Thursday, May 7, 2026
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
FFA Banquet Celebrates Success; Scholarships Surprise Seniors
FFA officers, from left, Cady Fletcher, Cole Jeanette, Collin Maulden, Carter Ross, Mea McDuffey and Jocie McMillen listen as Maddie Huntsman and Isabella Cole read the names of award recipients. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Members of the Shelbyville Central FFA Chapter celebrated student achievements and community partnerships during the chapter’s annual spring banquet last night, which was highlighted by a surprise scholarship announcement from local business owner Jordan Caldwell.
Caldwell, president of Caldwell’s Inc., reflected on his family’s nearly century-long business history and shared how the company his family built was sold in 2017 when he was 29 years old. Rather than viewing the sale as a setback, Caldwell used it as motivation to launch four new businesses over the past eight years.
“Each one of those companies that we’ve grown, all of my managers and all my leaders, they have one thing in common. They were all FFA members. They have your values, discipline,” Caldwell said.
He encouraged students to value mentors and family members who support them, and he gave a tip for success. “Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.” He also urged students to stand out and embrace discomfort as part of growth.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Caldwell announced that he and his wife, Brooke, would provide four graduating FFA seniors with $1,000 scholarships. Students must visit Caldwell’s facility to receive the scholarship funds. He also pledged an additional $1,000 donation to a food pantry selected by the seniors.
The banquet also recognized numerous student accomplishments in leadership development events, career development events, community service and agricultural education contests at the district, state and national levels. Honors included Hoosier Degrees for Collin Maulden and Cora Flynn and an American Degree recognition for Morgan Justus.
This year’s chapter officers included President Maddie Huntsman, Vice President Reagan Dillon, Secretary Isabella Cole, Treasurer Jocie McMillen, Reporter Mea McDuffey, Chaplain Carter Ross, Student Advisor Collin Maulden and interns Cady Fletcher and Cole Jeanette.
Incoming officers for the 2026-27 school year are President Maddie Huntsman, Vice President Isabella Cole, Reporter Mea McDuffey, Treasurer Jocie McMillen, Secretary Reagan Dillon, Sentinel Charlee Robinson, Chaplain Cole Jeanette, Historian Cady Fletcher and Student Advisor Bri Chavez.
SCUFFY Drive Ends in Celebration
For the 72nd consecutive year, SCUFFY surpassed its fundraising goal, with officials announcing last night that the 2026 campaign raised $940,330.68. Since its founding in 1955, the Shelby County United Fund for You has now raised a total of $32,531,016.75 for local agencies and community support efforts.
“This is kind of the first drive that I’ve been involved in at a more granular level, and today I really got to witness firsthand the resilience and the meaning of community,” SCUFFY board president Michelle Woodall said during the celebration event at Horseshoe Indianapolis last night. Drive chair Joni Martzall described Shelby County as “one community, one heartbeat.” She praised volunteers and donors who participated in this year’s campaign efforts.
The Shelby Senior Services Group received the 2026 Outstanding Agency Award, while Camelia Cucuruz and Mike Cord were honored with Heartbeat Awards recognizing their contributions to the community. Brian Baker received the Julia C. “Judy” Runnebohm Award, a recognition akin to a lifetime achievement honor named for longtime supporters Judy and Nick Runnebohm, SCUFFY interim executive director Kent McNeely announced. The event also included an invocation from Debbie Stafford and introduction of the newly hired executive director, Alle Lilly.
SCUFFY leaders also recognized Avery Harpering of Loper Elementary School as the winner of this year’s student art contest. More than 250 entries were submitted by elementary students across Shelby County.
F.C. Tucker Shelby County Transitions to LandProz of Indiana
After more than 32 years of serving Shelby County and surrounding communities, F.C. Tucker Shelby County will officially close May 15 as the brokerage transitions into a new chapter with LandProz of Indiana, company officials announced yesterday.
Founded by Steve and Mary Jane Allen and later led by second-generation managing broker Becky Allen, the brokerage has built a long-standing reputation rooted in relationships and community service.
Becky Allen is now partnering with LandProz of Indiana, a regional leader in agricultural, recreational, and rural land sales, auctions and farm management services. The partnership expands opportunities for clients while meeting the growing demand for specialized land expertise across Indiana, the release said.
