Obituary for Sandra “Sandy” Koch

SANDRA “SANDY” KOCH

Sandra “Sandy” Koch passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, surrounded by her family. Born April 17, 1951, in Batesville, she is the daughter of Leonida (Nee: Kellerman) and Gilbert Munchel. She married Ron Koch Sr. on May 6, 1972, at Holy Family Church, and he preceded her in death April 12, 2000.

Sandy was a generous and kind person that loved her family unconditionally. We could give you a list of her accomplishments, hobbies and pastimes, but she wouldn’t have wanted that. Instead, she would have wanted you to know that she lived a life of no regrets and took great joy in the simple joys of life; a walk with her children, a long car ride with her partner, a laugh-filled outing with her siblings and time with friends. She always said, “Life is about the simple things” – and she truly lived this.

Sandy spent the last year of her life teaching her family and friends how to die with dignity and grace and was grateful for every day God gave her. She was not afraid to die and believed she was going home.

Sandy is survived by her son Ron (Dawn) Koch Jr. of Oldenburg; daughter Kendra (Brian) Niese of Dover; partner Daryl Boggs of Oldenburg; sisters Lynn Schene of Oldenburg, Paula Parmer of Batesville; brother Gary Munchel of Oldenburg and grandchildren Soren, Elly, Owen, Josie and Kayden. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother Kelly Munchel.

Visitation is Monday, February 13, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 14, at Holy Family Church with Rev. Mike Chowning officiating and burial in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests memorials to the Franklin County Humane Society or Margaret Mary Health Hospice.

Obituary for Lillie McAdams

LILLIE MCADAMS

Lillie McAdams, 86, of Brookville, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2023. She was born June 27, 1936, in Manchester, Kentucky, daughter of the late Boss and Lizan (Davidson) Stewart.

Lillie enjoyed reading, gardening, and cooking. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and especially loved the Lord. She worked as a CNA.

She is survived by her daughter, Claudette (Troy) Smith of Brookville; her “adopted daughter”, Zelda Force of Brookville; brother, Ralph (Ursula) Stewart of Radcliff, KY; sister, Nayda Davidson of Memphis, TN; nine grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and two special nieces, Karon (Elmer) Hamilton and Trish Clark.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Boss and Lizan Stewart; husband, Claude McAdams; son, Gary Ralph McAdams; two sisters, Edna Beckman, Doris Barrett; two brothers, HM Stewart, Fred Stewart; and her special niece, Sharon Metsch.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, February 10, 2023, from 12 pm to 2 pm at Fitch-Denney Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at Fitch-Denney Funeral Home, Friday, February 10, 2023, at 2 pm.

Interment will follow in the Greendale Cemetery, Greendale.

Contributions may be made to the Family.

Visit us at www.fitchdenney.com

Obituary for James Leonard Day (Complete)

JAMES LEONARD DAY

James Leonard Day, age 79, of Brookville, died Friday, February 3, 2023, at Hospice of Cincinnati Twin Towers in Cincinnati.  

Born June 13, 1943, in Fayette County, he was the son of the late Chester Leonard and Marcellia (Wicker) Day. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam era. 

He was retired, having worked for many years in a factory, as well as being a Laurel Town Deputy for more than 20 years.

He was a member of the Brookville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2014, as well as the Bernard Hurst Post #77 of the American Legion of Brookville.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Matt Wolfrum of Brookville; three grandchildren, Gregory Peters, Shane Peters, Jana Peters; three sisters, Marcia Busse, Cheryl Powell, and Terri (Andy) Cornthwaite all of Connersville.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Jackie Day.

Family and Friends may visit from 4 until 6 P.M. on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville. 

Stan Howard will conduct the Funeral Services at 6 P.M., Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home in Brookville.  Immediately following the Funeral Services full military honors will be accorded by the Bernard Hurst Post #77 of the American Legion. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Cincinnati Twin Towers. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to once again serve the Day family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.

Obituary for Idoma Faye “Grandma” Stewart

IDOMA FAYE “GRANDMA” STEWART

Idoma Faye “Grandma” Stewart, age 87, of Liberty, passed away on Sunday February 5, 2023. She was born in Lynch, Kentucky on June 13, 1935, the daughter of the late Charles Elmer and Nancy Wyatt Johnson.

