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PAGE UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING JANUARY 4, 2018 AT 11 A.M.
Paul Arthur Fleming
Mr. Paul Arthur Fleming, of Seymour, passed away on December 28, 2017 at Lutheran Community Home. He was born on November 1, 1937, in Milan, to the late Harry L. and Ella L. (Parson) Fleming. He was a member of Central Christian Church. He also had memberships with American Legion in Versailles and Masonic Lodge F&AM 31 in Versailles. Paul was honorably discharged after six years of service from the US Air Force. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy Fleming; two children, Amy (Tony) McAllister and Marty (Jessica) Fleming; four grandchildren, Owen and Reid McAllister and Audrey and Guy Fleming; and brother, William Fleming.
Paul was a builder of buildings and connections with family and friends from his hometown, his school experiences, his work career, and his many travels. He received his undergraduate degree in Parks and Recreation from Purdue University and a Masters Degree from Indiana University. While at Purdue, Paul met his wife Nancy Martin on a blind date. After dating for seven years, they were married on August 4, 1964. They adopted their two children. Paul and Nancy visited with family as much as possible as Paul loved to see his four grandchildren, all of whom live in Minnesota. Paul and his older brother, Bill, continued to meet and reminisce throughout the years. He and Nancy also remained close with her extended family with whom they spent many holidays over the years.
Paul had a great sense of humor; as fun and laughter were ways he brought people together to enjoy one another. He kidded everyone he came into contact with and enjoyed preparing and eating food with friends. Paul was known for his famous chili, which appeared at numerous IU vs. Purdue tailgates and church events. He enjoyed giving of his time playing Santa for friends and residents of the Anchor House homeless shelter. Paul regularly attended reunions from his small-town high school and enjoyed retelling stories with his friends.
Travel was another way Paul built connections with family and friends. He loved camping in Gnaw Bone, IN and Canada. His trips to Alaska, including one where he and Nancy drove from Seymour to Alaska to spend three months seeing the sights, were among his favorite travels. Fishing trips with his brother and rafting through the Grand Canyon multiple times were other highlights. Paul enjoyed trying foods from other cultures and he was able to sample foods from many of the countries in Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and the US. These travels culminated in memories and stories he loved sharing.
Work was another major contributor to Paul’s building experiences. He started his career in construction and development working for the Indianapolis Public Housing Authority where he led the development of a 21-story high rise in Indianapolis. He was especially proud of the Indiana National Bank building project, as he came into the project midway and finished on time and within budget, while simultaneously working on projects from Lowell, Indiana to Florida. He built the first nine-story precast concrete apartment buildings for the elderly in Cincinnati and designed the Snyde Acres Subdivision in Seymour. He later bought and ran ALJAX Chemical Company in Seymour for 10 years. After going back to construction and development, he retired from the John C Groub Company, where he played a hand in expanding stores throughout southern Indiana.
Funeral services were held at Voss & Sons Funeral Service on Wednesday, January 3 with Rev. Ben Yee officiating. Masonic services were conducted on Tuesday evening. Memorials may be written to Central Christian Church or MDS Foundation (for Myelodysplastic Syndrome research), in care of Voss & Sons Funeral Service. Online condolences may be given on the funeral home website at www.vossfuneralservice.com.
Bob Curran
Bob Curran, 80, of Versailles, passed away at 9:30 p.m., Thursday, December 28, 2017 at the University Hospital in Cincinnati. He was born at Versailles on August 16, 1937, the son of George and Eva McClure Curran. Survivors include two sons, Neil of Versailles and Tim of Indianapolis, adopted daughter from the heart, Robyn Mulroy; two grandsons, Alex and Ben; one brother, Jimmy (Carol) Curran of Versailles. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Shirley Thompson and Betty Baugh.
