Search Archived Marriage Records
Irving Katz
Professor Irving Katz, 75, passed away Thursday, January 24, 2008, in New York City of complications stemming from a hip injury. He was a professor of History and Jewish Studies at Indiana University for 38 years.
When he retired in 2002, the Indiana Daily Student described Katz as a “living legend.” His introductory courses, “American History 1 and 2” were rites of passage for generations of IU freshmen and among the university’s most popular classes. He enlivened lectures with his own personal and family history, which spanned the twentieth century. The son of Yiddish-speaking immigrants from Poland, he grew up on New York City’s Lower East Side during the Depression. After graduating from City College he served in Korea. “I was very grateful to the United States Army for defeating the Nazis, ” he explained. Many members of his extended family had been killed in the Holocaust. Experience as an infantry corporal made him a dedicated pedestrian; he eschewed cars and encouraged students to walk with him and to tell him about their own histories.
He began teaching at an East Harlem high school in 1958, and after two years at New York University he came to IU in 1964. He had offers from Northwestern and the University of California Berkeley, but he chose Bloomington, he joked, “because the offices were bigger.” He authored two important books on U.S. business history, “August Belmont: A Political Biography, ” and “Investment Banking in America: A History.”
He received awards for teaching excellence from the History Department and the Borns Jewish Studies Program. He served as vice president of the Indiana Jewish Historical Society, and he received the Thomas Hart Benton Mural Medallion for distinguished contributions to Indiana University. He was a natural talker and gave innumerable lectures to community audiences throughout the Midwest on aspects of American Jewish history and, especially, Israel. President Myles Brand ranked him among “the very best” of Indiana’s faculty, noting that “this institution is a better place because of him.”
He married
Sara Katz, and fathered two children, a son, Jonathan, of Newport, Rhode Island, and a daughter, Naomi, a graduate of the IU School of Music. She and her husband, Gerhardt Koch, are musicians with the New York City Ballet, and Katz retired to Manhattan to be close to his children and his beloved granddaughter, Sarah Joyce. Professor Katz encouraged his students to learn about and appreciate music. For seventeen years, he dined weekly with students in Forest and Briscoe quads, leading them in discussions of politics, current events, and culture. He arranged to take groups of students to dress rehearsals and performances at the Musical Arts Center, giving many of them their first experience with opera. Opera, he explained, brought together all of the fine arts, visual design, drama, orchestral and vocal performance. “When it works, ” he said, “it’s heaven.” In recognition, he was made an honorary member of the IU Residence Halls Alumni Association in 1987.
He is survived by his children and grandchild, a brother, Murray Katz of New York City, and a cousin, Morris Borger, of Jerusalem. Donations may be made to Congregation Beth Shalom, P.O. Box 6835, Bloomington, IN 47407, or The Irving Katz Scholarship, Borns Jewish Studies Program, 1011 E. 3rd St., Goodbody Hall 326, Bloomington, In 47405.
Venice J. Pettijohn
Venice J. Pettijohn, 75, of Gosport passed away at Gosport Nursing Home on Monday, October 3, 2011.
He was born in Gosport on September 15, 1936 to Jesse D. and Mary E. (Myers) Pettijohn.
Funeral services will be at Chandler Funeral Home-Whitaker Chapel in Gosport on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Norman Ward officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Don C. Bennett
Don C. Bennett died peacefully at home on Friday, January 25, 2008 surrounded by family. Don was born June 28, 1925, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of William and Chloe Bennett. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joan Bitner Bennett; daughter, Janis Bennett Neff and husband Jerry; son, Eric James Bennett and wife Wendy; daughter Robyn Bennett Ryan and husband Terry; son, Matthew Chad and wife Ellen; granddaughters: Kori Rachel Bennett, Quincy Bennett Ryan, Greer Bennett Ryan, Wren Bonnie Bennett; seven grandsons: Marc Bennett Geller and wife Mehrzad, Brian James Geller and wife Shanna, Andrew Scott Geller and wife Katie, Jeremy Miles Bennett, Garrett Michael Bennett, William Harris Bennett and Don C Bennett; step-grandchildren: Jacob and Emily Neff; great-grandson: Kaden Harris Bennett. He also is survived by brothers, Jack Bennett and Max C Bennett and brother-in-law, Robert F Bitner and wife Carol; sister-in-law Helen Bitner Wilcox and husband Harold, and many beloved nephews and nieces.
