Obituaries for the week of 11.06.08
Robert Charles Brown, of Indianapolis,
died Nov. 2, 2008. Bob was a tavern owner (Mike’s Bar) for 31 years. He served as president of the Marion County Tavern Owners Association and director of the Indiana Tavern Owners Association. He was also affiliated with the Indianapolis Old Timers Club, Inc., a charitable athletic organization, where he served on the board and as past president. He was awarded the club’s Bush Memorial Man of the Year Award in 1998. He was a licensed official for 40 years working high school to semi-pro. He and his crew achieved the following: IHSAA-State Finals, NCAA-Division II and III Championship Game Playoffs, NAIA Playoffs, Professional Football League 4 conference and two professional championship games. He also officiated for the World Football League, served as an Amateur Football League Official for 10 years and NAFL Football League Supervisor of Officials for 12 years. Bob was very active in the Indiana Official Association, serving in various roles from President to Awards Chairman. He reviewed and wrote by-laws for the organization. He initiated the first all day football clinic at Warren Central High School which was used as a model for later IHSAA Clinics. He also introduced the High School Sportsmanship Award Program. One of Bob’s proudest accomplishments was the Godfather concept whereby an experienced official was assigned a new/younger official, guiding and teaching all aspects necessary to become a noteworthy official. After retirement from officiating, he continued to participate in numerous college clinics as an instructor, critiquing officiating crews as a neutral observer to assist upcoming officials improve their mechanics. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mildred Zaepfel Brown; daughters, Deborah (Terry) Short, Therese Argus and Catherine (Montgomery) Trottier; sister, Ann Atkinson; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Calling was yesterday at Daniel F. O’Riley Funeral Home, 6107 S. East St., Indianapolis. Services at noon today at the funeral home. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials to the Indianapolis Oldtimer’s Club, Inc, 1427 W. 86th St., Box 296, Indianapolis, IN 46260.
August “Gus” Etter, 85, of Greenwood,
died Oct. 30, 2008. He was a machinist for the Indianapolis Star for 30 years. He was in the Army during World War II. His wife, Patricia Etter, and brother, Jerome Etter, preceded him in death. Surviving are his children, Jody Marlow, Chris Etter, Keith Etter and Jeff Etter; and six grandchildren. Calling and services were Sunday at G.H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Ave. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials to the donor’s favorite charity. Online condolences at www.ghherrmann.com.
Raymond “Leroy” Gedek, 60, of Indianapolis,
died Nov. 4, 2008. He was born November 3, 1948, in Indianapolis to the late Raymond and Gladys Gedek. Ray was an Environmental Service Manager at St. Francis Hospital, Mooresville, for 26 years. He was a member of Olive Branch Christian Church. Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Ina Hatley-Gedek; children, Eric and Jessica Gedek and Melissa (Mike) Hampton; brothers, Michael (Linda) and Arnold Gedek; and three grandsons. Calling from 4 to 8 p.m. today at G. H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Avenue, Indianapolis. Services at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lower Turkey Creek Baptist Church in Monticello, Ky., with calling an hour before services. Burial in Isaac Tucker Cemetery, Monticello, Ky. Memorials to St. Francis Hospice or ALS. Online condolences at www.ghherrmann.com.
Russell W. Hartman, 75, of Beech Grove,
died at home on Oct. 28, 2008. He owned his own upholstery business on the southside of Indianapolis, then retired from Artcraft Upholstery. He was a member of the VFW Post 5626 in Beech Grove and a lifelong member of the Disabled Veterans of America. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Jane Hartman; daughters, Carlotta Jean Heininger, Christina J. Whitman and Cynthia Jane Steinbach; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Calling was Friday and services were Saturday at G.H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Ave., Burial in Old Union Cemetery, Lizton. Memorials to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Online condolences at www.ghherrmann.com.
