Carolyn Jane "CJ" Sperry Sadler

Carolyn Jane "CJ" (Sperry) Sadler, 84, died July 7, 2025, at her Autumnwood Village home in Tipton, Ind.

Born June 8, 1941, in Danville, she was the daughter of Glenn R. Sperry (1916-1995) and Leah E. Sperry (1919-2023). She married John Wm. Sadler on June 11, 1961, in Danville. He preceded her in death along with a grandson, Thomas R. Kuhn.

She is survived by daughters, Marcella "Marcy" (Thomas) Kuhn of Noblesville, Ind., and Michelle "Mick" Sadler Williams of Vancouver, Wash; grandchildren, Kenzie, Bram, Tynan (Mattie) Williams and Madeline Ling Kuhn; her brother, Larry (Jamie) Sperry; and many other family members and friends.

Carolyn graduated from Oakwood High School and St. Elizabeth Hospital's Medical Secretary School in Danville. With an incredible work ethic and boundless energy, she was employed at several businesses in Danville until her marriage. Once living on the Sadler farm west of Fithian, she was soon busy raising daughters with John and in-laws, John R. and Zelma Sadler. The rather impatient Carolyn soon found she was better suited for work in town than waiting in line at the grain elevator during harvest. She joined James L. Myers at his Ogden insurance agency and then at the First National Bank of Ogden as his secretary. Active in the National Secretaries Association, she was

honored as the Illinois Secretary of the Year. Her integrity and strength of character cracked her generation's glass ceiling from administrative work to loan officer and vice president. She thrived on helping customers' start and grow businesses as well as leading the bank's compliance and trust departments.

While her daughters were pursuing their educations, Carolyn continued hers, graduating from the School of Banking at Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She left the bank to pursue new opportunities including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, University of Illinois Credit Union, Frey Finance and the Champaign County Circuit Clerk's office. After retirement, Carolyn and John moved to Leesburg, Fla., where they spent nearly a decade enjoying palm trees, sunshine and entertaining. She gained new friends, created beautiful quilts and learned to paddle on a senior dragon boat team. John and Carolyn were at their best entertaining friends and family on the farm, on the Sadler boat "Seabear", or in Florida. She loved decorating her homes, shopping for beautiful clothes, especially shoes, twirling her baton and driving fast cars. CJ kept the "pedal to the metal" either when driving or operating her sewing machines.

She was a member of the Ogden United Methodist Church, Ogden and the First Presbyterian Church, Leesburg, Fla., and Fithian Woman's Club.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Betty Jean Shepherd

 

Betty Jean Shepherd, 98 of Ogden passed away at 10:10 AM Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Country Health Care and Rehab, Gifford.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at Muncie Baptist Church with Pastor Todd Creason officiating.  Burial will be at Stearns Fithian Cemetery, Fithian.  Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Tuesday at the church.  Freese Funeral Home, St. Joseph is assisting with arrangements.

Mrs. Shepherd was born on the family farm north of Fithian on February 6, 1927.  A daughter to Roy F. and Marie Mills Eichhorst.  She married Vere M. Shepherd on November 5, 1944 in Muncie.  He preceded her in death on June 18, 2008.

She is survived by a daughter; Teresa “Terry” (Dale) Miller of St. Joseph, a son; Kenneth (Ivy) of Albuquerque, NM, four grandchildren, Lisa Marie Miller of Brownsburg, IN, Dr. Andrew Miller (Dr. Steven Koether) of Fort Worth, TX, John Shepherd and Sam Shepherd of Reno-Sparks, NV, a great-granddaughter; Isabella Koether-Miller, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded by her parents, a son; Max (Myong) Shepherd and a brother; William (Ethel) Eichhorst.

She was a member of Muncie Baptist Church and served there faithfully for over 80 years.  She helped Vere on the farm for 20 years until he went into insurance when she became his secretary/bookkeeper.  In 1981 she began studying nursing, her passion, and earned her LPN in 1983, retiring from nursing in 1998.   She loved and enjoyed all of her family, especially the grandchildren and great-granddaughter.  She also enjoyed reading and knitting.

Memorials may be made to Muncie Baptist Church.

Freese FH 3/16/2025

Lyndsay Holman Phillips

MUNCIE — Lyndsay Holman Phillips, 45, of Muncie passed away at 4:34 p.m. Monday (March 10, 2025) at home.

Funeral services will be at 2p.m. Sunday, March 16, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. Burial will be in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin. Visitation will be from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Lyndsay was born May 10, 1979, in Danville, the daughter of Randall Holman and Laurie (Dukes) Holman. Lyndsay married Michael Phillips Jr. in October 2006, and from this marriage she was blessed with her two daughters, Alivia Grace and Alaina Rose Phillips, who were the light of her life.

She is also survived by her mother, Laurie (Gary Danenhower) Holman of St. Joseph; father, Randall (Sue) Holman of Tennessee; two sisters, Lacey Holman of Ogden and Brandy (Riley) O’Grady of Lexington; niece and nephews, Devin and Charlie O’Grady, and Maddon Hausle.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Donald L. and Betty J. Holman, and maternal grandparents, Charles and Grace Dukes.

Lyndsay was a hard working ball of energy who worked for the U.S. Postal Service, The Apple Dumplin’, The Hideaway and she was also a licensed hairdresser. She was known for her big heart, never met a stranger, and her wacky fashion sense with a sarcastic T-shirt for any occasion. She was a loving daughter, loyal sister and everyone’s friend.

Lyndsay enjoyed listening to music and is rocking with Tom Petty now. “Who is the love, is the truth, the truth and I will be forever.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made for Lyndsay’s daughter’s education fund. Donations will be accepted at the funeral home.