Obituary for Brian K. Sparks

BRIAN K. SPARKS

Brian K Sparks, age 34, of Brownsville, passed away on March 30, 2023, in Liberty. Brian was born in Richmond, on August 14, 1988, the son of Billy and Mona L. Wesler Sparks.

Brian was a Third Year Apprentice with the International H & F Insulators Local 50. He is a former member of the Hillcrest Baptist Church. Brian was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish. One of his greatest pleasures was taking his children fishing.

In addition to his parents, his love and memories will be cherished by his children, Dani Allen Lisa Sparks and Landon Keith Sparks as well as his brothers, Jeff Sparks and Joe Sparks. He will be thought of often by his maternal grandparents, Nancy Wesler and Paul (Bonnie) Wesler; his paternal grandmother Elaine Walters; and his former wife Jessica Snider Sparks.

Friends may gather with the family at Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home, 310 N Main, Liberty, on Thursday April 6, 2023, from 10 am until 12 noon. Funeral services will be conducted at 12 noon. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Centerville.

Obituary for Wanda Mae Honaker

WANDA MAE HONAKER

Wanda Mae Honaker, age 79 of Connersville, passed away on April 1, 2023, at Reid Health in Richmond. Wanda was born in Owensboro, Kentucky on September 2, 1943, the daughter of the late Reginald Allard and Mildred Lee Kirkland Durbin. 

Wanda retired in 1994, after 20 years of service, from Patton State Hospital in Highland, California where she was a Psychiatric Technician. She also worked in home health, area restaurants and grocery stores. Wanda enjoyed working in her yard, researching family history, crocheting, and oil painting. You could often find her relaxing by watching the birds.

She is survived by her stepdaughters, Gail Cooper and Darlene (Jim) Kaufman; stepsons, Paul (Pam) Honaker, Daniel Honaker and James Honaker; brother Roger Durbin; sister, Barbara Hatfield; brother-in-law, Dennis LaPlant; as well as several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Raymond Honaker who passed in 2013; sisters, Glynora Alchin and Sharon LaPlant; son-in-law, Randy Cooper; and a daughter-in-law Crystal Honaker.

Funeral services will be held at Liberty Church of the Nazarene on April 6, 2023, at 3 pm with Pastor Jeff Adams officiating.  Friends and family may gather starting at 1 pm until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Brownsville Christian Union Cemetery

Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with the arrangements. 

The Sound of Music at Lew Wallace Auditorium April 14-16

Supplied by Adam Hofer

The FCHS drama department is excited to present The Sound of Music for their 2023 spring musical! Come along as Maria, a postulate from the Nonnberg Abbey becomes governess to seven children for the widowed Captain Von Trapp. Maria guides the family gracefully through a strong love for music and falls in love with Captain von Trapp along the way. The Sound of Music will be performed Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15 at 7 pm, with a matinee on Sunday, April 16 at 2:30 pm in the Lew Wallace Auditorium at Franklin County High School. Tickets will be available at the door 1 hour prior to show time. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. 

The cast and crew of over 60 students features 12 seniors, 11 middle school students, and one student from Mt. Carmel. The show is under the direction of Mr. Adam Hofer, Mr. Robert Williams, Mrs. Candice Kercheval, and Ms. Katrina Murray, along with accompanist Mrs. Karla Ariens and choreographer Mrs. Danielle Osborne. The show will also feature more than 20 live musicians who will accompany the cast and fill the Lew Wallace auditorium orchestra pit with the beautiful music written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The show is performed by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. More information about the show can be found on the FCHS Drama Department Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FCDramaDept

Cast & Crew Members:

Senior members include: Felicity Bohman, Jake Bulmer, Derek Brimhall, Lauren Seibert, Kaylee Vestal, Karly Bergin, Jacoba Hensley, Makinzee Bradley, Gary Valley, Jaedon Thorp, Faith Marshall, Ryan Johnson

Other Cast & Crew members include: Isaac Johnson, Olivia Clark, Savannah Leach, Ayden Saterfield, Ava Reese, Brayden Feller, Elayna Vogel, Emilia Hofer, Ayla Lienesch, Austin Robinson, Logan Spurlock, Audrey Bohman, Natalee Lykins, Brooklynn Reams, Avalon Schlosser, Maggie Riffle, Kiley Robinson, Sophia Collins, Ava Hundley, Lilee Adams, Natalie FlintJaymi Hensley, Rhyan Hayes, Sydney Roberts, Ryleigh Schoettelkotte, Aspen Cornett, Luke Rosemeyer, Kelly Glardon, Nikki Scott, Chloe Clark, Madison Terry, Stacy Angelo, Anna Rotert, Alyssa Rapp, Heather Philpot, Shaylee Hunter, Payton Carlton, Julia Otten, Nick Perry, Smith Baugher, Kirstyn Caudill, Kate Noah, Tasha Baker, Lily Nichols, Sarah Brimhall, Atticus Baugher, Rachel Angelo

Obituary for Brian Witt Ramey

BRIAN WITT RAMEY

Brian Witt Ramey, age 64 of Brookville, passed away on March 27, 2023, after a lengthy illness. Brian was born on March 29, 1958, in Richmond, the son of the late Carl E. and Lois Witt Ramey. 

