All Obituaries

Lisa Dawn Rayburn, 51, of North Vernon, passed away at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at her residence. Born on January 22, 1972, in Columbus, she was the daughter of Phillip and Trudy (Bowling) Rayburn. Lisa was a 1990 graduate of Jennings County High School and worked in Home Health care for twenty plus years, most recently working for Help at Home for two years. She was a member of Am Vets Post #7 in North Vernon and a former member of Moose Lodge. Lisa enjoyed being outdoors,...

Margaret Ann Hendricks, 84, of Commiskey, passed away at 5:20 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2023, at Majestic Care in North Vernon. Born November 15, 1938, in Paris Crossing, the daughter of Frank and Alice (Cain) Maupin. She married John Hendricks in 1976 in Commiskey; he preceded her in death. Margaret was a high school graduate and received her master’s degree from Ball State University. She worked as a teacher for Shields Jr High School in Seymour. Margaret was a member of Coffee...

Otto Franklin Hendricks, 85, of Scipio, passed away at 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at the home of his daughter. Born November 13, 1937, in Butlerville, he was the son of Otto Leslie and Janey (Murray) Hendricks. Otto worked 30 plus years for North Vernon Forge before retiring in 2000 and drove a truck for Dale Plank Trucking. He enjoyed mowing grass, working in the garden, and flowers. Survivors include his son, Rex Hendricks of North Vernon; daughters, Leisa (Richard) Streight...

Derick L. Montwheler, 48, transitioned from this life January 22, 2023, one day before his older brother, Marc. To know and love Derick was quite a wild ride, one full of wonderful highs and incredible lows. He was the kind of guy that could have you belly laughing, crying, smiling, and screaming mad, all within a span of 5 minutes. He struggled with his demons in his own way, as we all do as humans. We win some, we learn some. And when Derick loved, he loved hard.  He would protect...

Dion L. Stotler, 66, of Butlerville, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.   Dion was born on September 19, 1956. He had worked as a fertilizer spreader for KOVA Fertilizer in Westport and was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie #655 in Seymour. He loved traveling.   He is survived by his companion of 38 years, Joyce Whicker of Butlerville; sons, Sammie (Karon) Whicker and Marcus (Melissa) Whicker, both of North Vernon, Bobby Stotler, David...

Larry Wayne Lucas, 71, of North Vernon, passed away at 12:02 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at St. Vincent Jennings Hospital in North Vernon. Born April 10, 1951, in Brown County, he was the son of the late Malcom and Maude (Bradley) Lucas. He married Belinda (Hines) Graham; she survives. Larry was a 1971 graduate of Columbus High School. He worked for George’s Tire in Seymour for 26 years before retiring in 2013, he had previously worked for Frank Anderson Tires for two years,...

Alice Jean Palmer, 90, of North Vernon, passed away at 2:42 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus. Born August 16, 1932, in Butlerville, she was the daughter of Harry and Ida (Crulo) Kuntz. She married James Edward Palmer on June 8, 1950, in North Vernon; he preceded her in death on June 1, 1982. Alice was a 1950 graduate of North Vernon High School and was the co-owner and bookkeeper for Sinclair/Kiel Brothers Oil in North Vernon; she also drove a...

Bennie J. Barber, 88, of North Vernon, passed away at 1:02 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2023, at Compassus Hospice in Indianapolis. Born September 24, 1934, in Scipio, he was the son of the late Ben and Roxie (Fitzpatrick) Barber. He married Mary Alice Grinstead on April 4, 1953, in North Vernon; she preceded him in death on August 15, 2021. Bennie served in the U.S. Army from 1952 - 1953. He worked for the Star News in Indianapolis, as a contract hauler for twenty-five years, was a...

Billy Don Craft, 84, of North Vernon, passed away at 11:57 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2023, at his residence. Born September 5, 1938, in Hazard, Kentucky, he was the son of James and Pearlie (Stallard) Craft. He married Sonya Yvonne Webb on June 10, 1960, in North Vernon; she preceded him in death on May 27, 2016. Billy was a 1955 graduate and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955-1978. He worked maintenance for Golden Foundry in Columbus for 20 years. Billy enjoyed riding ATV’s,...

Christina Lynn Pate, 61, of North Vernon, passed away at 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at the Heritage House in Greensburg. She was born on January 8, 1962, in Indianapolis, to the late Gene and Norma Martin; after Gene’s passing, she was raised by the late Harlan Everett Pate. Christina was a 1980 graduate of Jennings County High School and served in the U.S. Army from 1980 until 1982. She worked for 8 years at the former Muscatatuck State Developmental Center until its...