Obituaries

May 12, 2026

Cheryl (Cheri) Jean Drake, 76, was called home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the early morning hours of May 12th. Cheri passed with family by her side and in her home, just as she wanted.

Born March 3, 1950, Cheri was the daughter of Donald Edwin Alvis and Jean Lois Stockment. On January 10, 1971, she married Dale...

May 7, 2026

William “Bill” Robert Compton Jr. entered heaven’s gates on May 7th, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Bill was born December 20th, 1961, in Columbus, Indiana, to William Robert Compton Sr. and Leola (Zeigler) Compton. He was the fifth of six children. Bill was born and raised in Petersville with his three brothers and two sisters. He graduated...

May 5, 2026

Earl Davis Ellis, 82, of Needham, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at his daughter’s home.

Born on April 6, 1944 in Louisville, KY, Earl was the son of Orville Ellis and Ruby Burton Carter. Before retirement, Earl was an Over-the-Road truck driver. Earl served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1967 during the Vietnam War. While in...

May 2, 2026

John Robert Beeker, Jr. went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 2, 2026 surrounded by his family, in Hope, Indiana.

He was born at home on October 20, 1938, on the family farm outside of St. Louis Crossing, Indiana, to John Robert, Sr. and Ruth (Guthrie) Beeker.

John graduated from Clifford High School in 1956 and went straight into...

Apr 23, 2026

Mark A. "Pappy" Metcalf, 63, of Hope, passed away on April 23, 2026 at Franciscan Health. 

Born on January 20, 1963, in Columbus, IN, Mark was the son of Rusty Burton and Estelle McKenney Metcalf. He spent many years employed as a fabricator. 

Mark often enjoyed riding his bicycle and was known to show his impressive wheelies around the town square. Mark...

Apr 17, 2026

Vicky Lyn Colson, 69, of Hartsville, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026 at her home.

Born on February 6, 1957 in St. Charles, MO, Vicky was the daughter of Robert and Elsie Hunt Koenig. Before retirement, she spent 17 years working as the Executive Director at Greentree Assisted Living.

Vicky enjoyed gardening, reading, shopping,...

Apr 2, 2026

Glenna Lou Busby (Parish), born April 21, 1942, in Waupaca, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully surrounded by the familiarity of a place she dedicated so much of her life to—Millers Merry Manor in Hope, Indiana. Glenna lived a life rooted in devotion—to her family, her faith, and her calling as a nurse. She spent the majority of her career at...

Mar 26, 2026

Hubert "Bert" Embry, Jr., 82, of Hope, Indiana, formerly of Beaver Dam, Kentucky, passed from this earthly life on March 26, 2026 in Columbus, Indiana.

Hubert was born at home in Horse Branch, Kentucky to Gertha Ferguson and Hubert Embry Sr. on July 3, 1943. He spent most of his childhood living in Kentucky and spent his...

Mar 22, 2026

Lyle Allen Stanton, age 61, passed away.

He was the son of Robert and Therese (Swift) Stanton and was born May 20, 1964 in Shelbyville, Indiana.

Lyle enjoyed fishing, attending concerts, watching football, especially the Colts, and found amusement in picking on his friends and family.

He is survived by brothers Raymond Stanton,...

Mar 20, 2026

Jerry Allen Gardner, 86, of Franklin, Indiana, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and the grace of our Lord.

Born on June 22, 1939, in Manilla, Indiana, he was the son of Lon Gardner and Margaret (Pitts) Gardner. Jerry was a quietly devoted follower of Christ, a loving husband...

Mar 10, 2026

Paul Raymond Bixler, 77, passed away on March 10, 2026.  He was born on April 6, 1948 in Columbus, Indiana to Thomas G. and Marjorie M. (Adams) Bixler.

He was a 1966 graduate of Columbus High School and was employed by Cummins, Inc. for 30 years.

Paul grew up on a farm near Hope, Indiana...

Feb 9, 2026

Cheryl D. Henderson, 82, of Columbus, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026 at The Belmont Health and Rehabilitation.

Born on September 1, 1943 in Columbus, Cheryl was the daughter of Francis M. and Wyvonne A. Oliver Loper. She married Dean A. Henderson on November 22, 1964.

Before retirement, Cheryl was employed as a supervisor...

Feb 8, 2026

Betty Jean Barrett, 62 of Greensburg passed away Sunday February 8, 2026 at Franciscan Health, Southport.

Born March 24, 1963 in Greensburg Betty was the daughter of Daniel "Dale" Tichenor and Jaunita "Faye" Powell Tichenor.  She married her high school sweetheart Tim Barrett July 18, 1982 and he survives.

Other survivors include, her mother Faye...

Feb 3, 2026

Michael Steven Gabriel passed from this life on Tuesday February 3, 2026 at Vivera Assisted Living facility surrounded by family and his favorite caregiver, Pat (Patty) at Vivera where he made his home after declining health battling cancer.

Steve, known as "Chumley" by the Hope community where he was a lifetime resident was born July 5, 1951...

Jan 25, 2026

Willis "Bill" Aaron Lorts Jr. passed away on January 25, 2026 in St. Louis, MO. He was born on February 17, 1928, son of Willis A. Lorts Sr. and Flora I. Jones.

Bill is survived by many cousins near the area of Hope, Indiana and numerous friends in St. Louis, MO. He was a graduate of Washington...

Jan 24, 2026

Forrest Jeffrey (Jeff) Whittington, 66, of Hope, Indiana passed away peacefully around 10:15 a.m. on January 24th, 2026, with his wife by his side. Jeff was born on February 5th, 1959 in Columbus, Indiana to Richard (Dick) and Shirley Whittington. He was raised in Hope, Indiana. Jeff is survived by Vicky Whittington (wife); Rhett Whittington and Rhakalee Eversole (children);...

Jan 23, 2026

Margaret Collene Rominger, 96 of Hope, Indiana, passed away on January 23, 2026.  She was born on March 19, 1929, in Princeton, Indiana, to Walter and Viola Reed, and was lovingly raised by her grandmother, Susie Reed.

On June 21, 1947, Margaret married Robert (Bob) E. Rominger, who preceded her in death after 51 years of marriage.  ...

Jan 23, 2026

Janice L. McMahan, 87, of Columbus, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026 at Hickory Creek at Columbus.

Born on September 8, 1938 in Osgood, IN, Janice was the daughter of Robert and Alice Myer Eulitt. She received her Masters degree in education and spent most of her life teaching. She retired from Hauser High School and...

Jan 21, 2026

James "Jim" Baker, 79, of Hope, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Compass Park Masonic Home in Franklin.

Born on June 16, 1946 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Jim was the son of Jack P. and Mary Lee Coffey Baker. He married Linda Murray on July 12, 1969 and she preceded him in death on March 27,...

Jan 21, 2026

Margaret J. Moore, 73, of Hope, passed away on January 21, 2026 at her home.

Born on August 28, 1952 in Columbus, Margaret was the daughter of Dan W. Moore, Sr. and Mary Jo Grider Moore.

Margaret retired from working in environmental services at Columbus Regional Hospital after 25 years.

She was an...