Joanne Puckett Cole, age 96
Joanne Puckett Cole, age 96, passed away May 19, 2026.
She was born on January 10, 1930 in Owensboro, KY to the late Alton and Margaret (Lyon) Puckett.
Joanne graduated from Daviess County High School in 1948 and then attended Western Kentucky University where she met her husband of 61 years, W. Frank Cole, Jr. They lived in Owensboro for 12 years before moving to Salem, IN.
After marriage, Joanne worked at GE in Owensboro
for 8 years while raising her family.
After moving to Salem in 1962, she worked in the Salem School system as a secretary and teacher’s aide before going back to college at age 35 to finish her degree.
She graduated with honors from IU with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English secondary education, all while working full time, raising a family and caring for her mother-in-law. After receiving her degree, she taught English at East Washington High School for 25 years and taught swimming in the summer for over 60+ years.
Jo was known for her big smile and she exemplified her mottos of ‘Living Life to the Fullest’ and “Learn something new every day”. She never me a stranger, was always up for an adventure, and seldom was idle.
She contributed much to the community and her church. She was a loving wife and Mother, an excellent cook and seamstress, and a self-taught player of piano, ukulele, harmonica and drums.
She was well known in the community for teaching swimming and
lifesaving, and was recognized by the Red Cross for her over 60 years of service. It is estimated that she taught over 5000 children to swim – including multiple generations of families.
She was very active in community theater, appearing in many plays and musicals.
The favorite was when she acted the part of the Wicked Witch
of the West in “The Wizard of Oz”.
While teaching at Eastern HS, she started the first girls track team, learned to drive a bus to take the team to meets, was cheerleader sponsor, published annual magazine highlighting her student’s essays and poems, and she became a licensed volleyball official.
She and her husband Frank were lifelong members of the First Christian Church where she was a deacon and Elder in the church.
When she turned 50 she developed a bucket list. She learned to snow ski, she began modeling, & traveled.
After retiring, she and Frank split their time between their homes in Salem and Naples, FL where they enjoyed the Florida retiree lifestyle including their shared passion for golf. She even made 2 Holes-in- one.
Frank and Jo were blessed with 3 children, Debby Stout (David) of Seymour, IN, Leslie Cole of New Albany, IN, and Julia Hodges (Kirk) of Bowling Green, KY. She is also survived by 2 grandchildren, Emily (Stout) Jackson (Mike) of Westfield, IN and Meghan (Stout) Swan (Clint) of Zionsville, IN and 6 great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband Frank Cole, parents Alton and Margaret Puckett, sister Betty Puckett, brother Bob Puckett and her friend and companion Jack Bills.
The family would like to thank her extraordinary caregivers for their loving care, kindness, knowledge and friendship. And special thanks to the wonderful care from her Hosparus team.
There will be a graveside service in the Pavillion at Crown Hill
Cemetery, Friday May 29th at 11:00. Located at 207 S. Shelby St. Salem, IN.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to:
The Humane Society or Washington County Community Foundation.
Clark County Home Improvement Investigation Results in Felony Charges
The investigation began on Jan. 21, 2026, after Detective Travis Baker received information regarding a significant payment made for a home improvement project that was not completed.
According to the investigation, the complainants hired the suspect, operating as C & K Improvements, for a residential construction project in July 2025.
Following review of the case, the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office filed the following charges against Christopher D. Thompson, 48, of Jeffersonville:
• Fraud, Level 5 felony (4 counts)
• Theft, Level 5 felony (2 counts)
• Fraud, Level 6 felony (2 counts)
Thompson was later booked into the Clark County Jail.
Anyone who believes they have had similar dealings with the suspect is encouraged to contact Detective Travis Baker at the Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post at 812‑248‑4374.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Jane Carol Crowder, age 86 of Orleans
Jane Carol Crowder, age 86 of Orleans, passed away on Monday, May 11 at Paoli Health and Living,
Mrs. Crowder was born March 14, 1940 in Salem, Indiana the daughter of Regnal Harris and was raised by her grandmother, Bessie Harris. She was a member of the Leipsic Methodist Church, until she was no longer able to attend. She was retired from Paoli Inc. after retiring she became a lunch lady at Orleans Schools and was also a beautician.
Mrs. Crowder is survived by her daughter, Karol Farler of Mitchell and her son, Calvin “Keith” Crowder (Debbie) of Florida. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Randall Eugene Lagenour II (Alexandra), Cody Lee-Dale Lagenour (Xochitl), Julie Kay Beyrer (Jesse), Calvin Keith Crowder Jr. (Tamarin), Valerie Diane Rodriguez (Juan), Brian Keith Crowder and her great grandchildren: Oliver and Owen Lagenour, Arthur and Faith Beyrer, Easton and Landon Crowder and Ethan and Emily Rodriguez.
