Shelby County Indiana History & Genealogy, Obituaries

Shelby County Indiana
Obituaries

Thurston

The Sampson Independent
Clinton, Sampson County, North Carolina
Saturday, December 15, 2012
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Rose W. Thurston, 59
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CLINTON — Rose Weaver Thurston, 59, passed away Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at her home at 911 Hunter Road. She was a native of Mount Olive and was a daughter of the late Fred Weaver Jr. and Agnes McCullen Weaver. She had been employed as a teller at Branch Banking & Trust in Clinton.
The funeral will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 17, from Unity Baptist Church, at 489 N.C. Hwy. 55 East, Mount Olive, officiated by the Rev. Ronnie Wise. Burial will be on at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, at Maplewood Cemetery in Mount Olive. The family will receive friends at the church from 5:30 p.m. until service time on Monday, and at other times at the residence.
She is survived by her husband, Mike Thurston of the home; three sons and their wives, James and Stephanie Thurston of Kansas City, Mo., Donald and Cindi Thurston of Claxton, Ga., and Steven and Samantha Thurston of Okeechobee, Fla.; and a sister, Sharon W. Hare and husband, James of Mount Olive; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, it is the request of the family that memorial gifts be presented to Tim's Gift, c/o Becky Spell, 108 Northeast Blvd., Clinton NC 28328.
A Tyndall service of Mount Olive.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming and Betty Kitchen

The Shelbyville News
Friday, April 9, 2010
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Mary Frances Thurston, 97, Shelbyville, died Wednesday, April 7, 2010, Major Hospital.
Born July 26, 1912, Shelby County, to Elza and Lela (Adams) Babb.
Married Ralph Emerson Thurston on Sept. 28, 1932; he preceded her in death on May 28, 2000.
Survivors include her son, Robert Thurston (wife, Ruth) of Shelbyville; brother, James Babb of Shelbyville; sister, Edwina Eberhart of Shelbyville; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Gladys L. Jones and Martha LeBrandt; and brother, Raymond Babb.
Retired in 1975 from Admiral Corp., after 35 years of service. Formerly employed at Albert’s Furniture Factory, The Garment Factory, Thomas Market and Adler’s Dress Shop.
Attended Shelbyville High School.
Member of Bengal Christian Church and the church’s ladies aid group. Past member of the Moose Lodge.
Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., Pastor Dan Owens officiating.
Interment: Second Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville News
Wednesday, January 7, 2004
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Arthur M. Thurston, 89, of Shelbyville, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, at his home.
Born March 13, 1914, in Boulder, Colo., s/o Eden and Carolyn (McCaslin) Thurston.
Married Suzanne DePrez on July 10, 1948, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 28, 1991.
Survivors: sons, Arthur McCaslin “Mac” (wife, Leslie) Thurston Jr. of Duluth, Ga., and Sam (Betsy) Thurston of Marietta, Ga., daughter, Amy (Al) Berthouex of Memphis, Tenn.; sister, Carolyn Holden of Long Boat Key, Fla.; 7 grandchildren, Cass Thurston, DeP Thurston, Blair Thurston, Ben Thurston, Luke Thurston, Will Berthouex and Andrew Berthouex.
Preceded in death by one daughter, Jenny Thurston.
President, and served as chairman of the board, of the former Farmers National Bank. FBI agent and inspector and was appointed superintendent of Indiana State Police from 1949 to 1952.
Graduated in 1936 from Indiana University.
U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving in naval intelligence and the OSS, consultant with the CIA. Served with the occupation forces in Japan; instrumental in organizing the Japanese Imperial Police Force.
Honored as a Sagamore of the Wabash by two separate governors.
Member of First Presbyterian Church and founding member of Varmits. President of Kappa Dads at DePauw University in 1972; and a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, at IU.
Carmony-Ewing Harrison Street Funeral Home, 819 S. Harrison St.
Memorial service at First Presbyterian Church, 124 W. Broadway St.
Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery.
Contributions: Blue River Foundation, Suite 1, 54 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN 46176; or Shelbyville-Shelby County Public Library, 57 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Indianapolis Star
Monday, September 15, 2003
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Herschel S. Thurston, 92, of Morristown, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003.
Born Oct. 30, 1910, in Decatur County, s/o Wilbert P. and Edna (Jordan) Thurston. Married Beulah Bundy on June 4, 1933, she survives.
Other survivors include three daughters, Loretta Miller of Bradenton, Fla., Kay Wheat Dillon of Lebanon and Rita Loveys of Solvang, Calif.; one son, Jim Thurston of Richmond; one sister, Eva Hunsinger of New Castle; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by one brother, Russell Thurston.
Employed at Naval Avionics for 33 years, retiring in 1973.
Graduated in 1929 from Morristown High School.
Morristown Christian Church, Order of Eastern Star, Morristown Lions Club and 60-year member of Masonic Lodge. Former member of Gwynneville Christian Church, deacon and Sunday school superintendent.
Frazier Funeral Home, 124 E. North St. in Morristown, Morristown Christian Church, 209 S. Washington St. in Morristown.
Revs. Bill Farmer and Lou Stoops officiating.
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The U.S. Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection
Mar 2002
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Paul Edward Thurston, age 72, of Okeechobee, died Tuesday, March 5, 2002, at his residence. He was born on March 31, 1929, in Shelbyville, Ind. Mr. Thurston has been a resident of Okeechobee since 1985. He was an avid fisherman. He was preceded in death by two sons, Donald Edward Thurston and Richard Allen Thurston.
Survivors include: his wife of 52 years, Dora Thurston of Okeechobee; his son, Paul Michael (Rose) Thurston of Okeechobee; two daughters, Linda (Rick) Francis of Bradenton and Debbie (Stan) Orndorff of Spring Hill; seven grandchildren; and two sisters, Viola Beckett and Ethel Elkins, both of Rising Sun, Ind.
There will be no visitation or services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Okeechobee, P.O. Box 1548, Okeechobee, Fl. 34973. All arrangements are under the direction and care of the Buxton Funeral Home and Crematory.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming and Betty Kitchen

