JENNINGS COUNTY
Arrests
Wednesday
William Watson, 37, North Vernon, failure to appear warrant, 10:28 a.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, $2,055 bond.
Scott Hankins, 53, Osgood, battery with injury, criminal confinement, 5:54 p.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, $1,055 bond.
Incidents
Wednesday
3:56 p.m. — Theft reported in the 2400 block of North State Road 3.
4:15 p.m. — Domestic disturbance reported in the 2100 block of State Road 7.
COLUMBUS
Dr. David L. Skidmore passed December 30th.
Survived by children, Sam Skidmore and Mackenzie Baker; grandchildren, Haelynn and Brody.
Visitation: 2-4 Sunday (1-4-2026), Mt. Healthy Community Church
Funeral: 4 p.m. Sunday
Memorials: Bartholomew County Humane Society
Obituary and Condolences: barkesweaverglick.com
FRANKLIN
Sharon McIntosh, age 73, a resident of Franklin, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at her home in Franklin. She was a former Portland resident.
Sharon was born July 1, 1952, in Gas City, Indiana, the daughter of Joseph and Alyce (Colson) Thiellen. She attended Church of God Prophecy in Portland and Assembly of God in Whiteland. Sharon married William McIntosh, Sr. on June 22, 1996.
Survivors include: Her husband: William McIntosh, Sr. – Franklin, Indiana. Her children: Sherie Beck – Tucson, Arizona
Jeremy Kelly – Bunker Hill, Indiana, Sabrina McCammon – Portland, Indiana Garry Travis Kelly – Portland, Indiana.
Her step-children: Bill McIntosh (wife Donna) – Franklin, Indiana Mary Canino – Texas, Michael McIntosh (wife Juanita) – Edinburgh, Indiana,Tanya Moler – Edinburgh, Indiana, 1 sister: Nita McIntosh (husband John) – Bargersville, Indiana
Several grandchildren and great grandchildren
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, from 12 – 2 p.m. at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Jefferson Cemetery in Upland, Indiana.
COLUMBUS
Jerry B. Thompson, 78, passed from this life on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in Columbus, Indiana. Jerry was born to Joe and Betty Clevenger Thompson on August 29, 1947 in Walesboro, Indiana.
After dedicating 26 years to the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation’s maintenance department, Jerry retired in 2012. His commitment to his work was paralleled only by his dedication to his family and his passions. Jerry is fondly remembered by his children, Dena Wood and Pat Thompson; sisters, Lucinda Downs and Jane; 2 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joe Thompson, Jim Thompson, his twin brother Larry Thompson and Dick Thompson.
An avid outdoorsman, Jerry found solace and excitement in the beauty of nature, whether it was casting a line into a serene river while fishing, navigating the waters aboard a boat, or exploring the countryside on his motorcycle. The garage was his sanctuary, a place where he could tinker and build, turning his visions into tangible creations.
Jerry was a man who filled every space with laughter, wisdom, and a touch of mischief. His stories will be recounted at family gatherings, keeping his spirit alive. A lifetime of memories and anecdotes will serve as a guiding light to all who were fortunate enough to be a part of his journey.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 12:00 p.m. ~ 3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 4, 2025, at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Washington St.
Following Jerry’s wishes, cremation will take place following the visitation.
Arrangements by Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.
Condolences and special memories may be shared with the Thompson family at barkesweaverglick.com.
NORTH VERNON
Nancy Kay Wilkins, 72, of North Vernon, passed away at 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at St. Vincent Jennings Hospital in North Vernon.
Born March 4, 1953, in Columbus, she was the daughter of the late Lee and Marjorie (McPeek) Oren. She married Jerry Wilkins Sr. on October 1, 1971, in Columbus; he survives.
Nancy was a graduate of Columbus North High School. She worked for Kroger in Columbus, was a homemaker, and cleaned houses. She was of the Christian Faith. Nancy enjoyed fishing, mowing the yard, crafts, painting, and drawing. She would do anything for anybody and loved taking care of everyone, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving with her husband, Jerry; are her son, Jerry Wilkins Jr. of North Vernon; her daughter, Jamie (Tony) Meade of North Vernon; brothers, Butch Oren of North Vernon, Marc (Kathy) Oren of Montana, and Mike Oren of Columbus; sister, Darlene Haskett of Colorado; grandchildren, Tyler Wilkins, Cody King, Ashley (Carter) Meade, and Wyatt Meade, all of North Vernon, Tristan Wilkins of Indianapolis, Cheyenne Wilkins of Columbus, and Kyle Wilkins of Brown County; and great-grandchildren, Kinsley Wilkins, Mitchell Wilkins, and Jolene King, all of North Vernon.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Rex Oren.
