Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home

12/20/2025

Rita Jo (Volz) Ester, 88, of Milan passed away Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Margaret Mary Community Hospital in Batesville. She was born in Milan on September 17, 1937, the daughter of Chris Sr. and Ada Koechlin Volz. She was married to Don Ester on June 13, 1959. Rita was a 1955 graduate of Milan High School and attended Marquette University and Hanover College. She worked at Fernald, as the treasurer of the Moores Hill School, and finished her career as the office manager for Larry Barlow DDS in Milan. Don and Rita enjoyed many years of camping and traveling the United States in their motor home with friends and family. They purchased a home in Bradenton, Florida and spent the winter there. Rita’s hobbies were quilting, embroidering, playing cards, and reading. She enjoyed lunches with her friends and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sister Mary Meyer McKittrick; daughters Gretchen (Richard) Ho**er, Heidi Becker, Eric (Bev) Ester, and Donald Jr. (Renae Johnson) all of Milan; grandchildren Adam (Katie) Ho**er, Alex (Jodie) Ho**er, Johnathan Becker, Tyler Ester, Erica (Aaron) Mathes, Sara Ester (Joshua Cronauer), Taylor Ester, Gabbie Ester, Abigael (Matt) Brewer, Olivia (Charles) Storms, Tyler (Sara) Johnson, Jordan Johnson (USMC); great-grandchildren Caroline and Declan Ho**er, Lane and Laramie Ho**er, Cash, Mia, and Kennedy Mathes, Mack Gould, Asher, Jackson, and Waylon Brewer, Leah, Lainey, Rylee, and Renn Johnson, Lyric, and Melodie Storms. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Donald Ester, Sr., her brother Chris Volz, Jr., her sister Joan Konnersman, and her son-in-law Bruce Becker. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, December 23 at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Milan with Father Shaun Whittington officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rosary services at 4:30 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Milan Fire Department or the St. Charles Cemetery in care of the funeral home.

12/15/2025

Joyce Ann Miller, 86, of Osgood passed away at home at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 13, 2025. She was born in Milan at the Whitlatch Clinic on March 4, 1939, the only child of James and Lucille Volz Franklin. She married the love of her life and husband of 65 years, Ralph D. Miller on August 20, 1960 and he survives. Other survivors include their children James (Bonnie) Miller of Noblesville, Sheri (Robbie) Works of Vevay, Jon (Millissa) Miller of Olathe, Colorado, Merri (Tim) Stephens of Osgood, and Terri (Mike) Stein of Sardinia, Ohio; 23 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandchild, and one great-grandchild. Mrs. Miller was a 1957 graduate of Osgood High School and went on to earn her Registered Nursing degree from Bethesda Nursing School in Cincinnati. She spent her early married years as a homemaker and stay-at-home mom. Once the kids were of school age, she began her nursing career spending several years as a school nurse with the South Ripley School Corporation, as well as working as a nurse at Manderley Nursing Home and the Muscatatuck State Developmental Center. Joyce was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Osgood as well as the National Council of Catholic Women. Her community service included Cub Scout Leader, 4-H leader, and a member of the Red Hat Ladies Society. Joyce’s wishes were to be cremated and a memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 3, 2026 at the St. John Catholic Church with Father Binu Mathew officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be given to the St. John Building Fund or the Delaware Fire Department in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.

12/15/2025

Walter L. Hill, 68, of Versailles passed away Friday, December 12, 2025 at University Hospital in Louisville. He was born at Pride in Union County, Kentucky on December 17, 1956, the son of Leonard and Laverne Owens Hill. He was married to Theresa Joy Womack and his wife of 48 years survives. Other survivors include his daughter April Joy Jarrett of Versailles; sons Derek (Janet) Hill of Scottsburg, and Jonathon (Christina) Hill of Fishers; 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; three brothers Vernon (Inn) Knight of Georgia, James “Bob” (Shirley) Hill of Tennessee, and Richard (Rose) Hill of Georgia; three nephews and five nieces. Mr. Hill worked at Delta Faucet in Greensburg until he retired from there in 1996. From there he went to work for Rhoel Transport as an over the road trucker. He enjoyed working with wood and building things in his basement workshop and loved driving his golf cart around with Joy and visiting friends. Lewis was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 18 years and was a former District Deputy. He attended and enjoyed his church family at the Tyson Methodist Church. Lew’s wishes were to be cremated and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Cliff Hill Cemetery in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.

