Bass & Gasper Funeral Home Inc

John Nelson Cruser, Sr., 75, of North Vernon, passed away at 11:40 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at Columbus Regional Hospital. He was born on October 4, 1946, in Seymour, the son of Donald Ray & Edna J. (Allee) Cruser. He was a lifelong resident of Jennings County and had graduated in 1964 from Jennings County High School. John had owned and operated Crusers Garage. He was a member of the Westport Masonic Lodge #124 and the former Westport American Legion. He enjoyed tinkering, watching NASCAR, mushroom hunting, and spending time with family, and visiting friends and neighbors. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served aboard the USS Ajax. His first marriage was to Patricia...

Maxine V. Welch, 86, of Westport, passed away at 2:20 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2022 at her residence. She was born on May 5, 1935 in Jennings County the daughter of Ambrose & Viola (Large) Gerth. She was a lifelong resident of Jennings and Decatur Counties. She enjoyed playing bingo and euchre, communicating with family and friends and traveling. She married James A. Welch on April 14, 1963 in North Vernon and he preceded her in death on April 21, 2003. Survivors include her son, Michael J. Welch of Westport; her sisters, Delores (Mike) Walters of Columbus and Carolyn (Terry) Chase of Henderson, Nevada and her granddaughter, Jamie K. (Patrick W.) Frensemeier of Columbus. She was...

Louis Virgil Rockey Jr., 91, passed away March 25, 2022. He was born in Scipio, Indiana on March 26, 1930 to the late Louis Virgil Sr. and Ruth Rockey. He grew up in Indianapolis with his four younger sisters, where he graduated from Franklin Township High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Exene Tucker and they settled down in the Indianapolis area where they raised four sons. Louis retired after working 35 years for Western Electric Co. in Indianapolis. At the end of their 51 year marriage Louis became caregiver for his wife until her death. He would marry Phyllis Hoard and instantly became grandfather and great grandfather to her family. He would be married to Phyllis for 19...

Bernard Joseph Diekhoff, 77, of the St. Denis community, Westport passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 7, 2022 at Sebring, Florida. He was born on November 17, 1944 in Decatur County, the son of Joseph B. and Lenora R. (Zapfe) Diekhoff. He had graduated from North Vernon High School in 1962. He was a farmer. Bernard was a member of the former St. Denis Catholic Church and had served on the St. Denis Parish Council for several years. He also served on the Jennings County Extension Board and was a member of the Jennings County Pork Producers. He married Jerry Lee Green on February 27, 1965 at the St. Denis Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on January 12, 2022. Bernard is survived...

Corbin "Jerry" Callahan, Jr., 83, of Westport, passed away at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at his residence. He was born on November 18, 1938 in Viper, Kentucky the son of Corbin and Raney (Stacy) Callahan. Jerry was a farmer and had been a Westport area resident since 1953. He enjoyed coon hunting and squirrel hunting. He married Mary Kathy Powers on December 5, 1981 in Westport. She preceded him in death on August 9, 2016. Survivors include his daughter, Kim (Greg) Thompson of Indianapolis; his sons, Rick (Valeria) Callahan of Edinburgh, Tim (Robin Carmer) Callahan of North Vernon; his sisters, Rose Pratt of Viper, Kentucky, Rachel (Ronnie) Moffett of Greensburg and Berniece...

Daniel Wayne Reetz, 69 of Columbus, passed away at 6:38 p.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at his residence. He was born on May 25, 1952 in Columbus, the son of Wayne Richard and Irene (Powers) Reetz. He enjoyed his CB radio and shooting guns. Daniel retired after serving in the US Army after more than 20 years of service. Two of his many duty stations was Korea and Germany. He married Chong Suk Kim on February 5, 1976 in Seoul, South Korea and she survives. Also surviving are his daughters, Ann (Barry) Johnson of Columbus and Janet (Shaun) Einolf of Frederick, Maryland; his son, Jae Reetz of Columbus; his sisters, Judy (Ervin) Linde of Rockford, Iowa and Vickie (Donald) Turner of...

Mary L. Cox, 103, of Greensburg, formerly of Westport, passed away at 10:49 a.m. on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Morning Breeze Retirement Community and Healthcare Center. She was born on March 27, 1918 in Decatur County, the daughter of Walter & Grace (Moffett) Wiley. She was a lifelong resident of Decatur County. Mary had retired from Cummins Engine Company in 1981 after 29 years of service. She was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in North Vernon. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, playing Euchre and Rook and spending time with her grandchildren. She married William Wayne Cox on August 3, 1935 in Greensburg and he preceded her in death on October 16, 1998. Survivors include...

