Tuesday, March 25, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
Commissioners Meeting Update:
Shelby County Commissioners yesterday agreed to serve as the official grant applicant on behalf of the Waldron Conservancy District to rehabilitate Waldron’s water systems. District officials are working with the Southern Indiana Regional Planning Commission to prepare grant applications for projects that would rehabilitate the drinking water plant and wells. “One of their storage tanks is a 1969 tank and another was built in 2003, (and) both need pretty much full tank coatings completed,” Mary McCarty, Executive Director of SIRPC, said. Current rates are $35 for 4,000 gallons. The upgrades with a $750,000 Community Block Grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant would increase the rate to $85. Without the grant, the rate would likely increase to $125. Since Waldron is unincorporated, the county will need to be the official applicant. There are currently 272 customers on the Waldron water system. The total cost of the project would be approximately $2.2 million.
Officials with Shelby Senior Services presented to County Commissioners yesterday on a future need for additional ShelbyGo public transportation funding. Increasing operational costs and making approximately 10,000 runs last year have added to the funding need. Of those runs, 1,080 were outside city limits and 5,800 were for senior citizens. ShelbyGo, operated through Shelby Senior Services, receives approximately $160,000 in federal funds, which require a match. The City of Shelbyville and Shelby County each contribute $25,000 currently, and MHP contributes $50,000. Shelby Senior Services officials said they are hoping the city and county will increase their contributions to match MHP. Other programs contribute to the cause as well. Last year, Senior Services used $71,000 of its $90,000 in SCUFFY funds for the transportation service. “Essentially, what happens when we have to borrow from those SCUFFY funds is that it doesn’t allow us to continue to offer the seniors other programs within the center, so it’s taking funds away from what the traditional SCUFFY was meant to help us with,” SSS Board President Nick O’Connor said. At the Commissioners’ request, SSS officials agreed to provide further demographic information on riders and ride destinations.
Commissioners approved appropriating $300,000 from county EDIT funds to purchase the one home remaining in the first block of W. Hendricks Street adjacent to the county office building campus. “This was done not with any specific intent in mind,” County Commissioner Jason Abel said. “But we know that there are going to be future building needs or future space needs.”
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NOTEBOOK:
A driver going 57 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone on N. Harrison Street lost control going over the railroad tracks near Boggstown Road and went over the median, striking a sign. The car then spun around and faced oncoming traffic. The vehicle had major front end damage and damage to the rear from hitting a second sign.
An out-of-state driver pulling a gooseneck trailer carrying a Bobcat excavator attempted to drive under the Comfort Inn awning on W. Rampart Street. The attempt was not successful due to the lack of clearance, and the awning was damaged.
A Regional Community Photography Show is open to residents of Shelby and surrounding counties. Photographers will be divided into two categories for the Roberts Camera Critics Choice Award and two Napoleon State Bank People’s Choice awards: Adults (over 18 years of age) and Youth (18 years and younger). Entries must be matted, framed or on canvas. All framed or canvas entries must be ready to hang. Three entries per person, no larger than 16x20 including frame and/or mat. The entry deadline is May 6, 2025. Entries can be brought to Arts on The Square, 114 E. Washington St., Greensburg, Ind., 47240, during business hours.
The First Christian Church Disciples Women’s Spring Rummage Sale will be Friday, April 4, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, April 5, 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Editor’s Note: The first Addison Times quarterly print edition of 2025 for supporters will go to press in April. Thank you to those who give online or via a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, #13, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Thank you for your continued support of daily local news and history.
HOOSIER NEWS: Indianapolis will host an NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday and Sunday, March 28 and 30. Houston, Purdue, Tennessee and Kentucky made the Sweet 16. The last team standing earns a spot in the Final Four, April 5 and 7 in San Antonio. Tennessee will take on Kentucky at 7:39 p.m., Friday; Houston is up against Purdue at 10:09 p.m. The regional championship game is Sunday, March 30. The games are on CBS, with Ian Eagle doing play-by-play, Bill Raftery and Grant Hill on analysis, and Tracy Wolfson sideline reporting. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: It sure looks like the penny’s days may be numbered, with 42 percent of Americans saying they support the elimination of the penny, up eight percentage points in just over 10 years. At the same time, opposition to its elimination has plummeted from 51 percent in 2014 to just 30 percent in 2025. The real impediment here is going to be nickels. While pennies are wasteful and cost more to make than they’re worth (three cents a penny), it’s actually way worse for nickels at 11 cents per five-cent piece. The elimination of the penny might cause demand for nickels to spike, which would end up being even more expensive. However, the nickel problem isn’t anywhere near as well known as the penny problem, and so just 26 percent want to eliminate nickels, while 48 percent are opposed. (YouGov/Numlock)
Thank you to every donor for your continued support of The Addison Times. Donors of $100 or more receive a quarterly print publication in the mail. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation to The Addison Times, either online or via a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, #13, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Thank you for your continued support of daily local news and history. I appreciate each of you. - Kristiaan Rawlings, Editor
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Feb. 1, 1929
The basketball team received their new uniforms. They had white silk trunks with a yellow drop stripe on the side. The shirts were worsted wool, with Shelbyville written across the front in black letters.
