Shelby County Indiana History & Genealogy, Obituaries

Shelby County Indiana
Obituaries

Armstrong

The News-Gazette
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
Sunday, August 27, 2006
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TUSCOLA - Joan Mays Armstrong, 88, of Big Rapids, Mich., formerly of Tuscola and Danville, Ind., died Friday (Aug. 25, 2006) at Altercare Nursing Center, Big Rapids, Mich. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Tuscola Township Cemetery, Tuscola. Mohnke Funeral Home, 128 S. Warren Ave., Big Rapids, is handling arrangements.
Mrs. Armstrong was born July 5, 1918, in Indianapolis, a daughter of Frank C. and Lelia Hoops Mays. She married Louis Armstrong. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include three daughters, Pam Roth of La Jolla, Calif., Jane Armstrong of Edwardsville and Shelly Armstrong of Rockford, Mich.; a half sister, Sally Fink of Omaha, Neb.; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter.
Mrs. Armstrong was an elementary school teacher in Indiana and Virginia for most of her life and was an artist with an interest in watercolor and oil painting and ceramics. She lived in Trieste, Italy, and was a welfare coordinator at a refugee camp. She lived in Mexico City and in the Washington, D.C., area, and moved to Tuscola in 1973. She and her husband owned and operated the Tuscola Journal weekly newspaper, and she covered the courthouse and police beats. Mrs. Armstrong studied sociology and criminal justice at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, and when she retired from the newspaper business, she joined the Douglas County Assessor's Office. She was a member of Douglas County Business and Professional Women, Douglas County Republican Women's Club and Douglas County Historical Society. She helped organize the Douglas County Memorial Garden.
Memorials may be made to Hands for Paws, in care of Sally Foote, Tuscola; or Douglas County Museum.
Contributed by Betty Kitchen and Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Decatur Herald & Review
Saturday, May 4, 1991
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Louis W. Armstrong, 74
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TUSCOLA - Louis W. Armstrong, 74, Tuscola, retired publisher and editor of the Tuscola Journal, died Friday (May 3, 1991). Member, Tuscola Eagles Lodge. Survivors: wife, Joan Mays Armstrong; daughters, Pamela Roth, LaJolla, Calif., Susan L. Armstrong, New York City, N.Y.; Jane "Wick" Neal, Coronado, Calif., Shelly Flock, Tuscola; sister, Peg Burns, Gosport, Ind.
Services: 10 a.m. Monday, Waddington Funeral Home, Tuscola. Graveside services: 2 p.m. Monday, Danville South Cemetery, Danville, Ind. No visitation.
Contributed by Betty Kitchen and Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville News
February 26, 1979
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Mrs. Rebecca Armstrong, 54, Westport, died Friday, Columbus.
Born Oct 17, 1924, Shelby Co, d/o Edward and Mae (Harker) Crafton.
Tax consultant.
Married Alfred Armstrong Sept 17, 1944. He survives.
Member Burnsville Christian Church and American Business Assoc.
Survivors: children, Harold E. Armsrong, Columbus, Mrs. Anna Ownbey, North Vernon, Marvin D. Armstrong, Elizabethtown; brother, Melvin Crafton, Bristol; sister, Mrs. Carl Hardwick, Fountaintown; 11 grandchildren.
Son, Ray Lee Armstrong, preceded in death, 1948, and brother, Clyde Crafton, died 1949.
Norman Funeral Home, Hope. Tim Wallingford and David Harker, officiates.
Burial in Mt. Aerie Cemetery.
Contributed and summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville News
Tuesday, July 20, 1976
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Mrs. Grace Armstrong, 93, former Shelbyville resident, died Monday at 3:00 p.m. in Community Hospital, Indianapolis. She had been a resident of the Colonial Crest Nursing Home, Indianapolis, for six years.
Services will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Ewing Mortuary with Mrs. Frances Conway officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Firends may call at the mortuary from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday.
Bornin Shelby County Jan. 27, 1883, Mrs. Armstrong was the daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Belton) McLean. She married Elmer Armstrong Dec. 5, 1900, and he preceded in death Sept. 5, 1964.
Surviving is one daughter, Mrs. Emma Stark, Tucson, Ariz., two grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Armstrong was a member of the First Church of Christ Scientist here, and mother Church of Christ Scientist in Boston, Mass., and Naamah Chapter, Order of Eastern Star.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming for Deb Holden