The Banner
News for Southern Henry and Northern Rush County, Indiana
27 Feb 2002
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Oct. 12, 1905 – Feb. 23, 2002
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Mabel Opal Thurston, 96, former Carthage resident, died at her residence in Rising Sun on Saturday, February 23. She was born on October 12, 1905 in Morgan County, a daughter of the late Ezra and Della (Price) Rumple. On August 30, 1925, she married Daily Thurston who preceded her in death in 1981. Mrs. Thurston was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Carthage.
Survivors include one son, Paul Thurston, Okeechobee, FL; two daughters, Ethel Elkins and Viola Beckett, both of Rising Sun; two brothers, Jesse Rumple, Sr. of Carthage and Russell Rumple of Monticello; two sisters, Bertha Steward of Carthage, and Nellie Brown of Monticello; 24 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, James Thurston, a daughter, Velma Rennemeier and four brothers, Raymond, William, Lloyd and Ora Rumple.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Carthage with burial in the Carthage Town Cemetery. Visitation was held Tuesday, February 26 at the Todd Funeral Home, Carthage Chapel.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming and Betty Kitchen

The Shelbyville News
Monday, May 1, 2000
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Helen L. (Keaton) Thurston, 84, Waldron, died Thursday at Collierville Health Care Center, Collierville, Tennessee.
Born Feb. 26, 1916, in Morristown, d/o Harry and Carrie Mae (Edwards) Keaton.
Married Russell M. Thurston on July 27, 1935; preceded her in death on Nov. 22, 1982.
Employed at Pope’s Hardware, Waldron, for several years. Homemaker.
Member of the Order of Eastern Star and a graduate of Westland High School.
Survivors include one son, Melvin K. Thurston, Kokomo; two daughters, Laverne Beagle, Germantown, Tenn., and Karen M. Dial, Breeze, Ill.; one sister, Mary Pollitt, Shelbyville; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by one sister and one brother.
Hanover Cemetery.
Carmony-Ewing Funeral Homes is handling the arrangements.
Contributions: Amercian Heart Association.
Contributed and summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Indianapolis Star
Friday, March 10, 2000
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ORRA ELNORA SCOTT THURSTON, 93, Shelbyville, died March 9. Worked for Major T. Jester Department Store, Shelbyville, and Hancock Memorial Hospital, Greenfield. 50-year member of Chapter 473 of the Order of the Eastern Star and Mohawk (Ind.) United Methodist Church.
Burial: Forest Hill Cemetery, Shelbyville.
Widow of Paul O. Thurston.
Survivors: children Glynn T. Thurston, Sharon K. Merritt; a brother; two sisters; seven grandchildren; 10 great-granchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren. Carmony- Ewing Broadway Funeral Home, Shelbyville.
Submitted by Connie O'Haver
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Tampa Tribune
Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida
Thursday, December 21, 1995
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Richard A. Thurston, 44, of Okeechobee, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Saturday. He is survived by a daughter, Amanda of St. Petersburg; his parents, Paul and Dora "Kathy" of Okeechobee; a brother, Paul "Mike" of Okeechobee; two sisters, Deborah Orndorff of Spring Hill and Linda Francis of Bradenton; and his paternal grandmother. Buxton Funeral Home, Okeechobee.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming and Betty Kitchen

