Friday, August 1, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
SKILLS CAMP
Butler University volleyball player Alaleh Tolliver, who was selected to the Big East All-Freshman Team last season, works with Shelbyville High School players Mia Robbins, Allie Garrett and Callie Weber during a local camp yesterday led by Butler assistant coach and Shelbyville native AJ Lux. (More on Lux’s and Tolliver’s visit here.) | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Marks, DePrez honored with 2025 Spirit of Community Award
Loper Elementary art teacher Eric Sutton, Lee Marks and John C. DePrez Jr. participate in the unveiling of Sutton’s artwork on a traffic cabinet at S. Harrison and Mechanic streets in 2019. | submitted
Lee Marks and John C. DePrez Jr. have been named the 2025 recipients of the Spirit of Community Award, presented annually by Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) to individuals and organizations who elevate quality of life in Shelby County through service and philanthropy.
The couple was nominated by their granddaughter, Sara Lewis, who wrote, “Their generosity knows no bounds… Their contributions have made a significant impact, and we are incredibly fortunate to benefit from their kindness and dedication.”
Each year, the individual award recipient designates a local nonprofit to receive a $1,000 gift. Lee and John selected BRANCH, a recently established organization that tackles ecological initiatives such as invasive plant removal.
Now in its tenth year, the Spirit of Community Award highlights the contributions of both individuals and organizations whose leadership strengthens Shelby County. BRCF reported receiving more nominations than ever in 2025, with each one worthy of recognition.
According to BRCF, the nomination of Marks and DePrez was met with immediate consensus among staff. The pair are known for their progressive mindset, generous support of local arts, and active leadership within the community. Marks currently serves on the BRCF Board of Directors and Grants Committee, while DePrez is a former board president who continues to stay engaged, often offering ideas and encouragement that have sparked new community initiatives.
One such idea led to the Foundation’s public art initiative to wrap traffic cabinets in vinyl artwork throughout Shelbyville—a project that began with a single installation and has since grown to include 19 boxes, with more on the way. Beyond offering financial support, Marks and DePrez have connected BRCF with artists, contractors and other partners to make the effort possible.
The couple’s influence extends beyond BRCF. Marks has served on boards for Girls Inc. (local and national), Indiana Arts Commission, Shelby County Players, and The Association of International Photography Art Dealers in New York City. DePrez has served with The Penrod Society, Shelby Arts Alliance, Hoosier State Press Association, and the Indiana Coalition for the Arts.
“They are the epitome of community philanthropists,” Jennifer Jones, BRCF executive director, said. “Their time, talent, treasures, and ties have had a lasting impact not only on BRCF but across Shelby County.”
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NOTEBOOK:
Shelbyville police and medics responded Wednesday to a crash in the 200 block of South Noble Street after a driver lost control while turning from East Hendricks Street at a high rate of speed. The vehicle struck a tree and then hit a residence. The driver was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Two people face charges after a shooting early Tuesday morning in Shelbyville, Max Lewis reported. Gamaliel “Gama” Garcia-Gomez, 19, is charged with criminal recklessness with a firearm, resisting law enforcement, and minor in possession of alcohol. Sofia Arenas, 18, is charged with resisting law enforcement and operating a vehicle without a license. Police responded to shots fired near Hendricks and Montgomery streets around 1:15 a.m. and encountered gunfire. The suspects fled in a vehicle, but were quickly apprehended. Officers recovered two guns and shell casings from the scene. Arenas did not explain to police why they were in Shelbyville. Garcia-Gomez admitted to firing a gun and called it a “dumb” decision. His BAC was later found to be .17. Both remain in the Shelby County jail. Court dates have not yet been set.
HOOSIER NEWS: This fall, Hamilton County will break ground on a $65 million expansion to its Government and Judicial Center, a renovation that follows years of preparation and delays driven by shifting needs and increased expenses. According to the Indiana Judicial Branch’s 2024 Weighted Caseload Measures, which compares trial court caseloads across the state, Hamilton County is experiencing the second highest need for judicial officers, meaning the county needs additional judicial officers more severely than 90 other counties in the state. The county has an average of 12.3 regularly assigned judges serving the court but needs around 17 judges to accommodate the number of new cases that are filed in the county during a given calendar year. Only Vigo County has a greater need. To accommodate the high caseload, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation this spring to add two superior courts and two magistrate judges to the county’s existing staff. (IBJ)
NATIONAL NEWS: The latest data from Nielsen found that adults in the United States averaged three hours and 50 minutes of daily listening through the second quarter of the year, including both ad-supported (about 64 percent of total listening) and ad-free (the rest) platforms. Of that ad-supported region, there is a dominant format: still radio. Radio accounted for 64 percent of listening time, podcasts for 19 percent, streaming audio for 14 percent and satellite radio for three percent. Essentially, if you’re still listening to ads these days, it’s probably on a radio. (Media Play News/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Oct. 6, 1964
Fluorescent lights were installed throughout the building. At the junior high school, the skylights in the large assembly room were removed and replaced by a new roof. The red tile roof of the main building was replaced with a modern gray asphalt covering.
Gary Myers was the new high school band director. There were 52 students in band, and Mr. Myers said he hoped to double the membership in two years. He had previously spent two years as band director at Triton Central High School.
