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The Voice of Blackford County community newspaper

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The Voice of Blackford County community newspaper

The Voice of Blackford County community newspaper is community-minded, community-oriented, community

The Voice of Blackford County community newspaper serves the entire Blackford County area, including Hartford City, Montpelier and Shamrock Lakes, along with Harrison, Jackson, Licking and Washington townships. The newspaper covers sporting events and school-related activities along with community events.

09/14/2026

Vera Middaugh, 101
She is the mother of Shirley Masters, of Montpelier

Vera Middaugh, 101, a resident of Portland, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at Persimmon Ridge, Portland.
She was born on December 29, 1924, in Jay County, the daughter of Arthur and Ersie (Rorher) Worth.
Vera graduated from Poling High School - Class of 1943.
She worked at CTS, Berne, for 15 years.
Vera enjoyed fishing, especially with her trusty cane pole.
She also loved spending time in her garden and could often be found working on puzzles or enjoying a good game of cards.
Vera married Charles W. Middaugh on June 1, 1946. He passed away on August 11, 1989.
Survivors include her children, Shirley Masters, of Montpelier, amd Doug Middaugh (wife, Harriett), of Pahrump, Nev.; one sister, Mary Booshier, of Portland; seven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Vere was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra Sutherland (husband, Dennis).
Visitation were on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home, 208 N. Commerce St., Portland.
Funeral services were on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Pastor Darrell Borders officiated.
Burial followed at Spring Hill Cemetery, Fort Recovery, Ohio.

09/10/2026

Treva Dotson, 86
She is the sister of Clyde Arnold (wife, Judy), of Hartford City

Treva Dotson, 86, a resident of Dunkirk, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, at her home in Dunkirk.
She was born on June 29, 1940, in Darke County, Ohio, the daughter of Oscar and Mary (Garringer) Arnold.
Treva worked in multiple nursing homes doing home health care.
She was a member of the Lighthouse Tabernacle Church, Dunkirk.
Survivors include two sons, Bert Overla (wife, Tonya), of Dunkirk, and Bill Overla, of Dunkirk; two daughters, Jane Fraley (husband, Doug), of Dunkirk, and Deb Nottingham, of Dunkirk; a brother, Clyde Arnold (wife, Judy), of Hartford City; 12 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
Treva was preceded in death by her parents, one son, two sisters, two grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation was on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home, 208 N. Commerce St., Portland.
Funeral services followed at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Pastor Kyle Holt will officiate.
Burial will follow at I.O.O.F Cemetery, Dunkirk.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.williamsonspencer.com

09/10/2026

Melody A. Jackson, 76
She is the sister of Ralph Mansbarger, of Montpelier

Melody A. Jackson, 76, of Montpelier, passed away at 10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie.
She was born on Thursday, June 22, 1950, in Marion.
Melody was a high school graduate.
She worked for Dalton Corporation, Warsaw, for several years before retiring.
Melody had a wonderful gift for creativity and could make just about anything she put her mind to.
She enjoyed crocheting, plastic canvas and all kinds of crafts, but her creativity certainly did not stop there.
Melody was always coming up with new ideas and finding ways to bring them to life.
She loved creating things with her hands and sharing her handmade creations with the people she loved.
The many things Melody created, along with the love and care she put into each one, will remain treasured memories for her family and friends.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Dawn Jackson, of Akron; son, Edward Jackson, of Akron; grandchildren, Robert Eatmon Jr., Devon Jackson, Kevin Jackson, Ricky Jackson and Olivia Jackson; several great-grandchildren; sisters, Kathy Padgett, of Bluffton, and Teresa (Gary) Manning, of Bluffton; brother, Ralph Mansbarger, of Montpelier.
Melody was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Mansbarger and Chrystal (Blackburn) Mansbarger, and her son, Ronnie Jackson Jr.
There will be no services at this time.
Arrangements are being handled by Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, 109 W. Windsor St., Montpelier.
Online condolences may be made at www.glancyfuneralhomes.com

