Obituaries — September 2026
September 11, 2026
Mary Ellen Hughett
MITCHELL – Mary Ellen Hughett, 68, passed away Friday, September 11, 2026, at her residence.
Born October 18, 1957, in Bedford, she was the daughter of William “Bill” McLaughlin and Betty (Lane) Kautz. Mary married Michael “Mike” Hughett on February 23, 1974 and he preceded her in death December 28, 2017.
Mary had been a waitress since she was 14 years old, including working at Joe’s Restaurant in Mitchell. She always enjoyed life and was quick to smile. She enjoyed going to the beach and she loved her dogs. Mary loved spending time with her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
Surviving are her children, Melissa “Missy” (Johnathan) Shawler of Pekin and Michael (Amelia) Hughett of Orleans; grandchildren, Charity (Tylor) Russell of Mitchell, Corey (Alyssa) Fullen of Orleans, and Mikey Hughett of Orleans; great-grandchildren, Tinlee Russell of Mitchell, Winnie Russell of Mitchell, and Gavin Russell of Mitchell; four brothers and one sister; and Joey, her faithful four-legged companion.
Her parents and husband preceded her in death.
Cremation has been chosen with a private graveside service held at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
September 10, 2026
Johnny Freeland Edwards
Johnny Freeland Edwards, Jr., 68, of Bedford, passed away on September 8th, 2026.
Born November 2, 1957 in Lancaster, California, he was the son of Johnny F. Edwards and Maribelle Stafford Edwards Kast. He was a 1977 graduate of South Jefferson High School in Adams, New York. John joined the United States Marine Corps in June 1977, completing his basic training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
He spent much of his young life in the service of the USMC. He earned his wings in airborne school in 1978. John traveled to different duty stations throughout the world. Among his favorite was Okinawa, Japan, of which he shared many of his stories with the family. John’s favorite pastime was gaming and he could spend hours playing non-stop. He was an avid car enthusiast, with Ford as his favorite autos, and enjoyed building model cars in his spare time.
John is survived by his sisters, Sonia (Philip) Pruett of Bedford, Elvadean (Charles) Bickers of Bedford, and Lena Carmichael of Bedford; brothers, William Michael (Ronnie) Kast and Adam (Lori ) Kast; and multiple nieces, nephews, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Carmen Marie Edwards and Penny Lee Karnes; brother, Jean-Claude Kast; and brother-in-law, Richard Carmichael.
Cremation has been chosen with a Celebration of John’s Life to be held at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com.
September 9, 2026
Betty Jane (Byrd) Pennington
Betty Jane (Byrd) Pennington, 98 of Bedford passed away on September 4, 2026, at Stonebridge Health Campus in Bedford. Betty was born in Avoca on March 30, 1928, to Manuel Byrd and Thelma (McDonald) Byrd. Betty married Dale Pennington on April 17, 1948, and he preceded her in death on March 2, 2008.
Betty was a homemaker; she was a graduate of Needmore High School Class of 1946, she loved God, her family and friends, Betty attended Tabernacle of Praise and Crossroads Churches.
Survivors include two children, Jack (Cynthia) Pennington of Bedford, and Joan (Nicholas) Workman of Bedford, daughter-in-law, Dana Dillon, four grandchildren, Seth (Andrea) Myers, Michael (Sandy) Pennington, Diana (Joey) Stewart, and Andrew (Emily) Pennington, eight great grandchildren, Alissa Myers, Matthew Myers, Ethan Pennington, Micayla Swazay, Katelyn Stewart, Evan Stewart, Woodson Pennington, and Bowman Pennington, three great grandchildren, Francis Swazay, Anaya Pennington, and Elijah Pennington, two step grandchildren, Jacob Henderson, and Matthew Dillon, one sister, Phyllis Byrd Finley, one brother, Larry Dean (Shirley) Byrd.
Funeral services will be on Monday September 14, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Cresthaven Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Thomas officiating, burial will follow in Cresthaven Memory Gardens, visitation will be on Monday September 14th from 11:00 AM until service time at 1:00 PM at the funeral home, condolences may be made at www.cresthavenfh.com.
September 8, 2026
Gregory Alan Terry
June 2, 1948 – August 29, 2026
Gregory Alan Terry, age 78, of Bowling Green, KY, formerly of Bedford and Shoals, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2026, at his residence.
Greg was born June 2, 1948, in Indianapolis, IN, to the late Laverne Terry and the late Ruby (King) Terry.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Cindy Terry; one son, Brent (Kelly) Terry; one daughter, Ashley Terry Willard; two granddaughters, Cassie Ratliff and Nicole Terry; one great-grandson, Emerson Busch; and two sisters, Auna Drake and Eva Cundiff. He is also survived by his two best friends, Beau and Bella, the puppies.
Greg graduated from Northwood Institute with a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing in 1971. After graduation he worked for his dad at Terry Ford Town in Shoals for over 13 years as a salesman, before taking over the family business.
Greg decided to sell the business and start working at NSWC Crane as a civilian for the Navy once his father’s health declined. He was a Logistics Management Specialist for over 33 years.
Greg was a member of United Methodist Church and was an active Freemason since 1971. He was a 32nd degree mason with the Shoals Masonic Lodge F&AM.
Greg was naturally an avid car lover since being around them growing up in the car business. His upmost favorite was a Corvette. His love for Corvettes brought him to ultimately move to Bowling Green, KY, to work part time for the Corvette Museum as a tour guide and in admissions. He worked there for five years before officially retiring.
He also was an avid boat enthusiast and loved spending time on the water in years past.
