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Ivan Mounts Obituary
Ivan R. Mounts, 73, of Mulberry and formerly of Lafayette, died at 2:15 a.m. Saturday, December 10, 2011 in his home. He was born April 8, 1938 in Home Hospital to the late Ivan Otto Mounts and Edna Lake Mounts of West Lafayette. Ivan graduated from West Lafayette High School and was involved with sports his entire life. He met his first wife, Kathy Schmidt, at Purdue University, where he received his Bachelor's Degree. They were married in 1953 and later separated and divorced in the mid-1960's. Ivan went on to attend Ball State University and received his Master's Degree in 1967 and then taught school in the Benton County Schools in Oxford, IN.
Ivan met his second wife, Suzie Wiselogel Castell, in the early 1970's and they were married December 20, 1975 in St. John's Episcopal Church. The marriage to Suzie brought her three children to their family and Ivan took care of them as their friend and mentor. In addition, Ivan and Suzie were very fond of animals and adopted or took in around 17 dogs during their 37 years of marriage.
Ivan was a teacher of Vocational Arts at McCutcheon High School and coached football. He learned and taught Computer Aided Drafting classes for several years, retiring in 2000 after 32 years of teaching. Ivan loved gardening, raising vegetables and flowers, golf, and woodworking. He worked hard on their land and eventually had planted over 100 trees in the front and back yards of their home in East Tipp Heights.
Ivan is survived by his wife, Suzie, and their children: Charles (wife: Sylvia) Castell of Lafayette, Christopher Castell of Sacramento, California, and Laura Zimmerman of Lafayette, a sister: Shirley (husband: Richard) VanMeter of Rochester, New York, and the extended family of Jeff Zimmerman. Ivan is also survived by his 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
A gathering for friends and family to share memories and stories of Ivan will be Tuesday 5-7 p.m. in the Chapel at First Christian Church, 329 N. 6th Street. A celebration of Ivan's life will begin in the sanctuary of First Christian Church at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday with Pastor Greg Eberhard celebrating. Interment will occur at a later date at Battle Ground Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, or the Salvation Army. Hippensteel Funeral Home entrusted with care. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ivan Mounts
Patti Heath
December 19, 2011
Ivan was a fellow "lab lover" and adopted and loved a couple of our dogs. He and Suzi were truly wonderful and gave lots of animals an amazing home. I am proud to have known Ivan and call him a friend.
Brent Lank
December 14, 2011
I had the pleasure of having Mr. Mounts for 4 yrs. freshman through Sr. year at both Southwestern and McCutcheon (76'). He tought me so much about my inner creativity, and how to put my thoughts into design. I used by drafting skills professionally for several years and I owe it to him. Best of all, even withi his gruffy loud voice, he be-friended us, especially those who spent all of our high school years with him. Rest in Peace dear friend.
Susan Bertrand
December 13, 2011
To our Dear Uncle Butch,
As the youngest niece (I had to say "youngest" for my sister's sakes), I must say I don't think I can say it better than my sisters did. The icecream story we all share with you because that was our evening snack at Grandma's and a fun time where us girls all sat around the table with our Uncle Butch giggling and feeling special just because you were with us. I particularly remember one day when Grandma went to get the icecream only to discover you had eaten the whole gallon the day before. We laughed, she didn't...until later. Our time spent in Indiana will always tug at my heartstrings with the fondest of memories which include you always, whether in town or at the cottage. Time and space separated us as adults, but never separated us from the love we have for you and never can.
Love always, Susie (Van Meter)Bertrand
Greg Gillis
December 13, 2011
So Sorry for your loss. Mr. Mounts was a favorite teacher of mine at MHS (class of '86). I have used the skills I learned from him many times in my line of work (construction). Those three years of his drafting courses were a joy to attend. He will forever be missed!
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Kevin Burris
December 13, 2011
One of my best memories was being in his class, he will be missed by everyone that crossed his path. Truly a kind soul.
Heather L
December 13, 2011
Sorry for your loss. He was greatly loved by his students! Everyone I knew wanted to be in his class! He will be missed!
LaTrisha Brown
December 13, 2011
Many fond memories of Mr. Mounts in the halls at McC. You could always tell he cared about teaching and his students.
Tim Bastian
December 12, 2011
So sorry for your loss. I so loved drafting class. It gave me my love for construction at which I have been making a living at for over 30 years. That is what being a great teacher is all about.
American Heart Association
December 12, 2011
May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.
Tom Bastian
December 12, 2011
A great teacher and a really nice guy. Had several conversations with him long after my one drafting class was over. He was genuine and caring. My thoughts to his family and friends.
Shelly Miner
December 12, 2011
So sorry for your loss. Mr Mounts was one of my favorite teachers. I have fond memories of him and his drafting classes.
December 12, 2011
Suzie and family, I am very sorry to hear of Ivan. I treasure the days at WLH and enjoyed both of you. Please accept my sympathy and thoughts. Love, Jane Bardwell Annakin
December 12, 2011
The West Lafayette class of 1960 remembers Ivan as a great athlete in HS days at WL--Rick Haug class of 60
Todd Forney
December 12, 2011
Sorry for your loss. Mr. Mounts was always one of my favorite teachers and a great influence on me in high school (MHS). I have a lot of great class room memories with him and some of my friends. Great Teacher!!!
Kathy Burritt
December 12, 2011
Uncle Butch you were always fun to be around. You played with your nieces whenever we visited during the summer and made us laugh and giggle. Your stories were great to listen to even though most of them were just that, stories. Christmas was special when you would come with Grandma and Grandpa, we were excited to have you celebrate with us. You taught us how to make "ice cream soup" and I still do it to this day with you in mind. One memory I have is when we were playing hide and seek with the neighbor kids and you stopped by about the time I ran into a metal stake cutting my knee open. You told me that I would probably have to have the leg amputated with a smirk on your face...I was scared but realized you were pulling my leg as you often did. You will always be a fond memory and though distance separated us, you were always in my heart...I love you.
Debbie Benson
December 12, 2011
Ivan (Uncle Butch) to us was my beloved Uncle. We made yearly trips from NY to Indiana to visit our grandparents and our many relatives when I was young. The times we spent there were some of the best times of my childhood. I remember him being kind, funny and loving family. One of the things he taught my sister and I when we were little was how to take vanilla ice cream, put Hersheys chocolate syrup in it and stir eventually you got soft chocolate ice cream. (grandma wasn't very happy about it) While he was still at home he would come with my grandparents to NY to spend Christmas with us.Those were special times. I'm thankful that my husband and I took a trip to Indiana not to long ago and were able to spend some time with him. He was a generous, caring man. I will miss him and will always be thankful for the memories. love from his first niece, Debbie(Hilton, NY)
December 12, 2011
So sorry to hear of his passing. Ivan was my favorite teacher in high school. I have many fun memories of his class. Through teaching, he the perfect job to touch many people's lives as he did mine. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who knew him.
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