On March 23, Governor Eric Holcomb announced that Indiana’s mandatory mask mandate will expire April 6, 2021. Face coverings will, however, remain mandatory throughout Indiana in all state buildings, at vaccine clinics and COVID testing sites, and in k-12 schools.
Masks will not be mandatory in the Franklin County Government Center, per county commissioners; however the health department will still require masks to be worn in their department due to it being a vaccine clinic.
Masks will still be required to be worn by visitors entering the Franklin County Security Center.
At this time, like the Governor, the Franklin County Health Department highly recommends the continued wearing of masks, but stops short of instituting an additional mandate.
Christine Sheila Shouse of New Point, passed away on Monday, April 5, 2021, at Margaret Mary Health in Batesville.
The daughter of Thomas and Clara (Wilson) Peterson was born on September 17, 1955, in Milan. She married Richard W. Shouse in September 1973, and they were married for more than47.5 years.
She will be dearly missed by her husband, Richard; her son, Keith (Cristy) Shouse of Greensburg; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren; along with sisters, Patricia Harping, Sandy Dinsmore and Marsha McMillan.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister Sherry Inman.
Her wishes were to be cremated. There are no services planned for this time.
John Edward Wagner, age 67, of Batesville, passed away Sunday, April 4, 2021, at his home. The son of Gilbert and Caroline Wagner was born on December 28, 1953, in Batesville. He married Patricia Giesting on February 20, 1988, in Batesville.
John worked for Batesville Casket Company for 44 years before he retired. He loved being outdoors and spending time out mowing the yard. He enjoyed fishing and hunting including mushroom hunting. Bowling was another favorite hobby of his and he even bowled a perfect 300 game once. John was always ready for a game of horseshoes too, but most of all he liked spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughters, Nichole (Michael) Sutherland of Batesville and Maggie Wagner of Batesville; five grandchildren, Mya, Dominic, Mason, Hunter and Lucas; one brother and three sisters.
Visitation will be Saturday, April 10, 2021, from 1-3 p.m., with 3 p.m., funeral services all at Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville. Rev. Shawn Crisman officiating.
Memorials may be given to help the family with funeral expenses by bringing to services or mailing to: Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006.
In accordance with the Indiana COVID-19 precautions, all attending are asked to wear a mask and follow proper social distancing protocol. If you are not feeling well, or if you have compromised immune system, you are encouraged to stay home.
Alice Bunch, 92, of Liberty, died Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Whitewater Commons in Liberty.
Alice was born to Robert and Ester Abner Worster on November 21, 1928, in Kitchel. She attended Short High School, graduating with the class of 1946. The following year, Alice married Robert V. Bunch on May 17, 1947, at Grand Avenue Methodist Church in Connersville; they spent 57 years together prior to his death in 2004. Alice was employed with Cigna, formerly North American Insurance, as an accountant. She previously attended Brownsville United Methodist Church. Alice belonged to several organizations including the America Legion Auxiliary, the Eagles, the Moose and Sweet Adeline’s. She was also a proud member of Wayne Works Mud Puddle, of which her husband was a founding father. Alice enjoyed fishing, camping at Doc O’ lakes, crossword puzzles and tending to her Christmas cactus, which has been passed down for four generations. Above all, she loved playing the guitar and signing nursery rhymes to her grand, and great-grandchildren.
Alice is survived by her son: Robert M. Bunch and his wife Marie of Brownsville; daughters: Cindy Rathburn and her husband Lowell of Liberty, Rebecca “Becky” Stansberry and her husband Ed of Iva, South Carolina; sister: Wilma Cooper of Liberty; 12grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, Alice is preceded in death by her son: David Bunch; brothers: Ernie and Glenn Worster; sister: Frances Barnes.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 10, 2021, at Showalter Blackwell Long, Fosdick Chapel, Liberty with burial to follow at Brownsville United Methodist Cemetery. Friends may visit the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice in Alice’s honor.
Darin Duane Deilkes, 53, of Liberty, passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2021. He was born on September 29, 1967, to the late David Deilkes and Beverly Duke Carmack.
Darin enjoyed fixing things, painting homes and doing odd jobs.
He is survived by his wife, Erica Deilkes and his two sons, Dylan Deilkes and Drew Deilkes.
Darin was preceded in death by his parents.
Due to Darin’s wishes there will be no services held.
Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family.
Glen Eugene Shisler, 50 of Liberty, passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2021. He was born on November 7, 1970, in Mansfield, Ohio to Glen Shisler and Patricia Haws Rosebrough.
He was a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School.
Eugene married Dawn Mitchell on June 9, 2011, in Connersville. Together they had attended Baptist Temple Church in Connersville.
Eugene was a tree trimmer for 23 years and worked at Slab Docs in Eaton, Ohio.
Eugene could often be found wearing a hat with his Oakley sunglasses on top of it. He was his boys’ biggest supporter while they were on the field playing football, baseball and basketball. He loved watching football on TV, especially the Dallas Cowboys and Ohio State Buckeyes. Eugene liked his guns and deer hunting. He could turn any serious situation into something to make you laugh; he was the light in the room. Eugene was very family oriented. His most cherished times were spent with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren.
