LUKE, Della Cade - L-Obituaries

COVINGTON — Funeral service for Mrs. Della Luke, 85, a pioneer in the development of the Indiana State Park system, who died Saturday at Covington, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Bodine and Shelby Funeral Home at Covington. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Born near Covington in Fountain County the daughter of Benton and Margaret Bodine Cade, Mrs. Luke married Rowland Luke who died in 1932. Survivors include a sister, Mrs. O. C. Banta of Covington, a nephew and five nieces. Mrs. Luke was a member of the Covington First Church of Christ, Covington Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and the Covington chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Five years before Turkey Run State Park and McCormick's Creek State Park, were acquired by the state, Mrs. Luke and her husband leased the Turkey Run tract and operated it as a park and recreation center. When Turkey Run became a state park in 1916, Mrs. Luke was named its first superintendent. She also served in a similar capacity at McCormick's Creek. In 1919 the Conservation Department opened the first inn at Turkey Run and Mrs. Luke was appointed manager. Four years later she was named manager of the inn at Clifty Falls State Park. Mrs. Luke retained her connection with Turkey Run until 1929. She was identified with the management of Clifty Falls until 1941.  --typed by Walt W