Hilda M. Wirtz, age 103, of Brookville, died Friday April 9, 2021, at Reid Health in Richmond.
Born December 11, 1917, in Franklin County, Indiana she was the daughter of the late Harvey Grimme and Gertrude M. (Ripperger) Grimme Rockwell. On July 28, 1938, she was united in marriage to Howard Wirtz, and he preceded her in death on February 5, 2000.
She was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Brookville, the Daughters of Isabella St. Catherine Circle for more than 80 years, as well as the Bernard Hurst Post #77 of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
Hilda was retired, having been a hairdresser in Brookville for more than 60 years. In her leisure time, she enjoyed playing cards with her friends.
Survivors include a nephew, Harvey Grimme of Richmond.
In addition to her parents and husband Howard, she was preceded in death by a brother Anthony C. “Tony” Grimme who died May 23, 1999.
Family and friends may visit from 10 till 11 a.m., on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home.
Rev. Shaun Whittington will officiate the Funeral Services on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 11 a.m., at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home with burial following in St. Michael Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be directed to St. Michaels Church or the Daughters of Isabella.
The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home are honored to serve the family of Hilda Wirtz, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.
Public water lines may be coming to the area between U.S. 27 and Indiana 44 east of Liberty as a result of the federal stimulus package recently signed into law.
Union County Commissioners discussed ways to spend the almost $1.4 million the county will receive in the next two years as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act money.
Signed into law by President Joe Biden, the $1.9 trillion is being given to local, state and federal government entities as well as schools across the country. Union County will receive $1.38 million while Liberty will get $410,000 in the two years.
Both the county and the town will receive their respective shares in two payments with the first arriving around May 11 or Mar 12, Union County Auditor Cheryl Begley stated.
Commissioners said a committee of local officials met April 6, in order to talk about the situation. The committee was composed of three county council members: president Richard Blank and members Trisha Persinger and Jeff Adams as well as commissioner Tim Williams and Area Plan Director and the county’s IT person Jeff Mathews.
Some of the things the money can be spent on include: broadband, water and sewer.
According to Williams, Mathews said with the latest developments in broadband, private companies will be bringing broadband into the areas that are now not served. Verizon has hot spots and REMC’s plan is on installing high-speed internet over power lines. Eight different private companies are now working on increasing broadband coverage within the county. Mathews believed the county’s money could be better spent on water and sewage upgrades.
Williams said before the pandemic shutdown in spring 2020, he took developers around the county and each one pointed to the property between Ind. 44 and U.S. 27 east of Liberty as the best place for future development.
“They said if you can get water and sewer there – they think like developers – they said that is close to school … that’s your best bet,” Williams said.
Commissioner Paul Wiwi suggested taking the water line out to the golf course north of Liberty. However, commissioner Howard Curry said any expansion of water or sewer lines should have one goal in mind and that is to increase the number of mailboxes. That would also increase the amount of property tax funds coming into the county and the school system.
Also, Curry said Reid Health Systems is going to pay to take an eight-inch water line to its building between Old U.S. 27 and U.S. 27 north of town. That will bring the water line a quarter to a half mile closer to the golf course. And that will make it more appetizing to use private funds to take the water the rest of the way to the golf course and the houses in that area, commissioners said.
“That will probably get you a half million dollar jump,” Curry said.
Williams said there will also be a water hydrant put in that area.
According to Williams, RQAW Corporation, an engineering firm based in Fishers, as well as the committee members previously mentioned along with two Liberty Town Council members, Matt Reuss, Utilities and Street Department supervisor for Liberty and Ted Stubbs, Brookville Lake Regional Waste District director will meet on April 20, to discuss the options and the situation in greater detail.
Williams has asked the engineering firm to tell the gathered officials where they suggest expanding and the generalized costs to be expected.
Wiwi suggested that once a project is visualized, the county seek help from Liberty. Williams said that is his plan also.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Department press release
Franklin County Sheriff Peter Cates has released a monthly report of activity for the month of March. Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 1,046 calls for service, which is a 34 percent increase over the 694 calls in March of 2020. Among the calls of service investigated were:
Property Damage Accidents
34
Personal Injury Accidents
7
Burglary/Theft
20
Residential/Business Alarms
19
Domestic Battery/Battery
31
911 Hang Up/Accidental Dial
90
Suspicious Persons/Vehicles
69
Traffic Stops
357
Building Checks
2
A total of 43 arrests were made by Sheriff’s Deputies on the following charges:
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated
8
Possession of Marijuana
1
Possession of Controlled Substance
2
Driving While Suspended
2
Battery/Domestic Battery
2
Residential Entry
1
Trespassing
2
Criminal Mischief
1
Theft/Receiving Stolen Property
2
Warrants
22
There was an average of 37 prisoners housed in the Security Center throughout the month of March. The maximum capacity of the Security Center is 75 inmates. Deputies drove a total of 29,158 miles. The Transport Officers drove an additional 3,563 miles, for a total of 32,721 miles. The Transport Officers conducted 12 prisoner transports, transporting a total of 14 prisoners, to and from the Department of Corrections facilities throughout the States of Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. No real estate was sold at Sheriff’s auction. There were 80 civil process papers served.
