Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Night Light
Photo by Jack Boyce
State Roadwork Set for Summer
The Indiana Department of Transportation has at least four construction projects slated for Shelby County roads this summer, the county’s 9-1-1 Addressing Coordinator, Tom Debaun, said. Projects include the following:
Project: State Road 44, from Grandview Drive and Miller Ave. to the I-65 interchange at Franklin. Dates: Starting Monday, April 5. The closure will continue through mid-August, but the entire project goes until early September. Overview: Patching, milling, sidewalk ramp replacements and then repaving between Grandview Drive and the Sugar Creek Overflow bridge, just west of the county line in Johnson County. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers for one-lane areas around active workers. Notes: On or after April 14, a crew will start the same work in Johnson County, between the Overflow Bridge and I-65. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers for one-lane areas around active workers on this section also. On or after April 17, traffic will be restricted to a single lane in each direction on SR 44 for reconstruction of the roadway at the I-65 interchange and the addition of traffic signals at the ramps there. On or after June 12, the Overflow bridge, which is inside Johnson County just west of Sugar Creek, will be closed and there will be two detours in place: through traffic will be routed on I-65, I-465 and I-74 on the marked detour; and local traffic may use Shelby County Road 900 W, Range Road, 875 W and 50 N onto Johnson County 350 N and 700 E back to SR 44.
Project and Dates: Shelby County Road 900 W / Johnson County Road 800 E (Johnson – Shelby County Line) - the overpass bridges over I-65 are scheduled to close April 5 for a bridge deck overlay project. The detour is Johnson County Road 400 S, 700 E and 550 S. This closure is for up to 120 days or early August.
Project and Dates: SR 44 at the I-74 interchange - a new traffic signal for the westbound ramps and some concrete curbed islands will be installed and a cantilever directional sign will be removed and replaced with a panel sign starting May 3. The outside lane of SR 44 westbound will be closed for five days, then starting May 10 the outside lane of SR 44 eastbound will be closed for about twenty days for the concrete island construction.
Project and Dates: US 52 from just west of the entrance to the Freudenberg-NOK factory to just east of the 500 E / Range Line Road intersection through Morristown will be milled and repaved and an attempt is going to made to change the drainage from a natural spring between Midway and Jackson Streets that will require a closure of US 52 (Main Street) for 45 days starting after the end of the school year. The contract for this project was just awarded March 18 and an exact schedule has not been set yet. Detour: The through-traffic detour will be SR 9 to I-74 to SR 44 to Rushville. There will be a local traffic detour for trucks going to and from the industrial park using Asbury Road, 1100 N and Range Line Rd (500E). Local traffic for light vehicles in Morristown will use separate detours: eastbound traffic south on Washington Street (Morristown Road) to South Street east to Harper Street back north to Main Street (US 52). Westbound traffic north on Water Tower Lane to North Street west to Washington Street back south to Main Street (US 52).
When Shelby County Made National News
Editor's Note: Although This Day in Shelby County History regularly reflects on the everyday events that occurred and formed our community, sometimes those events reached national headlines. The following occasional feature offers local recaps cited in newspapers nationwide.
(1940) Dr. C.A. Bowler, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, won the Shelbyville Loafers Club’s annual Tall Tales contest. Rev. Dr. Bowler said he had once been chased by a bear to a tall tree, the lowest limb of which was 30 feet from the ground. “I jumped for the limb and missed,” he concluded with solemnity. “But I caught it on the way down.”
(1944) Navy Seaman Edwin Hammond of Shelbyville and Mildred Taylor were married on skates. Everyone in the wedding party but the minister skated down the aisle.
(1945) Maj. Armitt Lewis reunited with Maj. Irving Erickson of Oakland, Calif. at an Air Force Base in Santa Monica. The two had been friends on base in India a year before. Both were later shot down in separate incidents by Japanese planes. Lewis bailed out over China. Erickson crash-landed and, despite wounds on his face and scalp, made his way back to base. Both were returned to Santa Monica on the same day.
