Osgood Journal Obituaries

PAGE UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING FEBRUARY 26, 2018 4 P.M.

Raymond F. Schmaltz

After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Raymond F. Schmaltz passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Honor Health Hospital, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Raymond was born on July 4, 1966 at Batesville to the late Russell and Marie Schmaltz of Osgood. Raymond graduated from Jac-Cen-Del High School in 1984. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force. For 20 years, Raymond served the country he loved. He participated in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Other duty assignments included bases in Arizona, Mississippi, California, North Dakota and Japan. (Go “Maintainers”!) He was awarded numerous commendations throughout his career including Airman of the Month which entitled him to a ride in a F-16 fighter jet.

After retirement from the Air Force, Raymond landed in Maricopa, Arizona buying a property next door to his brother Daren. Raymond embraced life - he was a licensed scuba diver, performed numerous parachute jumps, enjoyed motorcycle riding (dirt and highway), and loved to take friends and family out in the desert in his dune buggy. Raymond was a gun enthusiast and great marksman. He’s solely responsible for getting his sister hooked on air rifles. A movie-buff, Raymond’s collection of titles number in the hundreds. He recently purchased a PPG (powered para glider) and soloed September 24th.
Raymond enjoyed spending time with his sisters and brother and nieces and nephews. He was a great neighbor and friend and always willing to help. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include sister Reyna (Jim) Jackson of Osgood; brother Daren (Marie) Schmaltz of Maricopa, Arizona and sister Vanessa (Duane) Hays of Colorado Springs, Colorado as well as six nieces and nephews and their families.

Visitation will be at Neal’s Funeral Home, Osgood, on Friday, March 2, 2018 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Osgood First Baptist Church on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 11:00 am. Burial to follow at Tanglewood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Osgood First Baptist Church and/or Tanglewood Cemetery Maintenance Fund in care of the funeral home. www.nealsfuneralhome.net

Gary E. Conant

Gary E. Conant, 72, of Versailles, passed away at 7:10 p.m., Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the Margaret Mary Community Hospital in Batesville. He was born at Terre Haute on June 14, 1945, the son of Julius and Gladys Roys Conant. He was married to Patricia Scott on April 22, 1972 and she survives. Other survivors include one son Brian (Meghan) Conant of Charlotte, North Carolina; also twin grandsons Hank and Ronan Conant. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Gary was a 1968 graduate of Purdue University where he received his degree in Wildlife Management. From 1968 to 1970 he served with the US Army in Korea. In civilian life Gary worked for the USDA as a Resource and Conservation Developer and this included being a coordinator for Historic Hoosier Hills. His 35 years with the USDA allowed him and Pat to live in five different Indiana communities. Gary also assisted Pat in operating Pat’s Bulk Foods at Correct for 26 years. Gary and Pat attended the North Madison Christian Church.

Gary’s wishes were to be cremated and a private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials for Gary may be given to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, or Rescue 69 in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.

Dora L. Mack

Dora L. Mack, age 78, of Madison, died on Wednesday, February 21, 2018. Funeral services were held Sunday, February 25 at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, Madison with burial in the Dupont Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lancaster Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society. Cards are available at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at www.morgan-nay.com. Morgan-Nay Funeral Centre, Madison, was in charge of arrangements.

Stella “Pat” Flora Westerfeld

Stella “Pat” Flora Westerfeld, age 98, of Batesville, passed away Thursday, February 22, 2018. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 24 at Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville. Burial was in St. Paul Cemetery, Batesville. Memorials may be given to St. Paul Cemetery Fund c/o the funeral home. Meyers Funeral Home, Batesville, was entrusted with arrangements.

Denver Lee Lauber

Denver Lee Lauber, of Holton, known by his friends as “Lefty”, passed away at his home on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 2:10 p.m. at the age of 82. He was born December 31, 1935 on the farm where he lived his entire life. He was the son of Dennis and Madeline Daugherty Lauber. He was married to Betty Ross on June 19, 1954.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years; his four children Garry (Marcia) Lauber of Plymouth, Barry (Cynthia) Lauber of Holton, Deborah (Terry) Baker of Loveland, Colorado, and Steve (Mindy) Lauber of Dillsboro; eight grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Merlin Lauber.

Denver was a 1953 graduate of Holton High School where he played on the Warhorse basketball team. His occupation was farming, but there were many jobs over his career which included mail carrier and township assessor. Denver was a lifelong member of the Hopewell Baptist Church and served on the South Ripley School Board.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 3 at 11 a.m. at the Hopewell Baptist Church with Rev. Ty Choate officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery immediately following the service. Visitation will be on Friday, March 2 from 4-8 p.m. at the Hopewell Baptist Church. Memorials may be given to the Hopewell Baptist Church Building Fund or the Hopewell Cemetery Association in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.

George L. Minch

George L. Minch, 84, of Cross Plains, passed away at 7:45 p.m., Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at the King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison. He was born at Shelbyville, Kentucky on January 15, 1934, the son of Ollis and Virginia Mann Minch. He was married to Patricia Hambrick on August 28, 1953 and she preceded him in death on November 23, 2013.

Survivors include one son, Louis Minch of Osgood; two daughters Ruth Mann of Osgood and Lori (Jerry) McGuire of Greensburg; 11 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; also surviving George was his dog Molly. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law John Mann, his sister Anita Jean Demaree, and his brother William Minch.

Mr. Minch was a 1952 graduate of Cross Plains High School. He was an Army veteran and was discharged from the Service on June 26, 1962. He spent his entire working career, 45 years, as a loader/operator for Berry Materials at Versailles, retiring in 1996. George was a member of the Cross Plains United Methodist Church and was also an avid fisherman.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 27 at 1 p.m. at the Cross Plains United Methodist Church with Jerry Brooks officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military graveside rites by the Versailles American Legion. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. Tuesday until time of services. Memorials may be given to the Cross Plains United Methodist Church in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.