Bob was a 1956 graduate of Versailles High School. He was a drummer from 1962 – 1968 along with Neil Comer, Jerry Dietrich, Mike Venable, Donny Bill Price, Don Campbell and manager Charles Plumber for the Band Pastels. He also was a lifeguard for the Versailles State Park and retired from the Coca-Cola Company in 2002. Mr. Curran was a 60-plus year member of the Tyson United Methodist Church where he served in several capacities. He was also an SAL member of the Leora Weare Post 173 American Legion in Versailles.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 3 at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. Mike Dixon of the Tyson United Methodist Church officiating. Burial was in the Cliff Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Tyson United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.
Frank Q. Hyde
Frank Q. Hyde, 94, of Milan, passed away Thursday, December 28, 2017. Graveside services will be held at Cliff Hill Cemetery at Versailles. Memorials may be given to the donor’s choice through the funeral home. Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements, Box 243 Milan, 47031. Go to www.lawscarrmoore.com to leave an online condolence message for the family.
Kenneth Edward Eversman
Kenneth Edward Eversman, 65, of Dillsboro, passed away Saturday, December 30, 2017. A memorial service will be held at Hope Baptist Church on Thursday, January 4 at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be given to Hope Baptist Church. Filter-DeVries-Moore Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements, Box 146 Dillsboro, 47018.
Don Meinders
Don Meinders, 89, of Milan, passed away Thursday, December 28, 2017. He was born September 16, 1928, in Milan, the son of Charles and Lula (Grothman) Meinders. In August of 1961, he married Betty Hollingsworth, and she preceded him in death on June 26, 1978.
Don is survived by his sons, Jeff Meinders and wife, Leah, and Jarred Meinders, all of Milan; daughters, Ginny Yorn and husband, Kirk, of Batesville, Jackie Meinders and wife, Vanessa, of Columbus, Chelsa Dwenger and husband, Melvin, of Osgood, and Christal Musser and husband, Curtis, of Otterbein; sister, Alethea Meinders of Milan; grandchildren, Chad Meinders, Heath Meinders, Garrett Yorn, Ian Yorn, Maverick Dwenger, Baylee Dwenger, Clark Dwenger, Shayla Meinders, Carlee Musser, Catie Musser and Clayton Musser; great-grandchildren, Chase Meinders, Blake Meinders and Kylee Meinders. He was also preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles Meinders; and sisters, Dorothy Meinders and Leona Meinders Winton. Don graduated from Milan High School in 1947.
He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving from February 10, 1954 to December 2, 1955. Don was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of the Milan American Legion Post No. 235. Don was an avid boys and girls high school basketball fan and enjoyed reminiscing about the Milan ’54 team and supported the current teams. He was also an avid supporter of 4-H, he took pride in watching his children and grandchildren exhibit their projects.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 1 at Laws Carr Moore Funeral Home, Milan, with Rev. Francis J. “Frank” Eckstein officiating. Burial was in Saint Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Milan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Milan American Legion Post No. 235 Scholarship or the Ripley County 4-H Corporation in care of the funeral home.Online condolences may be shared with Don’s family at www.lawscarrmoore.com. Laws Carr Moore Funeral Home, Milan, was entrusted with arrangements.
Christina A. Kappes Hoff
An inductee of the 2013 Ripley County Basketball Hall of Fame, Christina A. Kappes Hoff, passed away Sunday, December 31, 2017 at UC Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was born January 15, 1961 in Greensburg to the late Raymond B. and Ethel Freel Kappes. She was married to Alvin Hoff on July 27, 1985 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Osgood. They began their lives together in Sunman and to this marriage they were blessed with two children.
Christina graduated from Jac-Cen Del High School in 1979. She was a multi-sport athlete winning numerous awards especially in basketball. After graduating she began working at the US Shoe Company in Osgood. Shortly thereafter, she was married and began working for Hill Rom of Batesville. She was a dedicated wife and supportive mother who was always there to help with any projects or needs. Christina was known for her beautiful flowers that she planted everywhere. Also, she was extremely crafty in making things and beautifully decorating her house for each season. Family and friends always knew where they stood with her if they were to get out of line! She will be so missed by her family and friends.
