Thursday, August 13, 2026

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS

Brandy Coomes, executive director of Mainstreet Shelbyville, reviews items on her desk during a recent interview. | photo by JACK BOYCE

Editor’s note: The following is part of an occasional Addison Times series in which we ask local professionals to share five meaningful items from their office.

by LUCILLE HAACKER & KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS

Brandy Coomes did not necessarily expect to spend her career helping shape downtown Shelbyville.

Coomes studied interior design at Western Kentucky University and worked in the field before an opportunity arose in 2010 for a part-time position with Mainstreet Shelbyville.

“What became an interest in a part-time position became a passion,” Coomes said.

Now in her 16th year with Mainstreet Shelbyville and serving as its executive director, Coomes leads a nonprofit focused on historic preservation and economic development in the city’s downtown. That includes supporting and recruiting businesses, preserving downtown buildings and organizing activities that bring people into the area.

The objects around her office reflect those years of work and also tell a story about family and connections beyond her downtown office at 18 N. Harrison St.

For Coomes, the easiest place to begin was family.

“Family’s everything, right?” she said, holding a framed family photo. “The whole reason we do everything we do.”

She and her husband Tim have three children, Jacob, Grace and Luke.

One of the items that has meant the most to Coomes came in 2017, when the Shelbyville mayor and City Council recognized her for her work as an ambassador for the city.

The presentation was a surprise. Coomes was called to a City Council meeting with a reason concocted to make sure she attended.

“You feel like you’re just working, working, working,” she said. “You don’t know if anybody notices.”

The recognition reminded her that the work mattered, and that others were noticing.

Another item represents an accomplishment that must be earned again and again. Mainstreet Shelbyville is a nationally accredited Main Street program, a distinction only a small number of Indiana programs achieve. The organization undergoes an annual review that examines everything from board involvement and training to finances, partnerships, economic development, fundraising and organizational sustainability. Organizations are scored in multiple categories and must meet the required standard in each.

Coomes keeps the accreditation displayed in her office and replaces it with the newest one each year.

“I stare at it, and I keep it there for others to see and to remind myself that we’ve got to keep working, always keep working.”

photo by JACK BOYCE

One of the more unexpected objects in Coomes’ office arrived because a visitor from Tokyo happened to walk through her door.

The man was visiting American downtowns as he researched a book about Main Street programs. He spent about 30 minutes talking with Coomes before continuing on his way.

She did not think much more about the encounter.

About a year later, a package arrived. Inside was the finished book, along with a letter written to her in English. Shelbyville appeared on several pages and even on the cover.

The book includes images of Shelbyville’s downtown and festivals.

Coomes’ connection to Japan also has a more personal meaning. A small, laser-engraved box in her office came from a trip she made as part of a Shelbyville sister-city delegation. Today, she uses it to hold business cards, but its significance comes from the experience behind it.

Coomes recalled the trip as an opportunity that would be difficult to ever duplicate. The delegation spent 11 days in Japan, where she remembers the hosts for their kindness and hospitality and the experience of seeing another culture firsthand.

photo by JACK BOYCE

A small unicorn on Coomes’ desk came from a close friend and mentor and serves as a lighthearted reminder to have fun. Coomes said she has long joked that her friend believes everything is “rainbows and unicorns,” while she tends to be more skeptical.

“Sometimes I’m just typing, and I stare over my computer and see it, and I’ll giggle,” Coomes said.

The unicorn now shares space with a “Fortune Kitty” given to her by the Japanese visitor who later featured Shelbyville in his book.

“Maybe one day I’ll have the whole zoo across there,” Coomes joked.

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE

• HOOSIER NEWS: The University of Indianapolis is suing Indiana University in federal court, alleging IU’s use of “IU Indy” for its Indianapolis campus infringes on and dilutes UIndy’s federally registered trademark. UIndy argues the similar names could confuse prospective students because the universities compete in the same market and says it has used the UINDY trademark for nearly 24 years. The lawsuit alleges trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin. (IBJ)

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: Shelbyville High School alumnus Jack Krebs was inducted into the Butler University Athletic Hall of Fame for the fifth time. He was the second-most inducted athlete into the Butler Hall. Tony Hinkle was the only person with one more induction. Krebs played for the Bulldogs’ football, basketball and track teams. The first time Krebs was inducted into the Hall of Fame was 1997, as an individual. He was inducted again in 2004 with the football teams of 1959 and 1961 for their undefeated seasons. In 2007, he was inducted with the 1962 basketball team. His latest induction was with the 1961 men’s track and field teams. Both Krebs and Butler classmate Don Thompson spoke with The Addison Times/Saturday Shelby regarding the feat.

2006: Whitney Moore was crowned 2006 Bears of Blue River Festival Queen.

1996: Freudenberg-NOK announced plans to expand, creating 80 new jobs. The expansion would make the Shelbyville plant the company’s main source of rubber boots and bellows, which were used for various automotive parts.

Indiana Precision Forge, owned by three Japanese parent companies, broke ground for a 75,000-square-foot Shelbyville plant.

1986: The Foot Clinic team was the Shelby County Girls Softball League age 11 and 12 tourney champion. Members of the team were Karla Decker, Brook Calhoun, Shelli Casey, Angie Glessner, Amanda Weintrout, Misty Smith, Kathy Johnson, Emily Creel, Jenny Davies, Chrissy Williams, Amber Hobbs, Margie Chesebrough and Misti Shepard. Coaches were Al Calhoun, Sandra Decker and Rob Decker.

