Martinsville Reporter-Times

Norman Howard Hyatt, 88, of Martinsville, Indiana passed away Thursday, February 22, 2024, at his home. He was born Tuesday, September 24, 1935, in Bargersville, Indiana to the late Johnny Henry and Ethel Mae (Ward) Hyatt. Norm grew up in Bargersville and was a graduate of Center Grove High School. He spent his high school years becoming a local basketball star and working for area farmers while also serving in the Navy Reserves. In November of 1954 Norman joined the United States Marine Corp where he proudly served for 32 years. During his military career, both active duty and reserves, he won many awards including expert marksman with rifles and handguns and also leading his Marine...

Charles L. Cox Sr., 90, of Greencastle passed peacefully from this life on November 30, 2023. He was born at his family home near Eminence on December 24, 1932 to the late Maurice and Ruth (Maxwell) Cox. Charles "Sonny" was the oldest child and was raised on a farm in rural Morgan County. He was a graduate of Eminence High School class of 1950. Upon leaving the farm, Charles and Vera Jean (Sullivan) Cox wed on February 9, 1952. Charles and Vera relocated to Mooresville and welcomed sons Charles Jr and Douglas. Charles' vocation was that of an electrician at the Indiana University Medical Center serving 33 years and retiring in 1994. In retirement he served 15 years in Security at the...

Paul Robert Russell, 77 of Greenwood, IN passed away Saturday, November 25, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born May 21, 1946, in Indianapolis, IN to Paul Leo Russell and Dorothy Irene (Sloan) Russell. Paul married Marjorie C. (Allgood) Russell on August 26, 1964; she survives. Paul had been a truck driver for fourteen years. He also enjoyed farming all of his life. He enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, riding motorcycles, especially to Sturgis, South Dakota and spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife Marjorie C. (Allgood) Russell of Greenwood, IN, his children Bobbi Sciscoe (Tony) of Morgantown, IN, Rob Russell (Julia) of Mobile, AL and Craig Russell (Ashley...

Father Joseph B. Sheets was born November 25, 1931, in Columbus, Indiana to Edward F. Sheets Sr. and Kathryn A. Burns Sheets. He attended Central Elementary and Junior High public schools, in Martinsville, Indiana. In 1945, he entered the seminary of Saint Meinrad, Indiana where he continued his education in high school, college and theology courses. On May 3, 1957, he was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Meinrad by Archbishop Paul C. Schulte. His pastoral assignments were as an assistant: 1957, St. Ambrose, Seymour and Our Lady of Providence, Brownstown; 1961, St. Patrick, Terre Haute; 1968, St. Peter & Paul Cathedral, Indianapolis; and as pastor, 1969, St. Mary, Lanesville,...

Timothy Curtis Currens, age 76, passed away on October 1, 2023 at his home in Zionsville, Indiana. Tim was born on July 14, 1947 in Kokomo, Indiana; the youngest of Ross Raymond and Hilda Ann Currens' two sons. He is survived by his beloved wife, Paulette Currens; children, Ross (Kelly) Currens, Timothy (Jessica) Currens, Audra (Chris) Buckman, Drew (Hannah) Telfer, and Jonathan (Heather) Telfer, Breven Liebow; grandchildren, Ava and Camden Currens, Ben and Nolan Buckman, Kendall, Landon and Brynn Telfer, and Aedric and Lennox Telfer; and brother, Steve (Cheryl) Currens. Visitation and funeral services will be held at Aaron Ruben Nelson Mortuary, 11411 North Michigan Rd. Zionsville, IN...

James Michael Cooper Sr., age 77 of Cloverdale, went to be with the Lord August 6th, 2023. He was born April 6th, 1946 in Indianapolis to the late James and Helen (Brady)Cooper. He married Laura (Faletic)Cooper June 11th, 1966 and she survives. He was a member of the Clayton Christian Church, and honorably served his country in the United States Airforce. In addition to his wife he is survived by his children James Michael Cooper Jr. and companion Tamara Petty, Robert D. Cooper, Tammy M. Branham and her husband Ron, and Jesse R. Cooper and his wife Beth Bladen. Siblings, Kenny(Katie) Cooper, Ronnie(Lynne) Cooper, Linda(DeWayne) Sigler, and Kathy Couch. Also, nine grandchildren and...

