Shelby County Indiana History & Genealogy, Obituaries

Shelby County Indiana
Obituaries

Workman / Wortman

James Robert “Bob” Wortman, 94, a lifelong Morristown resident, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield. He was born September 29, 1931, in Blue River Township of Hancock County, the son of Lyall and Velma (Davis) Wortman. On September 22, 1957, Bob married Sue Ann Myer, and she preceded him in death on June 24, 2015. They shared 58 years together. Bob is survived by his daughter, Lisa (Stephen) Bridges of Morristown; sister, Janet Wortman of Morristown; brother, William (Faye) Wortman of Evansville; aunt Helen Kilby of Indianapolis; daughter-in-law, Debra Wortman of Morristown; sister-in-law, Maria Wortman of Maryland; grandchildren Michele (Chad) Hibst, Courtney Vogel, Jason Wortman, Ashley (Andrew) Longwell, Kyle (Louise) Andis, Matthew (Whitney) Wortman, and Jordan Andis; great-grandchildren, Blake, Colin, Lilly, Landon, Keegan, Chloe, Aubrey, Emmalyn, Aili, Isom, and Levi; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyall and Velma (Davis) Wortman; wife, Sue Ann (Myer) Wortman; sons, Jay Lee and Jeffrey Lyall Wortman; and brother, Donald Wortman. Bob was a lifelong member of Morristown Methodist Church. In 1949, Bob graduated from Morristown High School. Following high school, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1951 to 1959 during the Korean Conflict. After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Bob returned home to run the family business, Home Appliance Company, due to his father’s terminal illness. Bob and Sue married and began their lifelong partnership in many business endeavors. Home Appliance, established in 1945, became J R Wortman Co when they expanded to include plumbing, heating, and electrical contracting. Bob built many of the homes in the White-Wortman housing addition and the Three Oaks Estates apartment complex, along with several of the local industries that came to town due to the availability of natural gas that Bob brought to Morristown. Bob owned and operated Fountaintown Gas Company which serves Decatur, Hancock, Henry, Rush, and Shelby counties and South Eastern Indiana Natural Gas Company serving Dearborn and Ripley counties. Bob and Sue were very community minded and looked for new, innovative ways to contribute to their hometown of Morristown and the surrounding communities in Shelby and Hancock counties. Bob believed in endowments and established several funds at both the Hancock County Community Foundation and the Blue River Community Foundation in Shelby County. Bob has been honored with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award. He was a past commander of the American Legion, a member of the Marine Corps League, past president and a Deputy District Governor of the Lions Club, and past president of the Morristown Alumni Association and PTA. He served as a member of the board for Shelby County Senior Services, Shelby County Library Foundation, Shelby County Players, Nameless Creek Youth Camp, Hancock Health Foundation, and Ohio Valley Gas Corporation. He was instrumental in bringing Rock Steady Boxing to Shelby and Hancock counties and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Shelby County. He also played a role in launching the Blue River Youth Choir and Love INC in Shelby County. Bob’s love of Sue Ann inspired both the Hancock Health’s Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center and the Major Health Partners’ Sue Ann Wortman Nephrology Center through the establishment of endowments at the respective hospital foundations. He established the Wortman Family Foundation to support health and education needs in Shelby and Hancock counties. Bob was a 66-year Mason. He was a member of the Morristown Lodge #193, where he served as its Worshipful Master. He was also a member of Sugar Creek Lodge #279 and New Palestine Lodge #404. He was awarded the Caleb B. Smith Medal in 2022, which is the highest award given by the Grand Lodge of Indiana. Bob was very active in other Masonic bodies. He was a member of Greenfield York Rite bodies and was a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Indianapolis. He was crowned a 33rd degree in Indianapolis in 2015. Bob was the current Vice President of the Valley of Indianapolis 33rd degree Association. The Auditorium within the Scottish Rite Cathedral is named the J. Robert Wortman Auditorium. In addition, Bob was a member of Murat Shrine and the Hancock County Shrine Club. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday, February 20, 2026 at the Morristown Methodist Church, 221 South Washington Street in Morristown, Indiana. Masonic services will be at 7 p.m. on Friday. Funeral Services will be at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the church, with Pastors Jeri Barrett Thomas and Kory Chesser officiating. Interment will be in Asbury Cemetery in Morristown. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 124 E. North St., in Morristown. Memorial contributions may be made by donation to the Wortman Family Foundation Fund at Blue River Community Foundation that supports nonprofits in Hancock and Shelby counties, 54 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.
The Herald-Telephone
Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana
December 11, 1978
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LYONS -- Clyde Workman Jr., 56, of Lyons, died at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at his home. Born Aug. 18, 1922, in Greene County, he was the son of Clyde and Sadie (Page) Workman. He was a member of the Lyons American Legion, Lyons Fire Department, and past treasurer of the Lyons Community Club. He was also a member of the L & M School Advisory Board and attended the Lyons Christian Church. He was a veteran of WW II.
Surviving are his wife, Helen (Cox); three daughters, Mrs. Connie Lewis, Linton, Mrs. Kay Sisk, Newberry, and Mrs. Debbie McCallum, Westphalia; two brothers, Ray Workman, Bicknell, and Fred Workman, Merrillville; three sisters, Mrs. Jessie King, Winchester, Mrs. Jean Fisher, Plainville, and Mrs. Helen Mullis, Lyons; a half sister, Mrs. B. E. Mowery, Caney; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Lyons Christian Church with the Rev. Tom Osborn officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Chapel Cemetery. Friends may call at the Jenkins Funeral Home, Lyons, after 7 p.m. today.
Contributed by Phyllis Fleming and Betty Kitchen

