Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021
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YESTERDAY
CLOSING CREDITS
A liquidation sale enters its final week at Family Video, 809 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville. All of the company’s more than 250 remaining stores are closing, including 80 others in Indiana. Shelbyville store manager Megan Taggart and her mother, Theresa Taggart, spent yesterday reorganizing movies, games, and related items to be sold by Feb. 21.
COMPLETE MAKEOVER
Nothing - not the pandemic, not the road construction in front of her office - could stop Beth Prince from remodeling her State Farm agency at 308 N. Harrison St., Shelbyville, last year.
“If we’re going to make a mess, we’re going to make a big mess,” Prince said, laughing.
The formerly stuccoed building was once the site of a gas station but is mostly remembered for serving as Tom Rosenfeld’s State Farm office. On March 1, 2013, Prince, who had worked at her father’s Indianapolis agency for two decades, took over the location.
“(Rosenfeld), God love him, left me all the desks, left me everything,” Prince said.
She rented the building, then switched to a contract, and, finally, last year purchased the property with an SBA loan. She started renovating both the interior and exterior, selecting brick that matched the historical image of nearby structures.
“I think all businesses have a responsibility to make sure our community looks vibrant and relevant,” Prince said in an interview yesterday.
While in the midst of the process, local photographer Rachael Ackley stopped by one day with a print of Red Mills in Boggstown that Prince had purchased.
“I was going to take it home, but then when she brought it, I thought, ‘Oh, that’s perfect. We have to have it here,’” Prince said.
NOTEBOOK
As of yesterday, the state reported 4,539 positive coronavirus cases in Shelby County, an increase of 11 from the previous day, out of 17,996 tests, an increase of 38 from the day before. The number of deaths for Shelby County remained the same, at 88.
HOOSIER NEWS: A proposed ban on Indiana cities and counties adopting local housing design standards is being pushed by a state lawmaker who owns a homebuilding company. Ethics experts maintain Republican Rep. Doug Miller’s involvement in the legislation is inappropriate because of his ownership of Elkhart-based Tailor Made Homes and his role on the board of directors for the National Association of Homebuilders, The Indianapolis Star reported. Miller says the bill he’s sponsoring is aimed at increasing affordable housing options and restraining local government overreach, arguing that simply moving the garage door or changing exterior house materials can generate savings of $15,000. (Indiana Public Media)
Editor’s note to subscribers: Thank you again to those who have re-subscribed to The Addison Times. Your support of local journalism matters. We’ll do our part to continue covering local government, news, and history. As noted, starting next Monday, the daily edition will be provided to subscribers. Sunday editions will be sent to all on the distribution list. Thank you so much for your support! - Kristiaan Rawlings, editor
Grover Center Museum and Historical Society director Alex Krach shovels at the onset of the latest round of snow, at 2 p.m. yesterday. | Anna Tungate
THIS DAY IN SHELBY COUNTY HISTORY
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated from the Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department.
20 YEARS AGO: 2001
A group of farmers who said they felt unfairly targeted by police officers enforcing the “no-through trucks” law around Public Square agreed to join forces with the city to ask the state to get rid of driving around the square. After being upset with the city police department for instigating a “sting” operation to pull truckers over, the farmers agreed to help the MainStreet Shelbyville downtown organization lead a charge to the state to make the downtown a straight drive. Downtown business owner and MainStreet member Jeff Sponsel said the best alternative would be to have the downtown circle eliminated. Mayor Frank Zerr asked Sponsel to organize a public meeting to see if the community would support the measure.
30 YEARS AGO: 1991
The remodeling project at Union Federal Savings Bank, 25 Public Square, was completed. Changes included remodeling of the drive-in facility, the addition of “MAX,” the 24-hour teller, a night depository and a new manager’s office.
40 YEARS AGO: 1981
A burglar stole $500 after opening the safe at the east side Burger Chef restaurant. The burglar had entered the restaurant through the drive-up window after throwing a piece of cement from a nearby construction site through the window.