After serving in the US Army in World War II, Don took a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Utah in Geography. He and Joan were married
September, 1948, in Salt Lake City. They then went to Syracuse, New York, where he was awarded the Master’s and PhD at Syracuse University, where he specialized in Asian studies. He was later awarded a Ford Foundation grant and traveled with his family to the Netherlands and Indonesia to complete a study on “Overpopulation in East Java”. After 2 1/2 years, he returned to Syracuse University and joined the faculty there until transferring to the Indiana University Geography Department, where he served as Chair of the department and as Assistant Dean in the Graduate School. He also received a Fulbright grant as visiting professor at Far Eastern University in the Philippines, where the family spent a year.
Other activities included: a contract teaching the Geography of USSR to Air Force officers; participated in a study of terrain in Northern Africa for the US Army Corps of Engineers; Director of a study of climate in SE Asia.
During the Civil Rights movement, he served as chairman of the Bloomington Fair Housing Committee, which eliminated discrimination in housing in Bloomington. He worked in other areas of justice and caring, such as Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. He was a loving husband, beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend; a choice member of society. He is remembered by all for his great kindness, humor and compassion.
Services will be held Saturday, February 2nd, at 3:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington at 2120 North Fee Lane. The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to: Habitat For Humanity, the UU Special Gifts or a charity of choice.
James Michael Lawrence
The family of James Michael Lawrence mourns his passing. Born October 16, 1948 at Bloomington to James L. Lawrence and Betty Shepherd Lawrence. Entered into rest January 25, 2008 at Bloomington Hospital surrounded by loving family.
His memory will be cherished by mother, Betty Lawrence; siblings, John Mark Lawrence, Pamela Graessle; dear friend, Doug Hughes.
He is reunited in the presence of our Heavenly Father with father, James Lawrence.
James was employed at Indiana University, Bloomington in the mail department and a long time member of the Apostolic Bible Church.
Funeral service will be conducted 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 28, 2007 at the Apostolic Bible Church of Bloomington, 3300 South Walnut Street Pike with pastors David Beacham and Doug Hughes officiating.
Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, January 27, 2008 at the church. Interment will take place at the family plot of Valhalla Memory Gardens in a private family service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Benevolence Ministry of Apostolic Bible Church.
Vernon L. Acton
Vernon Lorn Acton, 58, of Camby passed away at St. Francis South Hospital in Indianapolis on Thursday, September 15, 2011.
He was born at Camp Atterbury on September 6, 1953 to the late Jack and Delores (Joyce) Acton. He was a US Air Force veteran serving during the Vietnam era. Vernon worked as a railroad man and was the owner of Acton Trucking. He was a member of the Ellettsville House of Prayer and the Unchained Ministry.
Vernon is survived by his wife of 26 years, Vickie (Hood) Acton of Camby; daughter, Jennifer Acton of Center Grove; brother, Bryan Acton of Indianapolis; sisters, Teresa Umbreit of Bloomington, Faith Stephens of Nashville, and Elizabeth Goldsberry of Bloomington; grandchildren, Tyler Acton, Kirklin Barnhill, Nicole Lynch, and Rosalie Lynch, several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Vernon will be held at Ellettsville House of Prayer (4100 Hartstrait Rd, Bloomington, IN 47404) on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. Burial is to follow at Center cemetery near Rushville. Friends may call upon the family at the church on Tuesday from 11 until time of services. Chandler Funeral Home in Ellettsville is assisting with arrangements.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Unchained Ministry, 4100 Hartstrait Rd, Bloomington, IN 47404
Evan Luke Farrell
Evan Luke Farrell, 31, of Bloomington, passed away in Berkeley, California, on December 23, 2007, surrounded by his family and friends.
