Cyril Paul Schebler, age 88 of Batesville, passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2021, with his family by his side. The son of Aloysius and Dorothy (Grote) Schebler was born on January 8, 1933, in Hamburg. He married Eileen Moorman, and they had five children. After her death, he later married, Naomi Ramsey-Horstman, until her untimely passing in 2014.
The US Army veteran served in an anti-aircraft artillery station in Germany right after Korea. Cyril retired from Hill-Rom after working 41 years in the factory. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church after the closing of St Anne’s in Hamburg, where he had been a lifelong member. In later life, he joined Greensburg American Legion Post #129 and enjoyed dancing and singing.
Cyril had many hobbies, woodworking was his favorite, especially making wood puzzles. He liked spending time outdoors gardening and fishing. The avid reader preferred western theme stories and watching western movies too. In church and on the bus trips, he could be usually found singing and playing his harmonica along the way. After Cyril retired, he was able to enjoy traveling and visiting different places. Most of all he loved being with his family and grandchildren, devoting priceless time to teaching them how to fish and do woodworking.
He will be dearly missed by his sons, Robert (Donna), Gary (Anne) and Tim (Hope) Schebler; daughter, Cheryl (Don) Baechle; 11 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren along with two sisters, Joan Lecher and Patricia Wessler.
In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by his son, Mike Schebler and sisters, Connie Meyer, Mary Lou Moller and Evelyn Laker.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 20, 2021, from 4-7 p.m., at Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville with a rosary service at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m., on Wednesday at St. Louis Church in Batesville. Burial will follow in St. Anne’s Cemetery in Hamburg, with graveside military honors conducted by the Ripley County VFW Post #3183 and Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271.
Memorials may be given to St. Anne’s Cemetery by bringing to services or mailing to: Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006.
You are welcome to leave a message here on Cyril’s obituary page for the family in the online guestbook.
Brenda Gail Marcum, 79, of Brownsville, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021, at her residence.
She was born on October 5, 1941, to Lloyd Glen and Alpha Mae Smith Blair, and she graduated from Connersville High School in 1959.
In 1962, she married Robert L. Marcum at Calvary Baptist Church. Mr. Marcum survives. Along with her husband, Brenda had attended Calvary Baptist Church and Connersville Baptist Temple.
She was employed at Avco in Richmond for seven years, and she was later employed by the Richmond State Hospital as a charge psych technician.
In her leisure, she enjoyed gardening (especially flowers). She was a devoted mother and grandmother, and she also greatly loved her pets.
Survivors include three children, Brent (Susie) Marcum of Liberty, Shawna (Dale) Bass of Brownsville, and Tanya (Darrin Hoskin) Melody; four grandchildren, Christopher and Tara Robinson of Richmond, Dale Bass III of Brownsville, Megan (Jerry Ervin) Bass of Connersville, and Elijah Marcum of Liberty; three great grandchildren, Mason Robinson, Jackson Robinson, and Nevaeh Ervin; and several cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her special friend, Carolyn Bunyard. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family with Pastor Robert Lee officiating. Burial will be in Dale Cemetery. Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.
The New Alsace Conservation Club’s 33rd annual Fishing Derby is being held on Saturday, May 8,from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Lake In The Pines just west of New Alsace. The derby is designed to encourage adults and children alike to enjoy fishing, the outdoors and practice water safety and social distancing. The New Alsace Conservation Club is a non-profit organization in its 39th year of operation. Everyone is invited to come and join in the celebration of the Conservation Club’s 33rd derby. This year the club has incorporated a COVID – 19 BACKUP derby date to be June 19, if needed.
At the 33rd annual Fishing Derby there will be derby prizes and door prizes valued at $1,500 or more to those who are registered.The derby is open to the public with an entry fee for adults and children 12 years and older of $18. Children under 12 are free. The derby will run from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., rain or shine. Registration will begin at 6 a.m., on derby day and continue to 2 p.m. It should be noted that participants are not required to possess an Indiana fishing license since they will be fishing at a private lake.
