Obituaries — February 2026

February 3, 2026

Charles “Gary” Wray

April 17, 1938 – February 1, 2026

Charles “Gary” Wray, 87, of Oolitic, passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Redcrest Hospice House in Bloomington, Indiana. Born April 17, 1938, in Oolitic, Indiana, he was the son of Pitser “Pete” Wray and Dorothy (Reuter) Wray. He married Rosemary “Rose” Anderson on September 17, 1960, and she survives.

Gary graduated from Oolitic High School with the class of 1956, and was a retired plant superintendent of RCA after 40 years. Gary was of the Christian faith and loved golfing, playing basketball, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He proudly served his county and was a US Army Veteran.

Surviving to cherish his memory is his wife, Rose Anderson; his two sons, David (Kelly) Wray and Danny (Cathy) Wray; five granddaughters, Alyssa (Kyle) Ballard, Leah (Bob Brewer) Wray, Anna (Tanner) Bair, Jenna Riordan, and Ashley Scheibelhut; five great grandchildren, Kayden, Elliot, Malcolm, Brooks, and Reese; one brother, Lary “Pete” (Bev) Wray; three sisters, Patty Roberts, Janie (Kenny) Thompson, and Debbie (Howard) Thompson; along with several nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Pitser “Pete” Wray and Dorothy (Reuter) Wray; and one granddaughter, Abby Scheibelhut.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes, 818 18th St. Bedford, IN, with Bro. Marty Speer officiating. Burial will follow at Cresthaven Memory Gardens in Bedford, Indiana, with military rites accorded by the American Legion, Gillen Post #33. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. also at Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes.

Memories may be shared, condolences sent, and flowers ordered at www.ThorneFunerals.com.

The staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have been entrusted with the arrangements for Gary Wray.

Shane Andrew Russell

ORLEANS – Shane Andrew Russell, 37, passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital.

Born July 6, 1988, in Bedford, he was the son of Paul Eugene Russell and Kimberla Sue “Kim” (Barlow) Hardy.

Shane was a graduate of Orleans High School and worked at Hobson Ford and the Bedford Recycling Center.  He was an outdoorsman, and loved hunting, fishing, and camping.  Shane was a great Dad.

Surviving are his children, Skyler Russell of Orleans and Joanna Russell of Orleans; mother, Kim (Anthony Wayne) Hardy of Orleans; and siblings, Matthew Russell of Orleans, Joshua Russell of Loogootee, and Cody Hardy of Orleans.

His father preceded him in death.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 5, at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center.  Cremation to follow.

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

Leonard Bailey

Leonard Bailey, 99 of Bedford passed away at his home on Friday January 30, 2026. He was born in Heltonville on November 11, 1926, to Llyod and Edith (Kindred) Bailey. Leonard married Wynema Clark, and they were married 79 years. Leonard retired from General Motors in Bedford after 31 years, he was a member of the U.A.W. Local #440, he was a veteran of the US Navy serving in World War II, where he served on as LST Landing Ship Tank, he sailed from New York Harbor through the Panama Canal all the way to China then into the War.

Survivors include his wife, Wynema Bailey of Bedford, two daughters, Connie (Bailey) Henderson of Norfolk, New York, and Regina (Bailey) Haverly of Bedford, four grandchildren, S. Blair (Susan) Johnson, Leah (Greg) Schnatmeier, Shanda Beamer, and Shane Roberts, great grandchildren, Alexis Schnatmeier, Nicholas Johnson, Evan Schnatmeier. Tyler Schnatmeier, Sam Johnson, and Chelsea LaFave, great great grandchildren, River, Meadow, and Paxton, two sisters, Janice Baker, and Jeannette Norman, several nieces, and nephews.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Robert Bailey, Kenneth Bailey, Fred Bailey, and Wilmer “Pat” Bailey, two sisters, Juanita Terrell, and Geneva Taylor, two sons-in-law, Mike Henderson, and Bill Haverly.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday February 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Cresthaven Memory Gardens with Brother Mark Duncan, officiating, military rites will be given by the Bedford American Legion Gillen Post #33, condolences may be made at www.cresthavenfh.com.

Arthur William Juergens

April 19, 1946 – January 26, 2026

Arthur William “Juergy” and “Bud” Juergens passed away peacefully on January 26,

2026, at his home. He was born on April 19, 1946, to the late Martha Adams Juergens

and Arthur Carl Juergens. He was later adopted by Max and Rachel Wolfe.

Art married Loretta Beaty in September of 1969 in Muncie, Indiana. She preceded him

in death in 1997. He later found love again and married Judy Kasting on August 9,

2000, in Panama City, Florida, and she survives.

A man of deep faith and service, Art was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church,

where he faithfully served on the school board. His commitment to education extended

well beyond the classroom. He was a member of the Indiana State Teachers

Association and the National Education Association, and was a founding member of the

Indiana Football Coaches Association. Art was also involved with the Indiana Baseball

Association, Indiana Wrestling Association, the Eagles, and the Knights of Columbus as

a social member.

