Sweet’s first bill won’t end gun woes

are getting attention. This investment is long overdue and would be a big win for the health of our state.

But, lawmakers could deliver an even better deal for Hoosier health by raising the cigarette tax and dedicating that new revenue to health programs. You might call it a winwin.

Raising the cigarette tax by $2 will drive down the state’s high smoking rates, save lives, and generate significant new revenue for those needed health investments.

After years of discussion and debate in the statehouse, now is the perfect opportunity to raise the cigarette tax. Let’s hope lawmakers will delivery a win-win for Hoosier health.

- James P. McCann MD

People can learn from past

Dear Editor:

“People of today could learn from the past”

It is fascinating that people of different backgrounds could work together without any prejudices and work for a common good.

This line of thought was a result of an article in this week’s “The Paper” - DNR, Josiah White Join Forces to Document Native American School.

I want to find the location of the grave site of Rosa Fast Horse. You, John Q. Public, read this article and see if you can

Many deserve thanks & praise

Dear Editor, Seems to me, I’m getting behind on my Thank You’s.

First, I’d like to say thank you to the little lady who took time from her walk to stop and help me clear the driveway from our Christmas snow. Don’t know your name, but thank you so much.

Second, a big thank you to the Rev. Bruce Hostetler for all his help clearing the driveway from our recent snow storm.

Thank you, guys, so much. I greatly appreciate you. —

Mary Lewis, Wabash

agree with my feelings. It is rare to find a story like this in today’s society.

I am an American and I am proud of my country. Remember, this was happening right when Abraham Lincoln (a Republican) was shot in the back of the head and died for freeing the slaves. I believe people like this are the people in Heaven. Oh, what a time that will be.

I have some other things to do. Always something to do. Have a great day! — Russell

Pontius, Laketon

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Dear Editor: It is horrifying to realize that today as of late January, there have already been 39 mass shootings in the United States! That is more than one per day! Equally disturbing is the recent newspaper article describing the recent bill introduced by the State Representative of Wabash, Larissa Sweet, detailing her opposition to any attempt to pause the proliferation of firearm deaths by proposing a “push-back on unwanted federal overreach” (I guess she is unaware that a majority of people of both political parties support more reasonable regulations, including background checks, restricting magazine size, holding gun manufacturers liable, banning assault weapons, etc.). I wonder, how many more deaths it will take?

Our country holds the freeworld record for annual deaths by guns. How many more children must die to satisfy the “rights” of a few to own weapons whose only purpose is to kill people?

These are weapons of war, never intended for private ownership.

The carnage continues unabated, but we’ll offer “thoughts and prayers” while proposing even looser regulations. It must stop! I guess that being the first bill of the new year guarantees 15 minutes of fame, but at what cost? — Carol Cly, Wabash

Danny Allen, 72

Worked part-time at Walmart

Feb. 12, 1951—Feb. 19, 2023

Danny Allen, 72, of Wabash, passed away at 8:17 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was born to Otis and Georgia (Jewell) Allen on February 12, 1951, in Richlands, Virginia.

Danny was a 1969 graduate of Wabash High School. He married Laurie Geyer on September 16, 1972. He retired from Wabash Alloys after 29 years and was currently working parttime at Walmart in Wabash. Danny was a member at Church of Christ at Treaty. He was a sincere, caring, and generous man. Danny never met a stranger; he was quick-witted and enjoyed reading. He loved kayaking, smoking meat, mushroom hunting, but most of all he loved his family and grandchildren.

Danny is survived by his wife, Laurie Allen of Wabash; one son, Daniel Allen of Wabash; one daughter, Amanda R. McNally (Danielle) of Huntington; two grandchildren, Makayla Noland (Johnathan Turner) and Renee Noland; two great grandchildren, Naomi Noland and Cassius Noland; one sister, Mrs. Max (Velma) Pitts of Amboy; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, one nephew, Kevin Allen, one niece, Heddie Westafer, and two brothers, Bobby Allen and Hebie Allen.

A Memorial Service was held February 26, 2023, at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Tim Prater officiating. Burial will be at Falls Cemetery in Wabash.

