Obituaries — October 2026
October 28, 2026
Tessa Dawn Finney
BEDFORD – Tessa Dawn Finney, 24, passed away Monday, October 26, 2026, at AMG Specialty Hospital Central Indiana in Greenfield.
Born November 30, 2001, in Bedford, she was the daughter of Stacey Dawn (Finney) Orman-Glotzbach.
Tessa graduated from Bedford North Lawrence High School. She received her associate’s degree from Vincennes University in culinary arts and worked in food service at Bedford North Lawrence High School. Tessa loved cooking, reading, and drawing.
Surviving are her step-father, Skye Orman-Glotzbach of Bloomington; step-grandfather, John Whitner of Bedford; and her aunt and godmother, Nichole Whitner of Bedford.
Her mother, Stacey Orman-Glotzbach; brothers, Derek Finney and Chayce Orman-Glotzbach; and grandmother, Valena Whitner, preceded her in death.
Cremation has been chosen.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
October 22, 2026
Derrick Scott Eisele
MITCHELL – Derrick Scott Eisele, 32, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at IU Health University Hospital.
Born May 31, 1994, in Bloomington, he was the son of Jeremy Eisele and Karena Ashcraft Allen.
Derrick had worked in construction, and had a CDL with the Indiana Department of Transportation. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he loved his children and family.
Surviving are his children, Kharsin Eisele of Bedford, Kolten Eisele of Bedford, and Hadleigh Eisele of Bedford; father, Jeremy Eisele of Mitchell; step-mother, Heather Eisele of Mitchell; siblings, Linda (Zane) Parks of Mitchell, Devin (Rileigh Andis) Jamison of Mitchell, Karis Lynch of Mitchell, Leiland (Landrie Mattern-Lynch) Lynch of Bloomington, and Caleb Eisele of Mitchell; grandparents, Avonelle and Jerry Lake, Robert and Vickie Goldsberry; and Alan Pridemore; mothers of his children, Nicole Meadows and Shaily Saucerman; several nieces and nephews; several aunts and uncles; and several cousins.
His mother and grandmother, Penny Pridemore, preceded him in death.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 26, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Pastor Byron Buker officiating. Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the service on Monday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
October 17, 2026
Marjorie B. Lee
02-08-1935 - 10-14-2026
Marjorie B. (“Marge”) Lee, 91, of Bedford, IN, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. She was born February 8, 1935. She married Robert E. Lee on November 15, 1958.
Marge was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bedford and a graduate of Indiana University.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Lee; her son, Robert E. Lee II; and her siblings, Robert Boone, Patricia Fields, and John Boone.
Marge is survived by her children, Julie Jenkins and her husband, Mike Jenkins; Sarah Lee and her husband, Tom Murphy; Christopher Lee and his wife, Laura Lee; and Andrew Lee and his wife, Caice Lee; grandchildren, Stephanie Shryock and her husband, Ben Shryock; Elizabeth Guilfoyle and her husband, Rob Guilfoyle; Bobby Lee; Jennifer Lee; Laura Booth and her husband, Keenan Booth; Nathan Lee and his wife, Morgan Geeslin; Evan Lee and his wife, Alexis Lee; Nicholas Lee; Joseph Lee; Andrew Lee and his wife, Madelyn Lee; Matthew Lee; and Jackson Lee; great-grandchildren, Florence Shryock, Fritz Shryock, Reis Guilfoyle, Eden Guilfoyle, Ford Booth, Scout Beatrice Booth, Grant Lee-Geeslin, and Adeline Lee.
Private family graveside services will be held. There will be a funeral service on November 27, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church of Bedford.
The staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have been entrusted with the care of Marjorie B. Lee and her family during this difficult time.
Memories and condolences may be shared, and flowers ordered, at www.FergusonLee.com.
The family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the charitable organization of your choice.
Sally Lou Fletcher
MITCHELL – Sally Lou Fletcher, 87, passed away Friday, October 16, 2026 at Westview Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Born July 4, 1939, in Lawrence County, she was the daughter of Ollen Cecil and Nora Etta (Roberts) Blake. She married William Bland Fletcher on June 13, 1961 and he preceded her in death March 28, 1986.
Sally was a homemaker. She was of the Nazarene faith but attended Hillcrest Christian Church. Sally enjoyed doing puzzles and loved babysitting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Friends were very important to her and they were as close to her as family.
Surviving are her children, Brenda Kay Blake of Orleans, William Arthur (Rita) Fletcher of Orleans, and Mark David (Xenia) Fletcher of McDonough, Georgia; four grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
Her parents; husband; grandson, Allen Smith; and brother, John Edward Blake, preceded her in death.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 20, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center. Burial will follow at Bass Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
October 16, 2026
Maria Arnold
05-31-1955 - 10-14-2026
Maria Arnold, 71, of Bloomington, Indiana, passed away on October 14, 2026, at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. She was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on May 31, 1955. Maria dedicated her career to healthcare, working in home health.