Peggy Lee Gray, 68, of Grammer, passed away at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Columbus Regional Hospital. She was born on April 17, 1953 in Greensburg, the daughter of Odra Alfred and Esther Marguerite (Vanderbur) Tempest. She had lived the majority of her life in Grammar and had graduated from Columbus North High School in 1971. She was a member of the Lighthouse Church in Columbus. She enjoyed collecting dolls, flowers, gardening, walking and collecting cans. Peggy married Robert Allen Gray on September 15, 1979 in Ogleville and he survives. Other survivors include her sisters, Nancy Swartz of Grammer, Wanda Parrigin of Hope and Marguerite Devers of Burney and her brother,...

Karen K. Elliott, 72 of Adams, passed away at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 2022 at her residence. She was born on November 1, 1949 in Greensburg, the daughter of Clarence Keith & Emma Pearl (Carter) Baugh. Karen was a lifelong resident of Decatur County and graduated from Jackson township High School in 1967.She retired from Bonn Aluminum. She enjoyed gardening, collecting Fenton glass, sewing, crafts and had love and affectual care for her son Bryan. Karen married Robert F. "Bob" Elliott on June 2, 1974 in Greensburg and he preceded her in death on April 4, 2013. She is survived by her daughters, Stacey (Mike) Garlitch of Westport, Ginny Elliott of Neotsu, Oregon and Cris Norman of...

Destiny Danielle Rena Richey, 17, of St. Paul, passed away at 12:08 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at I.U. Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. She was born on November 29, 2004 in Greensburg, the daughter of James Oral Richey and Charity Harper. She was a sophomore at North Decatur High School. Destiny enjoyed singing, drawing, coloring, making Tik-Tok's, cooking and crafts. She is survived by her father and stepmother, James O. and Kelly Richey of St. Paul; mother, Charity Harper of Lancaster, Ohio; grandparents, Cecil & Brigitte Richey of Burney, Donna Albery of Ohio and Terry and Joan Weeks of Phoenix, Arizona; sisters, Angel Richey of Greensburg, Casie Weeks and Kenzie...

Bernard A. Pfeifer, 78, of Butlerville, passed away at 8:14 a.m. on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. He was born on March 8, 1943 in Jennings County, the son of John A. and Marie Frances (Kline) Pfeifer. Bernard was a lifelong resident of Jennings County and a 1961 graduate of North Vernon High School. He retired from Cummins Engine Co. in 1999 after 33 years of service. He was a lifelong member of the former St. Denis Catholic Church and now a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He enjoyed woodworking. He served in the Indiana National Guard for 6 years in the Armored Division. He married Nell Ann Downs on January 8, 1966 in North Vernon....

Ronald Lee Lucas, 87, of Westport, passed away at 1:48 p.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at the Columbus Regional Hospital. He was born on February 2, 1934 in Freedom, Indiana the son of Howard Freeman and Marie May (Thompson) Lucas. He was raised in Columbus and has been a Westport resident since 1998. He had graduated from Columbus High School in 1952. He had received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Purdue University in 1981 and received a Masters of Divinity Degree from Christian Theological Seminary. Ron was a minister for the United Methodist Church and was a member of the Southern Indiana United Methodist Conference. He retired in 1998 while serving the Mitchell United Methodist Church....

Allen Wayne Bush, 60, of Hope, passed away at 9:36 p.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022 at the Waldron Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. He was born December 21, 1961 in Greensburg, the son of Dolphus Hoyt and Ethelene (Cary) Bush. He was raised in Westport and has been a Hope resident since 2003. He worked as a custodian for the Bartholomew County Schools. He was a member of the Westport Baptist Church and served with the Indiana National Guard for 12 years. He enjoyed flying, doing yardwork and gardening. He married Robbie Jean Stater on October 25, 2003 at the Clifford Methodist Church. She survives along with a step son, Doyle Cody Dill of Hope; his sister Betty Harrison of Westport;...

Anthony Mark Griesehop, 64, of Greensburg, passed away at 12:54 p.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022 at Major Hospital in Shelbyville. He was born on May 10, 1957 in Batesville, the son of Paul Anthony & Phyllis Ann (Bradley) Griesehop. He was raised in Decatur County and had worked for Delta Faucet for 22 years and also had worked for Navastar for 9 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #36 F & A.M. in Greensburg. Anthony enjoyed taking his 1973 Super Sport Chevelle to car shows, and playing XBox. He served in the Indiana National Guard for 6 years. He married Jo Ann Morris on November 13, 1982 in Greensburg, and she survives. Other survivors include his daughters, Lisa Griesehop...