The Shelbyville News
October 30, 1991
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Suzanne DePrez Thurston, 68, Cooper Road, died Monday at Major Hospital.
Born May 27, 1923, Indianapolis, to D. Wray and Virginia (Fuller) DePrez.
Married Arthur M. Thurston on July 10, 1948; he survives.
Lifetime Shelbyville resident.
Homemaker. On the board of directors of the Shelbyville-Shelby County Library Foundation and the Forest Hill Cemetery Association. Member of the Catherine Merrill Circle and the Shelby County Child Protection Team. Docent at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
1941 graduate of Tudor Hall School, Indianapolis; 1944 graduate of Mt. Holyoke College.
Survivors in addition to her husband: two sons, Mac Thurston, Atlanta, Ga., and Sam Thurston, Reston, Va., a daughter, Amy Berthouex, Memphis, Tenn.; two grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Richard (Patricia) Ewing, Shelbyville.
A daughter and sister preceded her in death.
Contributions: Shelbyville-Shelby County Public Library.
Carmony-Ewing Harrison Street Funeral Home, Rev. James Horner officiating.
Burial in Forest Hill.
Summarized by Phyllis Miller

The Shelbyville News
Monday, April 5, 1971
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MR. THURSTON
DIES AT HOME
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          Chester A. Thurston, 70, R.R.2, Westport, former Shelby County farmer, died suddenly at his home in Alert Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
          Mr. Thurston farmed in Shelby and Johnson Counties most of his life, retired in 1964 and moved to Alert in January.
          Born near Boggstown Aug. 26, 1900, Mr. Thurston was the son of Levi and Minerva (Hartzel) Thurston. On Feb. 15, 1921, he married Mannie Rouse in Shelbyville and she survives with two daughters and four sons. They are Mrs. Harold (Woletta) Snyder of Texas, Bernard and Dale Thurston of Clearwater, Fla., Garnett Thurston, Manilla; Mrs James (Joan) Mann, Indianapolis, and Charles Thurston, RR 2 Westport.
          Also surviving are 17 granfdchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Herbert (Vera) Ray, Shelbyville.
          Services will be Wednesday at 2:00 pm at the Bass Funeral Home in Westport with burial in Westport Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2:00 pm Tuesday.
Contributed by Olive Lee

The Kokomo Tribune
August 10, 1964
Page 16
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RUNAWAY TRAIN SMASHES
CAR AT SHELBYVILLE
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SHELBYVILLE, Ind., ---- Two policemen clambered aboard a runaway freight car loaded with 60 tons of scrap metal and stopped it Sunday after it smashed into a stalled car at a crossing, injuring seven persons. The New York Central Railroad car was being switched at a siding eight miles out of here when its brakes slipped and it hurtled downhill in a dash through the city. It slowed on a hill north of town, then rolled the other way and rammed the auto on its backward journey. Hurt were the driver of the car, Mrs. Pauline Thurston, 34, Shelbyville, and her six passengers. They were her daughter, Melissa, 6; a neighbor, Dianne Wainscott, 15, and Mrs. Sandra Gibbons, 21, and her three children. None were injured seriously, although one reportedly suffered a broken leg. Patrolmen Ezra Dagley and Howell Covington leaped aboard the rolling freight car and applied the hand break.
Contributed by Janet McColley Franklin

