Eric Alan Rohrkaste, 56, of Terre Haute passed away on Tuesday January 6, 2015. He was born July 25, 1958 in Alton, Illinois to Richard Alfred and Lela (Barton) Rohrkaste. Eric was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt with friends and family. He was known as an inveterate collector of historical objects, a born tinkerer, keen motorcyclist, and the original computer guru. He was employed by Wolfe Auto Auction at the time of his death. Previously, he served as a computer and security consultant. He graduated from Terre Haute South and attended ISU and IVY Tech Community College. He was known for his devotion to his family and his many friends, and was the first to offer help to those in need. His passing is deeply mourned by all those who knew and loved him. He will be missed. He is survived by his mother, Lela Ellis of Terre Haute; son Sean Rohrkaste and daughter Jesica Rohrkaste, both of Terre Haute; grandsons Tanner Kukendall, Vash Rohrkaste, and Kyle Layman, Jr.; granddaughter Daisey Layman all of Terre Haute; siblings Robin Rohrkaste Crumrin and her husband Tim Crumrin of Terre Haute, Kris Rohrkaste, of Harpers Ferry, Virginia, Kirk Rohrkaste and his wife Teresa of Salisbury, North Carolina, Fritz Rohrkaste of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Richard Rohrkaste in 2012. Funeral services are scheduled for 7:00p.m., Monday January 12, 2015 in Greiner Funeral Home, 2005 North 13th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana, 47804. Visitation will be at the funeral home Monday evening from 5:00p.m. until service time. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Edwardsville, Illinois, on Tuesday January 13, 2015 at 12:00p.m. Illinois time or 1:00p.m. Indiana time. If friends so desire, memorial contributions may be made to Riley Children’s Hospital.
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Eric Rohrkaste
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Mr. LeRoy Hughes
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Glenn Carpenter
Glenn Ray Carpenter, 84, of Terre Haute, Indiana, passed away, January 12, 2015 in his residence. He was born on November 9, 1930 to Ray Carpenter and Roxie (Fuson) Carpenter. Glenn served in the United States Army. He retired from the Terre Haute Police Department after 22 years of service. Glenn was a member of the American Legion #104 and VFW #972. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Kathleen McAuliffe Carpenter; second wife Wanda Horsley Carpenter; and sister Dorothy Jennings. He is survived by his sons Kevin Carpenter, Michael Carpenter, his wife Donna, Scott Carpenter, and is wife Debbie; and five grandsons. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2015 in Greiner Funeral Home, 2005 North 13th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47804. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 11:00a.m. until service time. The family asks that donation be made to the Officer Down Memorial Page at www.ODMP.org.
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Helen Kempf
Helen R. Kempf, 91 died Monday, January 12, 2015 at home near Terre Haute, Indiana. She was born on September 10, 1923 and passed away just a few hundred feet away from her childhood birthplace.
She graduated from Glenn High School in rural Vigo County and then began her college education at Indiana State Teachers College but due to her mother’s death she returned home to help raise her younger siblings. Helen then married Durward R. Kempf in 1944 and became a full time homemaker raising six children for the next 27 years. She then went back to college in 1968 and graduated in 1970 from Indiana State University with a degree in education. Helen then substitute taught at several schools in Southern Indiana for a few years before again becoming a full time homemaker.
Helen lived in Vigo County her first 30 years and then moved to Boonville, Indiana with her husband for his work. They lived in Boonville for the next 31 years before returning to rural Vigo County next to the land she grew up on where she lived the last 30 years. Helen helped her husband grow a garden of vegetables, raised cattle and fixed many meals for her husband and family on the farm. Helen really enjoyed family gatherings when her many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren would visit. Everyone looked forward to Helen’s cooking.
Helen was a member of the Boonville Wesleyan Church for more than 30 years. She served as a Sunday school teacher, church treasurer and as an officer on several of the churches committees. Once returning to the Terre Haute area she attended the Hulman Street Wesleyan Church and the Terre Haute First Church of the Nazarene.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Gertrude Rector, a sister Lela Lemon and brothers Marvin Rector and Noble Rector and a granddaughter, Ashley Hansen.
