COLUMBUS
Benjamin Parker Newsom Jr., 85, of Columbus, passed away on Friday, July 7, 2023 at his home. He was born on June 19, 1938 in Bartholomew County to the late Benjamin Parker Newsom Sr. and Mildred M. Foust Newsom. He was married to Martha A. Baker on November 13, 1965.
Parker was a 1956 graduate of Columbus High School and attended Purdue University; He served in the U.S. Army starting in 1962 where he served in Korea. He was on the Bartholomew County Fair Board for 11 years, he was a former member of the Flat Rock Hawcreek School Board, was a 4-H council member, past president of the Bartholomew County Purebred Breeders, and Pork Producers. Alongside all of these grand achievements, Parker was also a 4-H Livestock Auctioneer since 1968, member of the Indiana Auctioneers Association, a Democratic Precinct Committeeman of Flat Rock township for over 40 years, and a member of Memorial Baptist Church.
He was a beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather to his family, and they will miss him dearly.
Parker is survived by his wife, Martha A. Newsom, of Columbus; daughter, Lenna M. (Jeffrey) Schroll, of Crawfordsville, IN.; son, John Parker (Stacey) Newsom, of Plymouth, IN.; brothers, W.T. Newsom, of Demotte, IN., and J. Randall (Ann) Newsom, of Lebanon, IN.; grandchildren, Clinton N. Schroll, and Benjamin W. Newsom.
He is preceded in death by his parents, B. Parker Sr., and Mildred Newsom, and a grandson, Parker J. Schroll.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 15th at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with Pastor Kristi Jones officiating the service. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 14th at the funeral home. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery with military honors by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to Memorial Baptist Church, Clifford Fire Department, or the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair.
You are invited to view his video tribute, leave a message of condolence to the family, and light a virtual candle of remembrance online at www.jewellrittman.com.
