
Timothy K. Israel
ELWOOD — Timothy Keith Israel, 23, Elwood, passed away Friday, May
9, 2008, at St.Vincent Mercy Hospital.
Born March 31, 1985, in Brandon, Fla., to Keith Israel and the late
Tina (Cox) Israel, he was a combat specialist in the United States
Army who attended Fort Benning, Ga., infantry training, Fort Dix,
N.J. specialist training and took his basic medic training at Camp
Atterbury.
Keith’s tour of combat was Operation Iraqi Freedom in Fallujah,
Iraq, and with the United States Army, Marines and Navy Seals served
in Ramadi, Iraq. He participated in over 250 mounted missions as
lead gunner and in over 100 dismounted missions including joint
Iraqi Police coalition security patrols and raids that led to the
detention of over 50 targeted individuals, and led a square sized
element on a dismounted patrol in the city of Ameriyah while on
active duty.
Keith was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
He is survived by his parents, Keith and Carrie Israel of Elwood; a
sister, Cassie Blockson, Alexandria; a brother, Kevin Israel,
Anderson; grandparents, Richard and Maureen Israel, Elwood;
grandfather, Bill Cox, Elwood; step-grandmother, Linda Remington,
Alexandria; a niece, Makenzi Blockson, Alexandria; and several
aunts, uncles and cousins.
Keith was preceded in death by his mother, Tina Israel; grandmother,
Kay Cox; and stepgrandfather, Richard Remington.
A Funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. today at St. Joseph
Catholic Church, Elwood. Burial will be in Elwood’s St. Joseph
Catholic Cemetery.
A rosary service was held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church
Building Fund.

Martha B. Hinds
Michigan — Martha B. Hinds, 93, Cheboygan, Mich. passed away in her
sleep on Sunday, May 4, 2008 in Mackinaw City in Cedarbrook Village.
She was born Martha Belle Savage on Nov. 8, 1914 on a farm in
Central Indiana to William L. and Blanche F. Savage, and was the
oldest of three sisters. Her parents are deceased.
She was married to William H. Harmon Jr. in Elwood on March 15, 1933
and they had three children; Eleanor M. Harmon, William H. Harmon
III and Neal E. Harmon. The family moved from Indianapolis to
Cheboygan in October 1944.
Martha became a widow in 1977 when William H. Harmon Jr. passed
away. Rev. Harmon was a minister of the United Church of Christ and
was a past Grand Master of the Masons. In 1989 Martha was married to
Lawrence “Bud” Hinds and they enjoyed seven years together in
Cheboy-gan during the Spring and Summer and then wintering in
Inglewood, Fla. where Bud had a home.
After Bud passed away in 1996, Martha would spend as much time as
she could in Cheboygan with her longtime friends, her gardening and
her music. At that time, she would winter in Barstow, Calif. at her
son William’s home as long as her health would allow her to travel.
In the last year and half, she had lived in Mackinaw City at
Cedarbrook Village.
Martha was raised on a farm and was very proud of her farming roots.
She was one of the first 4-H leaders in Indiana. Aside from being a
loving mother and a devoted wife, she was a member of the First
Congregational Church, a member of the D.A.R., Rebecca’s, past
Worthy Matron and life member of Eastern Star. Martha also founded
Martha’s Beauty Salon in her home on Young Street and ran a
successful beauty business for 60 years before retiring. She loved
both art and music and pursued them with vitality throughout her
life. She not only gave ceramics classes to interested students, she
also taught piano, made and collected porcelain dolls and hosted the
organ club in her home. When she was not playing the piano, Martha
was an avid gardener and loved to have her hands in the earth and to
watch things grow.
Survivors include her two sisters, Lenora (Max) Stone, Barbara
(John) Heifner, Alexandria; her three children, Eleanor M. (Philip)
Marazita, Lansing, Mich., William H. Harmon III, Barstow, Calif. and
Neal E. (Janet) Harmon, Haslett, Mich. She was also very proud of
her ten grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and numerous nephews
and nieces.
Funeral service took place at First Congregational Church, South
Main St. in Cheboygan May 10, 2008 followed by interment at Pinehill
Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Martha’s name may be directed to the
Hospice of the Straits. The family wishes to thank the staff at
Cedarbrook Village and the Hospice staff of the Straits and other
special friends who made the last year of her life more comfortable.

