Obituary for Jennifer L. Biltz

JENNIFER L. BILTZ

Jennifer L. Biltz, age 42, of Brookville, died unexpectedly Friday, October 8, 2021, at McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Ohio.

Born May 23, 1979, in Oxford, Ohio she was the daughter of Patric and Velda (Schwegman) Clark. She was a graduate of Franklin County High School and Marion College.

On June 15, 2002, she was united in marriage to Joel Biltz, and he survives. 

Jenny was a Physical Education Teacher for the Franklin County Community School Corporation, where she had taught for 20 years. She was also active as a Coach and Assistant Coach of various Basketball, Soccer and Baseball teams. She was also involved with Girls on the Run for several years, and was an active runner and athlete herself.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed spending time with her family; shopping at TJ Maxx, and walking her dogs Jax and Riley. 

Besides Joel, her husband of nearly 20 years, survivors include her two children, Bailey Biltz and Bentley Biltz, both at home; her parents, Pat and Velda Clark of Brookville; a sister, Jill (Michael) Lanning, and their son Andrew Lanning, of Florence, Kentucky; a brother, Jeff Clark of Brookville, as well as her fur babies, Jax and Riley and Baylor the Bunny.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Orville and Marjorie Schwegman and Quentin and Lois Clark, as well as an uncle, Michael Clark. 

Family and friends may visit from 12 Noon until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville.

Deacon Steve Tsuelff will officiate the Funeral Services at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home in Brookville.  Private burial will take place at Old Franklin Cemetery in Brookville.    

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to a college fund that’s being established for Bailey and Bentley. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Biltz family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.

Obituary for Sue Francis Lakes

SUE FRANCIS LAKES

Sue Francis Lakes 96, of Liberty, passed away on October 4, 2021, in Richmond. She was born on November 15, 1924, in Lancaster, Kentucky to the late Charles and Alice (Moody) Goins. Sue married her wonderful husband William Lakes Jr. on March 24,1945, and they spent many years together until he passed away.

Sue was known as a homemaker, and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her family watching western movies, game shows, and playing Bingo. She was also a faithful church member of Baptist Temple in Connersville.

Sue leaves behind her Children; Sheila (Larry) Evans of Connersville, Connie Messer of Liberty, Kathy Waddell of Connersville, Jeffery A. Lakes of Irvine, Kentucky, Patricia Senefeld of Connersville, Sherry Wilhelm of Connersville, as well as several nieces and nephews who will miss her greatly.

She also leaves behind 16 precious grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, 43 great-great grandchildren, and one great-great-great grandchild.

Along with her parents and loving husband, Sue was preceded in death by four brothers, six sisters, one grandson, two great grandsons, a great-great-great grandson, a daughter-in-law, and four sons-in-law.

Visitation for Sue will be held on Friday, October 15, 2021, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Urban Winkler Funeral Home 513 West 8th Street Connersville, Indiana 47331.

The Funeral Service will follow beginning at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Doug Sturgeon, a great nephew of Sue, officiating.

Burial will follow in Dale Cemetery.

To sign the online guestbook or to leave the family a personal message, visit www.urbanwinklerfuneralhome.com

Obituary for Faye Siedling

FAYE SIEDLING

Faye Siedling, age 84, of Laurel, died Friday, October 8, 2021, at her residence in Laurel. 

Born March 26, 1937, in Owsley County, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Wilson and Stella (Turner) Deaton. She lived most of her life in Franklin County.

Faye worked for many years at Sperry Rubber & Plastics in Brookville. She was a member of the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association, and had been active with the Valley Belles Home Extension Club.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, and was well known for her pies. She loved gardening and canning, as well as being outside on her farm.

Survivors include three children, Robert (Patty) Siedling of Laurel, Catherine (Wayne) Thomas of Connersville, and Matthew (Chelsea) Siedling of Brookville; five grandchildren, Megan (Jonathan) Redd, Joshua (Leah) Siedling, Garrison Siedling, Isaac Siedling, Ross Siedling; three step-sons, David Siedling of Augusta, South Carolina, William Siedling of Kettering, Ohio and Jeremy Siedling of Portland, Oregon; a sister, Joanna C. (Jim) Hornsby of Connersville, a brother David (Linda Taylor) Holliday of Liberty, as well as a brother-in-law, Fred Abernathy of Laurel.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Alma Gabbard and Frances Abernathy.

Family & friends may visit from 4 till 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville.

Pastor Jonathan Redd will officiate the Funeral Services on Friday, October 15, 2021, 11 a.m., at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home. Burial will then follow in Laurel North Cemetery in Laurel. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Franklin County 4-H Association.  The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Siedling family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.

FC Arrests September 27 through October 4

Provided by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department

September 27

Anthony J. Blevins, 26, Progress Street, Brookville, was arrested at 7:17 p.m., at Indiana 229, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Dusty Hill for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession a Handgun without a License, Possession of Schedule I, II, III, IV, V; and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Evan J. Watkins, 31, West 3rd Street, Brookville, was arrested at 4:08 p.m., at the Franklin County Security Center, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy J. Robinson on a Warrant.

September 30

Jason L. Burton, 46, County Line Road, Rushville, was arrested at 11:38 p.m. at Quarry Road, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy A. Bowers on an Arrest Warrant.

October 1

Jamie L. Ladd, 45, Casteel Road, Connersville, at 7:52 p.m., was arrested on Indiana 121 at Laurel, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Dusty Hill, for Possession of Marijuana/Hashish.

Scott M. Sams, 58, McGuire Ridge Road, Laurel, at 7 a.m., was arrested at his residence, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy John Roberts, for Domestic Battery and Interfering in the Reporting of a Crime.

