Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Nov 12, 2024

Col. Steven F. Lancaster addresses Shelbyville Middle School students at a Veterans Day program yesterday. Lancaster, an attorney, spent 28 years in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps and was previously the administrator for the Indiana Court of Appeals. He explained the history of Armistice Day and Veterans Day and offered thoughts on life in the military. “For every soldier, man or woman, on the front lines, seven more soldiers support them,” Col. Lancaster said. “They drive trucks, some are attorneys like me, they’re engineers, they drive buses, they pilot airplanes, they fly drones, they’re doctors, they’re nurses; anything you can imagine in civilian life, there’s that kind of job in the military.” Lancaster’s grandson, Wyatt Lancaster, is an SMS student. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS

BELOW: Coulston Elementary students, under the direction of Mrs. Michele Epple, perform at the school’s Veterans Day program yesterday. | photo by ANNA TUNGATE

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

Col. Steven F. Lancaster also found time to visit with his Scout troop at St. Joseph Catholic Church yesterday: (L to R): Dane Gwinnup, Annelise Kapfhammer, Sam McFarland, Eli Albert, Harrison Foltz, Leo Beyer and Waylan Lancaster.

photos by JACK BOYCE

BELOW: St. Joseph Catholic School students line up to sing patriotic songs in front of the church yesterday morning.

Two Students Obtain Eagle Scout Rank

photo by ANNA TUNGATE

Shelbyville High School seniors Gavin Harker and Gaige Harker receive their Eagle Scout commendation from Troop 223 Scoutmaster Gary Fuller, left, and Bob Armstrong at a ceremony on Sunday, hosted at First Baptist Church. Gavin and Gaige both did projects in the SHS Ecology lab: one built a trail, the other a bridge.

Troop 223 has a long history of Eagle Scout recipients, including the following, since the mid-1990s: Ryan Smith (1995); Thomas Mason and Eric Meyers (1996); Brandon Pettit and Christopher Myers (1997); Brian Kelly and Luke Simons (1998); Paul Chappelow (2001); Matthew Brentin (2002); Michael Hobbs, Nicholas Lochard, Jacob Daniels, Andrew Lux and Thomas Lapinsky (2006); John Werbe III and Adam Gaudin (2007), Jeffrey Brentin (2008); Mark Fuller (2010); Nick Livengood (2012); Matthew Gant (2013), Trevor Pike and Brendan Stickle (2015); Caleb Phillips (2016); Darrel Current, Thomas Fuller, Alexander Daniels and Theodore Daniels (2017); Don Current (2018); Lance Hughes (2019); Jacob Coffey (2021); Tristin Maloney and Daniel Gabbard (2022); and Blake Hughes, Gaige Harker, Gavin Harker, Nathaniel Evans and Ethan Coffey (2024).

Scoutmasters since the mid-1990s are Mark Mason (1994 - 1998), Roger Palmer (1998 - 2004), Glen Hobbs (2004 - 2006) and Gary Fuller (2006 - Present).

NOTEBOOK:

Two Shelbyville Middle School Robotics teams were among the finalists at the local tournament on Saturday: The Wheelers, composed of Cora DeBaun, Kendall Thoman, Vivian McIntire and Julia McCracken, and The Bananas, composed of JJ Monroe, Griffin Hassebroek, and Bentlee Isley.
NATIONAL NEWS: The United States Army has been in a recruiting rut, but has begun to pull out of it by offering a trial program called the Future Soldier Prep Course. Essentially, lots of people who wanted to join the military were unable to do so because they failed the physical or academic test, so the army has started offering a prep course to help them pass. Of the 55,000 people recruited into the Army in the year ending September 30, 13,000 of them, or 24 percent, had gone through the prep course in order to get in. The course teaches both fitness as well as basic math, English, and other academic skills, and most of the people who go through it are going through the academic course rather than the physical fitness one. (AP/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:

Feb. 6, 1970, Part I

Mr. Hession’s Government classes traveled to Indianapolis to see and hear President Nixon. The 48 students left the school on a bus that took them to Weircook Airport, where they were able to see the president from the observatory tower.
Pat O’Neal, Connie Reeves, John Jewell, Steve Switzer, David Tucker, Steve Wagner, Dennis Metz and a saxophone quartet composed of O’Neal, Reeves, Kathy Wilson and Elizabeth Tower all received top placements in a band contest at Indiana Central College.
The sophomore class met to select a style for their 1972 ring. Committee officers were Dan Connor, Katrina Everhart and Donna Powell. Committee members were Sally Grigsby, Richard Haehl, Denny McKinney, Patty Ranochak, Marian Thieman, Pete Worland and Ky Yarling. Sophomores had two choices: the school ring and the class ring. The new school ring was a domed ring with the Golden Bear visible through a clear stone. Gary Long spoke to the entire class to give dates for fittings.
“Bears on Air” was a new program beginning on WSVL featuring Debbie Wells, Debbie Peck, Lori Fryer, Sheryl Feller, Ann Walton, Scott Alvis and Bill Alexander.
Gym assistants were responsible for getting equipment ready, leading exercises when the teachers were occupied, locking cages, making sure towels were out, checking showers and making sure towels were picked up. Gym assistants were Vicki Lay, Judy Bird, Lani Kipfer, Susie Nentrup, Connie Van Meter, Randy Hindman, Greg Baker, Doug Adams and Sparky Cotanch.

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.

2014: Tim Turner purchased Bucks Plumbing Supply from Kim Knight. Turner, who had been a customer at the store for years, was planning to retire from the Army National Guard in January.

The Triton Central football team won its sectional championship. It was the school’s fourth sectional title, following titles in 1987, 1988 and 2011.

2004: The Colts A-Team visited Shelbyville Middle School to reward students with perfect attendance and high academic achievement. The winning students received a T-shirt, two tickets to the Colts game against the Houston Texans and a certificate signed by Head Coach Tony Dungy. The students were Danita Neukam, Asia Rhodes, Hannah Jones, Margann Gahimer, Brian Babb, Jake Husman, Kevin Myers, Kekai Trout, Kyndre Moore, Kaitlyn Carter, Danielle Wickliff, Tyia McKinney and Brian Healey.

1994: About 50 Morristown residents formally opposed Central Soya’s plan to build a $40 million soybean processing plant in town. “Central Soya’s soybean processing plant is not compatible with our environment or our lifestyle in the Morristown area,” a jointly signed letter said.

1984: The public was invited to take any scraps of wood from the rubble of Addison School on Amos Road, which had been demolished.

1974: The Holiday Inn would offer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on the holiday for $4.50, restaurant officials announced. Music would be provided by Jim Sturgis.

1964: Twenty local adults were in Mrs. Yolanda Piniero’s evening Conversational Spanish class at SHS. Class membership included Melvin Davies, Margaret Rudicel, Mrs. John Scott, Susan Scott, Mrs. Keith Cawood, Mrs. William Becom, Charlene Cover, Bertha Westerfield, Jeanne Ellen Gill, Jean Renbarger, Barbara Benefield, Nancy Bogue, Avonelle Lewis, Mrs. Jim Gottshalk, Mrs. Paul Woodmansee, Dottie Myer and Mrs. Kermit Lewis.

The seating capacity at Paul Cross Gym would be reduced to 2,540 following compliance with cuts made by the state fire marshal’s office. SHS planned to stop using the top four rows of seats on the east and west sides of the gym, reducing capacity by some 360 seats. The gym would also lose another 70 to 80 seats under the south basket since aisle space on both ends had to be enlarged to meet fire regulations. At one time, the gym had seated 3,500. This would leave Southwestern with the largest gymnasium in the county, with a seating capacity of 2,600.

1954: The Fraternal Order of Police announced plans for a public dance to be held later in the month at Taylor Roller Rink as a fundraiser for a city-county police ambulance. The rink was provided free of charge, and two bands - The Tune Wranglers and the Art Halberstadt band - and the square dance caller, Maurice “Greek” Ash, all volunteered their services.

The community had commemorated its first Veterans Day service with a service at the the VFW. The holiday was previously marked as Armistice Day. The newly revised Pledge of Allegiance, with the addition of “Under God,” was used for the first time at a local public ceremony.

1944: Sixteen local men left for military service following a ceremony at the county courthouse. They were Oren Moore (leader), Joseph Vance, Robert Thoms, James Craig, Forrest Hilkene, Gordon Theobald, Leroy Bell, Robert Martin, William Pruitt, Robert Lee, Frank Nugent, John Kaster, Samuel Harker, Charles Aldridge, Luther Burton and Alfred Bolin.

1934: Charles McClintock, 55, was hit and killed by a Big Four freight train at a crossing at the east edge of St. Paul.

A 41-year-old local woman vandalized her Mausoleum Road home after her husband filed for divorce. The woman had hurled a coal bucket against a radio to demolish it, broke dishes throughout the house, tore off all the shades and curtains and scattered and damaged her husband’s clothing. “The only item not damaged in some way was the stove,” Sheriff Crosby said.