09/07/2026

Michael R. “Mike” Morris, 62

Michael R. “Mike” Morris, 62, of Hartford City, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, Sept. 5, 2026, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on July 31, 1964, in Plymouth to Robert and Linda (Ellis) Morris.
Shortly after his birth, Mike's family moved to a farm outside of Bluffton, where he grew up.
He later attended Southern Wells High School, Poneto.
Mike graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1988.
Later he made Hartford City his home.
Throughout his career, Mike worked for many years as an insurance agent and also worked with Kline Family Farms.
On August 8, 1992, he married Rebecca Kinder. Together they had two children, Alex and Jarron.
On February 7, 2012, Mike married Julie Garrett.
He was deeply involved in his community and generously gave his time to Blackford County 4-H, serving on the 4-H Council and especially enjoying his time helping with the swine program.
Mike also was a familiar face in Blackford County athletics. Over the years, he ran the scoreboard for Blackford High School basketball, football and soccer games and coached both girls’ golf and girls’ basketball at the high school.
He later continued sharing his love of sports by coaching boys’ basketball at the elementary level.
Whether volunteering with 4-H, coaching young athletes or working the scoreboard on game day, Mike took great pride in supporting the kids and community of Blackford County.
Outside of work and volunteering, he enjoyed playing poker and golf and was an avid sports fan, cheering on the Cincinnati Reds, Nashville Predators, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers and Indiana University.
Mike loved traveling with his family and especially treasured the time he spent with his children and grandchildren. Whether it was a family trip, a sporting event or simply time spent together, being surrounded by those he loved brought him his greatest joy.
He also was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, Hartford City.
Mike is survived by his wife, Julie Morris; his children, Sarah Clark (Todd), Telsa Rodenbeck (Austin), Alexandra “Alex” Morris (Douglas McGuire) and Jarron Morris (McKenzie Streat); his mother, Linda Ellis; his father, Robert Morris; his stepmother, Joe Morris; his sister, Camille Fulkerson (Gary); his four grandchildren, Mali Clark, Keaton Rodenbeck, Wake Rodenbeck and Bohdi Rodenbeck.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City, with Brian Waters officiating.
Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Muncie.
Family and friends are invited to visitation at the funeral home on Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m.

09/06/2026

Ryan Edward Cain, 42
Growing up near Hartford City, he was a 2002 graduate of Blackford High School, Hartford City

Ryan Edward Cain, 42, of Rochester, was surrounded by his loving family when he went home to be with our Lord in the early morning hours on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Ascension-St. Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis.
On December 12, 1983, he was born in Muncie.
Ryan was a treasured son of Brian Edward and Amy Lou Carpenter Cain.
Growing up near Hartford City, he was a 2002 graduate of Blackford High School, Hartford City.
On October 12, 2024, Ryan married the love of his life, Eleesha Rose Daily, at Heartland Church, Rochester.
He was a man of strong faith and was a member of Heartland Church, Rochester.
During the summer of 2025, Ryan rededicated his life to Jesus Christ when he was baptized in the waters of Lake Maxinkuckee near Culver Beach by Pastor Jim.
An avid collector, he was always locked on to vintage items from the 90’s era, especially gaming systems, toys and vintage clothing.
Ryan also had a vast collection of shoes.
Gifted with his hands and intuitive artistic abilities, he created custom crosses to share his faith and the love for his Lord. Hand selecting various species of wood, each cross was unique and a special work of art.
As an artist, Ryan was able to express himself with colored pencils, charcoal or air brushing.
He spent many hours in his workshop creating and building custom gifts for family and special friends.
Left to cherish Ryan's memory are his wife, Eleesha; son, Gavin David Lee Cain, of Rochester; bonus sons, Thatcher Nicholas Sampsel (companion, Kylee Freant), of Rochester, Thorin William Sampsel, of Rochester, and Emmett Ryan Vandergriff, of Rochester; mother, Amy Triplett (Danny Lew), of Muncie; father, Brian Cain (Brenda Kay), of Florence Ariz.; sisters, Ashlee Danielle Pittenger (Jacob), of Muncie, and Macie Dawn Cain (companion, Chase DeVoss,), of Eaton; brothers, Orlando David Aguirre, of Orange Grove, Texas, and Caleb Jackie Cain (Emma), of Hartford City; grandmothers, Dewanda Cavitt and Sandra Slater; mother-in-law, Diana Rose Trine; father-in-law, Bill Daily (Krista); several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding in death are his father-in-law, Rocky Trine, grandparents, Jackie Cain (Rebecca) and James Carpenter (Shirley), and uncle, Casey Carpenter.
A Celebration of the Life of Ryan Edward Cain will be on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at 1 p.m. in Heartland Church, 321 E Eighth St., Rochester.
Pastor Jim Howard will officiate.
Ryan's family will receive friends on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.
Graveside services will follow in the Rochester I.O.O.F. Cemetery, 620 W. Third St., Rochester.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthur and Ruth Browne St.Vincent House, 2031 Dugan Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46260. Envelopes will be available at the church.

