John Edward Branson

John Edward Branson, 85, of Shelbyville passed away Monday, May 21, 2012 at Waldron Health and Rehab. Born August 9, 1926, in Shelby County, he was the son of Orville and Ruth (Davis) Branson. He married Barbara Jean Gephart on June 28, 1947, and she survives. Other survivors include his sons, John Michael (wife, Diane) Branson of Shelbyville and Mark Edward (wife, MaryAnn) Branson of Greenfield; brothers, Robert (wife, Christine) Branson of Shelby County, Harold (wife, Rose) Branson and Gerald Branson, both of Shelbyville and Tom (wife, Judy) Branson of Morristown; sister, Dorothy McNeely of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Lori Spurling, Amy Coleman, Julie Walters, Jason Branson, Brian Branson, Heath Branson and Cody Branson; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Brenda Kay Cole; sisters, Frances Hasecaster and Edna May Branson; and a brother, William Branson. Mr. Branson retired in 1981 from Allison Transmission with over 30 years of service. He also had repaired telephones for The General telephone company at Morristown in the 1940s and 1950s. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during World War II. Mr. Branson enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping and shooting. He graduated from Morristown High School in 1943. Mr. Branson was a member of Rays Crossing Christian Union Church. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Rays Crossing Christian Union Church, 2115 North 600 East in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 10 am Thursday at the church, with Rev. Gordon Heinrich officiating. Interment will be in Bennett Cemetery. Services entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to Ray?s Crossing Christian Union Church, P.O. Box 1115, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.