NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Common Council yesterday approved an amended ordinance allowing Major Health Partners to operate golf carts within the Intelliplex and Bassett Road. Earlier discussions of the ordinance had included language that would have applied throughout Shelbyville, but an amendment was proposed following discussion at last week’s ordinance committee meeting between council members, Chief of Police Mark Weidner and a representative from MHP. “There’s still too much detail to determine and look at in order to move forward with something that would be city-wide,” Council President Rob Nolley said. Council members left open the possibility of addressing a broader ordinance in the future.
ZaLeeya Martin, Shelbyville High School alumnus, set a Hanover College record in the 60-meter dash over the weekend with a record-breaking time of 7.79 seconds. Martin, a senior, also placed first in the long jump at the meet. Martin is the daughter of LaDuanea Fynn and grand-daughter of Jeff and Leatha Martin.
The regular Monday Shelby County Commissioners meeting was moved to today due to yesterday’s holiday.
HOOSIER NEWS: Indianapolis will host the next NBA All-Star weekend, Feb. 16 - 18, 2024.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: A man who attempted to steal 200,000 chocolate Easter eggs from a U.K. industrial park has pleaded guilty to theft and criminal damage. The man attempted to use a stolen semitruck to steal a trailer full of Cadbury Creme eggs worth $38,000. (The Associated Press)
SHELBY COUNTY PEOPLE & PLACES: EVA RANDOLPH
Editor’s note: In the mid- to late 1940s, The Shelbyville Republican published a series of articles by Ave Lewis and Hortense Montgomery covering community people and places. Below is one of those features.
So synonymous has the name “Eva Randolph” become with local Red Cross work, I was a little surprised when reminded that Mrs. Randolph had been affiliated with the Shelby County chapter as executive secretary for only seven years. And in writing of her it's a little hard to "separate" her from her job and harder still to get her to talk of herself instead of her job. Office work and meeting the public was nothing new to Mrs. Randolph since she had been employed with the Davis Birely Table Company for 22 years before the plant closed in 1939. "But," she says, "that work was nothing like this, of course." She doubts if she would have taken the Red Cross job back in 1941 had she known all it would entail. But now so thoroughly steeped in it she wonders what she would "do with herself' if she were to quit.
Eva, who was one of a family of eight children, is a Kentuckian by birth, but her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Jones, came to Shelbyville when she was small. She attended the local schools, and after beginning to work, took extensive travel vacations each year. The trips took her through most sections of the United States and to Mexico and Canada. But she and her husband, Dr. B. F. Randolph, have had only one trip together since their marriage in 1935. "Those still were depression times you know, and not much traveling was being done," she says. And since she has been working again, coinciding their vacation schedules has been a major factor in keeping them from "going places."
Mrs. Randolph has served as Red Cross executive secretary since February 5, 1941, and she opened the present office in the city hall on a full-time basis on December 3 of that year. She was appointed by the county board following the resignation of Mrs. Don Monfort, who had conducted the work in the school administration building. The job was without remuneration until the latter part of 1941. Then, Eva was granted a salary of $15 per month. "I really wasn't well off financially as the service men," she laughs, "they were given their clothing!" Since that time however, her salary has been increased.
Although the Pearl Harbor attack and war still were some 11 months away when she took the job, the overseas turmoil already was creating increased activity for Red Cross headquarters throughout the nation. And with this country's entrance into hostilities, the local office was plunged deep into work, and Mrs. Randolph and members of the board soon realized that Red Cross personnel are subject to 24-hour duty during a state of emergency.
Eva's first major project was launching a $10,000 War Fund drive one week after the Japanese attack. And soon afterward came the volume of case work involving innumerable services to families of servicemen and servicemen themselves. As the poignant records of casualties began to grow, Mrs. Randolph remembers that Mrs. Matilda Pool, whose son Elmer Leo Pool, was killed at Pearl Harbor, was the first mother she aided with necessary official details when the son's body was brought back to the United States.
The voluminous records kept by Mrs. Randolph and her assistant, Miss Mary Alice Cord, reveal an enormous amount of work, travel, detail and investigation. The office attempted to keep a record of each service man from the county, and the secretary says a little grimly, "If I hadn't always had such splendid co-operation and help from all members of the board, the work would have been almost impossible."