Lake In The Pines is located west of New Alsace at 10412 N. Dearborn Rd., Sunman, IN. Directions: From the east take I-74 St. Leon Exit, three miles south on St. Rd. 1, right on N. Dearborn Road. 3.5 miles. Or, from the west, take I-74 Sunman Exit, three miles south on St. Rd. 101 to Sunman, left on Eastern Ave. (N. Dearborn Rd.) 4.5 miles.
The New Alsace Conservation Club is very excited about reaching the milestone of this being its 33rd fishing derby; and would like everyone to come out and enjoy a day of fishing and fun.
Joan Veloie Holliday, age 87 of Batesville, formerly of Tuscon, Arizona passed away on Friday, April 16, 2021, at Margaret Mary Health. The daughter of Franklin and Christa (Rutherford) Hendrickson was born on February 28, 1934, in Long Beach, California.
Joan was a computer programmer for McDonald Douglas. She was the first woman programmer to have a program documented at the Pentagon in the early ’60s. She loved taking in the beautiful sights while she traveled to destinations like, Spain and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but mostly loved the desert and her time spent living in Tucson. Joan’s other hobbies included reading, doing puzzles and playing cards.
She is survived by her daughters, Christa Harness of Batesville and Kathy Jo Dennis of Columbus, Georgia; son, Franklin (Marcia) Holliday of Federal Way, Washington; 12 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren and her sister, Rebecca Gast.
Cremation was chosen and there are no services at this time.
Elvera Helen (Harpring) Wissel, age 82 of Batesville, died Thursday April 15, 2021 at MMH. She was surrounded by her three loving daughters.
She was born August 13, 1938, in Decatur County. She was the daughter of Bernard J. and Cecilia M. (Hessler) Harpring. She married Harvey J Wissel Jr. on September 13, 1958, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Batesville. Together, they raised six children in Harvey’s childhood home in Morris. Harvey preceded her in death on May 13, 1993.
She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. A member of IVFAA, and a founding member of the Morris Fireman’s Ladies Auxiliary, serving for more than 50 years. Many will remember her waiting tables at Red’s Oasis Inn, as well as, Housekeeping at Batesville Casket and at the Sherman House.
Her sweet, loving, calm soul was felt by all who knew her. She was incredibly smart, spunky, and quick-witted. She dished it out as easy as she could take it!
Elvera had a highly competitive nature when it came to playing Scrabble and more recently, “Words with Friends.” Her talents were many. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed creative endeavors in sewing and gardening. She could often be found with her head buried in a good book.
She spent her life caring for others, and family was her world. She was deeply loved and will be missed by many.
Elvera is survived by daughters and son-in laws Monica and Chris Hooten, Alyssa and Ronald Dickey Jr. and Sheila and Tim Kieffer, all of Batesville. Grandsons Brett Wissel (Megan), Bryan (Becky)and Adam (Morgan) Hooten, Step-Grandson Josh Dickey. Granddaughters Sarah (Joe) Snyder, Morgan and Lauren Kieffer, and Step-Granddaughter Kaitlyn (Russell) Pitts. Great-Grandson Austin Hargrave, Weston, Henry, Jason and Jaxon Hooten. Great-Granddaughters Mira and Maci Wissel. Brother Vernon (Maureen) Harpring of Batesville.
In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her sons Damien, Nathan, and Matthew. Brothers Edgar and Bernard Harpring, Sisters Irma Harpring, Joan Schoettmer, Lois Laudick, and Luella Lecher.
Visitation is Monday, April 19, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, at St. Anthony’s Church with Rev. Shaun Whittington officiating followed by burial in the church cemetery. The family requests memorials to St. Anthony’s Cemetery Fund.
Provided by the Franklin Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
Court News
Criminal
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated
Zachery R. Hauser pleaded guilty as a class A misdemeanor and was sentenced to 365 days in the Franklin County Security Center (FCSC) with all time suspended to probation. He was fined $250 and $185.50 costs. He was placed on probation for 365 days and was ordered to pay the Probation Users’ Fee of $50 plus a $20 monthly fee. He was ordered to pay a $50 Administrative Fee and a $200 Countermeasure Fee. His Operator’s License was suspended for 180 days retroactive to the finding of probable cause on January 5, 2021. As an additional condition of probation, if deemed necessary, the defendant shall schedule an appointment for evaluation at a treatment facility approved by probation within seven days of release from incarceration and comply with all recommendations.