Mrs. Crowder is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Crowder, and her parents.
Services will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 2:00P.M. at Weathers Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Monday, from 10:00A.M. until the time of service, with burial immediately after at Mt. Zion Cemetery.
Tony Turner, age 85 of Pekin
Tony Turner, age 85 of Pekin, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Autumn Wood Nursing Home.
Mr. Turner was born July 17, 1940 in Leslie County, Kentucky the son of Lige and Glenna Rose Hendrix Turner. He was a member of Eastview Church of Christ. He retired from the Washington County Telephone Company after 31 years. He was a loving and giving father. He loved his family and would do anything for them. He loved farmers markets and was a bee keeper who sold honey and produce. He was known to take care of neighbors and his community with his harvest.
Mr. Turner is survived by his daughters, Violet Hayes (Roy) of Pekin and Sherry Wright (Jeff) of Salem, his brother, Lige Turner Jr. of New Mexico, grandchildren Tony Hayes (Cynthia), Sheena Becker (Randy), Ryan Hayes, Colter Wright (Jasmine), Tessa Lothery (Andrew) and 11 great grandchildren.
Mr. Turner is preceded in death by his wife, Meda Patricia (Dunn) Turner, his parents and his brothers, Thomas Turner and Gerald Turner.
Services will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 11:00A.M at Weathers Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 5 from 4:00-8:00P.M and Wednesday morning, from 9:00A.M until the time of service. Burial will follow the services at Olive Branch Cemetery.
John Rader Hoskins, age 72 of Salem
John Rader Hoskins, age 72 of Salem, Indiana passed away Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Norton Audubon Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.
Born October 22, 1953, in Hyden, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Willie Hoskins and America (Mitchell) Hoskins.
John graduated from the America High School Stuttgart Germany while serving in the US Army. Afterwards he joined the reserves where he served as a recruiter for 3 years.
He was a Contractor with the U.S. Government for 24 years before retiring in 2019.
In 1998 he married Elizabeth S. (Miller Brown) Hoskins, who survives.
He was a member of the Salem American Legion Cecil Grimes Post 41 and the D. A. V.
Survivors include:
Wife: Elizabeth S. (Miller Brown) Hoskins
Children: Holly (David) Bennett of Florida; Brian Brown of Alabama; Son: William Hoskins of Mineville, New York; Son: Jeremy Hoskins (Alana Blackman) of Phoenix City, Alabama; Daughter: Angela Gormbach of Germany and a bonus daughter: Reana Matthews of Alabama.
Brother: Sam (Gina) Hoskins of Salem, Indiana;
Brother: Marvin (Linnett) Hoskins of Madison, Indiana;
Sister: Beverly (Randy) Gregory of Livonia, Indiana;
Sister: Ruby (Tim) Baker of Kentucky;
Grandchildren:
Madison Scott (Casey Ulm) and Tyler Scott (Britney Fanning) of Ohio, David Brown of North Carolina,
Evan Hoskins of Salem, Hoover, Payton and Anthony Hoskins all of Alabama.
Great grandchild: Corbin Ulm of Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister: Shirley Hoskins
Alexander, brothers: Doug, Michael Pearl and Melvin.
Visitation: 11 am to 2 pm Friday, May 22, at Dawalt Funeral Home.
Funeral Service: 2:00 pm Friday at Dawalt Funeral Home.
Interment will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Salem.
Memorial Contributions to:
American Heart Association
P.O. Box 840692
Dallas, Texas 75284-0692
Kerry M. Lewis, age 71 of Salem
Kerry M. Lewis, age 71 of Salem, Indiana passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Sellersburg Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Born September 20, 1954, in Louisville, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Homer C. and Virginia L. (Dalton) Lewis.
He was a retired employee of Kimball Office Furniture and Tecumseh Engines. He was currently employed as an Instructional Aide at Salem Middle School which turned into a dream job very quickly as he got to work with kids all day helping them sharpen their math skills. The Salem schools became a close knit family for him and had he not gotten so ill, he saw no finish line of working there.
He was a lover of all things Salem, the Cincinnati Reds and IU and
enjoyed watching them every chance he got.
Kerry looked for the good in people and always seemed to find it. He loved watching his students in their extracurricular activities and believed that “kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
He was a member of the Salem Presbyterian Church, had been a life resident of Washington County and was a 1973 graduate of Salem High School. He graduated in 1978 from IUS with a degree in accounting.
Survivors include: 1 brother: James P. Lewis of Charlestown.
Funeral Service: 11:00 am Friday 5/15/2026 at Dawalt Funeral Home, followed by interment in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Visitation: 4 to 7 pm Thursday 5/14 and 10 am until the time of the service on Friday.
Memorial Contributions to:
Salem Presbyterian Church
110 North High Street
Salem, Indiana 47167
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