Saturday, August 31, 2024

Aug 31, 2024

photo by ANNA TUNGATE

Thanks to a Leadership Shelby County (LSC) cohort project, Buddy Benches were installed this week at Coulston Elementary, Loper Elementary, St. Joseph Catholic School, Southwestern Elementary and Waldron Elementary. Above, LSC member Hannah Rieser (coreVISION), St. Joseph principal Stephen Hoffman, school employee James Kozinski, and LSC members Jake Salmond (Major Health Partners) and Lacey Plank (Beaty Construction, Inc.) oversee installation of the bench on the St. Joe playground. (Additional group members not pictured include Kim Russell, Firefly Children & Family Alliance; Trista Evans, HIS Management, Inc.; and Victoria Harris, ER Counseling LLC.)

Buddy Benches give children a designated place to talk with peers at recess, and the program comes with resource material to teach the purpose of the bench.

“The idea is, if a kid is having an off-day or not feeling included, or just having a rough time, they come sit on the bench, and their friends recognize somebody is sitting here, and they come and sit with them and be their buddy and try to include them, help make them feel better,” Salmond said.

Hoffman agreed, and said the bench is useful in a variety of situations. “Sometimes, it’s just a new kid that just came to the school, and they can sit there, and other children can get to know them.”

Project donors included Stephenson Rife LLP, C-Tech Corporation, Horseshoe Indianapolis Racing & Casino, Terry Morgan, coreVision Financial Group, Firefly Children & Family Alliance, Knauf Insulation, Blue River Community Foundation, Emhardt Pediatric Dentistry, MHP Foundation, Blackketter Law and Sports Locker Room. Also, Molly Wentzel donated specifically for Waldron Elementary.

NOTEBOOK:

Shelbyville’s Connor Elliott spoke to local Democrats this week about his experience as a delegate to the recent Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Elliott, 19, a 2022 Shelbyville High School graduate and current Indiana University Indianapolis student studying public policy, is currently campaign manager for State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-89). Elliott hit the highlights of the convention and answered questions, including one about his own political ambitions. “I enjoy the behind-the-scenes work,” he said, although he hinted that could change in “10, 15, 20 years.” In other business, Shelby County Democrats discussed their upcoming Dining with the Dems, set for Sept. 17. Democrat Lt. Governor candidate Terry Goodin is the special guest.
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Walker St. and John St., causing the pedestrian’s body to strike the vehicle’s windshield. The pedestrian refused medical transport.
In addition to those listed earlier this week, the following streets will be closed next week: the southbound lane of Miller Ave. will be moved to the center/turn lane on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 8:45 a.m., for approximately five hours for construction work; W. McKay Road traffic will be shifted to the south side of the road on Tuesday, Sept. 3, and will remain one-way to the west; Pike St., from Pennsylvania to Mechanic, will be closed Tuesday to Thursday, Sept. 3 - 5, for intersection improvements; and Pike St., from Mechanic to Franklin, will be closed Wednesday to Friday, Sept. 4 - 6, for intersection improvements.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Police in Rio di Janeiro are cracking down on claw machines, carrying out 16 search warrants targeting the popular arcade games in a citywide sweep after officials alleged the machines defraud users who are convinced that skill is involved. They’re investigating whether the machines are mobbed up, linked to the organized crime groups that operate slots and the lottery in the city. This follows a May crackdown where 80 claw machines stocked with — gasp — counterfeit plushies turned up information that the machines were, in fact, programmed to only actually work after a certain number of attempts, which would remove skill from the games and make them chance-based. Police detained 13,000 stuffed animals in that May raid, which were spared destruction by a judge and instead donated to families that lost their homes in a flood. (Associated Press/Numlock)
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580 West Taylor St.

Editor’s Note: The following is the next installment in a serialized version of “580 West Taylor Street,” by Joseph E. “Joed” Landwerlen.

by JOSEPH E. LANDWERLEN

Conclusion, Part II

Kenny Dow became an engineer and worked with Chambers Range in Mississippi until they disbanded, and then he came back to Columbus, Ind., to work and retire from Arvin Industries.

Don Dow moved to northern Indiana after high school and ended up in the advertising business.

Charlie Dow went to the Army after high school and after that came home to finish out his working years at Cummins Diesel in Columbus, Ind.

