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September 20, 2016 • Obituaries
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UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 1 P.M.
Della Rosa Allen Keck
Della Rosa Allen Keck, of Delaware, passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at St. Andrews Health Care Facility in Batesville after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s/dementia. She was born on July 11, 1935, in London, Kentucky, to the late Boyd and Maggie (Johnson) Allen. On June 12, 1954, after knowing him for less than six months, she married Dewey Roscoe Keck and he survives. They are living proof that time is inconsequential when you find your soul mate and true love. While the dementia from which she suffered stole the last couple of years from them, they were inseparable for over 62 years.
Della had various jobs throughout her career, but the one she found most fulfilling was that of guidance secretary at Jac-Cen-Del Jr./Sr. High School. For 27 years, students could find her in the guidance office ready to provide sage advice, an ear for listening, encouragement, and, if the situation warranted it, a stern talking to. As the Sunshine Society advisor, she made hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds of popcorn while working in the concession stand at ball games. She truly loved being part of the J-C-D family and she loved “her kids.”
Della spent over 40 years as a member of the Delaware United Methodist Church. While she didn’t always make it to service on Sunday morning, you could always count on her help at every event. She poured her heart and soul into making Vacation Bible School a great experience for the children in the community. Her Bible School programs are still the standard by which all others are measured. Della was a founding member of both Rescue 69 and the Delaware Volunteer Fire Department, helping get them established and operating successfully. She was the calm voice you would hear over the radio in times of stress. Della had a sarcastic sense of humor and loved to tease. You knew you had reached her inner circle when she would tease and joke with you. She was a loyal and caring friend.
While her family was small in number, the love among them was great. Della and Dewey’s son, Steven, passed away in 2012. She will be deeply missed by her daughter, Kathleen Dickman. Della was Kathy’s best friend, confidant, and role model. She will also be missed by her four grandchildren: Gina Keck of Appleton, Wisconsin and Tyler, Derik, and Jared Dickman of Osgood. She spent countless hours playing with them and just being their “Nanny,” a nickname bestowed on her by her granddaughter, Gina. She probably spent more time playing baseball with Tyler, Derik, and Jared than most major leaguers do in their whole career. Her sister, Dallis Stanton, passed away in 2001. Her sister, Cecelia Ratliff, and brother, Johnnie Allen, live in Florida.
The list of qualities that made Della unique could fill volumes. She was, and always will be, deeply loved and missed by her family and friends. We know she’s now in a wonderful place where she is whole again and watching over us. Hopefully Heaven’s library is ready for her because she was an avid reader.
Della led a life of service, and in true form, per her last request, her body was donated to the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Indiana University for study in the hopes of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s/dementia. A celebration of Della’s life will be held Saturday, September 24, at 9 a.m. at the Delaware United Methodist Church. A reception/social hour will immediately follow in the church basement. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Delaware United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.
Michael Allen Fasbinder
Michael Allen Fasbinder, age 49, of Napoleon, passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2016, surrounded by his family and friends. Mike was born on October 26, 1966 in Greensburg, the son of the late Robert L. and Sharon Fasbinder.
Michael graduated from Batesville High School in 1985. During his teenage years, he earned one of the highest honors a teenage boy can receive, the honor of being an Eagle Scout. He married Kathy Moore on June 15, 1996, and they had a daughter, Mikaela Lynn Fasbinder. Mike was owner/operator of Southeastern Truck and Trailer located in New Point and had previously worked at other places as a mechanic or heavy equipment operator.
Mike was preceded in death by his father Robert, maternal grandparents Leonard and Mae Kohlman, paternal grandparents Clarence and Elsie Fasbinder, cousin Karen Cain, and father-in-law Tyler Moore. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; and daughter Mikaela at home; mother Sharon; brothers Doug (Debbie) Fasbinder of Cleves, OH; Jason (Claire) Fasbinder of Sarasota, FL; nieces Pamela and Meagan; and nephews Christopher, Matthew, Joshua, and Zaile.
