Bass & Gasper Funeral Home Inc

Joseph W. "Wayne" McNealy, 85, of Greensburg, passed away at 6:21 p.m. on Monday, November 20, 2023 at Columbus Regional Hospital. He was born on September 27, 1938 in Decatur County, the son of Joseph Samuel and Mary Lucille (Maple) McNealy. He was a 1956 graduate of Jackson High School. He worked in a variety of positions throughout his life, including a mechanic at a garage in Letts and Rodefelds in Greensburg in his younger years. For the majority of his life, he was employed as a machinist at Reliance Electric (formerly Reeves Pulley) in Columbus, retiring from there after 32 years of service in November of 2000. After retirement, he took part-time positions at Letts Hardware and Acra...

Karen L. Decker, 78, of Hope, passed away at 9:49 p.m. on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at St. Andrews Health Campus in Batesville. She was born on April 19, 1945 in Columbus, the daughter of Chester and Evabelle (Harden) Zeigler. She was raised in Petersville and spent the majority of her life in Indiana. She was a 1963 graduate of Columbus High School and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Franklin College and was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority. Karen was a lifetime educator, a 4th grade teacher, and was co-founder of Common Ground which focused on conflict resolution and communication. She enjoyed playing Scrabble, gardening, nature and spending time with her family....

... Greensburg (Indiana) Daily News, February 1951: "Adding drama to an already thrilling basketball game Saturday evening on the hardwood at Greensburg's Community Gym, the Jackson Tigers dethroned defending champion Greensburg 59 to 58 for their first Sectional Title. Don Hill added the drama as he was awarded a foul shot as the gun sounded. After discussing the play with the tourney timer, the officials handed Hill the ball for the free chance on a personal foul ruling that would give Jackson the championship or put the game into an overtime... After a last deep breath and gaze at the basket Hill dropped the spheroid through to end the game... In a few fleeting seconds, the Jackson team...

Abigail Elizabeth VanVleet, 32, of Indianapolis passed away on October 5, 2023. Abby graduated from Lawrence North (2010), then DePaul University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree (2014) which included her heartfelt outreach time in Honduras with their Business Brigades program. She was a perfectionist, striving for the best grades in school, in gymnastics and then diving. After graduating she then spent many years working at Roche in the Diabetes Care area, working her way into what she really enjoyed as a Senior Quality Control Technician. She was very gifted - not only bilingual but intensely creative. She often painted, made stained glass creations, loved photography, 3D...

Nelson Ray Ponsler, 75, of North Vernon, passed away at 9:41 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at his residence. He was born on March 14, 1948, in Jennings County, the son of Harlace M. and Ruth E. (Mozingo) Ponsler. He graduated from North Vernon High School in 1966 and had served in the Indiana National Guard. Nelson was a lifelong farmer and sold corn and soybeans for Glick Seed for many years. He was a member of the Zenas Baptist Church, where is served as a trustee. He enjoyed attending church services and the Men's Coffee & Question Group. He served as director to the Westport Community Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with friends...

Paul W. Wallace, 85, of Hope, passed away at 3:25 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Columbus Regional Hospital. He was born on July 12, 1938 in Columbus, Indiana the son of Paul K. and Florence Jean (Trinkle) Wallace. He was raised in Hope and had been a resident all of his life. He graduated from Clifford High School in 1956 and was a member of the Columbus Community Church. He retired from Cummins Engine Company after 32 years of service. Paul enjoyed gardening, playing with his dogs and travelling. He was an avid Purdue fan and enjoyed following his kids and grandkids in their sporting events. He married Shirley Gatewood on May 3, 1997 in Hope, Indiana and she survives. Other...

Sheryl K. Nugent (nee Roberts) 79, formerly of Hope, IN, and Chicago Heights, IL, died in her home in Tucson, AZ, on September 1, 2023, of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Sheryl was born in Columbus, IN, on April 13, 1944. She was a 1962 graduate of Jackson Township High School, attended Purdue University and received a BS in Physical Education from Indiana University. She also earned a Master of Arts degree at Ball State University. Sheryl taught math and P.E. at Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School in Hope and coached many girls' sports teams. She also taught and coached at Shelbyville High School, Shelbyville, IN, and at Lake Station Jr.-Sr. High School, Lake Station, IN. Sheryl loved all sports and...

