Obituary for Leanna Renee Voelker

LEANNA RENEE VOELKER

Leanna Renee Voelker, age 55, of Brookville, died late Wednesday night, November 9, 2022, at her home surrounded by family and friends following a brave fight with cancer.

Born August 24, 1967 in Evansville, she was the daughter of the late Leon and Mary (Miles) Guinn. On August 4, 1995, she was united in marriage to Kenneth A. Voelker Jr., and he survives. 

Leanna worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and also in Home Healthcare until her illness. In her leisure time, she cherished time spent with her family and grandchildren, camping, and making crafts.

Besides Ken her loving husband of more than 27 years, survivors include six children, Eric Leon Guinn of Brookville, Kristi Nicole Voelker of Batesville, Matthew Eli Estridge of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Andrew Michael (Emily Marie) Voelker of West Harrison, Brecka Danielle Estridge of Lawrenceburg, and Kati Marie (Michael Wayne) Callahan of West Harrison; 10 grandchildren, Savanna Faye Guinn, Payton Clinton Guinn, Charlie Elizabeth Raines, Bryson Michael Callahan, Evelyn Sue Guinn, Gavin Wade Persinger, Bailey Marie Gail Callahan, Keegan Austin Donald Kuebel, Cooper James Voelker, Colton Austin Voelker; as well as three siblings, Tanda Leigh (Kirk) Bryson of Liberty, Tanya Sue Anderson of Covington, and Leon Carl Guinn of Liberty.

Family and friends may visit from 1 until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville.

Her son, Matthew Estridge will officiate the Memorial Services on Wednesday, November 16, 2022; 5 p.m. at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Voelker family.  To sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.

Bring an heirloom for show-and-tell at Senior Reminisce

An Antique place setting from Donna’s great grandmother Sarah Whetsel

A Column by Donna Jobe Cronk

LIBERTY — Hoosier author and Union County native Donna Cronk is the guest speaker at the next senior Reminisce program-luncheon at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, at the Union County Public Library.

A meal will follow the program at noon. Reservations are needed by Tuesday, Nov. 15, by calling the library, 765-458-5355. The program and meal are free with reservations.

Her topic is “Fun with heirlooms,” where she will present ideas on organizing, dispersing and letting go of keepsakes.” Following her talk, she invites attendees to show-and-tell about their own special belongings.

She will have copies of her three books for sale, including the 2022 memoir, “There’s a Clydesdale in the Attic: Reflections on Keeping and Letting Go.”

Donna lives at Pendleton with Brian, her husband of 44 years. She worked for 37 years in the newspaper business as a reporter and editor. The former Donna Cronk is a 1977 graduate of Union County High School, having grown up on the family farm in Brownsville Township.

Her Facebook author page is Donna Cronk and her website is donnacronk.com.

Obituary for Lowell James Pflum

LOWELL JAMES PFLUM

Lowell James Pflum, 83, of Cambridge City, joined his loved ones in Heaven on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, surrounded by his family.

He was born March 18, 1939, in the family home in Brownsville, one of 11 children of Paul Anthony Pflum, Sr. and Anna E. McQuinley Pflum. As a child, he attended St. Gabriel School, and he was a 1957 graduate of Alquina High School.

In September of 1961, he married Phyllis Jean Ash in St. Gabriel Church and then they moved to the Alquina area. Later, they moved to Wayne County where they raised their five children and farmed for many years.

Lowell was a lifelong farmer. At the age of 10, he was introduced to farming and immediately fell in love. Farming was his greatest passion, and he continued to farm until his health prevented him from doing so. He enjoyed taking rides, especially when that ride ended up in a field. He not only farmed his own land, but he often helped his farmer friends. There were times he farmed more than 1,200 acres in a season.

When he wasn’t farming, Lowell also loved being in nature and around wildlife. He enjoyed taking his pug, Winston, on rides. A McDonald’s regular, he made frequent stops.

Lowell was a member of St. Gabriel Church and a lifetime member of K of C where he was a member for more than years.

On July 30, 1986, he married Jacqueline Kay Ervin.

Survivors include five children, Beth Gabbard of Dublin, Chris Pflum of Connersville, Jeff (Nichol) Pflum of Connersville, Cindy (Jerry) Seiler of Carmel, and Greg Pflum of Centerville; his companion, Nancy Roberts of Connersville; nine grandchildren, Chelsea (Derek) Lingg, Evan Pflum, and Laiken Pflum, all of Connersville, Trevor Gabbard of Dublin, Mason, Dana, London, and Denver Seiler of Carmel, and Logan Crawley of Milan; two great grandchildren, Jayden and Riley Crawley; three brothers, Dick (Joanne) Pflum of Fayette County, David (Judy) Pflum of Connersville, and Phillip (Diane) Pflum of Milton; three sisters, Diane (Jim) Jones of Cincinnati, Ohio, Marilyn Miles and Carolyn (Dennis) Nutty, both of Liberty; three step-children; and two sisters-in-law, Ruth and Lona Pflum, both of Connersville.

