Bloomington (IN) Herald Telephone
July 24, 1974
page A2

NOTE: Thelma Crouch, who was noted below as a surviving daughter, was married to Joseph E. Crouch. The granddaughter who preceded her in death in 1972, as noted below, is Barbara Lee (Smith/Crouch) Van Hoy. Other records indicate that Barbara died in 1973, as opposed to 1972.

NOVA VONDERSCHMITT, THEATRE OWNER, DIED

Nova E. Vonderschmitt, 80, owner of several movie theaters throughout Indiana, of 501 Hawthorne St., died Tuesday morning [July 23] at the Bloomington Convalescent Center.

She was born in Williamsburg, November 28, 1893, the daughter of Alfred Leroy and Dora (McGonegill) Study. She and her husband, Harry P. Vonderschmitt, who died in February 1955, were the owners of many movie theaters beginning with the Liberty Theater in Washington that they purchased in 1917. They owned theaters in Greencastle, Crawfordsville, Bedford, Noblesville, Seymour and the Indiana and VonLee Theaters in Bloomington.

She had been president of the Monroe County Cancer Society and vice president of the Indiana Cancer Society. She had also served as district director for the Cancer Society and in 1970 was the recipient of the Bloomington Kiwanis Club Award for outstanding community service. She was a member of the Bloomington Professional and Business Women's Club and a charter member of Altrusa.

She is survived by one daughter, Thelma Crouch of Bloomington; one sister, Maude Nellis of Bloomington; several nieces and nephews; and four great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter in 1972 [sic].

Funeral services will be at 10 AM Friday at the Allen Colonial Chapel with Dr. M. B. McFall presiding. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Washington. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 PM today and from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9 PM Thursday. The Delta Theta Tau Sorority will hold memorial services at 7 PM at the funeral home. The family has suggested that friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Monroe County Cancer Society.

Typed and donated by Randi Richardson.