James Richard King, 85, of Westport, passed away at 4:21 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2022 at Morning Breeze Healthcare Center in Greensburg. He was born on May 8, 1936 in Jennings County, the son of Roy E. and Hazel (Hull) King. He was a 1956 graduate of Vernon High School and had served with the Indiana National Guard. He worked for Cummins Engine Co. in the maintenance department for 32 years. He was a member of the Westport Baptist Church. Jim married Rosaline Tuttle on April 13, 1959 in North Vernon and she survives. Other survivors include his daughter, Tina Lavah (Gregory) Cunningham of Westport; his sons, Richard Dean (Melinda) King of Hope, Robert Alan King and Rodney Joe King both...

Norma Lou Irwin, 92, of Hartsville, passed away at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at her residence. She was born on June 13, 1929 in Ripley County, the daughter of Willard M. and Verda M. (Surber) Adam. The first few years of her life she lived in Ripley County, which is now the Jefferson Proving Grounds. Their land was sold in 1941 and they moved to Jennings County near Bear Creek Baptist Church and had lived in that area ever since. She enjoyed the companionship of her dog, Sugar. She adopted many other people, dogs and cats into her heart. She just loves people and animals and gives much of herself to help when needed. She graduated in 1947 from Columbus High School. She had...

Norma Lou Irwin, 92, of Hartsville, passed away at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at her residence. She was born on June 13, 1929 in Ripley County, the daughter of Willard M. and Verda M. (Surber) Adam. The first few years of her life she lived in Ripley County, which is now the Jefferson Proving Grounds. Their land was sold in 1941 and they moved to Jennings County near Bear Creek Baptist Church and had lived in that area ever since. She enjoyed the companionship of her dog, Sugar. She adopted many other people, dogs and cats into her heart. She just loves people and animals and gives much of herself to help when needed. She graduated in 1947 from Columbus High School. She had...

Alfred Harry Diekhoff, 87, of Westport, passed away at 1:50 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at the Decatur County Memorial Hospital. He was born on February 27, 1934 in Jennings County, the son of Joseph B. And Lenora R. (Zapfe) Diekhoff. He had graduated from Jennings County High School in 1952 and was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Millhousen and had served 36 years on the Columbia Township Advisory Board. He was an avid NASCAR fan and hardly missed a race. If he was in the field he would listen to the race on the radio. He received a trophy from Jennings County for raising the most corn in the county for 2 years in a row. The 1st...

Rev. Stephen Aye Malone, 85, of Vernon, passed away at 1:20 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility in Columbus. He was born on December 30, 1936 in Dana, Indiana the son of Harry Graden and Grace (Aye) Malone. Stephen had graduated from Dana High School in 1954 and attended Rose Hulman University. He graduated in 1972 from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and was ordained into the ministry in January 1971. He was a station agent and telegrapher for the B&O Railroad form 1957 until 1970. Rev. Malone and his wife served as managers of the Southeastern Baptist Youth Camp in Westport for 23 years. He had pastored churches in...

Jerry Lee (Green) Diekhoff of St. Denis community, Westport passed from this life to be with her Lord at 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. She had battled a serious heart condition for the past 18 years. She was born on March 16, 1946 in Decatur County, Greensburg, Indiana. The daughter of James W. and Virginia M. (Herndon) Green. A 1964 graduate of Sandcreek High School, Decatur County. A member of the former St. Denis Catholic Church where she was the organist/keyboardist for 24 years. She served as a Religious Education teacher for several years for children of St. Denis and Immaculate Conception Parishes, Millhousen. She was a former employee of Doctors Childress, Weimer, Weigel...

Daniel E. Gatewood, 71, of Westport, passed away at 1:11 p.m. on Sunday, January 2, 2022 at Decatur County Memorial Hospital. He was born on June 28, 1950 in Seymour, Indiana the son of Floyd B. & Kathleen (Asher) Gatewood. He was a lifelong resident of Decatur County and a 1968 graduate of Sandcreek High School. He had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Westport and a former member of the Westport Kiwanis. Danny enjoyed fishing, rabbit and coon hunting and was passionate for bailing hay and straw. He was an AVID University of Kentucky Wildcats fan. He served with the Indiana National Guard. He married Colleen Clarkson on...