The following obituaries were received for Monday –
Margaret Ann Torphy – Winter Haven, FL.
Margaret Ann “Gabby” Torphy, 86, of Winter Haven FL, formerly of Bedford and Bloomington, passed away December 8, 2012, in Auburndale, FL.
She was born March 13, 1926 in Orleans, IN and was the only daughter of Herbert S. and Pearl (Finley) Taylor, both deceased.
She was a 1944 graduate of Bedford High School. Gabby was a partner in Torp Aero Service, Inc., Bloomington, IN, from 1963 until 1983, where many aviators were trained by her husband Jim, and their staff.
She was a member of Omega Nu Tau Sorority, American Legion Auxiliary, Bedford Boat Club, Bedford Aero Club and OX-5 Aviation Pioneers. She attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. She also had a great love and passion for Indiana University Basketball.
She is survived by her husband James L. “Jim” Torphy; Daughter Kathy and husband Fred Avant, of Lutz, FL; son Bill Torphy and wife Kara, of Mt. Juliet, TN; grandchildren Jamie and husband Brandt Meyer and Andy Avant and wife Jessica, of Lutz, FL and Megan and husband Will Mahaffey, David Torphy and wife Heather, of Terre Haute, Patrick Torphy, of Bloomington and Jamison Torphy, of Mt. Juliet, TN; great grandchildren Madison and Dawson Meyer, Abigail and Anabelle Avant, of Lutz, FL; Jeep, Eli and Melissa Mahaffey, of Bloomington. Also surviving is her special brother-in-law Dave Torphy, of Bedford.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 22, 2012, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Bedford with Fr. Rick Eldred and Deacon Dave Reising officiating. Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery.
Friends may call on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and and on Saturday from 10 a.m to 10:45 a.m. at Ferguson-Lee Funeral Home.
One of her favorite things in life was helping others, especially children. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her honor to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fergusonlee.com.
Ronald I. Nikirk – Oolitic
Ronald I. Nikirk, 72, of Oolitic, passed away at 1:50 a.m. on Monday, December 17, 2012 at his home.
Arrangements are pending at the Day & Carter Mortuary.
Virgil Tomas “Bud” East – Bloomington
Virgil Tomas “Bud” East, 69, passed away Thursday, December 13, 2012 at his home on Hunterscreek Road, in Monroe County where he had lived his entire life. Bud was born April 18, 1943 to Burl and Berlie Fleetwood East, both of whom preceded him in death. He graduated from Heltonville High School in 1961 and retired from Cummins Engine Company with 43 years of service in 2006. On April 14, 2012 he married Anita Cadaweller Glosser, who survives. He was a member of the Burgoon Baptist Church.
He is survived by two daughters, Marilyn and husband Terry Mullins, of Columbus and Virginia Gayle Smith, of Waco, Texas; three sons Jeffery Thomas East and wife Kiki, of Theresa, New York, Chris East and wife Debbie, of Bloomington and Michael Brownfield, of the U.S. Military; three step-daughters, Debbie Stout, of Austin, Michelle Beaver, of Seymour, Becky and husband James Kirk, of Bedford; three sisters Pearl Blake, of Bloomington, Resa Sowders and Bertha Sue and husband Kenny Scroggins, of Bedford; 18 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his first wife and dear friend Maxine Lentz Andis, of Columbus.
He was preceded in death by a son Scott East, stepson Bryan Malone, step grandson Patrick Stout, son-in-law Ted Wample, sister Edith East, sister and brother-in-laws Leon and Emma East Axsom, of Columbus, Wayne and Grace East Page, of Bloomington, three brother-in-laws Richard Blake, Paul Sowders and Edward Smith.
Visitation will be at the Jones Funeral Home in Heltonville from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, December 17th and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Burgoon Baptist Church at 8598 East Burgoon Church Road, with services immediately following with Brother Harold Godsey officiating. Burial will take place at the Mitchell Cemetery on Hunterscreek Road. Per Virgil’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Burgoon Baptist Church.