She is survived by her daughters, Katrina Lydy and Melissa Miller; her mother, Louise Heckman (David Heckman).
Maria was preceded in death by her father, William Arnold.
Cremation services were chosen.
The staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have been entrusted with the care of Maria Arnold and their family during this difficult time.
Memories and condolences may be shared and flowers ordered at www.FergusonLee.com.
Patricia Ann Fox
BEDFORD – Patricia Ann Fox, 71, passed away Friday, October 16, 2026, at Majestic Care of Bedford.
Born November 10, 1954, in Bedford, she was the daughter of Ralph Sr. and Anna Mae (Treadway) Turner. Patty was a waitress at the Villager Restaurant in West Baden. She loved to play bingo.
Surviving are her children, Tracy (Danny Menchaca) Archer of French Lick, David Turner of French Lick, and Tim Turner of Tennessee; grandchildren, Cody (Jessica) Bowling of French Lick and Haley Archer of Evansville; and sister, Regina Tillette of Mitchell.
Her parents and brothers, Allen Turner, Ralph Turner, and Rick Turner, preceded her in death.
Cremation has been chosen.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
October 10, 2026
Lary Wayne “Pete” Wray
December 10, 1943 – October 9, 2026
Lary Wayne “Pete” Wray, 82, of Bedford, Indiana, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Redcrest Hospice House in Bloomington, Indiana. He was born on December 20, 1943, in Springville, Indiana, to Pitser “Pete” and Dorothy Wray. He married Beverly Myers Wray on October 16, 1984.
Pete was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He served the community of Bedford as a Firefighter for 36 years and rose through and achieved the rank of Assistant Chief, served many years as the pension secretary for the Bedford Fire Department, and was also the owner and operator of Wray’s Painting Service. He was a member of the Popcorn Christian Church, the American Legion, and Local 728 Firefighters Union.
Surviving Pete are his wife, Beverly Wray; sons, Jason (Jennifer) Wray and Justin (Brooke) Spires; daughters, Sandy (Jeff) Weldon, Kim (Kevin) Jones, and Jennifer (Laron) Grover; grandchildren, Shalee (Eric) Nicholson Miranda Weldon, Kara Jones, Colton (McKenzie) Spires, Isabella Grover, Carson Grover, Chloe Spires, Javyn Wray, Pete Wray, Alafair Grover, Conner Spires and Elliott Anderson, and; seven great-grandchildren; and sisters, Patty Roberts (Joe, deceased), Janie (Kenny) Thompson, and Debbie (Howard) Thompson.
He was preceded in death by his father, Pitser “Pete” Wray; his mother, Dorothy Wray; and a brother, Gary Wray.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes, 818 18th Street, Bedford, Indiana 47421, with Pastors Andy Fish and Tim Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery in Bedford, with Military Rites given by American Legion Gillen Post 33. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 12, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Ferguson-Lee Chapel.
The staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have been entrusted with the care of Lary Wayne Wray and his family during this difficult time.
Memories and condolences may be shared and flowers may be ordered at www.FergusonLee.com.
October 9, 2026
Tiffany Marie Cruze
November 19, 1985 – October 5, 2026
Tiffany Marie Cruz, 40, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and laughter.
Born in Dallas, TX, on November 19, 1985, Tiffany spent many years living in Bedford and Bloomington, Indiana. She was a creative person who loved the ocean, music, reading poetry, drawing, and painting. She had a special love for animals, cats in particular, and an innate ability to find humor in everyday situations. A true Scorpio at heart, she was at times very determined, and other times deeply emotional, feeling everything with a quiet intensity.
Above all else, Tiffany loved her children very deeply. Through every season of life, she held fierce love for both her son and daughter, viewing them as the absolute best parts of her world.
In recent years, Tiffany faced difficult seasons with her mental health. She fought these challenges with bravery, and her family takes comfort in knowing that she has finally found the true and PERFECT peace she always wanted and deserved.
She is survived by her son, Jose Cruz IV, and his father, Joe Cruz III; and her daughter, London; she also leaves behind her mother, Dawn Marie Rustom; and her grandmother, Joyce Matchett.
Following the family's wishes, cremation will take place. In lieu of a traditional funeral service, family and friends will gather in the near future for a celebration of life-- a time to share the laughter she gave, remember the art she created, and honor the beautiful spirit that will live on in their hearts forever.
The staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have been entrusted with the care of Tiffany M Cruz and her family during this difficult time.
Memories and condolences may be shared and flowers ordered at www.FergusonLee.com.
October 6, 2026
Delmar “Del” Kloeker, P.E.
