In Memoriam

Obituary for Morrie Horn, 88

Morrie Horn, 88, of Rochester passed away just after 11:00 a.m. on October 26, 2024, following an accident south of Tippecanoe, Indiana. On October 22, 1936, Maurice Fredrick Horn was born at home near Twelve Mile. His proud parents were Ernest Samuel and Mary Christina Bassler Horn.  Growing up he shared his childhood with two brothers and three sisters.  Morrie graduated from Grass Creek High School with his class in 1955.

In Lucerne on July 6, 1957, Morrie married the love of his life Janet Elaine Wills. They shared 64 years of life’s adventures.  From their union came three wonderful children, Patty, Tim and Lisa.  The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of two more generations.

A farmer by trade, with great passion and a strong work ethic, Morrie looked forward to working the ground in the spring, the planting and spraying. But nothing was better than running the combine on a crisp autumn morning cutting the beans and corn.  For many years Morrie raised hogs and owned a fine herd of Black Angus cattle.  Over eight decades of a love and appreciation of John Deere machinery he amassed quite a unique collection of highly sought after John Deere equipment and other collectibles like JD bicycles, wagons, clocks and his prized JD dinner bell to name a few.  He once housed his John Deere collection in his machine sheds and was proud to show them to friends from near and far.

After attending auctions all over the tri-state area for many years Morrie decided it was time to host an auction of his own to distribute and share his John Deere treasures with others who admired them.  This event was hosted by Morrie and his family back in 2012.  

Left to cherish  Morrie's memory are three children: Patty Horn, Tim Horn both of Rochester and Lisa Adams (Kent) of Akron; five grandchildren: Travis Horn (Kristin), Ty Horn, Kyle Horn (Marjorie), Ben Adams, Troy Adams; four great-grandchildren: Layne Horn, Tanner Horn, Tylee Horn and Cerila Rae Horn; 3 siblings: Elaine Eudy of Logansport, Bevery Alger of Sarasota, Florida and Larry Horn (Peggy) of Fulton,  in-laws: sister, Lou Anne Townsend (Ryan); two brothers: Dean Wills, Allen Wills (Carolyn); and several nieces and nephews. 

Preceding Morrie in death are his parents Ernie and Mary Horn; beloved wife Janet May 19, 2021; grandson Jordan Cole Horn on August 30, 2007; great grandson Trey Douglass Horn on February 15, 2007; and his siblings Mary Lou Parish and Gene Horn.

A celebration of the life of Mr. Maurice F. "Morrie" Horn will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester. Pastor Larry Pyeatt will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 4-7 PM on Tuesday,  October 29, 2024, and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. A Rochester F & AM Lodge #79 Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM.  Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to Wheels On Fire  c/o Beaver Dam United Methodist Church, 9798 W. 1000 S., Akron, IN 46910 or the RHS Athletics, c/o Wrestling Team, 1 Zebra Lane, Rochester, IN 46975

Obituary for Charles English, 87

Charles Quentin English Sr., 87, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Deaconess Midtown Hospital.

Charles was born in Evansville, Indiana on December 21, 1936, to the late Harry J. and Carrie (Browning) English. He was a 1954 graduate of Reitz High School. Charles worked as a technician for Indiana Bell until he retired at age 53. He started collecting tractors in 1968. Charles traveled throughout the United States attending tractor shows and bought and sold over 1000 tractors. He loved fast cars and enjoyed drag racing. He was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church Darmstadt. Charles was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Charles is survived by his wife of 47 years, Hazel (Korff) English of Evansville, IN; daughters, Laura English of Evansville, IN and Melody Poff (Keith) of Evansville, IN; sons, Charlie English Jr. (Susan) of Evansville, IN and Steven English (Kerri) of Evansville, IN; step-son, John Terry (Stacey) of Evansville, IN; grandchildren, Braden Poff, Emily English, Charlie English III, Kendall Seibert (Reid), Kale English, Kyler English (Shelbi) and Luke Neidig; and great-grandchildren, Miller and Mack Seibert, Miles English, and Bentlee English.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Anna English; sister, Charlotte Cummings; and brother, Richard English.

A celebration of Charles' life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Browning Funeral Home, 738 Diamond Ave., Evansville, IN 47711 with Rev. Gordon Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in Darmstadt.

Friends may visit from 9:00 am until service time on Saturday at Browning Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Evansville Rescue Mission, 500 East Walnut St., Evansville, IN 47713.

Condolences may be made online at www.browningfuneral.com.

Obituary for Bill Seidel, 86

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather (Poppie), William C. Seidel, who left us on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the age of 86. He died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family.