Jerry Smith, “the ballplayer”, became the Borden Milk Man that made the home deliveries. Everyone loved Jerry. He was always cheerful and made people feel good just to be around him. After Bordens stopped home deliveries, he worked and retired from the Indiana Gas Company.

Dale Smith became a manager of several shoe stores around the state, until he died at an early age.

Jack and Don Smith were both Shelbyville police officers for a while and then owned the high speed delivery fork company.

Patty Leet was valedictorian of the class of '56 at Shelbyville High School. She married a carpenter, and together they built a construction company.

Tom Harding went to work at the newly built General Electric plant in Shelbyville and rose to the presidency of the union there.

Jim Phillips relocated to Seymour, Ind., and became an entrepreneur in various fields including restaurants and computers.

Don Kuhn, “my Cousin”, went to the Navy after high school and after his time there, went to work at Naval Avionics in Indianapolis, where he retired.

Ken Walton was manager of a few different plants, but ended up at Kawneer in Franklin. Ind.

Larry Killen also joined the Navy and afterwards spent his working career as an engineer with various employers.

Carl McDaniel died in a car accident at 18 years of age.

I have lost track of all the others.

Last Word

I don't know how, in this huge universe, I was so fortunate to be born into a home of love and protection that I was brought into. To have two loving parents that loved one another and were able to convey that love to me and my siblings is a blessing. Further, to have a full set of grandparents that also loved and nurtured each of us, and taught all of us valuable lessons in life is a plus. I guess that the above is the only thing that kept us going, because everything that we did back in the '40s was wrong.

Both Mom and Dad smoked, almost everyone did, when women were pregnant, they smoked and drank alcohol and fried with lard and ate what was placed in front of them.

Diets were not heard of and we only drank water from the tap, coffee that we brewed or tea that we also brewed ourselves. Our treats were an occasional bottle of RC cola, a Coke, or a soft drink of another name.

We kids didn't exercise, we played. We drank from a garden hose, shared drinks with others, rode bicycles and jumped ramps without knee pads and helmets, played mumblelypeg with sharp knives that we boys carried to school, and we climbed trees. We stubbed our toes and scraped our knees and stayed out 'til the street lights came on.

We jumped off roofs and threw rocks and snowballs at each other. We rode in cars without seat belts and airbags. When someone in the neighborhood got the measles or chickenpox, the mothers would just let them get it so that we would all be over it. If we got in trouble at school, you better believe that we were in more trouble when we got home.

Saturday night was bath night with water heated on the kitchen stove and listening to the Grand Ole Opry on WGN radio, playing board games, having friends over and just being together. Sundays were family days, church in the morning or a park or a fair or reunion where several generations of a family would get together once a year.

If you have read this far I hope I have given you a glimpse of life in the '40s and early '50s in the west side of Shelbyville. If you are young, ask your parents and grandparents about their lives and childhood. I think that if you do, you will learn how tough the population was back then and how much easier your life is now.

SHS Courier Archive Highlights:

April 25, 2003, Part II (Lunch table price: 50 cents)

A “Senior Shine” section profiled Sara Marshall and Erik Simons. Sara said her favorite teachers were Mrs. Schwickrath, Mr. Russ Smith and Mr. Murphy because they all brought “enjoyment to the learning process.” Erik had been on a tennis team with Kyle Erickson the year before, in which they made regionals. He said his favorite teacher was Mrs. Kathy Morrow.
“Upcoming Stars” were listed in Spring Sports predictions. They were Danielle Blain, girls track; Adam Blackburn, baseball; Allison Guidi and Jessie Jones, girls tennis; Andrew Collins, boys golf; Ida Riggs, softball; and Sean Hudson, boys track.
Just over 100 marching band students and 20 adults would be traveling to Disney World to march in a Disney parade over the summer. The itinerary included stops at Cocoa Beach, Ron Jon’s Surf Shop, Planet Hollywood, Animal Kingdom and dinner at Medieval Times.

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.

2014: The City of Shelbyville won a 2014 Indiana Association of Cities and Towns Local Government Cooperation Award. The organization cited the city’s partnership with Rose-Hulman to increase STEM opportunities for students and collaboration with the county on the Shelby County Fair Grandstands project.

2004: Marcus Brown, 32, who had been an Indiana State Police Trooper since 1993 and had patrolled Shelby County for four years, won a boxing match at Riviera Casino in Las Vegas. Brown had boxed as a student at Columbus East High School and in college.

