The  Shelbyville  News
July 24, 2006
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Frank Totten Jr., 86, of Shelbyville, died Wednesday, July 19, 2006, at his home.
Born Feb. 12, 1920, in Fairland, to  Frank S. and Madaline C. (Huber) Totten.
Married  Gloria Anna Heck  on Oct. 26, 1941; she preceded him in death on July 19, 1994.
Survivors include one son,  Stephan E. Totten (wife, Jean) of Ocala, Fla.; one daughter,  Elayne Medsker  of Shelbyville; one sister,  Marilyn Hurt  of San Antonio, Texas; five grandchildren,  Greg Totten,  Stephanie Sanders,  Andy Medsker,  Tony Medsker  and  Amy Tyler;  three stepgrandchildren,  Jeff Ellis,  Sonya Ellis  and  Sherry Robertson;  nine great-grandchildren; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his parents; two brothers,  Harry Totten  and  John Totten; and one sister,  Madelyn Poland.
Lifelong Shelby County resident.
Owned and operated the former Totten's Broadway Service for more than 25 years, retiring in 1975.
Veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Engineers in the European Theater.
Graduated in 1939 from Fairland High School.
Member of the American Legion Post No. 70, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2695 and First United Methodist Church.
Services:  Fairland Cemetery in Fairland, with the Rev. Robert Campbell officiating. Military rites will be conducted by local veterans organizations.
Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Chapels.
Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming


The  Shelbyville  Republican
Tuesday March 4, 1941
Page 1 column 5
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PLAN RITES FOR COUNTY WOMAN
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Funeral Services For Mrs. Mary Totten
To Be Held Wednesday
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          Mrs. Mary M. Totten, age eighty-three, native of Shelby county, died at noon Monday at her home in Fairland following a short illness. She became ill only last Friday.
           Born November 1, 1857, in Brandywine township, the daughter of  Joseph and Matilda Oldham, she was the last of a family of five children.
           She was married to  John J. Totten  in February 1876.  He preceded her in death several years ago. Survivors are one son, Frank, of Fairland, and five grandchildren.  They are  Mrs. Madaline Poland, of Noblesville, and  John,  Frank,  Marilyn  and  Harry Totten, of Fairland.
           Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Fairland Methodist church with the Rev. C. O. Carnes officiating.  Burial will be made in the Fairland cemetery in charge of Edwards and Kohlmeyer. Friends may call at the late home after noon Tuesday.
Contributed by Barb Huff for Mary Harrell Sesniak


The  Shelbyville  Republican
Saturday September 24, 1910
Page 4 column 4
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DEATHS AND FUNERALS 
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          William S. Totten, one of the county's prominent and widely known citizens, died at his home in Fairland at 4:15 o'clock Friday evening, following a lengthy illness.  His death was due indirectly to paralysis, as he had suffered from a number of strokes during the past year and many times his death had been expected as each of the strokes left him in a condition that was recognized as extremely critical and his relatives were not unprepared for the outcome of the latest attack.  Mr. Totten was 77 years old and was the father of fourteen children, twelve of whom survive.  They are  John,  Thomas,  Frank,  Bert  and  Joe, all of Brandywine township;  Ira  of California;  Mrs. John McCullom,  Sarah J. Totten,  Mrs. Martha Rule,  Elizabeth Totten,  Grace Totten  and  Mrs. Goldie Bass.  Mr. Totten was a member of the M.E. church at Fairland, and was honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellowmen, and he had many friends who will regret to learn that he has been called from among them.  He was formerly in business in this city and was quite a familiar figure on the streets at the time he was engaged in the restaurant business on South Harrison street.  The funeral services will be held at the home at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon and the interment will be made in the Fairland cemetery by Frank Timney, with Ralph Edwards, of this city.
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Shelby County Death Records
William Totten     Book H-24 page 45
Born April 12, 1833     Virginia
Died September 23, 1910     Shelby County, Indiana
Father:  William S. Totten born Virginia
Mother:  Elizabeth Hubble born Virginia
Buried Fairland Cemetery
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Contributed by Barb Huff for Mary Harrell Sesniak


The  Shelbyville  Republican
Friday February 11, 1910
Page 1 column 5
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DEATHS AND FUNERALS
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          Mrs. Martha Totten, one of Fairland's best known residents, died quite suddenly at her home in that town a few minutes before Thursday midnight.  Her death was caused by heart trouble and she had been ill only thirty hours.  Late Wednesday evening she suffered from an attack of the heart but soon revived and it was thought till Thursday evening she was improving.  Another attack occurred at that time and soon proved fatal.  Mrs. Totten was the mother of twelve children and all of them were at her bedside with the exception of one son, Ira, who is in California.  The other sons are  John J.,  Frank,  Thomas,  Joseph  and  Bert.  The daughters are  Mrs. Frank Rule,  Mrs. John McCullum  and  Misses Sadie,  Grace,  Lizzie  and  Goldie Totten.  The deceased also leaves her aged husband, William S. Totten, who has been in critical condition for the past few weeks on account of paralysis.  Mrs. Totten was about seventy years old.  She was a member of the Fairland M.E. church, and was a devoted wife, loving mother and a kind-hearted neighbor.  The funeral will be held at ten-thirty Sunday morning at the residence, the Rev. Paul Edwards officiating.  Interment will take place in the Fairland cemetery, Edwards & Hageman, funeral directors, in charge.  The casket will be open to friends Saturday 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m., and from 1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m.  It will also be open Sunday from 9:30 a.m.
Contributed by Barb Huff for Mary Harrell Sesniak

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