Gerald N. Thompson, age 85 of Salem, Indiana passed away Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Vincent Salem Hospital.

Born September 8, 1939 in Pineville, Kentucky, he was the son of the late James Mart and Hattie (Robbins) Thompson.

He retired from IBM in Lexington, Kentucky and served in the Armed Forces as a Corporal in the U.S. Marines. He had been a resident of Washington County since 2020, formerly of Jekyll Island, Georgia, was a 1958 graduate of Salem High School and a member of the Salem Masonic Lodge #21 F. & A.M.

In 1960 he married Judy S. (Tatlock) Thompson, who survives.

Also surviving are: Daughter: Cindy Jean Laba, Son: James Glenn Thompson and 4 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by 2 sisters: Nevada Wright and Lois Bowling.

Funeral Service: 2:00 pm Wednesday at Dawalt Funeral Home, followed by interment in Franklin Cemetery with full military honors.

Visitation: 12 noon until the time of the service on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to:

Salem Masonic Lodge #21 F. & A.M.
P.O. Box 162
Salem, Indiana 47167

Edna Sue Johnson, 81, of North Vernon, Indiana, formerly of Salem,  passed away on May 16, 2025 at the Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana. Born on July 13, 1943 in Gainsboro, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Jack Stewart and Cora Mae Staffoed Stewart. On September 25, 1981, she married Fred Johnson.

Edna was retired form ITT Thompson in North Vernon. She was a member Mt Tabor Christian Church.

Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Fred Johnson; niece and caregiver, Tammy McVey; great niece and caregiver, Jessica McVey; great great nephew, Chaunci McVey Schumacher.

Preceded in death by her parents.

There will be no services.

Hughes Taylor Funeral Home Salem Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.

www.hughestaylor.net

David Joe Rutherford, 74, passed away peacefully on May 15th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

David was born on April 23rd, 1951, in Salem, IN to parents Francis Rutherford and Leora Bush Rutherford. He was the oldest of his siblings: Becky Rutherford, who survives, and Steve Rutherford and Grace Ann Bowers, who preceded him in death.

On April 7th, 1973, David married his great love Judy Moore Rutherford, who survives. Together they raised two daughters: Ashlea (Richard) Barnett of Fishers, IN and Kristin (Tim) Stricker of Columbus, IN. David is also survived by his five adoring grandchildren: Katie, Olivia, and Ella Barnett, and Henry and Callum Stricker.

After graduating from Eastern High School, David attended diesel mechanical school in Nashville, Tennessee. He returned to Salem and landed his first job working for Morris Payne, which began his love for working on tractors. Later he worked for Easterdays in Orleans, Indiana, followed by a job at Bryant Implements in Seymour, IN. In 1993, Dave became self-employed, and you could find him in the fields, under a tractor, or on the road from dawn to dusk. For those who knew Dave, you knew the only “true” color of a tractor was John Deere green. Dave passed this love of tractors on to his grandchildren, and they will all tell you that “nothing runs like a Deere.”

David was a member of the Salem Church of the Nazarene, and was a man who believed deeply in the power of prayer.

Funeral services will be held at 12PM on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, at Weathers Funeral Home in Salem, IN. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 20th from 4PM-8PM and Wednesday May 21st from 10AM until time of service.

Eldon Leroy Fulkerson Jr. “Buddy” 49 of Pekin, passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at his home.

Born January 16, 1976 in New Albany, Indiana to Eldon Leroy Fulkerson Sr. and Violet (Skeens) Fulkerson.

He was survived by, Olivia Fulkerson (Daughter), Aiden Fulkerson (Son), Violet Fulkerson (Mother) Suzetta Swartz (Sister), Kase Fulkerson (Grandson) and Jennifer DeFord (Partner).

He was a devoted father, son, brother, and friend.

He graduated from Borden High School Class of 1994 and then married Leslie (Frost) Fulkerson.

He was the Maintenance Man at the apartment complex, where he lived.

He was known for his strong work ethic and his willingness to help others!

Outside of work, he found joy in the simple pleasures of life. Hunting and fishing were his main hobbies.

He was preceded in death by his Father, Eldon Leroy Fulkerson Sr. and his Nephew Matthew Allen Fulkerson. 

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 5, 2025 from 12:00pm (Noon) until 3:00pm with the service beginning at 3:00pm at Dawalt Funeral Home.

Memorial Contributions to can be made to the:
Washington County Humane Society / Salem Animal Shelter
204 W. Joseph Street
Salem, Indiana 47167
https://humanesocietysalemin.org

Jeff L. Busick, 69, of Paoli, passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at his home.  He was born August 9, 1955, in Paoli, IN to Harold Otis and Violet Irene Easter Busick, both of whom preceded him. 

