F.A. 1981-1982 and he received the I.V.F.A. Presidents Award in 1983. He was President of I.V.F.A. 1983-1984 and had received the Indiana Department of Fire and Prevention & Building Safety Award 1983-1985. He was named Kenneth L. Diver American Legion Post #337 Man of the Year in 1984, received the Saga-more of the Wabash in 1984 presented by Indiana Gov-ernor Robertt Orr and was named Honorary Secretary of the State of Indiana in 1985. Carl was I.V.F.A. Chairman of the Board 1985-1986, was Mr. I.V.F.A. in 1988.
He re-ceived the Sunman Cham-ber of Commerce Commu-nity Appreciation Award in 1994, the Indiana Gover-nors Award for Meritorious Service in 1996. He re-ceived the I.V.F.A. 50 years of service recognition in 1999 and was the 2002 Sunman Chamber of Com-merce Citizen of the Year. Carl was inducted into the Ripley County Basket-ball Hall of Fame in 2007, was a member of the Ripley County Council for four years, organized and im

Lucy E. Zeigler Hastings

Lucy E. Zeigler Hastings, 80, of Canaan, passed away Thursday, March 8, 2012, at King's Daughters' Hospital in Madison. She was born October 24, 1931 in Kingston, the daughter of Adam Leroy and Mable Leona Alverson Zeigler. She married Benjamin Earl Hastings on November 24, 1949 at the Osgood Chris-tian Church and he pre-ceded her in death on June 22, 2000. Survivors include three sons, Dennis Hastings of Madison, Keith (Nancy) Hastings of Hillsdale, MI, and Paul Hastings of Ca-naan; two daughters, Wanda Hastings of Madison and Barbara (Craig) Blacker of Canaan; brother, James Richard Zeigler of Pah-rump, NV; sister-in-law, Lorene Pratt of Lamb; grandchildren, Michael, Rebecca, Katherine, Ben-jamin, Cassandra, Colleen and Charles; great grand-child, McKenzie; several cousins and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, Lee Edward Zeigler.
Lucy was employed as the billing clerk for the Ca-naan Utilities for several years. She was a devoted homemaker, wife, mother and mamaw. She was a faithful member of the Lib-erty Christian Church for many years and was serving as the church pianist and organist. She would serve her church in whatever ca-pacity needed. Lucy en-joyed playing the piano, working in her flowers, and traveling. She was anx-iously awaiting the birth of two great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 12, at Morgan and Nay Funeral Centre, Madison, with bur-ial in the Grandview Memo-rial Gardens near Madison. Memorials may be given to the American Indian Chris-tian Mission, contribution cards are available at the funeral home. Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, Madi-son, was entrusted with arrangements.

Babara L.McGuire

Barbara L. McGuire, 76, of New Marion, passed away Thursday, March 8, 2012 at the King's Daughters' Hospital in Madison. She was born in Franklin, Ohio on June 14, 1935 the daughter of Jesse and Ma-mie Lamb Gross. She was married to J. T. McGuire on May 13, 1950 and he sur-vives. Other survivors include four daughters, Linda (John) Walston, Alice McGuire, and Marilyn McGuire all of New Marion, and Kim (Jim) White of Versailles; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; one brother, Virgil Garrison of Ft. Myers, Florida; three sis-ters, Geneva Pearson of Miamisburg, Ohio, Ernestine Bush of Berea, Kentucky, and Ruth Stevens of Franklin, Ohio. Mrs. McGuire was a homemaker and attended the Cavehill Church of God. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 13 at 1 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Rodney Cemetery near Westport. Visitation will be Tuesday from 11 a.m. until time of services. Memorials may be given to the donor's choice.

Robert Joseph Scholle

Robert Joseph Scholle, 69, of Santa Cruz, California, passed away Monday, March 5, 2012 at the Do-minican Hospital in Los Gatos, CA. He was born March 10, 1942 in Osgood, the son of Martin H. and Alma T. Ruther Scholle. Survivors include broth-ers, Jerome Scholle of Chi-cago, IL, Paul M. (Mary) Scholle of Osgood, and Philip S. Scholle of Indian-apolis; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Scholle. Mr. Scholle was a navy veteran. He had worked in Quality Control for IBM for 32 years in Santa Cruz. Private family services will be held at Neal's Fu-neral Home, Osgood, with burial at the St. Maurice Cemetery in Napoleon. Neal's Funeral Home, Osgood, is in charge of ar-rangements.

Ruby D. Steinhauser

NRuby D. Steinhauser, 90, of Sunman, passed away Friday, March 9, 2012. Visitation is being held Tuesday, March 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home, Sunman, with funeral services start-ing at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in St. Jacob's Ceme-tery in Blue Creek. Memo-rials may be given to the St. Jacob's Church or the Sun-man Life Squad. Cook Fu-neral Home, Sunman, is in charge of arrangements.

March 6, 2012

Linda S. Fleek

Larry George Gray, 54, of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, March 1, 2012 at KingÕs DaughtersÕ Hospital, Madison. He was born February 6, 1958 in Milan, the son of Gary Elwood, Sr., and Phyllis Brown Gray. He married Barbara A. Green in Batesville and she survives. Survivors include one son, George Charles Gray and his companion Chellsey Jones of Madison; one daughter, Kathlyne J. Gray Zuercher and her husband Benjamin of Columbus; mother Phyllis Brown Gray of Bedford; one brother, Gary Gray of Bedford; two sisters, Patricia Medlock and husband Steve of Guilford, Mary Gray Stockton of Bedford; brother-in-law Charlie Green and his wife Karen of Indianapolis and many other relatives. His father Gary Elwood Gray on January 1, 1992 and his grandparents, J. Carl and Georgia Brown and Gilbert and Evelyn Gray, preceded him in death.
Mr. Gray was a 1976 graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School and a 1981 graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in forestry. Larry was of the Methodist faith. He was employed for the past thirty years with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. He currently served as the manager at the Charlestown State Park. He also managed the Falls of the Ohio State Park and had previously worked at the Clifty Falls State Park as the assistant manager.
Mr. Gray was a member of the National Rifle Association, National Sporting Clays Association, past member of the Jefferson County Cemetery Board and the Jefferson County Park Board. Funeral services were held Sunday, March 4 at the Morgan and Nay Funeral Centre, Madison with Brother Bob Hicks officiating. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Friends of the National Rifle Association. Morgan and Nay Funeral Centre, Madison was entrusted with the arrangements.