Richard A. Craig pleaded guilty as a Level 6 Felony and was sentenced to 14 months in the FCSC with 10 months suspended to probation. He received 60 days credit for time spent in inpatient treatment at Banyon Treatment Center. He was fined $250 and $185 costs. He was placed on probation for 10 months and was ordered to pay the PUF of $100 plus a $30 monthly fee. He was ordered to pay a $100 Administrative Fee and a $200 Countermeasure Fee. His Operator’s License was suspended for one year retroactive to the finding of probable cause on February 10, 2020. As an additional condition of probation, the defendant shall schedule an appointment for evaluation at a treatment facility approved by probation within seven days of release from incarceration and comply with all recommendations. The parties stipulate and agree that the defendant shall be eligible for the judgment of conviction to be reduced to a class A misdemeanor. Whether entry of reduction in judgment should be done upon sentencing or upon successful completion of probation shall be left to the discretion of the Court. The Court found upon the defendant’s successful completion of probation, the defendant shall petition the court to enter the judgment of conviction as a class A misdemeanor.
Operating a Vehicle with a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance or its Metabolite in the Body
Wesley A. Beesley pleaded guilty as a class C misdemeanor and was sentenced to 60 days in the FCSC. He was fined $1 and $185.50 costs. He was ordered to pay a $200 Countermeasure Fee. His Operator’s License was suspended for one year effective at the date of sentencing, March 31.
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Trenton G. Gesell pleaded guilty as a class A misdemeanor and was sentenced to 180 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation. He was fined $250 and $185 costs. He was placed on probation for 180 days and was ordered to pay the PUF of $50 plus a $20 monthly fee. He was ordered to pay a $50 Administrative Fee and a $200 Countermeasure Fee. As an additional condition of probation, if deemed necessary, the defendant shall schedule an appointment for evaluation at a treatment facility approved by probation within seven days of release from incarceration and comply with all recommendations. He pleaded guilty to Possession of Marijuana, as a class B misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 180 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation to be served concurrent with the sentence imposed in Count I. He pleaded guilty to Possession of Paraphernalia, as a class C misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 60 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to be served concurrent to the sentences imposed in Counts I and II.
Maintaining a Common Nuisance
Daniel J. Kennedy pleaded guilty as a Level 6 Felony and was sentenced to 12 months in the FCSC with 11 months suspended to probation. He was placed on probation for 11 months and was ordered to pay the PUF of $100 plus a $30 monthly fee. He was ordered to pay a $100 Administrative Fee and a $200 Countermeasure Fee. As an additional condition of probation, if deemed necessary, the defendant shall schedule an appointment for evaluation at a treatment facility approved by probation within seven days of release from incarceration and comply with all recommendations. He also pleaded guilty to Possession of Marijuana, as a class B misdemeanor, and was sentenced to six months in the FCSC with five months suspended to probation to be served concurrent to the sentence imposed in Count I.
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated Endangering
Erica Weston pleaded guilty as a class A misdemeanor and was sentenced to 365 days in the FCSC with 275 days suspended to probation. She was fined $1 and $185 costs. She was placed on probation for 275 days and was ordered to pay the PUF of $50 plus a $20 monthly fee. She was ordered to pay a $50 Administrative Fee and a $200 Countermeasure Fee. Her Operator’s License was suspended for one year retroactive to the notice of suspension on December 21, 2020. As an additional condition of probation, if deemed necessary, the defendant shall schedule an appointment for evaluation at a treatment facility approved by probation within seven days of release from incarceration and comply with all recommendations. She also pleaded guilty to Leaving the Scene of an Accident, as a class B misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 180 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation to be served concurrent to the sentence imposed in Count I.
