The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1442307
B-4 Wednesday, Januar y 12, 2022 The Press-Dispatch OBITUARIES Submit obituaries: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: obits@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg Deadline: 5 p.m. on Monday More obituaries on page 6 Something Newsworthy? CALL 812-354-8500 Obituary Deadline Every Monday at 5 p.m. The family of Mike Middleton would like to thank Pike Co. EMS, First Responders and Petersburg Police in their care of Mike. A very special thank you to Sara Thorne and Desiree Craig for their care of the children during this difficult time and to Harris Fu- neral Home. We want to thank First Baptist Church for the use of the sanctuary and the delicious meal after the service. Also, a special thanks to Tammy Graham for the beautiful service. We want to thank the Free Methodist Church for the food brought in before the service and also Rev. Paul New- ton for his words of comfort. We are truly amazed at the outpouring of love and hope we haven't missed anyone. Jim and Kim Midd leton, Ashley Midd leton, Eli, Emma and Eloise Thank You The family of Buddy McCormick would like to thank you very much for the cards, flowers, donations to PAWS & kind expressions of sympathy shown following his passing. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Pike County Sheriff's Department, EMS and the first responders that attended to Buddy that morning. We also would like to thank Harris Funeral Home, Rev. Ron Ficklin for the beautiful service, Main Street Presbyterian Church and Randy's All-American Cafe for the meal. A special thank you to his neighbors, who over these past few years have been so good to him in so many ways. Your support at this difficult time was very much appreciated and a great comfort to the family. With Sincere Gratitude, Sue Hill Martin, Terry and Peggy McCormick and their families Thank You PAULA FAYE LEIGHTY Paula Faye Leighty, 80, of Vincennes, passed away on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. She was born on Septem- ber 29, 1941, to Porter and Jea- nette Church, of Petersburg. She was a 1959 graduate of Petersburg High School. She worked at Pike County Bank, Otwell State Bank and Citi- zens State Bank. She loved to read and spend time with her family. She is survived by her children, Kim (Alan) Mill- er, of Sullivan, Brian (Beata) Leighty, of Jupiter, Fla., and Kristi Gross, of Newburgh; grandchildren, Heather Mill- er, Sean Gross, Alex Gross and Zachary Leighty; and sig- nificant other, Jerry Montan- ya, of Vincennes. She was preceded in death by her parents, Porter and Jea- nette Church. Graveside services were at 11:30 a.m. EST on Monday, January 10, 2022, at Walnut Hills Cemetery in Petersburg. O.D. Harris Funeral Home was entrusted with her care. Online condolences may be made at odharrisfuneralhome. com. LELAND ORVAL SWAIN Leland Orval "Leebuck" Swain, 77, passed away on Sat- urday, January 8, 2021, at his home in Petersburg. He was born February 3, 1944, to Forrest and Mary Swain Myers, in Royal Oak, Mich. His guardians were his grandparents, Orval and Lu- ra Swain. He married Marilyn Good- pasture on March 18, 1967. He was a lifetime member of Iron Workers Local 103, Evans- ville, served in the U.S. Army, and was a lifetime member of Petersburg VFW Post #3587. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marilyn "Tootsie" Swain; daughters, Carla Fet- tinger, Sharmon Tegmeyer, Dana (Ron) Fidler and Kerry (Alan) Dowdell; seven grand- children; 11 great-grand- children; and niece, Lenette Swain. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; grandson, Ryan Dowdell; great-grandson, Connor Mc- Clain; son-in-law, Steve Fet- tinger; brother, Forrest Dwight Swain; and sister, Bev- erly Taylor. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan- uary 12, 2022, at O.D. Harris Funeral Home in Petersburg. Burial will follow at Walnut Hills Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at the funeral home. O.D. Harris Funeral Home is entrusted with care. Online condolences may be made at odharrisfuneralhome.com. CYNTHIA LEE TEDROW Cynthia Lee Tedrow, 68, of Leesburg, Fla., formerly of Pe- tersburg, passed away Friday, December 24, 2021. She was born on February 7, 1953, in Waynesburg, Penn. She graduated from Peters- burg High School. She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Lee ( John R. Voss, Jr.) Brozenske; daughter, Ashley Brozenske; sister, Collette Lynn (Bob- by) Camp; grandson, John R. Voss, III.; niece, Dana Hamp- ton; and other extended fami- ly and friends. Services will be private at a later date. DELORES RUTH HEMMER Delores Ruth Kinkade Hem- mer, 84, took her last breath on earth and her first in heav- en on Monday, January 3, 2022. Born in Bone Gap, Ill., to Harold and Vivian Kinkade on April 19, 1937, she lived most of her life in Zoar. Some would say she was just a housewife, but she was so much more. She was a wife and part- ner to Ralph, whom she mar- ried on June 5, 1955, a loving mother to Becky, John, Ra- chel, and Laura (Lou), a devot- ed "Granny" to 12 grandchil- dren, 32 great-grandchildren and three great-great grand- children, and several