Friday, December 12, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
‘STRINGS OF STREET LIGHTS’
The home of Tom and Lori Brown on Meiks Road is elaborately decorated for the holidays. | photo by JACK BOYCE
SMOOTH SAILING
Traffic barriers have been removed at the Isabelle Farms roundabout in the final phases of construction on North Riley Highway. | photo by JOHN WALKER
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelby County Recycling District (SCRD) is planning to partner with Caldwells, Inc. to launch a composting pilot at Shelbyville High School, pending school system approval, beginning January 2026. The program would place Shelby County at the forefront of school-based food-waste recovery in Indiana, officials said. “We provide 34 counties with (Household Hazardous Waste) services, and none of those counties are doing this,” Jordan Caldwell, president of Caldwell’s, Inc., said. FFA, agriculture, and environmental science teachers, as well as dining staff at Shelbyville High School have been consulted during the planning process. Students would deposit clean food waste from the cafeteria into seven totes, which would be transported to Caldwell’s Morristown composting facility for processing. “(Food waste would) start in the cafeteria of SHS and then end up in our farm fields right here, and that whole process takes around 100 days,” Caldwell said. The company is currently building a learning center at the Morristown site that will host classes and demonstrations. The plan is to eventually expand the program beyond SHS to serve all Shelbyville Central Schools. The SHS program cost, covered by the SCRD, is $1,275 per semester.
The Shelby County Recycling District Board voted unanimously last night to continue its cleanup voucher program, which Executive Director Lisa Carpenter noted has become a safer and more efficient replacement for the large community cleanup events once held in Fairland, Waldron and later at the county fairgrounds. Carpenter explained that the previous events drew long traffic lines and required extensive volunteer labor, prompting the district to shift in 2024 to a voucher system that allows residents to bring in trash and other materials on their own schedule. Since its launch, the district has issued 1,123 vouchers, with an average redemption cost of $85 and only 66 expiring unused; redemptions have ranged from $7.50 for three bags of trash to more than $600 for loads of stone and debris. Board members noted the program has reduced roadside dumping and improved safety by eliminating congestion.
Shelby County Commissioner and Recycling District board member Nathan Runnebohm reported that he, SCRD Executive Director Lisa Carpenter and Blue River Community Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Jones recently met with a Department of Natural Resources representative to discuss plans for new kayak launches along the Blue River. Runnebohm said DNR was supportive and willing to sign off on locally funded, ADA-compliant launches, noting the agency approves only a handful statewide each year. The county is evaluating two potential sites, one near State Road 44 and another on six acres of county-owned land between Shelbyville and Morristown, to create a series of stops that would fill a large gap between Morristown and Sunset Park. State estimates place the cost at roughly $20,000 per launch, and while the 2026 state application cycle is already full, Runnebohm said DNR could still approve county-funded installations next year. Discussion of the matter will be ongoing.
A vehicle slid on ice while pulling into a parking spot at Kroger and struck an unattended parked vehicle. The owner of the unattended vehicle was in the store working. The first vehicle had minor front bumper damage, but the parked vehicle sustained significant front-end damage, including a cracked grille, broken headlight casing, and a bumper partially detached. All information was exchanged at the scene.
Editor’s Note: Thank you so much to each donor who has generously contributed to our $100,000 campaign. The following are among our recent donors: Donation in memory of Dannie Lummis; DePrez, Johnson, Brant and Eads, Attorneys; Kevin & Debbie Williams; Denny & Mary Ann Harrold; Rebecca Hensler; David Sheets; and Gary & Jean Tungate. (Many of these are on behalf of families.) Reaching our fundraising goal for 2026 will allow us to expand high-quality coverage countywide. Donors of $100 or more receive a commemorative January print edition and donors of $500 or more will be recognized in that edition. Contributions can be made online through our donation form or by mailing a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, Ste. 13, Shelbyville, IN, 46176. Again, thank you so much for your loyal support of this endeavor. - Kristiaan Rawlings
HOOSIER NEWS: Indianapolis-based Elevance Health is expanding its use of artificial intelligence with an upgraded Virtual Assistant that helps members quickly find coverage details, cost estimates, claims information and in-network providers. The tool, available through the Sydney Health app and participating plan websites, now uses more intuitive language and improved search capabilities. Elevance says the move reflects a broader trend in the insurance industry, where most health insurers report using AI, and plans to extend the assistant to Medicare members in 2026. (IBJ)
NATIONAL NEWS: Broadway entertained 14.66 million theatergoers last season, now back to only slightly behind the 14.77 million logged in the pre-Covid 2018-19 season. It was the highest-grossing season on record, earning $1.89 billion. One concern is the decline of a crucial constituency: people from Long Island and New Jersey. In the 2006-07 season, 16.5 percent of the Broadway audience were from New York City proper, 18.3 percent were from the New York City suburbs, 49.7 percent were from the rest of the United States and 15.5 percent were from outside of the country. Since then, the shift has been more NYC and Rest of World, and less Nassau and Westchester. New York City now accounts for 25.1 percent of the audience, the NYC suburbs just 12.6 percent, the rest of the U.S. 42.1 percent and the rest of the world 20.3 percent. (Hollywood Reporter/Numlock)
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This Week in Shelby County Archive
by GEORGE L. STUBBS
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: MAJOR HEALTH PARTNERS
This Day in Shelby County History
Local headlines reported on or around this date in Shelby County history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: Bob Claxton was preparing to take over as president of Knauf Insulation, succeeding Bob Britton. Claxton had worked at Knauf for 30 years, starting as an accountant with CertainTeed, Knauf’s predecessor, right out of college. He had stayed on when Knauf acquired the company in 1977. He had served as plant manager in Shelbyville in the 1980s.