Evan was born and raised in New Jersey, and moved to Bloomington in 1995 to study guitar at Indiana University. Other than a three-year leave in the early 2000s, Evan called Bloomington home for the rest of his life.
At the time of his death, he was a partner, with his father, in the home restoration firm Farrell Restorations, and was a highly respected musician in several musical groups, both locally and nationally.
Evan’s musical talent was evident at an early age; he was performing in his first band before he was finished with high school.
When he moved to Bloomington, he fell in with the local eclectic gypsy/bluegrass/punk group Japonize Elephants. The group’s first album was one of the first records released by local record label Secretly Canadian, which has since grown into one of the most critically acclaimed record labels in the country.
The group recorded several albums together and crisscrossed the country numerous times. It was through this touring that Evan gained a reputation not only as a consummate, fiercely passionate musician, but also as one of the funniest, big-hearted, boisterous and life-loving people in the music scene.
He had a pull with people that was magnetic, and all that were drawn into his sphere couldn’t help but admire him.
Whether it was quoting from “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” or telling outlandish but true stories in his inimitable, unique way, Evan was the life of any party, while always maintaining his humility, passion, kindness and love of all things musical.
Evan was also a member of many other groups: The Hollows, Grande Rouge, Magnolia Electric Company, Kentucky Nightmare and the Oakland-based Rogue Wave were just a few of the many musical entities Evan performed in.
Evan was an instrumental savant — he could play any instrument, and play it well — but always found the inherent humanity in the music he played.
He sometimes cried on stage, so overcome by the music that it became him.
In a lot of ways, he was music personified, and he overcame the barrier between musician and audience member to envelop everyone around him in music.
Like the rest of his life, being around Evan when he was on stage transformed the entire room into a place that was magical, and even spiritual.
In the last few years of his life Evan had found a life that worked for him; he had gotten married
, bought a house and fixed it up with a loving attention to detail, and had found the balance between touring and being rooted in a community that loved him.
He was a devoted husband, loving father and wildly respected friend to many. Evan loved life and was not shy in his love. He cared for his friends and loved ones in ways immeasurable, and had a deep knowledge of so many different things that a conversation with him was always enlightening.
He worked hard, both in music and in his career, and played hard, with a childlike sense of wonder and a whip-smart sense of humor. He touched countless lives in his brief time on this sphere, and will be missed and loved by all who ever came into contact with him.
Life is not measured in breaths taken, but by lives affected, and on that count, Evan Farrell lived a life most can only aspire to. He lived and loved openly, passionately and without regret, and leaves behind a massive circle of people whose lives are better simply by knowing him.
Survivors include his wife, Jill Nielsen-Farrell and sons Walker and Avery Nilan of Bloomington; father Ken Farrell and fiancee Teresa Helfrick of Bloomington; mother Deborah Foster and stepfather Bob Foster of Louisiana; brothers Liam Farrell of Vermont and Nate Farrell of Nevada; sisters Kate Farrell of Vermont and Calla Trosclair of Louisiana. Evan is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews across the country.
There will be a public memorial service for Evan Luke Farrell on Sunday, January 20th at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater at 3 p.m. Immediately following will be a celebration of Evan’s life and benefit show for the family of Evan Farrell at the Bluebird Nightclub, 216 N. Walnut Street. Both events are open to the public.
Jerry L. Vaughn
Jerry L. Vaughn, 57, went home to God, his mother and “Big Momma” Audrey Taylor on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at Bloomington Hospital. Born April 23, 1950, in Dyersburg, Tennessee, he was the son of Obie L. and Willie Vaughn.
Jerry touched many lives in many ways and will live eternally in the hearts of his wife, family and friends.
At the time of his death, he was employed by Wal-Mart as a door greeter. Jerry previously was a 11-year employee of Bloomington Convalescent Center as well as a 5-year employee of Garden Villa, formerly Bloomington Hospitality House.