In Hamilton, Ohio, on October 9, 1954, she was united in marriage to Estel Stewart. They were able to enjoy 56 years together prior to his death in 2010. They were blessed with five children.

Idoma was a very active member of the River of Life Worship Center in Liberty. You could find her volunteering every Thursday at the 4-C’s Clothes Closet in Liberty.

She loved caring for people. She was a former CNA and private duty nurse working in home health.  She enjoyed volunteering, and collecting dolls, but most of all she treasured the time she spent with her family. 

Those surviving who will cherish her memory are her daughters Nancy Hodge, Vivian (Ed) Sanders, and Vernie (Michael) Strait. She will be thought of often by her grandchildren, Heather Webb, David Wiseman, Krista Johnson, Tim Ballard, Ryan Ballard, Bobby Ballard, Rylan Wicker, Jeff Ballard, Mike Strait, Jr., and Devin Strait; 27 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; son-in-law, Lee Ballard; several nieces and nephews as well as several special friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by a daughter, Valora Ballard; a son Charles “Chuck” Stewart; grandson Matt Ballard; brother, Charles “Chalk” Johnson; sisters, Vivian Shobe and Vernie Rice; and  honorary son-in-law, Eddy Roark.

Friends and family may gather at Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home, 310 N Main St., Liberty on Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 11 am to 2 pm. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm. Burial will follow at College Corner Cemetery. 

Obituary for John Calvin LaMont

JOHN CALVIN LAMONT

John was born in Blooming Grove Township on the farm purchased by his third great-grandfather John Wesley Morgan in 1837 (the farm received the Hoosier Homestead Award in 1976). He was the only child of John Scott LaMont and Alva Mae Chambers. As a young man, he was active in 4-H for 11 years and received many awards including being chosen by the Indiana State Fair Board to serve as a delegate to the National 4-H Congress in Chicago. He was also a member of the Franklin County Rural Youth and served as president in 1951. He graduated from Brookville High School in 1947 and was a member of the band and FFA.

On June 2, 1954, he was married to Betty Eileen Jones of Fayette County. She passed in 1996. A special friend, Charlene Raver Reidenbach, also preceded him in 2017.

John served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957 with the 85th Infantry Regiment, 10th Infantry Division (now the 10th Mountain Division). He served as a liaison specialist in the Heavy Mortar Company. Taking basic training in Fort Riley, Kansas, he was sent to Bamberg, Germany. He was a Specialist 3rd Class (equivalent to the rank of Corporal) and earned Expert Infantry Badge, Expert Mortar Badge and Rifle and Pistol Badges.

After the army, he returned to Blooming Grove Township where he spent the majority of his life.

He retired from Roots Blower in 1991 after 30 years and is member of their Century Club.

During the 1970s, he and Betty operated a Rock Shop in Metamora (where caning chairs also took place) then sold it to be dealers in Gem and Mineral shows throughout the Midwest, and once in a while beyond. As a “friend of 4-H,” he supplied trophies for Geology for several years in both Franklin and Fayette counties.

John was a longtime member of the Eastern Indiana Gem & Geological Society, Farm Bureau member and has a lifetime membership in the Whitewater Valley Railroad Association. He was a lifetime member of the former Blooming Grove Methodist Church; a former member of the Blooming Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Blooming Grove Boys 4-H Leader and Blooming Grove Community Association.

He enjoyed traveling, garden and yard work, playing cards and visiting with family and friends.

Survivors include:

Son: Steven LaMont and Karen (Martin)

                                                                                                                Their children: Sean LaMont and Carie (Bernhard) and their children Elena LaMont and Ian LaMont; Justin LaMont and Alicia (Bontrager) and his daughter Lillian LaMont; Jennifer (LaMont) and Thomas Booker; Darin LaMont and Jeri (Grevis) and their children Gabriella LaMont and Carson LaMont.

Son: Kenneth LaMont and Stephanie (Flaspohler)

                                            

Their Children: Denise; Mackenzie LaMont and Whitney (Smith) and their child Finnegan LaMont.

Son: Gene LaMont and the late Robin (Peters)

                                                                                                                    Their Children: son Jonathan LaMont and his children; Ciara LaMont and Deshaun Talbert and their daughter Leilani Talbert; Caden LaMont; Lainee LaMont; Jaxon LaMont; daughter Elizabeth LaMont and her children Shaylin Brown; Nolan Brown.

