Obituaries

Ross Edwin Locke

Ross Edwin Locke, 66, of Fairfield, Illinois passed away at 10:50 a.m. Monday, August 30, 2010 at his residence. He was born June 18, 1944 in Fairfield. Parents were Joseph Edwin Locke and Betty Harris. He married Joyce Krutsinger November 2, 2001 and was a farm laborer. Ross Edwin Locke is survived by his wife Joyce Locke of Fairfield, Illinois, son Steve (Brenda) Locke of Cisne, Illinois, daughter Lisa (Jerry) Henson of Albion, Illinois, three step-daughters: Melissa (Jeff) Eikenhorst, Melinda (Shannon) Carroll and Janice (Wayne) Dulaney all of Flora, Illinois; step-son Toby (Cynthia) Helms of Flora, Illinois, sister Brenda Kimmel of Fairfield, Illinois, four grandchildren, ten step-grandchildren, and one step-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held from noon until time of 2 p.m. service Thursday, September 2, 2010 at Nale’s Funeral Home in Fairfield, Illinois. Graveside services will be held at Pleasant Grove Cemtery with Bro. Carroll Kakac officiating.

Vera E. Fewkes

Vera E. Fewkes, age 100, of Browns, Illinois passed away at 2:16 p.m. Monday, August 30, 2010 at Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Vera was born September 4, 1909 in Albion, Illinois. Her parents were Phillip Hortin and Maggie Potter. She married Gilbert Fewkes on June 8, 1930 in Albion and was a homemaker. She is survived by two sons: George (Nieta) Fewkes of Albion and Eldon (Sheree) Fewkes of Bone Gap, Illinois; two sisters-in-law: Nelda Rae Hortin and Valeta Hortin, both of Albion; five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, five brothers, and two sisters. Visitation for Vera Fewkes will be held Thursday, September 2, 2010 from 9 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11 a.m. at Nale’s Funeral Home in Albion. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery with Pastor David Shain officiating. Memorials may be made to the 1st Presbyterian Church in Albion.

Clyde R. Turpin

Clyde R. Turpin, age 57, of West Salem, Illinois passed away at 11:50 p.m. Saturday, August 28, 2010 at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney, Illinois. Clyde was born November 9, 1952 to Robert and Ruth (Fildes) Turpin. He was raised in West Salem, Illinois and worked at Champion Laboratories in West Salem for 31 years. He married Cindy Weiss on April 27, 1987 and she survives. Clyde is also survived by his parents Ruth (Fildes) Wisner of West Salem and Robert and Barb Turpin of Riverdale, Iowa; three stepsons: Cory Rigg, Chade Risley and Robert Tomblinson; two brothers: Bernard (Marilyn) Turpin of Mt. Carmel, Illinois and Craig (Terry) Weigel of Betendorf, Iowa; two sisters: Barbara Gaulden of Indianapolis, Indiana and Roberta (Allen) Smith of West Salem, Illinois. Also surviving are grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Clyde was preceded in death by his son Chris Turpin and his step-father Don Wisner. Funeral services for Clyde R. Turpin will be held Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Ingram Funeral Home in West Salem. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at Ingram Funeral Home in West Salem. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.ingramfh.net. Ingram Funeral Home in West Salem, Illinois in charge of arrangements.

Wilbert Bell

Wilbert Bell, formerly of Albion, Illinois, passed away Saturday, August 28, 2010 in Bismark, North Dakota. He graduated with the class of 1960. A Navy Veteran, he is survived by his wife, Tillie. Also surviving are two daughters, Teresa Roseberry of Taylorville, and Jennifer (Ryan) Gilge of Bismark, North Dakota; two brothers, Wendell of West Salem, Illinois and Wayne (Bob) of Olney, Illinois; two half-sisters, Mary Knapp Bunting of Albion, Illinois and Pat (Ed) Appleby of rural West Salem, Illinois; four half-sisters from his mother’s side: Lois (Ed) Denny of Monticello, Kentucky, Delores (Bill) Baker of Indianapolis, Indiana, Trudy Bassett of Franklin, Indiana and Geri Hull of Monticello, Kentucky; step-sister Marilyn Lehmann of West Salem, Illinois; seveal nieces and nephews, two great-grandsons, and one granddaughter. Wilbert was cremated at his request.