Helen is survived by her husband of 70 years Durward R, (Dory) Kempf, her six children, Durward L. Kempf (Virginia) of Boonville, IN, Diana Hansen of Chicago, Il., Jerry Kempf (Jayne) of Newburgh, IN, Donald Kempf (Fredonna) of St. Joseph, Mich., Ronald Kempf (Terry) of Newburgh, IN and Yohanna (Susie) Kempf of Boonville, IN, ten grandchildren, Jay Kempf, Tracy Zdzienicki, Troy Hansen, Jon Kempf, Jason Kempf, Julie Mohr, Jarrod Kempf, Jeremy Kempf, Steve Kempf, Katie Kempf, twenty five great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.
Helen is also survived by a brother Robert Rector and his wife Gwenneth, and two sisters in law, Wilma Rector and Doris McChesney and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 16 at DeBaun Wabash Avenue Chapel in Terre Haute. Funeral service will be officiated by Rev. Larry Mathias. Burial will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery, Terre Haute, IN. Friends may call Thursday 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. until service time at DeBaun Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions in memory of Helen may be made to Terre Haute First Church of the Nazarene in Terre Haute or The Boonville Wesleyan Church in Boonville. Online condolences may be offered at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.
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Ms. Malinda Burns
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Dorothy Mae Henry
Dorothy Mae (Apple) Henry of Spring Hill, Florida and formerly of Terre Haute died peacefully on Jan. 9, 2015 at home. She was born on April 29, 1915 in Terre Haute to Clarence and Gertrude (Fries) Apple. She married Wendell Henry on April 6, 1935 and he preceded her in death in Nov. 1998. She was member of the First United Methodist Church of Spring Hill, FL.
She is survived by her children Nancy Martin (Ken), Frank Henry (Mary Ann) both of Spring Hill, FL, and Doug Henry (Marty) of Horseheads, NY. Also surviving is a sister, Mary Collins of Riley, IN, eight grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, one great great grandson, and several nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Apple, as well as three sisters; Lela Goodwin, Catherine Culver, and Betty Anderson.
Dorothy was a homemaker and a caregiver, member of the Mother Bees of Honey Creek High School, and a Garden Club. She was also Past President of the WOES in Horseheads, NY.
Funeral services will be held at DeBaun Springhill Chapel on Friday, January 16, 2015 at 12 Noon, with Pastors Aaron Wheaton and Rick Swan officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation is scheduled for Friday from 10:00 AM – 12 Noon Friday in DeBaun Springhill Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her Church in Spring Hill or Hospice. The family would like to give a special thanks to her loving caregivers, Carolyn and Peggy, who have loved her as family for almost 6 years.
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Harry Nelson
Harry E. Nelson, 84, passed away at his home in Terre Haute, IN., surrounded by his family and friends. Harry was born in Staunton, IN., on September 9, 1930 to William and Emelda Nelson. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Jean and Christine and a brother Lucien. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Freida Monroney Nelson and four children; a daughter, Polly Nelson Jones and her husband Steve, three sons; Brad, Kevin and Roger Nelson all of Terre Haute. He is also survived by three grandchildren; Madeline, Luke and Rudy Nelson, all of Terre Haute. He is also survived by his sisters, Jenny, Lenora and a brother Donald. Being the youngest of seven children, Harry has numerous nieces and nephews all over the United States. Harry was a long time Vigo County School Corporation bus driver and was retired from the Terre Haute Tribune Star and the Indianapolis Star. Harry was a 1948 graduate of Gerstmeyer High School and was an active member of Union Christian Church. Over the years in his spare time, he coached baseball, football and enjoyed mushroom hunting and fishing. Harry was also a diehard I.U., Colts and ISU fan. He was a volunteer fireman in Riley, IN. In addition he was a regular donor to the Vigo County Blood Bank. He also served as a Democratic Precinct Chairman. He had a great sense of humor and was a loving Father, Grandfather and was respected by many from Riley, Terre Haute and the surrounding area. The honorary Pallbearers will be Brad Nelson and Travis McDonald. Services are Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Union Christian Church, 5350 East Hulman Drive, Terre Haute, IN., 47803. Rev Mark Grayless will be officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Church. Greiner Funeral Home, 2005 North 13th Street, Terre Haute, IN., 47804 was entrusted with arrangements. Burial will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to The Visiting Nurses Association or Hospice of the Wabash Valley. Online condolences may be made at www.greinerfuneralhome.com
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Ms. Ora Lee Wiggins
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Ralph Whitehouse
Ralph F. Whitehouse, age 85 of Terre Haute died early on the morning of Tuesday January 13, 2015. Ralph was born May 26, 1929 in Central City, KY to Luther and Alma May Brown Whitehouse. Survivors include his beloved wife of 29 years Joan Rafter Whitehouse, two daughters Debbie Whitehouse of Champaign, IL and Brenda Richards and husband Michael Richards of Terre Haute, IN, three granddaughters Paige, Abbey, and Hope Richards, one nephew James Whitehouse of Marietta, GA, and two nieces and their husbands Nancy King and her husband John King, of Mahomet, IL and Linda Woodworth and her husband Mike Woodworth of Terre Haute, IN, and several great nieces and nephews.
