Donald Gene Richards, Sr.

Donald Gene Richards, Sr., 70 of Shelbyville passed away Friday, October 2, 2009 at his residence. Born July 13, 1939, in Somerset, Kentucky he was the son of Joseph and Jeanette (Shumate) Richards. He married Sandra Smith on April 14, 1962, and she survives. Other survivors include his daughter, Claytanna Pirtle of Shelbyville; son,, Donald (wife, Kelly) Richards Jr. of Columbus; grandchildren, Kenneth (wife, Emily) McNeely and Michael Clayton Pirtle, both of Shelbyville, Jennifer (husband,Keith) Palmer of Waldron, Eric Valek, Amanda Richards and Jason Valek, all of Columbus; great-grandchildren, Arya McNeely and Brandon Palmer, both of Shelbyville; brother-in-law, Larry C. (wife, Maude) Smith of Shelbyville; and cousin, James Richards of Jamestown, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Richards had been a truck driver for Merico for 37 years and a correctional officer in Brown County for 10 years. He was a U.S. Army beteran serving in Germany with the 101 Airborne. Mr. Richards was a member of Nashville Masonic Lodge No. 135 and Scottish Rite in Indianapolis. He enjoyed racing and previously was a NHRA race car driver. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison. Private funeral services will follow at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 E. 17th St., Columbus, IN 47201.