50 YEARS AGO: 1971
Demolition began on the community’s first hospital, an 86-year-old structure at 26 E. Broadway. Farmers National Bank had purchased the property from P.G. Sanders & Son, which had been located there for 20 years before moving to a new building on the east side of Noble St. near its intersection with S. Harrison Street. Bank president Arthur Thurston said plans for use of the site were under study. Erected in 1885 by Samuel Hamilton as a residence, the old building had housed some type of business during most of the period of its existence. Two businesses were located there prior to the turn of the century, and in April 1900, Dr. Thomas Kennedy leased the home, equipped it, and turned it into a private hospital. According to “Biography of a Town”, many surgical operations were performed on kitchen tables in homes here before the hospital was established. Eventually, the home was reverted to residential use before the Fix Funeral Home located there, prior to Sanders purchasing the property.
60 YEARS AGO: 1961
Rehearsals for their second annual home talent show were being held nightly by local Jaycees in preparation for presenting a comedy at Pearson School. The cast was composed of Milan Lummis, Dick Robinson, Mrs. Andrew Baxter, Mr. and Mrs. Don Johnson, Loretta Eckstein, Don Taylor, and Ronnie Lummis. Howard Ballard was director.
The SHS Singing Stars won first division rating in a district music contest. Members were Sharon Shaner, Penny Jones, Susie Stine, Judy Wasson, Mary Jo Soller, Loretta Sutton, Pat Branson, Emily McKeand, Marilyn Nay, Sue Worland, Anne Staats, Kathy Houston, Anna Mae Wiley, and Lola McNeely.
70 YEARS AGO: 1951
Shelbyville’s William Leon “Bill” Garrett was named to the eight-man All-American team. The former Golden Bear star, who guided SHS to the 1947 state championship, played forward for Indiana University. His mother, Laura Garrett, 114 Howard St., told The Shelbyville News that she was “proud and happy.”
80 YEARS AGO: 1941
Paul E. Schantz purchased the Jake Alter grocery, 1208 S. Harrison St. Schantz had been affiliated with the grocery for the prior four years.
The St. Paul Blasters took on a group of alumni in a “ghost game” at the St. Paul gym. The lights were turned off for the charity contest.
90 YEARS AGO: 1931
The Shelby County Joint Stock Agricultural Association met at City Hall to discuss whether or not to hold a county fair. The fair had lost $4,000 the previous year. “If a county fair is not held for two years, the county will take possession of the fairgrounds in accordance with legal procedure,” The Republican said.
100 YEARS AGO: 1921
Police officer John Thompson said he had killed 300 “worthless dogs” in the previous three years. “He will kill all dogs without license tags. Excuses will not go. It is the dog that will have to go,” The Republican said.
OBITUARIES
Paul V. Adams, 86, of North Vernon, passed away Friday, February 12, 2021 at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, Columbus. He was born December 21, 1934 in Shelbyville to Ernest Adams and Opal (Herndon) Adams.
Paul attended Shelbyville High School. He enjoyed being outdoors, especially fishing and golfing. He loved to travel. His most precious times were spent with his family. Paul was employed at Allied Signal as a general laborer working on airplane air compressors.
He married Violet Jean (Lousch) Adams in June of 2011 and she survives. Paul is survived by his sons, Richard Adams of Bullhead City, AZ, William Adams of Indianapolis, his daughter, Cindy Walls of Martinsville, his son, Brian Adams of Los Angeles, CA, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by 18 brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to Noon, Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Funeral services will follow at Noon at the funeral home with Pastor Edwin Mohr officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Paul’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Stephen R. Blackburn passed away from natural causes at Ashford Place Health Campus in Shelbyville on February 14, 2021. He was born May 24, 1938 in Ohio, to James and Alice (McNeilan) Blackburn. He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Janet (Sutyak) Blackburn. Stephen is survived by his sister, Peggy (Blackburn) Thomas and husband, Marlin; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth and Judy Blackburn; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to Janet, Stephen was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lawrence Blackburn, Tom Blackburn and Bill Blackburn; and sister, Patricia Schoentrup.
