Obituary for Marion Clyde Neeley

MARION CLYDE NEELEY

Marion Clyde Neeley, age 91, passed away at the Brookville Healthcare Center on Saturday, December 24.

Clyde was a man of faith and character, serving as patriarch to a large circle of extended family and friends over the last seven decades. Born on July 31, 1931, in Clay County, Kentucky, Clyde was the second child (of 14) born to Andrew Golden Neeley and Virgie Mae (Burch) Neeley. With family connections in Franklin County, the family eventually migrated to Indiana for work in the 1940s.

 As a young man of 16, Clyde followed his older brother, Cliff, going to work digging post holes and putting in electric lines from Liberty to Muncie with Hoosier Engineering Contractors. His work ethic was quickly noticed, leading to him finishing his apprenticeship in 18 months (as opposed to three years) and expanded electrical work that took him throughout West Virginia and the Midwest. Eventually, Clyde joined Wagner-Smith Company, based in Dayton, Ohio, and went on to be one of the founding members of the IBEW Local 70 out of Dayton. Clyde married Lila June Hazelwood on July 31, 1951. Over their early family life, Clyde and June built three homes in their downtime (that is, evenings and weekends) and Clyde gradually bought back much of the land around Shop Road in Franklin County that was owned at one time by his grandfather. In 1973, they finished building their final home and moved to the farm in Franklin County. After 43 years working as a lineman, a Foreman and Superintendent at Wagner-Smith, Clyde finally retired in 1992 as a longtime member of the IBEW Local 212 out of Cincinnati.

Clyde leaves a legacy of brothers, many nephews and a grandson who followed his lead into the electrical trade. Clyde and June believed in working hard and playing hard, whether that be motorcycle hill climbs in the 1950s, spending summers at the lake in the 1960s, ice skating, sledding, tractor rides, and fishing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, or playing bluegrass with his friends for the last few decades, Clyde did not waste a day of his 91 years on this earth. He held himself to the highest standards of integrity and character and was a role model and mentor to many.

Clyde is survived by five siblings, David Neeley, Loretta (Neeley) Palmer, Lorraine (Neeley) Robinson, Laverne (Neeley) Blakley, and Larry Neeley; his two children, Mike Neeley (and wife, Jackie), and Janis Gabbard (and husband, Art); four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and countless community friends and neighbors who will forever miss his presence. Clyde was preceded in death by his parents, Golden and Virgie, his wife, June, and eight of his thirteen brothers and sisters.

A visitation will be held at Cook- Rosenberger Funeral Home at 929 Main Street, Brookville, Indiana on December 29th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Following the visitation, a burial service will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery.

The family asks that you join them immediately following the burial for a luncheon at The United Methodist Church on 8th and Main in Brookville.

To send condolences or sign the online guest book please go to www.cookrosenberger.com. The Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home Staff is honored to serve Clyde’s Family.

Obituary for Sheila Ann Brown

SHEILA ANN BROWN

Sheila Ann Brown, age 62, of Brookville, died Monday, December 19, 2022, at her residence in Brookville.    

Born December 6, 1960 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida she was the daughter of the late Willard and Mary (Larken) George. She was united in marriage to Harry Brown, and he preceded her in death on June 8, 2018. 

Sheila worked for many years as an Inventory Clerk for the Sisters of Charity. In her leisure time, she enjoyed camping, cooking and baking, and cherished time spent with her grandchildren.   

Survivors include four children, Ashley Brown, Lindsey Brown both of Brookville, Steven Eichstadt of Cincinnati, and Chad Brown of Cincinnati; six grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Brad George.

Memorial services were held on Thursday, December 22, 2022.

Memorial contributions may be directed to a Charity of the Donor’s Choice. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Brown family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences to the family please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.

Obituary for Brayden Michael Watson (complete)

BRAYDEN MICHAEL WATSON

Brayden Michael Watson, age 21, of Batesville, died Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at his residence in Batesville.      

Born May 10, 2001, in Oxford, Ohio, he was the son of Brandon Watson and Sara Beneker Watson. Brayden graduated from Franklin County High School with the class of 2019. Brayden had big dreams of owning his own restaurant and bar one day. He loved reading, listening to music, and spending time with his friends and family. He was currently employed at Pizza Haus in Batesville.

Survivors include his parents, Brandon Watson of Connersville, and Sara Gregory of Washington State; two sisters, Briann Watson of Washington State and Lily Whitaker of Brookville; four brothers, Brycen, Corbin, and Gauge Watson of Connersville, and Benjamin Gregory of Washington State; his grandparents, Neil (Pam) Beneker of Franklin, and Robert (Joyce) McFall of Connersville. He was also blessed with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Judy Beneker; as well as his paternal grandfather, Ricky Watson.

Family and friends may visit from 4 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville.

Memorial services will be held at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Community Mental Health Center. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Watson family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences to the family please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.

