Shelby  County  Indiana
Obituaries

VanGorden


The  Indianapolis  Star
Decmeber 28, 2004
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          Opal Thelma Harrison VanGorden 90, died December 24, 2004 in Indianapolis.  Mrs. VanGorden was born on October 11, 1914 in Deepwater, Missouri to  Harry M. and Rosa Matter Harrison.  She graduated from Deepwater High School in 1930.  She married  Luther P. VanGorden  on February 3, 1934 and they celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary before his death in 1984.  Mrs. VanGorden and her husband moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1936 and lived there for 40 years.  Mrs. VanGorden was a housewife and a devoted mother while her two children were young and a dedicated volunteer in her church, Grandale Presbyterian.  She received a 25-year pin in recognition of her volunteer work for the American Cancer Society and also served several years as a volunteer for the United Way.  After her youngest child entered college, she returned to the work force and worked as a receptionist 14 years for Dr. Morton Sandles.  In 1978 she and her husband moved to Indianapolis.  In 1979, Mrs. VanGorden joined Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, IN.  For many years she was a volunteer in the Marquette Manor Gift Shop.  She was also a volunteer for the Indianapolis Red Cross, making crocheted tracheotomy covers for patients at the Tenth Street Veteran's Hospital for more than 15 years.  Memorial contributions may be made to Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church or the the Red Cross.  Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Harry F. and  Noel VanGorden  of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and her daughter and son-in-law,  Rosemary and  Charles Rader  of Indianapolis.  Friends may call at Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center - Zionsville, 105 W. Pine, from 3 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, December 30.  A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4700 West 72nd St., Indianapolis on Friday, December 31.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Contributed by Peggy Smith


The  Shelbyville  News
Monday October 8, 1990
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Ophia VanGorden, 82, R.R.1 Flat Rock, died Sunday at her home.
Born May 2, 1908 in Elizabethtown, Indiana, she was the daughter of George and Arminda (Keeling) Barger.
She married Kirk VanGorden in 1926. Mr. VanGorden preceded his wife in death June 12, 1990.
Mrs. VanGorden was a member of Norristown Community Church, where she had been a pianist for 66 years. She was also a member of the church’s Ladies Aid Society..
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. David (Gloria) Foster, Indianapolis, one son, Robert VanGorden, Concord, N.C.; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by three sons.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Norman Funeral Home, Hope, Revs. Leslie Lux and Terry Bailey will officiate. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Norristown Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bartholomew County’s Hospice.
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming
Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelbyville  News
Wednesday June 13, 1990
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Kirk VanGorden, 86, RR.1, Flat Rock, died at 2 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 1990, at the Americana North Nursing Home, Indianapolis.
Norristown Community Church with The Rev. Leslie Fix, officiating.
Burial:  Norristown Cemetery.
Norman Funeral Home, Hope.
Member of the Norristown Community Church.
Employed by the Sugar Creek Creamery and the J.G. DePrez Company.
Son of Scott and Mary (Ropp) VanGorden, born September 8, 1907, in Shelby County.
Married in 1926 to Opha Barker, who survives.
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming
Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelbyville  News
Tuesday February 3, 1953
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VANGORDEN  RITES  ARE  ARRANGED
Funeral For County Resident Will Be Held Wednesday
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            Funeral services have been arranged for Scott VanGorden, 71, Flat Rock man and lifelong resident of Shelby county who died at the Major hospital Monday following an illness of several months.
            Mr. VanGorden was a member of the Flat Rock Methodist Church and last rites will be held there Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. George Curtis officiating.  Burial, in charge of the Norman Funeral Home of Hope, will be in the Norristown cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.
            A native of Shelby county, Mr. VanGordon, who had been an employee of the Fleener Mill in Flat Rock, was the son of  E. D. and  Emma (Kirk) VanGorden and was born September 20, 1881. On November 30, 1902, he was married to  Mary Ropp  who survives with five sons,  Kirk,  Emmett,  Walter  and  Henry VanGorden of Shelby county and  Millard VanGorden  of Monticello.  Also surviving are one nephew; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelby  Democrat
Thursday April 1, 1937
Page 2 column 2
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VANGORDEN  SERVICES  WILL  BE  THURSDAY
Last Rites For Train Crash Victim Will Be Conducted at Norristown Union Church
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            Funeral services for  Simeon Vangorden,  age seventy-six, of 1204 Shelby street, who died Monday afternoon at the Major hospital of injuries suffered Monday morning when his auto was struck by a freight train at the Big Four railroad crossing on east Franklin street, will be held Thursday morning at 10:30 o’clock. The Rev. Gladys Marsh, pastor, will officiate and burial in charge of Carl Norman, of Hope will be made in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the late home at any time after noon Wednesday.
            Mr. Vangorden was born in Bartholomew County, the son of  Andrew and  Eliza VanGorden, and was married forty-eight years ago. He formerly resided in Washington township, where he owned three farms but moved to this city four years ago.
            Survivors include the wife, at home, four daughters,  Mrs. Glen Janney, of Hollywood, California;  Mrs. Lawrence Wertz,  Mrs. Grace Halloran  and  Mrs. Hazel Weinantz,  all of Indianapolis, and two sons,  A.W. VanGorden, of this city, and  Aldon VanGorden, of Washington township.