The Shelbyville News
Monday, June 12, 1961
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MRS. THURSTON DIES; WAS 81
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Mrs. Hattie M[ay] Thurston, 81, widow of former Postmaster Gordon O. Thurston died early Sunday.
Ewing Mortuary.
Lifelong resident of the county and a resident of Shelbyville since 1905.
Stroke suffered at her home at 513 S. West St.
Served for many years as a member of the Lady Board of Managers of the old Gordon Children's Home here. First appointed to the orphanage board in 1928 and served as its president in 1938.
Deaconess at the First Christian Church more than 20 years.
D/o James L. and Ella Claire (Shaw) Cherry, born Oct. 27, 1879, Hendricks township. Educated at the old Danville Norman College. Taught school for five years in Hendricks township prior to and immediately after her marriage.
Married Mr. Thurston on Feb. 26, 1902. Her husband also was a teacher in early life, served two terms as clerk of Shelby Circuit Court from 1919 to 1928, was an attorney and served as postmaster from 1935 until his death Nov. 1, 1950. Two children born to the couple died in infancy.
Survivors: son, Norman L. Thurston, general manager of The News; one sister, Mrs. Jesse C. McClain* of Hendricks township; 2 grandchildren. The Rev. James Horner of the First Christian Church will officiate.
Burial: Second Mt. Pleasant cemetery.
* I believe this should be McCain - PMF
Contributed by Nancy Vance Glover
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville News
Wednesday, November 1, 1950
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(picture included)
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CITY POSTMASTER DIES HERE
AFTER EXTENDED ILLNESS
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Gordon O. Thurston, 74, Shelbyville postmaster for the past 14 years, former practicing attorney, ex-newspaper editor, died this morning.
Home was at 513 S. West St.
Suffered from cardiac asthma for the past year. Ewing Mortuary; Rev. Ernest L. Ford; pastor of the First Christian Church, officiating.
Burial: Second Mt. Pleasant Baptist cemetery.
Born in a log cabin just north of Bengal in Hendricks township on Jan. 16, 1876, s/o Adin Updike and Alice Susanna (Campbell) Thurston.
Resident of the county throughout his lifetime.
Deep and active interest in political and religious affairs of the community; established an exceptionally extensive acquaintances and friendships with thousands of county residents.
Number of individual residents of the community whom he did not know, either directly or indirectly, was exceedingly small.
Educated in the common schools of Hendricks township; received his advanced education at the old Danville Norman College.
Following his graduation, married Hattie May Cherry, also of Hendricks township. Two children died in infancy. 3rd child, Norman L. Thurston, general manager of The Shelbyville News, previously was editor of the Daily Democrat, the same position his father held many years before.
Taught school at Bengal, Marietta, Smithland and four of the small schools in Hendricks township.
Taught 10 years then moved to Shelbyville in 1904; started his newspaper career.
City editor of the old Liberal, Morning News and Daily Democrat. 1918, (still with the Democrat), appointed clerk of the Shelby circuit court.
Elected as county clerk for two more terms, serving until 1926.
1927, admitted to the Shelby County Bar Association (first member to take the new formal examination required under state bar association ruling).
First appointed as Shelbyville postmaster on Jan. 1, 1936, for a 4 year term; reappointed for an indefinite term under Civil Service in 1940. Due to retire from office at the end of this year. Maintained active interest in religious affairs; particularly active in the organization and programs of the old Shelby County Council of Christian Education; served as publicity director for 20 years.
Served as a deacon of the First Christian church since 1918.
Member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge for many years; served as trustee two terms in the early 1930's.
Survivors: widow; son; two grandchildren, Betsy and North Thurston; sister, Mrs. Daisy Moore of this city; two brothers, Claude O. Thurston of Washington township and Lorin O. Thurston of this city, and several nieces and nephews.
Contributed by Nancy Vance Glover
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Democrat
Thursday, September 1, 1949
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(weekly paper) from the daily of Saturday, August 27
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LONG ILLNESS IS FATAL TO WOMAN
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After an illness of several years and being bedfast for the past nine weeks, Mrs. Anna Main Thurston, age 79, died at Redmon Nursing Home in Columbus this morning at 4:40 o'clock. She was born in Shelby county December 7, 1870, a daughter of William and Mary Amos. In 1887 she was married to William N. Main who died August 26, 1933. She was married in 1934 to Ed Thurston who preceded her in death in 1937. After the death of Mr. Thurston, she moved from Shelby county to Columbus, where she made her home with a son, Forrest W. Main, at 1610 19th St. Mrs. Main was a member of the Adventist Church in Columbus. Besides the son with whom she made her home, another son, Morris Main of Shelbyville also survives with a brother, Elisha Amos of Shelbyville. Other survivors are six grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, two step-sons, Lynn Thurston of Greensburg and Clarence Thurston of Columbus and three step-daughters, Mrs. Vernie Fulton, Mrs. Felix Williams and Mrs. Fred Williams all of Decatur county. Funeral services will be held at the Lewis Creek Baptist Church at Wilson at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Rev. Charles Mattingly will officiate. Friends may call at the Flannigan, Reed and Inlow funeral home in Columbus tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.
[Burial: Lewis Creek Cem - NVG]
Contributed by Nancy Vance Glover