Much of her work is of a strict confidential nature and, fingering a huge book, Eva muses that one of her biggest jobs now is keeping abreast of national Red Cross laws. As an example of the varying types of cases with which she copes, she now is confronted with establishing the death in 1904 of the wife of a war veteran. Official establishment of her death is necessary in order that an elderly and destitute member of the veteran's family may be entitled to pension benefits. Thus far this has necessitated investigation with authorities in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. To a layman it would seem an insurmountable task, but not to Mrs. Randolph. Nothing pleases her quite so much as to have gathered in all loose ends of a case so that it may be closed as a job well done.
Following the hectic war time program and the subsequent activities, Mrs. Randolph feels that she just now is getting back to being a "sociable member of society." And she's taken up her hobby of collecting vases and figurines (not necessarily antiques but preferably those with histories), and she and Dr. Randolph are getting back to the card games which they both enjoy at their two clubs.
Mrs. Randolph was quite a "joiner" at one time, and her name still is on the membership roll of the Y.W.C.A. Business Women's Club, the O.E.S., the Legion auxiliary (of which she is a charter member and past president) and Business and Professional Women's Club. This in addition to membership in the First Methodist church. She doesn't have time for active memberships and says about the only time she realizes she belongs is when she is presented with a bill for dues. But she does appreciate the acquaintances and friendships she has in the various groups. And that's one of the main things she liked about her job. Meeting people and forming new friendships.
Candidate Profile: Linda West
submitted
Linda West is seeking election to the Shelbyville 5th Ward Common Council seat on the Democrat ballot. She is a graduate of Southwestern High School in Shelby County and has been actively involved in her community for over 30 years. Linda decided to delve into real estate school May 2008 after several years of working in administrative positions and retail management. Some told her she was making a bad decision because of the downturn in the economy at the time. However, Linda believed the economy had to come back, and when it did, she was prepared to hit the ground running, proving to become one of the No. 1 real estate agents in Shelby County.
It is this positive attitude and tenacity that Linda will apply toward making Shelbyville and Shelby County an even better community for all. As a real estate agent in Shelby County and the surrounding areas, Linda is keenly aware of the need for good, attainable housing and that the continued successful growth in our community goes hand-in-glove with her constituency's housing needs being met.
Linda believes it is highly important to be involved in promoting Quality of Life and opportunities in her community. She actively participates on boards and events to help the success of those efforts and share regionally what her community has to offer.
A partial listing of her community involvement includes SCUFFY, Shelby County Tourism board member, Leadership Shelby County graduate and Board Member, Major Health Partners Foundation Committee, Shelby County Drug Free Coalition Board Member, Major Health Partners Women's Alliance, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Shelbyville. Linda is also a committed member of MIBOR (Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors) and has received numerous awards and leadership roles as a professional realtor.
Linda is married to Charlie West, mother of three daughters and step-mother to two sons as well as a grandmother and great-grandmother. They are members of Shelbyville Community Church. She and Charlie’s “fur baby” is an English Cream Doodle.
This Week in Shelby County" works by George L. Stubbs Sr. are owned by the Shelby County Historical Society (Grover Center) and used with permission.
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.
20 YEARS AGO: 2003
Off-duty Shelby County Sheriff’s reserve deputy Roger McIntire rescued Maria Bridewell, 18, from her burning vehicle following her involvement in a head-on collision on Michigan Road, just west of CR 250 E.
30 YEARS AGO: 1993
Shelby County Commissioners decided to get out of the milking business. Sixty-four-head of dairy cows that the county had partly owned for at least 25 years would be sold at auction at the Tindall farm on State Road 9 with former Commissioner Kenneth Nigh handling auctioneer duties. Commissioners weren’t sure when the county got part ownership of cows on the farm but remembered them being there during the 1960s. The other owner of the cows was Richard Smith, who had rented the 248-acre farm for 15 years. Smith had decided to move to another farm in Richmond. County-owned milking equipment would also be auctioned off.
