DR. DWIGHT A. GARRETT

Hartford City

Dr. Dwight A. Garrett, 91, former Hartford City resident, went to be with the Lord on January 24, 2013 at Heritage Pointe, Warren.

Dwight was born on August 7, 1921 in Blackford County, the son of Ima and Verna (Dorton) Garrett.  He graduated from Montpelier High School in 1939. He graduated from Indiana University Dental School in June, 1946.

He served in the U.S. Navy as a Dental Surgeon with a rank of Lt.(JG). After he was released from duty in July, 1948, he opened his dental office in Hartford City later that year. He practiced dentistry for 41 years, retiring July 1, 1989.

Dwight married Bernadene Brown on April 2, 1950.

He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and held many offices in the church.  He was very mission minded and served in Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Habitat for Humanity in Mississippi Delta and in Africa University, Zimbabwe and Recife, Brazil.

Dwight was a Boy Scout Leader for a number of years.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Bernadene “Bernie”; a son Roger (Irene) of Lawrenceville, Virginia; daughter-in-law, Penny Garrett; grandchildren, Troy (Stacey) Garrett, Tara Garrett, Mallory (Kevin) Koch; great-granddaughter, Delaney Garrett, three step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin sister, Delight Weatherholt, a daughter, Janet Garrett Havely, a son, Jim Garrett and a grandson, Matthew Havely.

A service to celebrate Dwight’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 2 in Trinity United Methodist Church, Hartford City, with Pastor Dustin Jones officiating. Entombment will follow at Gardens of Memory, Muncie, with military rites by Delaware County Veterans Organization.

Friends may call at the church on Saturday, February 2 one hour prior to the service.

The family prefers memorials to Trinity United Methodist Church, 303 N. Walnut St., Hartford City, Indiana 47348.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watersfuneralhomes.com 

 

M. RUTH HENDERSON

(Margaret) Ruth Henderson, age 93, passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside on January 19,  2013 in Tempe, Arizona.  Ruth was born on December 6, 1919 in Hartford City, Indiana - the youngest child born to Charles and Cora (Cooper) Howard.  She grew up in Hartford City and lived there her whole life with two brief exceptions:  while attending Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) majoring in music and English and the last few years spent in Arizona with her family.

Upon graduation from Indiana Central Ruth moved back to Hartford City where she obtained her first teaching job for Hartford City Schools.  While teaching at Hartford City High School, Ruth became friends with Ed Henderson, the teacher in the classroom next door.  They fell in love and married on August 29, 1945 at First EUB Church in Hartford City.  Ruth was baptized, married, raised her children and celebrated her fiftieth wedding anniversary at this same church.  In 1950, Ruth and Ed purchased “the big white house” on Main Street and lovingly turned it into a home and a gathering place for family and friends.  Ruth and Ed were married for 55 years and together made family, education and church the foci of their lives.  They have two sons, Mark Richard and David Duane who were their greatest joy and source of pride.  Ruth loved the role of “grandma” and delighted in her three grandchildren.

As a working mother, Ruth earned a Masters degree in English with a straight A average from Ball State University and graduated the same day that her son, Mark, graduated from high school.  Ruth worked briefly for the Oswalt Menu Company and for Trinity Church, however she spent over 30 years as a teacher in Hartford City, Gas City and later Blackford Schools.  During her teaching career, she taught grades 7–12, but her first love was teaching grammar and English literature to high school juniors, especially the novels “The Scarlet Letter” and “Huckleberry Finn”.  Ruth was also very proud of the business English class she created and taught at Blackford High.  Ruth and Ed continued to teach side by side for many years and during some summers led student trips to England.  Ruth was very involved in church; she participated in Sunday school, sang in the choir, served on numerous committees and worked as the church secretary for several years.  In addition, she was a proud and active member of Wit and Wisdom, a women’s literary society.  Ruth was a talented musician.  As a five year old she started performing duets in church with her father and by age 9 was the leader of a harmonica band in local theaters.  In high school she studied classical piano, but her first love and greatest ability was playing popular songs by ear.  She majored in vocal performance in college and her beautiful soprano voice could be heard frequently at churches, weddings, and funerals.  Ruth loved entertaining her grandchildren at her beloved Steinway grand piano and in her late 80's was still performing for members of her retirement community in Arizona.  Ruth and Ed adopted a cocker spaniel puppy, Buffy, who Ruth lovingly referred to as David’s and Mark’s “little sister”.  Many days found Ruth in the kitchen stewing chicken for homemade dog treats. Ruth was an avid and talented golfer in her later years, golfing most days once she retired from teaching.  Known as one of the best pie bakers in the county, she proudly taught her grandchildren to bake her famous pies. In 2006, Ruth moved to Arizona to be closer to her children and grandchildren, but always thought of herself as a life-long resident of Hartford City.

