Trapshooter Memorial

Clarence Earl Toliver

Clarence Earl Toliver, 97, of Orleans died Monday, July 19, 2010 at the Bedford Regional Medical Center in Bedford, Indiana.

Earl was born June 16, 1913 in Orange County, Indiana. His parents were Hayden W. and Ethel May Scarlett Toliver.

He married Maye E. Magner, August 17, 1940 and she preceded him in death on February 3, 2002.

He was the owned and operated the former Toliver Oil Products in Orleans for thirty-five years until he sold the business and retired in 1975.

Earl’s interest in trap shooting began in 1948 and that became his passion. He owned the Jenkins Gun Club in Mitchell from 1969 to 1973. In 1954, he was elected to the board of the Indiana Trapshooter’s Association and served as secretary, treasurer for many years and as president in 1961. He was elected to the Indiana Hall of Fame in 1978. In 1964 he was elected to the National Amateur Trapshooter’s Association and was president in 1968 and founder of the National Trapshooting Hall of Fame. He attended all of the Hall of Fame Induction Banquets from 1968 until 2009. In 1962 Earl was the world recordholder for the most 100s broken in a single year, 4000 targets consecutively. He held many other records. He was also an avid pilot from 1935 until 1970. He was a member of the Orleans Kiwanis Club and was past president and past Lt. Governor. He was a member of the Bedford Elks Club and was a member of the National Riflemen’s Association.

Surviving Mr. Toliver is a sister, Barbara Diech and her husband, David of Bedford, a sister-in-law and a brother-in-law, Carolyn and Robert Burgess of Crawfordsville, Indiana, also several nieces and nephews.  Earl was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one brother, Max Toliver and one sister, Mildred Burton.

Source: Ochs-Tetrick Funeral Home

Judith E. Barker

Mrs. Judith E. Barker, 60, of 3916 N. Meridian Road, Rochester, died Monday at her residence.

She was born in Roanoke, Va., on July 7, 1949, the daughter of the late Robert W. and Marcelle (Widner) Coley.

Judith became the bride of Donald J. Barker on July 1, 1977, in Cullman, Ala.

As a person who loved the outdoors, Judy managed the Fulton County Conservation Club. With great pride she kept the grounds manicured to perfection, from mowing down to the fine tuning of edging in preparation for the shooters' competitions. She enjoyed planting flowers to enhance the beauty of her home overlooking the Tippecanoe River.

To relax Judy and Don enjoyed boating in the glistening waters of various lakes in northern Indiana and southern Michigan. Many times these escapes included the children and later the grandchildren. Embracing the outdoors, Judy and Don would camp under the stars, sometimes in a trailer with friends, earlier in a pop-up camper, or even in tents carried on board.

The Barkers owned and loved their property in Park County. There were many quiet moments and great memories made there developing the land for the perfect retirement spot. Judy's greatest passion was for her family. As a consummate grandma, her best times were when her grandchildren surrounded her. As an active grandmother Judy taught the kids about nature. She enjoyed cheering them on in all of their sporting activities. Dialing long distance was the best method of staying in touch and talking with them, and keeping up on breaking news was her forte. 

Judy is remembered for her thoughtful, random acts of kindness that were unending. Whether it be for family or friends, Judy was there to lend a helping hand. She unselfishly put the needs of others before her own. Whether it was organizing Christmas dinner baskets for those less fortunate or helping with groceries or cash in a time of need, Judy was quietly in the background, always there to help out.

It was a family tradition that Judy and Don hosted the family Thanksgiving celebration in their home. There the grandchildren could be found helping Nana, as she was affectionately known, apply the finishing touches to the delicious feast. Judy leaves behind her loving lifelong partner, husband Don, her adoring children, treasured grandchildren, a brother and sisters, the grateful shooters of the conservation club, and the many friends she touched along life's journey to cherish her memory.

