BROWNSTOWN
Since 2001, Dan Hall had served as a dedicated member of the Brownstown Central Community School Corp. board of school trustees.
He represented Brownstown Township on the seven-member appointed board and was a part of projects that resulted in improvements at all three school buildings.
In the past year, however, he had to miss some meetings due to health issues. Each time, his fellow trustees asked people to keep him in their thoughts.
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On Oct. 25, Hall died at his home surrounded by loved ones. He was 67.
"Brownstown Central schools made many great strides during Dan’s tenure. He will be missed," Superintendent Tim Taylor said.
"Dan brought a common sense perspective to our board that provided the foundation for our decision-making," Taylor said. "His passion and commitment for our students and schools were apparent. Dan was no nonsense when it came to the business of the board but was always quick with a smile and a kind word."
Board President Scott Shade said Hall was well-liked by everyone on the board.
"He brought experience and a community business perspective to the board," Shade said. "You could always count on Dan telling it like it is and giving his opinion on key items, which is exactly what you hope for when trying to make decisions that impact many individuals."
Shade said Hall would rush into the meetings after fulfilling his late-evening job duties, get a cup of coffee and eat all of the candy from the candy bowl in front of him.
"We all enjoyed Dan’s character and could always count on Dan," Shade said. "Dan had no issues donating his time, experiences and efforts to help the corporation. He simply just wanted to contribute and make a difference if possible. He selflessly served, and his heart was in the right place when it came to making decisions regarding the students and staff."
According to Indiana Code, if a vacancy on a school board exists because of the death of a member, the remaining board members shall meet and select an individual to fill the vacancy.
"We intend to have the position filled by the Dec. 8 board meeting," Taylor said.
The person chosen by the board will hold that seat through June 30, 2021. Before that expires, the township will have to appoint its representative.
According to his obituary, Hall was born in Seymour, grew up in Norman, attended Clearspring School and graduated from Brownstown Central High School in 1971.
He worked in retail for 51 years until he retired from Martin and Bayley Inc. convenience stores in May 2020 after managing Huck’s Food and Fuel in Brownstown for 11 years.
Hall was a big fan of Indiana University basketball, NASCAR and dirt track racing, and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, river rafting and off-roading in the many Jeeps he owned over the years.
Survivors include his wife, Karen Jo "Jody" Weesner Hall, and children, Jonathan Daniel (Kelsey) Hall and Chelsie Lynn (Cameron) Skurka. His first grandson is expected in February 2021.
"He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and a dear friend to many," according to his obituary.
Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Saturday at Brownstown Christian Church, where he had attended since Nov. 3, 1996. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Brownstown.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks and social distancing are required at all times during the visitation and service.
Memorials may be made to the Brownstown Central High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes Shed for You or Brownstown Christian Church for meals and shut-ins through Winklepleck and Brock Funeral Home in Brownstown.
BCHS teacher dies
Brownstown Central High School is mourning the loss of longtime teacher Margaret "Peggy" Kovert.
She died unexpectedly Oct. 18 at Columbus Regional Health. She was 64.
During a school board meeting Oct. 20, Principal Joe Sheffer said she was admitted to the hospital with chest pain. He later received a call from her eldest daughter, Kallie Roller, letting him know Peggy passed away.
Roller also is a BCHS teacher, and her father, Rex Kovert, retired from teaching after 41 years in 2019.
Sheffer said there were lots of tears shed after hearing of Peggy’s death.
"Peg is a longtime teacher at the high school and touched many lives," Sheffer said.
Taylor said everyone was stunned by Peggy’s sudden passing.
"I didn’t have to be here very long before I figured out what she meant to the high school and the students and the staff and the community as a whole," Taylor said. "We just want to extend our heartfelt condolences to Rex, Kallie and the entire family."
Sheffer made arrangements for staff members to attend Peggy’s funeral Oct. 23 at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brownstown, where she was secretary of the board of Christian education for years and filled many servant positions.
Peggy was a 1974 Crothersville High School graduate and received her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 1978 and her master’s degree from Indiana University in 1981.
She was on her 43rd year as a health and physical education teacher. She began her teaching career at Austin Middle School and remained there for 20 years. She then transferred to Brownstown Central schools. She also coached basketball, track and field and cross-country for both school districts.
In her obituary, her family described her as "the glue of the family and Spring Valley Farms, where she dedicated her life to growing the farm to where it is today."
Survivors along with Rex and Kallie include two other children, Kassie (Matt) Michel and Kory Kovert; a son-in-law, Dustin Roller; four grandsons; and her mother, Patricia Bischoff.
Expressions of sympathy may be given to the St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church building fund through Adams Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Crothersville.
Choral director recovering
Another BCCSC teacher, Stephanie Brock, is recovering after undergoing surgery to remove a mass on her brain.
Sheffer said Brock, the choral director for the middle and high schools, was admitted to the hospital after experiencing dizziness over fall break.
"She underwent a long, successful surgery," Sheffer said. "The mass was about the size of a pool ball."
Her daughter, Carley Brock, told Sheffer that an MRI showed the mass was 99.9% removed. Sheffer said it’s possible Brock will be able to return to work within three months.