Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home

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

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.