Services were held Monday, Sept. 19 at Neal’s Funeral Home, Osgood. Memorials may be made out to the Mikaela College Fund in care of the funeral home. Neal’s Funeral Home, Osgood, was entrusted with arrangements.
Roger Leroy Meyer
Roger Leroy Meyer, 63, passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2016, while at home with his family in Lynnwood, Washington. He succumbed to complications from congestive heart failure which he battled for more than eleven years.
Roger was born November 11, 1952, was raised in Dewberry, Indiana and graduated from South Ripley High School. He served in the US Navy for five years. He later worked at the Naval Supply Center in Pearl Harbor and as a club manager. He worked for Raytheon Engineers at Johnston Island, Hawaii, where he met his wife Agnes. The family moved to Indiana in February 1993, later to Alabama and have been in Washington State for the last 14 years where Roger worked as a purchasing agent for the Suquamish Clearwater Casino. Roger loved playing golf in his younger years, but fishing was a passion. He captained a charter fishing boat in Hawaii. He laughed when you bragged about catching an 8-lb fish because on a normal day at sea, the catch often included a 400 lb. marlin.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Mabel. He is survived by his wife Agnes, daughters Tracy and Kris, son Ivan and daughter-in-law Tina, brother Jim (Connie) Meyer of Dewberry, sisters Ruth Dalbec of Howard Lake, Minnesota and Rita (Tom) Cassidy of Wesley Chapel, Florida and Dillsboro, Indiana plus many other relatives, friends, and co-workers. He will be greatly missed. His body will be cremated. Memorials may be made to the Ripley County Humane Society.
Margaret Lilly “Patsy” Ralston
Margaret Lilly “Patsy” Ralston, 98, of Olean passed away at 7:10 a.m. Sunday, September 18, 2016 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. She was born near Vevay on June 3, 1918, the daughter of Alex and Nettie Robertson Clements. She was married to Bruce Ralston on June 20, 1936 at the Baptists parsonage in Vevay and he preceded her in death on October 6, 1992.
Survivors include one son Wayne (Pat) Ralston of Palmetto, Florida; one daughter Kaye (Ernest Lee) Hunger of Benham; five grandchildren Chris Ralston of Bradenton, Florida, Holly Ralston of Huntsville, Alabama, Christy (Mike) Swango of Holton, and Bob (Connie) Hunger and Jennifer (Ralph) Miller of Versailles; 10 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law Earl Ralston of Tacoma, Washington and Dillman (Evelyn) Ralston of Clearwater, Florida; sister-in-law Mary Geyman of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her grandson Thomas Hunger.
Mrs. Ralston rode in a horse-drawn wagon to the one-room schools of Park Ridge, Pendleton Run, and Tater Bug in Switzerland County and was a 1935 graduate of Vevay High School where she played on the girls basketball team. She was an avid bowler in her younger years and also followed the Cincinnati Reds. Mrs. Ralston was also a loyal follower of South Ripley sports especially when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were participating. She worked for several years as a cook at the Cross Plains school and retired from Ripley County Wholesalers in Milan where she worked as a bookkeeper. Patsy was a 64 year member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Olean where she participated in the Ladies Aid.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 22 at 11 a.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Olean with Pastor Curtis Black officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles. Memorials may be given to the St. Paul Improvement Fund in care of the funeral home.
Darrell Hixson
Darrell Hixson, 72, or Sunman, Dearborn County, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2016. Visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 1-4 p.m., followed by services at 4 p.m. all at Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville. Memorials may be given to the Batesville Christian Church. Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Ronald R. Moreland
Ronald R. Moreland, 69, of Tipton, died at 1:55 a.m. on Friday, September 16, 2016 at Golden Living in Kokomo. He was born on May 3, 1947 in Indianapolis to Glover Moreland, Sr. and Emogene (Fletcher) Moreland.