Mr. Barnett had started teaching at SHS the previous week, succeeding Mr. Trible, who had become principal at the Departmental building.
“Miss Swanson was heard asking about the new teacher, Mr. Barnett, the day of his arrival. Lately she has been whistling and singing. Maybe she’ll be a home-wrecker, despite the fact that several of the boy students have been admiring her school-girl complexion, girlish appearance, and last but not least, her extremely willowy figure.”
Frank Scott and Betty White and Norman Thurston and Jean Armstrong went on a double date at the Scott residence. They played cards and then invited Billy Reimann over. “The school can sanction the date of Norman and Jean, but we must give warning to Frank. He has a girl in Terre Haute, and if she finds out that he is averaging three dates per week as he has done lately, there is going to be trouble somewhere.”
A Courier editorial decried that the school had recently eliminated the Public Speaking class.
Miss Swanson had been overheard saying she didn’t like derby hats because “they looked so much like the Democratic party.”
Harold Zeller and Helen Morris had gone on a date. “Due to the inefficiency of the reporting staff, it is impossible to find out the particulars,” the paper reported.
The Courier said that a teacher had made a report card note: “Good worker, but talks too much.” The student’s father wrote back, “You should meet his mother.”
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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: Bernie and Rosemary Dean, owners of Dean’s Dry Cleaning & Laundry, 20 W. Broadway, remodeled their building, adding a beige, stucco front. The building front hadn’t changed since 1957. The business had been founded by Hubert “Hub” Dellekamp as Dellekamp Cleaners in 1941. When he retired at age 75 in 1985, he sold it to the Deans, who kept the Dellekamp name on the building until the remodeling. Bernie Dean had no plans to retire, but said his daughter, Melinda Dean, was ready to take over the company reins when he did.
1995: Endowment funds at Blue River Foundation had grown from $8,200 to $701,685 during 1994, board members announced. Thomas Hession was president of the board, and Robert Claxton was vice president. Michael Vaught and Veanna Kessler were secretary and treasurer, respectively. (Note: Hession, Claxton, Vaught and Kessler continued their support of the Foundation over the years after their volunteer board work by establishing unrestricted funds to support grantmaking provided by Blue River Community Foundation. Today the Claxton Family Fund, Tom Hession Memorial Fund, Vaught Family Fund, and the Veanna J. and Gerald F. Kessler Family Funds provide annual grants to help the Foundation address local community needs.)
1985: A U.S. District court trial regarding the conditions of Shelby County’s 111-year-old jail went to closing arguments. The attorney for the inmate admitted the credibility of the inmates detracted from the case. “Some of them are pathetic. Some are uneducated and many are nearly illiterate,” the inmates’ attorney said, but added, “Don’t give undue weight because one witness is a public official, or detract because they are inmates.” Jurors were tasked with determining if the jail conditions construed cruel and inhumane punishment, and thus a violation of the 8th and 14th Amendments.
1975: Schoelch’s Hub Shoes announced plans for their annual Good Friday Service at 8:30 a.m. Rev. James Horner was in charge. “This is not only for salespeople,” an ad read. “Everyone is invited.”
1965: U.S. Treasury Agents seized six slot machines from the American Legion Post in Morristown. The federal raid had been a surprise, local law enforcement said.
1955: Modern Appliances opened at 15 West Broadway, selling Philco televisions, refrigerators, ranges, freezers and radios. Leonard Declue was the local sales manager.
National Boys Club Week was commemorated with a ping pong tournament. Participants included Harry Floyd, Dean Sheneman, Paul Rulhman, John Carney, Don Carr, Darrell Sheneman, Bill Moss, Dan Theobald, Don Hogan, Dave Majors, Robert George, Melvin Bennett and Phil Ray.
1945: The 13 graduates of Shelby Township School were honored at a pitch-in dinner. The graduates were Pauline and Richard Harrison, Geneva Elkins, Berneda Eck, Velma Yarling, Joan Read, Phyllis Murray, Donald Burns, Lawrence Boger, Teddy Marks, David Scheffler, Allene Merry and Roland Talkington. A humorous play depicting the pupils in the year 1960 was presented by Lois Harrison, Miss Eck and Miss Read.
1935: Four choral groups from Shelbyville Junior and Senior High School won first place and silver cups in a statewide competition in Indianapolis.