A funeral service for Nancy will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the Dove-Sharp &Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Vernon with the Rev. Tom Horton officiating. The visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service.
Memorials may be made through the funeral home in honor of Nancy for funeral expenses.
COLUMBUS
Brenda Jo Lowe, 72, went to be with Jesus on Sunday, December 28th at 4:50 p.m.
She was born in Columbus, Indiana, January 13, 1953, to Irvin and Alice (Cobb) Barnett.
She graduated in 1970 from Columbus High School and married Donald Lowe September 19, 1970, after only knowing each other four months. Her brother, James, introduced them. They were married in the chapel of First Christian Church, where she was baptized in the sixth grade.
Brenda was a stay-at-home Mom until 1995, when she went to work at Alan Industries for 20 years until their closure in 2015.
She loved doing puzzles of all kinds, from jigsaw to word searches, watching YouTube, and collecting cookbooks because they made good reading material.
Brenda enjoyed shopping and going to local craft shows with her daughter. She never met a stranger and would talk to anyone, which is where her daughter gets that from.
Brenda is survived by her children, Christopher Robert Lowe and Dawn Renee Lowe both of Columbus; a brother, James (Lin) Barnett of Seymour; a niece Jennifer Babbs of Seymour; a nephew, James Ryan Barnett of Seymour; a great-niece, Jocelyn Babbs of Seymour; two sisters-in-law, Ann Jackson of Columbus and Gladys Lovins of Waymansville; five grand-cats (Sully, Julius, Paisley, Gypsy, and Axl); along with many other nieces and nephews on her husband’s side.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 44 years November 1, 2014; and a sister, Beverly Barnett.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, January 5, 2026, at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street; the Reverend William Cordes will officiate. Family and friends may gather for visitation from 11 a.m. until service time Monday at the funeral home. Brenda will be laid to rest next to her husband in Section 82 West in the Garland Brook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or Memorial Baptist Church.
Condolences and special memories may be sent to the Lowe family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.
HOPE
Carol D. Hoy Romine, 73, of Hope, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Community Hospital South.
Born on September 5, 1952 in Columbus, Carol was the daughter of Clyde and Kathryn McCory Hoy. She married Mark Romine on September 22, 1973.
Carol earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and master’s degree from Indiana University. She started her teaching career in Waverly, Illinois. She continued her career in teaching at Central Middle School, North High School, and Waldron High School. She worked at Hauser High School as the Food Service Director and retired from Jennings County High School.
Carol enjoyed making wreaths for Romine Tree Farms that she owned and operated with her husband, Mark.
She grew up attending Hartsville Church of Christ. She later became a member of Newbern United Methodist Church and was most recently a member of Waynesburg Christian Church.
Carol was a member of the Home Ec Club Yours, Mine, and Ours, Belted Galloway Society, and Indiana Teachers Association. She enjoyed the time she spent volunteering for the Be The Match donor program, Purdue University Dance Marathon, and being a 4-H leader.
She enjoyed listening to music, playing music, and sewing. Her true passion was raising her kids and grandchildren, along with her great love for teaching.
Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Mark, of Hope; children, Sara and Kenneth Ripple of Terre Haute and Amy and Jared Rutan of Columbus; her grandchildren that were her pride and joy, Caroline and Lillian Tuell and Boone and Ada Rutan; siblings, Sam Hoy, David and Twila Romine, Mary and Gilbert Pardieck, Dale Pope, and Michael Gardner; aunt, Mary Ann Jordan; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Kathryn Hoy and Horace and Maxine Romine; son, John Mark Romine; siblings, Katrina Pope, Bob and Cheryl Romine, Susie Gardner, and Barton Romine; niece, Tammy Romine; and nephew, Kyle Romine.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 6 at 11 a.m. at Waynesburg Christian Church with Pastor Jay Vanderbur officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Norman Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Burial will take place at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Be The Match or Purdue University Dance Marathon.
