Wednesday, June 25, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
SUNDIAL ART CELEBRATED
Jes Miller, Jennifer Jones, John C. DePrez Jr., Sarah Richardt, Laura Land, Adam Rude, Lee Marks, Jordan England, Deanna Hensley and Trisha Tackett celebrate following the official ribbon cutting at the sundail installation yesterday. Jenna Martin, who was taking photos at the event, was also on the committee. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
A ribbon cutting was held yesterday morning for the newly installed sundial at the Blue River Trailhead on N. Harrison Street. The project began in early 2024 with the painting of a bright asphalt “sun” on the circular trail surface, now transformed into a functional sundial with the installation of a gnomon, the upright piece that casts a shadow to tell time. Laura Land led the design for the Blue River Community Foundation, drawing inspiration from the sculptural work of Roland Hobart, an Austrian artist who lived in Shelbyville from the late 1960s through the 1980s. “The gnomon points straight to the North Star,” Land noted, explaining how its angle matches Shelbyville’s latitude. The sundial is one hour and 45 minutes “off” from clock time. One hour of that is due to Daylight Saving Time; the other is the variance between solar time and Indiana time. The sundial is part of a larger solar system-themed trail feature and was made possible through support from the Lilly Endowment’s GIFT VIII Initiative and several regional arts organizations.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Board of Public Works and Safety yesterday held a public hearing regarding 332 W. Taylor St., an unsafe building at which people are living on the front porch. No one appeared to speak at the hearing. The city can now move forward with addressing the issue.
City Engineer Tyler Comstock provided updates to the Board of Public Works yesterday regarding on-going construction projects. The roundabout at Miller Street and McKay Road is on track to be completed by the start of the school year. Work is also on track for the roundabout on N. Riley Highway. The traffic pattern will be shifted next week to allow work on the east side of the roundabout near the Knauf entrance. Demolition began on buildings in the first block of W. Broadway St. (photo by JOHN WALKER)
Chris King, Vice President at Runnebohm Construction and Shelbyville resident, has been named to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation board by Gov. Mike Braun. King was among nine new members to the IEDC board, which includes entrepreneurs, business owners, a union representative, and even a Democrat: former gubernatorial candidate John Gregg. None of the prior members were retained. The quasi-state agency has been criticized in the past by both Republicans and Democrats for not operating with enough transparency in its dealings, The Indianapolis Star reported.
Shelby County has been certified as a Bird Town Indiana community partner, the first county in the state to earn the designation. Bird Town Indiana is a statewide program that recognizes communities taking meaningful steps to reduce threats to birds, enhance native landscapes and foster public awareness about birds and their habitats. The program is administered by Indiana Audubon, a leader in bird conservation, education and research across the state. Initiatives cited in the application include invasive species removal projects, as well as the inclusion of native plant lists in Shelbyville’s development ordinances to guide landscaping in new site plans, and a countywide partnership with RushShelby Energy. Through that program, residents can report power line structures that may pose a danger to birds, leading technicians to install perch guards or other safeguards for birds. Shelbyville High School’s Ecology Department plays a central role in the county’s education efforts. Students engage in bird-focused lessons, design feeders tailored to specific species and participate in hands-on conservation learning. Additional outreach will begin this summer through new “Bird Walk and Talk” programs held in parks and community centers across the county. As a certified Bird Town, Shelby County joins Ogden Dunes, Michigan City, Geneva, Chesterton, Beverly Shores, Porter, and Indiana University Kokomo.