Greg’s wishes were to be cremated. A private graveside service at Spring Hill Cemetery in Shoals, IN, will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Corvette Museum at https://www.corvettemuseum.org/donate/.
The family has entrusted J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel with arrangements in Bowling Green, KY, and the staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have been chosen for arrangements in Bedford, IN.
Memories and condolences may be shared and flowers ordered at www.ThorneFunerals.com.
September 6, 2026
Marjorie Bowden
MITCHELL – Marjorie Bowden, 101, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Stonebridge Health Campus.
Born March 29, 1925, in Lawrence County, she was the daughter of Claude and Lucy (Marley) Bridges. She married Russell Edward Bowden on August 28, 1943, and he preceded her in death May 20, 2010.
Marjorie was a 1942 graduate of Huron High School. She had been a homemaker and worked at Roberts Brass. Marjorie was a longtime member of Mitchell First Baptist Church and loved to attend. She also was an avid reader.
Survivors include her children, Teresa (Jim) Wray of Columbus, Marilyn (Bill) Brock of Mitchell, Duane Bowden of Shelbyville, and Scott (Linda) Bowden of Mitchell; daughter-in-law, Sharon Bowden of Nashville, Tennessee; nine grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.
Her parents; husband; son, Darryl Bowden; granddaughter, Tracy Bowden; and siblings, Deane Bridges and Eugene Bridges, preceded her in death.
A private graveside service will be held at Mitchell Cemetery with Reverend Reggie Clark officiating.
The family would like to extend a sincere “thank you” to the faculty and staff at Stonebridge Health Campus for the wonderful care given Marjorie.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
Robert Preston “Bobby” Slayton
HURON – Robert Preston “Bobby” Slayton, 81, passed away Friday, September 4, 2026, at Mitchell Manor.
Born July 13, 1945, in Orange County, he was the son of Charles Robert Slayton and Loretta (Stone) Kirk. He married Geneva Wright on March 24, 1968, and she survives.
Bobby worked in construction for many years. He was a U.S. Army veteran and had been a member of the American Legion Post No. 250 and Bedford Moose Lodge No. 689. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially coon hunting. Bobby loved to visit with friends and family.
Surviving are his wife, Geneva Slayton of Huron; and daughters, Robin (Johnny) Knight of Huron and Marcella Sizemore of Oolitic; grandchildren, Shance (Lauren) Sizemore, Natasha (Dan) Scholl, Kerri (Tommy) Wilder, Tiffany (Jon) Keith, Ashley (Kris) Meadows, and Braxton (Gracelyn) Porter; and several great grandchildren.
His parents; son, Charles Robert Slayton; daughter, Loretta Langford; son-in-law, Robert Sizemore; and sisters, Rosalie Abels and Frances Lucille Swayze, preceded him in death.
Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 9 in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Emmett Dalton officiating.
The family will receive friends from noon until the time of the service Wednesday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
September 4, 2026
Floyd Wilson
Floyd Wilson, 84, of Bedford, passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. He was born on March 2, 1942, in Bedford, IN to the late Alex and Maggie (Morrow) Wilson. He married Brenda Terrell in 1981, and she survives.
Floyd was a diamond saw operator and a former member of the Charity Chapel Church. He loved fishing, hunting and taught his family how to work on cars.
Those surviving to cherish his memory include his wife, Brenda Wilson; three children, Emma (Shastain) Talbert, Cathy Wilson, and Rhonda (Mike) Collins; ten grandchildren, Jason Talbert, Shas Talbert, Daniel Talbert, Chelsie Talbert, Sabrina Deremiah, Loyd Wilson Jr., Carolyn Wilson, Brea Akins, Jasmine Dorsett, and Diamond Wilson; two great grandchildren, and one on the way; two sisters, Rosalee Wright and Kathy Wilson; along with several nieces and nephews.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Maggie (Morrow) Wilson; two daughters, Joy Ellen and Cynthia Davis; one son, Loyd Wilson; five brothers, Carl, Cecil, Wendall, Chester and Earl Dean; five sisters, Dorothy, Doris, Zelma, Thelma and Emma Lou.
Graveside services for Floyd Wilson will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 11:00a.m. at Green Hill Cemetery in Bedford. Visitation will also be held on Tuesday from 10:00a.m. until 10:45a.m. at the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes.
Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes of Bedford is honored to have been entrusted with the care and services for Floyd and his family.
Condolences may be shared and flowers ordered at www.ThorneFunerals.com.
William Kenneth “Kenny
MITCHELL – William Kenneth “Kenny” Merry, 93, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital.
Born February 3, 1933, in Lawrence County, he was the son of Wendall Richard and Dorothy Pauline (Tincher) Merry. He married Thelma May Bennett on May 16, 1955, and she preceded him in death.
Kenny was a 1953 graduate of Huron High School and was self-employed as a carpenter. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. In 2017 he was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Greater Mitchell Chamber of Commerce. Kenny was known for always having a great laugh.
Surviving are his children, Timothy (Teela) Merry of Mitchell and Tracy (Mark) Knoblock of Mishawaka; grandchildren, Brooke Merry, Dylan (Stephanie) Sullivan, Taylor (Justin) Baker, and Nicholas (Cassidy) Knoblock; great-grandchildren, Athena Merry, Cole Martin, Miriam Sullivan, Amelia “Millie” Sullivan, Coda Baker, Emily Baker, Alexandra Knoblock; and brother, Watson (Kay) Merry of Mitchell.
His parents and wife preceded him in death.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center. Burial will be at Bonds Chapel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 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