Online condolences may be sent to the Romine Family at www.normanfuneralhome.net.
COLUMBUS
William Howard Carte, 95, of Columbus, Indiana and formerly of Steubenville, Ohio, stepped into a well-deserved heavenly reward on December 30, 2025.
Born on April 30, 1930 to Sara Jane (Peters) Carte and Homer Carte Sr., Howard was raised in Neffs, Ohio. After the tragic passing of his father at age 4, Howard was raised by his mother, a hardworking young widow, on a family homestead, the stories about which provided hours of entertainment at family gatherings over the years. After choosing to part ways with formal education at age 14, Howard struck out on his own and moved to the big city, Steubenville, Ohio, where he met his future bride, Marjorie Ann Cope. After two faithful years of service in the U.S Army, he returned from Korea and was promptly married to his darlin’ on Valentine’s Day, 1953. Margie and Howie were blessed with three children, two daughters and a son.
The pinnacle of Howard’s career was the launch of Carte Autobody in 1970 and a handful of small off-shoot businesses that followed. Most notably, Howard and his son excelled at antique car restoration, a true passion and creative outlet they shared. A fixer at heart, Howard continued to tinker long into retirement, in between motorhome vacations to Myrtle Beach and Siesta Key, two favorite destinations. In 2000, Margie and Howard uprooted from Steubenville following the unexpected passing of their son, to join their daughter’s family in Columbus, Indiana. What was expected to be a rather short final chapter of their lives evolved into 25 beautiful years of enjoyment, most especially of grandchildren and a growing brood of great-grandchildren!
A caretaker of his wife in his final years and a proud Korean Veteran, Howard will be remembered for his dedication to his bride, his easy-going, soft-spoken &gentle nature, his resilience, and creativity.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Elsie Junkins, Homer Carte Jr, John Carte, and Rosealee DePalma, as well as his son, Sidney Roger Carte, and infant daughter, Marian Louise Carte.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Marjorie, his adoring daughter, Susan (Albert) Roszczyk, as well as granddaughters Sara (Eric) Cave &Erin (Nathan) Laswell and twelve great-grandchildren: Margaret Cave, Howard Cave, Walter Cave, Louise Cave, Helen Cave, Vera Cave, Stanley Cave, Ruth Cave, Stella Cave, Frances Laswell, Eleanor Laswell, and Josephine Laswell.
Per his wishes, cremation will take place, and Howard will be laid to rest next to his daughter and son at Union Cemetery in Steubenville, Ohio. Military honors will be presented at a private graveside service later this year.
Memorial contributions can be made in Howard’s memory to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
FREETOWN
Donna Marlene (Anderson) Fritz, age 90, of Freetown, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 29, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Donna was a lifelong and faithful member of Freetown Church of Christ, where she devoted many years to teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was also a long-time member of the Loyal Daughters, participated in the church choir for many years, and faithfully served the church through the flower fund ministry. Donna deeply loved her church and her Savior with all her heart.
Mrs. Fritz graduated as valedictorian of her class from Freetown High School in 1953. After graduation, she began her career as a secretary in the Columbus office of Arvin Industries. In 1960, she was fortunate to become a stay-at-home mother. During that time, she also worked for 11 years as a Jackson County correspondent for The Columbus Republic newspaper. In 1979, Donna returned to the workforce at Cummins Engine Co., where she remained until retiring in 1999 as a diesel technician.
Russell and Donna then purchased Neal Paint and Wallpaper in Columbus, where he had been employed for 24 years. Upon their retirement in June of 1998, they continued their life together in Freetown. During their working years, Donna and Russell enjoyed traveling, including three trips to Mexico, two trips to Arizona, two cruises, and many annual visits to their condominium in Tennessee.
After retirement, they attended all home Indiana University basketball games and operated three businesses in downtown Freetown: a hardware store, an antique and ice cream shop, and a craft shop.
Donna was an active and devoted member of the National Federation of Press Women and Jackson County Christian Women Association.
Family was of utmost importance to Donna, and she cherished spending time with them, while faithfully supporting them in all their endeavors.
Born on July 25, 1935, in Freetown, Donna was the daughter of Charles William “Jack” and Hazel (Scott) Anderson, both of whom preceded her in death. On August 31, 1956, at Freetown Church of Christ, she married the love of her life, Russell Lee Fritz, and he survives in Freetown.
