STATEN, David Thomas - Putnam

Greencastle – A single service was held here today for four victims of the Coliseum tragedy. The victims were Mrs. Lena State(n), 72, Greencastle; her son, Dr. Jesse E. Staten, 50, 3324 E. Fall Creek Parkway, North Drive, Indianapolis; Dr. Staten’s wife, Mary Lois, 45 and their son, David Thomas Staten, 14.  Dr. Staten was plant physician at the Allison Division of General Motors Corp in Indianapolis. He was a graduate of DePauw University and the Indiana University School of Medicine. Mary Lois Staten was a graduate of Jordan College of Music at Butler University.  They are survived by a daughter, Barbara, 9 and a son, John 15, both injured in the explosion. Mrs. Lena Staten was the widow of Rollie Staten, Putnam County employee. The service was at the Goin Memorial Methodist Church on the DePauw campus. Burial was at Forest Hill Cemetery here.

Source: Indianapolis News Sat 2 Nov 1963 p 18

Rites for Dr. Jesse E. Staten, 50, his wife, Mary Lois, 45, their son, David 14, of 3324 E. Fall Creek Pkwy and Dr. Staten’s mother, Mrs. Lena State, 72, Greencastle will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Hopkins-Walton Funeral Home in Greencastle. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery there. Dr. Staten, a DePauw University graduate, was plant physician for General Motors Cop here. Before receiving a doctor of medicine degree from Indiana University, School of Medicine, Staten had taught physics at DePauw. A native of Lincoln City and an Indianapolis resident 20 years Dr. Staten had participated in WWII defense work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He had been an ensign in the Navy.  Staten was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Greencastle and the Scottish Rite and Shrine of Indianapolis. Dr. Staten’s wife was a Denver native and graduate of the Jordan Conservatory of Music at Butler. She was organist for the Fairview Presbyterian Church and Central Baptist Church. She was a member of Psi Iota Music Sorority and Order of the Eastern Star.  David Staten was a Shortridge HS freshman. He had won several high school science awards. He was a Boy Scout and attended Central Baptist Church. Dr. Staten’s mother was the widow of Rollie Staten, Greencastle. She was a member of the Eastern Star. She is survived by a daughter, Mildred Armstrong, Greencastle, a half brother and three grandchildren. Mrs. Staten is also survived by a sister, Ruth Zook Braselton, Owensville. Dr. and Mrs. Staten’s survivors include a daughter, Barbara, 9 and son, John 15, both of whom were injured in the explosion.