Wednesday, April 10, 2024
DENNIS HEARNE DAY
The new Shelbyville High School track was dedicated last night in honor of long-time local educator Dennis Hearne, who over the course of 50 years has served as a teacher, coach, counselor, dean and Shelbyville Central Schools board member. Joining Mr. Hearne last night were his wife, Jan Hearne, and their children, Pat and Meagan. Mayor Scott Furgeson proclaimed it “Dennis Hearne Day” in Shelbyville, and SCS Board President Troy Merrick provided a commemorative track baton to Hearne in honor of the occasion, which Hearne turned to accept in runner’s form. Several former Golden Bears athletes who played for Hearne were in attendance. Below, the honoree chats with current SHS students following the dedication ceremony.
NEXT UP
New Shelbyville Fire Department employee Roman Scott, left, was sworn in by Mayor Scott Furgeson yesterday. He will succeed Bill Kirschbaum, right, who recently retired. Scott has served as a PRN civilian EMT for a year and is currently enrolled in paramedic school through Franciscan Hospital. | submitted
County BZA Approves Multiple Petitions
The Shelby County Board of Zoning Appeals last night heard and approved several petitions, including the following:
The board unanimously approved an 1,800 square foot pole barn to be constructed at 610 E. McKay Road, Shelbyville. The home previously at the property was removed due to termites, property owner Charles Reed said. A new home and the barn will be constructed, which will be color-coordinated. The barn is identical to an existing one Reed constructed at 23 Conrey Street. Ricky Fallis, who lives across the street and works at Builders Lumber & Hardware, spoke in favor of the petition. “He comes in and buys from us, and every place he buys, he does a lot of work and makes it look really nice,” Fallis said. “I think what he’s doing will make the neighborhood look better and raise the property value of that house.”
The board issued a 3 to 1 vote in favor of allowing Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, 7414 East Michigan Road, to install an electronic message center (EMC) sign to replace the current standard sign, which was damaged by wind. Shane Billingsley, with Greenfield Signs, said an electronic sign is standard fare these days. “In the sign business, (replacing with a standard sign face) is obsolete, kind of like flip phones, VCRs and the newspaper,” he said. “As technology starts to advance, those items become much more expensive, so there’s not much of a price difference between getting two new (sign) faces and upgrading to a message center.” Although the county has approved numerous EMCs, this is the first along the interstate. Billingsley cited electronic signs at the nearby Love’s Travel Stop and Horseshoe Indianapolis casino, but those are located in Decatur County and the City of Shelbyville, respectively. While one neighbor spoke in favor of the sign, another voiced opposition. The board approved the variance with stipulations, which include turning the sign off between midnight and 6 a.m., and the sign can only change every 20 seconds. Dave Klene was the no vote.
The board unanimously approved with stipulations a request for American Wholesale Trailers to use an existing property at 4485 East State Road 244 for a trailer-sales operation business. A stipulation noted that only 20 trailers will be allowed on the gravel lot before the board will need to review the business to determine if a paved lot will be necessary moving forward.
The board unanimously approved a request from Mark Shannon to allow an indoor and outdoor self-storage facility for recreational vehicles, boats and motorcycles at 9298 North Mechanic Street in Gwynneville. The property formerly housed A.K. Shannon Excavating, which has since gone out of business. The plan is to begin with two existing buildings and two new buildings, and potentially later build additional storage units. Shannon said an eight-foot-tall privacy fence, landscaping and security will be added. The petition estimated 200 customers could use the business on a seasonal basis, who would access it with a keypad. The approval included several stipulations, but paving the lot will not be necessary at this point.
In final action, the board unanimously approved Flat Rock Christian Church, 2853 West Pope St., Flat Rock, to install a 121-foot-tall lattice-designed internet communications tower on church property. The tower will provide high-speed broadband internet service to the church and will make high-speed broadband service available for a fee to an estimated 40 percent of the community. “Flat Rock Christian Church doesn’t gain anything from anybody else subscribing to it,” church trustee Mark Weinantz said.
BZA members in attendance were Dave Klene, Kevin Carson, Terry Knudson and Megan Hart.
