Osgood Journal Obituaries

PAGE UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING FEBRUARY 13, 2018.

Joan Menchhofer

The community of Osgood lost a familiar face, Joan Menchhofer 57, passed away Wednesday February 7, at St Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born the daughter of the late Merle and Wilma (Wagner) on September 1, 1960.

She grew up on 700 North and lived there basically her entire life. She graduated from Jac-Cen-Del in the class of 1978, and then attended Purdue University and graduated in 1981 with a degree in Agriculture Economics. Joan had various talents and interest. She began to play musical instruments at an early age, it is believed she played her first mass on the organ as early as 10 or 11 years old and did her first wedding at the age of 12. She also played the trumpet for years, helping our local veterans honor many fallen comrades. Joan was a dedicated person and passionate about many things. She worked nearly 28 years with Laughery Valley Ag Co-Op and could tell you where everything was in the farm store.

She was a lifetime member of St. Maurice Catholic Church, a member of the Napoleon Lady’s Auxiliary VFW, and a proud member of the Purdue Alumni Association. She had served for nearly 20 years as the Jackson Township trustee. The Ripley County 4 H Fair was an area near to her heart and she dedicated much time and effort to support children. One of her favorite memories was to recall playing for the Jac-Cen-Del Lady Eagles. She was a proud member of the 1976-1978 varsity team. This group of girls only lost three games in three years, the last one being as runner ups to the State title, what an amazing accomplishment! The efforts and interest of this group, can still be felt today, as the Lady Eagles continue in their successes. Without a doubt was the love she had for her family, her extended family, but especially her daughters. She was proud of who they were and enjoyed being a part of their life. They turned her onto craft beers and having a good time, cheers to a life well lived!

Joan was preceded in death by her parents and brother Andy. She is survived by daughters Erin (Eric) Padgett of Osgood and Jenna of San Diego, CA., along with granddaughters Emma and Jordan.

Visitation was held on Friday, February 9, 2018 at Neal’s Funeral Home in Osgood and funeral services held on Saturday also at the funeral home. Memorials can made out to the Ripley County 4H Corporation or the Jac-Cen-Del Scholarship Foundation in care of the funeral home. BOILER UP!

Rev. Rand Hooton

Rev. Rand Hooton, 74, of Versailles, passed away at 6:30 a.m., Friday, February 9, 2018 at his home. He was born at the Whitlatch Clinic in Milan on Tuesday, July 13, 1943, the son of Damon and Ruth Laswell Hooton. He was married to Rosalie Henderson on June 14, 1968, and his wife of 49 years survives. Other survivors include one son, Damon Hooton of Versailles; two daughters, Dyveke (Mike) Cox of Martinsville and Charity (Bill) McGannon of Bloomington; four grandchildren Evan, Lauren, and Benjamin Cox, and Lillian McGannon; his mother-in-law Genelle Henderson of Versailles; three brothers Berke (Judy) Hooton of Nashville, Dana (Cheryl) Hooton of Madison, and Rob ( Linda) Hunger of Osgood. He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law Chester Henderson, and his sisters Elyse Hooton and Lolita Hooton.

Mr. Hooton was a 1961 graduate of Milan High School. He received his BA degree in social studies from Purdue University in 1971. Rand was a long time employee of Williamson Heating and Air in Madison and also worked at ITT Thompson in North Vernon. In 1982 he graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville and spent the rest of his career as a pastor. From 1980 to 2010 he pastored the Burney Baptist Church and had also served interim pastorates in Rising Sun, Osgood, and Richmond.

Rand was currently a member of the Versailles Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was a 24 year member of the Burney Fire Department and had also belonged to the Milford Masonic Lodge. He also spent several summers as a counselor and pastor for the Southeast Indiana Baptist Youth Camp at Westport and also formerly served as Ripley County Sanitarian.

Funeral services for Rand will be held on Thursday, February 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. Mike Cantrell officiating. Burial will be in the Cliff Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Versailles Baptist Church or the Southeast Indiana Baptist Youth Camp in care of the funeral home.

Partha Lou Swingle

Partha Lou Swingle, 83, of Olean, passed away at 1:55 a.m., Saturday, February 10, 2018 at St. Andrews Health Campus in Batesville. She was born in Peotone, Illinois on Sunday, October 14, 1934, the daughter of Carl and Marjorie Handlon Benham. She was married to Robert Bradford who preceded her in death, and on December 14, 1963 she was married to Arthur Swingle and he survives.

Other survivors include two sons, David (Lynnette Young) Swingle of Versailles and Duane (Christy) Swingle of Sunman; three daughters, Barbara (Eddie) Smith of Cross Plains, Janet (Dennis) Hewitt of Versailles, and Dianna (Mark) Jeffries of Olean; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren; one brother Jerry (Sharon) Benham of Aurora. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her sister Carlene, and her stepmother Velta Benham.

Mrs. Swingle was a 1952 graduate of Versailles High School. Partha was a full time mom and also worked at the Jefferson Proving Ground where she did clerical work. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed being part of the local card club. Partha was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church at Olean.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 16 at 1 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Pastor Curtis Black officiating. Burial will be in the St. Paul Cemetery at Olean. Visitation will also be on Friday from 11 a.m. until time of services. Memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church in care of the funeral home.

Hope Marie Gammons

Hope Marie Gammons, 79, of Versailles, passed away at 4:20 a.m., Friday, February 9, 2018 at her home. She was born at Cross Plains on August 18, 1938, the daughter of Harold and Mae Cooper Melton. She was married to Edward Jolly who preceded her in death on March 16, 2003. She was married to Norris Gammons on February 12, 2006 and he survives.

Other survivors include one son, Mark McClure of Shelbyville; two daughters, Pam (Randy) Bressert of Versailles and Brenda Vaughn of Seymour; 10 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; four stepsons Rick Jolly of Hazard, Kentucky, Charles Jolly of Versailles, Jeff (Michelle) Gammons of Milan, and Anthony (Jamie) Gammons of Vevay; three stepdaughters Lisa (Dennis) Sanders of Versailles, Linda (Ervin) Pettit of Moores Hill, and Cindy (Rachid) Cushing of Cleves, Ohio. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers Harold Melton, Jr. and Lee Allen Melton, and her sister Kathy Melton Burton.

Mrs. Gammons attended the Cross Plains School. She was a homemaker and did babysitting in the Versailles and Cross Plains communities. She also was an employee of US Shoe in Vevay and Osgood for 30 years. Marie was a lifelong member of the Cross Plains Church of Christ.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 12 at the Cross Plains Church of Christ with Bro. Logan Fugate officiating. Burial was in the Salem Cemetery at Cross Plains. Memorials may be given to the Cross Plains Church of Christ or the Salem Cemetery in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.