1976: The Blue River Lions Club won the Shelbyville Knothole League A division. Team members were Steve Sheaffer, Mark Craft, Neil Steffey, Kirk Slaughter, Danny Toon, Doug Branson, Randy Gibbs, Rick Blackburn, Todd Jones, Steve Bowers, Mike Blackburn and Steve Hurley. Bob Sheaffer and Ray Pilk were coaches. Ray Craft was the scorekeeper, and Dale Blackburn was the batboy.

Kitchin Realty won the Knothole B League season championship with a 19-1 record. Team members were Kent John, Mike Vandine, Bobby Vandine, Wade Pettis, Scott Law, Todd Babbitt, Bryan Kehrt, Mike Sullivan, Tony Alford, Todd McLane, Jeff Knecht and Scott Babb. Jim Babb and Bruce Knecht were the coaches.

1966: Darlene Nading, Flat Rock, won first place in the decorated cake division of the Flat Rock Festival with a German spice cake carved in the shape of the State of Indiana. It was covered with a white powdered sugar icing and on the icing was the course of the Flat Rock River and the location of the town. At the top was a brief history of Flat Rock, also done with colored icing.

1956: Twenty-six charter members were on a new local American Legion post roster, as the post was formally organized as the Robert E. Cheatham Post No. 489, named in tribute to a local Korean War casualty. Organization officers met at 212 E. Locust St. The officers were Russ Benfield, Ernest Brown, James Garrett, Forrest Joiner, Lawrence Brown and Charles Moore.

1946: The OPA granted a mark-up of 7 percent to auto dealers as required by new price controls. The price of a 1946 deluxe Ford sedan rose to $1,068 (about $18,290 in today’s money). It was the fourth automobile price increase since 1942.

1936: Attendance at the county fair continued to set new high marks over the previous 10 years. More than 1,500 vehicles were parked inside the gate on Wednesday.

1926: A fire hydrant and alarm box were installed at Shelby and Third streets. The area had been “well built up with homes during the last year,” The Republican reported.

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory

Jonathan S. Gotkin, 65, of Shelbyville, Indiana, passed away Monday, June 16, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born April 20, 1961, in Passaic, New Jersey, to Martin and Barbara (Botterman) Gotkin.

Jonathan graduated from Tappan Zee High School in Orangeburg, New York, with the Class of 1978. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Bridgeport in 1983. He continued his education at Woodrow Wilson College of Law, earning his Juris Doctor in 1986. Jonathan was self-employed as a defense attorney for 40 years.

Raised in a strong Jewish community, Jonathan valued his heritage and faith. He was a member of the Bar Association. He had a passion for cars and enjoyed learning about the mechanics of trains. He also enjoyed attending antique shows and listening to rock music.

Jonathan is survived by his former wife, Linda Gotkin; his companion, Diane Simpson; his son, Jonah Gotkin; his brother, David (Stephanie) Gotkin; niece, Julia Gotkin; and nephew, Brent Gotkin. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Daniel Gotkin.

A Gathering of Friends will be held Monday, August 17, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. A private burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Saddlebrook, New Jersey. Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve the Gotkin family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter, 705 Hale Road, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.

Matthew Flannery, 71, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at his residence. He was born June 10, 1955, in Indianapolis, IN, to Robert Flannery and Joyce (Heath) Flannery.

Matthew was a skilled HVAC technician for many years. He enjoyed working and took a lot of pride in trouble shooting issues for his clients. He had a passion for music and especially loved singing Karaoke. He also enjoyed working Sudoku puzzles in his free time.

He married Opal Flannery the love of his life on July 5, 2000, and she preceded him in death on November 29, 2012. They shared 12 loving years together. He is survived by his children, Britney Lee, Brandon Flannery, Jeremiah Aulby, Gina Smith and William Aulby; grandchildren, Vincent Strausburg, Tristan Strausburg, Brooks Strausburg and Dillion Thomason; siblings, Debra (husband, Freddy) Guzman, Lori Flannery and Mark Flannery; nieces and nephews, Kenzie Chacon, Tony Guzman, Jennifer Gallagher, Cassandra Flannery, Nathan Flannery, Chris Flannery and Amanda Groen. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, and brother, Bobby Flannery.

Gathering of Friends will be Friday, August, 14, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at North Harrison Senior Apartments Community Room, 111 N. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN 46176. A Graveside Service will be held Friday, August 14, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in Whispering Hope Memorial Gardens. Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Matt’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.

Jimmie Ann Buckley (Hickman), of Manatee County, Florida, formerly of Shelbyville, Indiana, passed away at home on August 11, 2026. Born February 2, 1946 in Shelbyville, Indiana, she was the daughter of Clifford and Alice (Armstrong) Hickman.
She is survived by her daughter, Kristin M. (Michael) Wines; son Mark A. Goodwin;
grandchildren, Chelsee (Joshua) Klepfer, Aidan Buckley, Ashton Wines, Michaela (Javier) Rohrer, and Brooke Goodwin; great-grandchildren, Brendon, Zachary, Jessa, Luke and Yuna; brother Gerald “Jerry” Hickman, and sister Judy Hickman; nieces Rise’ (Larry) Smith, Alexis (Bret) Green, and Sarah Settles; nephews Craig (Angela) Buckley, and Roger (Kimberly) Hickman. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Robert W. Buckley; her parents; step-father, Kermitt Money; aunt, Audrey “Betty” Rice; sister-in-law, Bonnie Rodgers and Patricia Wise; and brother-in-law, Malcolm Buckley and Charles Buckley.

She graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1964. She worked as a court reporter in Shelby Superior Court prior to becoming a legal assistant, working in Shelbyville, Indiana and Bradenton, Florida. She enjoyed taking walks on the beach and loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Private funeral services will be at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., in Shelbyville. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelbyville Fire Department, 40 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, Indiana, 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Jimmie’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.