Ron was a 1965 graduate of Holton High School in Holton. He had worked at Perfect Circle in Tipton and later at Dana Corporation in Indianapolis. He loved drawing, especially race cars. Ron was a past member of the Quarter Milers auto club and he was well known for his ‘77 yellow Corvette.
Ron is survived by his brothers and sisters, Beverly Toney and Judith Rayle, both of Zephyrhills, Florida, Katherine Weismiller and husband John, Lafayette, Glover “Butch” Moreland and wife Carolyn, Tipton, Max Moreland, Bremen, Georgia and Ron’s twin brother, Donald Moreland and wife Arlene, Tipton. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by one sister, Shirley Rednour, three brothers-in-law, Jim Rednour, George Toney and Jim Rayle and one sister-in-law, Carol Moreland.
At Ron’s request no services are planned. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions in Ron’s name may be made to Tipton High School Athletic Department, 619 S. Main Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.
Katherine Dorothy Fischmer
Katherine Dorothy Fischmer, age 91, of Batesville, passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2016. Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 17 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Batesville. Rev. Jill Kepler-Campbell officiated with burial in the St. Mark Lutheran Church Cemetery, Batesville. Memorials may be given to the St. Marks Church Cemetery Fund. www.meyersfuneralhomes.com. Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville, was in charge of arrangements.
Brenda Helen Breakfield Stewart
Brenda Helen Breakfield Stewart, of Madison, died on Friday, September 16, 2016. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m., at the Cornerstone Baptist Church, Hanover, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison. Friends may call Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Memorial contributions may be given to the Cornerstone Baptist Church Van/Bus Ministry. Cards are available at the funeral home and at the church. Online condolences, www.morgan-nay.com. Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, Madison, is in charge of arrangements.
John Warren Thrasher
John Warren Thrasher, 61, of Dillsboro, passed away Friday, September 16, 2016. Services will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to PAWS of Dearborn County. Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home, Moores Hill is entrusted with arrangements, 16717 Manchester Street, PO Box 156, 47032, (812)744-3280. Go to www.sibbettmoore.com to leave an online condolence message.
Della Rosa Allen Keck
Della Rosa Allen Keck, of Delaware, passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at St. Andrews Health Care Facility in Batesville after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s/dementia. She was born on July 11, 1935, in London, Kentucky, to the late Boyd and Maggie (Johnson) Allen. On June 12, 1954, after knowing him for less than six months, she married Dewey Roscoe Keck and he survives. They are living proof that time is inconsequential when you find your soul mate and true love. While the dementia from which she suffered stole the last couple of years from them, they were inseparable for over 62 years.
Della had various jobs throughout her career, but the one she found most fulfilling was that of guidance secretary at Jac-Cen-Del Jr./Sr. High School. For 27 years, students could find her in the guidance office ready to provide sage advice, an ear for listening, encouragement, and, if the situation warranted it, a stern talking to. As the Sunshine Society advisor, she made hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds of popcorn while working in the concession stand at ball games. She truly loved being part of the J-C-D family and she loved “her kids.”
Della spent over 40 years as a member of the Delaware United Methodist Church. While she didn’t always make it to service on Sunday morning, you could always count on her help at every event. She poured her heart and soul into making Vacation Bible School a great experience for the children in the community. Her Bible School programs are still the standard by which all others are measured. Della was a founding member of both Rescue 69 and the Delaware Volunteer Fire Department, helping get them established and operating successfully. She was the calm voice you would hear over the radio in times of stress. Della had a sarcastic sense of humor and loved to tease. You knew you had reached her inner circle when she would tease and joke with you. She was a loyal and caring friend.
While her family was small in number, the love among them was great. Della and Dewey’s son, Steven, passed away in 2012. She will be deeply missed by her daughter, Kathleen Dickman. Della was Kathy’s best friend, confidant, and role model. She will also be missed by her four grandchildren: Gina Keck of Appleton, Wisconsin and Tyler, Derik, and Jared Dickman of Osgood. She spent countless hours playing with them and just being their “Nanny,” a nickname bestowed on her by her granddaughter, Gina. She probably spent more time playing baseball with Tyler, Derik, and Jared than most major leaguers do in their whole career. Her sister, Dallis Stanton, passed away in 2001. Her sister, Cecelia Ratliff, and brother, Johnnie Allen, live in Florida.
