Michael Earl Cruse, age 68, of Salem, passed away Tuesday, October 28 at his home.

Mr. Cruse was born August 13, 1957, in Floyd County, Indiana, the son of Earl Cruse and Margaret Lynch Rose. He was an over the road truck driver. He was kind and loving, but at the same time a jokester. Michael loved mushroom hunting and tinkering in the garage, but most of all he loved his family.

Michael is survived by his wife: Wanda Amburn Cruse, they were married on September 4, 1999, his sons: Grayson Wilson of Salem, and Jimmy Wynn of Salem, a step-son: Roger Alexander (Joanna) of Salem, daughters: Kelly Cortez (Brian) of Pekin, and Kara Claywell (Timmy) of Fredericksburg, bonus sons: Jeremy Tucker, Brad Tucker (Melissa) and Zach Wilson all of Salem, a brother: Kenny Cruse (Renee) of Taylorsville, Kentucky, a sister: Julia Baxter (John) of New Albany, grandchildren: Gunner Pickerill (Kayla) and Kynnlee Claywell, four step-grandchildren: Montana Cortez, Austin Cortez, Megan Huffman (JT), and Dustin Alexander, one great-grandchild: Lainey Rae, and three step-great grandchildren: Graylynn Cortez, Delilah Ayers, and Haisley Cortez, a brother-in-law: Russell Amburn (Donna), a special niece: Casey Rose and his faithful dog: Waylon.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister: Debbie Sammons.

Per his request, there will be no funeral services and cremation was chosen.

Mitchell “Mitch” Keith Davis, age 43, of Salem, passed away Friday, October 31, 2025 at his residence.  Born November 12, 1981 in Jeffersonville, he was the son of Monty Reisinger and Nancy (Shepherd) Reisinger.

Mitch loved his children and being outdoors in the nature.

He is survived by his parents, Monty and Nancy Reisinger; 3 children: Destiny Greene (Nash Sullivan), Serenity Davis, and Alex Davis; and 1 brother: Matthew Davis.

He was preceded in death by 1 sister: Missy Davis; and 1 brother: Monty Reisinger, Jr.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home – Salem Chapel with Bro. Rick Main officiating. 

Visitation will be held Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.  Burial to follow in Bunker Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the funeral home to assist with burial expenses.

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Carolyn Maxine Potter, age 85 of Salem, passed away Sunday, November 2, 2025, in her residence.

Born April 26, 1940 in Salem, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late John and Nora (Lockhart) Reinhardt.

She was a retired employee of the old Smith Cabinet Manufacturing Company in Salem and was a former employee of Amtek Signs and Country Cookin Restaurant. She was a member of the Crossroads Baptist Church and the Red Hat Society and was known by many as “The Pie Lady”, from making pies at Country Cookin Restaurant.

On August 17, 1958 she married Harvey Monroe Potter, who passed away March 30, 1991.

Survivors include:

2 Daughters: LaDonna (John) Mitchell and Cindy (John) Thomas; 2 Sons: Jeff and Kevin Potter; Grandchildren: Trevor Thomas, Kristin (Gary) Owsley, Shelby (Mike Hayes) Potter and Jared (Cierra Hickman) Potter, Great grandson: Ledger Owsley and her cat companion, Sweet Pea, who was adopted from the animal shelter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and infant daughter Cathy Potter.

Visitation: 4 to 7 pm Tuesday and 9 am until the time of the service on Wednesday.

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

Memorial Contributions to:

Washington County Humane Society / Salem Animal Shelter

204 W. Joseph Street

Salem, Indiana 47167

https://humanesocietysalemin.org

Donna Ann Miller, age 66, of Pekin, met the Lord on October 15, 2025, at Baptist Health Floyd Hospital.

Donna was born on April 4, 1959 in New Albany, Indiana to the late Harvey Lee Bobbitt and Ann Marie (Wright) Bobbitt. She was a homemaker and a former employee of Green Banner Publications in Pekin. She was a member of South Liberty Church of Christ.

She is survived by her husband, Scott K. Miller of Pekin, whom she married on May 8, 1976; three children: Jeffery E. Miller (Robin) of Pekin, Sandra M. Hatfield (Troy), and Jennifer L. Miller, both of Simpsonville, Kentucky; Two brothers: Michael L. Bobbitt and Glenn Bobbitt, both of Gainesville, Florida; 2 sisters:Julie Moore of Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Teresa Jarvis of Wellston, Oklahoma; two sister-in-laws: Karen Kirtley (Otis) of Pekin and Kristi Rothbauer (Andrew) of Scottsburg, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey Lee Bobbitt and Ann Marie (Wright) Bobbitt, and one sister, Susan Bobbitt.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, followed by burial at Big Springs Cemetery of Pekin. Visitation will be Saturday from 10 AM til the time of the funeral service. Brother John Denny will officiate.

Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral care.

Kevin W. Carty, age 65 of Salem, went to be with the Lord, Sunday, October 12, 2025.