I must first start by saying this, fathers in all their forms—from biological to stepfathers or just father figures—leave a unique imprint on our lives. When the time comes to pen an obituary for a father, there are a staggering array of emotions and memories that make it challenging to find just the right words... That being said, my father served as all the above to many who will read this.

William, fondly known as Bill or even “Mr. Green Jeans”, as he was rarely seen not dressed in his Dickie greens from head to toe, was born to Carl and Mary Seidel, on December 28, 1937, in Yonkers, New York. He lived in New York until age 15 before being sent by his mother to Pa to work on their uncle’s farm in Hilltown, PA where they would milk 50 cows daily and farm tomatoes for Campbell's Soup. At age 19 Bill took on a job with a local butcher, S. Ralph Lengel in addition to his farm work. The following year at age 20 he would start working night shift for Frank Weaver Steel in Lansdale PA as he was an exemplary welder.  Soon thereafter he bought a garage / car wash in the heart of Silverdale. PA where he conducted car repairs, inspections, rebuilt cars, engines, hot rods, etc. for another 18-20 plus years.  However always working multiple jobs in addition too, the garage was night work.  There would be stints at Blooming Glen Quarry and Haines & Kibblehouse before entering the Union of Operating Engineers Local 542 in 1979 working for Harlow Inc. for 11 years and then out of the Union Hall until retirement.  A couple of his last jobs prior to retirement at age 72 were digging the foundations for Liberty One and Two and excavating Citizens Bank Park in the City of Philadelphia. Inclusive of Bill's garage / car wash purchase were 2-3 large capacity water wells making him the proud owner of a utility, to be named Seidel's Water Company. The wells supplied water to roughly 25 homes at the time of purchase, Bill and his wife became certified plumbers and together with children grew the company, to serve over 70 plus homes before community growth and issues with the wells forced the sale to HTWSA in 1987.

Bill adored his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and spent any time afforded him to be with them.  There were rides on tractors, gators, backhoes, loaders and 4 wheelers, he rebuilt a sharp 66, Nova with his son, built go-karts, provided mini bikes & snowmobiles all things motorized much to our mother's chagrin.  There were simple trips for ice-cream, to a fun-filled day at Knoebels or the farm show or just drives to / from school or softball / soccer practice. He would proudly watch them play sports and offer his expertise after the game as he was an excellent coach. He stepped in to coach his daughter’s Deep Run Softball Team from last to first and then coached the traveling team to a championship. He was a master at checkers, never to be beaten, you wanted to play him just for the challenge.  If there were no physical card or board games present, he would invent his own games inside or out to play with the children. His grandchildren viewed him as a true playmate. “Poppie” was a jovial, mammoth figure of a role model, teacher, historian, storyteller and mentor sharing his wisdom and experience with the younger generations. 
 
While we lost our beloved dad, many have lost a friend and loved one in him. He has been a rock to many, always a straight shooter, a wealth of knowledge, a master at sarcastic humor, a “creative” name caller and a glorious pain in the neck, to what I'm sure is a small select few (because no matter what happened between you and him in your lives, once you were marked as important to him, he'd be by your side if you needed him)! There was so much more to him than just dad, though to us that was his greatest role - he was also a stand-in paternal figure to the fatherless, (took his adopted son to the World's Fair) brother, (bought his sister a Dodge 409) a cousin, a friend, a coworker, colleague, the list goes on and on...

Upon his retirement Bill could often be found tinkering in his pole barn refurbishing yet another vintage series 30' John Deere Tractor to add to his collection. There were only two colors for a tractor, and they were John Deere Green and Yellow!  He was an avid collector of John Deere Vintage tractors, partial to the 30 series.  He joined the local John Deere 2-cylinder club and through the years could be seen driving those vintage tractors in the local holiday parades. Family found it amusing that he went from 850HP to less than 100HP, as in his early years he was an avid racing enthusiast, from the local tracks of Hatfield, Nazareth, Langhorne n Reading (where you would find him working in the pits on car #7 Freddy Adams) to the NASCAR circuit and while he still followed the racing world 2-cylinder tractors had become his first love. 

Bill loved dogs, there was always one present in our home growing up until the passing of his beloved Vizsla Toby.  The loss of Toby prevented the acquisition of another four-legged companion. He would then keep a box of dog biscuits in his truck for all pups he may come across in his travels and although not always the best decision, he would sneak whatever he was eating under the table for family member pups when a guest for dinner at their home. 

He was preceded to heaven by his beloved wife of 53 years Esther Seidel, a son, John Lee Seidel, mother, Mary Seidel, and father, Carl H. Seidel, many aunts, uncles, cousins, additional family and close friends.