Ralph was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Lou Dodge Whitehouse, his parents, two brothers Elbert and Charles Whitehouse, 3 sisters Geneva Stone, Grace Render and Marion Whitehouse, two brothers-in-law Harold Stone and Partrick Render, and sister-in-law Marie Pease Whitehouse.
Ralph graduated from Wiley High School in 1948. He then worked at Commercial Solvents until entering the U.S. Army and proudly serving his country in the Korean War.
He was employed with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons until he retired in 1979. He was then employed by Furrows Building and Supply from which he retired and then worked for Contractor Supply.
Ralph will be dearly missed and remembered as a man of integrity. He was very devoted to his family and friends.
Services will be held at DeBaun Springhill Chapel. Visitation will be Friday January 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. The Funeral will be held on Saturday, January 17 at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park, with military honors provided by VFW Post # 972
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Pioneer Bible Translators. The address is:
Pioneer Bible Translators
7255 W Camp Wisdom Road
Dallas, TX 75236
Online condolences can be made at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com
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Wesley E. Caton
Wesley E. Caton, 50, of Terre Haute passed away January 13, 2015 at his residence. He was born December 4, 1964 to Walter and Dee (Marlow) Caton and they survive. Wesley was a longtime at employee Advics and helped his father with the family farm. He was a member of New Life Fellowship Church.
His wife, Carol (Long) Caton preceded him in death on February 24, 2013. His other survivors include his sons Samuel Caton and Caleb Caton. He also has a foster son Stephen Keller, a sister Debbie Harris and her husband Geoff, and his mother-in-law and father-in-law Evelyn and Jerry Long. Funeral services will be in DeBaun Springhill Chapel on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Jeffrey Harpole officiating. Friends may call on Friday from 5-8 p.m. Burial will be in New Harmony Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to New Life Fellowship Church. Online condolence may be made at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com
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Harry E. Nelson
Harry E. Nelson, 84, passed away at his home in Terre Haute, Ind., surrounded by his family and friends. Harry was born in Staunton, Ind., on Sept. 9, 1930, to William and Emelda Nelson.He was precede
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Avelena F. Gildermeister
Avelena F. Gildermeister, age 96, of Danielsville, Ga., passed away Jan. 12, 2015, at 8:30 p.m. at Ty Cobb Health and Rehabilitation Center in Commer, Ga. She was born Nov. 19, 1920, to Charles Peters
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Charles Duane Bensley
Charles Duane Bensley, 93, of Terre Haute, passed away Jan. 14, 2015, at Union Hospital. He was born on Feb. 13, 1921, in Cherokee, Iowa, to Oscar Bensley and Mable Erma (Bunten) Bensley. Charles serv
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Roger Dale Zurcher
Roger Dale Zurcher, 65, of Clay City, passed away Jan. 16, 2015, at Regional Hospital, in Terre Haute. He was born in Clay County, on Dec. 8, 1949, to Thurman Dale and Vivian Maxine (Heath) Zurcher.
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Glenn Earl McHenry
Glenn Earl McHenry, 90, passed away on Jan. 18, 2015 at his home in Terre Haute. He was born in Brazil, Indiana on Dec. 27, 1924 to Ernest and Mary (Ooley) McHenry.
