GIVENS, Ralph Arthur

Notes:

Worked for the Noblesville Police Department before he retired due to ill health. As of 3/7/2000 was working for his wife in pollution control/clean water.

NOBLESVILLE -- Former Noblesville Police officer Ralph Givens, who had played Santa on the Square for the past seven years, was found dead today in his home at Westbrook Village.

Noblesville Police Lt. Bruce Barnes said Givens, 61, died of natural causes.

Two or three day shift officers found Givens when they went to check on him after no one had heard from Givens in a couple of days, said Barnes.

"He was retired before I arrived (in 1993), and I never heard a bad word about him," Barnes said.

Personnel records were not available this evening, but Barnes said officers believe Givens was on the force 16 or 17 years, beginning in the early 1970s. He took a medical retirement, according to Barnes.

Givens was one of Lt. Tony Craig's field training officers, and the two had remained close.

"Ralph was an absolutely super individual," said Craig, who was among the officers called to Givens' home.

Lori Schwartz, Noblesville, co-owner of Schwartz's Bait & Tackle, got to know Givens when he was a police officer. After his shifts, she said, Givens would often grab a cup of coffee and go fishing on the river from her store.

"He loved to fish," she said.

"It was such a shock" to hear of Givens' death, said Schwartz, calling him a wonderful person. "I can't believe he's gone. I just saw him last week."

Schwartz said Givens would volunteer to play Santa for anybody who requested, although he had told her his health likely would keep him from playing the role this year.

"To me, it's more than a job. It's the spirit and the kids. I look forward to this every year," Givens said in 2003.

He shared the Santa role with Don Roberts, 71, Noblesville.

"He was a good police officer; he served Noblesville very well, and he was an excellent Santa," said Roberts.

The two had a little competition going on, he said, trying to see who could hold the newest-born baby. One time Givens got a couple coming home from the hospital. "I couldn't compete with that," said Roberts. "We had a lot of fun doing that."

Funeral arrangements were not available at press time
____
August 16, 2008
Ralph Givens 61, Noblesville, passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at home. He was born September 12, 1946 in New Castle, Indiana. Ralph worked for the Noblesville Police Department from August 1, 1974 - July 15, 1989. He was a retired member of the Fraternal Order of Police; and had played Santa on the square in Noblesville for seven years. He is survived by his daughter, Maria Givens of Tempe, AZ. He is preceded in death by his wife, Charlene Kay Givens who passed away in 2006. He and Charlene had been married for 36 years. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2008 at Randall & Roberts Funeral Home in Noblesville, with Pastor Steve Martin officiating. Friends may call Sunday, August 17, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Hamilton Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 6415 Castleway West Drive, Suite 114, Indianapolis, IN 46250.

Ralph married WHITAKER, Charlene Kay 19 Jun 1969. Charlene was born 06 Oct 1947, Indiana; died 2006, Noblesville, Hamilton, Indiana, USA; was buried Hamilton Memorial Cemetery, Hamilton County, Indiana. [Group Sheet]

1. Living

Notes:

(Willis Albert Givens obituary, The Daily Ledger, Noblesville, Indiana, 4 Mar 1989, p. 12)

Willis Albert Givens Obituary
Willis Albert Givens, 84, died Friday, March 3 at Noblesville Healthcare Center. He was born April 8, 1904, in Middletown, Ind., the son of Elmer and Pearl (Sisson) Givens. A former Indianapolis resident, he had lived in Noblesville for the past six years. He was a member of the Lynnhurst Baptist Church of Indianapolis and the Speedway Masonic Lodge No.729 F&AM. He was a past employee of the Indianapolis Stock Yard.

Surviving is a son Ralph A. Givens of Noblesville; three brothers, Eugene Givens of Middletown, the Rev. Arthur Givens of Wabash, and Hansen Givens of Bradenton, Fla., two sisters, Neva Goul of Anderson and Audrey Hinshaw of New Castle; and a granddaughter.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Trout and Hughes Funeral Home Evans-Godby Chapel. the Rev. Robert Rinkenberg will officiate. Burial will be in Harlan Cemetery in Markleville, Ind. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. A Masonic service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m.

Willis married DAVIS, Mildred 02 Sep 1940, Madison County, Indiana. Mildred (daughter of DAVIS, Arthur H. and SWAIN, Bertha M.) was born 1909, Kennard, Henry County, Indiana; died 16 Aug 1949, New Castle, Henry, Indiana, USA; was buried 18 Aug 1949, Harlan Cemetery, Henry County, Indiana. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Anderson Herald/Bulletin-Wednesday, August 17, 1949

Mildred Givens
?Wilkinson, Aug. 16. Mrs. Mildred (Davis) Givens, age 40 wife of Willis Givens, died this afternoon at the Henry County hospital, New Castle. She failed to respond to treatment for a hear attack suffered a few days ago.