09/06/2026

John Harmon Ickes, 84
He was born in Montpelier
He graduated from Montpelier High School
He worked for Kroger, Montpelier
He was formerly a deacon of Grace Baptist Church, Montpelier

John Harmon Ickes, 84, a lifetime resident of Montpelier, passed away on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Marion Health East, Gas City.
He was born on Friday, Jan. 30, 1942, in Montpelier to Kenneth and Wilma Dean (Crockett) Ickes.
John graduated from Montpelier High School.
He worked for Kroger, Montpelier, and Indiana Michigan Electric Company for many years before retiring in 1995.
John was formerly a deacon of Grace Baptist Church, Montpelier.
He wintered in Inverness, Fla., for 20 years.
John enjoyed attending auctions, shooting and tractor pulls.
Survivors include three sons, John H. Ickes II (Heather), of Chicago, Ill., Chad M. Ickes (Thi), of Montpelier, and Benjamin T. Ickes (Jeannen), of Clarksville, Tenn.; one granddaughter, Justine Ickes (Jase Small), of Montpelier; two grandsons, Cameron Ickes (Tara), of Montpelier, and Chad Ickes II, of Garrett; one great-granddaughter, Isabelle Hope Ickes, of Montpelier; two sisters, Nelva Forrester Rogers, of Hartford City, and Kay Kershner, of North Carolina.
John will be missed by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Wilma Dean Ickes, and his sister, Sue Felton.
Family and friends may gather to share and remember at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, 109 W. Windsor St., Montpelier, on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A service to celebrate John’s life will follow at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, Montpelier, with Pastor Ryan Ingram officiating.
Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Montpelier.
Preferred memorials may be made to Woodlawn Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, Montpelier.
Online condolences may be made at www.glancyfuneralhomes.com

09/06/2026

Larry Davidson, 71
He is the brother of Connie Fear, of Montpelier

Larry Davidson, 71, of Redkey, passed away on Wednesday Sept. 2, 2026, at his residence.
Born in Portland on September 16, 1954, he was the son of Richard and Betty (Boe) Davidson.
Larry was married on May 18, 2001, to Leeann Rines, who survives.
He had worked as a surveyor for the State of Indiana and also was a cook working at several places.
Larry owned Jay Smokin Barbecue, Portland.
He was a 1972 Portland High School graduate.
Larry enjoyed fishing, listening to music and chilling.
Surviving is his wife Leeann; two stepsons, Eric Daugherty, of Albany, and Adam Daugherty, of Fort Recovery, Ohio; two sisters, Linda Davidson, of Columbus, and Connie Fear, of Montpelier; two granddaughters, Charlie Daugherty and Salem Daugherty; his father-in-law, Dick Rines, of Portland
Larry was preceded in death by a brother, Ronnie Davidson, and a sister, Beth Hunley.
A memorial service will be at a later date.
Baird-Freeman Funeral Home, 221 N. Meridian St., Portland, is handling the arrangements.
Memorials can be made to AseraCare Hospice or Jay County Cancer Society.
Online condolences at www.bairdfreeman.com

09/06/2026

Christina A. Bailey, 81
She was born in Hartford City

Christina A. Bailey, 81 of Huntington, passed away on Monday morning, Aug. 31, 2026, at Heritage Pointe of Huntington.
She was born on October 6, 1944, in Hartford City to George V. and Martha (Lillibridge) “Midge” Hall Jr.
Christina graduated from Liberty Center High School - Class of 1962.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in business from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1992 graduating cm laude.
Christina worked for Franklin Electric, Bluffton, for 22 years and after college worked at Fort Wayne National Bank. She retired from Murray Equipment, Fort Wayne, in 2008.
After retirement, and for the last 18 years she rode sh***un for Dane in the motor home as they traveled the country and ministered in Florida every winter.
Christina managed the merchandise table, smiling and talking with people and being totally supportive in our full-time music and benefit auction ministry.
She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and traveling.
When home and in warmer weather, Christina enjoyed working in her flower beds.
She also was an avid Indiana Fever fan.
On August 16, 1997, Christina and Dane Bailey were married in Fort Wayne.
Survivors include her husband, Dane Bailey, of Huntington, children, Terry Blair and Dale Hughes, of Franklin, Mike and Connie Blair, of Fishers, Dana and David Collier, of St. Joe, and David and Lisa Bailey, of Vera Beach, Fla.; along with nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Christina also is survived by a brother, David (Sue) Lawrence Hall, of Poneto.
A Memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home, 308 W. Washington St., Bluffton.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the funeral home.
Burial will take place at a later date at MRE Cemetery, Berne.
Memorials may be made to Missionary Flights International, Fort Pierce, Fla., and directed through the funeral home.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home, Bluffton.
Friends may share online condolences with the family at www.thomarich.com

