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Alma E. Dicks



Alma E. Dicks, of Brookville, age 79, died Wednesday, March 18, at Margaret Mary Community Hospital, Batesville. She lived most of her life in Franklin County.

She was born to Francis and Ruth Ann (Denman) Ervin on December 23, 1918, in Anderson. She married Dr. Donald C. Dicks in 1947. She had worked for the Delco-Remy Division of General Motors in Anderson and was also a homemaker. Mrs. Dicks was a member of the Brookville United Methodist Church, Order of Eastern Star Chapter #449 and Franklin County Historical Society.

Surviving are one stepson, Dr. Donald J. Dicks of San Francisco, California; and one sister, Mrs. James Robert (Nondas) Dalton of Anderson.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband who died in 1987, one sister and one brother.

Rev. Donald Miller, pastor of the Brookvifle United Methodist church, will conduct a memorial service on Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m., at Phillips and Meyers Funeral Home. Friends may call on that date between 1 and 2 p.m. Mrs. Dicks had donated her body to science and her cremated remains will be interred at a future date in Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that memorial donations be made to a favorite charity. Phillips and Meyers Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.





Dorothy Kestler



Dorothy Margaret Kestler (nee Menchoffer), age 84, of Batesville, died Friday, March 20, in Batesville.

She was born May 13, 1913, in Batesville, to George and Louisa (Bosse) Menchoffer. She married Herman Kestler on October 22, 1938. He preceded her in death on July 4, 1991. Mrs. Kestler was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and the Batesville Senior Citizens.

She is survived by one son, John Kestler of Batesville; and two sisters, Esther Siebert and Ruth Siebert, also of Batesville.

Services for Mrs. Kestler were held Tuesday, March 24, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Batesville. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Southeastern Indiana.





Carl H. Dietz



Carl. H. Dietz, 93 years old, of Oldenburg, died Saturday, March21, at Hospitality Hall Nursing Home, Batesville.

He was born in February 26, 1905, in Batesville, the son of Louis and Mary (Vordem Esche) Dietz. On June 29, 1932, he and the former Helen Mary Rossfeld were united in marriage. He was employed as a woodcarver at Romweber Furniture Company for 57 years until his retirement in 1977. After retirement, he worked in woodworking until the age of 90. Mr. Dietz was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. He played Santa Claus in Batesville and Oldenburg for 55 years, as well as in many other communities.

Survivors include three daughters, Ruth Henrikson of Mentor, Ohio, Charlene Bullwinkel of Acton, Massachusetts and Mary Jo Heppner of Batesville; and nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The funeral was conducted on Tuesday, March 24, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Oldenburg. He was laid to rest in the church cemetery. Batesville Rescue 10 Lifesquad is accepting memorial contributions. Weigel Funeral Home handled arrangements.





Donald A. Chabre



Donald A. Chabre, age 43, of Van Buren, Maine, a former Brookville resident, passed away at his home on Friday, March 20.

He was born in Van Buren, Maine on May 28, 1954, the son of Adrien and Agatha Chabre. He had been a funeral director in Brookville for six years, employed by Phillips and Meyers Funeral Home. Mr. Chabre was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus #1010.

Survivors include two sons, Brad Chabre of Brookville and Chad Chabre of Van Buren, Maine; his mother, Agatha Chabre of Van Buren, Maine; three brothers, Raymond Chabre of Woodland, Maine, Vernon Chabre of Bangor, Maine, and Rodney Chabre of Van Buren, Maine; four sisters, Charleen Espling of Ludington, Michigan, Geraldine Soucy of Van Buren, Maine, Barbara Violette of Brewer, Maine and Doreen Ayotte of Van Buren, Maine.

He was preceeded in death by his father and one infant brother.

Funeral services and burial were held in Maine under the direction of Oullette-Thibault Funeral Home, 12 High Street, Van Buren, Maine, 04785.





Virgle L. Sorrell



Virgle L. Sorrell, 1039 East Fifth Street, Connersviile, died Thursday, March 19, at Fayette Memorial Hospital, Connersville, at the age of 87 years.

He was born in Casey County, Kentucky, on November 7, 1910, the son of William and Hattie (Carey) Sorrell. He had lived in Fayette and Franklin Counties most of his life. He was a retired farmer. Mr. Sorrell was preceded in death by his first wife, Ellen McDaniel, in 1953, along with one son and one daughter and several brothers. He worked in farming and was self-employed.

Surviving are his second wife, Martha; three sons, Calvin Sorrell of Connersville, Wilbur Sorrell of Richmond and Jesse Sorrell of Lakeland, Florida; four daughters, Loretta Pence and Mary Hokey, both of Connersville, Sharon Elliot of Everett, Washington and Barbara Hawkins of Irvin, Kentucky; one step-son, John Foreman of Metamora; one brother, Ray Sorrell of Texas; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, March 23 at Moster and Cox Mortuary in Laurel, with the Rev. Willie Russell officiating. He was laid to rest in Stipps Hill Cemetery.





Mrs. Richard Higgs



Phyllis M. Riggs, 68, of 1000 West 21St Street, Box 181, Connersville, died peacefully Monday evening at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, after an extended stay.

She was born March 20, 1929, in Blooming Grove, one of four children of Robert L. and Christina (Green) Brendel.

She graduated from Brookville High School in 1947. She lived most of her life in the Connersville area.

On March 21, 1968, she was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Richard G. Riggs Sr. of Connersville.

She had been employed at Ford for a short time, but due to her responsibilities as a mother and her commitment to her family, she gave up her employment.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Connersville.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Robert "Bob" Brendel; one sister, Carolyn Dreher and one great-grandaughter, Alexis M. Shellberg.