The photo below was taken by Dan Karnowsky in his first attempt with a Polaroid camera. “He chose as his first subjects, or victims, the SHS cheerleaders,” The Courier said. “They looked more like ghosts than people.” One of Dan’s “better attempts” featured Homecoming Queen Manarda Payne with Dave Bremer, Nancy Coers and Mickey Dellenkamp.
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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 by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: Descendants of Zachariah Webb, born in 1808, created a wetlands on his Shelby County property with his namesake. Webb had moved here as a child in 1822, and his parents became members of the newly formed Second Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in 1835. Zachariah had married Nancy Hough in 1831.
1995: The Fraternal Order of the Eagles donated almost $100,000 to the Ronald McDonald House, with about $9,000 coming from Eagles Lodge No. 766 and its auxiliary, 20 E. Franklin Street. Don O’Neal and Nina Claytor had been major local fundraisers.
1985: The Indiana Gas Company moved into its new facility just west of the Inlow Clinic. The office had previously been located on Public Square and North Noble St. Ron Ault, manager, said the new building would allow for consolidation of operations.
1975: Volunteer firefighters in Fairland received their new $32,000 bright yellow fire truck. John Begley and “Skip” Gilley prepared the truck for service.
1965: Shelbyville had a record low temperature of 48 for the day. The previous mark of 56 had been set in 1936.
1955: The Shelbyville Fire Department received their new 1,500 gallon tank truck, to be used on county runs. Firemen Albert White, Robert Myers and William Branson prepared the truck for service.
John Van Ranst, 10, won the Morristown Cub Scout Coaster race with his gold racer. The first coaster race had been held in 1947 on the South St. hill with Jimmy Patterson winning the distance race and Leroy Brewer claiming the speed championship. Other winners in ensuing years were Bill Jones, Phillip Ross, Bill Beckner, Steve Margison, Marvin Bass and Les Spencer.
1945: More than 500 locals watched the opening softball matches, with the Crystal Flashes beating Eads Texaco, 15-0, and the Hoosier Merchants downing the DeMolays, 8-5. The Flashes were helped by three servicemen home on furlough: Tom Fox, Harold Peck and Eugene McNew.
1935: Paul Barnard and George Stubbs passed the bar exam. Both had been students at Indiana University. Paul was the son of Dr. and Mrs. R.F. Barnard, 37 W. Mechanic. George was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Stubbs, 309 South West St.
1925: Between 800 and 900 people gathered to hear a debate organized by Shelbyville teacher Jeptha Humphries on whether or not evolution should be taught in schools. The Republican said both presenters gave strong cases. The selected judges, however, failed to appear, “having decided that the responsibility of deciding the great question was more than they cared to shoulder.”
1915: John Day, a young employee at the McClocksey Jewelry Store, had made the news a few times recently for various reasons. Most recently, he had accidentally locked himself in a jewelry case for 20 minutes while cleaning it. Someone had finally released him from the case, which was “about as warm as a spot near the equator,” The Republican said. The paper said John had “broken into print again,” noting that he had “a habit of doing this about every day in the week and on Monday usually (getting) two notices to make up for the lack of a Sunday edition.”
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OBITUARIES
Mary Beatrice (Phares) Grubb maintained her keen sense of style and artistic eye throughout her 93 years of life. Mary was born on July 16, 1932 to Eva and Leonard Phares of Shelbyville, Ind. (both deceased). She had an older brother, Jack Phares (deceased), and two younger sisters, Beverly Sue (Phares) Grubb and Jean (Phares) Lovitt.
After graduating from Shelbyville High School, Mary attended the Art Institute in Chicago.
She married Frank Grubb (deceased) on June 1, 1958. Mary and Frank raised their two daughters, Katherine (Grubb) Schirm (deceased) and Stephanie (Grubb) Dayton in South Bend, Ind.
She worked for the Housing Allowance Office and United Way. Later in life, Mary moved to McCordsville, IN to be closer to her daughter. Continuing Mary’s legacy are daughter Stephanie, son-in-law Paul Dayton, grandchildren Katharine Harding, Jacob Harding, Jadie Heberlein, and great grandchildren Parker and Madison.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, at Moon Drops Distillery in Fortville, IN at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Cancer Society, donate.cancer.org. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Mary’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Steven Keith Shaw, 77, of Greenwood, died Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at his residence. He was born Feb. 21, 1948, in Indianapolis, the son of Milton Townsend Shaw and Fern Carolyn (Zike) Shaw. He married Linda Lou (Dile) Shaw on Aug. 19, 1967, and she preceded him in death on Sept. 15, 2009. Survivors include two sons, Nicholas Shaw (Taylor Brumley) of Camby and Steven Shaw (Lisa Taylor) of Greenwood; two brothers, Martin Shaw and Paul Shaw (Sherrie), both of Michigan; a sister, Cindy Wallis (Gary) of Michigan; and a granddaughter, Savannah Shaw. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Linda; and a brother, Landon Shaw.
Mr. Shaw was a lifelong resident of the area and graduated from Triton Central High School in 1967. He worked at Catalyst Product & Development Group in Indianapolis, retiring after 12 years, and was also employed by several other tool and die and molding companies. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, metal detecting, mushroom hunting, building and fixing things, and was known for his special sense of humor. In earlier years, he enjoyed riding motorcycles with his wife.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until the time of service Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Riley Children’s Hospital, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.