Obituaries

Jul 9, 2025

Terri Sue "Punki" Billingsley (Day), 73, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025, in the town where she was born and spent her life. Terri was born on November 3, 1951, in Crawfordsville, and from her earliest years, she was known for her outgoing spirit and the ever-present smile that brightened the lives of all who...

Jul 2, 2025

Kathy Lynne White Lyons, 66, died Wednesday, July 2, 2025, with family by her side.

Kathy was born March 12, 1959, in Crawfordsville, IN, to the late Charles and Mary (Harlan) White.Kathy graduated from Crawfordsville High School in 1977. Following high school, she worked at Coast to Coast for 10 years, producing books. Driven by a passion...

Jun 19, 2025

Charles Kendricks, 95, Crawfordsville passed away peacefully at 8:40 am at Franciscan St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette, after a long life full of love, sports, friendship, and family.

Charles, also known as Charlie, High Card, Grandpa Kendricks, and Papaw Charlie, was born on July 9, 1929, in Crawfordsville to Amos Joe and Helen Kendricks.  He married the...

May 31, 2025

Marian Carol Priest, 79 of Crawfordsville, Indiana, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Franciscan Health Lafayette, Indiana. Carol was born March 30, 1946 to Marion and Esther Ware of Grady, New Mexico. She married George Phillip Priest in 1965 in Clovis, New Mexico.

She was preceded in death by her husband Phil (George) Priest and her...

May 30, 2025

Cynthia Carol Kelsey 64 of Ladoga, passed away on the evening of May 30, 2025, in her home. Cindy quietly battled a chronic illness for many years. Cindy's memory lives on through her Children and grandchildren, who meant everything to her.

Cindy's greatest joy in life was being a mother. It was her full-time job and life's...

May 28, 2025

Matthew Steven Davis, 67, of Crawfordsville, IN passed away on May 28th, 2025. Matt was born to Fred L. and Doris M. (Wilson) Davis in Crawfordsville on February 1, 1958.

Matt was a carpenter, a helpful friend and avid storyteller who was quick to share a coffee or lunch at the Forum or anywhere coffee and a...

May 28, 2025

Robert William Bell, June 11, 1939 – May 28, 2025 On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Robert William Bell—a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, proud locomotive engineer, and master of a well-timed joke—passed away peacefully at 85, at home with his beloved family. Born in Brownsburg, Indiana to Mary Elizabeth and Thomas Grant Bell, Bob graduated from Brownsburg High...

May 13, 2025

Carolyn Sue Lichtenwalter, 85, died peacefully at home, Tuesday May 13th, surrounded by her family.

She was born March 10, 1940 at Crawfordsville, Indiana to William J. and Stella (Howe) Peterman. She was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers, and seven sisters.

She graduated from Hammond Technical High School in 1958, working as...

May 11, 2025

Austin Edward Brooks, Jr. died on May 11, 2025, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on August 10, 1938, in Fort Wayne, IN to Austin Edward Brooks, Sr., and Gertrude (Wilson) Brooks. He graduated from Northside High School in 1957. When he arrived on the Wabash campus in the fall of 1957, he had no idea...

May 9, 2025

Barbara Jane Nevins Kelleher died May 9, 2025, at Wellbrooke of Crawfordsville. She was born on June 17, 1938, in Clinton, IN to Edna America Baxter (Nevins) Kelsheimer and Deward J. Nevins. Barbara grew up in Catlin, IN and graduated f from Bridgeton High School. "Barb" met the love of her life Wiliam Joseph "Bill" Kelleher while he was...

May 4, 2025

Mary Burnette Henry, 84, Crawfordsville, passed away Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Wellbrooke of Crawfordsville. She was born on April 25, 1941, in Crossville, TN, to Arthur and Bertha Staley. She married Benny Henry in 1957 at Wingate, and he preceded her in death. She retired from Crawford Industries. She enjoyed gardening, bingo, and spending time with her grandchildren....

May 1, 2025

Janet Sue Merrill, daughter of Alonze Jewell & Victoria (Birge) Merrill, born February 6, 1947, passed away May 1, 2025, in Lafayette.

Janet graduated from Crawfordsville High School in 1965. She worked as a quality control inspector for Essez Wire International for 14 years and Impex for 11 years.

Later, she was employed at Shell...

Apr 18, 2025

John Thomas Barnes, 83, of Crawfordsville, passed away April 18, 2025, in a work-related accident.

John was born January 24, 1942, in Reading, OH, to Leonard & Nellie Barnes. He married the love of his life, Kathy Peterman, on April 18, 1970.

Survivors include two sons, John W "Billy" Barnes (Julie) and Shaun Barnes (Chelsey),...

Apr 15, 2025

Shirley Jean Lewellen, 85, of Crawfordsville passed away on April 15, 2025, at home with her family by her side.  She was born March 20, 1940, in Crawfordsville to William and Laura Knee.

Shirley worked at RR Donnellys for 35 years and never missed a day of work. On September 3, 1957, she married Gordon Lewellen in...

Apr 12, 2025

Marilyn Sue Peterman passed away April 12, 2025 at Lane House Nursing Home.  She was born August 17, 1932 in Colfax, Indiana to Lawrence and Florence (Cornett)  Bowman. She married Thomas Peterman in Colfax on August 20, 1950. He died on  December 29, 1998.

Marilyn loved music and was very active in the Music Department at First...

Apr 11, 2025

On Saturday, April 10, 2025, at 10:53 pm.   Judith Ann Hinton Rogers Vetzel, surrounded by her loving family, passed gently and quietly.

Judith was born on January 16, 1939, in Crawfordsville, IN, to Lawrence and Juanita Hinton.

She had moved to Florida in the 1980s and loved her time there.   She became a true Floridian....

Apr 7, 2025

Randall Lee Holt, 66, of Ladoga passed away Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Lane House Nursing Home.

He was born May 15, 1958, in Crawfordsville to Wes and Priscilla Baker Holt. Randy worked as a Teamster Concrete truck driver.

He is survived by his children Nathan Holt of New Ross; and Tabitha (Jeremy) Benge...

Apr 2, 2025

Mary Catherine (Abney) Cotton, 61, of Crawfordsville, passed away suddenly Wednesday, April 2.

She was born February 8, 1964, in Crawfordsville to David & Mary Ann (McGreevey) Abney.  Catherine graduated from Crawfordsville High School in the class of 1982.  While growing up Catherine worked with her father and siblings at Abney's Meat Market.  She had a very...

Mar 10, 2025

Susan Stump, 79, of Fishers, formerly of Crawfordsville, passed away Monday, March 10, at Hamilton Trace Senior Living in Fishers, IN.

She was born October 7, 1945, in San Pablo, California to Lester & Frances Hartung Fine. Susan graduated from Crawfordsville High School and retired from RR Donnelly & Sons, after 49 years of service. She married...

Mar 8, 2025

Ronald L Ruffner

August 12, 1953 to March 8, 2025

Ronald Ruffner passed away in the presence of his wife and children in his home on March 8 after a very short and agonizing battle with aggressive cancer.

Ronald was born to Ann Ellis and John Ruffner

Ronald proudly enlisted in...