Steven “Spoonman” Tankersley, age 67, of Pekin, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Monday, December 8, 2025 at Baptist Health Floyd Hospital. Born on February 1, 1958 in Salem, Indiana, he was the son of Luther “Bud” Tankersley and Nervesta “Vesta” (Ash) Tankersley.

Steve was a retired Boilermaker and proud member of the Local 374 boilermakers union. He was also the former owner of TNT Welding in Pekin. Steve’s dad taught him to play the spoons at a young age, and Steve continued the legacy by passing this down to his own kids and grandkids. Spoonman played on stages with musicians all across the US, and even gathered his hometown family and friends to break the Guinness Book of World Records for largest spoons ensemble in 2011. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Pekin.

He is survived by his 5 children: Stephanie Bierly, Meliegha Tankersley, Dennis Tankersley (Heidi), Jasemine Hurst (Dillon), Dalton Tankersley (Brooke); 1 brother, John Clark; 2 sisters, Susan Martin, and Tina Campbell; 16 grandchildren: Carson, Brandon, Christian, Reese, Braeden, Mia, Jent, Duke, August, Braylin, Harlin, Hazel, Jaxtin, Jett, Huxson, and Ensley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther “Bud” Tankersley, and Nervesta “Vesta” (Ash) Tankersley; 3 brothers: Dennis, Tommy, Tony; and 1 sister, Becky.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home – Pekin Chapel with Bro. David Colbert officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery.

Lynn Carter Hutton, age 88, of Salem, passed away Saturday, December 6, 2025 at BeeHive Homes of Scottsburg.  Born April 10, 1937 in Corbin, Kentucky, He was the son of the late Martin Hutton and Ethel (Taylor) Hutton.

Lynn retired from GKN Sinter Metals with 45 years of service as an engineer.

He is survived by 5 children: Lyndal Hutton (Tracy), Jeff Hutton, Steve Hutton (Susie), Paul Hutton, and Jennifer Hutton; 2 sisters: Sondra Hutton and Janet Smith; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and his companion and friend, Venita Pickens.

He was preceded in death by Sharon, and 4 brothers: Ross, Alvin, Gerald “Butch”, and Dean Hutton.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home – Salem Chapel.  Visitation will be held Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.  Burial to follow in Beech Grove Cemetery.

Carl Leon Ragains age 86 of Hardinsburg passed away December 5, 2025 at IU Health Paoli Hospital.

Mr. Ragains was born September 24, 1939, in Fredericksburg, Indiana to Jake and Oma Hauger Ragains. He was a member of the Kansas Church of Christ and retired from farming and the Washington County Highway Department.

 Mr. Ragains is survived by one sister, Janet Olver, Roswell, Geogia. Nephews: Gerald Ragains, Fredericksburg, Danny Ragains (Lillian) of Fredericksburg, Steve Ragains (Karen) of Fredericksburg, David Ragains of Jeffersonville, Bill Ragains of The Villages, FL, Richard Ragains of Lousiville, Mark Russell of Lousiville, Tommy Russell of Louisville. Nieces: Lynne Quinlin of Salem, Julia Ragains Albicocco of Louisville, Mary Ann Bilyeu of Lousiville, Barbara Payton of Louisville, Cathy Schneider of Louisville, Elaine Nezat of Frankfort, Kentucky, Susan Martin of Louisville, and Jane Maudlin of Woodstock, Georgia.

 Mr. Ragains is preceded in death by his wife, Diana Deweese Ragains, his parents, brothers: Merle Ragains and Doyle Ragains. Sister: Stella Russell. Nephews: Johnny Olver, Billy Olver.

Services will be on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 1:00P.M at Weathers Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10:00A.M. until time of service at the funeral home. Burial will take place immediately after the service at Kanasas Cemetery.

Judy Kay (Bower) Brown, age 78 of Salem, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in Hampton Oaks Health Campus Scottsburg, Indiana.

Born December 15, 1946 in Salem, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Roger and Mildred (Fleenor) Bower.

She had been a life resident of Washington County, graduated Salem High School in 1965 and then attended Indiana State University.

Judy was a retired Teacher’s Aide with the Special Education Department of the Salem Community School System.

She was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women’s Fellowship and attended Mt. Tabor Christian Church.

Judy was a member of the Washington County Homemakers Club and Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.).

She enjoyed Bible study classes, sewing, collecting snowmen, loved quilting and had been a member of the Washington County Piecemakers Guild.

On June 10th 1967, she married Charles D. “Danny” Brown, who survives.

Also surviving are:

3 Sons: Craig (Lisa) Brown of Salem, Chad (Angie) Brown of Huntsville, Alabama and Nathan (Kristin) Brown of Vail, Arizona;

1 Brother: Charles Wayne (Georgia) Bower of Columbus, Indiana;

7 grandchildren: Samantha (Andy) Hall, Benjamin (Shy-Ann) Brown and Matthew, Emilee, Ruby, Terra and Bailee Brown and 2 great grandchildren: Elara and Sara.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral Service: 11:00 am Friday 12/5/2025 at Dawalt Funeral Home, followed by interment in Crown Hill Cemetery.

Visitation: 4 to 8 pm Thursday and 10 am until the time of the service on Friday.

Aleeta Sparkman, age 81, of Salem, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at Baptist Health Floyd Hospital.  Born April 4, 1944, in Scottsburg, she was the daughter of the late Alice (Gater) Voyles and her step-father, Carl Ray “Buck” Voyles.  On December 24, 1965, she married Winifred Ray Sparkman who survives.

Aleeta was a member of Mount Tabor Christian Church and previously worked for M. Fine & Sons along with her husband, Ray.  She and Ray enjoyed spending hot summer days in their pool; after retirement, they enjoyed traveling across the country in their vintage RV affectionately named “The Blue Hotdog”.  Aleeta took great pride in her plants, caring for them through summer and winter.  In their golden years, Aleeta enjoyed working puzzles with Ray, and they especially liked watching Dancing with the Stars together.

She is survived by her husband, Ray Sparkman; 4 children: Greg Sparkman (Trina), Rachel Sparkman, Rhonda Dally (Joe), and Reeda Woosley (Terry); 2 brothers: Bill Spaulding and Larry Spaulding; 7 sisters: Fay Dodds, Jane Balentine, Kathy Setser, Anna Roney, Susie Hamilton, Patty Jolliffe, and Jennifer Humphrey; 7 grandchildren: Adam Dally, Ashley Sparkman, Darien Woosley, Justin Dally, Tyler Sparkman, Julius Woosley, and Madeline Woosley; and 5 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother and step-father, Alice and Buck Voyles.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 1, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home-Salem Chapel with Tony Mendizabal officiating.  Visitation will be held Sunday, November 30 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.