1924: The Shelby Letter Shop opened at 41 East Washington St. Mamie Jones, former time-keeper at the Davis-Birely plant, was the owner and manager of the shop, which provided letter typing services in addition to school supplies.

1914: George DeBaun, 12, who lived with his grandparents on Harrison Ave., had been bitten “by a dog thought to be mad,” The Republican said. The dog was killed and its head sent to Indianapolis to be examined.

OBITUARIES

Betty L. Maurice, 97, of Fairland, passed away, Saturday, November 9, 2024, at her home. She was born April 19, 1927, in Middletown, the daughter of Orville and Minnie (Bush) Thompson. On July 28, 1945, she married William R. Maurice, and he preceded her in death on March 17, 2019. Betty is survived by her sons, Jeffery Maurice and wife, Patsy, and Roger Maurice and wife, Starla, both of Fairland; sisters, Janet Smith of Fountaintown, and Martha Carter and husband, Richard, of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Randee Lynn Taylor and husband, Charlie, Jeffrey Belles, Keith Maurice and wife, Emily, Michael Maurice and wife, Amber, Matthew Maurice and fiancé, Andrea Shelton, and Dustin Maurice and fiancé’, Lori Lashley; 14 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to William, Betty was preceded in death by her parents; son, Randall Maurice; daughter-in-law, Suzanne Maurice; and brother, Oris Thompson.

Betty was the last surviving member of the Boggstown Class of 1945. She was the valedictorian of her class and received a scholarship to Indiana University. She began her working career at Melton Jewelry, and retired from the Shelbyville-Shelby County Library. Betty loved animals.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, at the funeral home, with Pastor Joe Miller officiating. Interment will be at Fairland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelbyville-Shelby County Animal Shelter, 705 Hale Road, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or Shelbyville-Shelby County Public Library, 57 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, Indiana, 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Betty’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

Esther Brown, 96, of Shelbyville, passed away Saturday, November 9, 2024 at her residence. She was born April 28, 1928 in Shelby County to Ebert D. Anderson and Hazel M. (Stinnett) Anderson.

Esther was a nurse’s aide and worked at the Masonic Home and Waldron Health Care for 20 years before retiring in 1990.

She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Brown; her son, Thomas Brown; her daughter-in-law, Janet Brown; her brother, Gary Anderson; her grandsons, Travis Brown and Jordan Brown; her great-grandchildren, Nicole Brown, Hannah Brown and Carter Brown. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sons, David Brown and Timothy Brown; her brothers, Bob Anderson, Paul Anderson, Joseph Anderson, Dale Anderson and James Anderson; her sisters, Martha Kehrt and Marion June Cherry.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 14, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN, 46176. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Merry Popplewell officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Esther’s family. Memorial contributions may be given to donor’s favorite charity. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.

James Doniven Hodges, 6, of Fairland, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at MHP Medical Center in Shelbyville. He was born November 24, 2017, in Shelbyville, the son of Christopher Andrew Hodges and Kyndra Marie (Moore) Phelps. James will be remembered by his loving family including his father, Chris Hodges of Shelbyville; mother, Kyndra Phelps of Fairland; sister, Esme-Rosalie M. Phelps; grandparents, Melanie Pryor and Rob Malone, Jodie Moore, John and Lesa Moore and Melanie Hodges; great-grandparents, Laurelyn Parrish, Ralph and Judy Hodges; aunts and uncles, Brady Moore, Abby Malone, Cody Moore, Ceara Moore, Joey Wade, Nick and Beth Hodges, Kelsea and Sam Hodges and Brittany and Bo Lynch; numerous great-aunts and great-uncles including, Jamie Poole and Roxanne Lemmon; and many cousins. He was preceded in death his grandfather, Scott Hodges; great-grandparents, Jane and Byron Wells, Helen and Jim Moore, James and Ann Poole and Seymour Parrish; and other family members.

James attended first grade at Triton Central Elementary School in Fairland, he had previously attended preschool at Head Start in Shelbyville. He enjoyed participating in baseball, Good News and Cub Scouts. He loved to bowl, swim, bike, play with dinosaurs and board games. James also loved to play with cars, Nerf guns and enjoyed being outdoors. Most of all, James loved meeting people and spending time with family and friends. Little did we know the huge impact that James would make in people’s lives, such as making them happy and seeing them smile.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Friday, November 15, 2024, at the funeral home, with David Lee officiating. Interment will be at Bennett Cemetery in Rays Crossing. Memorial contributions may be made to Triton Youth Sports, 4976 W 600 N, Fairland, Indiana 46126. Online condolences may be shared with James’ family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

The Addison Times