June 14, 1937 – October 4, 2026
Del Kloeker, of Seymour, Indiana, passed away on October 4, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 14, 1937, to the late Walter and Lena (Schroer) Kloeker.
Mr. Kloeker graduated from Immanuel Lutheran School in 1951, Seymour (Shields) High School in 1955, and Purdue University in January 1961. He earned his B.S. degree from the School of Civil Engineering at Purdue. Mr. Kloeker served in the Indiana National Guard from 1960 to 1964.
Mr. Kloeker was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sauers, in 1937, and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1951. He married Janet Sue Peters on August 28, 1960, at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Janet passed away on February 17, 2020.
His children include Sara (Brian) Reedy, Trafalgar, Douglas (Lisa) Kloeker, Seymour, and Dr. Susanne (Greg) Rhoades, Avon; and grandchildren, Andrew (Kristen) Reedy, Greenwood, Patrick (Mia) Reedy, Connersville, and Elizabeth (Austin) Kirkham, Greenwood. Other survivors include his sister, Carol (Wendell) Borcherding; and great-grandchildren Levi, Lucy, and Lily.
Mr. Kloeker was licensed as a Professional Engineer in 1965. During his career as a highway and traffic engineer, he worked at the Seymour District Office of the Indiana State Highway Commission (now INDOT) from 1961 to 1969. Starting in 1970, he worked as a consulting engineer with R.H. Ludwig Engineering in Seymour, and in 1973, for SIECO, Inc. (now Strand Associates) in Columbus, Indiana.
In 1983, he started Traffic Engineering Studies, Inc., a company involved in traffic engineering and in the sale and rental of traffic engineering study equipment. In 1993, the company was merged with D.E. McGillem and Associates in Indianapolis. After 1 1/2 years, this company closed its doors, and Mr. Kloeker started Kloeker Engineering, P.C., also involved in highway and traffic engineering projects. In 2006, Mr. Kloeker retired from the active practice of engineering.
During his career, he was involved with the Institute of Traffic (now Transportation) Engineers as a Fellow Member, serving as President of the Indiana Section in 1972, and as District III Director (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia) from 1990 to 1992. He was a member of ASCE, the American Society of Civil Engineers.
He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, but had previously been a member of Immanuel and Zion Churches in Seymour, and an active participant at University Lutheran Chapel in West Lafayette while at Purdue. During his time at Purdue, he was a member of Beta Sigma Psi Fraternity, the Lutheran fraternity. He held various offices at Beta Sig and at Redeemer during his life. Camp Lakeview (Lakeview Ministries) was a favorite organization of Del’s, having served on the boards of the camp and its Foundation. He was a founding member of the Foundation at Redeemer in 1982, and served as Treasurer from 2004 to 2019.
Del liked to travel with Janet, especially to the beautiful national parks, particularly Yellowstone and Acadia. Del and Janet had many memorable vacation trips with their children.
Del was a Life Member of the Purdue Alumni Association and a member of the John Purdue Club and enjoyed backing the Boilermakers. He enjoyed golf but never attained his goal of being an above-average golfer. He assisted in the original layout of Shadowood (formerly Sandy Creek) Golf Course in 1972. He had been a member of the Seymour Rotary Club, serving as President in 1992, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce from 1985 to 1995. He served as Secretary of the Board of Directors for Community Provisions of Jackson County from 2004 to 2012.
Del lived the last few years of his life in Walnut Manor at Lutheran Community Home. He loved his time there and the friendships that he made. He instituted an “Armchair Traveler” program for the residents of the Manor and Assisted Living, where he would show PowerPoint slides of different places he had traveled, as well as places he thought would be of interest to the residents. He also organized many get-togethers for his Walnut Manor friends and recently started “Donuts with Del” one Saturday a month.
Funeral services for Del Kloeker will be conducted at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 504 N. Walnut St., Seymour, IN 47274, on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Andrew Currao officiating. Burial will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Seymour. Visitation will be at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Redeemer Lutheran Church Foundation or the Redeemer Lutheran Church Building Fund.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Scotty Wessel and Jon Pace at Burkholder Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes in Seymour.
Memories and condolences may be shared and flowers may be ordered at www.ThorneFunerals.com.
October 5, 2026
Judith K. Rayle
Judith K. Rayle, 84, of Greenwood, Indiana, passed away on October 3, 2026 at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. She was born on October 15, 1941, in Greene County Indiana, to Walter Lee and Mary Elizabeth Ashcraft.
Judith worked at Thompson Consumer Electronics. She enjoyed attending flea markets
and car shows with her beloved husband, Tom.
She is survived by her stepdaughter Kelley Rayle of Southport, North Carolina; two
brothers Larry (Carolyn) Ashcraft of Ball Ground Georgia and Roger (Carol) Ashcraft of
Canton Georgia; and several nieces and nephews.