The list of qualities that made Della unique could fill volumes. She was, and always will be, deeply loved and missed by her family and friends. We know she’s now in a wonderful place where she is whole again and watching over us. Hopefully Heaven’s library is ready for her because she was an avid reader.
Della led a life of service, and in true form, per her last request, her body was donated to the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Indiana University for study in the hopes of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s/dementia. A celebration of Della’s life will be held Saturday, September 24, at 9 a.m. at the Delaware United Methodist Church. A reception/social hour will immediately follow in the church basement. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Delaware United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.
Michael Allen Fasbinder
Michael Allen Fasbinder, age 49, of Napoleon, passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2016, surrounded by his family and friends. Mike was born on October 26, 1966 in Greensburg, the son of the late Robert L. and Sharon Fasbinder.
Michael graduated from Batesville High School in 1985. During his teenage years, he earned one of the highest honors a teenage boy can receive, the honor of being an Eagle Scout. He married Kathy Moore on June 15, 1996, and they had a daughter, Mikaela Lynn Fasbinder. Mike was owner/operator of Southeastern Truck and Trailer located in New Point and had previously worked at other places as a mechanic or heavy equipment operator.
Mike was preceded in death by his father Robert, maternal grandparents Leonard and Mae Kohlman, paternal grandparents Clarence and Elsie Fasbinder, cousin Karen Cain, and father-in-law Tyler Moore. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; and daughter Mikaela at home; mother Sharon; brothers Doug (Debbie) Fasbinder of Cleves, OH; Jason (Claire) Fasbinder of Sarasota, FL; nieces Pamela and Meagan; and nephews Christopher, Matthew, Joshua, and Zaile.
Services were held Monday, Sept. 19 at Neal’s Funeral Home, Osgood. Memorials may be made out to the Mikaela College Fund in care of the funeral home. Neal’s Funeral Home, Osgood, was entrusted with arrangements.
Roger Leroy Meyer
Roger Leroy Meyer, 63, passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2016, while at home with his family in Lynnwood, Washington. He succumbed to complications from congestive heart failure which he battled for more than eleven years.
Roger was born November 11, 1952, was raised in Dewberry, Indiana and graduated from South Ripley High School. He served in the US Navy for five years. He later worked at the Naval Supply Center in Pearl Harbor and as a club manager. He worked for Raytheon Engineers at Johnston Island, Hawaii, where he met his wife Agnes. The family moved to Indiana in February 1993, later to Alabama and have been in Washington State for the last 14 years where Roger worked as a purchasing agent for the Suquamish Clearwater Casino. Roger loved playing golf in his younger years, but fishing was a passion. He captained a charter fishing boat in Hawaii. He laughed when you bragged about catching an 8-lb fish because on a normal day at sea, the catch often included a 400 lb. marlin.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Mabel. He is survived by his wife Agnes, daughters Tracy and Kris, son Ivan and daughter-in-law Tina, brother Jim (Connie) Meyer of Dewberry, sisters Ruth Dalbec of Howard Lake, Minnesota and Rita (Tom) Cassidy of Wesley Chapel, Florida and Dillsboro, Indiana plus many other relatives, friends, and co-workers. He will be greatly missed. His body will be cremated. Memorials may be made to the Ripley County Humane Society.
Margaret Lilly “Patsy” Ralston
Margaret Lilly “Patsy” Ralston, 98, of Olean passed away at 7:10 a.m. Sunday, September 18, 2016 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. She was born near Vevay on June 3, 1918, the daughter of Alex and Nettie Robertson Clements. She was married to Bruce Ralston on June 20, 1936 at the Baptists parsonage in Vevay and he preceded her in death on October 6, 1992.
