Obituaries
Obituaries
Local obituary notices and remembrance records for Lawrence County and surrounding areas.
🕊️ OBITUARY: Kraig Matthew Smoot 🕊️
Kraig Matthew Smoot, 34, of Bedford, passed away in his home on August 17, 2026. Born on January 20, 1992, he was the son of Keith and Kathy Smoot. Kraig was a 2011 graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School, where he excelled at both football and basketball. He went on to attend the College of Mount St. Joseph, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business and Finance. Kraig will always be remembered for his infectious laugh and charismatic personality. He loved sports, video games, music, shoe
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🕊️ OBITUARY: Mark Alan Fields 🕊️
Mark Alan Fields, 73, of Bedford, passed away on August 17, 2026, at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. Born August 14, 1953, he was the son of Leonard M. and Esther M. (Bivins) Fields. Mark first married Rita Alcorn, who preceded him in death. On October 14, 2023, he married Kathy Fulkerson. Mark retired from Peabody Coal as a heavy equipment operator and was a member of Sherwood Oaks Christian Church of Bedford. He enjoyed farming, fishing, listening to music, going to concerts, and visiting Flo
🕊️ OBITUARY: Kraig Matthew Smoot 🕊️
Kraig Matthew Smoot, 34, of Bedford, passed away in his home on August 17, 2026. Born on January 20, 1992, he was the son of Keith and Kathy Smoot. Kraig was a 2011 graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School, where he excelled at both football and basketball. He went on to attend the College of Mount St. Joseph, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business and Finance. Kraig will always be remembered for his infectious laugh and charismatic personality. He loved sports, video games, music, shoe
🕊️ OBITUARY: Judith “Judy” Elaine Terry
Judith “Judy” Elaine Terry, 84, formerly of Bedford, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Redcrest Hospice House in Bloomington. Born November 8, 1941, in Kansas City, MO, she was the daughter of Robert Elmo Wilson and Melba Deboil Creech-Wilson. On August 25, 1962, she married James Edwin “Jim” Terry, who survives. Judy was a 1959 graduate of Paoli High School, earned a bachelor's degree in education from Indiana State University in 1963, and later earned a master's degree from Indiana
🕊️ OBITUARY: Peggy A. (Conley) Ritchison 🕊️
Peggy A. (Conley) Ritchison, 89, of Bedford, died on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the home of her daughter. Born March 26, 1937, in Bedford, she was the daughter of Francis Luther "Pat" and Grace Minnie (Rodgers) Conley. At age 19, she married Don Ritchison on August 4, 1956, who preceded her in death in 2000. Peggy worked at RCA before devoting her life to being a stay-at-home mom. She enjoyed fishing at the river, camping, traveling, making wine, canning, cooking, baking, and spending time with
🕊️ OBITUARY: Sharon Lee Meadows 🕊️
Sharon Lee Meadows, 84, of Bedford, passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Westview Nursing and Rehabilitation. Born April 7, 1942, in Bloomington, she was the daughter of Audus and Oneta (Burris) Young. Sharon attended Bloomington High School and was a homemaker. On June 27, 1959, she married William C. “Yum” Meadows, who preceded her in death on January 21, 2009. 👨👩👧👦 Survivors Include: • Children: Valerie (Mike) Luchauer, Karman Arbuckle, and Kelly Sherrill • Grandchildren: Jad
🕊️ OBITUARY: Julie Margaret Taylor 🕊️
Julie Margaret Taylor, 64, passed away Monday, August 3, 2026, at Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital. Born November 28, 1961, in Ulysses, Kansas, she was the daughter of Troy Lee and Alice (Cheich) Pyles. On July 12, 1988, she married Robert Jeffrey Taylor, who survives. Julie was a graduate of Alva High School in Alva, Oklahoma, and worked as a foreman at the Oklahoma Furniture Company. She was a member of the First Apostolic Church in Mitchell. 👨👩👧👦 Survivors Include: • Hu🕊️ OBITUARY: Timber Brooke Tarr 🕊️
Timber Brooke Tarr, 38, of Mitchell, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026, at IU Health Methodist Hospital, following a motor vehicle accident. Born May 27, 1988, in Bloomington, she was the daughter of Randy Cohen Tarr and Ella Lynette “Lynn” (Knight) Manns. Timber was a 2007 graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School and worked as a nursing aide in home health care. High-spirited and a true people person, she was a dedicated hard worker who loved helping others, serving as a sponsor for th
🕊️ OBITUARY: Randy Cohen Tarr 🕊️
Randy Cohen Tarr, 65, of Mitchell, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Bedford, following a motor vehicle accident. Born July 3, 1961, in Bedford, he was the son of Joseph Marvin Sr. and Mildred Eloise (Lindsey) Tarr. Randy was a 1980 graduate of Mitchell High School and retired from GE, where he worked as an assembler and served as the Union Steward. An avid fan of IU Basketball, his kids and grandkids were his world. “God came first, kids and grandkids second, family came third.” “If it
🕊️ OBITUARY: Ginger Lee (Davis) Watts 🕊️
Ginger Lee (Davis) Watts, 56, of Shoals, passed away on Tuesday morning, July 28, 2026, at Jasper Deaconess Memorial Hospital. Born October 17, 1969, in Bangor, Maine, she was the daughter of Ernest W. Davis III and Margaret "Peggy" (Herbest) Davis. On May 15, 1990, she married Daniel Watts, who survives. Ginger worked at Velma's Diner for many years. She lived a life of love for her family, children, grandchildren, friends, and her dog, Dusty. She especially enjoyed cooking, baking, and decora
🕊️ OBITUARY: Dianna Sue Cooley 🕊️
Dianna Sue Cooley, 80, of Bloomington, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at her residence. Born July 11, 1946, she was the daughter of Vasel and Doris Jean (Harper) Eads. On July 22, 1966, Dianna married Steven Howard Cooley at Green Valley in Brown County. She was a member of New Harmony Church and loved studying the Bible and Jesus. Dianna enjoyed sewing, crocheting, playing cards, doing word searches, dining out, and spending quality time with her family. 👨👩👧👦 Survivors Include:
🕊️ OBITUARY: Mary (Neal) Thompson 🕊️
Mary (Neal) Thompson, 79, of Bedford, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Westview Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation in Bedford. Born in Bedford on January 3, 1947, to George W. "Bill" Neal and Betty (Hughes) Neal, Mary attended Shawswick High School. On July 30, 1976, she married Larry D. Thompson, who preceded her in death on July 9, 2025. Mary retired from General Motors in Bedford and was an active member of UAW Local #440 and New Hope Community Church. Survivors Include: • Children: Rh