Shoals News, 23 Oct 1925 
Trinity Springs Citizen Succumbs

Charles Akles

  Charles, son of Thomas G. and Nancy Akles, was born one mile west of Trinity Springs, September 15, 1843 and departed this life October 17, 1925, at the home of his daughter in Hazleton, Indiana, aged 82 years, 1 month, and 2 days.

  On December 16, 1860, he was married to Martha Elizabeth Payne--who died October 28, 1924, after nearly 64 years of happy married life.

  He united with the Christian Church at Trinity Springs, January 7, 1894, and lived for more than 31 years a faithful Christian life.  He loved his family, his neighbors--always accommodating and sympathetic.  He was thoughtful of his church obligation even when his physical condition would not permit his attendance.

  He leaves to mourn their loss a daughter, Ada, wife of T. T. Thorne of Hazleton, IN, and three sons, James and Bert of Trinity springs, and Walter, of Mitchell, IN.  Besides these he leaves fifteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

  Funeral services were held at the Trinity Springs Christian Church conducted by John W. Marshall and assisted by the Indian Springs Male Quarter.  The large audience paid a most beautiful and sympathetic tribute.

Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen

  
Shoals News, 24 Sep 1969 
Ernest ASBELL, Age 79, Dies Here on Monday

   Ernest B. (Tony) ASBELL, age 79, died at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept 22, at his residence.  He had been in failing health for the past five years.

   The deceased was a soldier, lawyer, and educator, having retired as Superintendent of the Martin County Schools.  He was educated in the rural schools of Martin County and received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Butler University.  He studied law at Indiana Law School, in Indianapolis, and was admitted to the Bar in 1936.  He was named Superintendent of the Shoals Community Schools in 1951.  He taught school in the rural schools of Martin County before teaching in the Shoals High School.  He was Principal of the Shoals High School five years.  He went from Shoals to Mitchell as a High School teacher, and then went to Seymour, IN, as Junior High School Principal for twelve years.  It was at Seymour that he began practicing law, in 1942.

   At the time World War I was breaking out, he enlisted as an infantryman and rose to the rank of Major before being discharged.  He served in World War II, from April 1942 until being discharged from service at Walter Reed Hospital, in Washington, D. C., in 1947.

   He served for 54 months in the theatre of operations overseas during World War II.  At the end of active hostilities, in 1945, he was transferred to London and later to Wiesbaden, Germany.  In Germany, he was engaged as assistant Chief of the Apprehension Department and trial lawyer for the War Crimes Commission.

   Ernest ASBELL was born September 18, 1890, to Josiah ASBELL and Mary RADCLIFF.  While stationed in England, in 1945, he married Bridget ANDREWS and she survives.  Other survivors include two daughters, Deborah B., at home, and Mrs. Mary BRIDGES, of Bedford.  Three sisters and seven brothers preceded him in death.

   He was a member of the Shoals United Methodist Church, White River Masonic Lodge, NO. 332, Murat Temple of Indianapolis, Hanson McFEE Post of the American Legion and the Martin County Veterans of Foreign Wars.

   Mr. ASBELL was a life-long Democrat and served several times as Delegate to the Indiana State Democrat Convention in Indianapolis.

   Masonic services were scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night.  American Legion military rites will be performed at the grave.

   Funeral services will be held at the Queen Funeral Home in Shoals at 2:00 p.m. today (Wednesday), with burial in Spring Hill Cemetery.

Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen

  
 Shoals News,30 Oct 1996,page 1: 
BRIDGET ASBELL DIES MONDAY, OCT 28, RITES ARE WED.

   Elizabeth Margery Bridget ANDREWS ASBELL, age 85, of Route 2, Shoals, died at 7:33 a.m., Monday, Oct 28, 1996, at the Dunn Memorial Hospital, in Bedford, following a short illness.

   She was born Jan 16, 1911, in St. Briavels, Gloucestershire, England, to the late Captain O. A. W. and Florence Augusta ANDREWS.  She married Ernest ASBELL on Jan 18, 1945, and he died Sept 22, 1969.

   She was a veretan of the British Royal Army in WW II, for 5 1/2 years, and held the rank of Staff Captain.