“LandProz shares the same values of integrity, professionalism, and client-focused service that have guided our business for decades,” Allen said. “This transition allows us to continue serving our community while bringing even more resources and expertise to our clients.”
The LandProz Indiana team, led by Andrew Fansler and Brian Owens, has earned a respected reputation throughout the Midwest for innovation, strong marketing, and results-driven land brokerage, auction, and farm management services, the release said.
The office at 204 N. Harrison Street in Shelbyville will remain open and will now serve as the home of LandProz of Indiana.
SHAKESPEARE IN THE SPRING
From left, Cora DeBaun, Edith Wainscott and Adam Hoover rehearse a “Twelfth Night” scene this week. The Shelbyville High School Theatre performance is this weekend, Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
The following building permits were issued in Shelbyville during the month of April: remodel interior of 465 W. Mechanic St.; add a porch to 635 Ninth St.; new storage building at 2373 W 300 N; set an above-ground swimming pool at 2006 Meridian St.; a new patio with roof at 1210 Stonehedge Way; repairs to the foundation at 2018 S. Miller St.; construct a workshop/storage building at 1034 Springway Dr.; and construction of 17 new homes.
A sewer relining project that was expected to affect Amos Road and nearby streets this week has been postponed again due to electrical issues with the contractor’s equipment. City officials said no new date has been scheduled, and additional closure notices will be issued once the project is rescheduled.
The Shelby County Master Gardeners will hold a plant sale at the season’s first farmers market downtown Shelbyville this Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.
The free May Senior Movie is “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” showing Wednesday, May 13, at Studio 10 Cinema. Doors open at 8:30 a.m., announcements at 8:45 a.m., and the movie begins at 9 a.m. The event is sponsored by Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory.
HOOSIER NEWS: Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has pulled out of a Republican-led lawsuit that aimed to strike down part of a federal law providing discrimination protections for people with disabilities. Rokita pointed to President Donald Trump’s steps to remove gender dysphoria from the list of disabilities in the law as the reason for withdrawing. Advocacy group The Arc of Indiana said it appreciated Rokita’s decision to withdraw from the lawsuit. “After our conversations, we strongly believe the approach his office took in evaluating this lawsuit reflects a thoughtful and deliberate process — one that best protects the rights of all involved while faithfully upholding the core principles of Section 504,” said Tom Crishon, the group’s chief legal officer.
The Addison Times publishes two podcasts: “Let’s Get Down to Business” and “Keeping Up with The Times.” Check out the podcast archive here.
The Addison Times is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.
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.
2016: The inaugural First Friday of 2016 was held. It was the third year for the event series. Race horses from Indiana Grand Racing & Casino were there along with a car show featuring 25-plus vehicles.
2006: Locals reported the morel mushroom crop was larger than usual. “I almost hyperventilated,” Wanda Jennings told The Shelbyville News’ Bettina Puckett. “Normally, when we find these, they are not that big.”
1996: County Commissioners approved Sheriff Mike Herndon’s request to allow deputies retiring from the Sheriff’s Department after 20 years of service to keep their handguns and a special badge.
1986: SCUFFY reached its goal, exceeding the requested amount by $5,000, drive chair Dick Fero and board president Jim Skinner announced. Division fundraising leaders were Nancy Seeman, Elizabeth Schooley, Geraldine Wells, Cheryl Glaub, Mike Vaught, Ann Sipes, Jodi Bowman, Joe Wheat and Bernie Perry. Todd Plymate was drive vice-chair.
1976: Dara Lay was named Shelbyville High School May Queen. Scott Ferson was the Lord Mayor. Other members of the court were Chris Coers, Joe Wolsiefer, Kim Aulby, Tom Robison, Terri Hains, Mike O’Neal, Karen Thornburg, Jeff Kolls, Janet Wagner, Jim Alexander, Gwen Brunner and Gregg Westerbeck. Andrew Egloff was the crown bearer, and Tiffany Nickel was the train bearer.
1966: Plans for Shelbyville’s fifth annual auto show, the “500 Auto Festival,” were finalized. Committee members were Gilbert Siebert, Don Jones, Frances Snyder, Harold Morgan and Larry Sandman.