12/13/2025

Sonny Elston Funeral Service

12/11/2025

There is a problem with our landline at the funeral home. Frontier knows about it and is working on the issue. If you are having problems calling, please call Eric at 812-756-0913 or Mike at 812-756-0146. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.

12/09/2025

Stanley “Sonny” Elston, 80, of Cross Plains passed away Monday, December 8, 2025 at the Kings Daughters Hospital in Madison. He was born at the Whitlatch Clinic in Milan on November 4, 1945, the son of Freddie and Lela Hankins Elston. He was married to Linda Swinney at the New Marion Baptist Church on September 21, 1968 and his wife of 57 years survives. Other survivors include two sons Scott (Lori) Elston of Cross Plains and Clifton (Kellie) Elston of Batesville; six grandchildren Wyatt (Lindsay) Elston, of Versailles, Brook Elston of Cross Plains, Amber Elston of Charleston, South Carolina, and Quinton, Jackson, and Gabrielle Elston all of Batesville; two great-grandchildren Hank and Roscoe Elston; also his nephew Tom (Maria) Reuter of Holton. He was preceded in death by his daughter April Lynn, his parents, and his sisters Charlotte Reuter and Ardena Ann Elston, and his brother-in-law Lloyd Reuter. Mr. Elston was a 1964 graduate of Cross Plains High School and was a 40-year employee of Reliance Electric in Madison. He was a member of the former Cross Plains Baptist Church and is a member of the The Well Community Church in Cross Plains. Sonny enjoyed walking, spending time with his grandchildren, c**n hunting, bird hunting, farming, and was an avid IU fan. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. Jerry Vandervort officiating. Burial will be in the Grandview Memorial Garden at Madison. Visitation will be on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Cross Plains Baptist Cemetery in care of the funeral home.

11/28/2025

Mabel Comer Flick, 98, of Holton passed away at 4:50 p.m., Thursday, November 27, 2025 at St. Andrews Health Campus in Batesville. She was born near Osgood on August 7, 1927, the only daughter of George and Dorothea Thielbar Comer. She was married to Charles Flick, Jr., the love of her life, on October 15, 1949 and he preceded her in death on March 3, 2014. Survivors include two sisters-in-law Barbara Hardy Comer of Deerfield Beach, Florida and Margaret Flick Wilken of Indianapolis, along with 15 nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a nephew James Comer, and her brothers Clarence (Martha), Norman (Hazel), Leonard (Jane), Leroy (Louise), and Gayle Comer. Mrs. Flick graduated 8th grade from the old Osgood Grade School and was a 1945 graduate of Osgood High School. Her nieces and nephews were a loving and caring help to her in the past years while she was living alone. When Charles was in the Army stationed in Germany, she spent 15 months living with him in a German home and enjoyed trips seeing different countries. She worked at the state welfare office in Indianapolis, for Osgood Industries, and the Southeastern Indiana REMC. Mabel was an 80year member of the Hopewell Baptist Church and was a member of the Hopewell Homemakers Club. She loved her country, church, her husband, her home, and her friends. She enjoyed working on the farm, her flowers, and mowing the lawn. All this made a great life for Mabel, because at heart, she was just a country girl. Funeral services for Mabel will be held at 12p.m., Tuesday, December 2nd at the Hopewell Baptist Church with Mabel’s nephew Rev. Theron Smith officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will also be on Tuesday at the church beginning at 10a.m. Memorials may be given to the Margaret Mary Hospice in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.