Shelby County Prosecutor Kent Apsley had recently established a program where people could donate old cellular devices to battered women so they would always have a way to call for help. Numerous cell phones had been coming in, the office reported.

1994: After critics torpedoed Shelby County Commissioners’ attempt to pass a plot plan ordinance, the Commissioners presented a revised version. The ordinance was designed to prevent many of the drainage and septic system problems county homeowners experienced, but numerous residents had turned out to complain about potential costs during renovations if the ordinance was approved. The Commissioners revised the ordinance to only apply to new construction.

The new Harrison Street bridge opened. A temporary bridge had been in use since November 1993.

1984: Shelby County’s Prenatal Health Program opened its office at the county health department, 53 W. Polk St. The program would offer counseling, services and referrals to physicians to expectant mothers who could not afford prenatal care. County Health Nurse Sandy McClure had long advocated for the program. Dr. James Peters was the project doctor.

Cathy Henderson won grand champion cake award for her cinnamon crown cake at the Bears of Blue River Festival Pie and Cake Contest. Marjorie Shaner was grand champion for her cranberry cherry pie. In the layer cake division, Kimberley Hardin was first place, Darlene Palmer placed second and Martha Weakley was third. Sally Stephenson was first in the sheet cake division, Marianne Kiefer was second and Janet Lee, third. Tube cake division winners were Maryjean Sparks in first, Virginia Blaich in second and Henrietta Dickman in third. In the two-crust pie division, Betty Gahimer was first, Ella Meltzer was second and Thelma Keppell, third. Bonnie Oliger won the one-crust division, Sheryl Rahn was second and Doris Drake was third. Pie judges were Mary Craig, Don Sexton, Don Becom, La Vone Dake, Dep Ewing and Tony Conger. The contest was held at Bradley Hall Furniture.

1974: Tom’s Tastee-Freez on Vine St. brought back orange pineapple ice cream.

Paul Zerr announced Zerr’s East Side Market on E. Mechanic St. would be closing due to his health.

1964: “A new approach to a long-existing drainage problem at the south border of Shelbyville brought mixed reaction today from nearly 100 property owners inside and outside the city limits,” The Shelbyville News reported. Turning to Indiana’s 1949 “rat law,” County Health Officer Wilson Dalton had sent letters to residents along and near the Fortune ditch, ordering them to “exterminate and destroy the rats thereon and prevent their reappearance by the cleaning of said ditch within 30 days.” The ditch, which had become weed-chocked and dirt-filled, began at Evans St. and extended along Shelby St. and beyond, crossing McKay Road. Residents were upset because the letter said if a property owner didn’t clean their section of the ditch, the city would do so and assess the cost to the property owner.

1954: Tentative plans were discussed for construction of an annex at West Street Methodist Church.

Shelbyville had gone 48 hours without an arrest or incident, the longest period so far in 1954.

1944: Warren McIntyre sent a letter in a German envelope to his parents in Shelbyville from France. He said the weather 50 miles from Paris was “ideal” but the mosquitos were “bad.” He said he had collected quite a few German mementoes.

1934: The Broadway Service Station, managed by Joe LaBarbara, was part of a “Phillips 66 in the Skies” promotion that sponsored a “sky writing at the State Fair” exhibition.

1924: A local man arrested for window peeping was ordered to leave Shelbyville and never return.

1914: After declining numerous requests, Mayor Henry Schoelch officiated his first wedding. The couple, Harry Neil and Alice Breeding, caught the mayor as he was heading to dinner, and he agreed to quickly perform the ceremony.

OBITUARIES

Brian Ray Buschkoetter, 66, of Shelbyville, was unexpectedly taken to his heavenly Father on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. He was born September 5, 1957, in Jasper, the son of Wilfred and Camilla (Schlachter) Buschkoetter. On September 3, 1978, he married his middle school sweetheart, Deborah Ann Weisheit. Brian and Deb had three children: daughter Alicia Prickel (Jared) of Batesville; and sons Alex Buschkoetter (Casey) of Indianapolis, and Austin Buschkoetter (Joanna) of Greenfield. He was also the proud grandpa of six grandchildren: Josephine, Alban, Oliver, Walter, Edith, and Ezra.

