The Versailles Republican Obituaries

UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING JANUARY 31, 2018 3 P.M.

Paul J. Morris

Paul J. Morris died Sunday, January 28, 2018. He was born July 13, 1941 to Ruth (Smith) and Albert J. Morris who preceded him in death.

Paul graduated from Versailles High School in 1959. He was a builder and creator and always had a pencil and notepad close by to jot down ideas. From laying hardwood in his daughter’s homes to reconstructing historical cabins to spending time operating his backhoe, Paul collected items others would often discard, saving them for just the right project. His favorite projects included rebuilding a historical stone bridge and creating “Paul Henge,” a collection of well tops that shows the exact change of seasons. It’s built to align perfectly with the angle of sunlight on the solstice and equinox, similar to Neolithic stone circles. In addition to building projects, Paul had many enterprises over the years. He farmed, worked for Farm Bureau Insurance and was a national distributor for Bosch Lights, making lifelong friends at farm shows throughout the Midwest. Paul also loved traveling and telling stories. His story telling was legendary and he always enjoyed sharing experiences and memories with friends and family. He traveled abroad and across the United States with his favorite trip being to Alaska in 2016. Paul was an involved community member and a member of the Indiana Freemasons fraternity. He was inducted into the Ripley County Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005.

He is survived by his special friend, Karla Shelpman; daughters Paula (David) Hall of St. Charles, IL and Amy (Jeff) Liter of Batesville; and grandchildren Austin (Meen) Hall, Allison (Brandon) Woods and Meg Liter. He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Prarat Morris, and his brother, Ken Morris.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 3 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with a service immediately following at 12 p.m. Memorials may be made in his memory to the Holton Cemetery.

Dale A. Heber

Dale A. Heber, 95, of Dabney, passed away at 10:15 a.m., Monday, January 29, 2018 at the St. Vincent Jennings Hospital in North Vernon. He was born in Cincinnati on January 23, 1923, the son of George and Ann Gilb Heber. He was married to Imogene Vanosdol on April 26, 1947 and his wife of 70 years survives. Other survivors include one son Jerry Heber of Madison; one daughter Doris Callis Jensen of Madison; his son-in-law Michael McKee of Florida; four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Jean McKee, and his sister Juanita Middleton.

Mr. Heber was an Army veteran of WWII where he served in the 49th Combat Engineer Battalion as a Sergeant. His unit participated in battles at Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and the Ardennes. For service to his country Dale was awarded the American Defense Ribbon, the EAME Ribbon with 5 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and the Bronze Arrowhead. Dale was discharged from the Army on December 8, 1945. In civilian life Dale was a farmer and also worked as a CNA at the Madison State Hospital for 34 years, retiring in 1985. Dale was a member of the St. John Catholic Church in Osgood and the Versailles American Legion.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 2 at 11 a.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Father Frank Eckstein officiating.

Burial will be in the St. John Catholic Cemetery in Osgood with military graveside rites by the Versailles American Legion. Visitation will be on Friday from 9 a.m. until time of services. Memorials may be given to the Ripley County Humane Society in care of the funeral home.

Larry D. Cleaver

Larry D. Cleaver, 74, of Milan, passed away Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born October 11, 1944 in Pennsylvania, the son of Harold and Martha (Donaldson) Cleaver. He married Shirley (Henley) Cleaver and she preceded him in death.

Larry worked at The Reservation in Milan as a cook. He enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include numerous sisters and brothers-in-law. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers and sisters.

Funeral service will be at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be made to the family. Filter-DeVries-Moore Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements, P.O. Box 146 Dillsboro, In 47018 (812)432-5480. Go to www.filterdevriesmoore.com to leave a online condolence for the family.