1995: Democrat Ernest Conrad kept his 5th Ward Shelbyville City Council seat after a recount showed him winning 342–341 over Republican challenger Larry Parker. Circuit Court Judge Charles O’Connor oversaw the process, with recount commission members George Stubbs Jr., Phillip Brown and Bradley Fix reviewing ballots from three precincts.
Shelby County’s courthouse committee determined that neither Pearson Elementary School nor the Masonic Temple could be used for courthouse expansion after a consultant found both buildings structurally unsuitable. The report said that Pearson’s floors could not support the required load and that both sites posed accessibility challenges under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
1985: Brady Adkins scored 35 points including all six of his team’s overtime points to lead Loper Blue past Pearson, 56-54, for the city sixth-grade boys’ basketball tourney championship. The victory gave Loper a sweep at Paul Cross Gym. Earlier, Brian Asher had scored 30 points to lead Loper White to a 39-13 victory, also over Pearson, in the fifth-grade championship game. The Loper Blue players included Keith Scarlett, Brett Petitt, Eric Brandt, Brady Adkins, Brian Davis, Larry Lacy, Josh Coy, Brady Wilson, Todd Hellums, Jon Higgins, Trent Appleby and Josh Cord. David Wimmer was the coach. The Loper White players included J.C. Koch, Billy Elliott, Ryan Miller, Brad Chancy, Brian Asher, Kevin Sweet, Jon Jordan, Jason Heffner, John Stafford, Butch Kickendale, Ronnie Dickason, Jon Seaton, Tom Stafford and Michael Smothers. Jon Orem was the coach.
1975: Citizens Band radio use continued to surge, with local CBers noting growing interest across all age groups and backgrounds. State Rep. Don Hanlin, who edited the monthly “CB Today,” said the hobby had expanded far beyond its “redneck radio” stereotype as more Hoosiers used it for travel, hobby communication and even locating police or road hazards, The Shelbyville News reported. Federal regulators struggled to keep pace with demand. More than a million licenses had been issued over the previous year.
1965: Indiana Adjutant General John S. Anderson told Shelbyville Rotarians that plans were moving forward for a combination armory at the city airport, reviving a project that had been stalled. The proposed facility would serve aviation and infantry units of the National Guard’s 38th Division, pending approval from state and federal officials. Anderson said the new armory could draw recruits and training activity from more than 30 miles away.
1955: Dennis Talbert of Morristown High School won top honors in Shelby County’s Five-Acre Corn Club competition. Paul Keffaber won first in the senior division. His son, Joe, had won the junior division a year before.
1945: Dr. R.M. Nigh of Fairland announced the reopening of his medical office with new afternoon and limited evening hours.
1935: Seventeen patients were examined at Shelbyville’s sixth tuberculosis clinic of the year, with three new cases identified in the early stages of the disease. County health nurse observations also flagged two additional patients as “suspicious,” and two visiting children were monitored after living in a home where their father had long been ill with tuberculosis. Dr. W.C. McFadden of the Shelby County Tuberculosis Association emphasized the importance of regular clinics, supported locally through Christmas Seal funds, to help protect children and families from the spread of the disease.
1925: The Shelbyville High School faculty held their annual Christmas party in the school cafeteria following dismissal, complete with a grab bag game and light refreshments. Teachers organizing the event included Eva Swanson, Wilma Wheatencraft, Jane Durrenberger and Eulalie Mull.
1915: A representative of Lung Motor, Inc. spoke to city officials about the community need for a lung motor, a device already in use in many states and adopted by the U.S. government for mine rescue work. She met with the mayor and council members, who became convinced the equipment would be essential once the city established its planned hospital on land deeded by W.S. Major.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Andrea Baxter, 87, of Indianapolis, died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, peacefully at home surrounded by family. Born Aug. 21, 1938, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of Mitchell and Laura (Rivers) Jamros. She married Robert Baxter in 1957 in Shelbyville, Indiana. Survivors include one daughter, Laurie (Steve) Helms of Indianapolis; two sons, Robert “Bob” Baxter of Richmond, California, and Mitchell “Mitch” Baxter of San Rafael, California; grandchildren Kelly Pflum (Eric Frank) of Connersville, Indiana, Katie (Ryan) Boyll of Fishers, Indiana, and Carson (Adriana) Baxter of Oakley, California; and great-grandchildren Lincoln and Leo Pflum of Connersville, Amelia, Tate and Piper Boyll of Fishers, and Sawyer Baxter of Oakley. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Robert Baxter.