Besides her husband, she is survived by five daughters and eight sons: Mrs. Wilbur (Linda G.) Shell-Blough of Key West, Florida; Bruce W. Shell of New Palestine; Richard W. Shell of Key West, Florida; Ricky D. Riggs, Richard Higgs Jr., David L. Shell, Mrs. Mark (Debbie J.) Higgs-Callahan, David M. Higgs, Mark A. Higgs, Timothy E. Higgs, all of Connersville; Mrs. Paul (Christy E.) Golding-White of Liberty; Mrs. Austin Burns of Connersville; a sister, Mrs. Jack (Peggy) Larsen of Taramac, Florida; 37 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were conducted Rev. Dan McCollough and Rev. Larry Callahan on Friday, March 20 at Miller Funeral Home, Connersville. Calling was held on Thursday, March 19. Burial was at Dale Cemetery, Connersville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette County Diabetes Association.





Loretta E. Moorman



Loretta E. Moorman, of Sunman, died at her home on Tuesday, March 17. She was 81 years old.

She was born December 17, 1916, in Franklin County, the daughter of Frank and Rose (Scheele) Laker. She married Sylvester Moorman February 17, 1946, at St. Mary's of the Rock Church. Mrs. Moorman worked as a homemaker and was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church.

She is survived by her husband; three sons, Herbert Moorman of Oldenburg, Arnold Moorman and Michael Moorman, both of Sunman; one sister, Leona Moorman of Morris; and one grandson, Brian John Moorman.

Msgr. Bernard Schmitz officiated the funeral at St. Anthony Church on Friday, March 20. She was laid to rest in the church cemetery. Weigel Funeral Home of Batesville assisted the family with arrangements. The Hospice of Margaret Mary Community Hospital and the Sunman Rescue 20 Lifesquad are collecting memorial contributions.





Sister Mary Virgil Schneider



Sister Mary Virgil, age 83, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, passed away at Margaret Mary Community Hospital, Batesville, on Wednesday, March 18.

She was born to Francis and Lillian (Amend) Schneider. She entered the convent on September 8, 1932 and made her final vows on July 2, 1938. She served as teacher and principal at schools in Indiana, Missouri and Ohio. She retired to the Motherhouse in 1983.

Survivors include two brothers, Charles Schneider and Cletus Schneider, both of Cincinnati, Ohio; three sisters, Sister Rose Theresa Schneider, O.S.F., of the Motherhouse in Oldenburg, Mrs. Rita Amschler and Mrs. Gloria Almond, both of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mass of Christian burial was held Monday, March 23, at the Sisters of St. Francis Motherhouse in Oldenburg by Father Raymar Middendoff. Burial followed in the Motherhouse Cemetery. Weigel Funeral handled arrangements.





Howard Cornelius



Howard C. Cornelius, 76 years old, formerly of Brookville, died on Thursday, March 19, at a Veteran's Rehab Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

He was born in Brookville on June 29, 1921, to Charles Cornelius and Edna Anderson. He spent 20 years in the Army and served in both World War II and the Korean War. After retiring from the Army, he worked for the Government at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville until he retired from there also.

Mr. Cornelius is survived by his wife, Gladyce, of Jacksonville, Alabama; three children, Linda Abel of Wisconsin, Dr. Donald Cornelius of Birmingham, Alabama, and Connie Edge of Jacksonville, Alabama; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, Lois Drewes of Brookville, Margaret Cook and Kathleen Fowler, both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

A memorial service yvas conducted at Epworth United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Alabama, on Tuesday, March 24, with interment in Jacksonville, Alabama.





Jacob Wilhelm



Jacob "Jack" Wilhelm, age 80, of Cedar Grove, died Tuesday, March 24, 1998, at McCullough-Hyde Hospital in Oxford, Ohio. He was born January 24, 1918, in Franklin County, the son of William J. and Marie Feller Wilhelm.

Mr. Wilhelm served in World War II in the U.S. Army and was retired from Owens-Coming. He was a member of Holy Guardian Angel Catholic Church, St. Joseph Post 464 American Legion, FOE Lodge #1129, K of C Council 1010 and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

Survivors include one sister, Dorothy M. Wilhelm; one brother, Leonard J. Wilhelm; one step-daughter, Rita Holman; and one step-son George W. Lake, all of Cedar Grove. He is also survived by eight step-great-grandchildren, five nieces and two nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, the former Anna Albers who died August 20, 1972; a sister, Mildred; and three brothers, Julius, William and Milford.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Cook Funeral Home in Brookville with Rosary service at 7:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 27, at Holy Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Cedar Grove with Rev. Louis Schumacher officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military graveside service conducted by St. Joseph Post 464 of the American Legion.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Guardian Angel Church or the EMS 4.





Jeremy Strunk, Jr.



Jeremy E. Strunk, Jr., infant son of Jeremy and Crystal (Kuehn) Strunk, of Okeana, passed away at Mercy Hospital Fairfield Monday morning, March23, l998.

He is survived by his parents and grandparents, Barb and Danny Strunk of Okeana, Rickie and Connie Kuehn of Scipio; two uncles, Jason Strunk and Rickie Kuehn, Jr.; one aunt, Tina (Dusty) Puckett. He is also survived by loving great-aunts and great-uncles, great-grandparents and great-great-grand-parents and other loving family members.

Graveside funeral service will be held Friday, March 27, at 11 a.m. at Oxford Cemetery, 4385 Millville-Oxford Road, Oxford, Ohio, with Pastor Millard Patrick of First Baptist Church of Okeana officiating.

Charles C. Young Funeral Home, Ross, Ohio, is assisting the family with arrangements.





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