Art graduated from Brownsburg High School in 1964 and went on to earn both his

bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University. He began his teaching

career at Batesville High School in 1970, where he taught social studies and coached

wrestling, football, and American Legion baseball for nine years. In 1979, Art moved to

Seymour and joined Seymour High School, where he taught social studies, history,

driver’s education, and physical education. Throughout his career, he coached

wrestling, baseball, and football, leaving a lasting impact on countless students and

Athletes.

Art truly loved Seymour and Seymour High School. He often said that he “loved

teaching students,” a statement that reflected both his passion and his heart for young

people. He retired from teaching in 2009, but continued his dedication to education by

serving on the school board. He proudly served as board president from 2012 to 2019

and remained an active member at the time of his passing, always advocating for

students, teachers, and the community he loved.

In his free time, Art enjoyed watching sports and was a devoted fan of Indiana

University, Purdue University, the Chicago Cubs, and all Seymour High School athletics.

He was an avid reader and enjoyed watching NASCAR. A Cubs fan for more than 50

years, one of his happiest moments was celebrating their World Series victory in 2016.

Above all else, Art cherished his family and treasured time spent with his children and

grandchildren, creating memories that will be held close forever.

Surviving to cherish his memory is his wife, Judy Juergens; children, Aimee Juergens

Caudill, Jared (Amy) Juergens, and Lauren (Kelly) Blocker; grandchildren, Rachel

(Tyler) Penegar, Cy Juergens, Harper Polbito, Havannah Polbito, Braeden (Chandler)

Blocker; great-grandchildren, Elijah Penegar, Riley Blocker, and Loralei Blocker; brother,

Ross Juergens; sisters-in-law, Tammy (Steve) Patterson, Lisa (Brian) Williams, Connie

Storey, and Kim (Robert) Trimpe; and nieces and nephews, Andrew (Abbie) Patterson

and Adaline.

Art was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta Juergens; parents, Arthur Juergens and

Martha Adam Juergens, Max Wolfe, and Rachel Wolfe; and brother, Richard Juergens.

Funeral services for Art will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion

Lutheran Church, 1501 Gaiser Drive, Seymour, Indiana 47274, with Reverend Jeffrey

Stuckwisch officiating. Private burial will be at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be

held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Burkholder Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes, 419 North Chestnut Street, Seymour, Indiana 47274, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. 

Arrangements for Mr. Juergens have been entrusted to Scotty Wessel and Jon Pace at the Burkholder Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes in Seymour.

Memories and condolences may be shared, and flowers ordered, at www.ThorneFunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Zion Lutheran

Church and School.

Norma J. Wilsand

December 6, 1932 – January 30, 2026

Norma Wilsand, 93, of Heltonville, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026. Born December 6, 1932, in Heltonville, she was the daughter of George Clifford Clark and Hilda (Norman) Clark. She married E. “Greg” Wilsand on July 31, 1967, and he passed in 2003.

Norma received her GED and completed two years of college. She attained her real estate brokers license and worked in Real Estate and Mortgage Banking. She was a member of the Bartlettsville Christian Church as well as a member of Al-Anon and D.A.R. Norma loved studying religion and genealogy, and was an addiction counselor.

Surviving to cherish her memory is her daughter, Rita (David) Shepherd; one son, Mike Shaffer; twelve grandchildren; and twelve great grandchildren; along with several great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George Clifford Clark and Hilda (Norman) Clark; her husband, E. “Greg” Wilsand; two sons, David Shaffer and Ken Shaffer; and one brother, Wayne Clark.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Bartlettsville Christian Church with Pastor Tim Day officiating. Burial will follow at Bartlettsville Christian Cemetery in Bedford, Indiana. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at 2:00 p.m. at Bartlettsville Christian Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Al-Anon and Cancer Research.

Memories may be shared, condolences sent, and flowers ordered at www.ThorneFunerals.com.

The staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have been entrusted with the arrangements for Norma Wilsand.

Brenda Sue Brewer

ORLEANS – Brenda Sue Brewer, 81, passed away Sunday, February 1, 2026, at White River Lodge.

Born January 31, 1945, in Orange County, she was the daughter of Claude and Fern (Abel) Pinnick.  She married Rodney “Joe” Brewer and he survives.

Brenda was a 1962 graduate of Orleans High School and was a homemaker.

Surviving are her husband, Joe Brewer of Orleans; children, Ed (Kelly) Brewer of Lawrenceville, Illinois, Jeff (Sheila) Brewer of Bedford, and Josh (Kim) Brewer of Orleans; grandchildren, Sara Inyart, Dereck Brewer, Austin Brewer, and Lucas Brewer; seven great-grandchildren; and sister, Kathy Ransom.

Her parents and siblings, Don Pinnick, Jim Pinnick, Patsy Reynolds, Barbara Freeman, and Dorothy Toliver, preceded her in death.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 4, at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center.  Cremation to follow.

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