Obituaries

July 20, 1923 - Nov. 20, 2021 Jean Davenport Branum received her ultimate reward and went to be with Jesus on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. She was born July 20, 1923, in New Albany, Ind. to Walter I. and Lydia May Davenport. She was a World War II veteran and retired from the US Postal Service. Mrs. Branum will be remembered as being fun loving, compassionate, loving and witty. She loved her family – all of them. She had two sisters, Mary Elizabeth and Mary Virginia; and a brother, Walter Davenport. She also loved and appreciated the Sisters and staff of Little Sisters of the Poor where she had called home for 17 years. Her favorite pastime was frequenting the casinos with friends even taking a trip to Las Vegas in her 90's. Survivors include her niece and caregiver, Sharron (...

Dec. 20, 1947 - Nov. 18, 2021 Michael Gerard Byrnes passed away on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 in Fishers, Ind., while walking his beloved German Shepherd, Buddy, who he recently had adopted when he suffered a heart attack at the age of 73. He was born in Rochester, N.Y. on Dec. 20, 1947 to Dorothy Gloria and Norman Louis Byrnes.  Mr. Byrnes grew up in upstate N.Y. and was raised in the Catholic faith. He graduated from Augustinian Academy in Carthage, N.Y. in 1966 where he was a member of the marching band, earned varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Mr. Byrnes enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1967 and served for more than 10 years. He served in the Vietnam War, was in ROTC while attending Purdue University, and retired as First Lieut...

Nov. 30, 1924 - Nov. 22, 2021 Robert L. Kemp, 96, Elwood, passed away on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 at Riverwalk Village in Noblesville. He was born on Nov. 30, 1924 to Charlie and Hazel (Bradfield) Kemp in Noblesville, Ind. Mr. Kemp worked as a lumber delivery driver for Lowe's. He was a member of Zion Chapel in Elwood and loved singing hymns. Mr. Kemp enjoyed working with his hands and was a woodworker. He made new friends wherever he went and loved being outdoors, walking and gardening. Most of all, Mr. Kemp loved his family and cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include his children, Robert (Rita) Kemp Jr., David Kemp, Phyllis Shawhan, Herbert (Julia) Kemp, Fredrick (Susan) Kemp and Randy (Rose) Kemp; as well as many niece...

March 25, 1964 - Nov. 22, 2021 Terrance E. Neptune, 57, Anderson, passed away Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis following an extended illness. He was born March 25, 1964, in Annapolis, Md. to Terrance H. Neptune and Mary I. (Phipps) Neptune. Mr. Neptune graduated from Noblesville High School. He was a disabled United States Army Veteran where he proudly served his country. Survivors include his wife, Patricia (Carter) Neptune of Anderson; children, Natasha Elsten, Tonya Neptune, Brandon Neptune, Margaret Neptune and Mary Austin; brother, Billy Neptune; sister, Kelly Grant; and four grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; grandparents; and several aunts and uncles. A ...

May 23, 1952 - Nov. 16, 2021 Marsha Lynn (Vavra) Spurr, 69, of Cicero, Ind. passed away suddenly Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021 at her home. She was a 20 year cancer survivor, but succumbed to recent pulmonary and heart issues. She was born May 23, 1952 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph C. and Marjorie (Fisher) Vavra.   She graduated from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids in 1970. She then worked for over 23 years at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and later for Drexel Interiors in Indianapolis. Mrs. Spurr has been an Indiana resident since 1996. In 1971, she married Nyle Joyce from whom she later divorced. In 1987, she married Robert Spurr in Cedar Rapids and they were life partners for 35 years. Mrs. Spurr had a zest for life and could light up any ...

Aug. 13, 1938 - Nov. 17, 2021 Shirley Louann Cain, 83, Cicero, Ind., passed away Nov. 17, 2021 at Hooverwood Living in Indianapolis. She was born Aug. 13, 1938 near Wolcott, Ind. to the late Edward and Iris (Farney) Lehman.   She was raised on a dairy farm with five brothers and three sisters. She attended schools in Walcott, Indiana and graduated from Wolcott High School with the Class of 1957. She then furthered her education earning a BS and a MS degree in education from Indiana University. Mrs. Cain then proceeded to teach science classes at Kokomo middle schools for thirty years. She married Jon David Cain on Feb. 14, 1981 and together they had a very rich, fulfilling life. In addition to teaching, she also sold real estate on a part time basis. She learned the a...

April 26, 1955 - Nov. 17, 2021 Lonnie Lutz, 66, Noblesville, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 at his home. He was born on April 26, 1955 to Russell and Juanita (Hartsock) Lutz in Noblesville, Ind. Mr. Lutz was the owner of Craftsman Contractors for 32 years before retiring. He enjoyed watching Colts' games and Nascar races. Mr. Lutz liked to go fishing, hunting, and trapping. He would visit the horse track and casinos. Mr. Lutz loved family cookouts and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include the father that raised him, Harold Lawson; brothers, David (Shirley) Lawson, Les Lutz, Brian Lutz and Jimmy Lutz; sisters, Joyce (Johnny) Bentley and Darla (Larmie) Brenton; children, Jade Lutz, Angie (Jackie) DeFoe, Debra Day, Dantan Str...

Nov. 3, 1936 – Nov. 16, 2021 Evelyn Coverdale, 85, of Noblesville, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021 at Indiana Masonic Home in Franklin. She was born on Nov. 3, 1936 to Marvin and Edna (Evans) Coverdale in Hamilton County, Ind. Ms. Coverdale attended Noblesville Schools until she was 18. The classes of 1955, 1956 and 1957 all claimed her as their own. She worked for Janus Services, but found her calling as one of the original employees of Originals by Debs where she sanded spoons before retiring. She was featured in the book "Spoon Lady" by Deb Wofford. Ms. Coverdale was a member of Hamilton County 4-H and won a blue ribbon for her canned peaches. She was a member of the First Friends Church of Noblesville and Sunshine Friends at Noblesville First UMC. She was honored by...

Apr. 17, 1944 – Nov. 16, 2021 Loretta G. Hess, 77, of Noblesville, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021 at Riverview Health in Noblesville. She was born on Apr. 17, 1944 to Hubert and Ossie (Jones) Cooper in Pennington Gap, Va. While living in Va., Mrs. Hess worked for a clothing factory, some restaurants, and for the Lee County Clerk's Office. After moving to Noblesville, she worked for King Systems. She enjoyed playing bingo and watching cooking videos. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and playing games with her grandkids. Survivors include her children, Dohna (Henry) Smith, Hershel Lee Cox Jr., Ricky Allen (Angela) Cox Sr., Denny (Beth) Cox and April Dawn (Britany) Cox; siblings, Jewell Siler, Audrey Stapleton and Gary  (Victoria) Cooper; 16 gr...

Oct. 7, 1930 – Nov. 15, 2021 Marcella Ruth Moore, age 91 of Westfield and formerly of the Arcadia and Sheridan areas passed away Nov. 15, 2021 at Wellbrooke of Westfield. She was born Oct. 7, 1930 in Atlanta, Ind. to Raymon Fred and Cleo Hannah (Caldwell) Overdorf.  She attended Jackson Township schools and graduated from Jackson Central High School with the Class of 1948. She then became employed at Public Service Indiana that later became Duke Energy. She worked there over 40 years as an engineering clerk. She married Lamar Ellis Moore on Dec. 31, 1966, who preceded her in death. Together they enjoyed camping for many years at Old Mill Run Campground at Thorntown, Ind. She was an active member of Arcadia Christian Church where she served many years as a youth group ...