Jeffrey Kevin Powell, Jr., 24, of Brownstown, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
He was born August 29, 1998, in Seymour.
In his leisure, he enjoyed playing video games, spending time with his friends, driving, and road trips.
Survivors include his mom, Lora Johnson (Keith Smith) of Brownstown; siblings, Gabrielle Roger and Isaiah Roger, both of Seymour, and Logan Roger of Tennessee; his grandparents, Joyce and Donald Gray of Brownstown; and a special aunt, Lora Napier. He will also be missed by several dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Joe Wagers and an uncle, Joseph Wagers.
Friends may visit from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday, January 27, 2023, at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Laurel North Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.
Julianna Catherine Vonderheide, of Brookville, was born on February 15, 1940, in Batesville, a daughter to Adam and Mable Wolljung Schantz. She married Harold Vonderheide on April 20, 1963, at St. Peter’s Church, and he preceded her in death on November 19, 2017. Julie was active in her community as a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, the Franklin County Machinery Club, and the Franklin County Cattleman’s Club. She enjoyed antiques, restoring old tools, gardening, putting up her annual Christmas light display and watching birds. Julie was a true farmer who loved driving her tractors. She was also an avid Cincinnati Reds fan and loved spending time with her family. On Monday, January 23, 2023, at the age of 82, she passed away at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
Those surviving who will cherish Julie’s memories include her children; son, Bernard Vonderheide (Lisa Hoff-Kawaguchi), daughters, Edna (Fred) Martini, and Willie Ronnebaum (Ken Offill), and son, Ed Vonderheide; five grandchildren, Nathan, Brooklin, Trey, Sarah, and Ethan; four great-grandchildren, Xavier, Ryder, Julianna, and Axel. Sisters, Edith Fledderman and Frances Werner also survive. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Walter, Russell and Leo, and three sisters, Esther Goddard, Marie Hardebeck and Ruth Haring.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 4 until 7 p.m. at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home, 929 Main Street, Brookville with Rosary beginning at 3:30. Father Vincent Lampert will officiate the funeral Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church on Friday at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be directed to the Franklin County Farm Machinery Club or to St. Peter’s Cemetery fund. To send condolences or sign the online guest book, go to, www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Julie Vonderheide.
The reasoning by the court to release Gregory Guilfoyle on his own recognizance was based on many factors.
Guilfoyle is charged with two counts of Attempted Murder and one count of Neglect of a Dependent. It is alleged Guilfoyle shot his wife in the head, took his 2-year-old toddler out into the blizzard with the toddler dressed only in a onesie and then shooting a Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy in the early morning hours of Dec. 23, 2022.
Tuesday, Jan. 17, Guilfoyle was released from University of Cincinnati Hospital. It was at that time an arrest warrant was served on Guilfoyle. Had the arrest warrant been served while Guilfoyle was in the hospital, the county taxpayers would have been charged with Guilfoyle’s medical bills.
It was deemed by local law enforcement personnel Guilfoyle could not be housed in the Franklin County Security Center because Guilfoyle is paralyzed to the point of not being able to use his legs and has the use of just one arm.
Because of Guilfoyle’s condition, he was deemed to not be a risk to the public’s safety, and there was deemed to be no risk in Guilfoyle not showing up to subsequent hearings.
Thus, Guilfoyle was released to the custody of his parents.
Guilfoyle will wear an ankle monitor, and the Franklin County Probation Department will make weekly reports to the court concerning Guilfoyle’s condition and status. Also, firearms will not be allowed in the residence where Guilfoyle is staying.
The hearing Wednesday, Jan. 18, in Franklin Circuit Court before Judge J. Steven Cox, which set this action in motion, was a motion by the defense counsel for a psychiatric evaluation of Guilfoyle.
A man accused of shooting his wife in the head and leaving her for dead then taking his toddler, dressed in a onesie, out walking in a blizzard and finally shooting a Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy while still holding onto his son was released on his Own Recognizance Wednesday, Jan. 18, following a hearing in Franklin Circuit Court in front of Judge J. Steven Cox.
Gregory Guilfoyle, 31, is charged with two counts of Attempted Murder and one count of Neglect of a Dependent. The two counts of Attempted Murder are Level 1 Felonies while the Neglect charge is a Level 6 Felony.
According to Information filed by Indiana State Police Detective Brent Miller, in the early morning hours of Dec. 23, 2022, Guilfoyle shot his wife Hannah Guilfoyle in the head at their Franklin County home off U.S. 52 east of Brookville and left her on the floor of their house. She later crawled outside in the blizzard and was found by deputies.
Guilfoyle is then alleged to have taken the couple’s toddler and walked west on U.S. 52 to its intersection with Indiana 1 and was on Ind. 1 when Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Arin Bowers stopped to see if Guilfoyle needed help. His wife Hannah had not been found at that point. Police were alerted by a passerby who said they saw a male holding a toddler walking along the highway during the blizzard.
After very few words were exchanged, Guilfoyle allegedly opened fire on Bowers striking him in his body armor protecting his chest area. Bowers was forced to return fire and struck Guilfoyle. Shot, Bowers managed to go over to Guilfoyle, take the toddler and get the toddler to the warmth of the police vehicle.
Several officers responded to the call of Officer Down. After securing the scene, they went to the Guilfoyle home where they found Hannah.
