Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992
Byron E. Smith
Mar. 26, 1921 – July 3, 2001
Bryon E. Smith, 80, of Rochester, died Tuesday, July 3, at the Life Care Center of Rochester. He was born March 26, 1921 in Falmouth, a son of Ora and Henrietta Disselkoen Smith.
Mr. Smith lived most of his life in Rushville. A retired education, he was in Everton, 1947-49 where he was a business teacher and a coach. From 1949-60, he was at Orange High School where he was principal, business teacher and basketball coach. While at Orange High School, his teams won four consecutive basketball county championships. In 1960-64, he was a principal and business teacher at Fayette Central and was the principal in Carthage High School from 1964-73. Mr. Smith also served as a counselor at Knightstown High School from 1973-1983. He graduated from Raleigh High School in 1938 and earned a teaching degree from Ball State Teachers College in 1942.
Smith was a member of the Main St. Christian Church, the Phoenix Lodge #62 F&AM, the Scottish Rite, Elks Lodge and the American Legion. He was also a member of East Hill Cemetery Board, life member of Delta Pi Epsilon, National Business Graduate Honorary Fraternity and Pi Omega Pi, National Business Honorary Fraternity. The WW II Army veteran served in the South Pacific.
Surviving are one son, Glen Smith, Logansport; two daughters, Dare (husband Michael) Hawes, Plymouth, and Carol (husband David) Goins, Fishers; a brother, Fred Smith Sr., Falmouth; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
His parents and one sister preceded him in death.
Services were Saturday, July 7 at Moster & Cox Mortuary in Rushville with Rev. Dean Anderson officiating. Burial was in Rushville East Hill Cemetery.
Visitation was held Friday, July 6. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rush Co. Community Foundation, the Main St. Christian Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Josephine Carter-Spitler
Feb. 11, 1920 - July 7, 2001
Roberta Josephine Carter-Spitler, 81 of Knightstown, died July 7 at Sunrise of Carmel Nursing Home. She was born February 11, 1920 in Knightstown, a daughter of the late Russell L. and Mary E. Wagoner Dennis.
Josephine lived her entire life in Knightstown as a homemaker and was active in community and service activities.
She attended Purdue University for two years and Butler University. Josephine was a member of the Knightstown United Methodist Church, Shakespeare Club, charter member of Historic Knightstown, Tri Kappa, DAR, Pi Phi, Hoosier Gym and Academy Restoration and the Library Guild.
She is survived by her husband, Wendell L. Spitler of Knightstown; two sons, Barry L. (wife Barbara) Carter of Knightstown, and James Dennis (wife Barbara) Carter of Cicero; and one sister, Susan E. Thompson of Indianapolis.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 12 at Greene’s Funeral Home with burial in Glen Cove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Knightstown Library or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Crystal I. Priest
Mar. 22, 1915 – July 6, 2001
Crystal I. Priest, 86, former longtime resident of the Knightstown area, died Friday, July 6 at The Waters of New Castle. She was born March 22, 1915 in Delaware County, a daughter of the late Jesse James and Grace L. Dragoo McKinley.
Mrs. Priest was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church and former member of the Knightstown United Methodist. She was a member of the Foster Grandparents program for nine years, a 50-year member of Women’s Christian Temperance Union and a 50-year member of the United Methodist Church.
She is survived by one son, Jim (wife, Lisa) Priest, Detroit, Mich.; one daughter, Laura McDonald of New Castle; eight grandchildren, Ted Priest, Yuron, Okla., Brian Priest, Garden City, Mich., Kim Bow of Lewisville, Lori Pelfrey of New Castle, Betsy Calland of New Castle, Susan McDonald of Indianapolis, Mike and Jenny of Cafana of Chesterfield Twp., Mich.; 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Robert (wife, Willadean) McKinley of Ft. Wayne; and two sisters, Charlene Geiger of Wapakoneta, Ohio, and Wanda (husband, Kenneth) Loveless of Andrews.
Her husband, Orville Priest, a son-in-law, Thomas McDonald and an infant brother preceded her in death.
Services were held Tuesday, July 10 at Marcum-Troxell Community Funeral Home in New Castle with Rev. Greg Albert officiating. Burial was in Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown.
Virgil L. Welsh
Dec. 18, 1916 – July 19, 2001
Virgil L. Welsh, 84, of rural Knightstown, died Thursday, July 19, at his home following a brief illness. He was born December 18, 1916, in Monroe, Ohio, a son of the late Thomas and Mamie (Rothwell) Welsh.