40 YEARS AGO: 1983
The Shelbyville High School swim won its own sectional, the first boys’ swimming sectional crown in school history. Diver Ramon Harris set a sectional record and coach Al Smith was nominated for state Coach of the Year honors. Fellow diver Steve Veneri also had a high score. Gary Bass set a school record, and swimmers Steve Fero, Oliver Abeleda, Greg Soller and Richard Soller had strong performances.
50 YEARS AGO: 1973
Roy’s Market in Fountaintown, owned by LeRoy Slauter, was held up by a masked man. Slauter had scuffled with the robber, hitting and pushing him. The suspect fled on foot, scattering change, bills and checks, and lost one shoe. Of the $2,639 initially in his hand, the thief escaped with only $352 in cash and checks.
60 YEARS AGO: 1963
Candidates were named for the annual king and queen contest of the Waldron Sunshine Society dance. Candidates were Ann Hendrickson, Judy Hurst, Susan Hatton, Sandra Kuhn, Jo Ann Becker, Linda Sawyer, Sandy Geise, Jane Curran, Doug Hatton, Jim Wheeler, John David Harker, Mike Wheeler, Mike Morganson, Lyman Thompson, Todd Boger and Tony Gahimer. (Hurst and Wheeler were named queen and queen.)
70 YEARS AGO: 1953
There was no room to spare in the Fairland gym as the hometown Hornets lost to the Moral Hawks, 48-46.
80 YEARS AGO: 1943
Following a grand jury inspection, county officials approved purchasing enough mattresses to equip all but three of the beds at the county infirmary home and a tractor, cultivator, and break plow to help with spring work at the farm.
90 YEARS AGO: 1933
Dr. Herbert Inlow and Betsy Jane Bronson demonstrated the Inlow Clinic’s new X-ray apparatus to 27 members of the Shelbyville High School Science Club.
100 YEARS AGO: 1923
The Rhondda Welsh Male Glee Singers, one of the most talked of musical organizations in America, according to local newspapers, was booked to appear at the city building in a program sponsored by First Presbyterian Church.
OBITUARIES
Katherine Elaine Berkshire, 59, of Avon, passed away Saturday, February 18, 2023, at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born March 24, 1963, at Madison General Hospital on Fort Louis Army Base in Tacoma, Washington, the daughter of Francis Alan and Jeanette Elaine (Hardt) Berkshire. Katherine is survived by her parents; and brother Michael Berkshire of Chicago, Illinois.
She graduated in 1981 from Caston High School in Fulton County. Katherine received an associates degree from Indiana University in nursing. Katherine was a registered nurse for over 20 years, working at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis and Avon, for the last 10 years, a job she loved. She was a member of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Avon. Katherine enjoyed crocheting, traveling and reading. Family was very important to Katherine and she enjoyed the time they spent together.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to Noon, Friday, February 24, 2023, at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 9201 ECR 100 N, Avon, Indiana. Funeral services will be at Noon at the church. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and School, 9201 ECR 100 N, Avon, Indiana 46123. Online condolences may be shared with Katherine’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Brandy Danielle Wilson, 46, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at her residence. Born May 13, 1976 in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of Donald Wilson and Laura (Fuquay) Wilson. Survivors include her mother and father of Shelbyville; partner Kevin of Shelbyville; two sons, Nicholas Girdler of Denver, Colorado, and Christopher Wechsler of Shelbyville; a brother, Jedediah Wilson (wife Emily) of Camby; and she is also survived by her dog, Precious. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Laura Lynne Wilson.
Mrs. Wilson was a lifelong resident of this area and graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1996. She had been a certified nurses assistant with Seasons Hospice for several years and also provided home health care through Major Home Care for several years. Brandy enjoyed crocheting, collecting snow globes, and spending time with her family and friends.