Ambulances had a tough time getting to any of the wounded people because of the weather and road conditions.
According to sources, Guilfoyle is paralyzed from the waist down. After getting out of University Hospital in Cincinnati, Guilfoyle was transported to Miami Valley Correctional Facility near Kokomo.
A Habeus Corpus hearing initiated by Guilfoyle’s attorneys apparently precipitated the OR ruling.
According to unnamed sources, the county taxpayers will have to pay for an ambulance to pick Guilfoyle up at the prison and take him back to his home in Franklin County.
Reasoning for court’s action can be found in a subsequent post on this blog.
Ernest Eugene Roberts, age 81, of Indianapolis, went home to Jesus on Thursday, January 12, 2023. He was born June 7, 1941, in Brookville, to the late Ernest and Ruby (Estridge) Roberts. Ernest served in the United States Air Force from 1960 until 1964.
Ernest worked as a nurse for many years. He was a member of Thompson Road Baptist Church for 30 years. Ernest was very passionate about his faith and enjoyed sharing the message of Jesus with everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Ernest is survived by his daughter, Gina Roberts; sister, Mary Lou Lacy; and many cousins and nieces and nephews. Ernest was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Roberts; parents; and sister, Judy Byrd.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023, from 10 am until 12:30 pm at Thompson Road Baptist Church, 1700 E. Thompson Road, Indianapolis, IN 46227. A memorial service will immediately follow at 12:30 pm.
Ernest will be laid to rest at The Gardens at Olive Branch Cemetery.
William Randall Peters, age 67, of Laurel, died Friday, January 6, 2023, at his residence after a long battle with cancer.
Born October 10, 1955, in Connersville, he was the son of William C. and Gladys (Harding) Peters. He was a Veteran of the United States Army.
He was retired having worked in Drywall/Construction for much of his life.
Survivors include his mother, Gladys Peters of Laurel; five children, Matthew Gabbard of Batesville, Justin Gabbard of Batesville, Brandy Hinkle of Metamora, Andrew Howard of Batesville, and Corey Peters of Ripley, Ohio; eight siblings, Tressa Baker of Laurel, Tom Peters of Connersville, Jim Peters of Batesville, Troy Peters of Laurel, Sarah Grubb of St. Leon, Paul Peters of Metamora, Kenneth Peters of Laurel, Ben Peters of Laurel; as well as 16 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, William C. Peters; a sister, Cindy Hager, and a brother, Walter Peters.
In honoring his wishes, there will be no public services.
The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to once again serve the Peters family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences to the family please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.
James Dwayne Seal, age 80, of Brookville, died peacefully Friday, January 6, 2023, at his residence in Brookville, following a two-year battle with cancer.
Jim was born September 6, 1942, in Hamilton, Ohio the son of the late Orville W. and Florence Naomi (Crocker) Seal. Jim was a lifelong resident of Brookville, and graduated from Springfield High School in 1961, where he was active in basketball, baseball and track. After graduation, he served and was Honorably Discharged from the United States Air Force. Upon his return home, he was employed at Merrell Grain Company, Square D, and then began his lifelong career of farming. In his leisure time, he enjoyed mushroom hunting, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren.
A member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, it is with great comfort that we are certain Jim is rejoicing with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Jim married Carolyn Louise Price on March 11, 1967, and this union was blessed for more than 55 years until his death. In addition to Carolyn, he is survived by his daughter, Michelle; son, Eric; granddaughter, Haley (Carson), grandsons, Evan and Ryan; a sister, Wanda Waltz; and countless extended family members and friends.
Family and friends may visit from 9 until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville.
Tim Tice will officiate the Funeral Services at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home in Brookville. Burial with full military graveside honors by the Bernard Hurst Post #77 of the American Legion will follow in Big Cedar Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Leder Oncology Center at McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Seal family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences to the family please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.
Department of Natural Resources Law Division press release
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an incident in southwestern Union County, where a property caretaker was shot after confronting four individuals who were hunting on private property without consent.
The public is asked to help identify the four subjects.
Officers’ initial investigation indicates that the incident occurred the morning hours of January 6, when the four individuals were located hunting on the property without permission. The confrontation escalated and resulted in a gunshot wound for the property caretaker.
Margaret Louise “Peggy” Combs, 88, of Connersville, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2023. She had been in failing health, but her death was unexpected.
She was born March 16, 1934, in El Paso, Texas, one of two children of Edward Lester and Margaret Louise Bagge Millican. There, she grew up on a dairy farm.
After high school, Peggy attended Texas Tech University majoring in music and business. She later became employed as a secretary for the El Paso Natural Gas Company and also worked in the insurance industry.
While in Texas, she met the love of her life, Leroy Combs, who was stationed at Biggs Air Force Base. They were married on June 3, 1960, and they lived in Texas for a few years before coming to Laurel, in 1963. Together, they owned and operated Combs Variety and Grocery Store in Laurel for 35 years.
Active in the community, Peggy was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also very involved in her daughter Jennifer’s activities, especially school and sports.
Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Leroy Combs; their daughter, Jennifer Vest and husband DeWayne of Connersville; a grandson, Allen Vest; three nieces and one nephew; and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother.
Funeral services will be conducted by Eric Hopkins at 2 p.m. Monday, January 9, 2023, at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home where friends may call from noon until the time of service on Monday. Burial will be in Laurel North Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.