Citizens wishing to report illegal drug activity and/or other crimes may do so by calling 765-647-0755. Callers can remain anonymous.For real-time weather-related emergencies and crime information sign up for free text messaging at www.nixle.com. Like us on Facebook at Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. Visit our website at www.franklincountysheriff.org.
From left: Major Greg Mehlbauer, Deputy Tyler Ford and Sheriff Peter Cates
Franklin County Sheriff’s Department press release
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department is proud to announce the graduation of deputy Tyler Ford from the 222nd session of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Basic Training Course. Deputy Ford graduated from I.L.E.A on Thursday April, 8.
The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Basic Training Course consists of more than 600 hours of training in all areas of Law Enforcement. This training provides students with working knowledge of criminal and traffic laws, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, physical tactics, EMS awareness and human behavior. Deputy Ford also received extensive training in accident investigation, criminal investigation, domestic violence, and sexual assault, as well as other areas of basic law enforcement.
Deputy Ford, a 2011 graduate of Connersville High School and an eight-year veteran of the United States Marine Corp., will complete the final stages of his training in a few short weeks.
Rick Bargo, 60, of Connersville, passed away on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, after an extended illness. He was born on July 26, 1960, in Connersville, to Matthew Bargo Sr. and Mildred Bennet Bargo.
Rick had worked in the maintenance department for Fayette Memorial Hospital and spent many years at Tom Raper RV. He loved race cars, going for long drives, and anything to do with motors and wheels.
He is survived by a daughter, Christina Lee (David Adams) Bargo, of Connersville; a granddaughter, Kesha Faber; a great-granddaughter, Madelynn Russel; two sisters, Judy McQueen and Mary (Paul) Drew, both of Connersville; two brothers, Matthew (Deborah) Bargo Jr., and Ronnie Bargo, both of Connersville, along with his girlfriend, Amy Moffitt.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Joyce Sturgeon and Carolyn Bargo, and the mother of his daughter, Lola Rea Poe Bargo.
Visitation for Rick will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, Connersville. The funeral service will begin at 5 p.m., at the funeral home, with Pastor Jay Rowe officiating.
Mary E. Newman 78, of Liberty, passed away on Thursday, April 8, 2021. She was born on October 28, 1942, in Rushville to the late Robert Buchanan and Lois Newlan Buchanan.
In 2003, she married Tim Newman in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Together, they enjoyed being members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, where they were chapter directors and Mary helped with the newsletters. They rode many miles on Tim’s motorcycle together.
Mary was a member of the Church of Christ in Cambridge City.
For 10 years, Mary worked at the Liberty Herald. She then was the bookkeeper for Tim’s lawn care service called Newman’s Lawn Service.
Mary was involved at the Senior Center in Richmond, where she enjoyed painting with others. She was an artist for several years and enjoyed teaching lessons. She also enjoyed wood working and loved to do all things that involved crafting.
Along with her husband of 18 years, she is survived by her daughter, Terri (Mike) Robbins; step children John D. Newman, Terry and Sherry; grandchildren, Hannah (Bo) Staat, Levi (Shelby) Robbins and Kirstyn, Tori, Cana and Jesse; three great grandchildren; and several other grandchildren and great grandchildren; a brother, Bob Buchanan, sisters Sharon Dice and Mona Williams; and a special nephew and their daughter, Christopher (Grecia) Newman and LaChricia.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her late husband, James W. Hensley, and a sister Shirley Hampton.
Visitation for Mary will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., at Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home, 310 N. Main St. Liberty, Indiana 47353. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Leonard Dice and Kevin Dice officiating. Burial will follow in Sims Cemetery.
Christopher R. Harris, 43, of Connersville passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at Reid Health, Connersville.
Survivors include three children, Sarah, Adam, and Olivia Harris; his father, Jerry (Judy) Harris of Connersville; a sister, Becky Harris of Connersville; paternal grandmother, Violet Harris of Milton; several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Christopher is preceded in death by his mother, Billie Sue Harris; and grandfather, Delbert Harris.
Family and friends may call from 1 until the time of service at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home. Reverend Mal Gibson will officiate. Burial will follow in West Side Cemetery, Milton.
Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.
Infant Enzo Blaise Pantoja passed into the arms of God shortly after his birth on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at St. Vincent Women’s Hospital in Indianapolis. He is survived by his parents, Willy and Kaylee Dierckman Pantoja of Osgood; paternal grandparents, Juan and Maria Pantoja of Sunman; and maternal grandparents, Bob and Jona Dierckman of Sunman.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the convenience of the family and burial will follow immediately after in the St. Nicholas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Nicholas Heritage Project, 6459 E. St. Nicholas Drive, Sunman, IN 47041.
To sign the online guestbook or to leave uplifting thoughts, please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Enzo Blaise Pantoja.
Liberty attorney Jim Williams is going to look into different ways to allow the Liberty Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a used tanker truck.