foster great-grandchildren. She was a gardener and herbalist, an amazing cook and baker, a vocally-trained soprano, and an author, pub- lishing three books about life on Meadowtop, the farm that was homesteaded by her hus- band's family. She also wrote the Zoar news for the Dubois Co. Herald, as well as Mead- owtop Journal in the Hunting- burg Press. She loved collecting an- tiques, and she and her hus- band owned a shop, Granny's Antiques, for many years be- fore retiring. She was a woman of strong faith, who was sought out by others as a mentor, confidante, prayer partner and Christian friend, who always had time to listen. As the children were growing up, the family trav- eled and sang gospel music at churches, gatherings and au- ditoriums and, at times, were privileged to open for groups like the Cathedral Quartet. She and Ralph were lay mis- sionaries, serving on many Weekend Encounter teams. She was also a member of the Emmaus community. When she and Ralph married, she be- came a member of Zoar United Methodist Church and served faithfully over the years as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, UMW president and was on the original Mosquito Fest committee. She graduated from Hunt- ingburg High School in 1955. She was a charter member of Southern Belles Extension Homemakers Club, and she and Ralph were years-long members of the Uhl Collec- tors Society. Left to mourn her pass- ing are her children, Becky (Ron) Brockriede, John ( Jan- et) Hemmer, Rachel (Ron) Hughes and Lou Hemmer; her grandchildren, Cin- dy (Chris) Rothrock, Jason (Amber) Brockriede, Natalie ( Jeff ) Meece, Erin ( Jeremy) Marshall, Doug (Alaina) Hall, Jenny (Doug) Polley, Joshua (Paula) Hemmer, Jill (Darryl) Booth, Timmi (Mike) Shawl- er, Jonathon (Katherine) Hemmer, Chase (Christy) Walton and Tai (Mike) Mul- doon; her sister, DeAnn (Da- vid) Kurtz; sister-in-law, Lin- da Kinkade; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Meeting her in heaven are her husband and soulmate of 62 years, Ralph Hemmer; her parents, Harold and Viv- ian Kinkade; and her beloved brothers, Mickey, Bobby, and Keith Kinkade. Services were at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at the Zoar United Methodist Church in Zoar. Visitation was from 2-8 p.m. on Friday at the Nass & Son Funeral Home in Hunting- burg. Memorial contributions can be made to the Zoar Unit- ed Methodist Church for fam- ily wishes. Condolences may be shared online at www.nas- sandson.com. MARILYN ELAINE ROBINSON Marilyn Elaine (Roots) Robinson, 87, of Decatur, Ill., passed away on January 5, 2022. She was born in Cass Coun- ty, Iowa, to J. Burl and Carrie (Hundorf ) Roots. She grew up in Anita, Iowa, with her twin sister, Marjorie, and brother, Ronald. In 1951, she graduated from Anita High School and soon married Charles A. Rob- inson in 1952. They had two sons, James and Thomas. In 1969, they put down roots in Petersburg, where they found a strong sense of community to raise their family. A fter earning her Associ- ates Degree in Business from Vincennes University, Jasper in 1986, she returned to Ani- ta, Iowa in 1987. In 2004, she moved to Decatur, Ill., to be near her son's family (Tom, daughter-in-law, Danette, and grandchildren, Brittany and Kirstin). She resided there until her passing. Through the years, she was active in local United Methodist Churches, P.E.O. Sisterhood and served on nu- merous community organiza- tions. She is survived by her son, Tom (Danette) Robinson; granddaughters, Brittany and Kirstin Robinson; niec- es, Jackie (Doug) Kluver and Becky (Steve) Hagen; and nephews, Larry ( Judy) Roots, Doug (Deb) Karns and Roger (Chantel) Karns. She was preceded in her death by her parents, Burl and Carrie Roots; son, James Rob- inson; brother, Ronald Roots; sister-in-law, Karma Roots; twin sister, Marjorie Karns; and brother-in-law, Donald Karns. A family graveside service will be on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at Walnut Hills Cem- etery in Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to Marilyn's home- town library, Anita Public Li- brary, http://anitalibrary.org/ support-your-library/, make checks payable to Anita Pub- lic Library, PO Box 366, Anita, IA 50020. Lamb-Basham Me- morial Chapel, Inc. is entrust- ed with her care. MARY MAGDALENE HARPER Mary Magdalene Harper, 86, of Winslow, passed away January 1, 2022, in Oakland City. She was born September 13, 1935, in Petersburg, to John and Myrtle (Selby) Query. She was a graduate of Pe- tersburg High School Class of 1954. She loved painting pic- tures and belonged to a bowl- ing league in Oakland City. She is survived by her son, David (Renee) Harper; grand- son, Joshua Lewis Harper; grandchildren, Kelsey Ma- rie Harper, Aaron Harper and Trevor Harper; sister, Caro- lyn Sue Houchins; niece, Alice Bryman; nephew, Rick Kin- man; and sister-in-law, Betty Kinman. She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Harper; son, Roger Harper; her par- ents; brothers, Ed Query and Russell "Buck" Query; and sis- ters, Eva Cockerham and Ed- na Smith. Services were at 1 p.m. EST on Monday, January 10, 2022, at Harris Funeral Home in Pe- tersburg, with Pastor Jim Wil- liams