Battery on a Public Safety Official
Trevor L. Ruble pleaded guilty as a Level 6 Felony and was sentenced to 18 months in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation. He was fined $1 and $185.50 costs. He was placed on probation for 18 months and was ordered to pay the PUF of $100 plus a $30 monthly fee. He was ordered to pay a $100 Administrative Fee. As an additional condition of probation, if deemed necessary, the defendant shall schedule an appointment for evaluation at a treatment facility approved by probation within seven days of release from incarceration and comply with all recommendations. He pleaded guilty to a second count of Battery on a Public Safety Official, as a Level 6 Felony, and was sentenced to 18 months in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation to be served concurrent to the sentence imposed in Count I. He pleaded guilty to Resisting Arrest, as a Level 6 Felony, and was sentenced to 18 months in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation to be served concurrent to the sentences imposed in Counts I and II. He pleaded guilty to Disorderly Conduct, as a class B misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 180 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation to be served concurrent to the sentences imposed in Counts I, II and III. He pleaded guilty to Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, as a class A misdemeanor and was sentenced to 365 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation to be served concurrent to the sentences imposed in Counts I, II, III and IV. His Operator’s License was suspended for one year retroactive to the finding of probable cause on January 27, 2019.
Deception
Sarah A. Grubb pleaded guilty as a class A misdemeanor and was sentenced to 365 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation. She was fined $250 and $185.50 costs. She was placed on probation for 365 days and was ordered to pay the PUF of $50 plus a $20 monthly fee. She was ordered to pay the Administrative Fee of $50. She pleaded guilty to a second count of Deception, as a class A misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 365 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation to be served concurrent with the sentence imposed in Count I.
Arson
Jason T. Teppe Jr., pleaded guilty as a Level 6 Felony and was sentenced to 14 months in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation. He was fined $1 and $185 costs. He was placed on probation for 14 months and was ordered to pay the PUF of $100 plus a $30 monthly fee. He was ordered to pay a $100 Administrative Fee and $1,078.78 in restitution to the victim. He was ordered to complete a course in Anger Management. He pleaded guilty to Criminal Mischief, as a class B misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 180 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation to be served concurrent to the sentence imposed in Count I. Upon successful completion of probation, if the defendant pays all restitution and complies with all other terms of probation, the defendant may petition the court to have the judgment of conviction entered as a misdemeanor and the state will not object.
Operating a Vehicle with an ACE of .15 or More
Christel L. Langdon pleaded guilty as a Level 6 Felony and was sentenced to 14 months in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation. She was fined $1 and $185.50 costs. She was placed on probation for 14 months and was ordered to pay the PUF of $100 plus a $30 monthly fee. She was ordered to pay a $100 Administrative Fee and a $200 Countermeasure Fee. She was ordered to pay $4.589.40 to Duke Energy. Her Operator’s License was suspended for 180 days retroactive to the administrative suspension on July 29, 2019.
Possession of Methamphetamine
Carla S. Black pleaded guilty as a Level 6 Felony and was sentenced to 910 days in prison with 742 days suspended to probation. She received jail-time credit from August 28, 2020 to November 20, 2020. She was fined $1 and $185 costs. She was placed on probation for 742 days and was ordered to pay the PUF of $100 plus a $30 monthly fee. She was ordered to pay a $100 Administrative Fee. As an additional condition of probation, the defendant shall schedule an appointment for evaluation at a treatment facility approved by probation within seven days of release from incarceration and comply with all recommendations. The defendant shall testify to the truth of the matter in all companion cases. She pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance, as a class A misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 365 days in the FCSC with 197 days suspended to probation to be served concurrent with the sentence imposed in Count I. She pleaded guilty to Possession of Marijuana, as a class B misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 168 days in the FCSC to be served to concurrent to the sentence imposed in Count I. She shall testify to the truth of the matter in all companion cases.
Battery
David W. Knecht pleaded guilty as a class A misdemeanor and was sentenced to 12 months in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation. He was fined $250 and $185 costs. He was placed on probation for 12 months and was ordered to pay the PUF of $50 plus a $20 monthly fee. He was ordered to pay a $50 Administrative Fee. As an additional condition of probation, he was ordered to successfully complete a course in anger management and alcohol treatment.