He is a 1976 graduate of Union County High School and attended I.U. East for a semester. Upon discovering college was not for him, he joined the US Navy in October 1977. While he served aboard the USS O’Bannon for two years, he was able to see many beautiful countries. He was honorably discharged in 1981. 

Brian retired after 25 years of service as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. In his younger days, he loved searching for Indian artifacts throughout Union County, where he did discover some very rare artifacts.  He loved the outdoors. You could find him relaxing by watching the wildlife outside of his back door or walking through the woods mushroom hunting and enjoying nature.

His memories will be forever cherished by his sister, Mary Nell Ramey; his long time companion, Connie Metzger and his best friend and neighbor, Kevin Tipton. He will be thought of often by several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Carla E. Moore.

In keeping with Brian’s wishes, cremation was chosen. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Union County Cancer Association, 43 West Union Street, Liberty, IN 47353.

Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home is honored to assist Brian’s family with the arrangements.

Obituary for Frances E. “Frann” Bedinghaus

FRANCES E. “FRANN” BEDINGHAUS

Frances E. ‘Frann’ Bedinghaus, age 70, of Cincinnati, died Friday, December 9, 2022, at Eastgatespring in Cincinnati.

Born April 28, 1952, in Leominster, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Robert Lee and Jeanne (Roy) Haas. On June 11, 1988, she became the wife of Joseph L. Bedinghaus Jr., and he preceded her in death on November 30, 2011.

She attended the New Haven Family Worship Center in Harrison, Ohio; and had been a member of the Brookville Lions Club.

Survivors include five sisters, Donna Kumli, Ginny Haas-Sheley, Anna Livengood, Nancy Montag, Karen (Bill) Simpson; three brothers, Lee (Rebecca) Huff, Frank (Tracie) Huff, Chuck Finley, two sisters-in-law, Linda Finley and Barb Finley as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband Joe, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Bob Finley and Bill Finley.

 Family and friends may visit from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at New Haven Family Worship Center, 8985 New Haven Road, Harrison, Ohio.

Pastor Dave Garrett will officiate the Memorial Services on Saturday, April 1, 2023; 2:30 p.m., at New Haven Family Worship Center. Burial will take place in Arlington Memorial Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio at a later date.

The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Frann Bedinghaus, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences to the family please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.

Obituary for Darin D. Hisle

DARIN D. HISLE

Darin D. Hisle, age 46, of Liberty, passed away on March 27, 2023, at Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinnati, after a brief illness.  Born on December 22, 1976, in Richmond, he is the son of the late Nelson Hisle, Sr. and Joanna Mayberry Hisle.

After Darin graduated Union County High School in 1995, he continued his education and obtained his LPN certification from Ivy Tech. He has worked in home health and nursing homes in the area, most recently at Foundations in New Paris, Ohio. 

On October 6, 2001, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Linda Drewes. They were blessed to share 21 years together prior to his death.

Darin was an avid reader who also loved to collect coins, rocks, and guns. In addition to being a history buff, he also enjoyed fishing, hunting and coon hunting in his younger years, and loved animals.  Darin was known for experimenting with recipes and you never knew what he would create.

In addition to his wife, his memory will be loved and cherished by his sister, Saunya Harris; half-brother Nelson (Myra) Hisle, Jr.; mother-in-law, Barbara Arnold; father-in-law, Tom (JoAnn) Drewes; brother-in-law Mark (BJ) Drewes; and sisters-in-law, Sharon Drewes and Karen (John) Phelps. He will be thought of often by his lifelong friend, David (Sue) Wooley and his family; nephews, John “Jack” Drewes, Nicholas “Nick” Phelps and Tyrel Hisle; nieces, Haley Drewes, Sarah Drewes, and Brooklyn Drewes; his dogs, Raylan, Noel, Shiloh and Belle; cats, Tigger, Eve, and Nala; as well as his many friends.

Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his step father-in-law, Marion “Buck” Arnold; a niece Hannah Drewes and his Uncle and Aunt Donald and Shelia Mayberry.

Friends may gather with the family on April 10, 2023, at Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home, 310 N Main Street, Liberty, from 11 am until 1 pm. Pastor Chris Lovett will conduct funeral services at 1 pm. Burial will follow at College Corner Cemetery.

Obituary for Harold H. Canada

HAROLD H. CANADA

Harold H. Canada, age 77, of Harrison, Ohio and formerly of Brookville, died Saturday morning March 25, 2023, at Sanctuary Pointe Rehab Center in Pleasant Run, Ohio.

Born February 4, 1946, in Marshes Siding, Kentucky, he was the son of the late George and Rachel Rose Canada. He attended school at the former Springfield and Whitewater schools in Franklin County. He loved cars, Kentucky basketball, and his family. Harold was a people person, and never met a stranger.

Survivors include his wife, Rose (Collier) Canada, three sons, Joseph (Tracy) Metcalf, Michael Metcalf, and Thomas (Ashley) Canada; a special niece, Julie (Joe) Payne; sisters, Mabel (Ray) Spradlin, Arlene (Dan) Dorrel; grandchildren, Vincent and Emma Metcalf, William Canada, Emma Lake, Lacie Lake, Danny Lake; a sister-in-law, Trina Collier, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Brenda (Metcalf) Canada, who died March 25, 2004, sisters, Nadine Cochran, Naomi Keith; brothers, Wilber Canada, Ron Canada, Darrel Canada.

Family and friends may visit from 5 till 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home in Brookville.  Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville.

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