The Shelbyville Democrat
Thursday February 10, 1938
Page 2 column 3
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WOMAN NEAR 100TH BIRTHDAY SUCCUMBS
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Mrs. Susan A. Thurston, a former resident of Shelbyville who would have reached her one hundredth birthday nest September, died Tuesday at her home at 911 North Keystone Avenue, in Indianapolis.
          Mrs. Thurston was born in Kentucky on September 28, 1838. She was widow of John Thurston and spent most of her lifetime in this city. For the past several years she had made her home in Indianapolis with her daughter, Mrs. Tip Cherry.
          Mrs. Thurston was the devoted mother of six children, two of whom preceded her in death. Besides the daughter at Indianapolis she is survived by three other daughters, Mrs. David [Jane] Jones, of this city; Mrs. Harry [Emma] Antle, of Bloomington, and Mrs. Ed [Lina] Dinsmore, of Danville; fourteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
          Funeral services will be held at the Second Mt. Pleasant church neat the Shelby-Johnson county line, at 10:00 a.m. Friday and burial will be made at the church cemetery. Mrs. Thurston was a member of the Trinity M. E. church here and the Rev. Josephine B. Huffer, pastor of the church, will officiate at the services.
Contributed by Barb Huff

The Shelbyville Republican
Monday December 29, 1924
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DEATH COMES TO FORMER RESIDENT
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Mrs. Rose Thurston, Wife of Harry Thurston,
Died Today In Sapulpa, Oklahoma
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WAS ILL ABOUT SIX WEEKS
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Mrs. Rose Thurston, wife of Harry Thurston, died at their home in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, at seven-thirty o’clock this morning after an illness lasting about six weeks, it was stated by relatives here today. The exact cause of death was not given in the telegram. Mrs. Thurston was born in this city on February 2, 1877.
            The deceased was very well known here, having lived here for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Thurston left this city about fourteen years ago and have since made their home in Oklahoma.
            She is survived by three sons, Everett, Lloyd and Cecil, besides two brothers, Carl Riser, of this city; William Riser, of Fairland, and seven sisters, Mrs. Wallace McCain, Mrs. Oscar Griffey, Mrs. Everett Tucker, Mrs. Charles Lawrence, Mrs. Rol Cherry, of this city, and Mrs. Jesse Tucker, of Shelby county.
            Announcement of the funeral or burial will be made later, as no particulars have yet been received by relatives.
              [Nothing found later—BH]
Contributed by Barb Huff for Olive Lee