Theft
Roy L. Kuntz pleaded guilty as a class A misdemeanor and was sentenced to 365 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation. He was fined $250 and $185 costs. He was placed on probation for 365 days and was ordered to pay the PUF of $50 plus a $20 monthly fee. He was ordered to pay a $50 Administrative Fee.
Criminal Mischief
Charles R. Rea II pleaded guilty as a class A misdemeanor and was sentenced to 12 months in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation. He was fined $1 and $185 costs. He was placed on probation for 12 months and was ordered to pay the PUF of $50 plus a $20 monthly fee. He was ordered to pay a $50 Administrative Fee and restitution in the amount of $1,000 to the victim and was ordered to stay off the victim’s property. He also pleaded guilty to Mischief, as a class B misdemeanor, and was sentenced to two months in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation to be served consecutive to the sentence imposed in Count I.
Disorderly Conduct
Richard D. Estridge Jr., pleaded guilty as a class B misdemeanor and was sentenced to two days in the FCSC. He was given jail-time credit from May 30, 2020 to June 1, 2020. He was fined $1 and $185 costs. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim.
Domestic Battery
Samuel Goldsmith pleaded guilty as a class A misdemeanor and was sentenced to 365 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation. He was fined $250 and $185 costs. He was placed on probation for 365 days and was ordered to pay the PUF of $50 plus a $20 monthly fee. He was ordered to pay the Administrative Fee of $50. He was ordered to complete a course in anger management. He is prohibited from possessing firearms by operation of law.
Conversion
Michael Riley Jr., pleaded guilty as a class A misdemeanor and was sentenced to 365 days in the FCSC with 363 days suspended to probation. He was given jail-time credit from May 14, 2020 to May 15, 2020. He was fined $250 and $185 costs. He was placed on probation for 363 days and was ordered to pay the PUF of $50 plus a $20 monthly fee. He was ordered to pay the $50 Administrative Fee. As an additional condition of probation, if deemed necessary, the defendant shall schedule an appointment for evaluation at a treatment facility approved by probation within seven days of release from incarceration and comply with all recommendations.
Reckless Driving
Barbara A. Butcher pleaded guilty as a class C misdemeanor and was sentenced to 60 days in the FCSC with all time suspended to probation. She was fined $250 and $185.50 costs. She was placed on probation for 60 days and was ordered to pay the PUF of $50 and a $20 monthly fee. She was ordered to pay the $50 Administrative Fee. As an additional condition of probation, the defendant shall schedule an appointment for evaluation at a treatment facility approved by probation within seven days of release from incarceration and comply with all recommendations.
Burglary
Berecka Estridge pleaded guilty as a Level 4 Felony and was sentenced to eight years in prison with four years suspended to probation to be served consecutive to a sentence imposed in a misdemeanor case. She was fined $250 and $185 costs. She was placed on probation for four years and was ordered to pay the PUF of $100 plus a $30 monthly fee. She was ordered to pay a $100 Administrative Fee and $445 in restitution to the victim. She was ordered to stay off the victim’s property. She pleaded guilty to Theft, as a class A misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 180 days in the FCSC to be served concurrent with the sentence imposed in Count I.
On Friday April 16, the Indiana State Police responded to a rural Henry County farm to investigate the death of a New Castle woman.
Investigators learned that James, 81, and Barbara Smith, 76, were off loading corn from a grain bin located on their farm at 4808 W. State Road 234. At approximately 2 p.m., Mr. Smith called 911 and reported he was unable to locate his wife and believed she may have been trapped inside the grain bin.
First responders searched for two hours before they located Mrs. Smith inside the grain bin, which contained between eight to ten feet of corn. She was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Henry County Coroner.
The Indiana State Police will follow up with the Henry County Coroner’s office when further information if made available.
The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Henry County Coroner’s Officer, and Fire Departments from New Castle, Jefferson Twp. (Sulphur Springs), Harrison Twp. (Cadiz), Adams Twp. (Markleville), Greensboro, Kennard, and Shirley.