officiating. Burial fol- lowed at Pleasant Ridge Cem- etery. Visitation was from 11 a.m. until service time on Monday at the funeral home. Harris Funeral Home was entrusted with her care. artist, working in oils, pas- tels and watercolor. She was selected for membership in the Palette Club in Lou- isville. She was also a vora- cious reader and book collec- tor. She was truly a lifelong learner, and encouraged and supported the education of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to travel with Ron and their family. She vis- ited much of the United States, multiple countries around the world, and sailed on nearly 30 cruises. She was most proud of her family and her career as a reg- istered nurse. But she was al- so proud of being from Peters- burg. Now she is coming back to her beloved hometown. She is survived by her hus- band, Ron; their four children, Brian ( Judy) Miller, Daniel (Patti) Miller, Susan (Sam) Cilone and Laurie (Rob) Tarr; seven grandchildren, Cortney (Oliver) Hamilton, Michael (Kaitlyn) Miller, Paige (Alex) Johnson, Troy Cilone, Jeffrey Miller, Hannah Tarr and Ja- son Tarr; two great-grandchil- dren, Harper Miller and Milo Miller; and several cousins, nieces and nephews around the country. A graveside service was at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Walnut Hills Cem- etery. Visitation was from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday at Harris Funeral Home in Petersburg. The family will hold an event to celebrate Faye's life in May or June of this year in Louisville. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the WHAS Crusade for Chil- dren, The Kentucky Lions Club Eye Bank or Habitat for Humanity. DONA FAYE MILLER Dona Faye ( Weber) Miller, 85, of Floyds Knobs, died on January 1, 2022. She was born June 26, 1936, the youngest of eight children of Harry and Maude Weber, of Petersburg. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Ronald E. Miller, for 64 years. The two met and dated while attend- ing Petersburg High School, where they were graduates of the PHS Class of 1954. The couple married in the United Methodist Church of Peters- burg on August 17, 1957. Faye completed her nurs- ing studies at both Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and Vincennes University. A fter their wedding, she worked as a registered nurse at the State Hospital. She maintained her license as an R.N. the rest of her life. She took an 18 -year hiatus from active nursing to help raise four children and be- came an anything-but-stay-at- home mom along the way. She was always an active volunteer with her children's school and many activities. As the children got older, she returned to nursing. She worked as a psychiatric nurse, first at Our Lady of Peace Hos- pital in Louisville and then with the University of Louis- ville Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. Through the years, she and her family lived in Evans- ville; Muskegon, Mich.; Fort Smith, Ark.; Louisville, Ky.; and Floyds Knobs. No matter where they lived, she always considered Petersburg and Pike County her "home." She maintained lifelong friendships with many of her Petersburg High School class- mates. She and Ron helped plan and attend their own class reunions, in addition to attending the Petersburg/ Pike County High School Alumni Banquets for more than six decades. Through the years, she was an active community vol- unteer, volunteering her time and talents to several schools and P TAs, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Fern Creek Wom- an's Club, Habitat for Human- ity and the Kentucky School for the Blind, among other or- ganizations. Her most significant civ- ic commitment was first as a charter member of the Fern Creek Lioness Club, and then an active member and office- holder of the Fern Creek Li- ons Club in Louisville for more than 40 years. One of her children said, "Helping others and being in- volved in our community is a part of each of our lives today. It's what we do because it's how we were taught." Faye was an accomplished JAMES TAYLOR HUNTER James Taylor Hunter, 51, of Evansville, passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at his home. Many people knew him as Jamey or J.T. He was born on July 12, 1970, in Arlington Heights, Ill., to Jim Hunter and Karen (Pierce) Hunter. He had owned and operat- ed J.T. Roofing for many years. He loved his family and en- joyed spending time with his wife and children. His first love from the age of 8 was his motorcycle, riding and working on it. He competed two years in Indiana State Ju- nior Motocross and spent two years racing at Loretta Lynn's in Tennessee at the age of 10, placing in the top 12. He is survived by his wife, Suzette Hunter; children, Harden Hunter, Lucy Hunter, Zach Doane, Kenzie (Matt) Welch; father, Jim Hunter; mother, Karen Hunter; sisters, Stacy Hunter (Houston) Bag- ley and Wendi Hunter (Ken) Nurrenbern; mother-in-law, Sandra Hensley; and nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will take place from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at Lamb-Basham Memorial Chapel in Oakland City. Friends may send a condo- lence to the family at www. LambBasham.com.