He was also preceded by his son, Jason Busick

Jeff was the night watchmen for Paoli Chair Co. and had formerly worked at Kimball furniture.

He was a member of the Paoli High School class of 1974.

Jeff was also a member of the bowling league and former president of the mixed league.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and just being outdoors in general.

Jeff is survived by:

1 Daughter: Summer (David) Banka; Paoli, IN

Companion: Donita Anderson; Paoli, IN

1 Brother: Steven (Ruth) Busick; Paoli, IN             

2 Sisters: Pamela (Merlin) Hershberger; Sarasota, FL

Emma Christine Busick; Bloomington,  IN

Grandchildren:

Jason Levi (Kailey) Busick, Mikeal Shaine (Hayley) Busick, Taylor Marie Cole, Ammaly Irene Mary Busick, Korrin Emmons

Great Granddaughter: Paisley JoLee Francis French

Funeral Service to be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday May 17, 2025, at Dillman-Scott Funeral Home, 226 W. Campbell St. Paoli, IN.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Saturday, May 17, 2025. Location: Dillman-Scott Funeral Home, 226 W. Campbell St. Paoli, IN.

Interment to follow funeral service at Paoli Community Cemetery.

Online condolences can be made at dillmanscottfuneralhome.com

Roger Burl Jean, age 90, heard the words “Well Done” from his Lord and Savior as he peacefully passed at is home in Salem, IN on May 13, 2025.

He was born to Cecil and Gayle Russell Jean on June 1, 1934 in Medora, IN.

He graduated from Campbellsburg High School and served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Burl married the love of his life, Carmelita Sue Myers on October 2, 1959 who was waiting in heaven to hold his hand along with his grandson Riley.

In addition, he was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Kathryn Sullivan and Marilyn Rosenbaum.

Of all the things Burl Jean loved, his family was chief among them and oh how he loved them well.

Whether it was a family dinner, always followed by a card game or a trip across the world…and everything in between, his love radiated.

His love was a show up kind of love. He was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes.

Burl loved the land. His love of farming was lifelong. Out of all the accomplishments in his life, if you asked him what he did for a living, he would say “I’m a farmer”.

Time spent in the fields was his thinking time and it was there that he came up with what “a person could do” to make our community better.

Burl founded Jeans’ Extrusions in 1982 providing employment to hundreds over the last 43 years in our community.

He was a big believer in quiet philanthropy and helped more people than we will ever know…just like he wanted it to be.

Burl’s faith led every aspect of his life. He was a founding member of Southern Hills Church.

His leisure time was limited, but when he could, he would travel, but not like you’d think.

His ideal trip was with a friend or two, sleeping in the back of his truck, preferably waking up to the majesty of the mountains with a cup of hot coffee.

Summing up a life so well lived into a few paragraphs is nearly impossible, but he was never one for accolades or praise.

His hugs with the hard pats, the sound of his laughter and the twinkle in his eye will be desperately missed by his daughters Jennifer (Wade) Tomlinson and Allison (Joe) Ezzell, his adoring grandchildren, Hope Tomlinson, Carter and Katie Ezzell, and Macie Tomlinson, his sisters Sue Williams and Linda McNeeley, nieces, nephews and an abundance of friends that feel like family.

Memorial donations in Burls honor can be made to the Washington County Community Foundation or Southern Hills Benevolence Fund.

Funeral services will be held at 1PM Monday at Southern Hills Church.

Burial will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 2PM-8PM and Monday from 11AM-until time of service at the church.

Deanna Rose Lanham, age 65, of Salem passed away Sunday May 4, 2025 at Kindred Hospital in Louisville. Born October 21, 1959 in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Osborne Haley, Jr. and Freda (Robinette) Haley.

Deanna was a homemaker and a member of Memphis Community Church.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Roger Lanham, Sr.; 3 sons: Roger Lanham, Jr., Gabriel Lanham (Erricka), and Ryan Lanham (Tiffany); 1 sister: Denise Schocke (Scott); and 8 grandchildren: Haley Hayes (Haven), Levi Lanham, Preston Lanham, Ryleigh Lanham, Kaitlyn Longest, Isabella Tuell, Willa Disque, and Lexi Disque.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Osborne and Freda Haley; and 1 brother, Michael Haley.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home-Salem Chapel with Bro. Ron Baker officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 7, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Burial to follow in Bunker Hill Cemetery.

www.hughestaylor.net