Obituaries — August 2026

August 4, 2026

Michael Alan Rife

BEDFORD – Michael Alan Rife, 50, passed away Monday, August 3, 2026, at Indiana University Health Bedford Hospital.

Born August 9, 1975, in Logansport, he was the son of Manford and Ellen (Draper) Rife.

Mike received his Associate’s Degree from Ivy Tech and worked as a CNC Machinist.  He enjoyed cars, working on computers, and shooting guns.  Mike was of the Christian faith.

Surviving are his siblings, Mark (Samantha) Rife of Mitchell and Kristina (Mark) Caudill of Bedford; mother, Ellen Rife; and several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

His father preceded him in death.

Cremation has been chosen.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com

August 3, 2026

Darrell Wayne Irwin

MITCHELL – Darrell Wayne Irwin, 77, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026, at his residence.

Born August 20, 1948, in Milan, Indiana, he was the son of Clarence Volney and Betty Jean (Chastain) Irwin.  He married Viola Jo Grogan on January 1, 2016 and she survives.

Darrell was a 1966 graduate of Mitchell High School and was a Marine Corps veteran achieving the rank of Lance Corporal.  He was a general contractor and owner of Irwin Construction.  He enjoyed working on his farm.  Darrell was a member of Huron Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife, Viola Jo Irwin of Mitchell; children, Lisa Grace, Kerri Barlow, and Misty Jacox; step-children, James (Betty) Brown and Candy (Gary) Williams; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and siblings, Dale Irwin, Jeannie Kruder, Garold (Joy) Irwin, and Harold (Alexandra) Irwin.

His parents and brother, Clarence Irwin, preceded him in death.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 7, at the Huron Baptist Church with Pastor William “Skip” Mathews officiating.  Military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107.  Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 6, at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center and from 10:00 a.m. Friday until the time of the service at Huron Baptist Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com

Timber Brooke Tarr

MITCHELL – Timber Brooke Tarr, 38, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026, at IU Health Methodist Hospital, following a motor vehicle accident.

Born May 27, 1988, in Bloomington, she was the daughter of Randy Cohen Tarr and Ella Lynette “Lynn” (Knight) Manns.

Timber was a 2007 graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School.  She was a nursing aide, working in home health care.  Timber was high spirited and loved to talk.  She was a hard worker and being a people person helped with her love for helping others.  Timber was a sponsor for people battling addition and a mentor for many.  When she wasn’t helping other people, she loved to spend time with her kids.

Surviving are her children, Joslynn Chastain of Bedford, Josiah Cobb of Springville, and Madalynn Cobb of Springville; sister, Erica (Sara Tillette) Tarr of Mitchell; step-sister, Madison Gouldy Manns of Bloomington; mother, Lynn Manns of Heltonville; step-father, James Manns of Heltonville; maternal grandparents, Ron and Kay Knight of Bedford; nieces and nephews, Briley Slaughterback, Peyton Slaughterback, and McKenzi Tillette; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Timber’s father, Randy Cohen Tarr, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2026.  Her paternal grandparents, Joseph and Mildred Tarr, also preceded her in death.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 6, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Reverend Steve Jones officiating.  Burial will be in Patton Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com

Randy Cohen Tarr

MITCHELL – Randy Cohen Tarr, 65, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Bedford, following a motor vehicle accident.

Born July 3, 1961, in Bedford, he was the son of Joseph Marvin Sr. and Mildred Eloise (Lindsey) Tarr.

Randy was a 1980 graduate of Mitchell High School.  He retired from GE, working as an assembler and was the Union Steward.  Randy was an avid fan of IU Basketball.  His kids and grandkids were his world.  Some of Randy’s favorite sayings were:  “God came first, kids and grandkids second, family came third.”  and “If it was meant to be, it will be.”

Surviving are his daughter, Erica (Sara Tillette) Tarr of Mitchell; grandchildren, Briley Slaughterback, Peyton Slaughterback, McKenzi Tillette, Joslynn Chastain, Josiah Cobb, and Madalynn Cobb; siblings, Sandy Eastridge of Mitchell, Beth (Bryan) Newlin of Orleans, Lana (Tim) Duncan of Bloomington, Gary (Tersa) Tarr of Mitchell, Joe (Tammie) Tarr of Bedford, Bob (Gloria) Tarr of Denver, Colorado, and Beverly (Todd) Chastain of Florida; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Randy’s daughter, Timber Brooke Tarr, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026.  His parents and siblings, Benny Tarr, Terry Tarr, Gail England, and Donald Tarr, preceded him in death.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 5, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Reverend Steve Jones officiating.  Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service Wednesday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com

Kenneth W. Ratliff

Kenneth W. Ratliff, 93 of Bedford passed away on August 1, 2026, at White River Lodge in Bedford. Kenneth was born in Bedford on October 9, 1932, to Carl Ratliff and Dorothy (Burton) Ratliff Tyree. Kenneth married Sharon Terrell on August 24, 1957, and she survives.

Kenneth retired from General Motors in Bedford, he was a veteran of the US Army, he was member of the Englewood Baptist Church and the U.A.W. Local #440 in Bedford.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon Ratliff of Bedford, daughter, LeAnn (Rennie) Fish of Bedford, granddaughter, Sarah (Bill) Wolfred of Carmel, great granddaughter, Emma D. Wolfred of Carmel.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his father, Carl Ratliff, his mother and stepfather, Dorothy Tyree and Warren Tyree, son, Kenneth Ratliff, Jr., sister, Betty White, brother, Donnie Ratliff.

Funeral services will be on Thursday August 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Cresthaven Funeral Home in Bedford, with Pastor Stephen Carter, entombment will follow in Cresthaven Memory Gardens, visitation will be on Thursday from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM, military rites will be accorded by the Bedford American Legion Post #33, condolences may be made at www.cresthavenfh.com.

August 1, 2026

William Samuel Edmonson, Jr.

MITCHELL – William Samuel “Bill Bill” Edmonson, Jr., 55, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital.

Born January 8, 1971, in Bedford, he was the son of William Sr. and Connie (Helton) Edmonson.  He married Hope Longest on April 9, 1999 and she survives.

Bill worked at Fibertech, Inc. as a welder and doing mechanical maintenance.  He was a man of many hobbies:  doing mechanic work, collecting rocks, RC cars, and coin collecting.  Bill loved the outdoors and enjoyed gardening.

Surviving are his wife, Hope Edmonson; children, Kenneth (Sumer) Edmonson, Nathan (Whitney) Edmonson, Kurtis Edmonson, Nicholas Edmonson, Austin Longest, Nicole (Robert) Allen, and Destiny (Cody) Garrison; 15 grandchildren; sister, Jenelle Barton; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents; grandson, Samuel Edmonson; and siblings, Melissa Pemberton, Elizabeth Knight, and James Ritchison, preceded him in death.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center.  Cremation will follow.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com