(1951) Walter D. Meltzer celebrated his birthday on Easter Sunday for the first time in his life. He was born the last time Easter had fallen on March 25, in 1894, 57 years prior.
(1951) Shelbyville police arrested a man for walking through town in his stocking feet. He told police he had lost one shoe, “got disgusted and threw the other one away.”
(Feb. 1958) Several months after he broke out of the Shelby County Jail, a 28-year-old man returned and asked to be locked up again. “I can’t get a job,” the man explained. “And I nearly froze in this kind of weather.”
NOTEBOOK
The Shelbyville Board of Public Works and Safety approved having junk and debris cleaned up at 815 Morris Avenue and 605 W. South Street, and have the fees assessed to the property owners. The Board also agreed to give a one-week extension to residents of 640 Main Street, who have been in contact with the City regarding cleaning up their property.
The City of Shelbyville’s Public Utility Office will be closed today and tomorrow as the department is moved to its new location, 17 Public Square, the former Bradley Hall building. The office will reopen Monday, April 5. The current deposit box on Jackson Street will remain in place.
Karissa Hamilton was named the Shelbyville High School Girls Rotary Club Annual Award recipient. Tyler Harker received the Boys Rotary Club Award. Other swimming awards were given to Yui Fukuzawa (most improved, Girls); Hamilton (highest points, Girls); Maiah Helfer-Vazquez (diver highest points, Girls); Lance File (most improved, Boys); and Harker (highest points, Boys).
The SHS Wrestling Rotary Club winner was Taige Mummert. Other wrestling awards were given to Chayce Collier (MVP); Carson Linville (Most Improved); Elias Jones (Rookie of the Year); and Jed Tillison (Mental Toughness).
SHS gymnast Renee Aldridge received the Golden Bear Award. Kaliyah Brown was the highest scorer and Mahayla Lindsey was most improved.
Ashlyn Clark received the SHS Cheerleading Golden Bear Award. Makenna Clark was captain; Karlie Lawson, Most Valuable; Emma Sandman was Most Spirited; and Lanie Stephens was Most Improved.
As of yesterday, the state reported 4,705 positive coronavirus cases in Shelby County, an increase of 2 from the previous day, out of 18,933 tests, an increase of 7 from the day before. The number of deaths for Shelby County remained the same, at 95. The State lists 7,923 fully vaccinated people in Shelby County as of yesterday.
HOOSIER NEWS: WWE and A&E Network announced Monday that the Indianapolis area has been selected as one of six regions to take part in a free, drive-in screening event of a new A&E "Biography" series highlighting some of the company's most iconic stars. Eight original documentaries will premiere weekly starting Sunday, April 18 at 8 p.m. The episodes follow the careers of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin; Indiana-natives Ultimate Warrior and Mick Foley; “Macho Man” Randy Savage; “Rowdy” Roddy Piper; Booker T; Shawn Michaels; and Bret "Hitman" Hart. The Stone Cold Steve Austin documentary will screen at Centerbrook Drive-In, 6735 Indiana 67 North in Martinsville, on April 14 at 7 p.m. Anyone who wants to check it out can RSVP to the free screening in their city at www.eventbrite.com/o/aampe-network-and-wwe-studios-32853200789. Fans who attend will also be eligible for special giveaways. (The Indianapolis Star)
Check out the latest deals at Mickey’s T-Mart this week!
