O'Ceola Sloan

Osceola Sloan, 92, passed to eternity very quietly on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 while holding the hand of his wife, Wanda Lee. He was born on July 15, 1922 in Albany, Kentucky to the late John Marsh and Myrtle (Wilson) Sloan.

Osceola, named after the famed Seminole Indian Chief by his mother, was educated in Albany, KY, joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and was a veteran of the Army Air Corps during WWII. After an honorable discharge, he worked in the structural steel business for over 32 years. He began his career in steel fabrication at the Pan American Bridge Company in New Castle, Indiana. He was promoted to Superintendent, moved to be Superintendent of Steel Fabrication with Geiger and Peters, Inc in Indianapolis. O’C was hired away by Central States Bridge and Structural Steel Company in Indianapolis where he was Plant Manager and Director of Production for all three of their steel fabrication plants. He then worked seven years for the Indiana Highway Department as engineer, supervising bridge work in Indianapolis and central Indiana. O’Ceola possessed a magnetic personality and an interest in local politics. In the early 1980’s, he was the Republican candidate for Mayor of New Castle. He also had an entrepreneurial spirit and owned and operated Sloan’s Pre-owned Auto Sales in New Castle for over 15 years.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in New Castle where he served as deacon and various service committees, as needed. He also attended the First Church of the Nazarene in New Castle, with his wife and family for many years.

He was a 32nd degree Master Mason, a member of New Castle Lodge#91, F&AM the Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis, and a 50 year lifetime member of the Knights of Pythias, New Castle#33.

Ceola is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 71 years, Wanda Lee (Koger) Sloan of New Castle; a daughter, Dee Snider of Portsmouth, OH and her sons, Bob and Steve with their wives and four grandchildren; four sons including John and Cara, of Panama City Beach, FL, Robert and Janet, of Washington, DC, Gary and Christie of Philadelphia, PA, and Tony and Tonya of Tampa, FL; nine grandchildren, Chris (Rachel), Amy (Brad), Sherri (Scott) Bohinc, Jerry (Kyle), Susan (Chris) Shaw, Julia (fiancé, Spiro) Sloan, Owen JD Sloan, Laura and Sara Sloan; eleven great grandchildren, Logan, Ryan and Tara Sloan, Ava, Landon, Braxton and Bella Bohinc, Kai and Cole Sloan, William and Joseph Robert Shaw; sister-in-law, Kathleen King, of Denison, TX; half sisters and brothers-in-law, Janice (Earnest) Koger and Joe Bryant (Helen) Koger and family of Richmond, KY, Gary (Karen) Koger and family of Albany, KY and Anna (Larry) Koger Cox of New Castle; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Frances Robbe and brother-in-law, Dick Robbe; sister, Wada Best and brother-in-law, Wayne Best; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gwendolyn (Koger) and Murl Cross, Evelyn (Koger) and Newman Craig; half brother-in-law, Jerry Wayne Koger; daughter-in-law, Linda (Pettengill) Sloan.

Viewing will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Masonic Rites conducted at 12:30 p.m. by the New Castle Lodge #91. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 1:00 p.m.

An additional Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at Talbott Funeral Home in Albany, Kentucky with visitation from 11:00 until the time of service. A private burial will be at Central Grove Cemetery, Albany, Kentucky. Memorial contributions may be given to the donor’s favorite charity in memory of Ceola. Condolences and memories of Ceola may be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com .