NOTEBOOK:
Mayor Scott Furgeson thanked city employees and the community at large yesterday for the work that went into preparing for solar eclipse tourists on Monday. Although numbers were lower than projected, Furgeson said, “Overall it was a great, pleasant crowd that we had in town.” The mayor spent the day downtown, and said he spoke with visitors “from as far away as Washington state to New Jersey.” County officials also reported a smooth experience. “We were prepared for the worst and ended up sending people home early because we didn’t need them,” Sheriff Louie Koch said. Koch said the call volume during the day, about 13 calls, was “pretty normal.” Denis Ratekin, Emergency Management Director, called the crowd “underwhelming,” and said officials from nearby counties reported similar experiences. “I wish we would have seen more (visitors) so we could have tested our plan,” he said. All 700 parking spots available at Blue River Memorial Park were filled by noon, but there were only about 30 parked vehicles on Tom Hession Blvd., which had been closed to traffic, Ratekin said. He said the Blue River Memorial Park lot was cleared about 40 minutes following the eclipse. Ratekin also said there was some back-up on I-74 eastbound between Batesville and Cincinnati, but not locally.
The Shelbyville Board of Works approved SCUFFY to host their annual road blocks to collect change from drivers on Saturday, April 27, 7:30 a.m. to a little past noon. The blocks will be at Mechanic St. and North Harrison St. and at Colescott and South Harrison St.
NATIONAL NEWS: The latest data tracking the freight rates to get a container from Asia to the U.S. North East Coast in the wake of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore’s harbor is… cheaper than it was before the crash? Prices to get a 40-foot container along that route are down 1 percent, to $5,421. Spot rates from North Europe to the North East Coast — which includes Baltimore — is down 8 percent to $2,357, and other East Coast ports are down 4 percent. (American Journal of Transportation/Numlock)
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This Day in Shelby County History
2014: Local police made a large meth bust outside the Super 8 motel.
2004: The Shelby County Public Library board discussed a controversial book called “King & King.” Following parents’ complaints, the board discussed but made no decision on whether to place the book above a child’s-eye view, such as in the reference section.
1994: The Ski Klub of Indianapolis leased a private lake from Dick Dunagan for their membership-only water-skiing club. Twenty members had already signed up to participate. The L-shaped lake just northwest of I-74 and State Road 9 was an old gravel pit and was 2,200 feet long by about 250 feet wide on its longer leg and 1,600 feet long by about 400 feet wide on its shorter leg. The water was about 8 feet to 12 feet deep in most places. A minimum of 5 feet of water was needed for safe skiing.
1984: Burglaries in Shelbyville had dropped substantially compared to the first quarter of 1983. Police Chief Robert Nolley said the reason was simple: most of the regular burglars were in jail. “Although no one else is picking up the slack, Nolley isn’t complaining,” The Shelbyville News said.
1974: Louie C. Neu was named Shelbyville Postmaster through a nomination by Congressman Ralph Harvey.
Joel Barnes opened West Side Lumber Co. on West State Road 44, adjoining Modern Stamping Products. Barnes would continue to operate the Homer Lumber Co. in Homer. Rowland Yeend would manage the business here.
1964: Time, weather and neglect caught up with a Shelbyville landmark dating back to the early 1920s. City workmen removed the statuary, together with is marble base, from the solid concrete foundation of the Joseph Fountain in the center of Public Square, and took them to the city garage to await an undecided fate. The Board of Works had determined there were cracks in the concrete base of the fountain, and it was feared the marble pillar and statuary might collapse. There had been discussions about potentially moving the fountain to the front lawn of the Porter Pool property, the triangular island in W. Washington St. at the Miller St. intersection or at Sunset Park, but a decision hadn’t been made. Despite its deteriorating condition, local groups had recently sought to restore some of the fountain’s beauty by planting and caring for colorful flowers in the base, which once held water and goldfish.
1954: A fire near the Shelby County line in Carrolton destroyed the Hancock County Farm Bureau Co-op Elevator. Morristown dispatched a fire engine to the scene. Morristown volunteers were called on to set down the nearby railroad tracks to prevent them bending from the heat. When water was squirted onto the tracks, clouds of steam rose. It was the third time in recent years that a Co-op elevator had been destroyed by fire at the location.
1944: Draft registration board officials announced no more men over 25 employed in essential farming, war production or war supporting activities would be inducted into the armed forces. Several local men 26 and over who had received notice had their scheduled inductions suspended.