William H. Mitchell

William H. Mitchell, 84 of Evansville, Indiana passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at Newburgh Health Care. Bill is survived by his devoted wife and best friend of 62 years, Trudy W. Mitchell. A native of McLeansboro, Illinois, he was a long time resident of Albion, Illinois prior to moving to Evansville in 2008. In Albion, he owned M&M Oil. Prior to opening M&M Oil he had worked for several oil companies from Texas to Illinois. Mr. Mitchell joined the U.S. Army and fought in WWII at the Battle of the Bulge, earning both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals. After his tour of duty he reenlisted with the Military Police and was stationed at the famous Nuremberg War Trials. During this time he personally guarded many of the famous war criminals on trial, including Rudolph Hess. While stationed in Nuremberg, he met his beloved Trudy, after a three year courtship, they were married on January 18, 1948. Their wedding was the first wedding performed in a church in Nuremberg between an American GI and a German bride, following the war. Within thirty days of the wedding Bill and Trudy had to leave Germany because of an American law at the time. They returned to McLeansboro, Illinois. The support and generosity of the Mitchell’s will long be remembered by numerous individuals and organizations in Illinois and Evansville. A few of the many things Bill and Trudy have sponsored and supported include a ballpark, community flag poles, an annual get acquainted dinner for German students at the University of Southern Indiana, twice bringing the Evansville Philharmonic to Albion for concerts, organizing a large holiday care package campaign for the troops in Iraq, and helping countless individuals in need, all speak to his life of generosity and caring. In Evansville, many organizations have been recipients of the Mitchell’s love and giving. Included, but not limited to, are the Mesker Park Zoo, the Evansville Philharmonic, DeaconessHospital and the University of Southern Indiana. At Deaconess, they assisted with the purchase of the first CT scanner, in 1978. The USI campus named Mitchell Auditorium in honor of them and bestowed honorary Doctoral degrees in the 1985, for their long time support to the campus including scholarships to nursing students that will last for many years to come. In 1995, the mayor presented them with the Key to the City of Evansville. Mr. Mitchell was a member of the Evansville Country Club, Evansville Kennel Club, the Masonic Lodge of West Salem, Illinois for over 50 years, a former member of the Board of Deaconess Hospital, the Board of Southern Indiana University Foundation, Board of Directors of Grayville National City Bank, was one of the early members of Evansville Petroleum Club, serving as its chairman for many years and Chairman on the Board of Grace Land Cemetery. Visitation for Mr. Mitchell will be Monday, August 30, 2010, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville, Indiana. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the funeral home, with Father Stephen Lintzenich, and Rev. Daniel Kincaid officiating. Burial with full military rites will follow at Grace Land Cemetery, Albion, Illinois at 12:30 p.m. Pallbearers will be Bill Fortson, John Clements, Lloyd Winnecke, Dr. Emil Weber, Dr. Ken Nachtnebel and Dr. Ed Brundick Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr, Robert Kincaid, Bruce Baker, Linda White, Dr. Dale Drake, Dr. David Rice and Hugh Miller and Don Ile. Trudy holds deep appreciation for Bruce Baker and his wonderful staff at Newburgh Health Care and the staff and management of Solabron Retirement Community. Memorial contributions may be made to Deaconess Hospital Foundation, 600 Mary St., Evansville, IN 47710 or to University of Southern Indiana Foundation, 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, IN47712.

Robert W. Adams

Robert W. Adams, 76, of rural Allendale, Illinois passed away August 23, 2010 at Wabash General Hospital, Mt. Carmel, Illinois. He was born March 26, 1934 to Ralph E. and Versa (Schroyer) Adams in Bridgeport, Illinois. Robert married Shirley Kelsey on September 10, 1954 at the Wabash Presbyterian Church in Orio, Illinois and she survives. To this union was born one son, Garry Wayne Adams of Joelton, Tennessee and three daughters: Barbara Ellen of Indianapolis, Indiana, Angela Elaine (Martin) Greatline of Albion, Illinois and Regina Eve (Greg Brandt of Sullivan, Illinois. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren: Darrick, Blake and Charles Adams; Jon-Michael, Christopher, Cody, and Ava Allender; Remington, Alaina, Landon, and Audrey Greatline, and three great-grandchildren: Star, Jadah, and Devin Adams. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Max and Hubert. Robert received his bachelor’s degree at age 20 from the Univrsity of Illinois and was awarded a Master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He taught Agriculture at the Sumner High School and also taught at Coulerville, Illinois and later at Allendale, Illinois and Illinois State University High School in Normal, Illinois and then accepted a postion at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Illinois where he taught Chemistry and Physics until his retirement at age 55. Robert had an additional career as leader of the Adams Family Bluegrass band which began in 1968 in Decatur, Illinois and included performances at Santa Claus Land, Indana, Kings Island in Ohio and the Florida State Fair. The family’s last performance was at Old Settler Days, Sumner, Illinois. Robert was an intelligent, caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was also an Elder at Pisgah Presbyterian church, rural Bridgeport, Illinois. Visitation for Robert W. Adams will be held on Friday, August 27, 2010 at Ingram Funeral Home in Allendale, Illinois from 6 - 8 p.m. Visitation will also be at 10 a.m. prior to the funeral service to be held on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Pisgah Presbyterian Church, rural Bridgeport, Illinois. Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery, rural Bridgeport, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Pisgah Presbyterian Church in memory of Robert. Online condolences may be made at www.ingramfh.net. Ingram Funeral Home, Allendale, Illinois entrusted with arrangements.