Mr. Carty was born August 5, 1960, in Salem, the son of Billie and Elenora Carty. Mr. Carty worked for Kimball International for 29 years, he started out as a wood worker and worked up to the position of Project Development Manager and Assistant Plant Manager at the Salem Plant.

He was the lead office designer for several US Senators, the Pittsburg Steelers and the office of Nascar driver, Jeff Gordon.

He was an outdoorsman that enjoyed fishing, hunting and taking trips to Spring Mill State Park and Starve Hollow.

Carty was the pastor of Westside Baptist Church for the past 16 years. He started in the ministry at the age of 15.

He was a big supporter of Messengers of Peace, Christian Motorcycles Association and Run For The Son Ministries.

In the past he was the associate Pastor and music director of Salem Assembly of God, a Sunday School teacher and he was also a youth leader.

Carty is survived by his wife of 45 years, Teresa Carty.

Also survived by his children, Ryan (Andrea) Carty and Rachel (Christopher) Eve and his grandsons, Daniel Carty and Henry Eve.

Carty is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Dave Carty.

Services will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11:00a.m at Weathers Funeral Home.

Visitation will take place Thursday, October 16, from 4:00-8:00p.m at the funeral home and Friday, from 10:00a.m until the time of the service.

Rilda Irene Morris, age 93 of Salem, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Baptist Health Floyd Hospital in New Albany.

She was born on March 11, 1932, in Wayne County, Kentucky to the late Jodie L. and Vada Ella (Cassada) Hammond.

She was a resident of Washington County since 1946 and was a 1950 graduate of Campbellsburg High School.

On July 26, 1952, she married Donald Bayard Morris, of Salem, who survives.

She retired from Salem Community Schools after working 27 years in the school cafeterias. She was a founding member of New Hope United Methodist Church serving on numerous committees. She was active in the United Methodist Women and sang in the church choir. She was a former member of the Westside Homemakers Club.

Irene was known for her service to others, her kind generosity, and her love for her family and friends. She was an avid gardener and an excellent cook.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by 3 daughters, Pamela Smith (Dennis Stoops), of Sellersburg, Donna Schmidt (Mike) of New Albany, and Susan Lawson (Michael) of Crestwood, Kentucky. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Adam Smith, Derek Smith, Erin Hobson, Carly Launius, Tyler Schmidt, Chelsea Murphy, and Haley Lawson. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren.

Irene was proceeded in death by a grandson, Chase Lawson, four brothers, Walter, Robert, Melvin, and Dewey Hammond, and four sisters, Delpha Gholson, Lela Canada, Luda Zink, and Mae Beshear.

Visitation will be at Dawalt Funeral Home in Salem on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at New Hope United Methodist Church on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 prior to the service. Interment to follow service at Crown Hill Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the loving staff at Rivercrest Senior Living for the excellent care they provided during the past year.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to New Hope United Methodist Church, 4957 West State Road 60, Salem, IN 47167 or to the Washington County Community Foundation,

Donald and Irene Morris Touch Tomorrow Fund, 1707 North Shelby Street, Suite 100, Salem, Indiana 47167 http://wwwwccf.biz

Lynne Marie Elliott (Little) was born on August 20, 1961, in Portland, Maine. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Lynne passed away peacefully at her residence on October 13, 2025.

Lynne’s life was defined by her unwavering commitment to her family and her community. She was united in marriage to her devoted husband, John Thomas Elliott, on September 30, 1982, marking the beginning of a partnership grounded in love and mutual support. Together they raised three wonderful children: Tiffany Gonzalez, Jessica Lloyd, and John Elliott Jr., who brought immense joy and pride to Lynne’s life.

She cherished her role as a grandmother to ten grandchildren: Frederick B Willets, Shelby Lloyd, Gabe Elliott, Racheal Taylor, Renea Taylor, Jet Gonzalez, Blake Gonzalez, Bonita Elliott, Riskya Pihi, and Macie Landes. Each grandchild held a special place in her heart, and she delighted in their accomplishments and adventures. Lynne was also a proud great-grandmother to Alfredo A. Carbajal, celebrating the growth of her family with warmth and affection.

Lynne was the loving sister to Joel Little Jr., Joanne Barnes, and Mary Sprague, and her relationships with her siblings were a source of strength and joy throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joel Little and Joan (Foster) Little, as well as her cherished relatives Sherman Earl and Daisy Fern.

For 24 years, Lynne dedicated herself to her profession as a career coach, helping countless individuals find their paths and achieve their dreams. Her compassion and guidance made a significant impact on many lives, and she was deeply respected in her field.

A devoted member of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Lynne’s faith was central to her life, providing her with strength, community, and purpose.

Lynne Marie Elliott’s legacy will endure through the love she shared and the lives she touched. As her family grieves the loss of a remarkable woman, they find solace in the many memories they created together, honoring her life and the lasting impact she had on all who knew her.

Cremation was chosen.

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