Preferred memorials can be made to McDonald Funeral Home to offset final expenses for the family.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Danny Allen’s final arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.comen on February 12, 1951, in Richlands, Virginia.

Barbara Blatz, 90 Enjoyed traveling

April 9, 1932 – Feb. 24, 2023

Barbara Ellen Blatz, 90, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 8:30 p.m., Friday, February 24, 2023, at Wellbrooke of Wabash. She was born on April 9, 1932, in Wabash, to Theodore and Florence (Hummer) Bellock.

Barbara was a 1950 graduate of Wabash High School. She married James L. Blatz at the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wabash on November 23, 1957; he died July 30, 2011. She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church and the church choir. She also belonged to the Wabash Women’s Golf Association. Barbara enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing bridge at the Women’s Clubhouse, and traveling with her husband and family. She was an avid Chicago Cubs, Indianapolis Colts, and Indiana University basketball fan. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and attending their activities.

She is survived by six children, Eric Blatz of Indianapolis, Indiana, Gregory (Beth) Blatz of Wabash, Douglas (Deborah) Blatz of Warsaw, Indiana, Anne (Kevin) Muzzillo of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Cathy (Keith) Walters of Wabash, Jennifer (Neil Duffy) Blatz of Frisco, Texas; six grandchildren, Nathan Blatz of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Zachary Blatz of Indianapolis, Graham Blatz of Bowling Green, Ohio, Reily (Chris) Frankum of Naples, Florida, Austin Blatz of Biloxi, Mississippi, and Hayley (Christian) Sundin of Lakewood Ranch, Florida; six great-grandchildren, Korbyn Blatz, Pheenix Blatz, and Max Blatz, all of Fort Wayne, Barrett Frankum and Clay Frankum, both of Naples, Florida, and Kinley Sundin of Lakewood Ranch; and three sisters, Carolyn Biltz of Wabash, Patricia Miller of Warsaw, and Diane Hart of Wabash. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Teddy Bellock.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 188 W. Sinclair, Wabash, with Father Jay Horning officiating. Burial will be in Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Marion.

Friends may call 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash. There will be a Rosary service at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Preferred memorials are St. Bernard Catholic Church or the Wabash County Cancer Society.

The memorial guest book for Barbara may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.

Jeffrey Strickler, 64 Jack-of-all-trades

Aug. 31, 1958— Feb. 20, 2023

Jeffrey Scott Strickler, 64, of rural Wabash, died at 2 a.m. Monday, February 20, 2023, at his home. He was born August 31, 1958, in Wabash, to Richard and Elsie (Horner) Strickler.

Jeff was a 1976 graduate of Wabash High School. He was a tool and die maker at GDX in Wabash for 21 years. Jeff married Lori Miracle in Wabash on July 8, 2000. He was affiliated with New Life Baptist Church in Wabash. Jeff enjoyed fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, wildlife, and anything outdoors. He was an animal lover and also raised deer. Jeff also enjoyed old Plymouth Cudas, guns, and maintaining his landscaping. He was a good cook, a jack of all trades, and especially loved his family with all his heart.

He is survived by his wife, Lori Strickler of Wabash; four children, Jamie (Heather Music) Strickler of LaFontaine, Ryan Noland, Eric Noland, and Amanda Noland, all of Wabash; mother, Elsie Strickler of Wabash; eight grandchildren, Payton Noland, who he raised, and Tyler Strickler, both of Wabash, Bailee Strickler, Brooklynn Strickler, and Noah Music, all of LaFontaine, Carson Amburgey, Gage Sluss, and Sylas Sluss, all of Wabash, brother, Rick Strickler, sister, Jocelyn Burkholder, both of Wabash; and his dog, Axel. He was preceded in death by his father, brother, Donald Strickler, and granddaughter, Breyonia Strickler.

Services will be private to the family. Preferred memorial is Animal Shelter of Wabash County.

The memorial guest book for Jeff may be signed at www.grandstaffhentgen.com.