Judith was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Rayle; her parents, Walter Lee
and Mary Elizabeth Ashcraft; brother Ronnie Ashcraft; and sister Linda Gregory.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Aspen Trace Assisted Living for the
love and care they showed Judy.
Graveside Services will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Clear
Creek Cemetery in Bloomington, IN, with Pastor Philip Thorne officiating.
Family requests memorials to be made to Franciscan Hospice House or Dementia
Society of America.
The staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have
been entrusted with the care of Judith K. Rayle and their family during this difficult time.
Memories and condolences may be shared and flowers ordered at
October 2, 2026
Treva Marlene Howell
Treva Marlene Howell, 90, passed away October 1, 2026, at Indiana University Health Bedford Hospital under hospice care, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born February 21, 1936, in Nelsonville, Ohio, she was the cherished daughter of Hubert and Doris (McManamay) Stage. On November 16, 1957, she married the love of her life, James E. Howell of Mitchell, Indiana, who survives. Together, they built a life defined by family, faith, and lifelong partnership.
Marlene dedicated 38 years of service to the Mitchell Community School District. She began her career as a school librarian, sharing her love of reading with children at both Riley Elementary and Hatfield Elementary Schools. She later transitioned into the role of school secretary at Hatfield Elementary, until her retirement in 2008.
A gifted musician from an early age, Marlene’s love for the piano was a central thread throughout her life. She played for her high school choir in her youth and went on to share her musical gifts with her faith community. She blessed congregation members from behind the keys on Sunday mornings at Mitchell Wesleyan Church throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and later spent many years accompanying services at the Bedford Free Methodist Church. Beyond Sunday services, Marlene found immense joy in mentoring young musicians, spending countless hours accompanying and coaching high school students for their solo choir contests.
Known for her gentle, loving spirit and tender heart, Marlene also had a creative touch. She enjoyed spending quiet hours reading, doing needlework and painting, leaving behind beautiful treasures for those she loved.
She is survived by her devoted husband, James Howell of Mitchell; her daughter, Debbie (John) Edwards of Mitchell; her son, Doug (Jacqueline) Howell of Belleville, Illinois; her daughter-in-law, Cheryl Howell; four grandchildren, Danielle Allphin, Jennifer Theiss, Rachel Brown, and Jackson Howell; six great-grandchildren, Sydney Theiss, Carly Theiss, Gabby Allphin, Brady Allphin, William Howell, and Henry Howell; and six half brothers and sisters.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved son, James David Howell.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 5 at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with Rev. Herb Coates and Rev. Adam Strauser officiating. Burial will follow in Mitchell Cemetery.
Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial Contributions: Dementia Friendly Lawrence County
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
Gilbert Dean Johnson
MITCHELL – Gilbert Dean Johnson, 95, passed away Sunday, September 27, at Mitchell Manor.
Born August 22, 1931, in Bedford, he was the son of Howard James and Alma Elizabeth (Fine) Johnson. He married Esther Carolyn Bunch on May 10, 1951, and she preceded him in death April 9, 2018. Esther and “Gil,” as she called him, were married for 66 years.
Gilbert left Oolitic High School in 1947 and moved to Michigan, then returning in 1949, worked for Howard Crulo as a truck driver. He joined the U.S. Air Force on January 5, 1951 and served as an aircraft refueling specialist during the Korean Conflict. Gilbert was honorably discharged on December 9, 1954 and returned to Michigan with his wife due to lack of employment in Indiana. He received his GED and went to school for welding. Gilbert worked at Masco Industries and was a robotic welding instructor for 15 years before retiring in 1993.
He was also a member of Woodville Baptist Church and a member of American Legion Post No. 250. Gilbert was a phenomenal woodworker and would make furniture, and also did oil painting on canvas. He was very creative – a natural engineer and could make anything. Gilbert also loved to travel and play golf, and was a member of the Persimmon Ridge Golf Club. He was a great man with a heart of gold, and he will be missed.
Surviving are his siblings, Kay Milligan of Glenburnie, Maryland, Brenda Johnson of Indianapolis, Judith Nichols of Oklahoma, and Debra Knoll of Indianapolis; several nieces and nephews; several great nieces and nephews; and a very dear friend and companion, Mary Brewer of Mitchell.
His parents; wife; infant children, Stephan Dean Johnson and Rhonda Lynn Johnson; and siblings, Raymond Johnson, Dorothy Allen, Dolores Fish, Russell Wayne Johnson in infancy, Perry Johnson, Carolyn Middleton, Patricia Allen, and James Johnson, preceded him in death.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 13, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Brother Jim Russell officiating. Military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107. Burial will be at Cresthaven Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial Donations: St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