He served in the U.S. Army in northern France and Germany during World War II, advancing as far as Leipzig in eastern Germany at the time of V-E Day. After the war he remained in Germany as a civilian employee of the Army, marrying Hilde Werra Kettenburg of Bremen, Germany on March 11, 1953. Following a honeymoon in the Bavarian and Austrian Alps, they moved to his hometown of Brazil in 1953 and then settled in Terre Haute in 1954.
Glenn spent most of his long working life as either a computer programmer for Eastern Express or a bookkeeper for Terre Haute Medical Lab, retiring from the latter in 1992.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Richard. He is survived by a son, Walter (and Paula), of Terre Haute; a granddaughter, Rachel Brynsvold (and Eric) of Austin, Texas; and a grandson, Daniel, of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Glenn was a founding member of the German Oberlandler Club. He loved to travel, visiting most of the states as well as many countries in Europe and the Caribbean. He loved to watch sports, especially IU and ISU basketball. He loved the Cardinals and hated the Yankees. Most of all, he loved his family and his country.
The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 1:00 at DeBaun Funeral Home at 25th and Wabash in Terre Haute. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 until the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Glenn’s memory can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org ).
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Reba Williams
Reba E. Williams, 88, of Youngstown passed away January 13, 2015 at Springhill Village. She was born on February 24, 1926 to Riley and Bessie (Cottrell) Boyll. She retired from Verizon where she was a telephone operator for many years. She was a member of the Youngstown United Methodist Church. Her husband Milton S. Williams preceded her in death July 30, 2013. She was also preceded by several brothers and sisters. She is survived by one sister, Mary Walton; sister-in-law Linda Tewell and husband Butch, brother-in-law Max Williams and wife Mary Ann, brother-in-law Jerry Williams and wife Brenda, and a sister-in-law Joyce Williams. She has numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at Youngstown United Methodist Church, Saturday January 25, 2015 at 1 p.m. with Rev. Linda Snider officiating. Burial will be in Hull Cemetery at a later date. DeBaun Springhill Chapel is assisting with arrangements.
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Patricia Louise Flanagan Decker
Patricia Flanagan Decker passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 20, 2015. She was born in Terre Haute on February 7, 1928, to John & Elizabeth Flanagan. Patty was a homemaker; secretary/treasurer of Decker Small Engines; a longtime, active member of St. Patrick’s Parish; an ISU fan; a graduate from the Wiley class of 1948; a good neighbor; and a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She touched many people’s lives by sending them cards to mark memorable life events.
Her loving husband of 50 years, Claude, preceded her in death in 2000. Survivors include her children Mary Lib Sovick (Denny), Patty Ann Petrarca (Mike), Jeanne Bilyeu (Brad), Jim (Cindy), and Susan (Vicki). Son Joe died in 2012. Granny loved her grandchildren Erin Kobler (Dan); Andy Sovick (Gail); Matt Bilyeu (Renee); Mark Bilyeu (Megan); Molly Crawn (Aaron); Lisa Belair (Peter); Jacob, Jennifer, Bryan, and Becky Decker; Nicole Clingerman (Dan), and Angie Lively (Sam).
Granny’s great-grandchildren brought her late-in-life joy, and they include Walker Joe Sovick; Charlie & Leo Kobler; Jayleigh, Baden, & Matalyn Bilyeu; Knox Bilyeu; Landon & Lucy Crawn; Kali Price; Olivia & Madison Slaughter; and Sophia Baumunk.
She will be missed immensely by all of them.
Her sisters Peggy Parker and Helen Flanagan survive. She was preceded in death by her siblings Annamary, Jack, Marguerite, Evalyn, and Paul.
While Patty’s appreciated all her friends, the family would like to thank some who brought special light to her life: Dr. Gary Fitzgerald, whose thoughtful compassion brought great consolation to her; Ray Garvey; nephew Mike Flanagan; niece Barbara Stringer; Janet, Freda, Rex, and Al; her Monday night dinner group; her card group; and the wonderful nurses at Union Hospital during her last week, especially Kathy & Deb.
Visitation will be at DeBaun Funeral Home, Wabash Avenue Chapel, 2425 Wabash Ave. on January 23 from 4-7 p.m., with The Rosary at 7:00. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick Church on January 24 at 10:00 a.m., with internment to follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary of the Woods College, St. Patrick’s Soup Kitchen, or Catholic Charities.