“The Fighting Sullivans” was showing at The Strand Theatre, which included a brief appearance by Don Shannon, a Shelbyville High School graduate who played a chief petty officer in a naval battle sequence. Shannon had lived in California for the past seven years.
1934: After a thorough examination by a committee of local physicians, Betty Sue Perry, 7, of Thomas A. Hendricks school, and Eugene Glass, 7, of Charles Major school, were announced “the healthiest girl and boy in the city grade schools,” and were given the roles of King and Queen to reign during the Musical May Festival at the high school.
1924: Flat Rock school students spent the day at Porters Camp to celebrate the close of the year. Fountaintown grade schools held a pitch-in dinner to mark the occasion. Teachers overseeing the picnic in Fountaintown were Lelia Smith, Florence Wood and Elizabeth Wilkins.
Walter Hiers, a motion picture actor, appeared at The Strand. He gave a brief talk about the motion picture business. Hiers, who was described in The Republican as “a healthy appearing fellow,” joked that his weight was “eight pounds less than a horse.”
1914: A large amount of silverware was found buried in the soil beneath the Deer Creek bridge southeast of Waldron by Oscar McNeeley. The silverware had come from S.B. Morris’ home 20 years earlier. Several locals said the bridge area had been a hideout for a gang of burglars who robbed businesses and homes in Decatur and Shelby counties. “(Greensburg) seemed to be at their mercy, as a number of homes were entered each night and the police were never able to catch the guilty parties,” The Republican said. Morris said that after the robbery, his family didn’t have enough silverware to set the table. The loss had been valued at $40 ($1,240 in today’s money).
OBITUARIES
Janet Sue Gill, 81, of Shelbyville, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024 at Ashford Place Legacy Lane. Born September 15, 1942, in New Albany, IN, she was the daughter of Harold and Wilma (Eisenmenger) Walter. Survivors include three children, Steve Gill (wife Kim) of Greenwood, IN, Rick Gill (wife Angela) of Shelbyville, and Linda LeMasters (Matt); three siblings, Jodie Seng (Charlie), Bonnie Curry (Phil), and Barbara Greene (Marvin); six grandchildren, Danny, Cory, Reilly, Amanda, Brooke, and Emily; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother James "Jim" Walter.
Mrs. Gill graduated from New Albany High School and married John Gill on September 3, 1960. She was a homemaker and formerly worked at Tippecanoe Press in Shelbyville.
With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to a woman whose kindness and warmth touched the lives of all who knew her. Jan, surrounded by her loving family, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2024 at Ashford Place Legacy Lane. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and boundless generosity. Jan shared an unbreakable bond with her husband John, whom she lovingly stood beside for 64 wonderful years. Their enduring love was a beacon of inspiration to all that knew them, a testament to the strength of a lifelong partnership. Their vow of "through better or worse" was tested as she battled Alzheimer's disease. But John never left her side, fulfilling her commitment and faithfully accompanying her to the end of her life's journey.
Her keen wit and honest sense of humor were infectious, bringing joy and levity to every moment shared with her family and friends. Her laughter echoed through the halls of her home, creating cherished memories that will be treasured for generations to come. She found joy in simple pleasures, especially spending quality time with her grandchildren. A day around the pool, filled with laughter and play, was her idea of bliss. In the role of grandma, she found immense fulfillment, showering her grandchildren with love, wisdom, and countless unforgettable moments.
An extension of her devotion to family was her passion for sports. She tirelessly followed her children's and grandchildren's pursuits of baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, etc. If they were playing, she was there cheering them on. Sunday afternoons were often spent watching NASCAR and INDYCAR. Music held a special place in Janet's heart, particularly the timeless music of Elvis and the soul-stirring harmonies of gospel music. She found solace and inspiration in the power of music, and her love of music brought comfort and joy to her and those around her. Jan had a passion for children's charities, especially Victory Junction Gang, a charity that captured the essence of her spirit. She believed wholeheartedly in the importance of bringing happiness and hope to children facing medical challenges. Her passion leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew her. Yet, her legacy of love, laughter, and compassion will shine brightly through the memories she created and the lives she touched.