Special friends and grandchildren Dale Reidenbach, Darin Reidenbach, Deb (Greg) Reid; and their children.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home ~ 929 Main Street Brookville followed by burial in Maple Grove Cemetery. Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by Bernard Hurst Post # 77. Friends may visit from 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, February 10.

Memorial contributions may be made to Franklin County EMS, American Cancer Society, or Eastern Indiana Gem and Geological Society.

To send condolences or sign the online guestbook go to, www.cookrosenberger.com. Cook Rosenberger Staff is honored to serve John’s Family.

Obituary for Edward Gay Jr.

EDWARD GAY JR.

Edward Gay, Jr., age 84 of Dunreith, passed away on February 1, 2023.  Edward was born on August 1, 1938, in McKee, Kentucky, the son of Edward Gay, Sr and Jessie Barrett Gay.

Edward served his country in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer. He retired from driving a truck for Roadway and other companies after many years and was an accomplished stone mason.

He treasured the life he had made for himself and his family. He enjoyed flipping houses, gardening and working on his farm raising cattle and hogs. When he was younger, he enjoyed hunting with his buddy Dan. Above all, he valued spending time with his family.

His memories will be forever cherished by his daughters, Roxanne (James) Peters, Arleissa Gay, and Anita (Nathan) Crawley; sons, Jeff (Anita) Gay, Greg (Holley) Gay and Mark Gay; sisters, Lucille Steele, Nannie Bell Wright, Henrietta (Dan) Allen, Rebecca Wilson and Naomi (Scott) Faulkner.  He will be thought of often by  his grandchildren, Josh, Erica, Jamie, Brad, Michelle, Jessica, Jenny, Jeffrey, Chad, Nicole, Robyn and Shelby as well as several great grandchildren. 

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Juanita Flannery and a granddaughter, Crystal.

Funeral services will be conducted at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, 513 W 8th Street, Connersville, on Monday February 6, 2023, at 1 pm where friends may visit with the family starting at 11 am. Burial with military honors will follow at Laurel North Cemetery.

Obituary for Anna Walker

ANNA WALKER

Anna Walker, age 88 of Brownsville, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Friday February 3, 2023. Anna was born in Connersville on December 23, 1934, to Everett and Virginia Nolan Chaney.

On March 10, 1956, she married the love of her life, Norman Walker.  They enjoyed 64 years together prior to his passing in 2020. They were blessed with three children.

Anna worked at Woolworth where she met Norman. She became a wife and homemaker. She went back to work at Union County schools after her children were older. She retired after 32 years as a cook. She was known for her great baking and cooking skills.

Anna treasured and loved her family. She wanted to be around them all the time. She enjoyed family cookouts and large family meals.

Her memories will be loved and cherished by her kids, Randy Walker, Tim (Helen) Walker and Joyce (Arlis) Baker; grandchildren Michael (Katie) Parks, Kyle (Michelle) Walker, Kyle Baker, Matt Risch, Josh (Saydee) Baker and great grandchildren, Jacob, Ella, Chase, Ava, Owen , Briar and Bexley.  She will be thought of often by her siblings, Herman Chaney, Marilyn (Richard) Ailes and Ellen Weaver; brother-in-law, Dale Walker; sister-in-law Marilyn Chaney as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by brothers, George and Doug Chaney, sister Norma Meyer; sisters-in-law Sue Walker, Bonnie Sheplar and brothers-in-law Richard Walker, Bill Meyer and Nick Steinbrunner.

Friends may visit with the family at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, 513 W 8th, Connersville, on Wednesday February 8, 2023, from 11 am to 1 pm. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 pm. Burial will follow at Dale Cemetery.

Former/current BPD chief and former BPD officer file civil lawsuits against Town of Brookville

By John Estridge

he former and current Brookville Police Chief as well as a former Brookville Police Department (BPD) officer filed lawsuits against the Town of Brookville.

Terry Mitchum, the former and current police chief, and Ryan Geiser, a former BPD officer, were terminated by the Brookville Town Council (BTC) on the last day of 2022, acting upon the recommendation of the newly formed Brookville Town Safety Board (TSB).

At the first new BTC meeting in January, BTC voted to rehire Mitchum but took no action on Geiser as Mitchum said he was unsure if he would rehire Geiser.