Mary Margaret “Margie” Kenney, 86, of Whiteland,
died Oct. 29, 2008 at Greenwood Health & Living. The daughter of William R. and Thelma L. (Newman) Pierpont, Margie was born February 18, 1922 in Indianapolis. A homemaker, she was a member of the Southside Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Women’s Auxiliary Post 88 of the American Legion. Surviving are her daughters, Barbara (Ken) Britt of Whiteland, Judy Ervin of Indianapolis and Donna (Ronnie) Williams of Mitchell; sister, Patricia (Charles) Steele of Brownsburg; 10 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. Besides her parents, Margie was preceded in death by her husband, Donovan R. Kenney; brother, Jack Pierpont; and sisters, Mildred Pierpont Humphrey, Betty Pierpont; and 3 grandchildren. Calling was Sunday and services were Monday at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Singleton & Herr Southport Chapel, 7520 Madison Ave. Burial in Washington Park East Cemetery.
Richard W. Lovell, 61, of Indianapolis, died Oct. 28, 2008. He was born September 12, 1947, in Beech Grove to Robert E. and Alice M. (Snyder) Lovell. Richard served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a Contract Manager at Rolls Royce for 10 years. Previously, Richard worked for Naval Avionics and ARAMCO in Saudi Arabia. Survivors include his daughters, Jill (Michael) Combs and Suzie (Todd) Frazier and their mother, Gloria Lovell; sister, Vickie “Lynn” Lovell; brother, Robert S. (Mary) Lovell; and three grandchildren. His parents, Robert E. and Alice M. Lovell, preceded him in death. Calling was Sunday and services were Monday at G. H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Avenue. Burial in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Memorials to Riley Hospital for Children. Online condolences at www.ghherrmann.com.
Ronald Francis Palmer, age 71,
died Oct. 31, 2008 at his Indianapolis residence. The son of Willard and Minnie L. (Jesse) Palmer, Ron was born February 23, 1937 in Indianapolis. He served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 20 years, retiring in 1975. He later worked for Sears in sales for 10 years. He was a member of the American Legion - Westfield Post. His wife, Rosemarie Jane (Monroe) Palmer, preceded him in death. Surviving are his son, Kevin L. (Cynthia) Palmer of Oswego, Ill.; daughters, Kimberly L. (Jesse, Jr.) Hart of Lebanon, and Kelly L. Palmer of Indianapolis; two grandchildren and two nephews. Besides his wife and parents, Ron was preceded in death by a daughter, Theresa L. Palmer; brother, Rex Palmer and grandson. Services and calling were Tuesday at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Stirling Gerber Chapel, 5950 East Thompson Rd. A committal service with military honors was held Wednesday at New Crown Cemetery. Memorials to the Disabled American Veterans, 2439 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222-2897.
Elmer “Tom” Sunman, 91, of Indianapolis,
died Oct. 31, 2008. He was born April 30, 1917, in Madison County, Ind. Tom served in the Navy during World War II. His wife, Janet Sunman, preceded him in death. Survivors include his sons, Don (Sharon) Sunman and Dan (Audrey) Sunman; and grandchildren and great grandchildren. A memorial services was held Tuesday at Mt. Zion General Baptist Church, 3565 S. Keystone Ave. Memorials to the church. Arrangements by G. H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Avenue. Online condolences at www.ghherrmann.com.
Elza A. Vuskalns, 84, died Oct. 26, 2008 at Rosegate Auguste’s Cottage in Indianapolis. Elza was born in Luban, Latvia to the late Janis and Leontina Alks. She married Osvalds Vuskalns in Germany. They have seven children: Ruth Ewbank, Rita Bogard, Anna Preston, Daina Matthews, Oskar and Victor Vuskalns and daughter-in-law Lynne Goodin. She is survived by 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Osvalds and their son John. Calling and services were Saturday. Arrangements by Little and Sons Funeral Home, Beech Grove Chapel. Burial Concordia Cemetery. Memorials to The Latvian Lutheran Church 3650 Guion Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46222.
