Saturday, August 8, 2026

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS

Kristiaan Rawlings and students Lyla Wilson, Zach Lakes and Addy Marshall visit with Shelbyville High School alumnus and University of Notre Dame student Wyatt Haacker, who spent the summer researching altermagnetism in Orlando.

by DONNA DENNISON

One of the favorite programs at the Genealogy and History Department of the Shelby County Public Library is the presentation of “The Famous, Infamous and Unknown.” In each of these programs we introduce everyone to one Famous, one Infamous and one Unknown person from Shelby County. On Tuesday evening, I enjoyed telling everyone about the following three Shelby County personalities. The following is the first installment.

Dick Baxter and his wife, Ellie, center, show off a book alongside Roy Rogers, left, and Dale Evans, right. | submitted

Our famous person for this month was a gentleman named Richard V. Baxter. Dick, as he became known, was born July 19, 1935, in rural Shelby County. He was delivered at home by Dr. Tindall.

His parents were William and Alberta Baxter. His father was a cabinetmaker, and his mother was a housewife. His grandfather, also William, was a carpenter and built many of the houses here in Shelby County. His grandfather on his mother’s side was Dr. Francis Dunn, one of the first surgeons in Shelby County. His family hoped Dick would be a doctor, too.

Dick grew up outside Fairland doing all the things young rural boys did. He especially liked reading “The Bears of Blue River” and listening to the Grand Ole Opry on his parents’ radio. His favorites were Hank Williams, Hank Snow and Eddy Arnold.

While his parents wanted him to be a doctor like his grandfather, he instead took an interest in music and acting. He adored his aunt, who was an actress on Broadway, and when she came to visit, he listened, mesmerized by her stories. By age 12, he was sitting outside on a fence post writing his own songs.

In 1943, his mother took him to the Ritz Theater in Shelbyville to see the movie “Swing Your Partner.” He fell in love with movies, and at age 8 he also fell in love with a girl named Dale Evans. He saved all the newspaper clippings and articles about her that he could find.

Dick went to Moral Township schools. After high school, he went to Central Business College in Indianapolis. To help pay for college, he got a job at an insurance company as an underwriter. At the insurance company, he met a young woman named Ellie.

Being a shy country boy, he would talk to Ellie on breaks but never got the nerve for anything more than polite conversation. Then one day, she asked him if he would take her to a movie they both wanted to see. In December 1955, just a few months after that first date, he and Ellie were married.

While Dick finished business school, they both worked at the insurance company, and Dick also did some part-time modeling. At Ellie’s insistence, the couple moved to Los Angeles in 1961 so he could pursue his acting career. He and Ellie found a studio apartment and jobs with an insurance company. Dick did some modeling and took acting and voice lessons.

In 1963, they went to a nightclub with friends and listened to The Four Tunes perform. They were introduced to the four men and sat talking about the entertainment industry. Jimmy Gordon, of The Four Tunes, was impressed with Dick’s business background. He asked Dick if he would like to become their manager.

Dick had no idea what a manager did, so he politely said, “I’ll think about it,” and then didn’t think about it again. A week later, they called and asked again. He spent the next few days finding out everything he could about what a Hollywood manager did. The Four Tunes were the first of Dick Baxter’s many clients.

Dick quickly figured out he liked being behind the scenes more than in front of the camera. Within a year, he signed singer Stuart Hamblen and his wife, Suzy. Both were award-winning singers and radio stars. They appeared on shows including “Cowboy Church” and “The Stuart Hamblen Show,” were members of the Grand Ole Opry and made several special guest appearances on shows such as “Hee Haw” and “The Lawrence Welk Show.”

Stuart also starred in several movies, including one with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. In 1968, Dick went on the set with Stuart and was invited to a party at John Wayne’s home, where he met his childhood crush, Dale Evans.

Dick became manager for Dale Evans and Roy Rogers, as well as their son, Dusty. More importantly, Baxter and the Rogerses became lifelong friends, so close that Dick was a pallbearer at both of their funerals.

Dick also represented Kathryn Grayson, known for “Show Boat,” “Kiss Me Kate” and “Anchors Aweigh”; Bill Erwin, who appeared in more than 250 movies and television programs and received an Emmy nomination for his guest appearance in the “Seinfeld” episode “The Old Man”; Catherine McLeod, who appeared in productions including “Maverick,” “Bonanza,” “Gunsmoke” and “Days of Our Lives”; and many more.

In 2000, Dick decided to retire. He and Ellie moved to a quiet little town outside Hollywood, where they spent their retirement years. Ellie died in May 2020, and Dick died in April 2026.

If you would like more information about Dick Baxter and the stars he represented, his book, “Standing Tall in the Shadows: Memoirs of a Hollywood Manager,” is available through Evergreen at the Shelby County Public Library.

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE

• The Meridian Park Family Aquatic Center will close out its 2026 season this weekend. The pool will be open from noon to 6 p.m. today, Aug. 8, for its final regular day, followed by Doggie Day tomorrow, Sunday, Aug. 9, 1 to 3 p.m.