HOOSIER NEWS: Kroger announced plans to close 60 locations across the country over the next 18 months. The company will not release a full list of closures, but some have been identified. The only two in Indiana identified so far are in South Bend and Elkhart. (Indystar)
NATIONAL NEWS: Cinemas have had a rough couple of years, and one way that the notoriously tight-margined exhibition business is able to improve profit margins is by acquiescing to advertisements ahead of movie screenings. This has had the effect of films actually starting anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes after their stated showtime. AMC’s preshow runs 25 to 30 minutes already, and is cramming in more ads while trying to keep it under a half hour. Reality is, though, audiences are getting bright: according to EntTelligence, only 60 percent of moviegoers are in seats when trailers start playing. In the big cities, cinemagoers have wised up, with just 42 percent of New York and L.A. moviegoers in seats in time to see every trailer. (Hollywood Reporter/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Jan. 17, 1951, Part II
The Courier encouraged students to become independent. “A student who never has paper, pencils or other supplies he needs, one who cannot carry through assignments without help, or cannot make decisions for himself, is developing dependence upon someone else,” the paper said.
Jack Compton was senior class president. He was also assistant manager for The Squib and was in Hi-Y and the S-Club. Jack planned to attend Purdue and then return to Shelbyville to work with his father in the dairy business.
Two SHS alumni, Hank Hemingway and Hal Eckstein, were playing varsity basketball at Wichita University. Both had been Paul Cross Award winners here. They were coached there by Ken Gunning, also an SHS graduate.
Alumnus Bill Garrett had tied “Buckshot” O’Brien’s Hoosier Classic record with 96 points in three games at the Classic. Indiana won the series by defeating Butler and Notre Dame.
Garrett had also been named top man in the race relations honor roll, conducted by The Indianapolis Recorder, which noted he was the “only colored basketball player in the Big Ten Conference.”
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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: Morristown officials, including town attorney Mark McNeely, were trying to save the Morristown branch of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 420 W. Main St., from closing. The officials had reached out to Sen. Bob Jackman and State Reps. Luke Messer and Bob Cherry with concerns about the threatened closure.
1995: Waldron Baptist Church allowed the United Methodist Church to be their temporary home after an explosion and fire destroyed the Methodist church building. The Baptist service would begin at 9 a.m., and the Methodist service would be at 11 a.m. Propane gas leaking from a heating system in the basement of the 83-year-old brick church was the suspected cause of the fire. The blast blew out windows, including the massive stained glass windows in the front of the church, and the glass door panels.
1985: The Shelbyville News issued an editorial praising downtown merchants and local business professionals who had removed weeds downtown, mulched flower beds and even added small decorative fencing.
1975: A car owned by Walter Sexton was damaged heavily by fire while it was parked on the Certain-teed plant parking lot off Elizabeth St. Plant employees helped put the blaze out in the 1972 vehicle.
1965: An agreement was reached to merge the State Bank of Waldron and Shelby National Bank. Total assets of the banks were $15 million for Shelby National and $5 million for State Bank of Waldron. The deal was pending federal approval.
1955: A wandering bull was listed as the cause of a vehicle accident. A bull owned by Toby Cox of near Middletown had dragged a heavy concrete block and chain into the middle of a county gravel road. At about 11:30 p.m., George Stephens, 20, St. Paul, hit the cement block attached to the bull, causing significant damage to the car. The bull was unhurt.
1945: The “Here’s Your Infantry” show at Kennedy Park attracted 4,000 people to see a simulated warfare put on my veterans. Mayor James Pierce gave an official welcome and encouraged those present to purchase war bonds.
1935: Big Four employees, representing stations from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Kankakee, Ill., attended a company banquet at the Golden Glow Annex. Nearly 350 attended. Bin T. Smith, local table manufacturer who was the emcee, noted he was in the employ of the Big Four back in the Spanish-American War days. Railroad officials said they prided their communication with and connection to city officials along their routes.
1925: The body of Cora Spurlin was found in Blue River near Marietta. She had been missing from her home for a week. Mrs. Spurlin, described as “past 50 years old,” had been in poor health and had been despondent, family members said. A search party had been looking for her since her disappearance.
1915: Harry Sorden had announced he was retiring from the horse livery business, and a large crowd, many from around the region, attended his liquidation auction. “He does not want to own a horse even for his own use,” The Republican said. “This ‘closing out sale to quit business’ means what it says and says what it means.”