R. Jean Nicholas
Anderson — R. Jean (Gardner) Nicholas, 86, Anderson, died May 4,
2008 at Springhurst Healthcare, Greenfield after an extended
illness.
Jean was born March 16, 1922, and became a resident of Anderson in
1946. She was a homemaker. She was also a lifetime member of Orestes
Christian Church, attended Crossroads United Methodist Church, was
member of Eastern Star and L.S. Club.
Surviving are her two sons, John (Shirley) Nicholas, Alexandria Tom
(Connie) Nicholas, Anderson; two daughters, Vickie (Don) Posey,
Greenfield, Mary (Tom) Stanley, Phoenix, Ariz.; brother Jack
(Maxine) Gardner, Alexandria; 12 grandchildren: Lisa, Leslie, Jeff,
Jolene, Jennifer, Mandy, Larry, Susan, Carrie, David, Melissa,
Donald; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and
several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, John H. and Bernice (Lane)
Gardner; husband of 56 years Herman Leo Nicholas; daughter Linda Ann
Nicholas and special aunt Marjorie Montgomery.
Services were May 9 at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service. Burial was
in the East Maplewood Cemetery with Rev. Courtley Granger of Orestes
Christian Church officiating.
Online condolences:
rjfuneralsvc@aol.com
Betty N. Kirk
Chesterfield — Betty N. Pierce Kirk, 83, Chesterfield, died May 8,
2008 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Chesterfield after an extended
illness.
Born Oct. 30, 1924 to Hugh I. and Gladys (Groce) Pierce, she was a
graduate of Summitville High School class of 1943. She was a
homemaker and member of Chesterfield Christian Church.
Surviving are her brother Jerry Pierce, Anderson; and several nieces
and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband Earl E. Kirk;
sister Mildred Curry; and brother Norman Pierce, Columbia City.
Funeral services were Tuesday at the Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service
with Ned Clark officiating. Burial was in the Vison Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences:
rjfuneralsvc@aol.com
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Benny L. Peavler
Benny L. Peavler, 86, Alexandria, joined God peacefully from the
Alexandria Care Center Alexandria after an extended illness
Saturday, May 10, 2008.
He was born Feb. 8, 1922 in Crothersville to Herman and Dolla Sifers
Peavler. He had resided in the Alexandria area since 1966.
Benny was a member of the 44th Street Church of God in Anderson. He
spent a short time in the Naval Reserve during World War II before
beginning his 39 year career with Guide Lamp Division of General
Motors as a welder. He retired in 1980 and was a member of UAW-Local
663. During that time he spent many happy nights bowling in the
Guide Lamp Bowling League. He was actively involved in the Boy
Scouts as a much loved and respected Troop leader. For many years he
and his beloved wife Geneva traveled many miles attending Bluegrass
festivals all over the Midwest. On several occasions they were
joined by their grandchildren who spent hours happily singing along
and dancing to the spirited music. After retirement, Ben and Geneva
spent 18 joyful winters in Sebring, Fla. where they made many new
friends from all across the U.S. and Canada. During that time Ben
grew to love playing Shuffleboard and played in several local
tournaments. These memories gave Ben much enjoyment during the long
Indiana winters when he was no longer able to make the trip south.
Ben loved sports, watching not participating, especially basketball,
football and NASCAR auto racing. He loved his family above all,
especially the grandchildren, who could always count on grandpa to
have at least a couple of pieces of Double Bubble in his pockets at
all times.
Surviving are his wife Geneva Peavler, whom he married April 8,
1966; daughter Jean (Ron) Burchette, Spring City, Tenn.; two sons,
Bill (Patty) Grubb, Anderson Willard (Jackie) Grubb, Alexandria;
nine grandchildren, Nicole (Burchette) Rosemond, Tammy Gates, Tim
Hood, Anne (Grubb) Greiner, Louie Grubb, Karie (Burchette) Mougrabi,
Jessica (Grubb) Parish, Cheryl Grubb, Zack Grubb; and six
great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Leon Peavler,
and Robert Peavler; sister Margaret Lockhart.