Indiana Department of Transportation press release
Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Paul H. Rohe Company plans to begin patching work next week along S.R. 46 between Greensburg and Batesville in Decatur and Franklin counties. Patching is expected to take approximately two weeks and will require various lane closures and flagging.
Following patching, crews will begin milling and paving the 13.5-mile section of roadway between U.S. 421 and S.R. 229. Work will continue throughout the summer under additional lane closures.
The $3.4 million contract was awarded last October and is scheduled to be complete by the end of August. Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.
Progress Street Hill is not slipping as fast as it once was.
Because of that, developers of Valley House Flats want to allow parking on the west side of Progress Street between Fourth and Fifth streets to serve the Valley House Flats residents.
Two developers, Bruce Rippe and George Gillman, attended the Brookville Town Council meeting Tuesday night, April 13, to make that request.
Progress Street Hill is man-made. It is composed of fill. It is believed there are vehicle bodies, large rocks, concrete, fill dirt and other debris underneath the hill’s topsoil. Engineers studying it when it was slipping at a faster rate, called the fill non-engineered. During construction of Valley House Flats, fill from the 1800s was found outside the Valley House backdoor, meaning most of the hill west from that backdoor is believed to be also fill.
Pilings had to be put down deep in the earth for the new part of Valley House Flats to keep the building stable due to the fill.
Currently, the town is awaiting a contractor to begin working on moving and stabilizing a major sewage pipe along the hill due to the slippage. Also, the plan is to make drainage in the area better. Part of the work is being paid through an Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) grant. It was feared part of the sewage pipe would break due to the slippage, necessitating the project.
At the April 13 BTC meeting, Brookville Police Chief Terry Mitchum mentioned the denuding of the hill’s western slope going down to the river.
Then State Representative Jud McMillin was instrumental in the town receiving a grant to spruce up the view of the Whitewater River’s west fork from the town in the hopes of creating better commercial development in the area. A fountain was pictured where Valley House Flats is now. It was hoped restaurants and drinking establishments would flourish in the area.
Part of the process was the denuding of trees on the slope to allow for a better view from the street. An overlook was put in place to help beautify the area and take advantage of the new view.
However, as Mitchum said during the meeting, most everyone in town knew denuding the hillside was going to destabilize an already destabilized situation. And it did.
The hill began moving by inches, causing damage to the pavement. It left the sidewalk unattached from the ground in places – to the point men could crawl within the void — and caused the town to put up police tape on that side of the street, not allowing parking, use of the sidewalk as well as not allowing anyone on the overlook. Eventually the town took up part of the sidewalk in that area. Slippage was worse on the south side of the overlook to its intersection with Fourth Street and tapered off the farther north one went toward Fifth Street.
At some point after the slippage accelerated, an engineering firm hired by the town put sensors in place along the hillside to monitor the slippage rate. At the April 13 meeting, Rippe said that slippage has slowed.
He said over the past year the hill as slipped a quarter of an inch by one sensor’s measurement and not at all as recorded by several sensors.
To enhance parking for Valley House Flats, the previous town council decided to make Progress Street a one-way street from north to south between Fourth and Fifth streets and put angled parking on both sides of the street. Businesses in the area agreed with the change, Rippe said. Rippe gave that part of the history at the beginning of his talk Tuesday night. However, plans for this change had to be sent to the Indiana Department of Transportation for approval because the one-way will be from the intersection of Fifth Street and U.S. 52 to Fourth Street and U.S. 52. Since that involves a highway maintained by the state, the town needs state approval to continue the project.
It has never been said if the new parking spaces will be metered.
Brookville Town Manager Tim Ripperger said he tried to contact the traffic engineering office at INDOT, which is considering the plans, but no one from that office has returned his phone calls or emails up to the time of Tuesday’s meeting.
Rippe said there are now 45 residents in Valley House Flats, making parking at a premium for the residents. He said FCN Bank’s patience is now gone due to residents taking its parking places in FCN’s parking lot between Valley House Flats and FCN Bank’s drive thru.
Also, Rippe plans to open a restaurant within Valley House Flats within the next year, which will further complicate the parking problem.