Mildred Pauline LeMasters, age 72, of Columbus, was called home Saturday, August 5th, 2023. She was born January 29th, 1951, to Russell E. Mozingo and Stella L. Dickson in Columbus, IN. She grew up in Millhousen and attended Sand Creek School. Mildred married her 'best friend and love of her life' Charles E. LeMasters June 16th, 1967, in Greensburg. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother. Beautiful both inside and out, her presence was a calming force, a haven for those in need. Her warm compassion touched the lives of everyone she met, proving that the loudest impact can come from the gentlest souls. She holds a cherished place in the hearts of all who...

Carol Sue Helton, 79, of Westport, passed away at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at her residence. She was born on September 23, 1943 in Marion County, the daughter of James O. and Bernice M. (Hauersperger) Colvin. She was raised in Hayden and graduated from Seymour High School in 1961. She received her Bachelor's Degree in 1964 from Indiana State University and her Master's Degree from Indiana University. Carol was a librarian and teacher for the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation for 40 years. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Millhousen and taught CCD classes. She was a member of the Decatur County Library Board and attended the Spirit of...

Suzanne Gant, 77, of Westport, passed away at 4:25 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at her residence with her family by her side. She was born on January 17, 1946 at Columbus Hospital, the daughter of Donald A. and Rosella (Miller) Reed. She was a lifelong resident of Decatur County and graduated from Jackson Township High School in 1964. Suzanne was a stay-at-home mom who took care of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed any and all activities that they were involved in. She was a member of the Westport Baptist Church where she taught the Preschool Sunday School Class for 25 years and she was active in the Wednesday night Bible study. She was also a member of the Mission Circle and...

Betty J. Keel, 96, of Bedford, Indiana, passed away at 12:20 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the West View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bedford. She was born on December 21, 1926, in Hope, the daughter of Fielden and Irene (Cowin) Sanders. Betty was born and raised in Hope and has been a resident of Bartholomew and Decatur County for most of her life. Betty was a member of Burney Baptist Church and enjoyed sewing, flower gardening, hummingbirds, and crocheting. She married Andrew Jack Keel on February 2, 1946. He preceded her in death on November 16, 1999. Betty is survived by daughter, Mary Evelyn Sowders of Bedford; her sons, Gary Allen (Caroline) Keel of Oriental, North...

Ernestine Fields McIntyre, 77, of Westport, passed away at 10:35 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Aspen Place Health Campus in Greensburg. She was born on March 29, 1946 in Cornettsville, Kentucky the daughter of William Goebel and Alicene (Halcomb) Fields. She was raised in Red Star, Kentucky and moved to Westport in 1967. She graduated from Letcher High School in 1964. She attended Berea College and graduated from Cumberland College. She earned her Master's Degree from Indiana University. Ernestine was a teacher at South Decatur High School where she helped to start the Special Education Program. She retired in 2002 after 35 years of service. She was a member of the Westport Baptist...

Roy Nolan Brindley, 81, of Westport, passed away at 11:05 p.m. on Monday, May 22, 2023, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born on February 26, 1942, in Carthage, the son of Jesse & Anna (Hammond) Brindley. He was raised in Vevay and has been a Westport resident since 1975. He graduated from Vevay High School in 1960. He retired in 2007 from Heritage Transportation after 20 plus years of service. Roy was a member of the Westport Baptist Church, Westport American Legion, and the NRA. He enjoyed playing softball, I.U. basketball, Bobby Knight, NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt, and he had owned his own racecar. He was a veteran having served with the U.S. Airforce. Roy married...

Scott A. Hewitt, 61, of Austin, passed away at 6:25 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana. He was born on November 21, 1961, in Columbus, the son of Jerald and Beverly (Trotter) Hewitt. He was born and raised in Columbus and moved to Westport. Scott had worked in home construction and attended the First Church of God in Seymour. He enjoyed camping, fishing, mushroom hunting, and outdoor activities. He is survived by his mother, Beverly Hewitt of Westport; his daughters, Jessica Hewitt of Austin, Alyssa Hewitt of Westport, and Nichole Minor of Franklin; his sister, Kim Hewitt of Westport; his brother, Rodney Hewitt of Columbus; and his grandchildren, Kaydance...

