All Obituaries

How do you sum up the life of an amazing woman? How do you convey how full of life she was, how much she loved her husband, her children and their spouses, her grandchildren, her siblings and her friends? How do you describe a smile that made everyone feel they were so lucky to be around her? How do you characterize a woman who was a surrogate mother to so many, and who made friends with complete strangers, taking time to hear about their lives? Marcia Bavender was all of those things and...

Carmel Vaughn, 75, of McCordsville, passed away Saturday, November 25, 2023. He was born August 1, 1948, in Monticello, Ky to Carson C. and Mae (Jones) Vaughn. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served in Vietnam. Carmel retired from General Motors/Allison Transmission as a machinist. He was a member of the United Auto Workers Union. He was of the Baptist faith. Carmel is survived by siblings: Mildred and Carl Vaughn both of Indianapolis, sisters-in-law Janice Threet of Cookeville, TN and...

Tom Joseph Rhoads, 77, of Fortville passed away Monday, November 20, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born March 27, 1946, in Anderson to Robert and Ina Rhoads. Tom attended Center School and graduated from Lapel High School in 1964.  He was an Air Force veteran serving during the Vietnam War. Tom retired from Ford Motor Company as a production worker in 1999 after 35 years’ service. Tom was a member of UAW Local 1111, follower of Christ with his Brothers and...

Linda K. Hochstetler, 81, of Fortville, passed away Thursday November 16, 2023, at Rawlins House in Pendleton.  She was born August 10, 1942, in Hammond, IN to the late Paul Akers and Erva (Romine) Akers.  She was a graduate from North Central High School in Sullivan County. Linda retired from Mt. Vernon Elementary School after 36 years of service as the head cook.  She was an active member of the Fortville Christian Church, the Fortville Lions Club, the Fortville Jaycees,...

Julia A. (Hurst) Turner, 65, of Fortville passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. She was born July 10, 1958, in Kokomo, Indiana.  Julie was a real estate agent who loved her family and her dog.  She enjoyed going to garage sales and tending to her flowers and houseplants.     Julia is survived by her daughters Amy (Chad) Maroska and Denisha Harsin; grandchildren Megan, Ryan, Grant, Dylan, Kayana, Cole, and Drew; siblings, Cindy (Kenny)...

James Eugene “Jim” Silvey, 87, of Lawrence passed away on Friday, October 27, 2023, at his home surrounded by family. He was born on November 2, 1935, in Indianapolis to Ernest G. and Bonnita M. (Rushton) Silvey. Jim was a 1953 graduate of Lawrence Central High School and served as a Medic in the United States Army. Jim was co-founder of Pendleton-based V&S Transport and Silvan Trucking. He was a lifelong member of Outlook Christian Church and, as a young man, participated...

Barbara J. Gardner, 68, of Anderson, formerly of Fortville, passed away Monday, October 30, 2023, at her home.  She was born January 28, 1955, in Greenfield, IN to Eugene and Judy (Cook) Small. Barbara was a self-employed contract driver for the Indianapolis Star. She enjoyed Bingo and garage sales. Barbara’s grandchildren were the light of her life. She was generous to everyone and never turned away someone in need. She was everyone’s mom.  Barbara is survived by...

Forrest L. “Whitey” “Frosty” Whitis, 85, of Fortville, passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at his home. He was born February 28, 1938, in Somerset, Kentucky. Whitey owned AAA Cycle Service in Lawrence. He truly enjoyed working on motorcycles, sometimes 7 days a week.  He also enjoyed riding motorcycles. Forrest is survived by his wife Gail (Smith) Whitis, whom he married February 16, 1959, daughters Shannon (Randy) Chappell of Fortville and Patricia (Dana)...

Jennie L. Johnson, 86, of Ingalls, passed away Thursday, October 12, 2023, at her home surrounded by family. She was born December 22, 1936, in Parkin, Arkansas.   Jennie worked at RCA for many years and was a waitress at several restaurants in Fortville. She loved flea markets, traveling, spending time with family, going to the casino and eating out. Jennie dearly loved her Arkansas home and her family there. Jennie is survived by children: Cindy (Kenny) Jackson, Julie Turner, Billy...

Tommie J. Wise, 78, of Lewisville, passed away Thursday, October 5, 2023, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. He was born on October 20, 1944, in Upper Tygart, KY.    Tommie had been a mechanic at G.W. Pierce in Spiceland and had worked at General Steel Fabricating in Indianapolis.  In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, whittling, gardening and especially spending time with his grandchildren. Tommie is survived by children Jody A (Missy) Wise, Starlet R. (Kelly)...