He is survived by his wife, Susan L. Vaughn; daughter, DeShanta Livers; stepson, Darren Franks; sister, Ms. Jacqueline Clarence Parchman; brothers, James (Ida), Fernell (Joyce) Vaughn and Larry Hilliard. Godmothers, Willie L. Williams, and friend, Dorthy Thomas, “Moms” Joyce Pryor, and brother-in-law, Tom Arthur. Step-grandson, Keith Long, and granddaughter, Anyea Heard, and a host of loving nieces and nephews and friends.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and “Big Momma” Audrey Taylor.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held on January 14, 2008, from 1 - 3 p.m. at the McDoel Baptist Church.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Amethyst House in memory of Jerry L. Vaughn.
Velma Thomas
Velma Jean Thomas, 87, born March 1, 1924 passed away at her residence on Saturday evening September 3, 2011 after a lengthy illness of cancer.
Velma was born in Monroe County to Curtis and Clara (Smith) Wells. She graduated from Bloomington High School in 1942 and retired from RCA where she worked as a group leader for 22 years. Velma enjoyed reading and crafts.
Survivors include her husband, Phillip Thomas; daughters, Barbara Jeannie (Don) Johnson of Freedom, Margaret Ann (Tom) Neal of Gathersburg, MD; son, William Edward (Gayle) Robertson of Moores Hill, IN; step-daughters, Debbie Thomas of Houston, TX, Cathy (Bill) Ruf of Bloomington, and Pam Thomas of Indianapolis; and sister, Virginia Fowler of Ellettsville; six grandchildren, four step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sylvia Williams and brother, James Wells.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Home in Ellettsville with Pastor Terry Marker officiating. Burial is to follow at Presbyterian cemetery. Friends may call on the family on Wednesday from 11:00 until time of services at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chandlerfh.com
The family asks that friends consider memorial contributions to Hospice of IU Health-Bloomington Hospital.
Mary Maxine Bridgwaters
Mary Maxine Bridgwaters, 67, of Bloomington, died Saturday, December 29, 2007 at Bloomington Hospital.
Born May 2, 1940, in Bloomington, she was the daughter of the late Fred Chandler and Lucille Evans Chandler.
Maxine graduated from Bloomington High School and attended Indiana University. She spent her life as a dedicated homemaker. She was a member of Second Baptist Church.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 47 years, Preston Bridgwaters, of Bloomington; daughters Tammi Bridgwaters and Cherron Waters and sons David Bridgwaters and Albert Bridgwaters, all of Bloomington; daughter Renee Hill and her husband, Ron, of Ohio; daughter Lynn Billups and her husband, Kermit, of Maryland; ten grandchildren, Michael Bridgwaters, Christopher Bridgwaters, Tyrone Hill, Damion Bridgwaters, Taryn Bridgwaters, Abigail Hill, Anthony Bridgwaters, Alesia Hill, Samuel Billups and Johnathon Billups; four great-grandchildren, Isaiah Bridgwaters, Tammi Bridgwaters, Alexis Bridgwaters and Khalia Bridgwaters; three sisters, Janice Montgomery of Indiana, Linda Ridley and her husband, Joseph, of Texas, and Constance Wade of Ill.; one brother, Seth Debro of Bloomington, and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008, at Second Baptist Church, 321 North Rogers Street in Bloomington, with Rev. Bruce Rose presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 9 a.m. till service time on Thursday. Burial will follow at White Oak cemetery.
Barbara Elizabeth May
Barbara Elizabeth May, 84, of Bloomington, died Friday, December 28, 2007 at Bloomington Hospital.
Born October 14, 1923, in Kalamazoo, Mich., She was the daughter of Joseph and Gladys Marie (Kemp) Belkowswki.
She retired from RCA. She was a life member and past president of VFW Post 04 and American Legion Post 18 Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a member of 8&40.
Survivors include her husband, James E. May; two daughters, Sharon Jo May and Gloria Susan May, both of Bloomington; one son, James Bernard May of Bloomington; one granddaughter and her husband, Aimee and Dennis Bittle of Indianapolis; one step-grandson and his wife, Andrew and Kim Stephenson of Bloomington; two step-great grandsons, Z. Stephenson and Ty Stephenson, both of Bloomington; and one sister and her husband, Janet and Donald Neal of Portage, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and one brother.
Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Fort Custer National cemetery in Michigan.