Hilda Lustig

Hilda Lustig, 86, of Versailles passed away Sunday, March 4, 2012 at the Manderley Health Care Center in Osgood. She was born near Holton on May 1, 1925, the daughter of Perrell and Florence Bostic Salyers. She was married to Howard Lustig on February 21, 1943 and he preceded her in death on December 18, 2007.
Survivors include two grandsons, Paul and Andrew Lustig; one brother, Mark (Deanna) Salyers of Holton; one sister, Shirley (Herbert) Brown of Barron, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son John, her sister Jane Paulsen, and her brother Paul Salyers. Mrs. Lustig was a 1943 graduate of Holton High School and she and her husband were former residents of Clarksville. She was a member of the Charity Baptist Church at Clarksville and had worked for Sears.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 10 at 11 a.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Dale Day officiating. Burial will be in the Holton Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of services. Memorials may be given to the Holton Cemetery in care of the funeral home.

Brian Lynn Westerfeld

Brian Lynn Westerfeld, 65, of Batesville died February 28, 2012. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 3 at 10 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ with Rev. David Johnston officiating.
Burial was in the St. John Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Brian Westerfeld Memorial Fund. Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville was in charge of the arrangements.

Ruth A. Wintz, 84, of Batesville, passed away Thursday, March 1, 2012 at her home. She was born May 14, 1927 in Friendship, the daughter of Alta (Nee: Runner) and Harry Westmeyer. She married Francis Wintz on October 21, 1944 at St. Louis Church in Batesville and he preceded her in death on December 14, 2000.
Ruth was the food processing agent and supervisor at Margaret Mary Hospital for 25 years before retiring. To say Ruth liked bingo would be a huge understatement. Bingo fanatic is probably a better description. She attended the first bingo ever held at St. Louis Church and attended weekly until shortly before her death. An avid Solo and "500" player, she could count cards and if she ever caught you cheating, you'd never play with her again. But she also had a playful side and loved to play pranks and practical jokes on her co-workers and family. Her family indicated she was a STAUNCH Democrat. She used to say, "If God was a republican and the devil was a democrat, well, she'd still have to vote democrat."
Hobbies included quilting, cross stitching, watching college sports and working crossword puzzles. An excellent cook, her family loved Ruth's glorified rice (rice pudding), banana pudding and her roast beef, but turkey was made only once a year. So if you got it for Thanksgiving, you knew something else would be on the menu for Christmas. As her neighbors can tell you, Christmas was her favorite time of the year. She loved to decorate for the holidays. Her son joked that by the time mom finished, there were enough lights to land an airplane on the lawn. Although Coca Cola was a close second, her true passion was being with her grandchildren.
Ruth is survived by her son Bill Wintz of Batesville; daughter Mary Kay Hershberger of Greenwood; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she is also preceded in death by her son Jim Wintz and sisters Dorothy Borchelt and Mabel and Thelma Shadday.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 5 at the Weigel Funeral Home, Batesville, with Rev. Charles Flory officiating, followed by burial in the St. Louis Cemetery. The family requests memorials to Home Health Care of Margaret Mary Hospital or the Batesville Food Pantry. Weigel Funeral Home, Batesville, was in charge of arrangements


Nola Mary Wolf

Nola Mary Wolf, 61, passed away February 24, 2012 in Occidental, California. Funeral services were held Monday, March 5 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Crossroads, Batesville with Rev. Robin Owen officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Jackman Kercheval Meyers Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Wilma K. Wright

Wilma K. Wright, 71, of Greensburg, passed away Monday, March 5, 2012 at Decatur County Memorial Hospital. She was born November 10, 1940 in Decatur County, the daughter of Thomas A. and Minnie (Mantooth) Giddings. She married Bob Wright on December 22, 1962 and he preceded her in death on May 17, 1991. Wilma was a lifelong resident of Decatur County. She was a private duty nurse in home health care. She had also worked at the Dress Factory and Heritage House Nursing Home. She was a member of the 1st Christian Church, American Legion Auxiliary and Eagles Lodge Auxiliary, all in Greensburg. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, playing Super Nintendo and her grandchildren.
Survivors include two daughters, Debra K. (Robert Wilmer of Greensburg and Tammy (John) Walke of Osgood; one stepdaughter, Diana Finley of Hope; one sister, Willa (John) Knarr of Greensburg; five brothers, Earl (Millie) Giddings of Greenfield, Maurice T. Giddings, Marvin Giddings and James Giddings all of Greensburg; ten grandchildren, Jerrid Brown, Trenin Guthrie, Caleb Walke, Picabo Walke, Christina Clindt, Amanda Scroggin, Amy Stillabower, Melissa Torres, Dawn Compton and Jerry Cox; and several great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, stepdaughter Pauline Cox, sister Nellie Giddings and brother Norman Giddings.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 8 at 11 a.m. at the Bass & Gasper Funeral Home at Westport with burial in the Mt. Aerie Cemetery. A time of visitation will be on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the family in care of the funeral home. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.bassgasper.com. Bass & Gasper Funeral Home, Westport, is entrusted with arrangements.