The Shelbyville Republican
Monday Afternoon, April 7, 1924
Page 1
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DAVID THURSTON DIED YESTERDAY
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World War Veteran Passed Away
At Government Hospital in Kentucky.
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BODY WILL BE SENT HERE
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          David Thurston, age 49 years, a former resident of Hendricks township, died at 3 a.m. yesterday at Dawson Springs Sanitarium, Dawson Springs, Kentucky. Mr. Thurston was a World War Veteran, and was gassed during the war. Tuberculosis developed and for the past 16 months he was confined in the sanitarium in Kentucky.
          Mr. Thurston was born in Hendricks Township on February 5, 1875. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Thurston, both deceased. He is survived by his wife and daughter Veneda Melvina, age 3 years, three sisters and four brothers; John and Wellington Thurston of this city, Mrs. Levina Roush and Roscoe Thurston of Indianapolis; Mrs. Anna Emrich and Jack Thurston of Hendricks Township. He is a relative of A. J. Thurston and Gordon Thurston of this city.
          Telegraphic advices of the death were received here yesterday by relatives. The body will be shipped to the C. F. Fix & Son funeral home. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Republican
Monday, May 20, 1918
Page 1 column 4
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JOHN C. THURSTON
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John C. Thurston, an aged resident of the north part of Hendricks township, died Saturday evening. His age was 81 years, his death being due to the infirmities of old age. The funeral was held this afternoon at Second Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, the service being conducted by Rev. Chandler, the pastor. Mr. Thurston lived on the farm where he died from the time he was 10 years old. His wife died 36 years ago, he making his home with James Thurston and family, one of his sons. His other children are Roscoe and William Thurston, of Hendricks township, and Mrs. Jesse Collins, of Indianapolis. Mr. Thurston was born in Franklin county in 1836. He married Sarah Jane Bradley,* they living happily together, they being the parents of 10 children. During her life time she was highly esteemed and Mr. Thurston held the
respect of the people of the entire neighborhood.
Submitted by Barb Huff
*It's a little late to write the paper regarding a correction, but for your records, please note John's wife was Sarah Jane Badgley. They were married January 8, 1860 in Shelby Co, Indiana.

The Shelbyville Republican
Thursday, April 5, 1917
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Avis Elizabeth Thurston, two years old, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Thurston, died Wednesday night at 10:50 o'clock at their home in Hendricks township. Death was caused by double pneumonia following an attack of measles. She is survived by her parents, three brothers, Ralph, Ernest and Lloyd Thurston; her grandfather, John C. Thurston, and her great-grandfather William Belangee, both of Hendricks township.
Funeral services will be held Friday morning at 10:30 o'clock at the Second Mt. Pleasant church. Burial will be made in the church cemetery, Stewart & Fix in charge.
Submitted by Barb Huff

The Shelbyville Democrat
Tuesday November 7, 1916
Page 1 column 6
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FARMER MET TRAGIC DEATH
LATE MONDAY
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Frank F. Thurston, Prominent Hendricks
Township Resident The Victim
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ATTEMPTING TO HARNESS HORSE
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Preparatory to Making Trip to Boggstown—
Lived About Ten Minutes After Accident Happened—
Funeral Wednesday Afternoon
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          Frank F. Thurston, 55, one of the prominent and widely known farmers of north Hendricks township, met death in a most tragic form about 6 o’clock yesterday evening when he was kicked by a horse. The accident occurred at his home while he and Mrs. Thurston was preparing to go to Boggstown, a few miles distant, to make some purchases. Death came about ten minutes after he was kicked by the animal.
          Mr. Thurston had spent the entire day yesterday in husking corn on his farm and his wife had been helping him by driving the horses hitched to the farm wagon. They discontinued their labors between 4 and 5 o’clock and went to the barn from the field. Mr. Thurston, after unhitching the farm team, set about hitching the driving team to a buggy preparatory to going to Boggstown. His wife was with him at the time, but stepped outside the barn and had been gone but a few moments when she heard the horse running and ran to the barn to find her husband lying, terribly wounded by a kick on the head. He was alive but unconscious.
          The entire right side of his head was a mass of bruises and over the right eye was about two inches long where the skull had been fractured, leaving the brain exposed. Mrs. Thurston called neighbors and Dr. W. H. Colee from Marietta at once, but before either could arrive, Mr. Thurston had passed away.
          The horse that kicked Mr. Thurston is one that had caused much trouble in the past few years and had ran away several times. It is six years old. When caught following the accident, it had a halter and breast strap on, and it is believed that the victim stooped to pick up part of the harness that he had dropped when the horse kicked him.
          Dr. G. I. Inlow, the county coroner, of Blue Ridge, was called and went at once to make the usual inquiry.
          Mr. Thurston was a son of the late David and Lorinda Thurston, who were well known early residents of that part of the county, and was born June 28, 1861, on the farm on which his death occurred. He lived there his entire life.
          He was married September 8, 1897, to Miss Zetta Tucker, daughter of A. E. Tucker, of near Bengal. She survives. Three children that were born to them died in infancy. He leaves three brothers and one daughter, namely, A. J. Thurston and Abner Thurston, of this city; George Thurston of Indianapolis, and Mary L. Thurston, of Gaston, Indiana. Mr. Thurston’s first wife, who was, before her marriage, Eva Winton, preceded him in death twenty-two years ago.
          Mr. Thurston had always engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was throughout life a man of industrious habits. On the day that he was not to survive, he was at work in his fields at an early morning hour, and a purpose of the intended trip to Boggstown was to buy gloves to continue the corn husking early Tuesday morning. He was a good neighbor, always accommodating and eager in the demonstration of neighborly spirit, and he enjoyed the highest regard of all his acquaintances. He had for many years held membership in the Second Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.
          The funeral will take place at 1:30 o’clock Wednesday afternoon at the Second Mt. Pleasant church, the pastor, Rev. O.A. Cook, of Franklin, officiating. Burial will be made in the church cemetery in charge of Stewart & Fix.
Contributed by Barb Huff

