McFADDEN, Ivan M. - Putnam

Retired Lawrence County educator Ivan Maurice McFadden, 86, 120 E 16th St, died at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Dunn Memorial Hospital. McFadden’s 47 ½ years in the education field including serving as principal of Bedford Jr HS eight years, principal at Bedford HS two years, one year at Needmore, two years at Oolitic and one year at Tunnelton HS.  He returned to the Bedford schools in 1960 as supervisor of the lunch program, the position he held at retirement.  Born at Bainbridge, in Putnam County, August 8, 1901 he was the son of Paul Berean and Mary Frances Taylor McFadden.  He attended elementary schools at Bedford, Bainbridge and Roachdale.  The family moved back to Bedford in September 1917.  A Bedford HS graduate with the class of 1919, he was a North Central Champion Orator. He entered Indiana University in Sept 1919 and received his AB degree in 1923.  Before completing college, he began teaching at Needmore HS in the fall of 1922.  He taught at Oolitic HS 1923-24 and 1924-25.  He also sponsored the yearbook and coached dramatic plays.  In 1925, he came to Bedford as an English and Social Studies teacher.  He became head of the social studies department in 1931, upon the retirement of Clara Friedley. He received his Master of Science in Education degree at IU in 1936.  In 1938, McFadden was named director of guidance at BHS and in 1940, was named assistant principal. He was a sponsor of the Pioneer, the BHS yearbook from 1928-1940.  He was president of the social studies section of the State Teachers Association in 1938. McFadden was author of two study outline books for students including Character Education and US history. The latter went through three editions.  In addition, he contributed to the Indiana History Magazine and the Purdue Graduate Studies.  Especially fond of editorial writing, McFadden worked for the Times-Mail during several summer vacations, substituting at the various desks.  A member of Bedford Kiwanis Club since 1944, he served as president of that organization.  He was instrumental in the organization of the Key Club at BHS and served as its school sponsor eight years.  He was especially interested in vocational guidance in Kiwanis. He attended the international convention in St. Louis in 1951 and Los Angeles in 1964. Since 1947 he has spent much of his time on his small farm near Fairview where he enjoyed gardening and stock raising. He was a member of the First Methodist Church, Indiana State Teachers Association and National Education Association.  He as a past member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Bedford Chamber of Commerce.  He married Alma Cooper on Nov 29, 1923 in Bedford and she preceded him in death Sept 6, 1979.  Survivors include two brothers, Damon H. McFadden, Washington and William A. McFadden, Fowler, Col, several nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by a brother, James McFadden.  Funeral services are scheduled at 1 p.m. Monday at Ferguson-Lee Funeral Home, with burial to follow in Crawford Cemetery, Lawrence County. – kbz