The  Shelbyville  Republican
Wednesday June 5, 1935
Page 2 column 6
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E.  VANGORDON  DIES  AT  HOME
Funeral Services Will Be Held at Norristown Friday
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            E. Dustin VanGordon, 81 passed away in his home in Norristown at 8:35 a.m. today. Death followed an illness of two months.
            The deceased was born in Butler county, Illinois in 1854 and was the son of  Andrew W. and  Ella VanGordon. When a boy he, with his parents, moved to Indiana and settled about a mile and three-quarters from the home where death occurred.
            In 1877, he was married to Miss Emma Kirk, who preceded him in death.  Three children were born, two sons and one daughter. One son survives, Scott VanGordon of Norristown.  In 1917, he again was married to  Mrs. Ella Eason.  She died in 1920. Of this union, one stepdaughter survives, Mrs. Paul Feisel of Indianapolis.  His last marriage in 1925 was with Mrs. Naomi Palmers of Indianapolis, who survives.
            Mr. VanGordon also leaves one brother,  Simeon VanGordon, Shelbyville; one sister,  Mrs. Rosella Ray  of Bartholomew county; and six grandsons,  Emmett VanGordon, Shelbyville;  Millard VanGordon, Monticello;  Kirk,  Walter  and  Henry VanGordon,  Norristown; and  Gordon Maple, of Indianapolis.
            At the time of his death Mr. VanGordon was owner and operator of a grocery store in Norristown.  He was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias lodge of Flat Rock and the Masonic lodge at Norristown.  He joined the Norristown Union church eight years ago.
            Funeral services will be conducted from the Norristown Union church Friday, Morris Sleeth, Shelbyville, is the funeral director in charge.
[Buried Norristown Cemetery]
Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelbyville  Republican
Monday June 12, 1933
Page 1 column 5
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DIED  AT  BIRTH
Infant Son of Mr. and Mrs. Kirk VanGordon Died at 12:30 Today
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          The infant [George] son of Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Van Gordon  died at birth today at the home in Washington township at 12:30 o’clock. The baby is survived by the parents, one sister,  Gloria Mae, the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Scott VanGordon  of Norristown and Mr. and Mrs. George Barker  of Rush county.
Contributed by Barb Huff

The  Shelbyville  Republican
Thursday, May 13, 1920
Page 1 col 5
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WELL  KNOWN  LADY  DIED  SUDDENLY
Mrs. Ella E. VanGorden Passed Away After an Illness of Only Few Hours.
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SUFFERED  STROKE  APOPLEXY
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          After an illness of only a few hours, Mrs. Ella E. VanGorden, wife of  E. D. Van Gorden of near Norristown, a few miles south of this city passed away at her home at 6:30 o'clock last evening. Apoplexy was the cause of her death.
          The deceased was one of the most prominent and highly respected women of that community and her death comes as a great shock to a wide circle of friends. She was a very lovable woman and was always doing something for the good of mankind.
          Mrs. VanGorden was a native of this county and was born February 19, 1863. Surviving besides the husband are one daughter, Mrs. Ursie Fesel, of near Columbus; one sister, Mrs. A. J. Snyder of near Geneva; one half sister, Mrs. Kate Conger, of Indianapolis; one half brother, James Dodd, of Shelbyville, one step-daughter, Bertha Dunham, of Indianapolis, and one step-son, W. Scott VanGordon.
          Funeral services will be conducted at the Norristown M.E. church, Friday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, Rev. Anthony officiating. Burial will be made in the Norristown cemetery in charge of H.A. Hageman, of the Morris H. Sleeth, undertaking firm.
[Widow of James Eason-KR]
Submitted by Kathy Ridlen


The  Shelby  Republican
Tuesday May 3, 1904
Page 5 column 3
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          Emma, wife of  E.T. Vangordon, died at their residence in the southern part of Washington township, at four p.m. Friday, April 29, 1904, of progressive paralysis.  She leaves besides the husband one son and one daughter.  Mr. Vangordon has the sympathy of the entire community, having lost a son last June and his wife has been confined to her room for seven months . Funeral services will be held in the Norristown M. E. church at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 1904. Interment in the Norristown cemetery.  Rev. Scull officiating.  Remains and cortege in charge of  Marshall G. Tindall.
Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelby  Daily  Democrat
Monday February 18, 1895
Page 4 column 1
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          Thomas Benton Vangordon, the seven-months-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Simeon Vangordon, died at their residence in Washington township, near Norristown, at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, February 16th , of croup.  Funeral services were held Sunday at the M. E. Church of Norristown at eleven a.m. Interment in Norristown.  Cortege and interment in charge of Marshall G. Tindall.
Contributed by Barb Huff

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