Judith is survived by her husband, Don, at home; a daughter, Michelle Runkel Karst and husband Scott, Madison; a son, Michael Runkel and wife Amanda, Valley Grove, Ala. Five grandchildren, Justin Sightes, LaPorte; Jack and A.J. Karst, Madison; and Meagan and Malachi Runkel, Valley Grove, Ala. Four sisters, Debbie Self and husband Michael, Fairview, Ala.; Donna Coley, Cullman, Ala.; Denise Parker and Donald Ray, Valley Grove, Ala.; and Robin Strickland, Madison, Ala. A brother, Robert Coley Jr. and wife Debbie, Walter, Ala; and very dear friends, Jim and Betty DeHaven, LaCrosse.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her mom, Marcelle Stricklin, in 1997; her dad, Robert Coley, in 1993; her youngest sister, Janice Coley, on Dec. 26, 2008; and her grandmother, Florence Young, in January of 2010.

A celebration of the life of Judith E. Barker will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, with the Rev. Ray Squibb officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Hope Hospice of Fulton County or Friends of Fulton County Parks. Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at goodfamily@rtcol.com.

Source: The Rochester Sentinel

John F. Gould

Seven-time All American John F. Gould of Pleasant Lake, Ind., died of congestive heart failure on Sept 15, 2009. He was 64.

A shooter most of his adult life, he began his ATA career in 1988. Since then he had registered 52,800 singles, 47,700 handicap, and 38,100 doubles targets while earning numerous trophies and chair shooter championships. He placed on the ATA All American chair teams each year from 2004 through the current year (the 2010 squad, based on accomplishments during the 2009 target year). Twice he was the second-high points earner on the team.

He was chair titlist in the 2005 and 2008 Grand American Doubles Championships, and the latter year he also led the category in the President's Handicap. In 2003 he placed 17th in the Grand American Handicap field.

He earned numerous chair trophies at Satellite Grands and state shoots, including the following in title events between 2003 and 2009: Great Lakes Grand, 16; Empire Grand, nine; Northeasetern Grand, Michigan, and Ohio, four each; Missouri, three; Southern Grand, two; and Dixie Grand, one.

A member of the Branch County and Williams County Conservation Club, "John and his big red scooter were a familiar sight at many of the big shoots," wrote Carol, his wife of 22 years. "He was the only shooter to break a perfect 50 at Williams County's 50-bird club championship July 26. He went out a winner".

For 38 years Mr. Gould was a machinist at Metaldyne (formerly Simpson Ind.) in Fremont.

Surviving are his widow, five sons, 10 grandchildren and two sisters.

Source: Trap & Field Magazine

William A. Gray

Bill A. Gray 67, Jamestown, died Sept. 3, 2009. He had been a tool repairman at Diamond Chain and formerly worked at Link Belt. An avid trapshooter, he was a member of the American Trapshooters Association. He is survived by his wife Glenda Gray; children Billy Wayne Gray, Cynthia Hardman, Brett A. Gray, and Charlotte Wehlerman; brother Bobby Gray; sisters Enona Brewington, Linda Gasper, and Sheila Kadel; 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Sat. Sept. 5 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg, with visitation there from 4 to 8 p.m. Fri. Sept. 4. Burial will be at Lizton K of P Cemetery.

Source: The Indianapolis Star

Arthur L. Horvath

Arthur L. Horvath, 1991 Indiana Hall of Fame enshrinee from Mishawaka, died March 5, 2009 at the age of 76.

Among his awards was the 1973 Indiana singles title, after his first 200 straight plus an 11 round shoot-off. His second career 200 straight put him into a tie for the 1982 Grand American Clay Target Championship, where he finished as Class A runner-up following three extra rounds.

Between 1959 and 1996, the ATA life member registered 68,100 singles, 59,000 handicap and 36,930 doubles targets.

He was past president of the Indiana Trapshooters Association and the Chain O' Lakes Gun Club in South Bend, and he was a member of the Mishawaka Conservation Club.

Mr. Horvath was a machinery repairman in the Navy and he worked as a tool and die maker.

Surviving are his widow Johna, three children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grand children.