“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: 2001
A Kansas man, originally from Shelbyville, was held on five felony charges after allegedly using his vehicle to try to strike a Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy. The driver had allegedly tried to strike Deputy Denis Ratekin twice when he was setting out stop sticks in the 200 block of East Broadway Street and at another location during a 20-minute police pursuit. The man was eventually arrested on Roosevelt Street by State Trooper Michael Hubbs and Police Officer Kris Fewell.30 YEARS AGO: 1991
Shelbyville Mayor Dan Theobald gave the Fairland Volunteer Fire Department a plaque in recognition of their help during floods at the beginning of the year. Fairland firefighter Skip Gulley accepted the plaque on behalf of the department.Several Shelbyville Police Department officers were asked to help with security during the NCAA Final Four games. One officer told The Shelbyville News that it was a great opportunity, given the outrageous prices of tickets. “But another officer wondered if the choice assignments wouldn’t be already taken and if some officers wouldn’t get stuck in the hinterlands of the Hoosier Dome,” the paper said.
40 YEARS AGO: 1981
Top Southwestern High School girls honored at the school’s winter athletic awards program were Belinda Helser, Linda McMichael, Jean Anna Gore, Mary Trimnell, Sandy Wilhite, Vicky Wilcoxson and Judy Smiley. Members of the boys varsity basketball team honored included Scott McIntyre, Bill Allen, Brett Griffey, Gary Petro and Scott Hawn.
50 YEARS AGO: 1971
John Camp, son of Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Camp, 906 Crestmoor Drive, received the Optimist Club’s Boy of the Year Award. Charles Bowlby, president of the Optimist Club, presented the award. Jeff Lowe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Grover Lowe, 746 Fourth St., received the Donald L. Richmond Memorial Scholarship from Richard Jester. It was the first time since the Boys Club opened in Shelbyville that Director Ken Self was not present at the annual banquet. He was under treatment at the hospital. It was pointed out at the only other year he could not attend a Father and Son Banquet was when he was in Korea. Swifty Bennett, acting director for the club, presented a plaque to Mrs. Chris Self, wife of the director, honoring her for 18 years of service to the local club. In other top awards, Dr. James Kent, board president, gave the past president’s plaque to Bob Clapp.
60 YEARS AGO: 1961
Harold Denney, of 903 Revello St., assumed management of the Gulf Service Station at the corner of Colescott and Miller streets, formerly known as Bill’s Service and operated by William Bastin.70 YEARS AGO: 1951
The new $295,000 Elks Lodge building (now the Grover Center) was formally dedicated. Harry McClain was toastmaster for the occasion. A speaker from the national organization blasted Communists and communism, saying that “the only way to destroy the Reds is to bring them out in the open and beat them at their own game.” He urged Americans to get rid of any “termites in their school systems.”
80 YEARS AGO: 1941
Shelby County residents reached $4,000 raised in just over a month to purchase new fire-fighting equipment. “The ‘wild car’ fire whistle, marking the successful achievement of the goal, set the entire community on edge and score upon score of telephone calls flooded the newspaper office as residents of the city sought information as to the cause of the excitement,” The Republican said.Tony Hinkle, Butler University athletic director, delivered the address at the annual banquet honoring members of the Moral High School basketball squad, Coach William McNamara and the cheer team. Other speakers on the program were Edward Baldwin, Moral principal; Thomas Fogarty, superintendent of county schools; Merritt Borden, captain of the Hawks team; and Howard Hill, Moral Township net fan. Harold Valentine led in group singing, Max Larrison presented a saxophone solo, accompanied by Mrs. Roy Larrison, and William Crane played a baritone solo, accompanied by Helen Nigh. Mrs. Glen Turner provided music during the dinner hour. Coach Hinkle asserted that basketball was not injurious to the health of players if they trained properly. The Moral Hawks had won the county basketball championship and was runner-up in the sectional. They had also won the Griffey Bros. award for first place in the county rural net league. Their final record was 22-5.
90 YEARS AGO: 1931
Captain H. Weir Cook, aviation instructor at the Mars Hill Airport, Indianapolis, addressed boys of the junior and senior high school in a special convocation in the school assembly. Cook encouraged the boys to be aware of opportunities in the aviation field.100 YEARS AGO: 1921
A 15-year-old Howard Street resident confessed to local officers that he had robbed eight stores and one home in Shelbyville. The boy also mentioned that he was able to purchase cigarettes from “most any store” in Shelbyville despite his age. Prosecuting Attorney Bassett said he would immediately take steps to stop the sale of cigarettes to minors.INCIDENTS
Thefts were reported in the 100 block of N. Knightstown Road, first block of McLane Street, 600 block of W. Boggstown Road, and 1900 block of S. West Street, Shelbyville; and 200 block of S. Harper St., Morristown.
