MORGANTOWN
Richard S. Wells, age 98, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, May 15, 2024 at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. He was a lifelong resident of Morgantown.
Richard was born April 8, 1926 in Morgantown to his parents, the late Orville R. and Florence (Speeker) Wells. He was the 1944 Class Valedictorian of Morgantown High School and went on to graduate cum laude from Purdue University with a degree in Agriculture in 1952. After college, Richard served as a First Lieutenant with the United States Army, serving in Germany during the Korean War. He was honorable discharged on May 3, 1954.
Richard retired in 1991 from the Indiana State Highway Commission where he worked as the Assistant Chief Appraiser, retiring after 23 years of service. Richard was a longtime member of the Morgantown United Methodist Church, Morgantown Masonic Lodge and the Jaycees. He was the former Chairman of First State Bank in Morgantown and a member of the Morgantown Senior Center.
Richard enjoyed tending to his crops and cattle on his family farm, playing euchre, reading and going on family vacations. He loved spending time with his family and was a fan of Purdue University.
Besides his parents, Richard was preceded in death on February 27, 1996 by his first wife, Mary E. (Swinney) Wells, who he married on July 29, 1950 in Martinsville. He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Margaret Elaine Wells and a brother, F. Bruce Wells.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Barbara (Carter) Wells of Morgantown; children, Mary Frances (Arlan) Johnson of Jamestown, Anne (Mike) Anderson of Nashville, Catherine (Tom) Bay of Morgantown, Paul “Joe” (Judy) Wells of Morgantown and James (Robin) Wells of Lafayette; twelve grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and one great granddaughter on the way.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, May 20th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation &Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry Street in Morgantown. Pastor Ezechiel Habwawihe will conduct a funeral service on Tuesday, May 21st at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at East Hill Cemetery in Morgantown with military rites presented by the United States Army and the Martinsville American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guards.
In lieu of flowers, family request contributions be made to your favorite charity or to the Libraries of Indian Creek Schools, (803 W. Indian Creek Dr. Trafalgar, IN 46181) which Richard was inordinately fond of books and learning.
Expressions of caring and kindness may be made to the Wells family at meredith-clark.com.