Bertha Irene Maple, 79, formally of Columbus, passed away at 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Rosegate Village in Indianapolis. She was born on February 7, 1944, in Westport, the daughter of Emerson E. Sr. & Laura Anna (Jordan) Sutton. She was born and raised in Westport and lived most of her life in Columbus. She graduated from Franklin College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Bertha was a member of the North Christian Church. She enjoyed word play, puzzles, reading, gardening, singing in the church choir and corresponding with family and friends. She married David Lawrence Maple on August 4, 1963, in Westport. He preceded her in death on November 4, 2003. Survivors include her sons,...

Tucker Riley Bushhorn, 23, of Westport, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023, as a result of a motorcycle accident. He was born on September 6, 1999, in Lafayette, the son of Thomas D. & Priscilla D. (Hammond) Bushhorn. He has been a Decatur County resident since he was 6 years old. He graduated from South Decatur High School in 2018 and received a BA from Indiana University in 2022. He had formerly worked at TQL in Indianapolis. Tucker was a member of the Westport Baptist Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and riding his motorcycle and dirt bikes. He loved spending time with his friends and family. He is survived by his parents, Thomas & Priscilla Bushhorn of Westport;...

Carol L. Smiley, 78, of Greensburg, passed away at 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Greensburg. She was born on December 13,1944 in Shelby County, the daughter of William and Rebecca (Brown) Tucker. She graduated in 1962 from Shelbyville High School and moved to Decatur County in 1969. She retired from General Electric/Wellman Mfg. in Shelbyville after 44 years of service. Carol was a member of the Burney Baptist Church and the Kitchen Kookies Home Economics Club. She enjoyed playing cards, dominos with her friends, reading and cross stitching. Survivors include her daughter, Lynne (Tony) Pfeifer of Greensburg; her granddaughter, Becky Pfeifer of Greensburg; her sisters, Barbara...

Brian Edward Hersley, 47, of Westport, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. due to an auto accident south of Bloomington. He was born on December 23, 1975, in Greensburg, the son of Larry Dale Sr. and Florence (Gould) Hersley. He was a lifelong resident of Decatur County. He worked with his dad at H & H Masonry and after his dad's death, he continued the name in his business of H & H Express. He also worked at Faurecia for 12 years. Brian enjoyed fishing, hunting, The Pittsburg Steelers, softball, riding his Harley and spending time with his family and friends. Brian's father sponsored his softball team, H & H Masonry, the team he coached and played on for many...

Rosaline King, 84, of Westport, passed away at 5:24 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis. She was born on March 17, 1939, in Columbus, the daughter of William Donald and Delpha Lavah (Romine) Tuttle. She was a lifelong resident of Bartholomew and Decatur Counties. She graduated from Sandcreek High School in 1956 and worked for Cosco Manufacturing Co. for 20 years. She was a member of the Westport Baptist Church. She enjoyed collecting dolls. She married James Richard King in North Vernon, on April 13, 1959, and he preceded her in death on January 24, 2022. She is survived by her daughter, Tina Lavah (Gregory) Cunningham of Westport; her sons,...

Robert D. Talkington, Jr., 79, of Columbus, passed away at 5:25 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at his residence. He was born on November 15, 1943, in Columbus, the son of Robert Dale and Tillie Marie (Henderson) Talkington. He has been a lifelong resident of Columbus and had graduated from Columbus North High School in 1961. He spent 21 years in law enforcement with the Columbus City Police and retired as Police Chief. He was a member of the Burnsville Christian Church and the Fraternal Order of Police. He enjoyed cutting wood, vacationing in Tampa South, and playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He married Sandra Ellen Warfield on November 16, 1962, in Columbus. She...

(Edith) Irene Hockersmith, 83, of North Vernon, passed away at 12:03 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Willow Crossing Health & Rehab Center in Columbus. She was born on May 31, 1939 the daughter of Paul M. and Vera (Vanderbur) Tempest. She had been a lifelong resident of Jennings County and was a 1957 graduate of North Vernon High School. She was a columnist at the Plain Dealer for the New Bethel Area News for 63 years. She was a member of the New Bethel Methodist Church and the Ladies Aid. Irene enjoyed embroidery, painting and babysitting for all the neighbor kids. She married Robert Dale Hockersmith on August 30, 1959 at New Bethel Methodist Church and he preceded her in death...