August 29, 2010 Venus Leota Newkirk — Mrs. Venus Leota Newkirk, 85, of Lebanon, died Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, at Witham Memorial Hospital, Lebanon. Mrs. Newkirk was born Jan. 23, 1925, in Cumberland. She was the daughter of the late John Watson and Nellie (Vernon) Alley. She attended schools in Cumberland, and Warren Central and Tech high schools in Indianapolis. She married Floyd C. Newkirk on Feb. 14, 1942, in Indianapolis; he survives. Mrs. Newkirk was a resident of Lebanon for 27 years. She lived in Cumberland and Indianapolis before moving to Lebanon. During World War II she worked at P.R. Mallory and U.S. Rubber Co. She worked with foster children from 1946 to 1991, and retired in 1991. Mrs. Newkirk was a member of Lebanon Bible Baptist Church. She worked in the church nursery for 15 years. She enjoyed taking care of children. Survivors include her husband; sons, Floyd Douglas Newkirk of Indianapolis, Jerry Martin Newkirk of Greenfield, Thomas Watson Newkirk of Rockport and Steven Allen Newkirk of Lebanon; foster son, Donald Abner of Lebanon; brother, John Watson Alley of Shelbyville; sisters Alberta Springer, Norma Williams and Ethel Parrot, all of Indianapolis; and 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four sons, four sisters, five brothers and two grandchildren. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, at Russell & Hitch Funeral Home, 223 N. Meridian St., Lebanon. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at Lebanon Bible Baptist Church, 1530 Riley Road, Lebanon, with Pastor Jack Stanley and Dan Strong officiating. Burial will take place in Lincoln Memory Gardens, Boone County. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon's Association, Boone County Association of Retarded Citizens, Boone County Heart Association or Jerry's Kids.