• HOOSIER NEWS: Indianapolis-based Comlux America plans to invest more than $22 million in its operations at Indianapolis International Airport and create up to 375 jobs by the end of 2030. The expansion would more than double the aircraft completion and maintenance company’s workforce and includes improvements to hangar and production space, along with new tools and equipment. Indiana has offered Comlux up to $5 million in tax credits through the state’s Economic Development for a Growing Economy program. (IBJ)

Support The Addison Times

• The Addison Times is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.

This Week in Shelby County, a cartoon feature illustrated by George L. Stubbs for 38 years, is reproduced with permission of the Shelby County Historical Society and the Stubbs family.

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: MAJOR HEALTH PARTNERS

Local headlines reported on or around this date in Shelby County history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials. | edited by HANNAH BAKER | compiled by MYRON RAWLINGS

2016: The average home sales price over the summer in Shelby County was $148,723. In 2015, the average price had been $123,450.

2006: Despite reported financial pressures, plans for the 27th Bears of Blue River Festival moved forward. The Festival had downsized from a weeklong event into three days. Dean Torrence, who had assembled a band after Jan Berry died, was the headliner. The Flying Toasters would also perform.

1996: Shelby County residents continued to attend public meetings to oppose a plan to exclude Shelbyville from the 317 area code. Nick Runnebohm said Shelbyville was being treated “like a second-class citizen of the Indianapolis area.” Phil Kaster, owner of Kasco Manufacturing, said a new area code would mean reprinting about $50,000 worth of brochures.

1986: A new temporary well at the old Daniel DePrez Manufacturing Corp. on South Noble Street was pumping 250 gallons a day, Indiana Cities Water Corp. officials said. Before the summer’s shortage, ICW had been able to keep the city’s two water towers 100% full at night and 70 to 80% full during the day. Since late July, ICW had struggled to keep the towers at 50% capacity day and night.

1976: Open houses were held at Berwick Manor, advertised as “quiet country living - but not too country.”

Survey work was ongoing at Forest Hill Cemetery to prepare six additional acres for burial plots.

1966: Louden Foods officials announced plans to nearly double the store’s square footage by razing or moving four vacant Howard St. residences between Harrison St. and Columbia Ave. and build new business buildings under one roof. Of the four homes, one would be razed, one moved to Fourth Street and two to Colescott Street.

Sara Eberhart was crowned Flat Rock Festival Queen.

1956: Dr. Thomas Younan, 46, local physician and Republican candidate for Shelby County Coroner, died following a two-month illness. He had been one of two Indiana physicians to receive the Medical Combat Badge and also held the Silver Star from service in World War II.

Larry Linville, 15, was named top 4-H swine showman.

1946: Plans were announced for the Shelby County Rural Youth Club’s eighth annual community songfest, to be held at the courthouse.

The local Junior Chamber of Commerce asked City Council to establish a plan commission.

1936: Marjorie Pike won first place in the Amateur Contest held at Laura Morrison Park. Bobby Case won honorable mention.

Shelby County’s corn yield was expected to be about 35% of the crop, farmer Peter Lux predicted.

1926: Smith White Checker Bus announced plans to provide transportation from First National Bank to the Chautauqua for 15 cents each way.

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory

James “Scott” Harrell, 64, of Indianapolis, passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. He was born on August 4, 1962, in Lafayette, the son of James J. and Joyce (Thorpe) Harrell. Scott is survived by his parents of Shelbyville; brothers, Douglas Harrell of Indianapolis, and Gregory Harrell and wife, Dana, of Shelbyville; nieces, Colleen Short of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Taylor Harrell of Indianapolis; and nephew, Jackson Harrell of Houston, Texas.
In 1980, Scott graduated from Triton Central High School. He attended Purdue University and studied building construction technology. He was a member of the former Fairland United Methodist Church. Scott was a self-employed carpenter. He enjoyed nature and being outdoors. Scott was an artist.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St., in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the funeral home, with Rev. Jolita Erbele officiating. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Memorial contribution may be made to the Shelbyville-Shelby County Animal Shelter, 705 Hale Rd., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Scott’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

Randy Joel Jenkins, 68, of Fountaintown, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. He was born Aug. 17, 1957, in Franklin, Indiana, to Miles and Georgia (Brooks) Jenkins.

Randy was employed by Central States for 30 years before retiring in 2023. Throughout his life, Randy was known for his friendly personality and enjoyment of being around others. He never met a stranger and found happiness in sharing conversations and creating lasting memories with family and friends. Randy enjoyed solving puzzles and playing mystery-themed board games. Whether spending time with loved ones or simply visiting with family, he treasured every opportunity to be together. His sociable nature made him someone others naturally enjoyed being around. Though Randy never married, he built meaningful relationships throughout his life and deeply valued the love and support of his family. He will be remembered for his kindness, his sense of humor and the joy he brought to those fortunate enough to know him.

Randy is survived by his sister, Janice Benninghoff; his sister-in-law, Jeanne Jenkins; his nephews, Terry (Jennifer) Benninghoff and Jeff (Tania) Jenkins; his nieces, Michelle Benninghoff and Julie Jenkins; his great-nieces, Gabby, Jerri and Madeline; and his great-nephew, Jace. He was preceded in death by his parents, Miles and Georgia (Brooks) Jenkins, and his brother, Jerry Jenkins.

Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Randy’s family. No services are scheduled at this time. Online condolences may be shared at murphyparks.com.