1925: Dave Watts, 49, died after being shot by Allen Vaughn with a .32-caliber automatic revolver. Vaughn said he had been awakened about 3 a.m. by the sound of someone falling against his bicycle on the front porch. Vaughn took his gun to investigate. He saw the man run, who he did not know was Watts, and fired at him. Watts told Vaughn, “You’ve shot your best friend.” Watts later told police the shooting was “sort of an accident.” Despite surgeries to save his life, Watts died from internal bleeding.
1915: Local merchants met to discuss forming a Chamber of Commerce. They discussed dues of $12.50 to $150 per year, depending on the business’ volume.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Paul Francis Hoff, 68, of Shelbyville, Ind., passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Major Hospital. He was born June 13, 1956, the son of Paul Gordon and Francis Pauline (Nigh) Hoff. Paul is survived by his son, Ben Hoff (Alanna Toon) of Shelbyville; two grandsons, Austin and Jayden; brother, Harry (Donna) Hoff and sister, Suesanne (Dennis) Burris. He was preceded in death by brother, David Hoff and sisters, Paula Childers and India Lunsford.
Paul worked at Knauf for 44 years. Per Paul's request, no services will be held. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Paul’s family. Donations can be made to Animal Outreach of Shelby County, 910 Revello Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
John William Walker, 71, of Waldron, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, at Willows of Greensburg Nursing Home. John was born in Greensburg on August 17, 1953. He was the son of the late Ralph and Ruby Walker, with two surviving brothers, Rolyn (Butch) Walker of Indianapolis and Lyndon (PeeWee) Walker of Waldron.
John married his wife, Christine Luella (Stevens) Walker, on November 17, 1974. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple had two children: Michelle Cord (special friend Doug Johnson) and her children, Austin, Alex, and Maggie Cord of Hope, and David John Walker (wife Pam) and their three children, Madeline, Gracie, and Isaac Walker of Waldron. John had a large, close-knit family, including several surviving sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents.
John worked at Thomas Supermarket in Shelbyville as a teenager. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1973 and attended the Auto Mechanic program at Lincoln Tech in Indianapolis in 1973. He worked at General Electric and Shelby Gravel of Shelbyville for 18 years, driving a cement truck. He was a volunteer firefighter at the local Waldron Fire Department for close to 25 years, where he served as chief. He enjoyed the annual Waldron 4th of July Festival and set off the fireworks as a Waldron Volunteer Firefighter.
John was a member of the Waldron Community Club for several years and also served as the President. He was also an active member of the Moscow Christian Church in Milroy, Indiana. A baptized believer, he served as a Deacon and had a supportive and loving church family in the Moscow area.
John suffered a brain aneurysm in 1991 at the age of 37 and was in a severe auto accident in 1992. Although his health was never the same, his faith, family, friends, and fun sense of humor kept him going for many years. He continued working small jobs until retirement. He was cared for at home by close friends and healthcare workers Theresa Smith and Linda Long. In 2021, he moved to the Heritage House Nursing Home facility (currently Willows of Greensburg), where he was lovingly cared for by many caretakers until he passed away.
John had many hobbies throughout his lifetime, including playing with his two brothers as a child on the farm, spending time with his dog Jiggs, riding dirt bikes, working on motors and autos, driving his Duster, chopping firewood, serving his community and church, playing Euchre and Uno with family and friends, swimming at home in the pool, tending a large garden, spending time with his six grandchildren, and sharing meals with his family and wife.
John William Walker was a loving father, husband, and friend. He will be greatly missed but will be remembered through many stories, pictures, and memories. He is now home at rest with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Moscow Christian Church, 9098 S. River Road, Milroy, Ind., with Pastor Bruce Pierce officiating. Burial will be in Van Pelt Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Friday, March 28, 2025 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road from 4-8 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Moscow Christian Church Building Fund, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Darrell R. Jeffries, 64, of Fairland passed away Friday, March 21, 2025 at MHP Medical Center. Born on June 20, 1960 in Shelbyville, he was the son of Bill Jeffries and Bonnie (Bowers) Jeffries. Survivors include two children, Gwaine (Melissa Nelson) Jeffries and Gary (Mindy) Albert; siblings, June McKenney (Danny), Charles Jeffries, Fay Jeffries, Angie Jeffries; and three grandchildren, Mason Jeffries, Gavin Jeffries, and Darlene Albert. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dale Jeffries.
Darrell was a lifetime resident of Fairland and attended Triton Central High School. He was a semi-truck driver for Wischmeier Trucking for 15 years and President of USBC Brandywine Bowling Association and President of Wednesday Night Mix League at Blue River Bowling. He enjoyed football, baseball, especially the Cincinnati Reds and spending time with his family.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road. Burial will be in Fairland Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Thursday morning from 11 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be made to bvl.org. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.