In 2022, the BPD served a search warrant on a Brookville residence. While executing the search warrant, BPD officers arrested Trevin Thalheimer for an unrelated alleged incident. The officers had not secured an arrest warrant prior to the arrest. Also, Thalheimer had made known his intention of trying to get an open BTC seat.

Many believed the arrest was politically motivated as there had been some alleged comments made by police concerning Thalheimer being anti-police.

Thalheimer has filed a federal lawsuit against the Town of Brookville and BPD alleging violations of his civil rights.

Following the execution of the search warrant, drug charges were filed against Thalheimer and another man.

During a suppression hearing in Franklin Circuit Court II before Judge Clay Kellerman regarding the drug charges, Geiser testified he was ordered to arrest Thalheimer by his superior, which was Mitchum.

Subsequently, drug charges were dropped against Thalheimer and the other man, and Franklin County Prosecutor Chris Huerkamp publicly came out against the Thalheimer arrest for the unrelated alleged event.

No charges were ever filed in that matter.

Huerkamp appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the situation and determine if any charges should be filed against Geiser and Mitchum. Union County Prosecutor A.J. Bryson requested the Indiana State Police investigate the situation. On completion of the investigation, Bryson decided to not file any charges.

Amid the uproar over the situation, the BTC formed a TSB made up of BTC members. However, unelected individuals were also appointed to the board to act as alternates. The TSB hired attorney Anthony Saunders who investigated the situation and then filed charges against both Mitchum and Geiser. These were not criminal charges but could and did end up in the officers’ termination.

Saunders presented the charges and the evidence against Geiser and Mitchum at public hearings.

Following the hearings, the TSB voted 4-1 to give a termination recommendation regarding the two officers to BTC.

Then, on 2022’s last day, BTC voted 4-1 to terminate both Mitchum and Geiser.

Charles N. Braun II is representing both officers in their lawsuits against the town. Braun alleges the actions of the TSB and BTC were flawed. Unelected officials were placed on the TSB, which is against state code, Braun alleges in the lawsuit. Also, he said the subsequent decisions by the TSB were “arbitrary, capricious and not supported by substantial or credible evidence.”

In November, two new BTC members were elected to council. They took office on Jan. 1. In its first meeting, BTC voted 3-2 in favor of reinstating Mitchum as police chief.

Later in that meeting, BTC discussed rehiring Geiser to his position as a BPD officer, but Mitchum came to the public microphone and said he had not decided to rehire Geiser at this point.

In the lawsuits, Geiser requests to be rehired and have all backpay and benefits awarded to him. Since Mitchum was subsequently rehired, he has requested the proceedings of the TSB and BTC be permanently expunged from his record. Also, that he receive backpay for the few days he was without employment.

Braun requests the town present complete transcripts of the entire disciplinary hearings of Dec. 29, 2022, and the public hearing held on Dec. 31, 2022. Braun also requests the town produce all “pleadings, exhibits and entries filed in connection with this case before, during and after said hearing.”

Obituary for Ford “J.R.” Hoskins Jr.

FORD “J.R.” HOSKINS JR.

Ford “J.R.” Hoskins Jr., 43, of Richmond, passed away at home on January 27, 2023. Ford was born on July 5, 1979, to Ford Hoskins Sr. and Pat Hansen Hoskins.

Ford was a 1997 graduate of Union County High School. He then continued his education at IU where he graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Ford had a love for law enforcement which led him to his current employment as the Union County Community Corrections director.

J.R. had a love for many hobbies. He enjoyed traveling; he was a “foodie” finding a new place to eat became a game for him. He took pleasure in completing home improvement projects. J.R. liked hiking and the beauty of entering caves while adventuring. He had an extraordinary love for animals; however, his favorites were his dogs Bubby, Sis, and Basil. J.R. was an entertainer; his favorite time of year was during any holiday because it meant he got to spend time with his family playing their favorite card games.  

Ford will be deeply missed by his parents Ford Sr. and Pat. He will be thought of often by his sister Debra Hoskins and nephew, Nathan Lohrey. J.R.’s memories will be forever cherished by his life partner Anthony Rodriguez.

Family and friends may gather at Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home, 310 W Main Street, Liberty IN 47353 on Thursday, February 9, 2023, from 5 to 8 pm