Mr. Blackburn served in the US Army from 1959 to 1962, and was stationed in Germany. He received his B.S. degree in accounting. Stephen then began his varied career with the U.S. Government. He retired as a Branch Chief with the Defense Logistics Agency. Mr. Blackburn returned to Shelbyville in 2018.
He was a very much loved brother and uncle. Family meant the world to Stephen.
Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 20, 2021, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Rev. Bob Campbell officiating. Interment will be at Boggstown Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the local military committee. Online condolences may be shared with Stephen’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
William “Bill” Couch, 89, of Warren, a former resident of Jackson Township in Wells County, passed away Feb. 10, 2021. He was born Jan. 23, 1932, in Wells County, to Harry and Ruth (Roberts) Couch. He is preceded in death by his wife of almost 70 years, Winifred “Freddie” (Griffith) Couch, whom he married Sept. 2, 1951, at Asbury Chapel.
Bill was a 1950 graduate of Jackson High School in Wells County and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Huntington College and a master’s degree and administrator certification from Ball State University. Bill taught, coached or was an administrator in several places in Indiana. He taught history and government at Roll and Jackson Township. He was principal at Eaton, principal and superintendent at Liberty-Perry School Corporation, principal at Southern Wells, and superintendent at Blackford and Lawrenceburg schools. He retired as superintendent of Shelbyville schools. In retirement, he managed the Countrymark Co-op in Shelbyville.
Both Freddie and Bill lived their lives in positive service to their family, society in general and service to our Lord. “We pray that our lives have made this earth a better place and that our service has been an enhancement to all people” ~Bill and Freddie Couch
He is survived by a brother, Harry J. (Melinda) Couch of Tipp City, Ohio, and four children, William (Angela) Couch, Robert (Elizabeth) Couch, Tresa (Steve) Patz and Bryan Couch. He is also survived by grandchildren Travis (Rose) Couch, Bruce Couch, Candice (Brandon) Cox, Brandon Couch, Ross (Holly) Patz, Kyle (Mariah) Couch, Kendra Couch, and Stephanie (Casey) Wildeman. His great-grandchildren are Quentin, Autumn, Jayden, Amberlynn, Asuna, Callie Jo, Grayson and Leyland. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert and Paul Couch; and a sister, Mary Couch. He was also preceded by a son, Bruce Allen Couch; a grandson, Chad Couch; and a granddaughter, Alyssa Couch. No services will be scheduled at this time. An inurnment will take place at a later date at Asbury Cemetery in Wells County.
Rev. John Peter Gallagher, a native of Shelbyville, passed to eternal life on February 6 in the rectory of Our Lady of the Springs Parish in French Lick, Ind., where he had served as pastor since 2018.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on February 22 at St. Joseph Church, 125 E. Broadway, in Shelbyville. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Shelbyville.
Visitation will take place from 4-8 p.m. on Feb. 21 and from 9-11 a.m. on Feb. 22 at St. Joseph Church. On February 21, the reception of the body will take place at 4 p.m. and a vigil service will be prayed at 7 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be required for the visitation and Mass of Christian Burial.
Father Peter was born on January 23, 1961 in Shelbyville to the late David and Elizabeth (Moore) Gallagher. He and his family later lived for periods in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota before returning to Shelbyville. Father Peter graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1979.
From his time as a child, he had felt a call to serve God and the Catholic Church in which he was raised as a priest. So, after high school, he became a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and received formation at the former Saint Meinrad College in St. Meinrad, Ind., graduating from there in 1983.
At that time, Father Peter discerned a possible call to be a Benedictine monk at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad. He entered the novitiate there in 1983 and professed vows for a three-year period in 1984. After living out those vows, Father Peter left the archabbey and moved to California.
For two years, he taught a diverse student body at the former Daniel Murphy High School, an all-boys Catholic school in the poverty-stricken south-central neighborhood of Los Angeles.
During that time, Father Peter felt God’s call to the priesthood again and became a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, earning a master of divinity degree at St. John Seminary in Camarillo, Calif. In the final year of his formation, however, he became a seminarian again for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and was ordained a priest on June 6, 1992 in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.
