Louise Sama, age 85 of Salem, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at her home surrounded by family. 

Louise was born November 15, 1940 in Salem, Indiana, the daughter of Ford Deaton and Catherine Chastain Deaton. She was a member of the Mount Tabor Christian Church. Louise was the previous owner of H&R Block Tax Service in Salem. She enjoyed doing bible studies and teaching youth at church and also spending time with her family and friends. 

Louise is survived by her husband, Salvatore Sama Jr., her sons, Salvatore Sama III (Kim) of Salem, Kent Sama of Salem, her daughters, Annette Branscum (Tommy) of Crystal River, Florida, Susan Sama of Salem. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kate Sama, Emily (Aaron) Smith, Blake and Ryan Sama, Devan Cobb, Darron Branscum (Stacey), Dustin Williams, Darra Dukes (Cliffton), Wesley Sama and Josie along with her great grandchildren, Gavin Cobb, Connor Cobb, Layla Branscum, Skylar Branscum, Eryka Kerns, Kaden, Kanon, Ryker Williams, Ashton and Maddox Dukes and Maverick Sama.

Louise is also survived by her sister, Anna Wolfe and is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Merle Deaton.

Services for Louise will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 2:00P.M at Weathers Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Saturday, from 10:00A.M until the time of service with burial immediately following at Mt. Tabor Christian Church Cemetery.

Josephine Catherine Zink, age 91 of Salem, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at Salem Crossing.

Mrs. Zink was born November 16, 1934 in McCook, Illinois, the daughter of Charles and Catherine Paskvan Tijan. She was a member of the Catholic Church of American Martyrs in Scottsburg. She had her Masters Degree in nursing.

Mrs. Zink is survived by her children, Stephen Zink of Las Vegas, NV, Mary Blevins of Pekin, IN, Patricia Joy of Montgomery, IL and Theresa Hildabrand of Tuscon, AZ. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Erin Lane, Eric Mueller, Brandon Bice, Sarah Cimino, Katie Vancamp, Shannon Blevins, Jack Blevins, Leah Miller and Jonathan McSweeney and 13 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Zink is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Zink who passed March 14, 2007. She is also preceded in death by her daughter, Margaret Powell, her parents, and her son in law, Bernard Joy.

A private burial will be held for the family.

Katharine “Kitty” Clyde Nix passed away peacefully on July 23, 2026, at the age of 73.

Kitty spent her childhood in Evergreen, Alabama, before moving to Louisville, Kentucky, where she lived with her birth mother, Ann Heil Nix. After her mother’s passing, Kitty was fortunate to live in caring homes where devoted caregivers became like extended family. Harbor House held a special place in her heart, especially the friendship and kindness of caregiver Brittany Knoth. In her final years, Kitty continued to be surrounded by compassionate caregivers whose kindness, dignity, and devoted care brought great comfort to both Kitty and her family.

Kitty was preceded in death by her parents, Ann Heil Nix and Joseph B. Nix Jr.; her stepbrother, Darwin Gray Nix; and her niece, Sandra Elizabeth Jackson.

She is survived by Sandra Trainham Nix, who was known to Kitty as Mother; her sisters, Nancy Nix O’Farrell (Michael), Ellen Nix Garner (John), and Kelsey B. Nix (Roy Ovesen); her brothers, Joseph B. Nix III (Linda) and Richard D. C. Nix Sr. (Zebbie); along with many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family members, cherished caregivers, and dear friends.

Those who wish to join the family in celebrating Kitty’s life are warmly invited to attend a brief graveside service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Nix family plot in Magnolia Cemetery. Cope-Keahey directing.

In Lieu of flowers, the family invites those wishing to honor Kitty’s memory to support organizations serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Hughes-Taylor funeral home was entrusted with the cremation. 

John Curtis Hammond, age 65, of Salem, Indiana formerly of Dupont, Indiana, entered this life on September 14, 1960 in Madison, Indiana.

He was the son of the late Curtis and Shirley Frances Upp Hammond. He was raised in Dupont, Indiana and graduated from Madison Consolidated High School in 1979. In 1983 he graduated from Hanover College with a bachelor’s degree in English.

He earned a master’s degree in 1989 from Indiana University in secondary education.

He was an English and Social Studies middle school teacher at Salem Community School began his career in 1992 and retired in 2019. He was also a girl’s basketball, football and baseball coach for 30 years.

During his coaching years he had over 200 wins at the junior level.

He was a member of the Wirt Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and belonged to the Salem Exchange Club. John enjoyed reading, playing golf and being with family and friends.

John died on Friday, July 24, 2026, at his home in Salem, Indiana.

John will be missed by his loving brother, James Hammond of Madison, Indiana; his nieces and his nephews, Courtney Carraco, Caitlyn Hammond and her fiancée, Joe Bear, Audrey Hammond, and Deron Hammond; his great niece and great nephews, Brody, Carter, and Evelyn; several cousins and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Curtis Hammond, died May 25, 2006, his mother, Shirley Frances Upp Hammond, died July 4, 2016, his brother, Joseph Francis “Joe” Hammond, died November 15, 2015.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, August 3, 2026, at 1:00 pm, by Pastor Troy Hedges at the Wirt Baptist Church, 4773 North, 350 West near Madison, Indiana.

Interment will follow in the Dupont Cemetery in Dupont, Indiana. Friends may visit Monday, August 3, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Wirt Baptist Church, 4773 North, 350 West near Madison, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wirt Baptist Church at the link below the obituary.