Donald J. Wickizer Jr.

Donald J. Wickizer Jr., 82, of Shelbyville, died Friday, June 2, 2006, at his home. Born April 5, 1924, in Monticello, he was the son of Donald J. and Helen (Boggs) Wickizer Sr. He married Deloris "Dee" Moxley of Pittsburgh, Pa., on June 18, 1949, and she survives. Other survivors include two sons, David Wickizer and Daniel (wife, Cynthia) Wickizer; one daughter, Diane (husband, Tim) Barrick; one sister, Helen Jean Theis; one brother, Hugh Wickizer; and four grandchildren, Stephanie Barrick, Mathew Wickizer, Benjamin Wickizer and Shelley Wickizer. He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Justin Barrick. Mr. Wickizer had lived in Shelbyville since 1936. He graduated in 1950 from Carnegie Technical College with a bachelor of science degree in printing management. Mr. Wickizer had co-owned Tippecanoe Press until retiring in 1980. He later became a real estate appraiser until retiring from that business in 2003. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, serving as a pilot, primarily in the Philippines. He also had been a major in the Indiana Reserve General Staff. Mr. Wickizer was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the SCUFFY board of directors, Shelbyville Central School Board, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and the Shelbyville Plan Commission. He was past president of Jaycees and of Rotary International, where he held the distinction of having a 52-year perfect attendance. He was awarded numerous Rotary awards, including Rotarian of the Year and the Arts and Humanities Award. Mr. Wickizer was a co-founder of the Shelby Community Band and the Shelby Arts Council. He had played French horn in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, numerous pit orchestras for local high school musicals, the local German Band, Brass Band and the Peru Circus Band. He had been involved with the Voyager 4 Flying Club and in Scouting through Air Explorer Post No. 272. Mr. Wickizer helped design and construct the mobile stage used in the Bears of Blue River Festival and served on the Festival?s founding board. Late in life he rediscovered an early passion of woodworking and continued crafting until his death. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Harrison Street Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Gary Huffman officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelby Community Band or Shelby Arts Council, in care of Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Harrison Street Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN 46176. Online condolences can be sent to www.carmony-ewing.com.