Along with his parents and wife of 10 years, he will be greatly missed by his children, Laura, Victoria Garver, Tex (Jada) Mitchell, Aaron (Destini) Mitchell, David Mitchell and Dakota Mitchell; three grandchildren, Ben, Emma and Elijah; a sister, Sharon Rogers; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and friends.
Visitation for Eugene will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m., at Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home, 310 N. Main St. Liberty, Indiana 47353. The funeral service will begin at 6 p.m., on Thursday at the funeral home.
Samantha Jean Charles, 49, of Connersville, passed away early Friday morning, April 2, 2021, at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis following an extensive illness.
Samantha was born in Martinsville, on May 14, 1971, and attended Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis.
On November 23, 1991, Samantha was married to William Charles, Jr., in Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, Connersville. Mr. Charles survives.
Survivors include her father, Maurice (Linda) Davison of Florida; mother, Frances Stretshberry of Kokomo; four children, Brice Davison and Brian Davison, both of Kokomo, Brandon (Erika) Charles of Indianapolis, and Brittany Charles of Connersville; five grandchildren, Antonio Davison, Mia Davison, Chase Charles, Natalie Charles, and Aubrey Charles; several half and step siblings; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Samantha was preceded in death by her stepfather, James Stretshberry; father- and mother-in-law, William and Marie Charles.
A homemaker, Samantha enjoyed caring for her family and spending time with her grandchildren. In her leisure time, she enjoyed sewing and crafts.
Family and friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home. Pastor Chris Lovett will officiate. Burial will follow in Everton Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.
Indiana Department of Transportation press release
Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Paul H. Rohe Company plans to begin work this week on an asphalt resurface contract along Indiana 252 in Franklin County. The road will be patched, milled and repaved from the Whitewater River bridge east of Brookville to the Ohio state line. Lane closures with flagging will be in place while work is in progress.
The $2.3 million contract was awarded in July 2020 and is expected to be complete by mid-October, weather permitting. Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near all work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.
David W. “Davie” Harsh, Jr., 46, of Everton went home to be with Jesus on Friday, April 2, 2021.
One of two children of David W. Sr., and Mary Jo Harsh, David was born on November 30, 1974, in Connersville.
David was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and his greatest love was his family whom he delighted in spending time with. An avid outdoorsman, David enjoyed boating, fishing, sitting around the campfire, cooking, gardening and working with livestock on the farm. He also had a talent for fixing things and liked working on cars.
Besides his mother, Mary Jo Harsh, survivors include two children, Cheyenne Wright of Indianapolis and Dallas Harsh of Connersville; three grandchildren, Zayden Myers, Millie Neeley, and Addie Gilpin; and a sister, Jamie Jo (Brad) Owens of New Castle.
David was preceded in death by his father; paternal grandparents; and maternal grandparents.
Family and friends may call from 4 p.m., until the time of service at 6 p.m., on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home. Reverend Kim McHale will officiate. Following cremation, burial will take place in Valley Grove Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.
Shirley Houston 73 of Richmond passed away to be with Jesus on April 1, 2021. She was born September 12, 1947, in Boonville, Owsley County, Kentucky, to Elby and Mary Jane Barrett Davidson. She grew up in Brookville and moved to Richmond.
Shirley’s first job was at Sperry Plastics in Brookville. In the 1970s, she was a quilt trimmer at Nettle Creek Bedding Co., and then a trainer at special needs sewing school. In 1980, Shirley founded Houston Mfg. & Design, Inc., in Centerville. After two expansions, the sewing factory resides at its current location on Straightline Pike in Richmond. She was a 1965 graduate of Brookville High School and attended Ivy Tech.
If you knew Shirley, you knew she loved Jesus. She was a member of Surety Community Church. She taught Women’s Bible Study for 53 years and led the Ladies Refresher Weekend Conference for many years. Shirley was active in the Wayne County Republican Party and was named 2015 Republican of the year. She was a founding financial supporter of the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky.
Shirley was a faithful and loving wife for 31.5 years. Things that brought her joy, were her love of Christ and her family, especially her three grandchildren. Shirley loved to travel and by the age of 65, had seen most of the world.
Survivors include her two daughters Rhonda (Christopher) Harding of Fishers and Dianna (Rodney) Anderson of Richmond, three grandchildren Reagan Scott Harding, Israel Jordan Harding, and Hannah Pearl Harding of Fishers, one brother MacArthur Davidson of Ligonier, three sisters Marie Caudill of New Point, Ada Griffin of Greensburg, and Geraldine Lanning of Orange Pake, Florida, nieces and nephews. Her husband Pearl died April 17, 1997, and she is also preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at Surety Community Church 131 South 18th Street Richmond. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville, Friends may call Tuesday, April 6, 2021, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the church. Memorial contributions may be given to Surety Community Ladies Center P.O. Box 1740 Richmond, Indiana 47375. Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral home is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at stegallberheideorr.com.