09/06/2026

Joseph “Mike” Whited, 70
He attended The Lighthouse Church, Hartford City

Joseph “Mike” Whited, 70, of Hartford City, passed away on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in his home.
He was born in Muncie on August 31, 1956, to Hubert and Lila (Piner) Whited.
Mike graduated from Delta High School, Royerton. He earned his master’s degree from the University of (Salt Lake City) Utah.
He served in the United States Marines and was honorably discharged.
In his latest work, Mike was an environmental geologist with Golar’s Environmental Engineering.
He attended The Lighthouse Church, Hartford City.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Jerri (Crouse) Whited; daughter, Rachel Whited; brothers, Fred Whited and Jack (Bobbie) Whited; sisters-in-law, Joy (Jim “Bill”) Lowe and Diana Crouse; several nieces and nephews; exchange students they hosted from Germany.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Lila Whited, daughter, Angela Whited, brothers, Don Whited and Roy Whited, sister-in-law, Joann Whited, and brother-in-law, Dane Crouse.
The family will receive visitors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 N. State Road 3, Muncie.
A funeral service will follow immediately after at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Carlton Bowden officiating.
Urn burial will take place at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Muncie, at a later date.

09/06/2026

James "Jim" R. Galloway, 72
In his early years, he ran the car show in Hartford City

James "Jim" R. Galloway, 72, of Geneva, passed away at 4:21 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at River Terrace Estates, Bluffton.
He was born on Friday, Nov. 13, 1953, in Portland.
Jim married Corie I. (Smith) Galloway on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 1973, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
He attended South Adams High School.
Jim proudly served his country in the United States Navy for 14 years, including 10 years of active duty.
He also was a member of the National Guard, Bluffton, and the Reserve Center, Fort Wayne, for 14 years.
Jim was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
In his early years, he ran the car show in Hartford City and also the Geneva Days.
Jim enjoyed camping, most recently at Paradise Point, traveling and spending time with his family and his beloved dog, Jack.
Throughout his life, he had several different occupations. He worked at Nu Door, Geneva, and also worked for Thunderbird, Decatur, CTS, Berne, and Red Gold, Geneva.
Jim was employed in construction and while living in Kissimmee, Fla., for three years he drove a limousine.
He is survived by his sons, Jesse L. (Sukie) Galloway, of Oak Grove, Ky., and James M. (Erin) Galloway, of Decatur; his daughter, Melissa (Thomas Jr.) Peek, of Eaton; ten grandchildren, Thomas (Whitney) Peek, Alexander Peek, Sarah Peek, Mason Peek, Jeremi Galloway, Alek Galloway, Jesselene (Nick) Shawhan, Maysee Galloway, Biena Galloway and Kensie Galloway; his brothers, Larry L. Galloway, of Geneva, and Russell R. Galloway, of Geneva; two great-grandchildren.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, Clarence James Galloway, his mother, Beulah F. (Glassburn) Galloway, and his wife, Corie Ida (Smith) Galloway.
Family and friends gathered to share and remember on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home, 100 N. Washington St., Geneva.
A service to celebrate Jim's life was on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at the funeral home with Pastor Del Ray officiating.
Interment followed at M.R.E. Cemetery, Berne, with military honors conducted by the United States Army.
Preferred memorials may be made to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, P.O. Box 290369, 525 Royal Parkway, Nashville, TN 37229-0369.
Arrangements were handled by Downing & Glancy Funeral Home, Geneva.
Online condolences may be made at www.glancyfuneralhomes.com

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Hartford City, IN
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