The Shelbyville News
Monday, March 9, 1964
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DEATH CLAIMS
COUNTY NATIVE
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Mrs. Luna Dale Armstrong, 81, of Franklin, died at 12:05 a.m. Saturday at her home, 397 E. Jefferson St. She had been in failing health for several months, but her death was sudden and unexpected.
Mrs. Armstrong was born in Shelby County on Nov. 30, 1882., the daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Belton) McLean. She had spent most of her life in the Second Mt. Pleasant community. She was married to Clarence Armstrong on Jan. 2, 1901, and he preceded in death on Aug. 31, 1935.
Survivors include three sons, Floyd Armstrong at home, Homer Armstrong of Morgantown, and Harold Armstrong of Leesville, La.; three sisters, Mrs. Monta Johnson, Mrs. Elmer (Grace) Armstrong and Mrs. C. E. (Gladys) Monfort, all of Shelbyville, and four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Vandivier Funeral Home, 951 N. Main St., Franklin, Rev. Paul Christiansen of Marietta, Ohio, will be assisted by Rev. Stanley Bush. Burial will be in the Second Mt. Pleasant Church Cemetery. Friends may call at the mortuary any time.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming for Deb Holden

Unidentified Shelbyville Newspaper
Monday, May 17, 1943
Page 1
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FUNERAL WILL
BE ON TUESDAY
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Funeral services for Mrs. Una M. Armstrong, 55, who took her own life Saturday morning at her home, 851 Elm street, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Charles M. Ewing mortuary.
The Rev. A. J. Spaulding pastor of the West Street Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will be at the Flat Rock cemetery. Friends may call at the mortuary at any time.
Mrs. Armstrong was found dead in bed about 9:30 a.m. by her sister-in-law, Mrs. Earl Van Arsdall, of near Fairland, who had come here to visit her. Dr. Clarence J. Price, county coroner, Assistant Police Chief Earl Trees and State Patrolman Elmer Cord, who invetigated, said three jets on a kitchen stove had been turned on. The coroner sttributed death to asphyxiation. She had been in failing health for about four years.
Mrs. Armstrong was the daughter of James and Cordelia (Rhodes) Vanarsdall and was born Dec. 7, 1887, in Shelby county. She was married to Eddie Armstrong in 1915, and he preceded her in death in April, 1942.
Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Harry Harrell, of VanBuren township, and Mrs. Charles R. Ray, of Brandywine township, and five brothers, Everett Vanarsdall, Jackson township; Roy and Joseph Vanarsdall, of Waldron, Earl of Brandywine township, and Paul, of Columbus.
The deceased had been a resident of Shelby county throughout her life. She was a member of the West Street Methodist church.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Republican
Tuesday January 21, 1941
Page 1 column 8
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PLAN RITES FOR COUNTY WOMAN
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Services to Be Held Wednesday
at London Methodist Church
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Mrs. Isola Armstrong, age seventy-six, widow of George Armstrong died Monday morning at 3:30 at the home of a son Garrett Armstrong, one mile west of London. Mrs. Armstrong had been an invalid for the past five years and her condition became critical last Wednesday.
Mrs. Armstrong was born September 26, 1864, in Pleasant View, the daughter of William Theodore and Lucinda (Walburt) Hart. She is survived by the son at whose home she died, and three grandchildren, Leon Armstrong, of Indianapolis, and Mrs. Mary Holdren and Nathaniel Armstrong, at home.
She was a member of the London Methodist church where funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be made in the Pleasant View cemetery. Friends may call at the late home at any time.
Contributed by Barb Huff

A Shelbyville Newspaper
Feb. 5, 1939
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HUSBAND OF FORMER RESIDENT MURDERED
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Ex-Morristown Woman's Husband is Asphyxiated
by Robbers At Cincinnati
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The body of Willard H. Armstrong, 38, railroad accountant and husband of a former resident of Morristown, was found in his home, at Cincinnati, Sunday and officers said they believed the man was asphyxiated by robbers who ransacked his home.
He was the husband of the former Miss Jessie Arnold, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Arnold. The family lived at Morristown a number of years and the parents now live in Indianapolis.
Police said Armstrong's hand and feet were tied and a heavy paper bag, connected to a rubber tube to a gas range, was fitted over his head. Coroner Frank M. Coppock, Jr. said Armstrong was suffocated by the gas fumes after he was struck on the head. Armstrong's body was found by his wife upon her return from Indianapolis. Approximately $275 in money and stocks and bonds were taken from a bureau.
Mrs. Armstrong has several relatives in the county, including Mrs. Harry Talbert, an aunt, and Frank Arnold, an uncle, of Morristown, and George Unger and William Arnold, uncles, of Gwynneville. Will Unger, of Greenfield, is also her uncle. She was graduated from Morristown high school with the class of 1919 and left that community about twelve years ago.
Submitted by Anne Ruby