After living in Shelbyville for 23 years and raising her family, she traveled and lived in North Carolina, New Orleans, Florida, California and Cincinnati, Ohio, before settling in Indianapolis for the last 15 years.
Andrea graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1956 and had recently attended her 69th class reunion. In her early years, she was a homemaker before pursuing her dream of attending college. In 1969, she attended IUPUI and received a degree in speech and theater. She spent time as a classroom teacher in Shelby County before becoming an engineering recruiter for the remainder of her career.
She was a proud member of Mensa International and joined the Daughters of Isabella in 1960, remaining active throughout her life. A dedicated bridge player, she enjoyed the game for more than 50 years. She was a faithful member of St. Monica Catholic Church, a certified Master Gardener, and a beloved community theater actress in Shelbyville. Her adventurous spirit led her to travel the world, yet she cherished the quiet joys of home: her always-full thermos of black coffee, daily crossword puzzles completed in pen, the stack of books beside her bed, and fond memories of her beloved beagles, especially Herbie. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren play basketball, soccer and track.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, at St. Monica Catholic Church, 6131 Michigan Road, Indianapolis. Visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass at the church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, at a later date.
Harold W. Thopy, 89, of Shelbyville, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at Waldron Health & Rehab. Born March 24, 1936, in Shelby County, he was the son of Paul and Helen Louise (Kendall) Thopy. He married Elinor (Stanton) Thopy on April 11, 1954, and she preceded him in death on July 27, 2020. Survivors include two sons, Tony Thopy (Bonnie) and Troy Thopy (Jennifer), both of rural Shelbyville; and two grandchildren, Ethan Wayne Thopy of Franklin and Camille Thopy of Shelbyville. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his wife.
Mr. Thopy was a lifelong resident of the area and attended Boggstown High School. He was a self-employed farmer throughout his life and also owned and operated an auto repair shop in Franklin for several years. Harold enjoyed traveling and shopping with his wife, and loved farming and mechanical work.
Funeral services will be at noon Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Pastor Daniel McDonald officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of service Monday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Patricia L. Spillman, 72, of Shelbyville, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at her home. Born May 5, 1953, in Elwood, she was the daughter of Floyd E. Michaels and Betty May (Basey) Michaels. She married Gerald D. “Sonny” Spillman Sr. on July 7, 1979, and he preceded her in death on Jan. 22, 2016. Survivors include four children: Gloria Brown (William) of Shelbyville, Tina Spillman of Shelbyville, Gerald “Jerry” Spillman Jr. (Julie) of Fort Wayne, and David Michaels of Indianapolis; three siblings: Nona Bell (Rick) of Kokomo, Steve Brown of Anderson, and Mona Nipper of Indianapolis; 17 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her husband; children Consuella Shirrell and Carrie Michaels; brother Leroy Michaels; sister Cecilia Carmen; grandson Austin Childers; and granddaughter Nevaeh Barrera.
Mrs. Spillman was a lifelong resident of the area and worked in housekeeping at Heritage House for 10 years and at Indiana Live Casino for five years. She was baptized at Trinity United Methodist Church. Patricia enjoyed playing online bingo, fishing and camping, and spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Pastor Seth Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 p.m. until the time of service Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelby County Cancer Association, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Robert W. Griffith Jr., 81, of Shelbyville, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at IU Health Methodist Hospital. He was born May 10, 1944, in Shelbyville to Robert W. Griffith Sr. and Edith R. (Henderson) Griffith. Bob graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1962 and later attended Ball State University before beginning his career at Allison Transmission, where he specialized in tool and die casting. He retired from Allison after 30 years of service, then worked at Big Blue, Orscheln and later McGinn Tooling in Franklin. Bob was a member of First Baptist Church in Shelbyville, a lifetime member of American Legion Post 70 and a member of the Shelby Shifters Car Club. He loved cars and tools, enjoyed drag racing and treasured his 1965 Oldsmobile 442, which he purchased new and kept throughout his life.
He married Judith A. (Boles) Griffith on Feb. 25, 1966, and she survives. Other survivors include his son, Anthony Scott Griffith of Shelbyville; daughters, Deena Lynn Cheshier of Shelbyville and Regina Griffith of Columbus; and grandchildren Alahna, Alex, Nick and Jaden. He was preceded in death by his parents and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Burial at Forest Hill Cemetery, with military honors conducted by local veteran organizations, will be announced at a later date. Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Robert’s family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelby County Cancer Association, 31 Public Square, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Online condolences may be shared at murphyparks.com.