An improperly parked vehicle was cited in the 100 block of Habig Street.
Jail book-ins: James L. Barnett, 43, auto theft; Christopher J. Goff, 37, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, public intoxication; Kyleigh McDuffey, 24, battery; and Dorothy M. Ryhal, 31, possession of meth
OBITUARIES
Debra J. Lautz, 65, of Shelbyville passed away Monday, March 29, 2021 at her home. Private services will be conducted. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Debra's family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Thomas E. Morrissey, 74, of Shelbyville passed away Thursday, March 25, 2021, at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Thomas’ family at www.freemanfamilyfunealhomes.com.
Donnie E. Wilson, 70, of Shelbyville passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at his residence. He was born July 25, 1950 in Shelbyville to Raymond Wilson and Gertie (Gaddis) Wilson. He is survived by his wife, Sharon (Rowe) Wilson, his daughter, Kelly Johnson, his son, Kevin Wilson, his grandchildren, Ashton Killey, Braden Barnard, and Haley Wilson, his great-grandchildren, Kinley, Emrey, and Grady, his beloved dogs, Rosco and Mazy, his brothers, Charles (Barbara) Wilson, and Steve Wilson, and his sisters, Linda Stevens, Phyllis Leake, and Louise (Charles) Olsen. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Garnet Wilson and Wilburn Wilson.
Donnie was a U.S. Army veteran. He retired from Arvin’s where he worked as a welder. Donnie enjoyed being outdoors. He could be found in his garden or at the water, fishing. He also enjoyed drinking a cold beer. His favorite times were spent with his family and grandkids.
Military rites will be conducted by local veteran’s organizations at 4 p.m., Friday, April 2, 2021 at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Visitation will follow from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Donnie’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Walter Richard Munsel II, 49, of Copperas Cove, Texas, passed away on Sunday, March 21, 2021. The final funeral service will be held at Viss Family Funeral Home, in Copperas Cove, Texas, on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at 11 am.
Walter was born in Shelbyville, IN, and moved to Texas as a young child and he has since claimed Texas as his home. Walter began his career by volunteering as a young teenager with the Travis County Volunteer Fire Department. He graduated from the Texas A&M Fire Fighting Academy and started his career at the Killeen Fire Department. After many years in Killeen, he transferred to the Copperas Cove Fire Department, where he retired. After retiring, he was able to live out his dream of returning to Texas A&M (TEEKS) fire academy where he was an instructor specializing in vehicle extrication. He later went back into service as a firefighter for Travis County ESD 12 in Manor, Texas. While working there he also found a passion for being part of the safety/rescue team at the Circuit of America's Racetrack in South Austin. He was a lifetime national member of the Wind and Fire Motorcycle Club.
One of his most precious times was spending time with his daughter, Kelsey, and his son, Christopher.
Walter was preceded in death by his sister, Heather Dawn Munsel; and stepfather, Edgar Hudgins. Walter is survived by his mother, Dora Louise Hudgins; father, Paul Richard Munsel; fiancé, Kesha Martin; his son, Christopher Nicholas Stark-Munsel and his daughter, Kelsey Dawn Munsel. He was also survived by his brother, William Nelson Munsel (Ashley Munsel and children, Avery Mann, Peyton Munsel, and Eli Munsel); half-siblings Bobbie Maxine Munsel (daughter Emily Maxine Deboard), Paul Richard Suits, and stepsister, Sandy Hughes (James Hughes and children Sara and Elisabeth Hughes). alter is survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, and uncountable friends, all of whom loved him dearly.