Funeral services will be 12:00 noon on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at Glenn E. George and Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Chaplin Charlie Sawyer officiating. 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 Affinity Hospice, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Juli Renee Roberts, 49, of Shelbyville, formerly of Lady Lake, Florida, passed away Monday, February 20, 2023, at Waldron Health and Rehab in Waldron. She was born August 27, 1973, in Fairfield, Ohio, the daughter of David Roberts and Dona (Schoelch) Hensley. Juli is survived by her mother and step-father, Richard, of Shelbyville; son, Tray Matthews, and companion, Liza Lyman, of Hamilton, Ohio; sisters, Jodi Roberts, Deanna Hensley, and Jennifer Jones and husband, Matt, all of Shelbyville, Tangody Fewell and husband, Kris, of Waldron, and Melissa Koller and husband, Steve, of Belleview, Florida; grandchildren, Zeke and Milo; and nieces and nephews, Paige, Shelby, Jake, Mollie, Connor, Olivia and Christopher. She was preceded in death by her father.
Juli graduated in 1991 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended Saint Joseph Catholic Church. Juli owned and operated VIP Hair Salon in Lady Lake, Florida. She had been a beautician for over 30 years. She loved animals, particularly Great Danes, Boxers and Boston Terriers. Juli was also preceded by her dogs, Jynx, Jada, Holly and Lelee. Juli was very full of life and had an infectious laugh. She enjoyed listening to music and dancing.
Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelbyville-Shelby County Animal Shelter, 705 Hale Road, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Juli’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Richard L. Mock, 78, of Shelby County, passed away on Feb. 16, 2023, in Greenfield. He was born on Nov. 19, 1944, in Washington to the late John Oscar and Lena (Martin) Mock. He married Jeanie (Cohee) Mock on Sept. 4, 1964, and she survives.
Richard worked as a machinist all through his life at various places. He enjoyed being a drag racer and tinkering with cars all his life. Richard loved fishing.
In addition to his wife, Jeanie, he is survived by his granddaughter, Kelsey Mock; great-grandson, Blake Aaron Sexton; brother-in-laws, Allen (Rhonda) Cohee, Bobby Cohee and Bill (Lisa) Wilber. He will also be missed by several nieces, nephews and close friends.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents; son, Aaron Mock; brother, Kenneth Mock; and sister, Donna Rive Mock Burkett.
Services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m., in Moster Mortuary, with Pastor John Wall presiding. Friends are welcome to visit the family from Noon until the time of service. Burial will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Suburban Hospice, Inc., 801 N State St, Greenfield, IN 46140.
Kenneth Wesley Jewell, age 72, of Gwynneville, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 20, 1950, to Kenneth and Marjorie (Wilson) Jewell. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1968 and received his Bachelors in Mathematics from Olivet Nazarene University in 1972. In 1977, Kenneth earned a Masters from Indiana University. Kenneth married Linda Kay (Tinsley) on June 5, 1970, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Shelbyville.
Mr. Jewell was a lifelong teacher, where he taught math at Morristown High School for 36 years before retiring in 2012. He was also a math teacher at Belzer Jr. High (CMSD Lawrence Township) for one year. Kenneth worked for the Indiana State Highway Commission for three years. As a young person Ken collected stamps, coins, and baseball cards. Ken was a lifelong reader. He was always interested in what others were reading. He felt travel was a great factor in learning. He traveled to all fifty states and fourteen countries. Most of those countries involved mission work. Ken attended Park Chapel Christian Church. Ken accepted the Lord at a very young age. He tried to live the Christian life and abide by the principles set forth by Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible.
Ken is survived by his mother, Marjorie (Wilson) Jewell of Bradley, IL; wife, Linda Jewell; children, Melinda (Andrew) Springman, Melissa Jewell, Heather Jewell, Kenneth N. (Karen) Jewell, and Melanie (Bryan) Childs; four grandchildren, Katherine and Micah Springman, Lucy and Jack Childs; siblings, David (Rosetta) Jewell, Paul (Trudy) Jewell, and John (Cynthia) Jewell. He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Kenneth T. Jewell; and grandson, Luke Childs.
A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A memorial service will take place following the gathering at 3:00 p.m. Reverend David Woods will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to the Hope Foundation of Kenya, P.O. Box 1423, Ankeny, IA 50021, by website at https://www.hopefoundationofkenya.org/, or envelopes will be available at the mortuary. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.
Thank you for running such a great article about my Aunt Eva!