   Mrs. ASBELL was of the Episcopal Faith and had attended the Shoals United Methodist Church for many years.  She was a very active member of the Martin County Humane Society.  She was also a member of the Loogootee Women's Club, Shoals Order of Eastern Star No 368, Tri Kappa Sorority, Martin County Historical Society, a Charter member and Past President of the Martin Co Women's Democrat Club, the V. C. Meredity Home Demonstration Club and Hanson McFee American Legion Post No 61 of Shoals.

   Surviving are two daughters, Deborah Bridget ASBELL, of Bedford, and Mary E. BRIDGES, of Mitchell; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.  She was also preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.

   Funeral services are scheduled for Wed, Oct 30 (today) at the Queen-Lee Funeral Home in Shoals, with the Rev. William WADE officiating.

   Burial will be made in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Shoals, with the Shoals American Legion conducting military rites.

   Friends may call Tuesday, Oct 29, from 4-8 p.m. and on Wed, from 10 a..m. to the hour of service.

Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen

Shoals News, 17 Nov 1916, page 1: 
Josiah Asbell

    Josiah Asbell was born in Martin County, Indiana, December 25th, 1830 (sic), and departed from this life Tuesday morning November 6, 1916.  at the time of his death he was 86 years 10 months and 13 days  of age.  He spent all his years in this county.  His parents died when he was very young and left him to battle with life sorrows when a very small child.  He was a farmer and spent many happy hours in his quiet farm life.

    At the outbreak of the civil war he heeded to his country's call, and enlisted as a private in the 17th regiment, Company A, Indiana Volunteer Infantry.  He received an honorable discharge from the war in 1862, but was again drafted into service in 1863, and served until the end of the war, taking part in Sherman's famous March from Atlanta to the sea.  When the war ended he was again honorably discharged and then he returned to this county until he received his last call.

    On April 14th, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Radcliffe.  To this union was born eleven children four of whom: Willie, Nellie, Della, and Ales, have succeeded (sic) him to the great beyond.  Those living are Mrs. Sarah Holt, John, Tom, Joe, Curt, Alonzo, and Ernest with his aged widow and eleven grandchildren are left to mourn their loss.

    Mr. Asbell lived an honest upright, christain life; never turning the misfortunate from his door and always dropping a word of cheer where possible, was well beloved by all his neighbors who will miss his friendly handshakes and cheerful smiles; but his family most of all shall miss his vacant chair.

    Despite life's many sorrows, his was a life of sunshine.  He never grew despondent in times of greatest trials and when life's darkest moment came he met it with a smile and passed calmly to his place of rest.

Sleep dear father thy March is o'er,
Thy willing hands shall work no more,
No more thy tender eye shall weep,
Sleep; dear father, gently sleep.

Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen

Shoals News, Feb,1937: 
MRS MARY ASBELL, 84, DIES OF PNEUMONIA

   Mrs. Mary (RADCLIFF) ASBELL, 84, well known and highly esteemed Shoals woman, died shortly before midnight Saturday at her home in the north part of town. Death was caused by double pneumonia which developed following an illness of influenza.  Mrs. ASBELL was one of the many Shoals residents who were driven from their homes by the recent high water, and became ill while away from her home.  Soon after returning to her home, following recession of the flood, she contracted double pneumonia which resulted in her death.

   The deceased was born in Missouri, June 10, 1852.  In 1866, just after the close of the Civil War, she was united in marriage with Josiah ASBELL, of this county and with the exception of a year spent in Daviess county, had lived her long married life in Halbert Township and Shoals.  Following Mr. ASBELL's death in November, 1916, Mrs. ASBELL and her son, Lon, moved to Shoals, where they have since resided.  The son, Lon , has been an almost constant companion to his mother during her declining years.  "Grandma:, as most everyone know her, always had a cheeery smile and word of welcome for all who came in contact with her.  The children of her neighborhood were always welcome to her home and will greatly miss her, as will all her children, grandchildren, her neighbors and friends.  Mrs. ASBELL had lived a long and useful life, in which she exemplified the life of a Christian mother, and has gone to her reward. 