Suspect in officer-involved shooting IDed

Indiana State Police press release and added information by John Estridge

The person allegedly involved in the officer-involved shooting and the shooting of a female has been identified by the Indiana State Police as Gregory Cameron Guilfoyle.

However, the Indiana State Police issued a press release saying Guilfoyle has been charged in Franklin Circuit Court. But that must be a mistake as the court, prosecutor’s office and county clerk’s office have been closed since 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 22. The press release was issued Monday, Dec. 26. The courthouse offices will not open until 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 27.

The press release states Guilfoyle, 31, Brookville, has been charged with two counts of Attempted Murder and one count of Neglect of a Dependent following the incident that occurred in the early morning hours of Friday, December 23.

Again, nothing shows up on Mycase.in.gov regarding the filing of new charges against Guilfoyle.

Guilfoyle was charged with Domestic Battery on Oct. 2 in Franklin Circuit Court, but the charges were apparently amended to criminal recklessness. He was eventually allowed to go diversion on the charges, according to Mycase.in.gov.

The preliminary investigation in the Dec. 23 incident determined Franklin County Deputy Arin Bowers, a five-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, responded to the area of Ind. 1 and US 52, shortly after midnight, after receiving a report that Guilfoyle was walking in the area shortly after midnight while holding a small child. 

After Bowers arrived and attempted to speak to Guilfoyle, Guilfoyle pulled a handgun and fired it at Bowers. Bowers was struck by at least one round.  The round struck the body armor he was wearing, which prevented him from being injured. Bowers returned fire, striking Guilfoyle with at least one round. Guilfoyle was transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. The 23-month-old-female child was unharmed and was taken into the custody of the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Deputies then responded to a nearby residence on Colonial Heights Road to conduct a welfare check on Gregory’s wife, Hannah M. Guilfoyle, 23, Brookville, who is also the mother of the child. She was located at the residence where initial evidence indicated she had sustained a gunshot wound that caused serious injuries. She was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition.

The initial investigation indicated that Gregory Guilfoyle allegedly shot Hannah Guilfoyle at the residence before walking away from the home with the child. Bowers encountered him a short time later where shots were exchanged. 

The press release then states: As a result of the investigation, two counts of Attempted Murder, Level 1 Felony, and one count of Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony, were filed against Gregory Guilfoyle. (Note first paragraph that apparently no formal charges have been filed).   

Both Gregory Guilfoyle and Hannah Guilfoyle remain in UC Medical Center.

The investigation is ongoing.      

Man, woman and deputy shot during blizzard

Indiana State Police press release with additional details by John Estridge

Early this morning, detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post began investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Franklin County. 

The initial investigation indicated the incident began shortly after midnight when the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department received a report of an adult male walking along Indiana 1 near US 52, allegedly holding a small child. The temperature at the time was near zero degrees with below zero wind chills. There were blizzard conditions.

A deputy soon arrived in the area and located the man and the child.  While attempting to speak to him, the man pulled a gun and fired it at the deputy. The deputy, who is a five-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, returned fire. The deputy was struck at least once in his body armor that he was wearing. Due to the protection of the body armor, the deputy was not injured. The suspect sustained at least one gunshot wound. He was provided immediate medical attention before eventually being transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The child was uninjured in the incident but was evaluated for cold weather exposure. 

Due to information obtained by the sheriff’s department regarding the incident, deputies responded to a nearby residence on Colonial Heights Road to conduct a welfare check. Colonial Heights is east of Richland Creek Road off US 52.

Upon arriving at the home, deputies located an adult female that had appeared to have sustained serious injuries from a possible gunshot wound. The deputies provided immediate medical care to her before she was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further treatment.

EMS personnel and police officers had to respond to the two crime scenes while navigating blizzard conditions.

The conditions of the two injured individuals are unknown at this time.  The child was handed over to the Indiana Department of Child Services to receive additional care. 

Detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post were then requested by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department to investigate the incidents.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Peter Cates, the deputy will be placed on administrative leave per normal protocol.

The names of the involved individuals are being withheld at this time. 

The investigation is ongoing

Obituary for Tina Rosalee Angel

TINA ROSALEE ANGEL

Tina Rosalee Angel, age 57, of Connersville, passed away on December 20, 2022, at her home. Tina was born on January 25, 1965, in Connersville, the daughter of the late Eldon Gaddis, Sr. and Donna Golden Gordon.

On November 26, 1988, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Milford Angel in Brownsville. They enjoyed 34 years together prior to her passing.

Tina was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed reading romance novels, coloring, painting and decorating. Above all, she loved spending time with and caring for her family.

In addition to her husband, her memories will be loved and cherished by her daughters, Ciji (Lauran Ogden) Fox and Heather (Achilles Harkleroad) Angel; a son, Jeffrey Powell; sister, Vanessa (William Scudder) Carlin; grandchildren, Kaycee Floyd, Trevor Angel, Kamaron Fox, Kaiden Fox, Jeffrey Powell III, and Ruby Naiper; great grandchildren, Brandon and Braiden Steele; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by a brother Eldon “Butch” Gaddis Jr.

