Obituary of Neva June Luse

Bedford Neva June Luse, 601 Oolitic Road, passed on April 26, 2012 from complications after a fall. Born on June 13, 1919, she was the daughter of Clarence and Edith (Kirkman) May. She married Alonzo (Bill) Luse on August 5, 1939. He preceded her in death on October 16, 2006. She was a 1936 graduate of Needmore High School. She graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Elementary Education and an MS in Early Childhood Education. She began her teaching career at the age of 19 serving schools in Ellettsville, Mitchell, Bedford, but mainly as a kindergarten teacher for North Lawrence Community Schools. After retiring in 1981 after 43 years of teaching, she became a realtor for Keach & Grove. She was a member and past president of Bedford Board of Realtors, member and past president of Bedford Altrusa, Exchange Club, and a past recipient of Bedfords Book of Golden Deeds Award. She was a member of Avoca Baptist Church where she was a church organist for over 60 years. Upon her retirements from the organ in 2008, she was awarded the Lifetime Service Award from the Bedford Baptist Association. Active also in Indiana government, she was named Counsel to the Attorney General in 1987, and appointed by Gov. Evan Bayh as a member of the Indiana Commission for Women in 1995. In 2011, she was the recipient of the Ray Fry Outstanding Alumni Award from the Needmore High School Alumni Association. Family include one son, Jon (Merrilou) Luse of Scottsburg, IN; two daughters, Jill (Bob) Orender of Bedford, and Jaynee (George) Simmerman of Oolitic. She also had ten grandchildren: Sally James, Chris Luse, Sarah (Drew) Holt, Geoff (Missy) Orender, Polly (Chris) Hamilton, Tim (Jonetta) Orender, Dr. Courtney (Michael) Miskuf, Cyle (Tara) Luse, Tristan (Adrea) Simmerman, and Britt Simmerman. Twenty-three great grandchildren include: Joshua James, Jonathan James, Nicholas Luse, Cameron Luse, Gabrielle Holt, Mason Holt, Clayton Orender, Megan Orender, Victoria Orender, Mitchell Hamilton, Macee Hamilton, Joby Turner, Jesse Turner, Jalen Turner, Alex Blackwell, Xachary Blackwell, Kendyll Blackwell, Fletcher Miskuf, Aaron Miskuf, Lily Luse, Haylen Luse, Jacob Simmerman, and Jacey Simmerman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents; one daughter, Jolene Luse; and one brother, Clovis May. Funeral Information Services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 1st at Avoca Baptist Church with Pastor Kyle Witmer officiating. Burial will follow in the Hilltop Cemetery in Avoca. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Monday, April 30th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Donations Information Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence County Community Foundation/Scholarships.