Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home

01/13/2026

Ruth M. Taylor, 73, of Mt. Eden, Kentucky passed away at 3 a.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the home of her daughter. She was born in Holton on February 13, 1952, the daughter of Hansford and Beatrice Grills Sizemore. Survivors include one son Gary (Marcie) Shaw of Madison; two daughters Lori (Gary) Walston of Mt. Eden, Kentucky and Shellie (Lance) Wenning of Louisville; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sons Larry Jr. and Terry Shaw, her sister Margaret English, and her brothers Charles, Kenneth, Marvin, Leroy, and Carl Sizemore. Mrs. Taylor had worked as a CNA in local nursing homes and was a former employee of Reliance Electric, US Shoe, Muscatatuck State Hospital, Conn Organ, and retired in 2019 from KB Foods in Greensburg where she worked in sanitation. Ruth enjoyed visiting the casinos, playing cards, sewing, reading, camping, fishing, and was an excellent cook. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 16 at 1 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Tim Osborn officiating. Burial will be in the Hopewell Cemetery. Visitation will also be on Friday beginning at 11 a.m. Memorials may be given to the Delaware Community Church in care of the funeral home.

01/12/2026

Curtis Brewer, 60, of North Vernon passed away Friday, January 9, 2026 at the Seymour Crossing. He was born in Lawrenceburg on January 14, 1965, the son of Charles Brewer and Maxine Farrett Blair. Survivors include his mother; Maxine of Columbus, one daughter Samantha (Jorge) Lockard of Columbus; three grandchildren Annabelle McClain, Ava Lockard, and Fallon Lockard; 2 brothers Darrell (Danette) Brewer and Chuck (Lisa) Brewer all of Columbus; one sister Rhonda Combs of Jeffersonville. He was preceded in death by his father and his step-father (who raised him) Doug Webb, grandparents; Audrey and Sheldon Brewer, Lois and Charles Farrell. Mr. Brewer was a 1983 graduate of Columbus North High School. Curtis loved to read the Bible every day, loved being on his grandmother’s farm (Lois Farrell), driving tractors and bulldozers, always looking for bargains at auctions, and spending time with family. Curtis wishes were to be cremated and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Donor’s choice in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.

01/10/2026

Beverly Graves, 61, of Osgood passed away Friday, January 9, 2026 at the Jewish Hospital in Kenwood, Ohio. She was born in Lawrenceburg on January 19, 1964, the daughter of Bobby and Juanita Goebel Bryant. She was married to Stephen Graves on October 3, 1998 and he preceded her in death on April 20, 2020. Survivors include one son William (Sarah) Hammer of Cincinnati; two daughters Jennifer Fette of Osgood and Jessica (Bob) Bordner of Batesville; 7 grandchildren; two brothers Buddy Bryant of Aurora and Bobby (Shelly Jansen) Bryant of Greendale; three sisters Debbie Draper of Aurora and Kerry Bryant and Darlene Bryant both of Greendale; her sister-in-law Joyce Bryant of Batesville, along with several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Stephanie Hammer, and her brother Kenneth Bryant. Other special people in her life included Barbara (Gerry) Gibbons, Bonita Williams, Shelly Eisert, George Moore, Christy Mills, Dave Ridlen, Frank Cummins, and Tommy Metcalf. Mrs. Graves was a graduate of South Dearborn High School and graduated as an LPN from Ivy Tech, spending her entire working career in healthcare. Beverly was a lifelong member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Sunman. She enjoyed Elvis impersonators, camping, vacationing and spending time with her family. Much to the opposition of her family, Beverly was a KC Chiefs fan. Beverly’s wishes were to be cremated and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Hopewell Cemetery in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.

01/02/2026

Virginia Lee (Adams) Monroe, 97, of Versailles, died at 9:53 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 at home. She was born Sept. 23, 1928, near Osgood, the daughter of John and Mamie (Krom) Adams. She was married to Lovell Monroe on November 8, 1947, and was a full-time homemaker. Virginia was a 1946 graduate of Napoleon High School and a volunteer church youth leader with her husband at Rushville and at Versailles Baptist Church, where she was a member more than 60 years. During her years at the Versailles church, Virginia also served in the choir, as a member of the missionary society, as a deaconess, and as a nursery class teacher. She was active in 4-H as a girl and was a leader of the Hassmer Hilltoppers 4-H girls club in Versailles for many years. She loved gardening, fishing, reading, writing poetry, creating art, and playing games with and being around her large family. Virginia is survived by daughters Darlene (Earl) Ogata, of Lexington, Ky.; Diann (Rick) Marksberry, of Florence, Ky.; and Debra "Debbie" (Cleon) McIntyre, of Georgetown, Ky., and son David (Cindy) Monroe of Osgood. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Lovell, a sister, Onda Young, and two step great grandchildren, Jack and Caroline Lewis. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Versailles Baptist Church with pastors Mike Cantrell and Richard Burcham officiating. Burial will be at Union Flat Rock Cemetery, in Osgood. Visitation will also be at the church on Wednesday beginning at 9:30 a.m. and at Stratton Karstetter Funeral Home on Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to Union Flat Rock Cemetery Association, Southeastern Baptist Youth Camp, or Versailles Baptist Church in care of the funeral home

12/27/2025

Charles L. Marsee, 71, of Rexville passed away at 5:50 a.m. Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Ripley Crossing in Milan. He was born in Covington, Kentucky on December 6, 1954, the son of Eugene and Barbara Riley Marsee. He was married to Florence “Cookie” Pratt on March 5, 1982 and she preceded him in death on October 17, 2023. Survivors include his father Eugene Marsee of Versailles; two brothers Tim (Sara) Marsee of Vincennes and Mark (Tonya) Marsee of Indianapolis; one sister Connie (Stanley) Shadday of Osgood, along with his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother. Mr. Marsee was a 1974 graduate of East Central High School. He was a former employee of Akers Shell Station in Versailles and retired from Delta Faucet in Greensburg in 2006. Charlie always managed to overcome the handicaps in his life, allowing him to enjoy working along with fishing and doing his family’s genealogy. Charlie was a member of the Shelby Christian Church. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m., Wednesday, December 31st at the Shelby Christian Church with B. J. Patton officiating. Burial will be in the Cliff Hill Cemetery in Versailles. Visitation will also be at the church on Wednesday beginning at 11 a.m. Memorials may be given to the church or the cemetery in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.

12/25/2025

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