1956: Deborah Ann Disser was named Baby of the Year in the Chafee Studio contest. Over 8,000 votes were cast.
WFBM-TV’s Lynn Stevens hosted a free “Gas Cooking Show” at The Strand Theatre.
1946: Marvin Poe, 406 West Franklin St., was pleasantly surprised when four former servicemen with whom he served in the European theater of operations and their wives showed up at his house for a visit. The couples were from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.
1936: Shirley Temple’s “Captain January” was on at The Strand.
1926: Dorothy Dungan was crowned May Festival Queen at SHS. Richard Jones was Lord Mayor. The setting included electric lights placed in baskets of roses that decorated a garden scene in the high school gym. Members of the court were Kermit Graham, Lois Neeb, Lloyd Tanner, Mary Frances Yarling, Walter Hillman, Mary Louise Metzger, Darold House, Stelle Jarrell, John Morris, Miriam Danforth, Paul Messick and Ann Chenhall. Henriett Small was the train bearer, and Betty Jane Coleman carried the crown.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Joseph Allen Christmas, 60, of Shelbyville, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. He was born on November 15, 1965, in Indianapolis, the son of Claude and Nellie M. (Wood) Christmas. Joseph is survived by his mother of Shelbyville; daughters, Veronica Kay Christmas and Amanda Marie Christmas; sisters, Patricia Ann Stephens, Beverly Kay Christmas, Vicky Lynn Smith, Melinda Lou Wheary and Paula Sue Christmas; brother, Claude Christmas Jr.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father.
Joseph was a member of the Rushville Baptist Temple. In 1983, Joseph graduated from Morristown High School. He was a bricklayer in Indianapolis for over 40 years and was a member of the bricklayers union. Joseph enjoyed going fishing and hunting.
He loved the companionship of his little dog, “Baboo.”
Private services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 124 E. North St., Morristown. Online condolences may be shared with Joseph’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Patricia Lea Higgins (Trish): Born Dec. 20, 1947, to Kenneth Scott Kirkham and Ruthie Marie Kirkham, she passed away on April 17, 2026, at the age of 78. She had two younger brothers, Mikey and Brad. Sadly, Mikey passed away at the age of 5. Trish always held the memory of him close to her heart throughout her life.
She later married her high school sweetheart, Paul Felix Miller III (deceased), and began her family with three boys, David, Mark and Brian Miller. She later found a second love and married Richard Higgins (deceased), with whom she spent her last 31 years happily until his death. Richard added four stepchildren to her family, Michelle Gardner, Marvin Brinson, Ben Higgins and Laura Skeens. She had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be missed by her entire family and multitude of friends.
Trish and Richard were well-loved in the community by their church and biker clubs. They never had a dull moment, always traveling around the country, seeing new places and having new adventures.
A celebration of life graveside service will be held at Green Hill Cemetery, 1202 18th St., Bedford, Indiana 47421, on April 27, 2026, at 1 p.m.
Nora Elizabeth “Beth” Alford, 70, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Franciscan Health. Born Dec. 22, 1955, in Easley, South Carolina, she was the daughter of Carl Jack Reid and Sarah Janelle “Nell” (Jones) Reid. She married Anthony J. “Tony” Alford on July 28, 1985, and he survives.
Having no children of their own, Tony and Beth were father and mother figures to six “adoptive” daughters, Danielle Hensley-Smiley, Danielle Boring, Eli Rogian, Jamie Batton, Ciara Griffith and Ashley Dawn Guffey Alford. She is also survived by two “sons,” Travis Hartwell (Jennifer Chaney) and Trey Alford, who provided excellent care for Beth during her illness. Also surviving are several “considered” grandchildren, including T.T. Hensley and Emerie Alford. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Mike Reid.
Mrs. Alford had lived in this area for 16 years after moving from Georgia. She graduated from high school in North Carolina and attended Tarrant Junior College in Texas. She worked as a certified nursing assistant, in medical records and in home health care for 25 years. Beth loved gardening and flowers, cooking, pets, attending flea markets and spending time with her family and friends.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with burial in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call Saturday morning from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or American Kidney Foundation, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.