Williams was at his first Liberty Town Council meeting after taking over for retired attorney Walt Chidester. Williams is a Union County native, former Union Circuit Court Judge and now a partner in the law firm DeFur Voran of Indianapolis and Muncie. He is also the county attorney.
LVFD members have been thwarted in their efforts to purchase a used tanker truck. The current tanker is a former honey dipper. No one has witnessed the current condition of the tanker, but firefighters said when they drain the tanker, the water is full of rust. It is feared by the firefighters they will come into the firehouse at some point and find the firehouse awash in the water that poured through the tanker’s bottom.
LVFD is also the Township Fire Department. It operates for five of the county’s six townships. Thus, tankers are imperative to fighting fires in the rural areas. In those rural areas, there is not access to large sustainable water supplies like in incorporated towns that have their own public water system. When there is a rural fire, tankers from the fire department in the nearby community as well as other tankers from other fire departments in the area shuttle back and forth from the fire to a good water source.
Purchasing a new tanker is impossible for the small fire department. It was reported at the last LTC meeting, a new tanker would be in excess of $600,000. The fire department is looking for a used tanker in the $100,000 range.
The problem is any governmental entity purchase over a certain amount must follow Indiana Code. That involves publishing specifications and the desire for quotes, waiting through the process to receive the quotes, opening the bids, awarding the bids and then going through the process of deciding which funds to tap to pay for the tanker and then going through the additional appropriation process to make those funds available for use.
With the additional appropriation process, there is more advertising for a public hearing and then holding the public hearing. After approval by the local government entity, there is also a need for approval by the Department of Local Government Finance.
Earlier this year, the fire department went through the quote process and received three quotes. However, the fire officials found all three trucks had been sold even before they opened the quotes.
Now, they believe they have found a used tanker in Ohio for about $100,000. However, the fire department may have to go through the whole process again, and the fire department in Ohio may not wait through that lengthy process and sell the tanker to another department.
Williams said there may be a way to circumvent some of the process by declaring the situation an emergency. He said he would look into the Indiana Code and see if the current situation would fit any of the special circumstances for the emergency clause within the code.
Then, there is funding. Firefighters have decided $20,000 would come from the Township Fire Fund. That leaves $80,000. Council had been leaning toward using the Local Option Income Tax (LOIT) Fund. LOIT is designed specifically to cover public safety costs. However, it has been found the town may not be able to use that fund because it is derived from income tax from Liberty residents. This fire truck will not fight fires in Liberty, but the fires in the county areas.
Thus, it was suggested to use the Riverboat Fund. Lawrenceburg gives each county in the area a certain amount of money annually from its Riverboat taxes. The amount was greater in the past but with the advent of gaming in Ohio, revenue at the Lawrenceburg boat was drastically cut. Now, Liberty receives about $12,000 per year in gaming money. Lawrenceburg retains the bulk of the tax funds it receives from the boat.
Council discovered it has enough in that fund to cover the remaining cost. Council then voted unanimously to use that fund.
Joyce Marie Kraus, 67 years old, of Morris, passed away on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Joyce was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother. She was dedicated to her family, her husband and devoted to her faith. Her husband was the love of her life and her very best friend. They traveled all over the United States together and were ready to take their camper on their next adventure. She was married to Albert for 47 years, and they have four living children, 11 amazing grandchildren, and one granddaughter on the way. Joyce always had a smile on her face, was there to comfort anyone, and was ready to offer a helping hand where needed. In her free time, you would always see her at her grandchildren’s sports activities, cheering them on, playing Bingo, volunteering with St. Anthony, or quilting a blanket/scarf for someone in the family. Joyce was so proud of her children and was ready to share stories about what they had accomplished, what they were doing, and share pictures of their family and adventures. Joyce was a bartender, and most people would remember seeing her behind the bar at Keg & Kettle.
Joyce will be greatly missed by her husband, Albert Kraus Jr, as well as her children, Carrie (Tony) Gerth, Keith, Lea (JD) Henson, and Krystle (Justin) Follick; grandchildren, Anna, Tori, Rachael JJ, Ava, Kayla, Layla, Noah, Malea, Nate, and soon to be Scarlett. She will be fondly missed by siblings Jim (Karen) Hountz, Joe (Annette) Hountz, Paul (Marilyn) Hountz, Betty (George) Hoff, Leroy (Kim) Hountz, Dan Doll and Dorita Hodges, and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Anna, parents Joseph and Viola Hountz, her parents-in-law Albert Sr. and Norma (Wuestefeld) Kraus, sister MaryLou Doll, sisters-in-law Maria Kraus and Beth Kraus, brother-in-law Paul Kraus, and numerous nieces and nephews.
On Saturday, April 10, Visitation will be from 8-11 a.m., at Weigel’s Funeral Home with a Celebration of Life following at 11:30 a.m., at St. Anthony’s of Padua with Fr. Stan Pondo presiding. Luncheon will be held immediately after at New Alsace Legion. Memorials can be made to St. Anthony’s Cemetery Fund or American Lung Association. Memorials can be sent to Weigel’s Funeral Home at P.O. Box 36, Batesville, IN 47006. Please visit www.weigelfh.com to leave condolences and sign the online guest book.