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Kevin Birkey
Kevin Robert Birkey, 29, of Terre Haute passed away January 17, 2015. He was born September 1, 1985 to Keith Birkey and Ruth (Myers) Webb. Kevin graduated from Terre Haute North Vigo High School in 2003. He was currently enrolled at IVY Tech Community College in the HVAC program. Kevin found true love in his wife Rose Birkey. He cherished his family and loved his children very much. Kevin was preceded in death by his grandparents Dave and Judy Myers. He is survived by his wife Rose (Lynch) Birkey; father Keith Birkey, stepmother Kathy Birkey; mother Ruth (Myers) Webb; children Owen Hesselfeldt, Elizabeth Birkey, and Konnor Birkey; grandparents Bob and Viola Birkey; sisters Jessica Birkey, Heather Roman, Lauren Bentley, Devony Stewart, and her husband Zack; brothers Aaron Birkey and Michael Webb; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2015 at 1:00p.m. in Greiner Funeral Home, 2005 North 13th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana, 47804. His uncle David Birkey will be officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Friday, from 11:00a.m. until service time. In honoring Kevin’s wishes, cremation will follow services. Online condolences may be made at www.greinerfuneralhome.com.
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Marie Fox
Marie Fox, 96, longtime Vigo County resident, passed away on January 20, 2015 in Regional Hospital. She was born on July 18, 1918 in Daviess County to Austin and Ruth (Dunnigan) Waggoner. Mrs Fox was a homemaker. She and her husband were instrumental in the founding of Fowler Park and were both active volunteers for more than 30 years. The barn located inside the park was named in honor of Conrad and Marie Fox. She also was a member of the Women’s Department Club. During the 1960’s she was active in H.E.L.P. (Housewives’ Effort for Local Progress). That organization was responsible for promoting new schools, libraries, and new businesses. Her most proud accomplishment was starting and succeeding in blocking the movement to establishment a wildlife refuge in southeastern Vigo County during the 1950’s that would have destroyed hundreds of acres of prime farm ground.
She was preceded in death by her husband Conrad F. Fox in 2007 and her brothers. She is survived by her son Craig A. Fox and his spouse Jeff O’Connor, and four cousins. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 1 p.m. in DeBaun Springhill Chapel with Rev. Jeff Lee officiating. Calling will be on Friday from 6-8 p.m. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Riley. Online condolences may be offered at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com
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Roswell Piper
Roswell Marion (Ross) Piper, 76, of Terre Haute, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015 at Regional Hospital.
He was born in Augusta, Georgia on Aug. 17, 1938 to E. Marion and Roswell (Wolfe) Piper.
Ross served in the United States Air Force from Apr. 2, 1958 until he was honorably discharged on
Aug. 1, 1961.
He received a B.S. in Business Administration in 1964 from Emory University and an MBA from the University of Alabama in 1967. Always quick with wit, Ross loved to joke that his 1973 PhD in Business Administration from the University of Alabama was his last educational effort to “Pile it Higher and Deeper”.
While studying at the University of Alabama, he developed a fierce loyalty to the university’s Crimson Tide football team and an intense dislike of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Auburn Tigers, which continued until his death.
He taught in the School of Business of Indiana State University for 30 years, retiring in 1999.
Ross enjoyed art as a lifelong hobby, especially abstract and landscape painting, drawing and sculpture. He loved to travel, and enjoyed trips to France, England, Spain, Australia, Scotland and throughout the U.S. with his wife. Trips to New Orleans with his brother were always eagerly anticipated as well.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Roberta (Robbie Elizer) Piper; daughters Marcy Davis and her husband Bill of Houston, Texas and Lea Hollowell and her husband Matt of Terre Haute; brother Lee S. Piper of Alpharetta, Georgia; and his beloved grandchildren Casey Shaw, Patrick and Lulu Davis, and Levi and Lexi Hollowell.
Ross requested that neither a funeral nor a memorial service be held upon his death and asked that his ashes be buried beneath a rose bush so he “could continue on as a blooming idiot”. His family is honoring his wishes to not have a ceremony but offers no guarantees on said rosebush. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations sent in his name to the Community School of the Arts through the Indiana State University Foundation, 30 North Fifth Street, Terre Haute, IN 47809. Online condolences may be made at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.
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