Columbus Indiana Obituaries

[nancs]

From The Republic:



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12/25/2006

Rita Mae Wells

Rita Mae Wells, 70, of Columbus, Ind., died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006 at 2:06 a.m. at Columbus Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Wells was a homemaker and loved cats and all animals.

The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Myers-Reed Dignity Memorial Chapel on 25th Street. Calling will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from noon to service time Wednesday. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society.

Online condolences may be made at www.mem.com

Mrs. Wells was born Jan. 4, 1936 in Carlisle, Ark., the daughter of Owen James and Mary Ethel Moss Dooley. She married Harley E. "Pat" Wells in Columbus on Oct. 5, 1953.

Survivors include sons, Edward G. (Leona) Wells of Houston, Texas and Edwin D. and Ron J. Wells, both of Columbus; daughters, Pamela M. Wells of Columbus, Teresa (Larry) Waldorf of Crestline, Calif. and Betty Ann (Phillip) Webster of Santa Monica, Calif.; brothers, James Eugene Dooley of Columbus, Edgar Lewis Dooley of Omaha, Neb. and Samuel L. Dooley of Columbus; a sister, Ann Johnson of LaPalma, Calif.; grandchildren, Crystal and Jason Kim of Long Beach, Calif., Cheri Fowler of Crestline, Calif., Jessica and Jonathan Webster of Santa Monica, Calif., Tasha Waldorf of Crestline, Calif. and Jesse Wells of Houston, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on Nov. 18, 1993; and sisters, Bonnie Davidson and Sue Mullis.

[Babs]

OBIT FROM THE REPUBLIC, dated December 27, 2006


Geneva D. Beatty
Geneva D. Beatty, 73, of Columbus, died at 2:33 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, at Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.

Mrs. Beatty was a counselor and assistant manager of Gloria Marshall Figure Salon. She was a member of First Christian Church; a 20-year active member of Marine Wives Club; attended Columbus High School and Millington, Tenn., Base School; and served as a Cub Scout Den Leader in Beaufort, S.C., and in the Azalea Garden Club in Havelock, N.C.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Hathaway-Myers Dignity Memorial Chapel on Pearl Street with the Rev. Michael Hogg officiating. Calling will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from noon until service time Thursday. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Central Indiana.

Born Oct. 23, 1933, in Columbus, Mrs. Beatty was the daughter of Marshall "Jack" and Mae Burton Bullard. She married Meredith Beatty Dec. 27, 1950, in Columbus.

Survivors include sons, Michael (Pat) Beatty and Gary (Tracy) Beatty of Columbus; her mother; seven grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband July 5, 1977, and her father.

[friend]

Thanks Nanc, I appreciate it.

[sharla]

Does anyone have information about Bernard Wayne Pennington? He was President of the Pennington Music Co. in Columbus. In 1952 he married my Mother Norma R. Emboden but the marriage didn't last. However I was born in 1953 and wonder if anyone could provide information or a picture of Bernard. Also a obituary. I on a site that it is listed that he died on October 11, 1994. I never knew about it. Thank You, His daughter

[sharla]

chsclassof55 said:

Do you know if he is buried in a local cemetary? They may have the date of birth on his grave marker. If you like I can email my contact at the Republic and see if she can pull up his obituary. It should definitely state his birthdate.
No, I'm really not awesome, but I appreciate the kind words. I have a dear friend who is into Geneolagy and I know a lot through First Call for Help, Love Chapel, and serving as the Hot Meal sites co-ordinator for our local Ecunemical Assembly of Churches.

Another thing, if you were able to locate the Funeral Home that handled the arrangements, they could provide you with a copy of his death certificate , and any other info you might care to know.
Let me know about contacting the Republic. Blessings, Margo CHS Class of 55

[sharla]

Could anyone help me find information and an obituary for my father Bernard Wayne Pennington? I found out from ancestry.com that he died in October 11, 1994 and was burried at Garland Brook Cemetery Mausoleum.? Thank You, Michelle Pennington

[Margo CHS Class of 55]

Michelle

If you would care to email me personally I will try to assist you. The important first piece is the date of his demise. With that information I would ask my friend to assist in researching his obituary if neccessary. AS you live in Italy isn't it wonderful we can use this modern technology a lot cheaper than land lines?
I have helped one other family member in the past that was shut out by the second wife. So sad..but sometimes it happens .
BTW Is your given name Sharla or Michelle ?
Grandma Margo [e-mail]

[Babs]

To Sharla or Michelle Pennington:

I would also suggest contacting Garland Brook Cemetery directly. They are usually very helpful with trying to assist you. I know I don't have any papers to prove we own a plot, but when I gave them the information of when my grandmother bought the several plots (8 I believe) they were pleasant and very helpful to me.