According to Rippe, in the interim, he would like to see parking allowed again on the west side of Progress. He would like to see angled parking to allow more vehicles – 20-25 — to be parked in that area. Once the street becomes one-way, then permanent lining for the parking will be put in place, according to Rippe’s plan.
Brookville Attorney Tammy Davis pointed out the pavement in that area is still very rough, and with two-way traffic still allowed on that street, she was concerned there would be enough room for both traffic and the angled parking.
BTC President Curtis Ward also was concerned about the amount of room available for angled parking while the street is two-way. He suggested just allowing parking north of the overlook where it is more stable.
BTC member Chuck Campbell asked who would be liable if something would happen to parked vehicles along the west side of the street at this time.
Davis said everyone who parks is doing so at their own risks. However, Davis said the area is very uneven in the paving in that area.
Mitchum said the town created the unevenness when it took up the sidewalk south of the overlook. Also, Mitchum offered to go to the site and determine if there is enough room for angled parking and vehicles backing up while there is two-way traffic. Mitchum is to report back to Street Department Superintendent Brent Riehle and Ripperger concerning the results of his study.
In an unrelated matter concerning the town’s streets, later in the meeting, Ripperger was talking about the different things Riehle wants to do prior to paving. Rohe Paving is in town now and is going to pave certain streets, including Ninth Street and the streets around the pool. Riehle wanted to do preparation work along Ninth Street and create a parking lot with five spaces for people using the fairly new playground across Ninth Street from the Aquatic Center. Rohe would also pave the parking lot.
Ward said he did not want that. According to Ward, he wants Ninth Street closed from the Aquatic Center the alley between INDOT’s garage to the end of the street. He said he wanted that for the safety of the families using the playground.
BTC member Eric Johnson agreed with Ward and said there is plenty of parking for people using the playground across Ninth Street in the Aquatic Center’s parking lot.
Ripperger was taken aback by Ward’s comments, saying time was of the essence as Rohe is ready to pave all around the pool and no one had talked to Ripperger or Riehle about closing the street. Mitchum also warned that closing the street would make the Homecoming Parade much more difficult as the floats and parade entries come there after the parade. That area is very congested after the parade as the street system is now. He is afraid closing that part of the street will only exacerbate the problem.
Ward said he would meet with Riehle and tell him what Ward wants done to the street. Council unanimously approved the closing of Ninth Street in that area even after Mitchum’s comments.
After the vote, Ripperger had a text come to him from a person monitoring the meeting via the Facebook video. That person suggested just closing that part of Ninth Street during the summer months only so Homecoming will not be negatively affected.
However, council members said they would stand by their vote.
James Clarkston, 73 of Centerville, passed away on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at his home. He was born on March 23, 1948 to the late David Clarkston and Ruby Allen Clarkston in Rushville, Indiana.
Jim served in the United States Army for 10 years.
On September 17, 1993, he married his beloved wife of 27 years, Joyce Simpson Clarkston.
Jim was a Senior Programmer Analyst at Hil Rom and had worked in IT and was the general manager at Wayne Works Corporation.
Along with his wife, he is survived by his children, Lynnette Clarkston Dix, of Jessup, Georgia; a son, Joey Clarkston, of Brunswick, Georgia; step sons, Joe (Mary) Mendenhall, of Eaton, Ohio and Jeffrey (Cory) Mendenhall, of Carmel; grandchildren, Andrew, Kayla, Tyler, Ryan, Madison, Emerald, James, Cooper, Seth and Mitchell and great grandchildren, Allen and Lindsay; brothers, Jack (Patty) Clarkston, Tom (Teresa) Clarkston and Pat Clarkston, all of Liberty; special friends, Don Mattix, Dale Canter and Dick and Sue Geiling; and many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a special dog, Jasmine.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Judy Campbell; brothers, Larry, John, David and Bobby Clarkston; and a daughter, Renee Clarkston.
Friends and family may visit on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., at Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home, 310 N. Main St. Liberty, Indiana 47353.
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to your local charity or the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, Illinois 60674.
To sign the online guestbook or to leave the family a personal message visit, www.urbanwinklerfuneralhome.com.