The Shelbyville Democrat
Saturday October 21, 1916
Page 1 column 2
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MRS. ED THURSTON
VICTIM OF CANCER
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Died Friday Night At Home In
Hendricks Township, Funeral Monday
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          Mrs. Louvisa Ellen Thurston, 49 years old, wife of Edward Thurston, died at 10:45 o’clock last night at their home in north Hendricks township, her death being caused by cancer of the breast, from which she had been suffering for several months. About three months ago she went to a hospital, but the surgeon advised against an operation on account of the advanced stage of the malady.
          Mrs. Thurston was born in Jackson township, February 4, 1867 and was a daughter of Jacob and Hannah [Collins] Fallis. Her mother survives her, but the father passed away a few years ago. Mrs. Thurston had spent her life as a resident of Shelby county, and before removing to Hendricks township had been living for several years in Marion township. She leaves her husband, three sons, Floyd, Audrey and Harold, and a daughter, Miss Gladys, and three brothers and three sisters. The brothers are Thomas, John and Walter Fallis, of this county. The sisters are Miss Anna Fallis and Mrs. Walter Scott, of Hendricks township, and Mrs. Harriet Swango, of Kewanna, Indiana.
          The deceased had been a member of the Christian church at Bengal for many years, and she had many friends over the county who will be saddened by her untimely death.
          Funeral services will be held at the Second Mt. Pleasant Church at 2:30 o’clock Monday morning, the Rev. J. W. Weddle officiating, and the burial will be made in the Mt. Pleasant cemetery in charge of Stewart & Fix.
Contributed by Barb Huff

The Shelby Democrat
Thursday, January 12, 1905
Page 3, column 2
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SHOT BY HUSBAND
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Remains Will Be Brought To This City For Burial
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The remains of Mrs. [Louise] George Thurston, who was shot by her husband in Indianapolis, will be brought to this city Saturday at 3:30 and will be interred in Forest Hill. D. B. Wilson & Son have charge of her remains.
Mrs. Thurston was a daughter of George Diggs, who lived at one time in Vine street, but moved to Indianapolis several years ago, where she married.
The Indianapolis Sentinel has the following to say concerning the shooting: "George Thurston, who has been under arrest since Sunday on the charge of assault and battery with intent to kill, awaiting the outcome of his wife's injuries, is now charged with murder. Mrs. Thurston expired last night at 11 o'clock at the City Hospital.
Thurston shot his wife with an old fashioned muzzle-loading horse pistol. The shot, with which the gun was loaded, took effect at the base of the brain. Mrs. Thurston told Detectives Holtz and Bray, in the presence of her husband, that he had slipped up behind her and shot her. Thurston declared that he was fooling with the gun, which had been left loaded for a long time, when it exploded accidentally and took effect in his wife's head. The State will try to show that the gun had not been left loaded for a long time, because the cap used to explode the load was a new one.
The George Thurston mentioned is a son of William Thurston, deceased, and a nephew of Moses Thurston and Mary Thurston.
Submitted by Barb Huff