If you know your father was buried at Garland Brook and not in the City Cemetery, then write to Garland Brook Cemetery, 501 N. Gladstone Avenue, Columbus, Indiana 47201. Phone number is [phone]. Does anyone out there know if they have an email address where this daughter could reach them?

What say we all try to help her out? :-) Come on Columbus we can do this!

[Margo CHS Class of 55]

The lady in charge of the office at Garland Brook is a member of First Baptist Church and a dear friend of mine. I plan to contact her tommorrow and hopefully stop by the Cemetery Office on Monday to locate the information on this gentleman.
I just have not done it before as am having problems with eye infections and trying to be a good patient and listen to my DR.

Have sent Michelle a personal email as she evidently lives in Italy and am waiting on a response from her. Grandma Margo

[Babs]

Good for you Margo! I knew someone would have a good idea on how to help this young lady. Knowing someone is usually more than half the battle, as they say. I was hoping someone might also know if Garland Brook Cemetery had email. I'm sure your friend in their office will be most helpful.

Hope your eye infection is clearing up and you are right to stay in and take care of your health. This is nasty weather we are having and I, for one, am ready for Spring! :-) It can't come too soon for me.

[RER]

Margo and Babs I researched the net and found these for email inquiries for Garland Brook Cemetery. I hope this helps the lady research the information. Margo stay home and let the email work and I too hope your eye gets better. Go here for research:


Primary Research:
www.kiva.net/~garland/

The email address is: [e-mail]

Secondary Back Up Search:
www.rootsweb.com/~incemete/bartholomew/garlandbrook/garlandbrook.htm

I acknowledge Nanc's comment after this post. Thanks !


Bob

[nancs]

Hi to all, and without disclosing some info, I think that a message board member is quietly doing quite a bit of research on Michelle's behalf. All suggestions are great, and terrific follow through by everyone.

Michelle, you might want to check out this site, as well. I found NO Pennington, but just a glance through some of the cemetery sections/tombstone photos is an interesting 'stroll' through Garland Brook.

www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=85104&CScn=garland+brook&CScntry=4&CSst=17

I noticed that there are listed some 'photo requests,' on this site, altho' I 'think' this has been covered already for you. I include this site more for the benefit of others that might be searching for family information in Garland Brook.

AND Michelle, and others as well, I just have to welcome you to these message boards, for 'within' you all will glean a 'glimpse of Columbus past.' AND the info grows every single day. WELCOME.

Nanc

[Babs]

Congratulations to Richard, Nanc, Margo, Rhonda, Bob and anyone else who has had a hand in assisting the new member Michelle find out information about her deceased father. You just had to know that "people from Columbus" would understand and want to help this young woman out.

Makes one proud to live in "small town U.S.A." doesn't it? :-) You've all done Columbus proud!!!!!!

[sharlamay]

Thanks to all and everyone of the wonderful people who have helped me find my long lost Dad, Bernard Wayne Pennington and especially Richard who did allot of research for me and took the pictures of his grave. I wish I had know you all much earlier in time to see him again one last time before he died. I guess I was kept a secret from his family but he would have been glad to see me again I'm sure given the chance.
Michelle Denise Pennington-1953

[richard]

The following BREAKING NEWS headline is on the local papers on-line site.

Max Andress, 84, long time Columbus High School football coach, and a two-term mayor of Columbus died last night at Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Columbus Facility.

[RER]

Max Andress was a positive leader not only during his Columbus High School tenure, but as a community minded person later in his life. Max influenced a lot of young folks during their early development through football, teachings and foremost his reflection of a good citizen.

Max Andress is a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame; but more than that in the eyes of folks that played sports under his guidance and others that worked for the city, under his able leadership.


Bob

[David Sechrest]

Max Andress deserves to be in the Columbus Indiana Residents Of Distinction Thread, and will be added in the near future. Meanwhile, here is an article from The Republic:

"Whether as a politician or coach, Max Andress' positive impact on Columbus has endured - particularly in sports.

Through his 21 years as football coach at Columbus High School, his support of the city's Parks and Recreation Department during his tenure as mayor and his role in helping bring major sporting events to Columbus, Andress helped the Columbus sports scene grow.

He even made a lasting impression at the state level, helping convince the Indiana High School Athletic Association to institute a playoff system in football.

But it is his influence on his former players and coaches that is perhaps Andress' greatest sports legacy.

Andress, 84, died Tuesday night.

Positive influence

"In your life, your path crosses with a lot of people, and a lot of them have a tremendous impact on who you are," said Mike Phipps, the 1966 Columbus High graduate who went on to play at Purdue and in the NFL.

"He certainly had a positive impact on me; I'm grateful that happened."

When Phipps was honored at a Purdue game last fall for his impending induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, it was Andress who he called upon to join him for the ceremony.