Survivors include husband, Alvin Hoff of Sunman; son, Dustin Michael Hoff (fiancé Kristi Welland); and daughter, Brittany Nicole Hoff of Guilford. Three brothers also survive; Norman (Connie) Kappes of Osgood, Frank (Debbie) of Fairview, and John (Teresa) Kappes of Versailles. Seven sisters survive; Edna Yagami of Richmond, KY,Carolyn (Wesley) Bradley of Osgood, Velma (Jerry) Armstrong of Rising Sun, Martha (Jeff) Peaslee of Versailles, Rosemary (Rick) Hooten of Osgood, Regina (Doug) West of Versailles and Debra Schmidt of Osgood. Sister-in-law’s Judy Kappes of Bennington and Kathy Kappes of Aurora along with many nieces and nephews also survive.
Visitation will be Thursday evening, January 4 from 5-8 p.m. at Neal’s. Funeral will be Friday, January 5 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Osgood. Burial will be at the church cemetery in Osgood. Memorials may go to the donor’s choice. Arrangements handled by Neal’s Funeral Home, Osgood.
Myron K. Borgman
Myron K. Borgman, 43, of Batesville, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2017. He was born on June 9, 1974 in Batesville, the son of William and Mary (Covington) Borgman.
Myron was a 1992 graduate of Jac-Cen-Del High School and a 1994 graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute. He was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Napoleon. Myron worked at Cummins in Columbus. He was an avid Bengals fan and loved to watch Nascar.
Survivors include his parents William and Mary Borgman of Batesville; brother- Dwayne (Paige) Borgman of Greensburg; nephews, Matthew and Brandon Borgman of Greensburg; niece, Emily Borgman of Greensburg; aunts, Mary Jo Miller, St. Paul, and Barbara Hipple of Fairfax, VA; and uncle- Leonard (Shelsie) Covington of Columbus.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at the Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home on Friday, January 5 from 3-7 p.m. Visitation will also be on Saturday, January 6 from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral at 11 a.m. at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, 8903 N. Napoleon Versailles Street, Napoleon, Indiana 47034. Pastor Jack Dixon will be officiating. Burial will follow at the St. John’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the St. John’s Lutheran Church or to the Napoleon Volunteer Fire Department. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com.
Michael Donald Meyer
Often referred to as the “Mayor of Napoleon,” Michael Donald Meyer, sadly at the age of 63, passed away Friday evening, December 29, 2017 at the IU Medical Center in Indianapolis. Mike was born April 18, 1954 in Batesville to the late Donald Leonard and Carol Jean Howe Meyer.
Mike graduated from Jac-Cen-Del High School in 1972 and on August 10, 1974, he married Shirley Jean Carman at St. John’s Catholic Church in Osgood. They started their lives in Napoleon and would remain there throughout their 43 years of marriage. Mike had been a carpenter all of his life. He first started with Napoleon Lumber Company and was with them a little over 16 years before he decided to go on his own! He worked many years for different people in Ripley County and the surrounding areas. Along with this, he was a master craftsman in woodworking. He loved making wooden bowls, walking canes and many other items. As his family said, “he just plain loved to tinker in the garage.” Other hobbies he enjoyed included hunting, fishing and watching dirt track racing. Mike was a past member of the Osgood Moose Lodge and the Napoleon Fire Department.
Survivors include his wife Shirley J. Carman Meyer of Napoleon; one son Ian (Angie) Michael Meyer of near Osgood; one daughter Amy Lynn Meyer and friend Ronnie Thomas of Napoleon; along with sister-in-law Barabara Waecheter, brother in laws Mike (Shannon) Carman, Mark (Susan Murphy) Carman, and Rick (Jennifer) Carman.