In his 28 years of priestly life and ministry in central and southern Indiana, Father Peter served in a wide variety of settings: from urban high schools and parishes, to faith communities in suburbs, small towns and rural areas.
For several years, Father Peter was also the chaplain for the Indianapolis Colts National Football League team, including when it won the Super Bowl in 2007.
In his last two years of ministry, Father Peter served as pastor of Our Lady of the Springs Parish in French Lick and Our Lord Jesus Christ the King Parish in Paoli, Ind.
He died doing what he had felt God had called him to do from an early age: serving his people, leading them in worship and service and helping them grow in faith.
Surviving are Father Peter’s sisters: Ann Gallagher of Indianapolis, Ind.; Beth Keele of Lincoln, Neb.; and Kate Gallagher of Omaha, Neb.; his brothers David Lee Gallagher of Indianapolis; Kevin Gallagher of Fort Collins, Colo.; Pat Gallagher of Shelbyville; and R.T. Gallagher of Bloomfield, Ind.; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Brian Gallagher.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Norma “Jeane” (King) LeClerc, 95, of Shelbyville passed away Sunday, February 14, 2021, at her home. She was born November 30, 1925, in Shelbyville, the daughter of Cecil A. and Dorothy (Buckler) Cockerham. On March 24, 1950, she married Kenneth C. King, and he preceded her in death on August 21, 1986. She married Arthur “Earl” LeClerc on December 21, 1988, and he preceded her in death on March 20, 2014.
Jeane is survived by her daughters, Rita Weaver of Shelbyville, and Millie Haehl and husband, Richard, of Zionsville; son, Tim King and wife, Brenda, of Indianapolis; sister, Lois Davids of Shelbyville; granddaughters, Sarah Benefiel and Courtney Weir and husband, Bryce; step-granddaughter, Brandi Tobian; two great-grandchildren; step-son, James “Jim” King and wife, Debbie, of Shelbyville; and step-daughters-in-law, Bonnie King and Pam King, both of Shelbyville. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Edwin Cockerham; sister, Patricia (Ayers) Lumb; son-in-law, Richard E. Weaver; and step-sons, Robert “Bob” King and William “Bill” King.
Jeane graduated in 1943 from Shelbyville High School. She then worked as a payroll clerk/supervisor at KCL for many years. She was a very active lifelong member of the First Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir with her mother and sister. Her love of singing took her to many area churches, as well as an occasional engagement on local radio. Jeane and Kenneth formerly owned and operated King’s Grocery for 42 years. Many Junior High students enjoyed the soda fountain and lunchtime burgers with Jeane’s ever-present smile. She was an avid reader and read the entire Bible. As a survivor, Jeane enjoyed volunteering for the American Cancer Society, where she participated in the walks and assisted in sending memorial acknowledgment cards. She was very social and loved visiting with friends and family. She and Earl spent 20 years as Florida snowbirds; potluck dinners, dances, boat rides and fishing as favorite pastimes.
Private graveside services will be conducted at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. The family wishes to thank the staff at McKay Manor for their compassion, kindness and loving care of Jeane. Memorial contributions may be made to Premier Hospice, 11550 N. Meridian St., Suite 375, Carmel, Indiana 46032. Online condolences may be shared with Jeane’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Ruth Ann Miller, 66, of Greenwood, passed away Saturday, February 13, 2021 at her residence. Born September 1, 1954 in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of Jarold W. Miller and Patricia M. (Cole) Miller. Survivors include three brothers: Robert Miller (wife Peggy) of Fairland, Bruce Miller (wife Karen) of Shelbyville, and Chuck Miller (wife Kathy) of Shelbyville; two sisters: Mickey Beck (husband Mike) of Franklin, and Leesa Sanidas (husband Tim) of Bloomington, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, J. David Miller.
Ruth Ann was a lifelong resident of this area and had wonderful caregivers throughout her life. She was always on the go and enjoyed car rides, shopping, and walks in the park.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Rev. Mike Beck and Pastor Jolita Erbele officiating. Burial will be in London Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to New Life Methodist Women, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.