The Shelbyville Republican
Friday, November 7, 1958
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DEATH CLAIMS MRS. WORTMAN
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Rites for Morristown Woman To Be Sunday
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Mrs. Ora Etta Wortman, 58, died Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield Thursday.
Resident of Morristown area most of her life.
Born in Shelby county May 19, 1870, d/o William and Sarah Ray Godowin.
September, 1898, married to John Wortman; he preceded her in death.
Survivors: son, Lawrence Wortman, Indianapolis, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren.
Member of the Morristown Christian Church.
Frazier Funeral Home in Morristown with Rev. Robert Reeves officiating.
Burial: Asbury cemetery.
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Indianapolis Star
Friday, November 7, 1958
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          WORTMAN--Mrs. Etta, mother of Lawrence Wortman of Indianapolis, passed away at the Greenfield Hospital Thursday a.m. Other survivors include 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Sunday, 1:30 p.m. C.S.T. or 2:30 C.D.T., at the Frazier Funeral Home in Morristown. Friends may call at the funeral home after Friday. Interment Asbury Cemetery.
[NOTE: Ora Etta (Goodwin) Wortman was the daughter of Sarah (Ray) and William Goodwin, the last of their six children to pass away.]
Contributed by Jill Knitl. See her Hoosier Heritage website

The Shelbyville News
Friday, November 7, 1958
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E. C. WORTMAN, 79, SUCCUMBS
Complications From Fall Cause Death
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Ephraim C. Worman, 79, died Wednesday at the Land Nursing Home in Morristown.
Fell on ice and fractured his hip on January 29 at his home in Gwynneville. Complications of fracture resulted in death.
Born in Hanover Township July 12, 1871, s/o Anderson and Jane Hester Wortman.
Married Miss Lou Emma Wilson; she died in 1927.
Married Mrs. Stella Copple; she survives.
Other survivors: children Warren R. Worman of Mississippi and Mrs. Leroy Stevens of this city; step-daughter, Mrs. Neda Heicher of Indianapolis.
Lived in Hanover township his entire life; farmer.
Member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Gwynneville.
Carmony Funeral Home in Shelbyville, Rev. S. W. Lovell and Rev. S. R. Aldrich officiating.
Burial: Little Blue River Wesleyan cemetery.
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville News
December 31, 1956
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LYALL WORTMAN DIES AT HOME
Rites for Morristown Man To Be Wednesday
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Lyall Wortman, 51, died Sunday at his home, Morristown.
Widely known Shelby county resident.
Born in Morristown, December 29, 1905, s/o John and Etta Goodwin Wortman.
Married Velma Davis August 31, 1930; she survives.
Other survivors: children, Janet Wortman, Indianapolis, Robert, Donald and William Wortman, at home; mother, Mrs. Etta Wortman, Morristown; brother, Lawrence Wortman, Indianapolis.
Operator of the Home Appliance Store in Morristown.
General contractor for 20 years.
Past master and ex-secretary of Morristown Lodge No. 193 F. & A.M; member Shelby Chapter No. 20 R.A.M., Shelby Council No. 3, R. & S.M., and Baldwin Commandery No. 2 Knights Templar.
Charter member and past president of Morristown Lions Club.
Past president Morristown Alumni Association.
Active with Boy Scouts; scout arrow head award in 1955.
Funeral: Morristown Methodist Church.
Burial: Asbury cemetery, Frazier Funeral Home.
Summaried by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Indianapolis Star
Monday, May 5, 1953
John T. Wortman
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          Morristown, Ind. (Spl.)--John T. Wortman, 78-year-old pioneer Shelby County Boy Scout Leader, died Saturday in his home here. He was in the building and construction business.           A native of Hanover Township, he was the first Scoutmaster in this area. He was a member of the Morristown Christian Church, and celebrated his 54d wedding anniversary last September.
          Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Etta Wortman; two sons, Lawrence, Indianapolis, and Lyall Wortman, Morristown; a sister, Mrs. Alma Scherer, Long Beach, Cal., five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
          Services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Frazier Funeral Home. Burial will be in Asbury Cemetery.
Contributed by Jill Knitl. See her Hoosier Heritage website

