Warren B. (Barney) Labolt

Warren B. (Barney) LaBolt, 85, of the Hopewell community near Holton passed away Monday, November 21, 2005 at the Decatur Memorial Hospital in Greensburg. He was born in the Hopewell community on October 3, 1920 the son of James and Hazel Pickett LaBolt. He was married to Opal Hughes on March 28, 1954 and she survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Mona LaBolt of Holton and Melinda Braley and her husband John of Versailles; grandchildren Chad and Jennifer Zapfe, Sheena and Spencer Braley; one brother David LaBolt of Findlay, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Marsha, sister Mary Nineff, and his brothers James LaBolt and Jack LaBolt. Mr. LaBolt was a 1938 graduate of Holton High School and was an Army veteran of WWII. He served in the Aleutian Islands and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with one bronze star, the Good Conduct Ribbon and the Victory Medal. Mr. LaBolt was a farmer and had spent his entire life in the Hopewell community. He was a member of the Hopewell Baptist Church, the Holton Masonic Lodge, and the Osgood American Legion. He had formerly served as Otter Creek Township Trustee, was a former agent and director of Patrons Mutual Insurance Company, and had served as sexton of the Hopewell Cemetery for several years. In 2001 Mr. LaBolt was awarded the Tom Wallace Farm Forestry Award, the District 4 Charles Deam Forestry Stewardship Award, and was named Historic Hoosier Hills Outstanding Woodland Owner of the year. He was also named Conservation Farmer of the year in 2002 and Master Farm Conservationist in 2004. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 26 at 11am at the Hopewell Baptist Church with Rev. David Shivers officiating. Burial will be in the Hopewell Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Osgood American Legion. Visitation will be Friday, November 25 from 4pm to 8pm at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Masonic services by the Holton Masonic Lodge at 7:30pm. Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association or the Hopewell Baptist Church building fund.