Gregory L. Bewley, 53, of Martinsville, Indiana passed away Saturday, August 5, 2023, at his home. Greg was born on Monday, March 2, 1970, to Lewis and Judy (Boylard) Bewley in Martinsville, Indiana. Greg is survived by his wife of 27 years and together for 31 years, Robin D. (Johnson) Bewley; parents, Lewis and Judy Bewley; brother, Craig (Marianne) Bewley; sisters, Wendy (Dave) Johnson, Dorothy "Ann" Bewley; children, Jessica (Duston) Hyatt, Alyssa Bewley (Allen Poindexter), Ezekiel (Michelle) Bewley; grandchildren, September Bewley, Brookelynne Nesta, Jaxson Nesta, Brantlee Hyatt, Acelyn Robertson, Abigail Bewley, Lellie Bewley, Roland Bewley, Layne Hyatt; and many nieces and...

Geneva Lee Cecil Cross, 94 of Bargersville, IN died July 27, 2023, at Aspen Trace Memory Care Facility in Greenwood, IN. She was a resident of Bargersville are for over 65 years. She was born January 1, 1929, in Helenwood, Tennessee to Reason H. and Josie (Jestice) Cecil. A graduate of Huntsville High School in 1945 where she was a star on the girls' basketball team. Geneva married Jimmie Cross on February 23, 1948; he preceded her in death on November 16, 2000. She is survived by four sons Steve Cross (Linda) of Martinsville, IN, Cleve Cross (Melody) of Greencastle, IN, Virgil Cross (Dorothy) of Brownsburg, IN, Brian Cross of Bargersville, IN, a daughter Jeanette Petro (Larry) of...

Max Ray Fitzpatrick, 89, of Greenwood, IN and lifelong Johnson County, IN resident passed away Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Greenwood Village South Pavilion. He was born January 17, 1934, in Clark Township, Johnson County, IN to Charles Ray Fitzpatrick and Lola Fern (Hommel) Fitzpatrick. He married Lois Rachel (Hamilton) Fitzpatrick on June 19, 1981, at Glenn's Valley United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN; she preceded him in death on May 12, 2010. Max was a graduate of Clark Township High School, having received his BA and BS from Franklin College, his MS from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, his Academy of School Executives from Butler University Indianapolis and the Indiana...

Joyce E. (Northway) Reed, age 80 passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, June 17, 2023 at her home in Morgantown with her devoted husband by her side. Joyce was born September 16, 1942 in Greenfield, Massachusetts to her parents, the late Paul and Dorothy (Stoddard) Northway. She was a 1960 graduate of North High School in Worcester, MA and attended the Worcester Art Museum. Joyce retired in 2008 from Putnam Savings Bank in Putnam, Connecticut where she worked as a bookkeeper for several years. Joyce married Clifford D. Reed on May 25, 1989 in Millbury, MA and later renewed their vows, 30 years later, in 2019 in Las Vegas officiated by Elvis Presley. She was a member of the Fair Haven...

Richard "Dick" Heald, 82, of Monrovia, passed from this life in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 25, 2023. He was born on January 17, 1941 to the late Herman G. and Margaret E. (Hadley) Heald. Cremation and Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. Friends and family are invited to gather on Wednesday, May 31, 202, from 4pm to 8pm at the funeral home, with a Masonic Rites Service beginning promptly at 7pm. An additional hour of calling will be held on Thursday, June 1, from 10am until a Celebration of Life Service at 11am, with full Military Honors. Pastor Terry Crist will officiate, and Dick will be inurned in Mt. Pleasant...

Barbara Jean (Richards) Harder 79, of Banta, IN passed away on Wednesday May 24, 2023 at home, on her farm which has been in her family since 1868. Barbara lived on this farm her whole life. She was born on March 1, 1944 in Indianapolis, IN to the late Kenneth and Roselie (Dressler) Richards. She considered herself a farmer. She raised cattle, grain, hay and straw and she was in the middle of it all. She was a 1962 graduate of Mooresville High School. In addition to working on the farm during high school, she worked at Hill Top Beach in Banta. She also worked in accounting and administration for Inland Container, Creative Packaging and Eli Lilly. She was a lifetime member of the Banta...

Ruth E. Amstutz, 79, of Gosport, Indiana passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023. She was born July 29, 1943 in Lodi, Ohio to the late Eli A. and Mary Ann "Marie" (Schmucker) Miller. Ruth married Howard Amstutz on June 22, 1963 and he survives. She was a member of the Gospel Haven Mennonite Church in Spencer, Indiana. Ruth was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter; parents, Eli and Mary Ann "Marie" Miller; siblings, Robert Miller and Pauline Miller; brother-in-law, William Wickey. She is survived by her husband, Howard Amstutz of Gosport, Indiana; children, Harold (Martha) Amstutz of Honea Path, South Carolina, Phillip (Kimberly) Amstutz of WestMinster, South Carolina, Dean (Sheila)...

