Gary Z. Jackson – Bedford
November 18, 1927 – November 23, 2015
Gary Z. Jackson, 88, of Bedford, died Monday, November 23, 2015 at Westview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Born November 18, 1927, in Lawrence Co., he was the son of Sherman and Lillian Frowe (Duke) Jackson. He was a graduate of the Bedford High School with the class of 1947. He was the assistant director of the Boys Club of Miami, FL for twenty-six years. He was a custodian at Chase Bank and retired in 1994 as a custodian from the Bedford Boys Club after ten years. He was a member of the Exchange Club, Kiwanis Club and Midtown Church of Christ.
Survivors include a brother, Dean Jackson of Columbus; three sisters, Myra Shipman of Bedford, Gloria Kruchten of Columbus and Jewell Sweeney of Salem; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Tunis Paul Jackson, Wilford D. Jackson and Cloyce Jackson; a sister, Dora Knight.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 25th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Dean Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in Cresthaven Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24th at the Day & Carter Mortuary.
Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.
Merlin Edward Hamke – Bedford
September 29, 1938 – November 22, 2015
Merlin Edward Hamke, 77, of Bedford, died at 2:55 a.m. Sunday, November 22, 2015 at Westview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Bedford.
Born September 29, 1938, in Carlisle, IN, he was the son of Lawrence and Opal (Rodgers) Hamke. He married Merla Whitted on December 26, 1970; and she survives. He was a graduate of Carlisle High School with the Class of 1957 and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, from 1959-1963 as a helicopter mechanic and Flight Engineer . He later worked at RCA (Thomson Electronics), Bloomington, for 32 years and then at Visteon, Bedford, for 10 years. He was a member of the Leatherwood Christian Church.
Surviving are his wife, Merla; two daughters, Jennifer (Adam) Dixon and Naomi Hamke; two sons, Eric and Keith Hamke; four grandchildren, Isaiah and Niamh and Gabrielle and Aryanna; one sister, Beverly Perry, Seattle, WA; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Phyllis Rine and Sharon Baughman.
Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, at Ferguson-Lee Funeral Home, Bedford, with Pastor Sherman Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Leatherwood Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday, 4 p.m. till 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fergusonlee.com. Ira E. Bex – Mitchell
September 4, 1928 – November 20, 2015
Ira E. Bex, 87, of Mitchell, passed away Friday, November 20, 2015 at Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital.
Born September 4, 1928, in Lawrence County, he was the son of Isom and Della (Ray) Bex. He married Virginia Rose Ritchison May 28, 1955.
Ira retired from Carpenter Body Works and was a deacon and member of the Fairview Church of Christ. He enjoyed gardening, being outdoors, building birdhouses and clocks, and was also a quilter. Ira was a U. S. Army veteran of the Korean War.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Bex, Mitchell; daughter, Cathy L. Bex, Mitchell; brother, Leonard Bex, Mitchell; 14 nephews and 8 nieces.
His parents; sisters, Nellie Johnson, Mahala Edwards, Bessie Callahan, Roseann Wininger, and Flossie Williams; brothers, Asa, Archie, Chester, and Elmer Bex; and five nephews and six nieces preceded him in death.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 25, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Brother Richard Holt and Brother Chris Beasley officiating. Burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107. Friends may call from 4 p.m. till 7 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 a.m. until the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
James E. Atkinson – Bedford
James E. Atkinson, 85, of Bedford, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at Westview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Bedford.
Graveside Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, at Beech Grove Cemetery, Bedford, with Rev. Alan Phillips officiating. There will be no visitation hours.
Services under the direction of Ferguson-Lee Funeral Home, Bedford.
