Thursday, April 9, 2009

Vera M. Denton

VERA M. DENTON


Hartford City, Indiana


Vera M. Denton, 85, died Tuesday, April 7, 2009 in Miller’s Merry Manor.

The daughter of Lester and Mary (Watson-Falby)) Van Horn, she was born December 24, 1923 in Muncie. She attended Hartford City schools and lived most of her life in Hartford City. On March 30, 1946 Vera married Donald Denton. His death occurred on May 30, 1994.

Vera was a member of the First Christian Church, a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and a member of the Blackford County Hospital Auxiliary. She volunteered many hours with the BCH Auxiliary and also at the VA Hospital, Marion.

Surviving are: one daughter, Mary Ann (Roy) McDaniels, Hartford City; a granddaughter, Wendy (Kevin) O’Rourke, Lebanon; a grandson, Richard (Kendra) Hill, Hartford City; 2 great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Allyson O’Rourke; one brother, Robert Van Horn and one sister, Jean Van Horn, both of Hartford City.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Van Horn and a sister, Doris Chipman.

Funeral services will be at11:00 a.m. Friday, April 10 in Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City with Rev. William Pieper officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory, Muncie.

Friends may call at Waters Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 9 and one hour prior to services on Friday.

The family requests that memorials be made to the First Christian Church, 500 N. High St., Hartford City.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

William R. Sills, Sr., 86

WILLIAM R. SILLS, SR.

HARTFORD CITY, IN

William R. Sills, Sr., 86, died Thursday morning, April 2, in Blackford Community Hospital Emergency Room.

A native and life resident of Blackford County, he was born March 11, 1923 to Floyd and Lucille (Rhine) Sills. A 1941 graduate of Hartford City High School, he was an Army Air Corps veteran of WWII, assigned to the 8th Air Force, 389th Bomb Group, 565th Squadron, stationed at Hethel, England, as an engineer-gunner on a B-24. He participated in 33 combat missions over Germany and occupied territory, and acquired the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

He married Margaret Bowen on January 11, 1945 in Hartford City. She preceded him in death on June 13, 2007.

Mr. Sills had been employed at 3-M Company for 26 years, retiring April 1, 1988.

Bill was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, a member and past Grand Knight of the Emil A. Schweier Council #1639 Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post #159, the 3-M Retirees Club and was active with the 389th Bomb Group Association.

Surviving are: 5 sons; William R. (Belinda) Sills, II, Elletsville, IN, Stephen J. (Diane) Sills and Gregory V. (Deidre) Sills, both of Sellersburg, Anthony M. Sills, Lansing, MI, Christopher M. (Deborah) Sills, Hartford City; 2 daughters, M. Suzanne (Thomas) Christle and Amy A. (Dennis) Fisher, both of Fort Wayne; 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Catherine Creager.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Dave Newton at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2009, in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 209 S. Spring St., Hartford City. Burial will be made in the Hartford City Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by American Legion Post #159 Color Guard and Firing Squad.

Friends may call at the Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City from 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. Monday and 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Memorials may be in the form of masses to the church.

Pallbearers will be: William Sills, III, Ryan Sills, Sean Sills, Timothy Christle, Thomas Christle II, Thadeus Christle, Theodore Christle, Michael Sills, Dennis Fisher and Nathaniel Fisher.

Jerry D. McDonald, 66

JERRY D. McDONALD

HARTFORD CITY, IN

Jerry D. McDonald, 66, died Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at his home.

The son of Harry G. and Mabel (Rogers) McDonald, he was born June 22, 1942 in Hartford City. He graduated from Hartford City High School in 1962. On November 2, 1962, he married Sue Wine. She survives.

Jerry worked at 3-M Company for 35 years, retiring in 1997. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Surviving are: his wife, Sue; 3 children, Donna (Ronald) Simmons, Pinnacle, NC, Brian McDonald (fiance, Hope Ann O’Connell), Hartford City, and Deanna (Mike) Hammond, Hartford City; 6 grandchildren, Tiffany Vallad, Candace McDonald, Tara Turner, Kara McDonald, Austin McDonald and Michael Hammond,Jr.; 2 great-grandchildren, Jasmine and Jayden Vallad; 3 brothers, Jack (Fay) McDonald, Tom McDonald, and David McDonald; 3 sisters, Rose Starnes, Judy (Harry) Alfrey and Susan McDonald (Vernon Witt), all of Hartford City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Ernie McDonald, and a grandchild, Tony Vallad.

Funeral services will be at11:00 a.m. Monday, April 6, 2009 in Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City with Pastor Rick Clay officiating. Burial will follow in the Hartford City Cemetery.

Friends may call at Waters Funeral Home from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday, April 5 and after 9:00 a.m. Monday.

Memorials may be directed to the Hartford City Cemetery, P.O. Box 66, Hartford City, IN 47348.