In lieu of flowers, she requests that donations be made to a children's charity of choice or Victory Junction, 4500 Adam's Way, Randleman, NC 27317 (victoryjuntion.org). A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Though she may be gone from our sight, her love will forever live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her. May she rest in eternal peace, surrounded by the love and laughter she brought into the world. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Lawrence McQueen, 86, of Shelby County, Indiana, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024, at Major Hospital in Shelbyville, Indiana. Cherished in life by family and friends, he was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his death and for weeks prior.
Larry was born February 13, 1938, in Egypt, Kentucky, to Steve and Elma (Burch) McQueen. He attended Clarksburg High School in Decatur County. Skilled in all things mechanical, Larry found employment with the Sandman Brothers auto dealership in Shelbyville, Indiana, where he worked for 35 years until his retirement.
Larry met Martha Jean Foster of Laurel, Indiana in 1955, and they were married on September 15, 1957. In 1969, he and Martha bought land in Shelby County, and he began farming in addition to his work as a mechanic. They raised their three children there and it has been their home ever since.
In addition to farming and time with family, Larry enjoyed playing euchre and golf as well as building and flying model airplanes.
Along with Martha, his wife of 66 years, he is survived by his twin brother, Clarence McQueen of Waldon, Indiana; brother Clifton McQueen of Batesville, Indiana; one son, Kelly D. McQueen and wife, Sherri, of Mooresville, Indiana; two daughters, Lori M. Tennell and her husband, Timothy, of Franklin, Indiana, and Melinda K. (Mindy) McGee and husband, Richard, of Madison, Indiana. He also leaves eight grandchildren: Tracy Phillips Truax (Steve), Audra McQueen, Stephanie McQueen Crockett (Kevin), Carson Tennell, Cole Tennell (Jennah), Ricky McGee (Paige), Katie McGee Eadens (Adam), and Max McGee. He and Martha also have 6 great-grandchildren. Larry was preceded in death by eight siblings: Geneva Parton, Esther Hayes, Floy Shepherd, Glendon Burch, Grant McQueen, Willard McQueen, Hubert McQueen, and Roy McQueen.
The family wishes to express their sincerest thanks to the physicians, nurses, and staff of Major Hospital for their kindness and compassion, expert care, and genuine respect for Mr. McQueen and members of the family. Their professionalism and dedication are appreciated.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road. Friends may call on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Laurel North Cemetery, Laurel, Indiana. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Murry Dale DeCamp, 74, of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday, April 7, 2024, at the VA Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born to Edith and Olen DeCamp in Terre Haute, and graduated from Elkhart High School in 1967. He served as a weather observer in The AirForce, and went on to graduate from ISU and lead a successful career in retail and hotel management. Murry was a consummate storyteller and never missed an opportunity to share anecdotes from his years on Crete, his shenanigans as a yellow shirt at the Indy 500, or his time with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.
To know Murry was to love Murry, and he will be truly missed.
Murry is survived by his wife, Cindy (McKenney); his children, Kara and Ralph Ebbutt, and Lauren and Tim Hughes; and his three granddaughters, Sophia, Ava and Breena. He is also survived by his sister, Diane Miller and her family. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Betty Johns.
A Celebration of Murry’s Life will be held later this summer. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Richard L. Roudebush VA Hospital, 1481 W. 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. Online condolences may be shared with Murry’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Larry Gene Fonseth, 72, of Fountaintown, passed away, Monday, April 8, 2024, at Homeview Health in Franklin. He was born February 7, 1952, in Greensburg, the son of Delbert and Marthena Fonseth. He married Barbara Davis, and she preceded him in death on April 9, 2018. Larry is survived by his son, Larry Fonseth Jr. of Illinois; daughters, Ginger Hamilton and husband, Brad, of Jacksonville, Florida, and Sheryl Snodgrass and fiance’, Jeffrey Lowman, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, Bradley and Kaycee; and great-grandchildren, Hailey, Landon, Parker, Lilly, Aria, Ellie, Jameson, Olivia and Jayden. In addition to Barbara, Larry was preceded in death by his parents.
Larry attended Vincennes University. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Napoleon. Larry was a tool and die maker at RCA for 25 years, and then worked at Overton’s. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m., Friday, April 12, 2024 in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, US-421, Napoleon. Friends may gather one-half hour prior. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Larry’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.