The body was taken to the Condo and Son funeral home and will be taken to the Grant City Friends church, where funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. The body will lie in state at the church for an hour before the services. Interment will be in the Harlan cemetery.

Survivors include, besides the husband, an infant son, Ralph Arthur Givens, at home; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Davis, Kennard.

Mrs. Givens graduated from the Kennard High School in 1927, was a member of the OES at Greensboro and the Household Circle at Grant City

Notes:

"The Givens had farms in Madison, Hamilton and Henry Counties. They moved to the family farm in Middletown, Henry County, Indiana, in 1918. It had 40 acres on both sides of the road. This would remain the family home until 1970 when the farm was sold after Elmer and Pearl died.

The home that the family moved into was only a few years old at the time and consisted of four bedrooms, a parlor, a living room, dining room and kitchen, with front and back porches and a cellar. It was not modern and thus did not have running water and electricity until many years later.

The farm was located 2-1/2 miles southeast of Middletown, Indiana and one-half mile south of the Miller Cemetery where Elmer and Pearl Givens are buried.

The three oldest children (Willis, Fern, Audrey) attended the one room Painter School, 1 mile north of the farm until 1920 when the school closed and then the children went to school in Middletown. The family were members of the Middletown Methodist Church and of the Republican Party" (Arthur Givens -unsigned Genealogy, credited to Arthur by his cousin, Stuart Givens.)

Elmer Givens was accustomed to driving the horse and wagon to Brown County to obtain Sorghum; until his death, John Givens came to dinner every Sunday (Kay Hinshaw Spang, granddaughter)
_______

Anderson Herald/Bulletin-Wednesday, July 16, 1969, p. 20 B, Column 1

Elmer G. Givens
?MIDDLETOWN ? Elmer Glen Givens, 88, retired farmer of this area, died Wednesday
evening in the Rolling Hills Nursing Home in Anderson after an illness of the past several years.
A native of Madison County, he was the son of John and Amanda Hersberger Givens. He was a member of the Middletown United Methodist Church. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Frank (Fern) Showers of Indianapolis, Mrs. Carl (Audrey) Hinshaw of New Castle and Mrs. Bert (Neva) Goul of Anderson; four sons, Willis Givens of Indianapolis, Rev. Arthur Givens of Culver, Hanson Givens of Rosemont, Minn., and Eugene Givens of New Castle; a brother, Dr. Willard E. Givens of Washington, D.C.; 20 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Ballard and Shirley Funeral Home, Middletown with the Rev. Morris Howell officiating. Enterment will be in the Miller Cemetery.

Elmer married SISSON, Pearl Lee 08 Feb 1903, M.E. Church, Pendleton, In by Rev. Lovelace. Pearl (daughter of SISSON, William Jr. and GRAHAM, Sarah Electa) was born 08 Feb 1884, Madison County, Indiana; died 20 Jun 1964, Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana; was buried 23 Jun 1964, Miller Cemetery, Middletown, Henry County, Indiana. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Anderson Herald/Bulletin ? Monday, June 22, 1964, P. 6

Mrs. Pearl Givens
?Middletown-Mrs. Pearl Lee Givens, 80, RR2, died Saturday morning at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie after a short illness. She and her husband, Elmer, had celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this year.

Born Feb. 8, 1884, near Pendleton, Mrs. Givens was a member of the Middletown Methodist Church, the WSCS, and the Friendly Club of the church.

She is survived by her husband; four sons, Hanson Givens of Minneapolis, Minn., Willis Givens of Indianapolis, Eugene Givens of New Castle, and the Rev. Arthur Givens of Huntington; three daughters, Mrs. Bert Goul of Anderson, Mrs. Ruth Butrum of Indianapolis, and Mrs. Carl Hinshaw of New Castle; a brother, Vernie Widner of Anderson; a sister, Mrs. Ruby McClary of Pendleton; 21 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Middletown Methodist church. The Rev. C. Edwin McClaron will officiate and interment will be in the Miller Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the Ballard and Shirley Funeral Home. The body will be taken to the church one hour before the service.