The Shelbyville News
Monday, May 5, 1952
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JOHN WORTMAN DIES AT HOME
First County Scout Leader Succumbs; Rites Tuesday
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John T. Wortman, 77, died Saturday, Morristown.
Lifelong resident of Shelby county.
Born in Hanover township on August 25, 1874, s/o Allen P. and Mary (Carter) Wortman.
Married Etta Goodwin September 11, 1898; she survives.
Other survivors: sons, Lyall Wortman, Morristown and Lawrence Wortman, Indianapolis; sister, Mrs. Alma Scherer, Long Beach, California; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Scoutmaster for the first Boy Scout troop in Shelby County, organized May 9, 1913.
Member Morristown Christian Church.
Building and construction trades.
Frazier Funeral Home, Morristown.
Burial: Asbury cemetery.
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville News
Thursday, March 1, 1951
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E. C. WORTMAN, 79, SUCCUMBS
Complications From Fall Cause Death
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Ephraim C. Wortman, 79, died Wednesday at the Land Nursing Home in Morristown.
Fell on ice and fractured his hip on January 29 at his home in Gwynneville. Complications of fracture resulted in death.
Born in Hanover Township July 12, 1871, s/o Anderson and Jane Hester Wortman.
Married Miss Lou Emma Wilson; she died in 1927.
Married Mrs. Stella Copple; she survives.
Other survivors: children Warren R. Wortman of Mississippi and Mrs. Leroy Stevens of this city; step-daughter, Mrs. Neda Heicher of Indianapolis.
Lived in Hanover township his entire life; farmer.
Member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Gwynneville.
Carmony Funeral Home in Shelbyville, Rev. S. W. Lovell and Rev. S. R. Aldrich officiating.
Burial: Little Blue River Wesleyan cemetery.
Summarized by Phyllis Miller Fleming

Unknown newspaper and publication date
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Pvt. Wortman Is Killed in Okinawa Action
Message Received by Parents;
In Service for Less Than Year
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          Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Wortman of 5212 Burgess Avenue, Indianapolis, former residents of Morristown, have received word that their son, Pvt. Dwight E. Wortman, was killed in action with the Sixth Marine Division on Okinawa on April 14. No details were contained in the War Department telegram. Pvt. Wortman was nineteen years of age.
          He was born on December 26, 1925, and was graduated from the Morristown High School, where he was a member of the basketball team, with the class of 1944. He was inducted into service through the Shelby county Selective Service Board in June and following training at the Marine Corps bases at Camp Lejune, N.C. and Pariss Island, S.C. was sent overseas last December. He had been on the front lines on Okinawa only 14 days. Previous to that time he had been stationed on Guadalcanal. His last letter to his parents was dated from there on March 28 and indicated his unit was moving into a combat area immediately.
          Surviving with his father and mother, who was Miss Louise Gottlieb before her marriage, are a sister, Mrs. Harold Arnold, of Indianapolis, and the grandparents, Mrs. Stella Gottlieb and Mr. and Mrs. John Wortman of Morristown. Pvt. Wortman is the 59th man from Shelby County to give his life for his country
in World War II.
Contributed by Jill Knitl. See her Hoosier Heritage website

The Shelby Democrat
Thursday May 1, 1902
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DEATH OF ALLEN WORTMAN
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From the Morristown Sun
          Allen Wortman, one of Morristown's well known citizens, died at his home on South Washington St. Tuesday afternoon at four o'clock, of congestion of the stomach, aged seventy-eight years. Funeral services at the M. E. church Friday afternoon at two o'clock by Rev. F. M. Westhafer. Interment in Asbury cemetery. "Uncle Allen," as he was commonly called, was considered by all who knew him to be a good, kind-hearted and honest citizen, and it is said that he never failed to assist any one in need, and his many acts of kindness will always be remembered by his many friends who mourn his death.
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          Mr. Wortman was an honorable citizen of Shelby county and served one term as county commissioner with fidelity to his trust. He was a man of the people and respected by them. After his term as commissioner expired, he became a prohibitionist and, we believe, continuing with that party to the date of his death. Allen Wortman will be missed by the citizens of Hanover township especially. He was a man honest, upright and moral and his death is lamented by all who knew him.
[Note: born 27 Oct 1823 in NC;   died 22 Apr 1902]
Contributed by Jill Knitl

The Daily Evening Democrat
Shelbyville, Indiana
Saturday, July 30, 1881
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Mrs. A. P. Wortman, of Hanover township, after a protracted illness, died yesterday. Funeral this afternoon at Blue River Chapel. Mr. Wortman has our deepest sympathy in his affliction, as well as that of his many friends in this city.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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