11/28/2025

**UPDATE**
Freddy Rose, 78, of Osgood passed away Saturday, November 8, 2025 at his home. He was born near Versailles on July 6, 1947, the son of Otto and Luella Lane Rose. Survivors include two sons Bobby Lee (Andrea) Rose of Michigan and Jimmy Rose of Greensburg; two daughters Tina Owens of Osgood and Cynthia (Hugh) Laughlin of Waxhaw, North Carolina; 7 grandchildren; two sisters Dorothy and Mary. He was preceded in death by his son Jeremy Varnes, brothers Raymond, Carl, Alvin, and Harold and his sisters Geneva, Lola, and Helen. Mr. Rose attended school at Versailles and served with the US Army from 1966 to 1967. In civilian life Freddy worked as a mechanic for Shirk’s International in Greensburg. Freddy was a member of the Osgood American Legion. His wishes were to be cremated and burial will take place 11:00am, Monday, December 15, 2025 at Cliff Hill Cemetery in Versailles with Brother Earl Thomas officiating. Memorials may be given to the donor’s choice in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.

11/27/2025

11/22/2025

Ronald E. Jones, 87, of Versailles passed away Friday, November 21, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital in Lawrenceburg. He was born at Jeff in Wolfe County, Kentucky on February 15, 1938, the son of Lawrence and Viola Stidham Jones. He was married to Jacki Davis on September 1, 1995 and she survives. Other survivors include one son Rick (Mandy) Jones of Seattle, Washington; one step-son Jeremy (Tracy) Shadday of Versailles; granddaughters Brittany and Cassie Jones and Haley (Dalton) Miller; 5 great-grandchildren; two brothers Jimmy Jones of Hebron, Kentucky and Leonard Jones of Myrtle Beach. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Greg, brothers Donald and Paul Jones, and his sisters Bea Stegemoller and Bobbie Hurelbrink. Mr. Jones was a 1957 graduate of Versailles High School. Ron enlisted in the US Air Force in 1962 and served with the 434th Supply Squadron. In civilian life Ron started his working career as a delivery driver for Coca-Cola in Cincinnati. He was best known in the Versailles Community as the former owner of the Hanging Tree Inn as well as the owner/operator of PJ’s Fresh Cut Wholesale Flowers. Ron was an avid fisherman and enjoyed following UK basketball. He was a member of the Versailles American Legion. A gathering to celebrate Ron’s life will be held on Saturday, November 29th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Versailles American Legion in care of the funeral home.

11/18/2025

Ollie Brunner, 98, of Versailles passed away at 10:30p.m., Saturday, November 15, 2025 at her residence. She was born in the Malotte community in Shelby Township on June 14, 1927, the daughter of Samuel and Alice Mae Adams Perkins. She was married to Norman Brunner on March 15, 1947 and he preceded her in death on July 7, 1992. Other survivors include three sons Steven of Versailles, Jerry (Glenda) of Nashville, IN, and Tom (Rae Jean) of Versailles; one daughter Kathleen Manders of Westfield, IN; 8 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Ernie Lee, her brother Samuel Perkins, and her sisters Hannah Gearies, Naomi Adams, and Mary Gay Perkins. Mrs. Brunner was a 1945 graduate of Howell High School in Indianapolis, and a retired employee of US Shoe in Osgood. She enjoyed writing poetry, loved baking homemade bread, and growing the best watermelons and strawberries in the area. Ollie was the proudest of a book she published call “Burn Old House Burn” based on her growing up during the Depression. She was a member of Cave Hill Community Church. Funeral service will be Friday at 12:00pm, November 21, 2025 at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home with Pastor Keith Morris officiating. Burial will be in the Benham Cemetery. Visitation will also be on Friday beginning at 10 a.m. Memorials may be given to the Benham Cemetery or St. Judes Children’s Hospital in care of the funeral home.