"I was so happy he could share in that ceremony," Phipps said.

Another former player, Steve Hollenbeck, said Andress "was an inspiration."

"He surrounded himself with good people and did all the right things as a coach," Hollenbeck said.

Hollenbeck praised Andress' discipline.

"That carried over into his players and the people he had in class (as a teacher)," Hollenbeck said. "He was someone that all the players looked up to and respected."

Coach of coaches

Bill McCaa, who replaced Andress as coach after he was elected mayor, echoed Hollenbeck's comment about Andress' discipline.

"After I had been head football coach (at North) for 15, 16 years, I was still saying 'Yes, sir, coach,' 'No, sir, coach,' (to Andress)," McCaa said.

John Stafford, the first and longtime football coach at Columbus East, was an assistant under Andress for seven years.

"Max's philosophy through the seven years we coached together stuck with me: stay true to yourself," said Stafford.

Andress and Stafford have something else in common besides their place in the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. North's football field is named for Andress, while East's football field is named for Stafford.

North's football field was christened Max Andress Field on Oct. 1, 2004.

Dennis Sylvester, another former assistant coach under Andress and East's first athletic director, said Andress "really was honored" when the field was named.

"He was especially honored that so many of his past players came back," said Sylvester, whose name adorns East's athletic complex.

"For a young guy like me, he was kind of an idol (when I started working for him)," Sylvester said. "He had such high standards and ethics; I hope that rubbed off on me."

Beyond football

Andress resigned as CHS coach after his election as mayor in 1971. But he continued his work on the local sports scene.

Chuck Wilt, director of Columbus Parks and Recreation, said Andress was very supportive of the department during his two terms as mayor.

Later, while an executive at Cummins, Andress helped initiate the White River Park State Games.

"He really helped us start getting experience to attract major sporting events," Wilt said.

Andress, the 1986 recipient of the Jack Cramer Award, was "a valuable member of the Cramer committee, because he knew so many athletes," Wilt said.

Those athletes learned a lot from Andress.

"He changed a lot of lives for the better," Phipps said.

"You always knew where he stood," Hollenbeck said. "He was willing to make a decision and stand by that decision.

"I think that's a good lesson for us all."

I have had several requests from radio and television stations across the state of Indiana asking if they could use pictures Of Max from the Historic Columbus Indiana website this past week.

Mr. Andress had a very positive influence on many people during his lifetime, and I'm glad to be one of the thousands who were touched by him.

The Andress family lived on Franklin Street when I was back in high school. They lived on the west side and a couple of houses north of 17th Street. I used to hang out with Ross Gillis, who lived on the corner of 17th and Washington, and would see Max and the kids on occasion when I was visiting Ross.

I was in the graduation class with his son, Dave Andress. By the time Mr. Andress was mayor, I no longer lived in Columbus.

I salute Max Andress!

[RER]

Indianapolis Star Newspaper
March 23, 2007

Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Max Andress, a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame and former mayor of Columbus, died Tuesday night at a local hospice. He was 84.


A native of Elkhart, Andress attended Indiana State University after service in World War II and later was an assistant coach for the Sycamores in football and basketball. He became football coach at Columbus High School in 1951 and won 118 games in 21 years.
He was elected to the first of his two terms as mayor in 1971 and was instrumental in the adoption of a playoff system two years later by the Indiana High School Athletic Association. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976.
A Democrat, Andress was re-elected mayor in 1975 and became community-relations director at Cummins Engine Co. after completing his second term. He lost another bid for mayor in the 1980s. The Columbus North football field was renamed in his honor in 2004.

Services will be Tuesday at St. Bartholomew Church.

Survivors include his wife, Dolores.

[Babs]

No details as yet, but Nancy Stevens' mother has passed away in California. She died at 1:23 Saturday morning, June 9, 2007. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery sometime next week. Nancy and her family will be flying in early next week and as details are available I will post them. Mrs. Charles (Roseanna) Stevens was 95 years young and quite the spunky lady, according to all who knew her. She will be sadly missed by her daughter Nancy and two grand daughters, Paige and Polly.

[nancs]

My sincere thanks to Babs for keeping folks updated when life for me has sort of been a 'fog.'

My mom, Rosanna Stevens, lived such a good, long life, and was really only ill just this past week. I will admit it was hard to give her into the hands of our Lord, but know that all is well with her now and she is at peace with Him.

Details of services at Garland Brook should be ironed out and in the Republic the first of the week. As it stands right this second, graveside services will probably be on Thursday, June 14, at 11:00 AM.

Our family wants all of you to know how much we appreciate knowing that so many thoughts and prayers are coming our way. Your friendship is such a treasure in our lives.

With much love and many thanks,
Nanc-------Paige 'n Polly, too