Beatrice Holdeman

Elderly couple found dead in home

Police: Appears to be a murder-suicide

Updated: Thursday, 07 Jul 2011, 11:26 PM EDT

MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) - A Muncie couple, identified as John and Bea Holdeman, both in their 90s, took their own lives Thursday afternoon.

They were discovered in bed by their daughter, who was visiting her parents from out of town.

“She'd been here earlier in the morning, and her father had sent her out to run an errand,” Captain Mark Vollmar with the Muncie Police Department said. “And when she came back, she found out they were both deceased."

John, he said, left a note behind.

“I think he was frustrated with the quality of life for both of them,” Vollmar said.

Bea was terminally ill and relied on hospice.

Vollmar said it was recently recommended that she move to a nursing home.

John had just received his own poor diagnosis.

One neighbor, Gene Calvert, who lived next to the couple for nine years had fond memories.

"They were very nice people, good neighbors,” Calvert said. “They were quiet, no disturbance, friendly, just as nice of neighbors as you could have.”

From another source (WRTV-6):

An elderly Muncie man likely killed his ill wife and then committed suicide in their home Thursday, police said.

Officers went to the couple's condominium in the 5100 block of West Churchill Court after their daughter called police to say she believed her father may have killed her mother.

Police found the victims, John Holdeman and his wife Beatrice, both in their mid-90s, dead from gunshot wounds in their home.

Investigators said Holdeman shot his wife, then lay down next to her and shot himself. Holdeman left a suicide note with a motive, detectives said.

Neighbors said the couple used to garden together outside their west Muncie condominium, but hadn't been out of the house much lately, 6News' Tanya Spencer reported.

"They both had issues that had happened recently and their health was deteriorating," neighbor Gene Calvert said.

The couple received hospice care and Beatrice was expected to be transferred to a nursing home soon, officials said.

The couple's daughter, who was visiting from California, found her parents dead.

"(The daughter) was standing over there shaking tremendously. Obviously something had happened. So my wife went over to help her," Calvert said.

Police said the Holdeman's daughter has some health problems of her own and had to be taken to the hospital to be checked out.

Neighbors who knew John and Beatrice said that even though they were in their 90s, they acted like lovebirds.

"It is sad. They were really nice, good people," Calvert said.

Police said the Holdeman's children all live on the West Coast and they had no other family in Muncie.


(Although I don't consider this a "violent" act, it is what it is so was included. My sincere condolences to their family.)

Obituaries:

MUNCIE - Beatrice M. Holdeman, 95, Muncie, passed away Thursday July 7, 2011 at her residence.

She was born March 3, 1916 in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of Ralph and Vivian (Neyle) McBurney and graduated from Michigan State University in 1939.

Beatrice worked as a teacher for many years in Michigan. She was a member of College Avenue United Methodist Church where she was involved with A.A.U.W., and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Beatrice also was a member of the Auburn Memorial Hospital Guild.

Mrs. Holdeman is survived by her three children, John W. Holdeman (wife, Cassandra), Dr. Mary Ann Clark (husband, Dr. Richard E. Clark), and Robert E. Holdeman (wife, Kass); six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1968 West Main Street, Muncie, Indiana 47303 with Pastor Chip Gast officiating.

Family and Friends may call from 4:00 until 4:30 on Wednesday at the church.

The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Contributions may be sent to Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, P.O. Box 44210, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at http://www.meeksmortuary.com.

Also:

MUNCIE - John W. Holdeman, 95, Muncie, passed away Thursday July 7, 2011 at his residence.

He was born August 20, 1915 in Leipseic, Ohio, the son of Lloyd and Vivian (Cottingham) Holdeman and graduated from The University of Michigan with a degree in Mechanical engineering. Mr. Holdeman retired from Borg Warner Automotive after thirty-nine years of service. During his career at Borg Warner he served as the Associate Director of Research, Vice President of Engineering, and the Product Engineering Manager where he developed thirty-five automotive patents. He had also worked for Packard Motorcar Company and Detroit Gear division of Borg Warner. After his retirement, John served as a volunteer for the International Executive Service Corporation in Korea.

His memberships included, The Muncie Elks Country Club, Wilbur A. Full Masonic Lodge # 1744, and College Avenue Methodist Church.

Mr. Holdeman is survived by his three children, John W. Holdeman (wife, Cassandra), Dr. Mary Ann Clark (husband, Dr. Richard E. Clark), and Robert E. Holdeman (wife, Kass); two sisters, Laura M. Hartman, and Elizabeth L. Dobbins; two brothers, Stephen Holdeman, and David L. Holdeman; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Mary I. Gorham.

Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1968 West Main Street, Muncie, Indiana with Pastor Chip Gast officiating.

Friends and Family may call from 4:00 until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Church.

Contributions may be made to Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, P.O. Box 44210, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at http://www.meeksmortuary.com.