   Mrs. ASBELL leaves the following children to mourn her passing: John, Curt, Joe and Lon ASBELL, of Shoals, Tom ASBELL, of Ireland, IN, and Ernest ASBELL, of Seymour, IN.  Five children preceded her in death--Nellie, Dellie, Willie and Ales ASBELL and Mrs. George HOLT, who passed away in 1935.

   Funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. M. Bless Monday morning at 10:30 o'clock at the residence.  Interment was made in Spring Hill cemetery.      NOTE: Died 6 Feb 1937.

Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen

DEATH: The Elkhart Weekly Truth (Elkhart, IN), 
Thursday, 20 FEB 1902, p3

Shoals - Albert Asbell, forty-three years old, was struck by a mail train at Huron, twelve miles east of this place on Wednesday and so badly injured that he died in a few minutes. He stepped from behind a freight train on the side track to the main track in time to be struck by the flyer.

Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen

Hammond Times; 25 May 1953, p 6, 
FRANK ASBELL

   Frank ASBELL, 86, of 4922 Northcote Ave, East Chicago, died at 11:35 p.m. Sunday at St. Catherine Hospital.

   Funeral arrangements are being completed at Fife Funeral Home, 706 W. Chicago Ave.

   ASBELL, a retired steel worker, had been a resident of East Chicago for 28 years.

   Surviving are his wife, Stella; three sons, Clifford of East Chicago, and Harry and Everett, both of Bedford, IN; three sisters(sic), Mrs. Frances TRUMAN of Lansing, Mrs. Pearl BEARD of East Chicago, and Lorraine ASBELL of Bicknell, IN; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

NOTE: The sisters listed are daughters.

Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen

MRS. CHARLES MILLIGAN,
Monroe Evening News, 27 Jan 1951

   Mrs. Charles (Lydia) MILLIGAN, 78, died of a heart attack at 3 a.m. today in her home at 324 Union St.  She had been in poor health since 1937.

   Services will be at 2 p.m, Monday in the Earle Little funeral home with the Rev. John A. HIATT of the Pilgrim Holiness Church officiating.  Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

   The former Lydia SMITH, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel SMITH, she was born Feb 3, 1872, at Sellersburg, IN.  Her first marriage was to Frank ASBELL and her second to Mr. MILLIGAN.  They came to Monroe in 1929 from Mitchell, IN.  She is a member of Pilgrim Holiness Church.

   Surviving are her husband; four sons, Everett ASBELL of Bedford, IN, Harry ASBELL of Tampa, FL, James ASBELL of Chicago, and Charles MILLIGAN of Frenchtown Township; five daughters, Mrs. William HEDRICK of Bicknell, IN, Mrs. Howard MOORE of Raisinville Township, Mrs. Fred BRISCOE of Mitchell, IN, Mrs. Lawrence BROOKS of Monroetown and Miss Lillian MILLIGAN at home; one brother, Samuel SMITH of Oolitic, IN, two sisters, Mrs. Albert BATCHELOR of Montgomery, IN, and Mrs. William MacKENZIE of St. Cloud, FL, 21 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen

 Shoals News-5 Jan 1951; 
MRS. KATIE CLIFTON DIED WEDNESDAY AT HOSPITAL

    Mrs. Katie Clifton, age 79 years, passed away at the Daviess Co Hospital, at 2:10 am, Wed,Jan 3.  Mrs. Clifton had been ill since Dec 20,1950, when she fell & broke her hip. On Dec 29 she was taken to the hospital and had been there ever since.

    Mrs. Clifton was born in Martin Co, on July 16,1871, the daughter of John & Mary Ann (BENNIFIELD) ASBELL. In Feb,1895, she was united in marriage to C. W. CLIFTON, who has preceded her in death.

    Surviving are the following children: Mrs. Alice MEFFORD, of Huron; Roscoe CLIFTON; Mrs. Mary SHAW; Mrs. Nellie ALLBRIGHT; Roy CLIFTON; & Lawrence CLIFTON; all of Shoals.  A brother, Frank ASBELL, of Chicago,IL, also survives.

    Mrs. Clifton was a member of the Christian Church. Friends may call at the Queen Funeral Home until time for the funeral. Funeral services will be conducted at the Christian Church at 1pm Fri, Jan 5, with the Rev Robert HAWKINS & R. G. D. GERKIN, pastor of the church, conducting the rites. Interment will be made in the Spring Hill Cemetery.

Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen

OBIT: Shoals News, July 15, 1943, 
LAST RITES HELD MON. AFTERNOON FOR CHAS. CLIFTON

   Charles William CLIFTON, 70, well know and highly esteemed farmer of Halbert Township, died Saturday afternoon at 12:45 at his home four miles north of Shoals.  Death resulted from complications due to heart trouble and came after an illness of four weeks.

   Last rites were held Monday afternoon at the Shoals Methodist church by the Rev. R. W. PRITCHARD with burial following in Spring Hill Cemetery.

   Mr. Clifton was a son of William B. and Mary (EARL) CLIFTON and came with his parents from Jackson County when a small child.  In 1895 he married Miss Catherine ASBELL of this county who survives.  In early life he united with the Methodist church and was regular in attendance of services in his community.

   Besides the widow he is survived by three daughters and three sons: Mrs. Nellie ALLBRIGHT of Shoals; Mrs. Mary SHAW of Chicago, IL; Mrs. Alice MEFFORD of Huron; Lawrence CLIFTON of Charlestown, and Roscoe and Roy CLIFTON at home.  There are also four brothers, George CLIFTON of Loogootee; and John, James and Ely CLIFTON of Shoals, and six grandchildren.

 Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen

 Mrs. George Gerkin Dies after Long Illness, 
Shoals News, 23 Dec 1927.

    Mrs. Amanda Gerkin, aged fifty-six years, wife of George W. Gerkin, died Friday morning at the family home on south High Street after a lingering illness.  Funeral services conducted by Rev. Oscar Polhemus were held at the Methodist Church Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, followed by interment at the Spring Hll Cemetery.

    Amanda, daughter of John and Mary Asbell, was born in Martin County, October 26, 1871.  On August 28, 1898, she became the wife of George W. Gerkin, of Shoals.  To their union were born seven children--four sons and three daughters.  Edward, the oldest, lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Hanly Frank is employed by a construction company and has his home in Shelbyville, Indiana; Lester and Charles are in the home at Shoals.  Of the daughters, Mary is deceased; Lola Theresa and Opal May with the two younger brothers and their father compose the home circle.

    Mrs. Gerkkin's parental home was on a farm four miles north of Shoals.  She had the advantage of the country schools, took normal training and became a teacher.  Her seven years of experience made her proficient.  She cherished pleasant memories of her pupils and took much pleasure in such as became men and women of worth.  Their visits to her home were welcomed and enjoyable.  Their messages of sympathy were a boon to her while enduring the last sixteen weeks of suffering and confinement.

    Religiously, Mrs. Gerkin became a member of the Methodist Church in Shoals on August 14, 1926.  Her baptism was a triumph being attended by a deep peace and satisfaction.  It endured to the end.  In the closing hours she was discovered repeating: "How tedious and tasteless the hours" and "Keep looking unto Jesus."

    Of her own family she leaves her husband, six children and one grandchild, Gladys Ruth Gerkin, daughter of Edward, in Oklahoma.  Of her father's family she leaves one brother, Frank Asbell, of Bedford, and one sister, Mrs. Charles Clifton, of Shoals.  Two brothers, Bennett (sic) and Albert, and one sister, Alice Asbell, are deceased.

Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen

Shoals News, Nov 19, 1958, 
GEORGE W. GERKIN DIES IN OKLAHOMA

   George W. GERKIN, age 83, a farmer, died in Salpulpa, Okla, at 12:45 p.m. Thursday.

   Mr. GERKIN was born and reared in this vicinity, but had lived for many years in Oklahoma.  He was born March 12, 1875, the son of Joseph and Mary Ellen (DOWELL) GERKIN.  He married Amanda ASBELL, who has preceded him in death.

   The body was brought to the Queen Funeral Home Monday afternoon and funeral services were conducted at the funeral chapel at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.  Rev. Kenneth SPRAGUE, Pastor of the Methodist Church, conducted the rites, and burial was made in Spring Hill Cemetery.

   Mr. GERKIN is survived by three sons, Edward GERKIN, of Shoals; Lester and Charles GERKIN, of Sacramento, Calif.

Courtesy of Sandra Hedrick Allen