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Terry G. Tucker, 79, of Shelbyville, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Waldron Health & Rehab. Born June 28, 1945, in Patuxent River Naval Base, Md., he was the son of William H. Tucker and Velma (Jenkins) Tucker. He married Georgia (Nebel) Tucker on July 9, 1966, and she survives. Other survivors include two sons, Mark Tucker (Rosemary) of Bargersville and Corey Tucker (Trina) of Shelbyville; a sister, Connie Ziliak of Ellettsville; four grandchildren, Cole Tucker, Brady Tucker, Dalton Tucker (Holly), Michaela Rohrer (Javier); and three great-grandchildren, Isaiah Tucker, Piper Tucker, and Parker Tucker. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother-in-law, Bruce Ziliak.
Mr. Tucker had lived in this area for 40 years, after moving from Indianapolis. He was a sheet metal journeyman, working for several local companies, including Sink & Edwards of Indy for over 40 years. He graduated from Howe High School in 1963, was a member of Maranatha Southern Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Sheet Metal Worker's Local # 20, and Shelby Shifter’s Car Club.
Terry enjoyed cars and loved attending car shows, stock car and NASCAR racing, and was an avid Dale Earnhart fan, as well as a Chicago Bears fan. He enjoyed lunches with the “Old Cronies Club”, and enjoyed watching his sons and grandchildren playing sports. The family would like to send out a special “Thanks” to Waldron Health & Rehab, and OUR Hospice for the excellent care Terry received from them.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2025 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road. Friends may call on Monday morning from noon until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to OUR Hospice of South Central Indiana, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Raymond L. Phelps, 78, of Shelbyville, passed away Monday, June 23, 2025, at Franciscan Health Indianapolis. He was born July 8, 1946, in Somerset, Ky. to Roy Phelps and Dorothy (Hall) Phelps. Raymond had a love for talking politics, and he enjoyed collecting ink pens. Family was the most important thing in his life and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids. He cherished the times shared at all the family gatherings through the years. He is survived by his daughter, Anita (Husband, Zach) Akers; his son, Doug Phelps; his grandchildren, Brady (wife, Amber) Phelps, Brandyn Phelps ( Reid Milam), Bradley Phelps, Johana (husband, Adam) Washington, Naton (wife, Brittany) Ridge, Cody (wife, Kim) Phelps, Alexis Phelps and Isiaha Phelps; 13 great-grandchildren; his brotherS, Denver (wife, Porica) Phelps and Roger Phelps; his sister, Glenda (husband, Milford) Girdler; his brothers, Danny (wife, Debbie) Phelps and Allen Phelps and his aunt, Imogene Keel. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Eddie Phelps; his sister, June Chancy and brother, David Phelps.
Visitation will be Sunday, June 29, 2025, from noon to 2 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Seth Taylor officiating. A graveside service will be on Monday, June 30, 2025, at noon in Beech Grove Cemetery in Somerset, Ky. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Raymond’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Joan Kay Isaacs-Witkemper, 75, of Shelbyville, passed away on Monday, June 23, 2025, at her home surrounded by family. She was born September 15, 1949, in Connersville, the daughter of Ora and Flossie (Boyd) Trueblood. On June 4, 2005, she married John Witkemper, and he survives. In addition to John, Joan is survived by her sons, Christopher Isaacs and wife, Deana, of New Palestine, and Roland Isaacs and wife, Leslie, of Carmel; sister, Janet Harrison of Connersville; grandchildren, Cory, Malia, Clara, Charlotte, Lincoln, Jessica, Heidi, Landon, Sidney, Rachel and Logan; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Herman Kroner; sister, Barbara Watson; and brother, Donald Trueblood.
In 1967, Joan graduated from Connersville High School. She attended The Creek Church. Joan was the office manager at P and W Builders in New Palestine, retiring after several years of service. She enjoyed traveling and visiting with her grandchildren. Joan loved listening to music.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St., in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at New Palestine Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana Chapter, 50 E. 91st St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, Ind., 46240, or Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, Penn., 18901. Online condolences may be shared with Joan’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.