Brian will be incredibly missed by his wife, his mother, his children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Bruce Buschkoetter (Charlena) of Ferdinand, Brent Buschkoetter (Kathy) of Jasper, Bert Buschkoetter (Melanie) of Jasper; his sister, Brenda Preusz (Jim) of Columbus; his mother-in-law, Patricia Weisheit of Jasper; his sisters-in-law Kathy Bierma (Ted), Tina Heim (Kent), and Tonia Weisheit; Godchildren Lorraine, Vanessa, and Sydnie; and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; his brother, Blaine Buschkoetter; his father-in-law, Jim Weisheit; and sister-in-law, Lisa Gehlhausen.

In 1975, Brian graduated from Jasper High School. He obtained an associate’s degree in 1977 from Vincennes University and a bachelor’s degree in 1985 from IUPUI in Electrical Engineering Technology graduating near the top of his class. Brian enjoyed his career, doing what he loved as an engineer for 19 years at AT&T, followed by 27 years at Indesign in Indianapolis, where he was also a co-founder. He was planning for retirement at the end of the year, for which he and Deb were making many well deserved plans.

A shining example to all, Brian was dearly loved by his family, for whom he was the spiritual leader and patriarch. A devout Catholic, he and Deb were very active members of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church where Brian was a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and led the Rosary. Brian and Deb taught CCD classes for 19 years and were a sponsor couple for the marriage prep program. Brian was a member of the Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council No. 822 Shelbyville and a 4^th degree member of Father Vincent Bacquelin Assembly Shelbyville. Brian was a Boy Scout Leader and Scout Master for St. Joseph Troop No. 203. He was the proud father of two Eagle Scouts, was a Firecrafter, and received the Vigil Honor of the Order of the Arrow.

Brian enjoyed hunting, fishing, backpacking, and hiking. He was also a “hobby farmer” willing to try anything at least once on his small farm including a variety of fruits and vegetables in his well-tended garden, raising at one time or another: horses, cows, pigs, goats, and most recently acting as shepherd to an ever-growing flock of sheep. While he was a jack of all trades, and a professional tinkerer – he may have loved nothing more than sharing what he had learned with others. This was most apparent in his teaching of his children and grandchildren any chance he got; with a brimming smile and infectious laugh from the joy it brought to him. Brian was always willing to help a friend, and by all accounts one of the best of us.

“Well done you good and faithful servant!” – Matthew 25:23

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville, with the Rosary recited at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Divine Mercy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 4218 E. Michigan Road, Shelbyville. Interment will be at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church or for a mass to be said in his memory. Online condolences may be shared with Brian’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

Walker Lee (Rock) Adkins, 77, of Fairland, passed away Thursday August 29, 2024, at his residence. He was born April 1, 1947 in Dearborn, Mich., to Myrle Adkins and Ruby Adkins.

Walker graduated from Franklin Community High School in 1966. He retired from Doug’s Welding and also worked for 50 years within the fencing business. He attended of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Acton. Walker was an avid collector of many things.

He married Janet (Dobbins) Adkins on June 7, 1967, and she preceded him in death on March 22, 2021. He is survived by his son, Brian (wife, Gracia) Adkins and daughter, Lori (husband, Rick) Gregory; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; his sisters, Betty, Mary, Rita, Cindy, Helena, Barb and Beatrice; his brother, David. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Sammy and Scott; his sister, Patty; and his step-mother, Edith.

Visitation will be Friday, September 6, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Bobby Jewel and Rev. Harvey Weaver officiating. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Walker’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.

William R. Yarling, 82, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024, at MHP Medical Center. Born November 10, 1941, in Shelby County, he was the son of Michael H. Yarling and Marlene (Fuller) Yarling. He married Donna (Roell) Yarling on April 16, 1966, and she survives. Other survivors include two children, Scott Yarling (Tonja) of Shelbyville and Tammy Orem (Andy) of Shelbyville; brother Mark Yarling of Shelbyville, two sisters, Nancy Beck (Mark) of Shelbyville and Brenda Chaney (Doyle) of Shelbyville; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Raymond Yarling and Mike Yarling; and sister, Yantiss Sprecklemeyer.

William had lived in this area his entire lifetime and graduated from Waldron High School in 1960. He worked at Milestone for 40 years, retiring from there. He was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church and was a US Air Force veteran. Bill enjoyed fishing, mowing, watching NASCAR, IU basketball, and Indiana Fever basketball. He loved spending time with family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at noon, on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Pastor Robb Barlow officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com