Besides Phyllis and Kay, he was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Delores “Dody” Bates and Fran Caudle; two brothers, Paul Pflum, Jr. and Robert “Bob” Pflum; and three brothers-in-law, Walt Caudle, Bob Bates, and Malcolm Miles.

Friends may visit from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home where the rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Dustin Boehm at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Cambridge City.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Lowell to St. Gabriel Church.

Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.

Obituary for Julie Aleen Kaufman

JULIE ALEEN KAUFMAN

Julie Aleen Kaufman, age 75, of Metamora, died early Tuesday morning November 8, 2022, at her residence in Brookville of breast cancer.

Born August 31, 1947, in Columbia, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Wendell and Mamie (Jones) Bennett. She was united in marriage for 55 years to Frederick Kaufman III, and he survives. She was a graduate of Columbia College. 

She was retired, having taught English in her younger years, and after her children were older, she entered the workforce again at Mass Marketing Inc., where she was Vice President of Marketing.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed the outdoors, music, crosswords, reading, needlepoint; was an excellent cook and enjoyed golfing. She was a former Board Member of the Hillcrest Country Club in Batesville.

Survivors include her husband, Fred Kaufman III of Metamora, two children, Shelley (Steve) Ham of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Frederick IV (Sara) Kaufman of Cincinnati, Ohio; five grandchildren, Fred J. Kaufman V, Gabriel Kaufman, Olivia Ham, Abigail Ham, Jonathan Ham; five siblings, George Bennett of Memphis, Tennessee, Mary Jane Schifani of Byhalia, Mississippi, Esther Lee Davenport of Culleoka, Tennessee, Clark Bennett of Columbia, Tennessee and James Bennett of Michie, Tennessee.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Jacky Bennett. 

Family and friends may visit from 10 till 11 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville.

Memorial services will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home.   

Memorial Contributions may be directed to United Way of Franklin County. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kaufman family. To sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.

EDITORIAL An open letter to BTC President Curtis Ward EDITORIAL

An Editorial by John Estridge

I guess with the large majority against the two new seats and with your large defeat in the State Rep race, you have come to recognize what people think of your tenure as council president.

Prior to becoming president, you had a very bright political future ahead of you. Had you abstained from being arrogant, rude and uncompromising as well as heavy handed, you could have been State Rep at the very least. As Jud did in the past, you could have risen in the state’s political hierarchy. Who knows what your future could have been.

I do not understand your actions as a president. You could have done so much good for the town and the area. Instead, it is at least perceived by me and the great majority of Brookville, Franklin County and the region’s residents that you are out only for yourself, your family and your friends.

As a private citizen, those are not bad priorities but as a public servant, those soon become despicable. If you would have even compromised about the town park and the frisbee golf course, it would have given people something on which to hang their hat. But you could not even do that.

Your 20 in 20 initiative was very good.

You should have done more of that and been transparent. Not allowing people to ask questions at meetings was also a very large mistake, and it was your first action as president setting the tone for your entire time in that position.

Instead of demanded silence, you should have hosted community meetings and asked what your constituents, the taxpayers, wanted done with their hard-earned dollars.

And really neither last nor least, you have not been fiscally conservative or even responsible. You spend money like a drunken Congressman. I fear the town may never recover from your policies.

I’m glad it seems like your reign in power is coming to an end. There may still be a chance for this town and the taxpayers. And I really do hope you learn from your myriad mistakes.

From a former friend,

John Estridge

P.S. I did not even mention the golf course, annexation or the present state of the police department. I had to take a break. But jeesh.

Obituary for Curtis Mitch Albright

CURTIS MITCH ALBRIGHT

Curtis Mitch Albright, age 41, of Connersville, died Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Reid Health following a car accident.

Born October 30, 1981, in Richmond, to Dean Albright and Cathy Field Albright, Mitch was a life-long resident of this area. He was a 2000 graduate of Franklin Co. High School. Mitch was a foreman for Rieth-Riley Construction for 22 years. He attended Crosspointe Church.

Survivors include his companion and love, Kelli Foust, of New Paris, Ohio; father, Dean (Debbie) Albright of Guntersville, Alabama; daughters, Catelyn, Cyleigh, Claire, and Cassie Albright, all of Connersville; sister, Misty (Curtis) Oglesby of Brookville; grandmother, Marilyn Field of Richmond; aunts; uncles; nieces, Selah and Shylah; nephew, Silas; and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Cathy Albright; brother, Morey Albright; grandfather, Curt Albright; grandmother, Jane Albright; grandfather, Willard Field; and his buddy and sidekick, “Finn”.