Ruth is survived by her son Mark, (Sue) and their three children, Erin Kathleen, Benjamin Samuel Harry and Abigail Elizabeth, of Chandler, Arizona, and son David of Pittsburg, California.  She was predeceased by her husband, Ed, parents Charles and Cora Howard, brothers Glen and Robert, sisters Helen Howard Beetley and Mary Esther Howard Knecht Sanders.

Services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Hartford City on Saturday, January 26, 2013, at 2:00 PM with visitation an hour preceding.  Evening visitation will be at Waters Funeral Home on Friday January 25, from 5-8 PM.  Ruth will be interred at Harford City Cemetery, next to her beloved husband, Ed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local Ed and Ruth Henderson Scholarship Fund, via the Blackford County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 327, Hartford City, Indiana 47348.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.watersfuneralhomes.com.

 

DONALD R. ROYSE

McCordsville, Indiana   

Donald R. Royse, 51, was born May 29, 1961 to James L. and Pauline E. (Vice) Royse in Marion. He went to be with the Lord Saturday, January 12, 2013 in his home in McCordsville, Indiana with his family by his side, after a hard fight with metastatic melanoma. He was a strong believer in his faith and was a fighter until the end.

A 1981 graduate of Mississinewa High School and Ivy Tech, he married Cynthia Lightle October 5, 1990 in Hartford City. He was a very funny and handy man and was always willing to help anyone out. He loved his family very much and was an avid Star Trek fan, enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding his motorcycle and being outdoors.

Donald ran his own business, DRR Services until August 17, 2012 when he was no longer able to work. He had formerly worked at Clark Oil in Marion and Hartford City until 1995 when he moved to the Indianapolis area.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Cynthia Lightle Royse; his children, Joshua (wife, Amanda) Schuhmacher, Hope Mills, NC, Jason (wife, Brittney) Royse, Marion, and Mary Royse, McCordsville; four grandchildren, Jackson, Logan, Annabelle and Colin; parents, James and Pauline Royse, Jonesboro; a sister, Janice (husband, Kevin) Carey, Fort Wayne; brothers, James Royse, McCordsville, Terry (wife, Donna) Royse, Flemingsberg, KY and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 16 at Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City with Rev. Bobby Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Hartford City Cemetery.

Friends may call at Waters Funeral Home from 4 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 15 and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to help with expenses c/o Waters Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.watersfuneralhomes.com.

RITA M. CHARNLEY

HARTFORD CITY, IN

Rita M. Charnley, 93, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2013 at IU Health Blackford Hospital.

A native and life resident of Hartford City, she was born December 8, 1919 the daughter of Jacob and Jennie (Day) Pursley. She married Ross L. Charnley on November 5, 1938 in Hartford City and his death occurred June 29, 1978.

A homemaker, Rita had worked as a custodian for Citizens First State Bank (now First Financial Bank)

Rita was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Altar-Rosary Society, Our Lady of Good Council Study Club and the Secular Franciscan Order.

Surviving are five sons; Frederick, Nicholas, Mark, Vincent and Geno; three daughters, Mary (Gary) Vandebur, Teresa Rouse, and Judy Smith; one sister, Cecelia Rose Stroup; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Francis, a daughter, Rita Ann Benedict, two brothers, Maurice and Paul Pursley, and two sisters, Agnes Rogers and Mary Shatto.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Dave Newton at 10 a.m. Monday, January 7, 2013 in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 209 S. Spring St., Hartford City. Burial will follow in Hartford City Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City from 4 – 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday from 9 - 9:30 a.m.

A Christian Wake Service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Waters Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.watersfuneralhomes.com.

 

DWANE T. NEEDLER

Hartford City, Indiana

Dwane T. Needler, 91, former Hartford City resident, passed away Monday, December 31, 2012 in McKinney House, Logansport.

Dwane was born June 9, 1921 in Blackford County, the son of Ord and Lizzie (Schwartzkopf) Needler. He graduated from Montpelier High School in 1939 and attended Indiana Business College. He married Violet Knox in Hartford City on September 14, 1941.

Dwane began buying and selling cars for himself at the age of 14 and later worked as a salesman for Crankshaw Motors. He was a nationally recognized salesman through Crankshaw for General Motors. He won many awards and prizes before retiring in 1983.

He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Violet; a daughter, Trudy (John) Ryan, Logansport; a sister, Marjorie (Charles) Kesler, Arizona; grandchildren, Emma (Gregory) Haines, and Sean Ryan, both of Fort Wayne;  and three great-grandchildren, Ryan and Haley Haines and Madison Ryan.

The funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2013 in Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City with Pastor Dustin Jones officiating.  Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory, Muncie.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday and from noon to 1:00 p.m. Friday.

The family prefers memorials be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church, 303 N. Walnut St., Hartford City, IN 47348.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.watersfuneralhomes.com.