Rev. Laverne A.Ames

Rev. Laverne A. Ames, 82, of Rockville, Indiana died at 8:58 pm Friday, January 31, 2014 in Union Hospital at Terre Haute, Indiana. He was born July 8, 1931 in Durand, Michigan to the late Arthur Ames and Blanche Kelly Ames. He was a retired Nazarene Elder. He also retired from the U.S.Navy with the rank of Lieutenant with over 22 years continuous service. He served from March 1951 to July 1, 1973. Duties included serving oversees in a weather recon squadron, flying into typhoons in the Western Pacific, serving with ZW-1, an airship squadron from Lakehurst, NJ, Adak, Alaska, Kingsville Texas, Guam and Hawaii. His awards include the Navy Achievement Metal, three Good Conduct Medals, Korean Service Medal, U.N Security Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Service Medal with several clusters, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

He was a member of the Rockville Christian Church where he served as an Elder, board secretary, Sunday school teacher and leader of a mid-week Bible study group. He graduated from R.B. Wilson High School, St. Johns, Michigan June 1950. He graduated from Indiana State University with a B.S. degree in 1977, an M.S. degree in 1979 and a Doctorate in 1988. He taught school in Gibson, Davies and Vanderburgh Counties and served as a substitute teacher in Parke County. He also taught Petroleum Technology Curriculum at Lincoln Trail College, Robison, Illinois for five years. Dr. Ames also served as principal in Mt. Olivet, Kentucky and Princeton, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Ernest and Lamont; six sisters, Martha, Evelyn, Nellie Grace, Lucille, Lee Anna and Inadell. A daughter Valarie also preceded him in death. He was married to Rosetta Rathbun, St. Johns, Michigan, July 10, 1954 who preceded him in death January 30, 2000.

He was married to Blanche V. Simpson December 2, 2001 and she survives. Also surviving, two daughters, Wanda (Mike) Sturgeon of Winter Spring, Florida and Dawn (Jeff) Kissell of Newburg, Indiana; one step-daughter, Jean (James) Burns of Indianapolis, Indiana; one sister, Alice Williamson of Durand, Michigan; four step grandchildren, Jonathan Burns of Indianapolis, Brittany Kissel of Newburgh, Mark Sturgeon and Greg Sturgeon both of Florida; several nieces and nephews.

Services will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday February 5, 2014 at Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns with Dr. Randy Rucker officiating. The family was served by Osgood Funeral Homes.