Obituaries

William P. Tennell

GREENWOOD - William Parker Tennell, 91, formerly of Bloomington, passed quietly away Thursday, March 16, at The Hearth at Stones Crossing, Greenwood.

He was born in Francesville, on June 11, 1925, and was the son of the late William and Hazel Parker Tennell. He married Lou Ada Volkers in Bloomington. She preceded him in death in 1978.

He is survived by his daughter and best friend Claire Alt (husband Charles) of Greenwood, his grandsons Eric Andrew Alt and Ryan Connor Alt. He is also survived by his niece Diana Coulis (husband Paul) of Bloomington, two nephews Robert Harrer (wife Janis) of San Francisco, and James Harrer (wife Kathy) of Evansville, and his companion of 12 years, Wanda Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his son Jay, his sister Mary Jo Harrer, and three siblings who died in infancy: Mary, Elizabeth and Robert.

Mr. Tennell joined the U.S. Navy, becoming a lieutenant at the young age of 19. He served in the Navy from 1943-1946 in the South Pacific on an attack cargo ship, the USS Kenmore. He was a graduate of Indiana University. He was a wedding photographer for over 40 years in Bloomington. He was an avid reader, loved I.U. basketball, fishing, working in his yard, telling jokes and dancing every Friday night at the American Legion. Bill never met a stranger and was a loving, hands-on grandfather and wonderful role model to his two grandsons. He was a member of the Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, Burton Woolery Post #18 American Legion, VFW Post 604, Free Mason Monroe Lodge 22, The Monroe County YMCA, IU Alumni Association and Sigma Phi Epsilon. He enjoyed spending his winter months in Florida, walking the beach.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, March 19, at Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, 4150 E. Third St., Bloomington, IN 47401. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m.,  Monday, March 20, at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E. Rogers St., Bloomington, IN 47401 with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Clear Creek Cemetery with the Monroe County Honor Guard performing military honors.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association , 50 E. 91st St. STE 100, Indianapolis, IN 46209-4830.

Online condolences may be made to www. Day DeremiahFrye.com

Willie M. Parish

March 2, 1936 to March 24, 2017

RENSSELAER - Willie “Mitch” Mitchell Parish, Sr., 81, of Francesville, passed away at his home Friday morning, March 24, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Tompkinsville, Ky. on March 2, 1936. He was the son of the late Eddie H. and Thelma J. Strode Parish. He graduated from Medaryville High School and had been a resident of Francesville for over 50 years. On Aug. 25, 1962, in Medaryville, he married D. Jean Neely. They were married for 54 years and had recently renewed their wedding vows on Feb. 2. He was also baptized the same day at 80 years of age.

He is survived by his wife Jean Parish; three daughters: Jennifer (Mike) Tetzloff, Christina (Steve) Shorter, and Marilyn (Jonn) Bernal; one son, Willie M. (Nonie) Parish, Jr.; 11 grandchildren: Katie (Isaac), Joey, and Rachel Tetzloff; Trent and Tiffani Shorter; Sara and Jonn Bernal; Kayla Jean (Tyler) Fox, Morgan, Christopher, and Jared Parish; three great-grandchildren: Wyatt and Hudson Fox; and Emmett Tetzloff; two brothers: Herman (Janet) Parish and Alvin (Rana) Parish; three sisters: Wilma Miller, Olene Dahler, and Nancy (Jim) Aldridge; one sister-in-law: Elaine Parish; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Lawrence “Sam” Parish; and one brother-in-law, John Dahler.

After high school, Mr. Parish enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years while stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He was a manager for the Farm Bureau Co-op. He retired from the Indiana State Highway Dept. He was a reserve deputy for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s office, a volunteer EMT, and an active fireman for 49 years. He was past president of the Indiana Volunteer Firefighter’s Association from 1992-1994, and was an active member of the National Volunteer Fire Council. He was a 50-year member of both the Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite, and was a former Shriner. He attended the United Methodist Church. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing horseshoes and games, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. (ET), Sunday, March 26, at Steinke Funeral Home, Rensselaer. A Masonic service will be 6:30 p.m. (ET); and an Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Memorial Service will be at 7 p.m. (ET), all in the funeral home chapel. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. (ET), Monday, March 27, at the funeral home with Rev. Joe Spear officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association. For memorials to the IVFA, make checks payable to: "Bridgeport Scholarship Fund".

Share memories and condolences online at www.SteinkeFuneralHome.com.

Jason L. Shorter

July 30, 1974 to March 4, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS - Jason Lee Shorter, 42, of Indianapolis passed away Saturday, March 4, surrounded by his family.

He was born July 30, 1974, in Winamac.

He is survived by his parents, Gerald and Patricia Shorter; his partner of 15 years, Casey Vannorsdall; his sister, Stacy Renee Adams (Austin); as well as numerous extended family and close friends.

Among his many interests Mr. Shorter enjoyed gardening (he was known for cultivating orchids among many other plants), he was also known to entertain family and friends; he brewed his own beer and enjoyed cooking for others. He also collected antique military medals, and enjoyed tending to his salt water fish tank. His love of travel led him to the Bahamas, California, and Washington, D.C., to name a few. He will be remembered for his upbeat personality……. 