Kay Watson, 89, Monrovia, passed away peacefully at home May 28, 2023, in the comfortable and familiar surroundings in which she raised her family and had resided for 70 years. While Kay was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on February 15, 1934, she lived in many towns across the country as a young person because of her father's work as a newspaper publisher. After settling in Mooresville, Kay graduated from Mooresville High School in 1952 and married the late David R. Watson on June 20, 1952. In addition to being a farmer's wife and raising her family of six boys, she was the friendly, capable, and efficient receptionist at Citizens Bank's Main Branch for 24 years, retiring in 2012. Kay was...

Robert "Bob" L. Marley, 83, lifelong Monrovia resident and pillar within the community, passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, surrounded by his loving family while in the care of Hendricks Regional Hospital. He was born at home in Monrovia, IN on April 20, 1940, to the late Clyde and Grace (Benge) Marley. A proud graduate from Monrovia High School class of 1958, Bob secured employment with Indianapolis Power and Light as a supervisor, retiring at the young age of 55 in 1995. Civic minded throughout his life, Bob was a former Reserve Deputy with the Morgan County Sheriff's Department, where he began the Horse Patrol. His love of horses came from his youngest daughter,...

Julia "Judy" Ann (Vogus) Russell, 80, Plainfield, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on May 3, 2023, at Life's Journey Hospice in Avon. Mrs. Russell was born October 15, 1942, in Martinsville, to the late Walter and Leatha (Balay) Vogus. She married John Poston Russell on February 22, 1964, and he preceded her in death on August 30, 2021. Judy graduated from Martinsville High School and was a proud and capable homemaker through the years. An avid reader, she also loved birdwatching, flower gardening, and supporting various wildlife and animal non-profit efforts. Her granddaughters brought an immense amount of joy to her life, as did her beloved labradoodle, Hallie. ...

Eileen J. Poland 87, of Mooresville, passed away on April 8, 2023 at Meadow Lakes in Mooresville. Eileen was born on June 29, 1935 in Sophie, West Virginia to the late Quincy Polk and Beatrice (Stone) Polk. In 1952 while Paul Poland was in the Army and stationed in Princeton, West Virginia he met the love of his life, 17-year-old Eileen Jeanette Polk at a dance. They were married three months later and celebrated 66 loving years together until Paul's passing in 2019. Eileen worked as a teacher for School of Hope in Martinsville for over 10 years and was a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church. She enjoyed traveling with her husband Paul in the motor home, spending most of their time...

Jonathan "Jon" W. Critser, 28, of Monrovia was found on Friday, April 7, 2023, after going missing on Christmas Eve. He was born in Martinsville on November 17, 1994 to Johnny Wayne Stapp and Audrey Marie (Brownen) Andrew. The apple of his mother's eye from birth, Jon was a precious bundle of joy. Born with a heart defect, the doctors were unsure he would survive, but his strong will to live pulled him through. He attended Monrovia and Martinsville schools, later graduating with honors in Logansport. A rambunctious child, he enjoyed the wind through his hair riding dirt bikes and go-karts. A truly generous and thoughtful soul, Jon was known to literally give the shirt off his back. With a...

Roberta "Bobbie" Sachs 66, of Martinsville, passed away on April 7, 2023 at Community South Hospital. Bobbie was born on May 26, 1956 on Scott Air Force Base, IL to Robert Bredlow and Joyce (Pauley) Scott . A longtime resident of Morgan County, Bobbie graduated at the top of her class as class salutatorian of Eminence High School. In addition to raising her children, she worked as an ergonomics engineer for Eli Lilly & Company for 25 years, retiring in 2017. Bobbie was very creative and enjoyed painting and photography. Additionally, she enjoyed traveling, RV camping and shopping. She will be remembered as a fierce, loyal, independent woman, who was also kind and loving. She will be...

John Wayne Spelts I, 75 formerly of Martinsville passed. www.AdamsFuneralHomeonline.com

Landon Micah Wright 17, of Mooresville, passed away on March 29, 2023. Landon was born on August 20, 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Heather (Wright) Hendon and Justin Ault. Landon was a student and star forward for the state runner up Mooresville Christian Academy basketball team. Landon was fearless, hardworking young man who never knew a stranger that had a smile that would light up a room. He was a dreamer, who loved his family, spending time with them and all things outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, guns and going to gun shows, searching for the next great deal, riding 4 wheelers, tinkering with trucks, cars, jet skis, boats and really, anything that had to do with working with...