Friday, May 23, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
Activities Mark End to Academic Year
photos by ANNA TUNGATE
Local students have participated in numerous activities as the school year winds down, including Coulston Elementary’s historic downtown Shelbyville tour, which included visits to the Grover Center, Greek’s Pizzeria, Linne’s Bakery, Blessing’s Opera House, Joseph Fountain/Balser statue, Charles Davis Mansion for lunch and The Strand Theatre. In the lower photos, Mrs. Melissa Gerline-Clagg’s students at Hendricks Elementary participate in a “Famous Hoosier Wax Museum.” Today is the last student day at Shelbyville Central Schools before summer break.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Central Schools board on Wednesday approved re-establishing a virtual program for up to 99 students in grades 7 - 12. The district is partnering with Indiana Online and Edgenuity to provide certified teachers and state standards-aligned courses. One SCS teacher and an administrator will be assigned to the virtual program to help oversee attendance and course completion. Core subjects English Language Arts and Math will be taught synchronously, with the possibility of adding Science and Social Studies to that mix. Virtual program students will be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs and events, but will be restricted from participation in IHSAA-sanctioned and Shelbyville Middle School athletics. SCS administrators on Wednesday said the option, which will initially begin with up to 50 students, will be allowed for students who may do best with a virtual option and can handle the time management aspects of the program.
Rush Shelby Energy will be closing River Road between S 300 E and E 750 S next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (May 27 - 30) between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day to replace a pole at 4038 E. River Road. This work was scheduled earlier, but could not be done at that time due to inclement weather.
Country Road N 425 W has been re-opened for traffic.
First United Methodist Church is hosting a free Comedy Night, June 4, 7 p.m. Comedian Dan Hansen will be featured at the family-friendly stand-up act in the Fellowship Hall.
HOOSIER NEWS: Indiana’s unemployment rate has steadily improved over the last four months, according to the latest preliminary labor data. The state's unemployment rate fell below 4 percent for the first time since June 2024. Indiana's unemployment rate, which measures the percentage of people who are without a job but are actively looking for work, stood at 3.9 percent in April, while the national rate was 4.2 percent. Indiana’s unemployment rate is down half a percent from January — dropping it below the national average for the first time since September 2024. In the month of April, Indiana’s labor force participation rate stood at 63.7 percent, slightly higher than the national average of 62.6 percent. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: A survey of 9,593 U.S. adults found that 30 percent of respondents consult a fortune teller, tarot cards, astrology or a horoscope at least twice a year, with astrology being the most common by far. The level of people who engage with astrology is pretty stable; the 27 percent who consulted astrology at least twice this past year is not too different from the 29 percent who said so to Pew in 2017 and the 23 to 28 percent who said as much every time Gallup asked the question from 1990 to 2005. Most do it for fun; just 1 percent of respondents said they rely “a lot” on what they learn from such divination. (Pew Research Center/Numlock)
The Addison Times is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.
Want the daily edition read to you? Struggling with your email provider filtering out your local news? The Addison Times Substack app will solve those challenges!
SHS Courier Archive Highlights
March 11, 1977
Delegates for boys and girls State were named. The selection was based on leadership, personality and interest in politics. A committee consisting of Mr. Clapp, Mr. Craft, Mr. Fallis, Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Ketchum, Mr. Orem and Mrs. Ramey selected the students from a list of juniors who were rated in the top 20 of their class academically. The delegates were Nancy Cole, Chris Westerman, Jessica Shisler, Jim VanNatta, Alyce Tower, Julie English, Janet Wisker, David Muth, Cort Wallein and Rick Hayes.
The Spanish Club raised $238 from taco sales. President Steve Simpson announced part of the money would go to the Malcolm Clay Scholarship.
Bands Egypt and Ashe would be performing at the Women’s Building “for a high time and some rock ‘n roll.”
Billy Keller’s All-Stars were coming to Garrett Gymnasium. The team included Keller, Rick Mount, Bob Netolicky, Charlie Jordan, Mel Daniels, Bill Newton, Billy Shepard and Steve Downing. The Shelby County All-star roster included John Hartnett, Dave Randolph, Dennis Rhoades, Tim Simpson, Tim Ash, Hal Pike, Sam Ingle, Jerry Newson, Steve Welmer, Wendall Denton and Brad McQueen.
Rehearsals were underway for “No, No, Nanette.” There were 80 people in the chorus.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: MAJOR HEALTH PARTNERS
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: Shelbyville Rotarians once again lined the North State Road 9 bridge over Blue River with hundreds of bloomin’ begonias, opting for salmon pink over the previous flashy red. Those participating were club president Amy McQueen, Bill Hopkins, Ruth Ann Hopkins, Jim Cherry, Walt Alexander, Paul Carlisle, Tom Rosenfeld, John Huber, Bill Walsh and Jim Marshall.
1995: Sen. Richard Lugar brought his presidential campaign to Shelbyville at the home of J. Lee and Rose McNeely for a fundraiser.
