Richard L. "Dick" Earnhart Obituary (1925

Let Us Pause To Honor the Memory of Mr. Richard L. "Dick" Earnhart Mr. Richard L. "Dick" Earnhart, age 88, of Madison, Indiana, entered this life on June 18, 1925 in Elkhart, Indiana. He was the loving son of the late, Hollis V. and Ina Mae Deuel Earnhart. He was raised in Elkhart and was a 1943 graduate of Elkhart High School. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and then one year at Princeton and had taken classes at Columbia University. Dick was united in marriage on July 10, 1948 in Mishawaka at the Presbyterian Church by Rev. Means to his sweetheart, Colleen Frances Kurtz. This happy union of sixty five years was blessed with a daughter, Carol and a son Thomas Richard. He worked for a short period of time with Bendix Aviation in South Bend working in the production department. Dick was inducted into the United States Navy on June 16, 1943 in Elkhart during World War II and was honorably discharged. Dick was again inducted on November 22, 1951 in Elkhart during the Korean War. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant and was honorably discharged on October 17, 1953 receiving the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged after 20 years of service with United States Navy Reserves. Dick began employment with Conn Organ in Elkhart and in 1960 Dick and Colleen moved to Madison and continued to work for Conn Organ. Dick and Colleen were faithful members of Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Madison for 30 years and enjoyed singing in the choir. Dick retired from Tower Manufacturing after seven years of service as plant superintendent. In 1990, Dick and Colleen moved to Plant City, Florida where they enjoyed being involved in the community they lived in and became members of Chapel in the Meadows Church and resided there for 22 years returning to Madison in April 2012. While in Plant City he enjoyed singing in the Men's Chorus. After moving back to Madison they began attending the Ryker's Ridge Baptist Church. Dick had enjoyed membership in the Military Reserve Officers Association, Masonic Lodges in Elkhart, Plant City and Union Lodge No. 2 in Madison, Elkhart Lions Club, Madison Lions Club and Plant City Lions Club. In his spare time he enjoyed a good day fishing, watching all sports and being with his family. Richard died on Sunday, October 20, 2013, at 12:15 a.m. at the King's Daughters' Hospital in Madison, Indiana. A LOVING FAMILY Dick will be remembered by his wife of 65 years, Colleen Frances Kurtz Earnhart of Madison, Indiana; his daughter, Carol Sparks and her husband, Richie of Madison, Indiana; his son, Thomas Richard Earnhart and his wife, Lisa of Hope, Indiana; his grandchildren, Shannon Earnhart Walker and her husband, Jason, Leslie Sparks Buchanan and her husband, Derek, Laura Sparks Adams and her husband, Jonathan, Kelsey Hanner; his great grandchildren, Shelby Earnhart, Hillarie Buchanan, Hadlie Buchanan, Paige Adams and Taylor Adams; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson, Chad Earnhart, died June 2, 2007. FUNERAL CEREMONY Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, October 24, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. by Dr. Paul Brewster at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1415 North Gate Road in Madison, Indiana. VISITATION Friends may call Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive Madison, Indiana. SPECIAL SERVICES A final salute will be conducted on Thursday at 1:40 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre by Jefferson Post 9, of the American Legion. Full military honors will be conducted at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel by the Great Lakes Naval Unit and Jefferson Post 9, of the American Legion. Masonic services will be conducted on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, conducted by Union Lodge No. 2 F. & A.M. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to the Chad Earnhart Memorial Scholarship. Cards are available at the funeral home. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Richard L. "Dick" Earnhart, please click here to visit our sympathy store.