Bill is survived by his two children, son Todd William Seidel, wife Carol, granddaughter Madison Seidel, granddaughter Sydney Seidel, daughter Letitia Seidel Alderfer/Gruver, husband Brian Gruver, granddaughter Ta’ne Hassett, husband Steven Hassett, great grandson Logan Hassett, great grandson Parker Hassett, great granddaughter Esther Hassett, grand-pup Ryker, granddaughter Rachel Alderfer, partner Justin Renner, grand-puppies Luna and Zoey, brother Carl H Seidel II, wife Joan, sister Marie Margiewicz, sister Sarah Nolan, husband Russell and too many cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews to name.

He is also survived by his wife and three of 4 children from his first marriage, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. They include former wife and mother of children Barbara Cavanaugh, son William Seidel, son Thomas Seidel, wife Tesha, granddaughter Jacqueline Scandlin, husband Jeremy, great grandson Jason Scandlin, great granddaughter Keira Scandlin,  granddaughter Carissa Seidel, great granddaughter Olivia Kondrosky and great grandson Jaxson Narvez; daughter Ilona Hummel, husband Ryan, great grandson Chase Heimerdinger, great grandson Roman Hummel and Thomas Seidel Jr.(TJ), partner Gia Fornara, daughter Lori Hacker, granddaughter Caitlin Hacker, and grandson Reed Hacker.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 100 Broad Street, HIlltown, PA, where family and friends may call from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Our Lady of Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Hilltown.

Arrangements are by the Suess-Gahman Funeral Home & Crematory, 606 Arch Street, Perkasie, PA.  

Memorial donations can be made to:

St. Luke’s VNA Hospice, Attn: Development – 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem PA 18015 Ways to
Give | Make a Donation | American Heart Association - https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give
The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heart-felt forms.

Obituary for Pam Freitag, 58

Pamela Freitag, 58, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family. Visitation: 4:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, August 26, 2024, at the Believers in Grace Fellowship Church, Marion, Iowa. Funeral: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the Church. Burial: Dunkard Cemetery, Midway, Iowa.

Pam was born on June 15, 1966, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, the daughter of Rodrick and Barbara (Molinare) Robbins. She was united in marriage to Charles Freitag on August 4, 1990, in Tinley Park, Illinois.

Pam above all loved God, worshiping, and attending bible studies. She loved gardening, cooking, music, and going on vacations with her family.

Pam is survived by her mother, Barbara Robbins; husband, Charles Freitag; children, Olivia, Joel (Regina), Claire, Anna, Lillian, and David; siblings, Cindy, Michael (Deb); sister, Jennifer (Steve); mother & father-in-law, Neil (Marge) Freitag; sister-in-law, Beth (Glenn) Conklin; and brother-in-law, Steve (Kari) Freitag.

Pam was preceded in death by her father, Rodrick Robbins; grandparents, John (Margaret) Molinare, and Glenn (Isabelle) Robbins; and brother-in-law, Mark.

In memory of Pam, memorials may be made in the care of Charles Freitag.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/pamela-freitag-obituary?id=56075597

Obituary for Howard Yoder, 69

Howard Yoder, age 69, of London, Ohio, passed away on May 19th, 2024. Howard was born in Plain City, Ohio to Enos and Amanda Yoder on May 5th, 1955. Howard worked alongside his family farming and operating a saw mill. He also drove a city bus for COTA for 36 years and competed in many international bus rodeo competitions; being a member of a team winning the Grand Championship May 5, 2015. Howard was also an avid collector and restorer of John Deere equipment and implements; enjoying traveling to tractor shows and building a network of friendships, with fellow enthusiasts, across the country.

Howard was a long-time member and Deacon of Big Darby Baptist Church. He will be remembered as a good Christian man, loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Surviving family members include his wife, Joy Yoder; Son Jason Yoder/wife Lindsey; Daughter Rachel Taylor/husband Corey; Son Michael Yoder/wife Kaile; Son, Levi Yoder/Katllyn; 11 grandchildren; and a large extended family within OH, IN, and IL.

A visitation will take place on Friday May 24th, 2024, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at the United Bethel Mennonite Church 11342 Lafeyette Plain City Road. Plain City, Ohio 43064. Funeral services will be held on Saturday May 25th, 2024, at 11 AM also at the church.

In lieu of flowers, family is requesting donations be made to Big Darby Baptist Church in Howards memory. Please visit www.fergusonfuneralhomeinc.com to offer a special memory. Ferguson Funeral Home Plain City, Ohio is honored to care for the Yoder family.

https://www.fergusonfuneralhomeinc.com/obituaries/Howard-Yoder?obId=31570876

Obituary for Beverly Gray, 77

Beverly J. Gray, 77, of Huntsville, passed away Sunday, January 7, 2024.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Beatrice and Sherman Chamberlain; a sister, Wanda Alverez; and a sister-in-law, Lucy Krause.