The Shelbyville Republican
Friday, October 5, 1900
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The nine days old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thurston, died at their home in Hendricks township, at two a.m., October 3, 1900. Interment in the Second Mt. Pleasant cemetery at 10:30 Thursday morning, October 4th. In charge of Marshall G. Tindall.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelby Republican
August 6, 1898
===============
HANGED HIMSELF.
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The Lifeless Body of Albert Thurston Found Hanging
in the Woodshed of His Bengal Home, Sunday Morning.
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          The little town of Bengal, Hendricks township, was the scene of a sad suicide and in consequence much excitement prevailed in the section to-day. Sunday evening Albert Thurston, aged thirty-one years, who was a teamster in the employ of Mr. John McCain, the saw-mill man, was on the streets of the village apparently in the best of spirits, laughing and conversing with the residents of the place. After supper he sat around home conversing with his wife and fonding[sic] his four children, whom he at all times showed the greatest love and devotion for. At about 8:30 o'clock the family retired. At one o'clock Mrs. Thurston awoke and discovered her husband missing. She called to him, but received no answer. Finally she arose and found that he had left the house; going to the woodshed, a horrible sight met her gaze. There was her husband's lifeless body dangling from a rafter, while around his neck was a halter strap; his neck was broken while his feet touched the ground, which shows that he had climbed onto something or other and jumped off. The frightened and heart-broken wife gave the alarm and soon the neighbors gathered, after which the body was removed and Coroner Booher notified. Mrs. Thurston, who lived in perfect happiness with her husband, and who is a daughter of John R. Tucker, knows of no reason why or what caused her husband to commit the rash act, and the suicide is a mystery to the entire neighborhood. the remains were buried Tuesday, August 2, service at the Second Mount Pleasant church at twelve m.,[sic] the Rev. W. D. Clark officiating. Interment in the Mount Pleasant cemetery. Deceased leaves besides a wife, four children.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Franklin Democrat
Friday, August 5, 1898
Volume XXXIX, Number 4
Page 1, column 6
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Another Suicide.
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The third suicide within a period of six months took place east of town, Sunday night. This time it was Albert Thurston living at Bengal. His wife retired to bed about 9 o’clock leaving him sitting on the front porch. About 11 o’clock she awoke and instituted a search for him, which resulted in the discovery of his body hanging by a rope fastened to the rafters of the wood shed, his toes just touching the ground. He was dead when found. The cause of the act is unknown.

Ibid.
Page 3, column 2
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BENGAL
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The people of the town and community were aroused by the screams and yells of Mrs. Albert Thurston, Sunday night, at about 12 o’clock upon the finding of her husband hanging in the milk house dead. Upon her retiring that evening she left Albert lying on the floor near the door. She waked up near midnight to find the lamp brightly burning and at once began the search for her husband and finding him as above stated with his feet resting on the ground and his neck broken. Albert was about 38 years old and a son-in-law of J. R. Tucker. There is nothing known up to this writing to give any cause for his rash deed. He leaves a family and many friends to mourn his death.
Notes: Date of birth, 1856. Date of death, 31 Jul 1898 – Shelby County Indiana.
Contributed by Mark McCrady and Cathea Curry

The Franklin Democrat
Friday, January 21, 1898
Volume XXXVIII, Number 28
Page 1, column 1
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Wm. Thurston died at his home in Hendricks township, Shelby County, last Thursday. He was an old soldier and was aged sixty-eight. The funeral was held at Second Mt. Pleasant Saturday evening.

Ibid.
Page 6, column 4
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BENGAL
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Our old friend and neighbor, Wm. Thurston, departed this life last Thursday morning, leaving a large family of children and a faithful wife to mourn their loss. Mr. Thurston was a soldier in the late war and a member of the Baptist church. Burial at 2d Mt. Pleasant, Saturday.
Notes: Date of birth, about 1830. Date of death, 13 Jan 1898 – Shelby County Indiana.
Contributed by Mark McCrady and Cathea Curry

The Semi-Weekly Republican
Friday, January 8, 1897
Page 4 column 3
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Mrs. Mary Thurston, wife of the late Henry Thurston, died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Eliza M. Dugan, 86 South Miller street, at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday January 6, 1897, of complication of diseases at the age of sixty-four years and four days. Short funeral services were held at the house at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Rev. Moore, of the West Street church, officiating. Interment in the Snyder cemetery. Remains and cortege in charge of Marshal G. Tindall.
Submitted by Barb Huff

The Daily Evening Democrat
Saturday, October 22, 1881
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David Thurston, age three months, son of Arthur J. and Mary J. Thurston, of this city, died at six o'clock last evening. The funeral services will be preached at Second Mt. Pleasant Church at 11:30 o'clock to-morrow morning, by Rev. W. T. Jolly. The remains will be taken from the house at nine o'clock a.m.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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