The Shelby Republican
Friday August 30, 1935
Page 6 column 6
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C. A. ARMSTRONG DIES OF STROKE
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Resident of Second Mount Pleasant Community Passes Away
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Clarence A. Armstrong, 56, who lived near the Second Mt. Pleasant Baptist church in Johnson county, died Wednesday night at 5:45 p.m. from paralysis.
The deceased was the husband of the former Miss Dale McClean, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. McClean, of Sugar Creek township.
He was a member of the Second Mt. Pleasant church and is survived by the widow and three sons, Clyde, at home, and Homer and Harold, of Franklin. He is also survived by two half-sisters who live in Springfield, Ohio and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at the Second Mt. Pleasant church Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock with the Rev. Paul Christianson, pastor of the church officiating. The burial will be in the church cemetery.
Contributed by Barb Huff

The Shelbyville Democrat
Saturday October 12, 1929
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FLAT ROCK WOMAN DIES
AT SON’S HOME
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Death Summons Mrs. Bryson B. Armstrong,
Who Had Been Ill at Home of Son in Acton
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Mrs. Minnie Armstrong, wife of Bryson B. Armstrong, prominently known resident of Flat Rock, died Friday night at the home of her son Warren Armstrong at Acton. She had been in declining health for some time from a complication of diseases but her death is a great shock to her many friends in Washington township and that community.
She was born and reared in this section of the state and was widely acquainted. Her birth was on M arch 12, 1863 and at her death she was 66 years and seven months old. Her parents were John B. and Elizabeth Hull, well known residents of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were married July 19, 1877, and four sons were born to the union. The husband and sons, Warren and Wallace Armstrong of Action and Walter and Edward of Flat Rock are the close surviving relatives.
Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at the Lewis Creek Wesleyan Methodist church, where she had been a member for many years. The Rev. Mr. Pitts, pastor of the church will officiate and burial will be in the Flat Rock cemetery in charge of Wilson & Son, undertakers.
Contributed by Barb Huff

The Shelby Democrat
Thursday, June 20, 1918
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YOUNG MAN DIES
FROM HEART ATTACK
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Brain Fever Develops From
Sickness Suffered From
Heat Week Ago.
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(From Tuesday's Daily.
Jonah L. Armstrong, son of Mrs. Edward McColley, died at her home, 110 Howard street, at 2:15 o'clock this morning. His death was caused from brain fever, which was contracted when he became overheated last Tuesday. He was aged sixteen years and eight months.
The deceased was born Oct. 17, 1902, and for the past eight years had resided in this city. He was a very inductrious young man and his very ambition was the cause of his demise. He was employed at the Alvin Arnold farm in Washington township, when he suddenly became overheated last Tuesday and since that time has been gradually growing worse until his death came.
The surviving relatives are his mother, the father, Wallace Armstrong, of Flat Rock, and one sister, Miss Willetta Armstrong, also of Flat Rock.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Hendrickson & Sleeth, undertakers.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Republican
Tuesday, August 2, 1910
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DIED IN ASYLUM
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Had Been in the Insane Hospital for
Ten or Twelve Years.
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Hayden Armstrong died in the Central Insane Hospital of Indianapolis Monday, He was a brother of Ingomar and Toney Armstrong, residing in Pleasantview, Moral township. Mr. armstrong has been in the asylum for the past ten or twelve years, at which time he was found to be a person of unsound mind. His remains were brought to Pleasantview today and will be buried tomorrow.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Democrat
Monday, April 1, 1907
Page 1, column 3
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ORIGINAL DAUGHTER
OF THE REVOLUTION
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Was Mrs. Martha Armstrong
Who Died Yesterday
At The Age Of Ninety Years.
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In the glory of the sunlight of the Easter afternoon, on the day when the Christian world was touched with the impressive teachings of the Resurrection, the spirit of Mrs. Martha Armstrong dropped its earthly habiliments and joined the great congregation of the redeemed in the Better Land. Hers had been a long pilgrimage. Full ninety years had she battled with the world, one of our oldest pioneers, her life is worthy of note. Her father, Philip Young, his wife and two young children, crossed the Alleghenies late in the eighteenth or just at the dawn of the nineteenth century, locating in the Miami Valley, near Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, where Martha and her surviving sister, Mrs. Mary Montgomery, were born. Life in the new country was primitive, many wandering tribes of the Miami Indians, altho then peaceful, encamped near the home of Phillip Young. Early in the first quarter of the nineteenth century, her father removed his family to Rush county, Indiana, taking up from the government or purchasing it among the first lands put on sale, a farm near the present site of Rushville. He helped build the first house erected in Rushville. Here he and his family cleared their farm, fought wild animals and diseases incident to the new country with its rank and decaying vegetation. Here Martha became the wife of Jesse Oldham, and mother of his children, she planted flax, wove and spun their clothing, baked and churned, and filled all requirements of the pioneer wife and mother. Here death snatched from the home the husband and father, and he was laid to rest in a lonely grave around which pickets were driven to protect it from wild animals. After this affliction she joined her father's family in the Blue river settlement, near Marion, Shelby county, Indiana, where he had removed. It was in this locality she was wedded to her second husband, William Armstrong, and reared a second family, cheerfully doing whatever her hand found to do. Not only did she care for her own children, but her motherly heart took within its shelter an orphan, William Israel, a step-grandson of her husband. Her children numbered seven. Only two are now living, David Armstrong, of No. 15 First street, her son with whom, since her second husband's death some fifteen or sixteen years ago, has been her home, and a daughter, Mrs. Mary Lasker, now residing in Iowa. Mrs. Armstrong was one of Phillip Young's eleven children, all of whom excepting a brother accidentally drowned in childhood, lived to a ripe old age, several having reached ninety years. Old settlers recall her brother, Jesse Young, who lived and died, when far past ninety, on his farm near Morristown, which he had taken up as government land. Two other brothers of advanced years reside in Illinois. Her sister who survives is Mrs. Mary Montgomery, eighty-eight years of age, residing on west Mechanic street. Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs. Montgomery spent the day together recently at the former's home, commemorating her birthday when she had completed her ninetieth year.
Mrs. Armstrong was of a cheery, joyous disposition, loving to recall the many happy incidents in her long life, especially lingering over the pleasures of pioneer life. Her death marks the passing of the pioneer women-heroines in the Northwest Territory. Recently, thru descent from Phillip Young of the revolutionary period, both Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs. Montgomery were made "Daughters of the American Revolution" of the Anne Crooker St. Clair Chapter, Effingham, Illinois, and received each a handsome gold spoon, as a souvenir from the National Society, at Washington, D.C. They became by admission what is known as "Original Daughters of the D. A. R." Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Blue River church, known as the Old Church of United Brethern, the oldest church organization in Shelby county. She will be laid to rest in the same lot in the churchyard with, Phillip Young, her father, and William Amrstrong, her husband. Those desiring to view the remains may do so from four o'clock to eight o'clock this evening and from seven until nine tomorrow morning.
Submitted by Barb Huff

