Obituaries for the week of 11.20.08
Russell H. Ayers, 86,
died Nov. 17. He was born May 12, 1922, in Indianapolis, to Henry Fay and Margaret Ayers. Russell graduated from Southport High School in 1940, and later served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was a Director of Inventory at Danners Inc., for 38 years having retired in 1987. After retirement, Russell worked in city audit for the City of Indianapolis. He was a member of Edgewood United Methodist Church, the American Legion, and the VFW. Russell was very active in the Republican Party where he served as a Precinct Committeeman and later as a Ward Chairman. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Gladys M. Ayers; children, Ronald (Cathy) Ayers, Carol (John) Hankins, Glenda (James) Earles, Gary (Nancy) Ayers, and Steven (Kim) Ayers; sisters, Miriam Ruth (Charles) Miles and Lela Mae Ayers; 13 grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. Friends gathered yesterday at G. H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Avenue. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Edgewood United Methodist Church, 1820 East Epler Avenue, Indianapolis, with calling there from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. He will be laid to rest in Round Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Edgewood United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.ghherrmann.com.
Richard F. “Dick” Baumann, 87, of Indianapolis,
died Nov. 13, 2008. He was born May 26, 1921, in Indianapolis to Frank and Edith Baumann. Dick served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He retired in 1985 as a supervisor for F. A. Wilhelm Construction Co. after more than 40 years with the company. Dick was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Virginia M. Baumann; children, Nita E. (Bill) Windmiller, Richard J. (Katherine) Baumann, Frank A. (Janet) Baumann, and Gary L. (Lynn) Baumann; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Calling was Sunday at G. H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Ave. Mass of Christian Burial was Monday at St. Roch Catholic Church. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Online condolences at www.ghherrmann.com
Stephen T. Brackett, 31, of Indianapolis,
died Nov. 12, 2008. He was born in Niles, Mich. on October 8, 1977. Steve graduated from Buchanan High School, attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated from Western Michigan. He worked for Shelby County Probations as a juvenile probation officer and was promoted to Assistant Chief last year. He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife, Shannon M. Brackett; parents, Bill and Jane Brackett; brother, Phil (Jennie) Brackett; parents-in-law, Irma and Tom McKeand; and sister-in-law, Christa (David) Smith. Calling and services were Saturday at St. Jude Catholic Church. Burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan, Mich. Memorials to Riley Hospital for Children, 30 S. Meridian St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Arrangements by Little & Sons Funeral Home, Stop 11 Road Chapel.
Estelle Lynn Cummings, 29, of Southport,
died Nov. 11, 2008. The daughter of Michael Harrison and Gari (Walker) Dunning, Estelle was born August 14, 1979 in Anderson, Ind. She was a customer service representative with RCI and served as the chairperson for the Oktoberfest for the German American Klub, where she was a member. Survivors include her husband, Hans C. Cummings of Southport; father, Michael Harrison of Anderson, Ind. and mother, Gari Dunning of Winter Haven, Fla.; and several half-brothers and a half-sister. Services and calling were Saturday at Horizon Christian Fellowship South, 1693 West Main Street, Greenwood. Arrangements by The Cremation Society of Indiana.
John Scott McKinney, 80, of Indianapolis, died
Nov. 16, 2008. The son of George and Louevdia (Younger) McKinney, John was born February 11, 1928 in Indianapolis. He was a truck driver with Roadway Express for 27 years. A veteran of the U.S. Army, John was a member of American Legion Post 88, a 50-year member of Teamster Local #135 and the Men’s Club at Smock Golf Course, where he planted many of the flowers around the course. Survivors include daughters, Kelly Crawford, Kathyleen Tompkins; brothers, Jerry and Jimmy McKinney; a sister, Barbara Riley; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by brothers, George and Russell McKinney and sister, Patricia McMillian. Calling was Tuesday and services were Wednesday at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Greenwood Chapel, 481 West Main Street. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery.
Matthew Joseph Oskay, 30,
died Nov. 14, 2008. Matt was born to Eugene and Linda Oskay. He was raised in Indianapolis and graduated from Roncalli High School and the University of Evansville, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He was the Director of the Warren Performing Arts Center at Warren Central High School for four years. He married Erin Bergeron, his wife, in 2004, in Rapid River, Mich. He is survived by his parents, two brothers: Jeff (Alicia) and Jason (Jorie); and Erin’s family, Joe, Mary Beth, Matt and Adam. Calling was Wednesday at Little and Sons Funeral Home, Stop 11 Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial today at 10:30 a.m. at Nativity Catholic Church, 7200 Southeastern Ave, Indianapolis. Burial in Calvary Cemetery, Indianapolis. Memorials to the Warren Performing Arts Center.
Wanda J. Pugh, 73,
died at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove Nov. 15. She was born in Smiths Grove, Ky. to the late Ralph and Christine Hawks. Wanda was an avid gardener who also loved camping, fishing and NASCAR. Wanda is survived by six sons: Marty (Connie) Palmer, Mike Palmer, Mark (Myla) Palmer, Morris(Laura) Palmer, Tim (LeRaye) Griffin, Eric (Keli) Pugh, one daughter Sacha Pugh, sister Theda Taylor and many grandchildren. Wanda was preceded in death by her sister Edith Paschal. Visitation will be held today from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Little and Sons Funeral Home, Stop 11 Chapel in charge of arrangements.
Herbert W. Taylor, 75, of Indianapolis,
died Nov. 15, 2008. Born Sept. 6, 1933 in Clay City, Ind., he was the son of Herbert R. and Emma (Lovell) Taylor. They preceded him in death. He graduated from Emmerich Manual High School in 1952 and played professional baseball with the Pittsburg Pirates farm team and with the Indianapolis Southside Saints. He retired from the Indianapolis Police Department in 1978 after 20 years of service. He later worked in security at General Motors for 13 years. He was a member of Garfield Christian Church. Surviving are his wife, Judith A. (Pedersen) Taylor; his children, Herbie (Rita) Taylor, Beth (Jim) Lyman, and Gina (James) Cromwell; his sisters, Betty Aldridge, Mary Choat, Dona (Clarence) Pierce and Peggy (Loren) Davidson; his brothers, Joe (Thelma) Taylor and David (Sandy) Taylor; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Two sisters, Emma Cruea and Ruth Clatterbuck and a brother, Don Taylor, preceded him in death. Calling was Sunday and services were Monday at Garfield Christian Church, 1751 E. Walker Ave. Memorials to the Leukemia Society, 941 E. 86th St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240. On-line condolences at www.ghherrmann.com.
Lillian R. Webber, 95,
died Nov. 12, 2008 at Beech Grove Meadows. She was the daughter of Raymond and Margaret Wettrick and was raised in Shelbyville. She was a sales clerk at Woolworth’s on the circle in Indianapolis for 20 years. Lillian married James R. Webber in Shelbyville. He preceded her in death in 1973. They have four children, daughters: Helen Russell and Margaret Spencer and two sons who precede her in death: Robert and William Webber. Lillian also is survived by seven grandchildren; 12 great-grand children; and four great-great-grandchildren. Calling was Friday and services were Saturday at Little and Sons Funeral Home, Beech Grove Chapel. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Shelbyville.