 A celebration of Jason’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 29, at the home of Casey Vannorsdall.

Arrangements and care provided by Lauck and Veldhof Funeral & Cremation Services, Indianapolis. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.lauckfuneralhome.com

Tina M. Birchfield

October 16, 1969 to March 1, 2017

LOGANSPORT - Tina M. Richie Birchfield, 47 of Winamac, passed away Wednesday, March 1, in Winamac.

Born on Oct. 16, 1969 in Peru, she was the daughter of Karen S. Walters Hughes and Cecil L. Richie. She was a 1989 graduate of Logansport High School.

Surviving is a daughter, Shaey Birchfield; two sons, Chandlier Birchfield; and Skielier Birchfield, all of Lafayette; father, Cecil (Claris Ann) Richie, Peru; mother, Karen S. (Roy) Hughes, Logansport; grandchildren, Austina Hayden; BellaRayne Hayden; Paytynn Birchfield; Breydyn Birchfield; brother, Michael (Tammy) Richie, Logansport; sisters, Tami (Jason) Baker, Peru; Jayme (Anthony) Shackelford, Ohio; step sisters, Erica E. Hughes, Winamac; Tammy (Mike) Eisenmenger, Peru; step brothers, Travis A. Hughes, Lafayette; Brad Lesley, Peru; Dan Lesley, Florida.

Mrs. Birchfield loved dragonflies, shopping with her mother, Thomas Kincaid paintings, crocheting, and her dog Raven. She had a very big heart, she always put everyone else’s wellbeing before her own.

Visitation will be held at 11a.m., until the time of service on Saturday, March 4, at the Gundrum Funeral Home, Logansport. A celebration of life service will follow at 2 p.m., at the funeral home with Dr. Gregory Elkins officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Cass County Humane Society or the East Main Street Church of God in Logansport.

Dr. Charles E. Hutton

December 7, 1925 to March 10, 2017

WINAMAC - Dr. Charles Edward Hutton, 91, of Rochester, passed away at 2:50 a.m., Friday, March 10, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born Dec. 7, 1925, in Logansport, to the late Roland and Signa T. Wilson Hutton. He graduated from Logansport High School in 1943 and Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1952. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Relief during World War II. On June 9, 1950, he married Lucreda A. Williams, EdD, in Logansport. She survives.

Survivors include: 
Dr. Charles R. "Randy" (Donna) Hutton, Winamac, Son 
Lucinda "Cindy" (Dr. Gene) McElhinney, Yakima, WA, Daughter 
Katherine (Kenyon) Maynard, Granddaughter 
Charles Aaron (Dr. Andrea) Hutton, Grandson 
Miles (Stephanie) McElhinney, Grandson 
Dr. Elizabeth (Michael Almador) McElhinney, Granddaughter 
3 Great Grandchildren 
Many Nieces and Nephews 

Preceded in death by: 
Betty Maple, Sister 
Elda Shaver, Sister 

Dr. Hutton was an oral maxillofacial surgeon in Indianapolis, and chairman of the Oral Surgery Department at Indiana University for many years. His real passion was training graduate dentists to be oral surgeons at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. He held many leadership roles in various professional organizations and was instrumental in numerous research projects. He was a member and past president of the Indianapolis District Dental Society, Indiana Society of Oral Surgeons, Central Association of Dentists & Physicians and Omicron Kappa Upsilon. He was also a member of the American Society of Oral Surgeons and Indiana Dental Association. 

He was an avid water skier and snow skier. In his retirement, he raised and showed llamas and alpacas and was a nationally recognized judge. He also founded the Boone County 4-H Llama Project. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, March 12, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A scriptural wake service will be at 6 p.m., at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m., Monday, March 13, at St. Peters Catholic Church,  Winamac, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman and Rev. Michael McKinney officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Logansport.

Memorial donations may be made to The Boys Town of Nebraska or Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

Online Condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com. 

Jack L. Overton

June 5, 1933 to March 10, 2017

FRANCESVILLE - Jack L. Overton, 83, of Francesville, passed away Friday, March 10, at his residence.

He was born June 5, 1933 in Lee, IN to the late Lloyd "Dutch" and Mildred "Lou" Waymire Overton. On June 23, 1956, he married Rose M. LaMone in Rensselaer. She passed away May 14, 2016.

Survivors include: 
Lloyd Tom (Jane) Overton, Monon, Son 
Stephen J. (Cathy) Overton, Francesville, Son 
Bob L. Overton, Francesville, Son 
13 Grandchildren 
19 Great grandchildren 
Kate (Jim) Britt, Wolcott, Sister

Mr. Overton was a member of the Francesville First Christian Church. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was retired as a welder from NIPSCO. He enjoyed cooking and was a Chicago Cubs and NASCAR fan. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be sadly missed. 

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 14 at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel, Francesville. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., (Tuesday, March 14), at the funeral home with Pastor James Ketchen officiating. Private burial will be at a later date in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. The American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to Francesville First Christian Church.