Weekly Reports

Wabash County Sheriff’s Department Accidents

A vehicle driven by Ricky L. Ward, 52, Amboy, ran into a ditch at the intersection of County Road 950 S and State Road 13 at 5:35 a.m. Feb. 23. Dense fog was to blame. Ward complained of back pain. Damage was estimated at between $5,001 and $10,000.

A vehicle driven by Helen D. Baer, 66, North

Manchester, struck a deer on CR 400 W, north of CR 1050 N, at 6:15 p.m. Feb. 22. Damage was estimated at between $5,001 and $10,000.

A vehicle driven by Glendon L. Graber, 32, Amboy, ran off the side of SR 15 and struck a road sign, a tree and a home at 6139 North State Road 15, Roann, at 12:50 p.m. Feb. 22. The weather is being blamed for the incident. Damage was estimated at between

$50,001 and $100,000.

A vehicle driven by William G. Marshall, 72, Peru, struck a deer at 9:30 p.m. Feb. 21 on U.S. 24, west of CR 700 W. Damage was estimated at between $2,501 and $5,000.

Vehicles driven by Mark E. Peltz, 62, Rochester, and Jay M. Lancaster, 47, Denver, collided on U.S. 24, west of SR 15 at 8:10 p.m. Feb. 11. Damage was estimated at less than $1,001.

Coty K. Waldron, 50, Wabash, struck a deer at 6:58 a.m. Feb. 20 on Blue Star Highway and mile marker 500. Damage was estimated at between $2,501 and $5,000.

A vehicle driven by Susan M. Brown, 56, Marion, struck a deer at 7:05 a.m. Feb. 21 on State Road 218, west of America Road. Damage was estimated at between $5,001 and $10,000. Cont.

Nancy Spurgeon, 82

Enjoyed photography

Jan. 14, 1941 – Feb. 23, 2023

Nancy M. Spurgeon, 82, of Columbus passed away on February 23, 2023.

She was born January 14, 1941, in Whitley County, the daughter of the late Marcellus and Gladys Dillon Badskey. She married Paul Spurgeon on July 2, 1966. Both Nancy and Paul grew up on farms and attended Taylor University.

Nancy was a woman of strong faith. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where she loved to sing in the choir. She enjoyed photography, reading, writing and simply being with her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Paul Spurgeon; three children, John (Julia) Spurgeon, Dan (Shelley) Spurgeon, and Sharon Cediel; grandchildren, Xiang, David, Lara, Jordan, Alexis, Luke, Gabby, Manuel, Susan, and Joshua; great-grandchildren Calypso, Cleopatra, Galileo, Mikaella, and Catalina; brother, Arden (Beulah) Badskey, and two sisters, Bonnie Sleighter and Dorothy (Dave) Rotman.

She was preceded in passing by a brother, Wayne Badksey, brother-in-law Jack Sleighter and infant daughter Susan Spurgeon.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Flanner Buchanan – Hamilton Memorial Park (Prairie Waters), 4180 Westfield Road. Visitation will be from noon until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, 512 7th St., Columbus, IN 47201. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.

James McCune Voris, 74

Lived an adventurous life

Dec. 24, 1948-Feb. 7, 2023

James McCune Voris, 74, Wabash, passed away February 7, 2023, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Born December 24, 1948, in Morrison, Illinois, James was the son of Glenn and Birdena (Rigby) Voris.

After graduating from Manchester High School in 1967, James attended college for one semester before joining the United States Army where he served in the Vietnam War. After returning home from duty, he entered the workforce. James worked at Scott’s Landscaping as well as in maintenance at Clear Creek Apartments, both in North Manchester, for many years. He was most recently employed at A & A Cleaning for ten years before retiring in 2011.

James lived an adventurous life that was filled with excitement. In the last few years he began writing about his life experiences. From his time in Vietnam to sailing to Australia with friends before getting caught in a hurricane, James’s life was never dull or boring.

The loving memory of James Voris will forever be cherished by his companion of ten years, Debra Sailors; two daughters; one brother; and one sister. James was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Cody Owen.

In keeping with James’s wishes, no services will be held.

For those that wish to honor the memory of James Voris, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, Virginia 22116.

The family of James Voris has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.

Condolences may be emailed to mckeemortuary.com