The Shelby Democrat
Thursday July 20, 1905
Page 6 column 1
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MRS. ARMSTRONG DEAD
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Aged Lady Passed Away at the
Home of Her Daughter Friday Evening
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Mrs. Lydia Armstrong passed away Friday evening at five o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Albert Wray, after an illness of several months.
Mrs. Armstrong was in the seventy-ninth year of her age and was a devout Christian lady. She leaves surviving her one daughter, Mrs. Albert Wray, and two grandsons, Howard Dorsey, of Indianapolis, and Fred Dorsey, of St. Louis, and a number of other relatives residing at Edinburg and Franklin.
Mrs. Armstrong resided during her illness with her daughter in this city. Prior to her illness she resided at Edinburg. Funeral services, which were private, were held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Wray on Monday and the remains were then taken to Greensburg for burial.
Contributed by Barb Huff for Richard Felts

The Shelbyville Democrat
Shelbyville, Indiana
Tuesday, September 19, 1899
Page 2 column 1
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Fernando W. Armstrong died at the residence of J. E. Nail on East Franklin street at 10:30 p.m. September 15, of lung trouble, aged 38 years. The deceased was born in Hendricks county, Indiana and was married to Miss Lizzie Chambers, of Lewis Creek, on March 13, 1896. Their home was in Indianapolis but they had been traveling for the health of deceased. The widow only survives. He was a member in good standing in the order of Brotherhood of railroad trainmen, and was a kind and affectionate husband. Services at the residence of Mr. Nail at 168 East Franklin street, at 1 p.m. Sunday 17. Interment in the Patterson cemetery by Edwards & Hageman.
Submitted by Barb Huff

The Shelby Republican
Thursday Jan. 12, 1893
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Brison B. Armstrong an aged and respected farmer living in Washington Twp. died Tuesday morning at 1:15 A.M. of paralysis. He died on his 83rd birthday being one of earliest settlers of the county, well known and well liked by all who knew him. Funeral Wednesday 11:00 at Norristown Cemetery. Burial by Marshall G. Tindall.
Submitted by Judy Wright

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