Leaving behind those that loved her dearly is her husband of 52 years, Bill Gray. Others include loving in-laws, Larry and Kathy Gray, Greg and Terri Gray, Debra Williamson, Janie Lawson, Larry Krause; and niece, Renee Peavler; along with other nieces and nephews.

Beverly was a long-time dedicated member of Huntsville Christian Church since 1970, serving in several capacities throughout her many years there. Her last joy of service, along with Bill, was as greeters, being the first smile people received when they entered church. Beverly became a Christian and was baptized in her teens at the Lincoln Baptist Church in Huntsville.

She graduated from Lee High school in 1964 and received her associate degree in Paralegal from Faulkner University. She had a long work history at GE, working on the Saturn space program and many other projects. She retired from Intergraph in 2017.

Her passion for reading often left the library shelves lacking offerings while she was busy learning new things.

Travel and adventure were an integral part of her life with Bill, as they not only traveled internationally, but spent many hours traveling and camping in their motorhome across the country. She was always up for challenges, loved ziplining, and took on a challenge to plow with a team of horses on an Amish farm in Illinois. She loved returning to their honeymoon location in Gatlinburg to celebrate their anniversary every 5 years and ride the sky lift together again.

Tractor shows and parades became another passion, as she proudly drove her John Deere 430 tractor through parades and tractor shows, which also enhanced their love of travel.

Their walking club, the Capital City Wanderers, was a constant highlight of their years as they not only made lifetime friends but created yet another passion for Beverly and Bill. While walking many designated club walks with their other members, they also struck out on their own and walked many cities along their travels.

In 2019, together they walked 21 state capitals and DC east of the Mississippi and followed up with 12 Midwest states capitals in 2021/2022 and fulfilled her lifetime dream of walking up the Crazy Horse Monument in South Dakota.

Beverly's quiet demeanor and smile will be missed by so many and has left a legacy of kindness and companionship.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Berryhill Funeral Home of Huntsville, with services held at the Huntsville Christian Church at 171 Indian Creek Rd NW, in Huntsville, with her minister, John Lancaster officiating.

Visitation beginning at 1pm with funeral services at 2pm on Sunday, January 14, 2024. Interment will follow the service at Huntsville Memory Gardens.

Nephews serving as Pallbearers are: Chris Gray, John Gray, Lee Krause, Loren Krause, David Lawson, Rob Peavler and Colby Williamson.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor to her favorite charity, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital is greatly appreciated. Donations can be made through: www.stjude.org.

Obituary for Steven Lewis Alkire, 69

Steven Lewis Alkire, 69, of Lexington, Missouri, passed away February 8, 2024, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, after a six-month battle with cancer. A visitation will be held on Monday, February 12 from 6 to 8 p.m., and the funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 13, at 11 a.m. both at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren in Warrensburg. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens.

Steven was born to Omar B. and Betty Lamb Alkire on October 28, 1954, at the Warrensburg Medical Center. He was married to Mary Kate McKean in Warrensburg on August 7, 1976.

Steven graduated from College High School in Warrensburg in 1972. He played football for the Colts and was active in FFA. He attended the University of Central Missouri before beginning a 40-year career in the construction field. He was a well-respected heavy equipment operator in the Kansas City area who was a member of Operating Engineers Local 101 and ended his career with Redford Construction.

After retirement in 2016, Steven enjoyed his farms, helping his friend Eddie Bracken with cattle, and working on tractors. He was an active tractor puller, winning many competitions, including the 2023 MSTPA in the 10500 Hot Stock Class. He won the Missouri State Fair pull several times.

Steven loved anything John Deere. Although Missouri was home, he enjoyed travel to the national parks of the West, Alaska and Las Vegas. He enjoyed watching the Lexington Minutemen, the Chiefs and Royals, college basketball and working at his son's high school academic competitions.

Steven was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dennis Alkire. He is survived by wife Mary Kate and son Bryan, of the home; sister, Connie Unrein and husband Tim; brother, Ronnie Alkire and partner Terry; sisters-in-law Meryl Lin McKean and Lynn Alkire; niece Kimberly Stull, husband Ryan and son Reed; niece Kris Carlgren, husband Brett, children Tyler and Kyanne; nephew Deke Alkire, wife Sarah and daughters Audrey and Darcy, along with other family members and many friends. Steven's quiet strength, dedication and devotion will live on through them.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lexington Hall of Fame for Career Achievement or Crest Ridge School Clothes Closet for student needs. Contributions may be left in care of the funeral home or mailed to Mary Kate Alkire.