The Worthington Times

David W. Gillespie of Bloomington passed away early Monday, August 27, 2007 at his residence.  He was 48 years old, born April 30, 1959 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Herbert David Gillespie & Patricia (Shoopman) Williams.

He was a construction worker operating a backhoe. He also had worked for the city of Bloomington for 13 years, and in Corpus Christi, Texas in the oil fields for one year. He was an avid fisherman, a member of the Eagles Lodge in Bloomington and was of the Pentecostal faith.

Surviving relatives include his father Herbert David Gillespie and wife Nancy of Dugger, Indiana; his mother Patricia Williams of Worthington, Indiana; one sister, Tammy Morris and husband Aaron of Bloomfield, Indiana; one brother, Jason Bush and wife Lisa of Bloomington; one step-sister, Tammy Williams of Worthington; three step-brothers, Gary Williams and wife Becky of Bloomington, Bobby Williams and wife Tammy of Tampa, Florida and Kevin Pope and wife Cheryl of Alabaster, Alabama; long-time companion, Tammy Hollars and her son Toby of Bloomington; three uncles, Billy and Larry Armstrong and Michael Gillespie; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one niece, Rylan Mort; his step-father, Billy Williams; all his grandparents; and one step-brother, Randy Williams.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 2 at Jenkins Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Rev. Matt Baker officiating.  Friends may gather at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home prior to the memorial service.

The family wishes all donations be made to the Riley Children's Hospital in care of Jenkins Funeral Home in Bloomfield.

Charles Lee Vandeventer of Bloomfield passed away Thursday, August 16, 2007 at Greene County General Hospital at the age of 73.  He was born April 25, 1934 in Greene County, the son of Orville and Olive (Heaton) Vandeventer.

He was a line foreman for General Electric, a former police officer in Worthington, and also worked for the Comfort Inn in Bloomington. He was a member of the Gethsemane Tabernacle in Bloomfield.

Surviving relatives include: his wife, Lois Irene (Polley) Vandeventer of Bloomfield; two sons, Charlie L. Vandeventer Jr. of Bloomington and Cornelius L. Vandeventer of Solsberry; his step children, Joyce, Richard, Freddy, Ruth, Velma, Judy, Martha, Ray, Greggie, Harold, and Randy; one sister, Gladys VanWinkle of Bloomfield; three grandchildren, fifty step grandchildren, three great, grandchildren, and several step great, grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Roy Vandeventer; and two sisters, Ruth Vandeventer and Bernice VanWinkle.

A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 18 at Jenkins & Sons Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Rev. Ed Smith officiating. The place of burial will be Solsberry Cemetery.  Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home.

Penny S. Bays, 41, of Switz City, passed away Saturday morning, August 11, 2007, at Greene County General Hospital in Linton.  She was born July 29, 1966, in Indianapolis, the daughter of Richard and Ruth A. (Griffith) Connell.

She was a homemaker and was a member of the V. F. W. Ladies Auxiliary in Worthington.

She is survived by one daughter, Trisha Bays of Linton; one son, Scotty Bays of Worthington; one sister, Julie Schaffer of Switz City; and her ex-husband, Scott Bays.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A funeral service will be conducted at Welch & Cornett Funeral Home in Worthington at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 15 with Lester Connell officiating.  Friends may call at Welch & Cornett from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday.  The place of burial will be Worthington Cemetery.

LuAnn Porter passed away Monday evening, August 6, 2007, at her home near Worthington at the age of 53.  She was born in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma on June 3, 1954, the daughter of William and Phyllis (Lehman) White.

She had worked for several years at Peoples Trust Company Bank and Glenburn Home, both in Linton. She was a member of the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church of Worthington.

Survivors include her husband, Larry G. Porter of Worthington; her parents, Bill and Phyllis White of Switz City; her daughter, Melissa (Allen) Tuttle of Bicknell; two brothers, Bob (Elizabeth) White and Steve (Cindy) White, both of Switz City; a sister, Cathy (Kevin) Turpin of Atlanta, Georgia; and two grandchildren, Craig and Nicky Tuttle.

A funeral service will be held at the Welch & Cornett Funeral Home's Worthington Chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 9 with Pastor Harold Crenshaw officiating.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. The place of burial will be Prairie Chapel Cemetery near Newberry.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society through the funeral home.  Online condolences can be made at www.welchcornett.com.

Fletcher “Junior” Thatcher of rural Worthington, Indiana passed away early Saturday, August 04, 2007 at the Residence at McCormicks Creek in Spencer. He was 79 years old, born March 24, 1928 in Freedom, the son of Fletcher and Pearl (Dickerson) Thatcher.

Junior and his wife formerly owned and operated Thatcher’s Feed & Grain in Worthington. He was also a heavy equipment operator and farmer.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Pauline (Wells) Thatcher; three children, Connie Thatcher of Worthington, Larry (Mona) Thatcher of Coal City and Tracy (Rich) Tarr of Bloomfield; five grandchildren, Darin (Tricia) Hostetter, Jacob (Amanda) Thatcher, Zack, Libby & Shelley Tarr; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and five sisters.

A funeral service will be held at Welch & Cornett Funeral Home in Worthington at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 7 with Byron Williams officiating. Friends may call at Welch & Cornett on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. The place of burial will be Pleasant Bethel Cemetery. Online condolences for the family can be made at welchcornett.com