Survivors include one son Wayne (Pat) Ralston of Palmetto, Florida; one daughter Kaye (Ernest Lee) Hunger of Benham; five grandchildren Chris Ralston of Bradenton, Florida, Holly Ralston of Huntsville, Alabama, Christy (Mike) Swango of Holton, and Bob (Connie) Hunger and Jennifer (Ralph) Miller of Versailles; 10 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law Earl Ralston of Tacoma, Washington and Dillman (Evelyn) Ralston of Clearwater, Florida; sister-in-law Mary Geyman of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her grandson Thomas Hunger.
Mrs. Ralston rode in a horse-drawn wagon to the one-room schools of Park Ridge, Pendleton Run, and Tater Bug in Switzerland County and was a 1935 graduate of Vevay High School where she played on the girls basketball team. She was an avid bowler in her younger years and also followed the Cincinnati Reds. Mrs. Ralston was also a loyal follower of South Ripley sports especially when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were participating. She worked for several years as a cook at the Cross Plains school and retired from Ripley County Wholesalers in Milan where she worked as a bookkeeper. Patsy was a 64 year member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Olean where she participated in the Ladies Aid.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 22 at 11 a.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Olean with Pastor Curtis Black officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles. Memorials may be given to the St. Paul Improvement Fund in care of the funeral home.
Darrell Hixson
Darrell Hixson, 72, or Sunman, Dearborn County, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2016. Visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 1-4 p.m., followed by services at 4 p.m. all at Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville. Memorials may be given to the Batesville Christian Church. Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Ronald R. Moreland
Ronald R. Moreland, 69, of Tipton, died at 1:55 a.m. on Friday, September 16, 2016 at Golden Living in Kokomo. He was born on May 3, 1947 in Indianapolis to Glover Moreland, Sr. and Emogene (Fletcher) Moreland.
Ron was a 1965 graduate of Holton High School in Holton. He had worked at Perfect Circle in Tipton and later at Dana Corporation in Indianapolis. He loved drawing, especially race cars. Ron was a past member of the Quarter Milers auto club and he was well known for his ‘77 yellow Corvette.
Ron is survived by his brothers and sisters, Beverly Toney and Judith Rayle, both of Zephyrhills, Florida, Katherine Weismiller and husband John, Lafayette, Glover “Butch” Moreland and wife Carolyn, Tipton, Max Moreland, Bremen, Georgia and Ron’s twin brother, Donald Moreland and wife Arlene, Tipton. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by one sister, Shirley Rednour, three brothers-in-law, Jim Rednour, George Toney and Jim Rayle and one sister-in-law, Carol Moreland.
At Ron’s request no services are planned. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions in Ron’s name may be made to Tipton High School Athletic Department, 619 S. Main Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.
Katherine Dorothy Fischmer
Katherine Dorothy Fischmer, age 91, of Batesville, passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2016. Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 17 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Batesville. Rev. Jill Kepler-Campbell officiated with burial in the St. Mark Lutheran Church Cemetery, Batesville. Memorials may be given to the St. Marks Church Cemetery Fund. www.meyersfuneralhomes.com. Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville, was in charge of arrangements.
Brenda Helen Breakfield Stewart
Brenda Helen Breakfield Stewart, of Madison, died on Friday, September 16, 2016. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m., at the Cornerstone Baptist Church, Hanover, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison. Friends may call Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Memorial contributions may be given to the Cornerstone Baptist Church Van/Bus Ministry. Cards are available at the funeral home and at the church. Online condolences, www.morgan-nay.com. Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, Madison, is in charge of arrangements.
John Warren Thrasher
John Warren Thrasher, 61, of Dillsboro, passed away Friday, September 16, 2016. Services will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to PAWS of Dearborn County. Sibbett-Moore Funeral Home, Moores Hill is entrusted with arrangements, 16717 Manchester Street, PO Box 156, 47032, (812)744-3280. Go to www.sibbettmoore.com to leave an online condolence message.