Services are pending at this time.

Obituary for Rita Hassett

RITA HASSETT

Rita Hassett, of Brookville, was born on January 3, 1943, in Cincinnati, a daughter to Robert and Edna Hoglund. She graduated from Seton High School and later married James Joseph Hassett. Rita was a homemaker, worked for the IRS, and owned Hassett’s Crows Nest. She loved landscaping, the outdoors, and a good bonfire. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family. On Monday, December 19, 2022, at the age of 79 she passed away peacefully at her residence with her family.

Those surviving who will cherish Rita’s memory include her children; daughter, Teresa Hassett (Tim Pasmore) of Bright, son, James “Jumper” Hassett of Patriot, and daughters, Linda “Babes” (Gary) Stolla of Logan, Rita (Rob) Seig of Brookville, and Catherine “Ede” (Jason) Johnson of West Harrison. She is also survived by many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rita was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Cremation was chosen and there will be no public services.  To sign the online guestbook or to leave a personal condolence, please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to care for the family of Rita Hassett.

Obituary for Mason Blake Neeley

MASON BLAKE NEELEY

With great sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Mason Blake Neeley, age 16, on Thursday, December 15, 2022.

Mason was born on April 25, 2006, in Cincinnati, Ohio to Blake and Stacie Neeley. Growing up in Franklin County, Mason loved the outdoors and began fishing and hunting with his dad early on, nabbing his first deer at the age of 6.

Mason loved football but found his calling with wrestling, excelling immediately with his scrappy self, even going undefeated in all his matches his eighth-grade year.

As Mason got older, you would find him doing crazy stunts on his dirt bike or quad and generally getting into mischief. He was happiest when spending time with his friends, who he saw as family. He had an eclectic taste in music, you never knew if you were going to hear hip hop, country, old school, or anything in between. He even loved to belt out his favorite songs in the shower even though he couldn’t keep a tune!

Mason was an infectious soul. His huge smile and outgoing personality couldn’t be ignored and anyone who met him almost immediately loved him. He could walk into a room with that grin of his, give you a bear hug, and instantly make you feel better. He was the first one to lend a hand to anyone, didn’t know a stranger, and was a fiercely protective big brother. Those who knew Mason, even just for a moment, lost a shining light in their lives. While he found his peace, our worlds will be forever dimmer without him in it.

In addition to his loving parents, Mason will be missed every day by his younger sister Avery (who he called his little prodigy), his maternal grandparents Lambert and Janet Ison, paternal grandmother Virginia Neeley, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Mason joins his paternal grandfather Clarence Neeley, and great grandparents Bill and Jean Ison and Carrie (Schalk) Roessler in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home, 929 Main Street, Brookville, IN 47012, from 2 p.m. until the time of service at 4 p.m. The family would like to invite attendees and those who can’t make services to a gathering of fellowship immediately following at the Brookville American Legion, 1290 Fairfield Ave, Brookville, IN 47012. In addition, a celebration of life to remember and honor Mason will take place at a later date, most likely in the spring.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions be made to the Mason Neeley Memorial Fund at Friendship State Bank, 1362 IN-46, Batesville, IN 47006, to benefit the Batesville Youth Wrestling Club. To sign the online guestbook or to leave a personal condolence, please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to care for the family of Mason Neeley.

Obituary for Darlene Richmond Rockafellow

DARLENE RICHMOND ROCKAFELLOW

Darlene Richmond Rockafellow, age 68, of Brookville, passed on Friday, December 16, 2022, in her home surrounded by family.

Darlene was born on August 13, 1954, in Brookville, to William and Beulah (Buckner) Richmond. She married David (Rock) Rockafellow, on July 2, 1981, in Oscoda, Michigan. Together, they had six children; Cindy Rockafellow of Florida, Stacy (Sazanne) Robinson of Indianapolis, Scott Robinson (Sherry) of Brookville, David Rockafellow (Dorene) of Plainfield IL, Ryan Rossi (Eylse) of Indianapolis, and Kellie Angel of Metamora. 

Darlene retired from Franklin County Public Transportation in fall of 2022. She had worked for Public Transportation for 27 years. 

Those surviving who will cherish Darlene’s memory include her loving husband, David, of 41 years, six children, 10 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Darlene is also survived by two sisters: Patricia Blackmond of Georgia and Marie (Jerry) Grimes of Brookville; and two brothers: Ken Richmond (Jacquelin) of Virginia and Gary Richmond (Tammy) of Cedar Grove. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, three sisters, and two grandchildren, Dylin Rossi and John Brown.  

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home ~ 929 Main Street ~ Brookville. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday.

To send condolences or sign the online guest book go to, www.cookrosenberger.com. The Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home Staff is honored to serve Darlene’s Family.