Arthur married SWAIN, Bertha M. 26 Feb 1908, Henry County, Indiana. Bertha (daughter of SWAIN, John H. and ???, Emma M.) was born 30 Nov 1881, Indiana. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

According to an unsigned genealogy obtained 3/7/2000, John and Amanda bought a 62 acre farm in Stony Creek Township in Madison County, Indiana. It remained in the family until after the death of his grandson (unnamed) in 1991. They were members of the Progressive Dunkard Church. (7/14/2002 - the Genealogy was begun by Arthur Givens after he retired as a minister. Information obtained from Stuart Givens, his nephew.)
*******

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Forkner, 1914. Page 437

John L. Givens. A resident of Madison County for sixty-five years, Mr. Givens represents the progressive rural citizenship of Stony Creek township, where he has a fine farm of sixty-two acres, with excellent improvements and a comfortable home for himself and family.
John L. Givens was born in Green Township, Madison County, November 30, 1848, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Shawl) Givens. Andrew Givens, the father, was born in the state of Michigan, came to Indiana and was married in Madison County, his wife being a native of this state. He continued to reside in Madison County until his death in 1854. He and his wife were the parents of 3 children, the other two being N.D. Givens, of Indianapolis; and Julius Givens, who is connected with the street railway system in St. Louis.
Mr. John L. Givens was reared in Green township until he reached his majority, and as a boy attended the district school near his home. Green township, while he was growing up, still presented almost an expanse of wilderness, and residents were still engaged in the hard labor of clearing and grubbing and planting the first crops in the hard won fields. That was the training ground for his early life. He was married in Green township to Amanda Heshberger (sic), and their happy married life continued until 1909 when Mrs. Givens died. She was reared in Green and Stony Creek
townships and received her education in the public schools. The four sons born to their marriage are all living in 1913, namely: Horace, who is married and a resident of Stony Creek township; Elmer, who graduated from common schools and is married and lives in Hamilton county; Willard, who graduated from the Lapel High School and in 1913 from the University of Indiana, and is now a principal of a graded school in Noblesville, this state; Asa, who finished the course in common schools, and at the present time is in Indianapolis. Mr. Givens and family are members of the Progressive Dunkard Church. In politics he has always been a regular supporter of the Republican
party up to the campaign of 1912 in which he voted the Progressive ticket.

John married HERSBERGER, Amanda 31 Oct 1875, M.E. Church, Pendleton, In by Rev. Pierce. Amanda (daughter of HERSBERGER, John William and NORRIS, Sarah Ann) was born 23 Jul 1847, Jefferson, Maryland; died 19 Feb 1910; was buried East Grove Lawn Cemetery, Pendleton, Indiana. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Amanda made the trip from Jefferson, Maryland to Pendleton, Indiana in a covered wagon. This trip took 6 weeks. (Oral History - as told by Willard Givens, her son, to Stuart Givens, to this writer on 7/14/2002)

Notes:

Lapel History says that William and Eva built the fourth house in Lapel, located on Pendleton Avenue, one block east of Main Street.
source- Keith Sisson via email.

William married GRAHAM, Sarah Electa Nov 1879, Madison County, Indiana. Sarah (daughter of GRAHAM, Henry and SEARS, Mary Jane) was born 12 Jun 1861, Stony Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana; died 30 Aug 1938, Pendleton, Madison, Indiana, USA; was buried 01 Sep 1938, Grove Lawn Cemetery, Pendleton, Ind.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

When William Sisson died in 1887, Sarah had 3 small children and a farm to take care of. Oliver P. Widener, William's nephew, came and worked as a farm hand. In 1888, Oliver and Sarah were married and they continued to live on the farm.
At the death of Oliver P. Widener, his son, Vernie O. Widener, purchased the farm from the estate and it is now (2000) owned by Oliver's grandson, Vernie Widener.
The farm next to the the William Sisson/Oliver Widener farm was owned by George N. Sisson, William's brother and later by Mrs. Vernie O. (Elva) Widener. An adjoining farm was owned by John Sisson, another of William's brothers.
(Information provided by Lydia Fadely, daughter of Elva and Vernie O. Widener, 4/12/2000)

John married REED, Reason Anna 07 Jan 1875, Hancock County, Indiana. Reason was born Nov 1856, Kentucky; died 26 Apr 1901, Charlottesville, Hancock County, Indiana; was buried Possibly McCray Cemetery, Wilkerson or Greenfield, Indiana. [Group Sheet]

John — ???, Emma M.. Emma was born Mar 1863, Indiana; died 1931, Henry County, Indiana; was buried Harlan Cemetery, County Roads 1000 S & 900 N, Hancock County, Indiana. [Group Sheet]