Survivors also include one daughter, Charlene Mellencamp of Freetown; three sons: Craig (Kathy) Fritz of Brownstown, Wayne (Sherri) Fritz of Freetown, and Eric (Laura) Fritz of Columbus; twelve grandchildren: Clay (Jessica) Fritz, Keri (Rob Anderson) Fritz, Kala (Matt) Housand, Amberly (Chris) Brewer, Amy (Ryan) Hehman, Adam (Lauren) Mellencamp, Mallory (Steve Kaman) Fritz, Darcey (Nick) Maples, Sydney Fritz, Kagney (Whitney) Fritz, Kogan Fritz, and Kelin (Kaley) Fritz; 28 great-grandchildren; one brother, Terry Anderson of Freetown; two sisters: Marilyn Ault of Spraytown and Elaine Francis of Honeytown; and brother-in-law, James Fritz of Bluffton, South Carolina.
Donna was also preceded in death by two brothers: Charles Samuel Anderson and Johnny Mack Anderson; and one sister, Dianne Gilliam.
Funeral services for Donna Marlene (Anderson) Fritz will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Freetown Church of Christ with Pastor Barry DeWitt officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Freetown Church of Christ, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2025, at Freetown Church of Christ.
Interment will follow at Freetown Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Freetown Church of Christ.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the caring staff at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc.
Online memories and condolences may be given at www.spurgeonfh.com
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (AP) — Sixteen-year-old Arthur Brodard went to the Le Constellation bar with friends to celebrate the New Year. Nearly 48 hours after a devastating fire, his mother still held out hope he might be one of the six injured people who remained unidentified after one of Switzerland’s worst tragedies.
Those half-dozen people gave a glimmer of hope for families whose loved ones were missing in the aftermath of the fire at the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana that killed 40 people and injured 119 others, 113 of whom have been formally identified.
“I’m looking everywhere. The body of my son is somewhere,” Laetitia Brodard, from Lausanne, Switzerland, told reporters. “I want to know, where is my child, and be by his side. Wherever that may be, be it in the intensive care unit or the morgue.”
The severity of the burns has made it difficult to identify both the injured and deceased, requiring families to supply authorities with DNA samples. In some cases, wallets and any identification documents inside turned to ash in the flames. An Instagram account has filled up with photos of people who were unaccounted for, and friends and relatives begged for tips about their whereabouts.
Officials in the Valais regional government acknowledged the prolonged heartache.
“You will understand that the priority today is truly placed on identification, in order to allow the families to begin their mourning,” Beatrice Pilloud, the Valais region’s attorney general, told reporters Friday during a news conference.
Mathias Reynard, head of the regional government, added: “We are aware of the particularly difficult hours, of the unbearable side of every minute that passes without answers.”
‘You can’t imagine the pain I saw’
Investigators said Friday that they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fatal fire when they came too close to the ceiling of the bar crowded with New Year’s Eve revelers, two hours after midnight Thursday.
“We were bringing people out, people were collapsing. We were doing everything we could to save them, we helped as many as we could, we saw people screaming, running,” Marc-Antoine Chavanon, 14, told The Associated Press in Crans-Montana on Friday, recounting how he rushed to the bar to help the injured. “There was one of our friends: She was struggling to get out, she was all burned. You can’t imagine the pain I saw.”
Many of the injured were in their teens to mid-20s, police said. Authorities planned to look into whether sound-dampening material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar.
Officials said they would also look at other safety measures on the premises, including fire extinguishers and escape routes. The region’s top prosecutor warned of possible prosecutions if any criminal liability is found.
Injured hailed from across Europe
The injured included 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French and 11 Italians, along with citizens of Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal and Poland, according to Frédéric Gisler, police commander of the Valais region. The nationalities of 14 people were still unclear.
Emanuele Galeppini, a promising teenage Italian golfer who competed internationally, was officially listed as one of Italy’s missing nationals. His uncle, Sebastiano Galeppini, told Italian news agency ANSA that their family is awaiting the DNA checks, though the Italian Golf Federation on its website announced that he had died.
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Dazio reported from Berlin. Associated Press journalists Geir Moulson in Berlin, Graham Dunbar in Geneva, and Nicole Winfield and Giada Zampano in Rome contributed to this report.