Visitation for Curtis Mitch Albright will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday November 12, 2022, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Pastor David Smith officiating. Burial will be in Goshen Cemetery.

Mitch’s family would like to express their gratitude to all who have offered support and joined them in honoring his life.

Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Franklin County Indiana Animal Shelter, 5206 River Rd., Brookville, Indiana, 47012.

Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneral

Brookville overwhelmingly speaks out against current regime while two new school board members will take office in Jan. 2023

By John Estridge

Brookville’s question to allow two more town council members went down in flames Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Also, there will be two new school board members, and Bobby Evans replaced incumbent Democrat Joe Gillespie in District 4 County Council’s race.

With the Brookville question, the No votes, which meant people were not in favor of two more Brookville Town Council members won overwhelmingly, 581-182, or 76-24 percent.

BTC President Curtis Ward pushed to have the council enlarged from the current five members to seven. Had that passed, Ward would have been able to appoint the two new members, and they would take their seats immediately. This would keep Ward in the majority faction on council. Currently, almost every vote in the BTC is 4-1 for Ward’s initiatives.

Two new council members were put in place with Tuesday’s election, Bridget Hayes and Earl Moore. That should turn the voting to 3-2 against Ward’s initiatives come Jan. 1, 2023.

With the school board, the election was for at-large seats, meaning the top three vote getters will sit on the school board. Kevin Kaiser and Brandy Wilson were the top two in the nine-person field. Kaiser had 2,236 votes or 16.99 percent. Wilson was second with 2,054 votes or 15.61 percent. Incumbent Beth Foster retained her seat with 2,032 votes or 15.44 percent.

Others and their vote totals are: incumbent Terry Bryant, 1,699 votes or 12.91 percent; Joel Biltz, 1,512 votes or 11.49 percent; Mary Keck, 1123 votes or 8.53 percent; Sean Berns, 1,006 votes or 7.64 percent; Adrienne Greene, 882 votes or 6.7 percent; and Scott McDonough, 616 votes or 4.68 percent.

In County Council District 4, former school board member and retired insurance agent Bobby Evans defeated incumbent and retired county surveyor Joe Gillespie Jr., 1,191-690 or 63.32 percent to 36.68 percent.

Brookville Township Trustee’s office also went Republican with Irwin Vonderheide winning, 1,213-655 over incumbent Democrat Kathryn (Kit) Flaspohler or 64.94-35.06 percent. In the Laurel Township Trustee race, Republican Tonya France defeated Democrat Bradley Spurlock and Independent Charles Gerrian. The vote total was 207 (56.1 percent) for French; 82 (22.22 percent) for Spurlock; and 80 (21.86 percent) for Gerrian.

In the Posey Township Trustee race, Republican Tim Hollars had 174 votes (83.65 percent) while Democrat India Burris had 34 votes (16.35 percent).

Overall, there were 2,897 Republican straight-party votes compared to 345 straight-party Democrat votes. Out of the county’s 17,102 registered voters, 7,566 casted votes Nov. 8. That is 44.24 percent.

Obituary for Virginia “Ginny” Tipton

VIRGINIA “GINNY” TIPTON

Virginia (Ginny) Tipton, age 68, of Liberty, passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2022, surrounded by her family. Virginia was born in Connersville, on June 23, 1954, the daughter of Mary Edith Hensley Grant and the late Neal T. Grant. 

She was united in marriage to Fielding Tipton on October 7, 1977, at the Mt. Pleasant Church in rural Union County. They enjoyed 45 years together prior to her death.

Virginia was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother whom you could often find relaxing while fishing. She enjoyed feeding and watching hummingbirds, gardening and loved to cook and bake for her family. Above all, she loved spending time with her family.

Memories of Ginny will be forever cherished by her mother, Mary Edith Grant; the love of her life, Fielding Tipton, Sr.; son Fielding (Sarah Reese) Tipton, Jr.; daughters, Christine (Ray) Glisson and Rhoda Lorene (Jason) Crutcher; grandchildren; Andrea (Jerry) Luce, Chelsie (Shawn) Ervine, Tyler Glisson, Amanda (Kyle) Bouchard, Clarissa (Shawn) Greene, Justin (Brittany) Crutcher, Hannah DeLucio, Coby DeLucio; and 14 great grandchildren. She will be thought of often by her brothers, Charles Grant, Gary Grant, and Lloyd (Tammy) Grant, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Other than her father, she is preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Beverly Grant.

Respecting and honoring Virginia’s wishes cremation was chosen. Friends may visit with the family at a Celebration of Virginia’s life on Wednesday November 9, 2022, from 11 am until 1 pm at Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home, 310 N Main Street, Liberty. Following the celebration of life, interment will be at College Corner Cemetery with Pastor Shawn Tipton conducting graveside services. 

