Obituaries (January 27, 2017) (2024)

Please submit in writing to our office by 10 a.m. Thursday before the week of publication; be sure to state date of death. Obituaries of archdiocesan priests serving our archdiocese are listed elsewhere in The Criterion. Order priests and religious sisters and brothers are included here, unless they are natives of the archdiocese or have other connections to it; those are separate obituaries on this page.

Submit an obituary here (parishes and funeral homes only)

BRUCE, Pamela A., 73, St.Christopher, Indianapolis, Jan. 9. Wife of Lt. Col. Larry Bruce. Mother of Margaret Bowman Coons, Charles and Robert Bowman. Stepmother of Laura Monroe, Lisa Piper and David Bruce. Grandmother of 13. Great-grandmother of four.

CISSELL, Joan, 81, St. John the Apostle, Bloomington, Jan. 13. Mother of Lisa North, Christina Pauley, Grace and Don Cissell. Sister of Grace Tennant, Janice and Pete Rasche. Grandmother of nine.

CURLEY, Doris (Moss), 91, St. Anthony of Padua, Clarksville, Jan. 13. Mother of Kathy Buskill. Sister of James Moss. Grandmother of three. Great-grandmother of four.

DEVORE, John R., 78, St.John Paul II, Clark County, Jan. 2. Husband of Gladys DeVore. Father of JoHanna McKinley, Douglas and JohnDeVore, Jr. Brother of Mary Ann Hasselback, Helen Henderson, Jeanie McKinley and Joseph DeVore. Grandfatherof five. Great‑grandfather of nine.

DIXON, Patricia L. (Green), 86, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower), Indianapolis, Jan. 8. Wife of James Dixon. Mother of Elizabeth Brydon, Mary Lacy, Barbara Saunders and Michael Dixon. Grandmother of eight. Great-grandmother of 16.

FLECK, Melissa A., 65, St. Christopher, Indianapolis, Jan.7. Wife of Robert Fleck. Mother of Katie Smyk and Sarah Fleck. Daughter of Paul Bogeman. Sister of Vicki Leak and Elizabeth Bogeman. Grandmother of three.

FLODDER, Arlene M., 72, St. Louis, Batesville, Jan. 12. Mother of Lisa Benjamin, JerriAnn Hixson, Cynthia Wood and Wenda Woolf. Sister of Jackie Fledderman, Judith Tonges and Daniel Flodder. Grandmother of 11. Great‑grandmother of four.

GORMAN, Cuthbert P. Jr., 86, St. Luke the Evangelist, Indianapolis, Dec. 23. Fatherof Chris and Stephen Gorman. Grandfather of nine. Great‑grandfather of four.

HIRES, Ellen Jean, 80, St.Gabriel, Connersville, Jan. 17.

HOLZER, Carl W., 92, St.Roch, Indianapolis, Jan. 12. Father of Cindy Newhouse. Brother of Betty McElroy. Grandfather of one.

Benedictine Father Rupert Ostdick held monastic leadership positions

Benedictine Father Rupert Ostdick, a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, died on Jan. 14 at the monastery. He was 95.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Jan. 17. Burial followed at the Archabbey Cemetery.

Father Rupert was a jubilarian of monastic profession, having celebrated 72 years of monastic profession. He was also a jubilarian of ordination, having celebrated 68 years of life and ministry as a priest

Howard Otto Ostdick was born on Nov. 14, 1921, in Elgin,Ill.

Father Rupert entered Saint Meinrad’s former Minor Seminary in 1939, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1943. He was invested that same year as a novice at Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

He professed temporary vows on Aug. 10, 1944, and solemnvows three years later. He was ordained a priest on May18, 1948.

Father Rupert held many leadership positions in the monastery, including for 31 years as its treasurer and seven as business manager. During this same period, he provided spiritual direction at Saint Meinrad College.

He served as general manager of the monastery’s Abbey Press from 1979-91.

Father Rupert ministered as the monastery’s subprior (third in leadership) from 1986-91 and in other periods as novice master for clerics, pastoral liaison for the monastery’s co-workers, an assistant in its human resources department and a member of the monastery’s vocations department.

For the past 16 years, he ministered as a confessor for Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and served on the Abbot’s Council and other monastery committees.

Surviving are sisters Marjorie Banker and Mary Burnell of Elgin, Geraldine Mistretta of Carpentersville, Ill., and School Sister of Notre Dame Sister Patricia Ostdick of Chicago and a brother, Bruce Ostdick of Elgin.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 200 Hill Drive, St. Meinrad, IN 47577. †

FAQs

What is the first line of an obituary? ›

Ideas for the Beginning Paragraph

On (day, date), (full name of deceased) of (city of residence) passed away at the age of ____ years. The family of (full name of deceased) of (city of residence) is saddened to announce his/her passing on (day, date) at the age of _____ years.

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What are the final words on an obituary? ›

Some families make the final line a dedication honoring their loved one. Phrases like “We will always carry your memory in our hearts,” or perhaps a favorite quote of your loved one are heartfelt and personal. Other families select a short prayer, a religious quotation, or a line from a poem to place at the end.

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Who normally reads the obituary at a funeral? ›

It serves as a way to inform the community about the individual's passing and to honor their memory. During a funeral or memorial service, it is common for someone to stand up and read the obituary to the attendees. This reading may be performed by a family member, a close friend, or a designated individual.

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How do you list surviving family members in an obituary? ›

Start the paragraph with the deceased's first name, and then “is survived by:” followed by the list of names. Appropriate immediate family: wives, husbands, brothers, sisters and parents are customarily listed, but you can add as many names as you think are most appropriate.

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What should you not include in an obituary? ›

When writing an obituary, leave out details that could be used for identity theft, such as the deceased's date and place of birth, middle name, maiden name and mother's maiden name. And don't include the deceased's home address.

What should you not say in a eulogy? ›

In a eulogy, do not say anything about the person's cause of death, grudges and old grievances, arguments, character flaws, family rifts, or negative memories. Instead, share good memories and leave it out when in doubt.

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Who speaks first at a funeral? ›

The speech is ideally given by someone who knew the person well enough to gather and share memories and highlights of his/her life. Sometimes the choice is obvious within the family. There is often one person who seems to be the unofficial family spokesperson.

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What is the order of siblings in an obituary? ›

Spouse. Children (in order of date of birth) Grandchildren. Siblings (in order of date of birth)

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What does it mean when a name is in parentheses in an obituary? ›

If you like to be technical, names should be listed as follows: first name, spouse's first name in parenthesis, then surname (ex: Tom (Sarah) Johnson). If the spouse or partner's surname is different, include their surname in the parenthesis along with their first name (ex: Tom (Sarah Williams) Johnson).

How do I end an obituary? ›

At the end of an obituary a special message is sometimes found, such as 'in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to..' or 'Special Thanks to the staff at General Hospital for..' or 'We will always carry your memory in our hearts'. Sometimes a short prayer or a line from a poem is placed at the end.

How do I start off an obituary? ›

Opening – Start with the full name, date of birth, and date of death. Biographical Information – Provide a brief overview of their life, including education, career, and family. Achievements and Passions – Highlight notable achievements, hobbies, and interests.