Source: Trap & Field Magazine

William Lee "Bill" Jackson

William Lee “Bill” Jackson, age 64 of Clarks Hill, died at his residence on February 5, 2009. Born in Glasgow, KY on January 9, 1945, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Hodges) Davis. He was a graduate of Clinton Prairie High School and was an Army Veteran having served in Viet Nam. He married JoAnn Lockwood on May 16, 1964 in Clarks Hill and she survives. Mr. Jackson retired as a plumber for Brenneco for 21 years. He enjoyed trap shooting, fishing, traveling, and his grandkids. He was a member of the Amateur Trapshooters Association, shooting 18,850 targets; Roachdale Gun Club and the N.R.A. Surviving with his wife are two daughters, two sons, and fourteen grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Sgt. David L. Jackson.

Source:  Hippensteel Funeral Home

Bruce L. Kinsey

Bruce L. Kinsey Oct. 10, 1946 - June 14, 2008 WARSAW - Bruce L. Kinsey, 61, died at 4:31 p.m. Saturday in Kosciusko Community Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Kathy; a daughter, Brittney Kinsey of Warsaw; sons, Curtis (Catherine) Kinsey of Fort Wayne, Grant and Craig Kinsey, both of Warsaw; a granddaughter, Emily Kinsey; father, Edward B. Kinsey of South Bend; a sister, Linda (Dennis) Byers of South Bend; and brothers, Jerry Kinsey of North Webster and Duane Clemens of Indiana.

Source: South Bend Tribune

Robert Thompson

Bob Thompson, 82, passed away at his Largo, FL residence on March 11, 2008 following complications from knee surgery.

Mr. Thompson was a long time trapshooter registering his first target in 1954. He fired at 46,750 singles, 88,675 handicap, and 15,400 doubles targets in the ATA. He was a past president of the Indiana Trapshooters Association and was an inductee in the Indiana Trapshooting Hall of Fame. Bob also attended 50 Grand Americans in a row and received his 50 year pin last year in Vandalia, Ohio. He and his wife, Mary Sue, were the first couple to break 100 in handicap. He also owned and operated a sporting goods store in Columbus, IN as well as managed the Columbus Gun Club.

A memorial service is planned in Columbus, IN in the middle of April. Additional details to follow.

Survivors include his widow Mary Sue, three daughters Cindy, Missy, and Bertie, and grandchildren Robert Jacob Smith, Danny Smith, Courtney Smith, & Evan Menser.

Source: Indiana Trapshooters Association

Violet E. Hancock 

Violet Ethel Hancock 81, Indianapolis, died May 20, 2007. Violet was a cook for Pike Township Schools, retiring in 1990. She was a lifetime member of the Eastern Star and a member of the Lizton Christian Church. Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Charles Wayne Hancock; her son, William Wayne Hancock and his wife, Sandy; her daughter Nadine Wein; four granddaughters; four great-grandsons, and one great- granddaughter, several nieces and nephews. A service will be held Noon, Thursday, May 24, 2007 at Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center Zionsville, with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time. Burial will be at Lincoln Memory Gardens, Whitestown.

Violet was a member of the ATA and shot at 74,000 registered targets in her career.

Source: The Indianapolis Star & Trap & Field Magazine

Donald E. Hymer    

Donald E. Hymer of Roachdale, Indiana, passed away December 21, 2006 from natural causes at the age of 75. The ATA life member began his trapshooting career in 1966 and registered 60,875 total targets, winning many trophies along the journey.

He graduated from Earlham College, earned a Masters Degree from Illinois State University and taught school for 32 years. He was a Korean War Veteran serving with the Army Medical 19^th Infantry Medical Corp.

Donnie was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, Roachdale Optimist Club, Past Master of Roachdale’s Masonic Lodge, Roachdale Veterans of Foreign Wars, past president of Roachdale Gun Club, and a member of Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis.

Donnie was best known for his service to the youth shooters of Indiana. He was one of the first certified youth instructors from the state of Indiana and trained hundreds of youth to shoot trap since 1980.  He spent countless hours at Roachdale Gun Club conducting safety classes and giving shooting instruction to youth shooters. Donnie attended many Indiana State Shoots selling raffle tickets to benefit the youth program and attended many Grands entering the kids and giving praise when they were done shooting.

Surviving are several nieces and nephews and grateful are many students from the classroom and the trap range.

Source: Trap & Field Magazine