Welsh was a U.S. Army veteran serving during WW II. He was a retired farmer, a golfer and was an avid fisherman. He was a member of the Knightstown American Legion Post 152 and the Spiceland Masonic Lodge 699.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Trudy (Wright) Welsh whom he married July 18, 1937, two sons, Larry L. (wife, Sue) Welsh of Knightstown, and Steve K. (wife, Nanette) of Spiceland; two daughters, Janet, (husband, George) Brown of Knightstown, and Becky (husband, Larry) Reece of Henderson, Nevada; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Helen McDonald of Spiceland; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill and Roy Welsh; two sisters, Eleanor Napier and Verna Lawson.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday in the Condo & Son Funeral Home in Wilkinson. Burial was in Glen Cove Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by Knightstown Legion Post 152.
Visitation was at the funeral home on Sunday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hancock Memorial Hospital Hospice Unit, 801 N. State St., Greenfield, IN 46140.
Girtie Henderson
Dec. 24, 1918 – July 21, 2001
Girtie Henderson 84, of Knightstown, died Saturday, July 21 at her residence after an extended illness. She was born December 24, 1918, in Olive Hill, Ky., and a daughter of the late John and Abbey Gilliam.
Mrs. Henderson was married to Raymond E. Henderson in 1934. She had been a resident of Henry County most of her adult life. She was a member of the 14th St. Church of God in New Castle. She was a homemaker and a devoted wife and mother.
Survivors include three sons, Junior Henderson of Alvarado, Texas, Teddy (wife, Linda) Henderson of Indianapolis, and Rex (wife, Jan) Henderson of Pendleton; one daughter, Ruby Conley of Aurora; Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Margaret Henderson of Greenfield; 20 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; five sisters, Ruby Rayburn of Kentucky, Geneva (husband, Ira) Littleton of Kentucky, Lorean Porter of Indiana; Geraldine (husband, Lester) Howard of West Virginia, and Betty (husband, Aaron) Arnett of Ohio; two brothers, Lovell (wife, Phyllis) Gilliam of Kentucky, and James (wife, Julie) Gilliam of Indiana.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Ralph Henderson; a brother, Homer Gilliam; and two sisters, Dovie and Louise Gilliam.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday, July 25), at the Todd Funeral Home, Butcher Chapel with Rev. Randy Gross officiating. Burial will be in Glen Cove Cemetery.
Visitation was held Tuesday, July 24 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Henry County Hospice or the charity of your choice.
Edna R. Anderson
Nov. 26, 1909 – July 17, 2001
Edna R. Anderson, 91, of Knightstown died Tuesday, July 17 at Hickory Creek Nursing Home in New Castle. She was born November 26, 1909, a daughter of the late Carl and Sarah (Lewis) Sample. On December 24, 1928, she married Charles H. (Pokey) Anderson who preceded her in death on January 25, 1989.
Mrs. Anderson had been employed at Goodman’s Dept. Store and had also worked for P.N. Hirsh Co. She was a member of the Knightstown United Methodist Church, a former member of the Knightstown BPW, American Legion Auxiliary and Psi Iotes sorority.
She is survived by a daughter, Patricia Midkiff of Indianapolis; three granddaughters, Tobi A. (husband, Darvin) Masters, Tina Midkiff, and Tammi (husband, Donald) Colman, all of Indianapolis, and four great-grandchildren.
Services were held Friday, July 20 at the Todd Funeral Home, Butcher Chapel with Pastor Steve Brackney officiating. Burial was be in Glen Cove Cemetery.
Visitation was from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, prior to the services at 2 p.m.
Elsie E. DeWees
Oct. 23, 1935 – July 21, 2001
Elsie E. DeWees, 65, of New Castle, died Saturday, July 21 in her home. She was born Oct. 23, 1935, a daughter of the late Fred and Corda Ratliff McRoberts. She married Thelin DeWees in 1975 and he preceded her in death in 1989.
Mrs. DeWees was a member of Ninth Street Church of God and had worked in several restaurants in New Castle.
Survivors include a daughter, Anna (husband, Kim) Argo of Lexington, Ga.; a son, Floyd Butch (wife, Tonya) Raglin of Knightstown; grandchildren, Ross Raglin and Mike Dudley, both of Knightstown, Christopher DeWees of New Castle, and Austin and Lance Argo, both of Lexington, Ga.; one great-grandchild, two step-great-grandchildren; four brothers, Fred (wife, Carol) Stacy, and Bill (wife, Debbie) Ratliff, both of Knightstown; Kermit (wife, Martha) Stacy of Anderson; Charles (wife, Sandy) Ratliff of Wilkinson; three sisters, Jo Gosser of New Castle; Linda (husband, Bob) Cullison of Ila, Ga.; Marlene (husband, Gary) Wampler of Knightstown.
Services will be held today (Wednesday) in Macer-Hall Funeral Home with the Rev. Elwood Evans and Rev. Rick Evans officiating. Burial will be in Carthage Town Cemetery.
Visitation was Tuesday, July 24 at the funeral home.