Funeral services will take place today at 10 a.m. at the Owens
Funeral Home, 412 N. Harrison St., Alexandria with Pastor Danny
Tompkins officiating. Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery
in Alexandria.
owensmemorialservices.com
Lester Maddox
New Castle — Lester Maddox, 85, New Castle, died May 4, 2008 at
Willis-Knighton Health Center, Shreveport, La. unexpectedly.
Born in Linwood to William N. and Lanti Lee Planck Maddox, he
resided in the New Castle area for most of his life.
He was a graduate of Alexandria High School in 1941. He served in
the United States Marine Corp from 1943 to 1946, and was employed by
Guide-Lamp, formerly of Anderson.
Surviving are his daughter Linda J. Winter, New Castle; son John
Maddox, Brownsville; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren;
three sisters, Vida Mae Tharp, Richmond, Ruby Kaska, Dollie Leach,
both of Alexandria; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; first wife Barbara Ruth
Knuckles Maddox; his second wife Dot Thompson Maddox; two brothers,
William Ogden Maddox and Noel Maddox.
Funeral services were May 10 at the Owens Funeral Home with Pastor
Bob Pavey officiating. Interment was with military honors in Park
View Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or any
program in support of our armed services in Iraq through the funeral
home.
Online condolences:
owensmemorialservices.com
James E. Smith
James E. “Smitty” Smith, 69, Alexandria, died May 10, 2008 at the
Alexandria Care Center Alexandria after an extended illness.
Born March 23, 1939 in Indianapolis to Roscoe O. and Kathryn Taylor
Smith, he resided in the Madison County area for the past 25 years.
He graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis and
attended Indiana University. He served in the United States Army,
and was a guard at the Pendleton Reformatory.
Surviving are his sister Beverly Smith Lewman; and many nieces and
nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and son Ed Travis Smith.
Graveside services were Tuesday in the Park View Cemetery with
Pastor Harrison Williams officiating.
Arrangements were entrusted to Owens Funeral Home in Alexandria.
Online condolences:
owensmemorialservices.com
Shirley J. Pratt
Michigan — Shirley Jean Richcreek Pratt, 70, Grand Haven, Mich. died
May 9, 2008 in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.
She was born May 25, 1937 in Swayzee to Pete and Delight Scott
Richcreek. She had lived in the Gas City/Upland area for over 20
years and was a cancer survivor.
Survivors include three daughters, Cindy Pratt Gould, Churubusco,
Carla Pratt, Indianapolis, Sharice Pratt Roth, Grand Haven, Mich.;
one son Keven Pratt, Marion; three sisters, Joyce Labianco, Marion,
Pam Welch, Gas City, Pat Dudelston, Dunkirk; eight grandchildren;
and eight great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her sons Bradley Eugene Pratt, Timothy
Allen Pratt; and brother Peter Richcreek.
Funeral services were Tuesday at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral
Service, Gas City with Rev. Tom Mansbarger officiating. Burial
followed in Knox Chapel Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 6069, Dept. 95, Indianapolis, IN
46206-6069 or American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle,
Chicago, IL 60674, or Indiana Donor Alliance Fund, 702 Rotary
Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Online contributions:
www.nswcares.com
Janet S. Kilgore
Janet S. Kilgore, 61, Summitville died May 12, 2008 at her residence
following a brief illness.
Born Nov. 29, 1946 in Mishawaka to Earl Rex and Evelyn Millage
Kilgore, she resided in the Summitville area most of her life. She
was employed at Twoson ESP in Matthews.
Surviving is her son, Dan Chaplin, Converse; three grandsons; two
sisters, Linda Kilgore, Summitville, and Janice Chaplin, Marion;
four brothers, Harvey Kilgore, Elkhart, Rex Kilgore, Hurley, N.M.,
Harold Kilgore, Union, Mich., and Larry Kilgore, Osceola; and
several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 16, at Owens-Noffze
Funeral Home, 1009 W. Walnut St., Summitville, with Pastor Danny
Decker officiating. Burial will follow in Vinson Memorial Cemetery,
Summitville.
Friends may call after 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home prior to
the service.
Online condolences:
owensmemorialservices.com
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