October 2

Jamie R. Hunter, 43, Iowa Avenue, Connersville, was arrested at 7:38 p.m., at Laurel, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Major Gregory Mehlbauer, for Failure to Appear.

October 3

Betty J. Gillespie, 43, U.S. 52, Brookville, was arrested at 9:30 a.m., at Mound Haven Motel, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy John Roberts on an Out of County Warrant.

October 4

Philip M. Cornelius, 45, West 5th Street, Brookville, was arrested at 11:55 a.m., at the Ripley County Jail, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy R. Gordon on order of the Court.

Obituary for Eric J. Slavin

ERIC J. SLAVIN

Eric J. Slavin, age 53 of Batesville, died Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Born April 1, 1968, in Charleston, South Carolina, he is the son of Erlinda (Nee: Prudenciado) and Estil Slavin. He married Jennifer Domina on May 30, 1998, in Charleston, South Carolina and was a lab engineer for Valeo in Greensburg. Eric was a graduate of Summerville High School, in Summerville, South Carolina and graduated from Clemson University with a BS degree in Textile Management.

Many of Eric’s hobbies took him outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing and was an amateur photographer. He loved watching his children play sports. He was also an avid cook and enjoyed woodworking. He had a unique sense of humor and loved football, especially his beloved Clemson Tigers. However, he most enjoyed being around his friends and family.

He is survived by his wife Jennifer; daughter Sydney Slavin and son Nathaniel Slavin, all of Batesville; his Sister-in-Law Rhonda Slavin; his niece Abigail Slavin, and his nephew Andrew Slavin, all of Ridgeville, South Carolina. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his brother Edwin Slavin.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until noon at the funeral home on Saturday, October 9. Visitation at the James A. Dyal Funeral Home (www.jamesadyal.com) in Summerville, South Carolina, will be from 6 – 8 p.m. Saturday, October 16. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 17 with burial in Dorchester Memorial Gardens in Summerville.

Obituary for Bonnie Lou (Kelly) Phillips

BONNIE LOU (KELLY) PHILLIPS

Bonnie Lou (Kelly) Phillips, 67, of West College Corner, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, October 7, 2021. Bonnie was born on August 7, 1954, in Tennessee.

She grew up to marry Thomas Phillips in November 1971, and the two of them shortly after getting married moved to Indiana, where they spent the rest of their lives together. They were blessed with nearly 44 years of marriage before he passed away in 2015.

Bonnie and her husband were members at Unity Holiness House of Prayer in Connersville. She and her husband loved to sing together in church. Bonnie worked at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio for many years and also as a caretaker for assisted living. Bonnie was a devoted mother and grandmother. She also loved eating out, and going shopping. When she wasn’t at work, she loved looking nice, and was always up on the current fashion trends. Bonnie was always up for a spur of the moment adventure, and loved to take her grandkids, nieces and nephews to the beach in the summer time. She was often referred to as “Cool Aunt Bonnie”. Anyone that knew her laughed, and always had fun, no matter where or what they were doing.

Bonnie is survived by her children, Tommy (Yalonda) Phillips of West College Corner, Indiana, Tammy Phillips and her companion Andrew Crabbs of College Corner, Ohio; five grandchildren, Isaac, Noah, Serena, and Sophia Phillips, and Ethan and Cameron Crabbs, a brother, Clifford (Patricia)Kelly; and a sister, Rosa (Jesse) Sulfridge; a brother Frank and a brother Will; She also has many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Bonnie will be held on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, Liberty In, 47353 . A graveside service will immediately follow in College Corner Cemetery.

Obituary for Ernie Scott Leach

ERNIE SCOTT LEACH

Ernie Scott Leach, 51 of Connersville passed away on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. He was born on December 26, 1969, in Connersville to Richard Leach and Mattie Cornett Leach.

Ernie was a self-taught musician who could play any instrument you would put in front of him. Music was Ernie’s life; he was involved in the union musicians club through Nashville. He had a studio built at his home to have the ability to record music of any kind. There are many members of our community who Ernie taught how to play an instrument, whether that be a guitar, the drums, or any other instrument they brought to him to learn. His music was thought of being some of the best in the area. His talent will forever be missed but will live on through those he was able to teach. If he wasn’t playing music, you could often find him out deer hunting.

Ernie will be greatly missed by his sons, Tucker Leach and Cooper Leach; a brother, Ron Leach; sister and brother-in-law, Debbie, and Devin Walton; five nephews and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation for Ernie will be held on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, the Service will begin at 8 p.m. at the Funeral Home.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday October 13, at 11 a.m. at Valley Grove Cemetery.

Obituary for Sandra Kay Colwell (complete)

SANDRA KAY COLWELL

Sandra Kay Colwell, age 76, of Brookville, died Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. 

Born October 8, 1944, in Franklin County, she was the daughter of the late Robert H. and Virgie Mae (Browning) Metcalf. On April 25, 1970, she was united in marriage to Stanley Colwell, and he preceded her in death on December 29, 2018.  

She was retired from the former J & J Packaging in Brookville, and had also worked for many years at Elsie Dreyer Nursing Home and Brookville Healthcare Center. In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading, shopping, going to the movies, playing video games, and going out to eat with her family. 

She had attended the Plum Grove Pentecostal Church, and been involved with the former Franklin County REACT program. 

Survivors include three children, Victoria Thorp, Alan Colwell and Stephanie Colwell, all of Brookville; three grandchildren, Austin Gough, Kiara Thorp and Jaedon Thorp; two great-grandchildren, Darcey Gough and Oliver Gough; a sister, Deborah Metcalf of Batesville, and a brother, Harold (Louella) Metcalf of Metamora. 

In addition to her parents, and husband, Stanley, she was preceded in death by a sister Barbara Metcalf. 

Family and friends may visit from 10 a.m. till 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, with burial following in Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville.     

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