Major Hospital purchased the former office of Dr. Wilson Dalton, 117 W. Washington St. Dalton had donated the house to the Blue River Foundation with the condition that it be sold.
1985: Local law enforcement geared up to enforce new state traffic laws, including requiring moped drivers to have either a driver’s license or an identification card. It would also be illegal to ride double on a moped.
1975: More than 800 people visited the State Bank of Waldron’s open house at their new facility.
The Fairland Rec opened for the season.
Southwestern High School senior Jerry Parmer was named Most Valuable Athlete of the school year. Chris Coy, Spartan athletic director, made the presentation.
1965: Orpha Miles, an assembler at G.E., became the first of 156 Shelbyville employees to receive a 10-year pin. Supervisor Mike Jamros, who originally trained Miles, presented the pin. Miles was the first factory employee hired when the General Electric plant opened in 1955.
1955: Addison Township school was opened for 27 displaced children after the fourth floor of the Gordon Children’s Home caught fire. The county-owned home blaze was serviced by hoses running from Wellington Heights and from the corner of McLane and Jackson streets after a plug failure directly in front of the home. Defective wiring was a possible cause, fire officials said.
1945: Induction of men 30 and over was halted by the Selective Service, local officials announced. The local draft board had been giving fathers over 29 “sympathetic consideration,” The Republican said.
1935: City Council discussed the latest problem affecting the city. “It seems that the squirrels that were sent here recently by the state conservation department and released on the Major Hospital grounds and at Morrison Park won’t cooperate. That is, they won’t stay in their respective territories,” The Republican said. Citizens who saw “squirrels that are playing hooky” were told “not to try to return them to the grounds where the squirrels belong. The little rascals are the biting kind.”
1925: Local grocers, after much debate, came to an agreement to close at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day. They also agreed that no deliveries would be made. Ice cream shops agreed to remain closed all day.
1915: George Tolen, Monroe Long, Thomas Kessler, James Miller and Joe Joliff were appointed special policemen for the day. “The men are patrolling the city and will make every effort to keep the city free of all marauders that are usually to be found on circus day,” The Republican said.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
David A. George, 49, of Milroy, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at his residence. Born on March 7, 1976, in Rushville, he was the son of Kathy (Jasper) George. He married Jennifer (Sanders) George and she preceded him in death. Survivors include three children, Jessica George (fiancé Kyle), Ashley George, David Balusek; brother- John Jones; and three grandchildren, Amara Lewis, Wyatt Chambers, and Octavia George. He was preceded in death by his parents, spouse Jennifer (Sanders) George, grandma Betty, and Uncle JR.
David had lived in the Rush County/Shelby County areas his entire lifetime and graduated with honors. He was an appliance technician for Bishop’s Appliances for 10 years. David loved to draw, enjoyed tattooing, loved to fish and hunt, and loved his grandbabies.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glenngeorgeandson.com.
Madonna Leiter, 64, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday May 22, 2025, at her residence. She was born February 17, 1961, in Indianapolis, Ind., 46176, to Robert Reigel and Elizabeth (Flory) Jones.
Madonna graduated from Morristown High School with the class of 1979. She was a skilled machinist and enjoyed cooking and baking. She was exceptionally good at cooking and baking things from scratch, especially her homemade pies. Madonna had a love for music and watching sports. Her favorite teams were the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers. She also had a love for dogs. Being with family and making memories with her loved ones is what brought her the most joy.
She is survived by her son, Brad (wife, Bonnie) Reigel; her daughter, Miranda Mann; her son, Brian Schafner (Crystal Morton); her grandchildren, Elizabeth, Journee, Jaden, Levi and Jazlynn; her great-grandchildren, Apollo, Izzy, Capri and Westyn; her sister, Tammy Fuller; her best friend, Tammy Batton; and Pops. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Madonna’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Arthur Roy Pressler, 78, of Shelbyville, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at The Willows of Greensburg. He was born January 14, 1947, in Elkhart, the son of Hubert Earl Anderson and Eva (Eggleston) Pressler. Arthur was raised by his mother and step-father, Cecil Pressler. Arthur is survived by his daughters, Robin Barger and husband, Nolan, of Shelbyville, and Rene’ Tuttle and husband, John, of Canton, Georgia; brothers, Ronny Pressler of Elkhart and Dick Pressler of Wilmington, NC; sister, Marla Groff of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Molly, Nolan, Kensley, Daniel, Sandy, Gracie and Colin; great-grandson, John; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, William “Bill” Pressler, Louie Pressler, Roger Pressler and C. J. Pressler.
In 1965, Arthur graduated from Elkhart High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines, serving two tours in Vietnam. Arthur enjoyed golfing.
Graveside services will be at the Prairie Street Cemetery in Elkhart at a later date with military graveside rites conducted by the local military committee. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas, 66675-8516. Online condolences may be shared with Arthur’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.