In Lieu of flowers or gifts the family would like all Memorial contributions to be made to the CJD Foundation at cjdfoundation.org, or mailed to the CJD Foundation 3634 West Market Street Suite 110 Akron, Ohio 44333

Obituary for Rudolph (Rudy) Gesell

RUDOLPH (RUDY) GESELL

Rudolph (Rudy) Gesell, 85, of Brookville, died on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at The Waters of Batesville.

Rudy was born in Franklin County on January 4, 1937, to Arthur and Carrie Evans Gesell. He served his county in the U.S. Army. On July 26, 1969, Rudy married Alice Ratz, and they enjoyed more than 51 years together before Alice died on August 18, 2020. During his life, he was employed at the Schenley Company, the People’s Bank and Trust in Sunman and an insurance salesman for Farmers Mutual Insurance. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, American Legion – St. Joseph Post # 464 in St. Leon and the Brookville Eagles. Rudy enjoyed gardening, frying chicken, making wine, and welcoming family and friends to the farm.

Rudy is survived by a sister: Phyllis Utterback (Phil) of Brownsburg; niece and nephews: Ryan, Missy, and Tommy Ratz of Brookville; a sister-in-law: Mitz Gesell of Manchester, TN; and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins. Rudy was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Alice; a brother: Wilbur Gesell; and a sister: Doris Christensen.

A public graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 11, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery with Pastor Ladonna Webb officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or St. Leon American Legion – St. Joseph Post # 464.

Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home in Brookville assisted the family with arrangements. To send condolences or sign the online guest book please go to, www.cookrosenberger.com. The Staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve Rudy’s Family.

Several groups and organizations came together for annual Red Ribbon Week in UC

Retired Navy Master Chief Machinist Mate Jeff Mathews addresses fifth grade students at the annual Red Ribbon Week activities at Frame’s Outdoor Sports Supply Wednesday, Oct. 12 (Marissa Mitchell photo)

By John Estridge

The whole community came together for the annual Red Ribbon Week in Union County, Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Frame’s Outdoor Sports Supply.

Speakers, art contests and more were the norm for the day for fifth graders from both Liberty Elementary and College Corner schools. The theme for this year’s Red Ribbon Week in UC was #celebrate life #live drug free.

Retired Navy Master Chief Machinist Mate Jeff Mathews, who served on submarines throughout his storied career and is also a Union County native, talked about how students should deal with bullying and peer pressure.

Other speakers included representatives from the Union County Sheriff’s Department, Liberty Police Department, Connersville Police Department K-9 unit, Indiana State Police, Indiana Excise Police, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana National Guard, firefighters from both Liberty and College Corner fire departments, and Union County Health Department.

Topics included information on methamphetamines, alcohol and illegal drugs.

Red Ribbon Week began nationally in 1985. Initially, it was a tribute to fallen Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique Camarena.

According to the DEA, Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and longest-running drug awareness and prevention program.

To understand the significance of Red Ribbon Week, it is important to know more about Agent Camarena.

According to the DEA website concerning Red Ribbon Week and Camarena, he was born in Mexicali, Mexico in 1947. His family moved to Calexico, California where he graduated high school in 1966. He joined the Marine Corps and spent two years with that branch of the service. Following his return home, he served as a police officer and fireman both in Calexico and Imperial County.

In 1974, he joined the DEA. Seven years later he was assigned to Guadalajara, Mexico. For more than four years, Camarena was investigating a major drug pipeline and was near breaking the case wide open. But before he could do that, he was kidnapped by five armed gunmen while he and his wife were driving to a luncheon.

Those gunmen threw Camarena into a waiting vehicle and that was the last time anyone, but the kidnappers saw Camarena alive.

It is believed he was killed two days later after being tortured. His body was not found for almost a month.

He left three children at home.

After his death, Congressman Hunter Duncan and high school friend Henry Lozano started Kiki Clubs in Calexico. Kiki was Camarena’s nickname.

Club members wore red ribbons and signed pledges to live drug-free lives in Camarena’s memory. Those clubs expanded to the entire state of California before going national. Red Ribbon Week was formalized in 1988 by the National Family Partnership with President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons.

It is estimated that each year for one week in October, 80 million people take part in Red Ribbon Week.

According to local organizers, the students locally were very engaged with the activities and asked speakers many questions.

A special thank you for the event goes out to Union County’s Alvin Day.

For more information about efforts to educate the county’s youth about substance abuse problems, please go to the Facebook page Prevention is the Cure. Red Ribbon Week and other events and contests, including the Facebook page are sponsored by Family Services and Prevention Programs and Union County Health Department. The two groups are working together utilizing a Division of Mental Health and Addictions grant.