Granddaughters include Dayanarah Lee, McKenna and McKylee Meyer, Casey and Katey Evans, Kaylee Muckerheide, Cheyanna Meyer and Brittany Pickett. Grandsons include McLaine Meyer, Brenden Lee, Hunter and Skyler Meyer. One great grandson also survives, Emmett Tucker Johnson, along with several niece and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be scheduled in the near future. www.nealsfuneralhome.net.
Earl Kenneth “Pete” Stevens
On Friday, December 29, 2017, the ever-quiet soul of Earl Kenneth “Pete” Stevens ascended heaven-bound to rejoin his large family circle. In a family that loved reunions as much as the Stevens clan did, this was surely a happy gathering.
His good fortune at having lived into his 88th year came at the misfortune of having outlived parents, John William and Minnie Margaret (Daugherty) Stevens; wife Ida Mae (Leasure) and beloved daughter of that union, Sharon Rae Stevens Cutter, and wife Cora Mae (Mendel). Also preceding “Pete” in death were seven siblings and their spouses, sisters: Inez (Charles) Calendar; Virginia (Carl) Harmeyer; Ruby (Jack) Clayton and brothers: Paul (Teresa); William (Eleanor); Delmar Bine (Hilda); David (Marjorie).
Remaining to remember and honor him are his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie (Rick) Graver of Enon, OH, son-in-law Robert D Cutter, of Aurora, IN; 3 grandsons and spouses: Jason Earl (Jennifer) Cutter of Loveland, OH; Jared Robert (Tonya) Cutter of Cincinnati, OH; Kyle Richard (Chiara) Graver of Cleveland, OH; much loved great granddaughter, Emma Mae Cutter; many nieces and nephews.
Pete was born on the family farm in Dillsboro on May 4, 1929. He was the sixth child of J.W. and Minnie Stevens. Pete was the fourth-born of five sons and a brother to four sisters. His only surviving sibling is younger sister, JoAnn (Jack) Reif. All nine children were raised in a loving home and learned early in their lives the virtue of hard work. His ongoing faith was evidenced by a humble life of helping others and a steady stream of acts of kindness.
In keeping with his upraising, Pete was faithful to his family and could be depended on to help out at every turn without complaint. He and his brothers were often found working together in fields of hay or tobacco. They equally enjoyed swapping stories and jokes when they took breaks under any nearby shade tree. Pete was distinguished by his self-styled, sleeveless work shirts that he wore during summer months.
He was uniquely talented at woodworking and spent endless hours in the shop he crafted in a small building behind the house. There he finished countless projects from picture frames to wood boxes and even a wooden doll house. Most relatives were gifted with a pair of log/stick reindeer for their winter yards. No project was too small, too large, or too complicated for his patient hands. Finished products were perfect in every detail and delivered to the lucky recipient at no charge. His patience, generous spirit, and skills were ample. He was also known to cater to stray cats by providing a safe haven in the garage complete with heat lamp to warm them on cold nights. No needy creature escaped his notice.
During most of his life, time was Pete’s friend. To everyone who knew him, he was unrushed, steady, and as dependable as sunrise. When his siblings began to show their age, he drew their envy by staying the same. In appearance and mannerisms, he was seemingly ageless. We all admired Pete’s simple, quiet, lifestyle and unending patience. The person who coined the phrase “patience is a virtue” would have crowned him king! No matter when and where you saw him, his dry wit and sense of humor were not overlooked. His easy smile and chuckle still bring a happy memory to all who admired his ease with life. By hope and grace, his grandchildren will carry the “Pete gene” into their futures. He surely smiles down on them each time they slow their gait to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
Pete Stevens was the “salt of the earth,” a comment of high praise he easily earned from relatives and other country folk like himself. His family and friends will miss this gentle soul who lived and loved quietly among us. We thought he would live forever just being “Pete.” “A dad’s love is a quiet love... strong yet gentle... forever in the heart.”
