Marcella J. Dickman

Marcella J. Dickman, 93, a lifelong Shelby County resident passed away Thursday, October 27, 2016 at Ashford Place Health Campus in Shelbyville. She was born April 2, 1923, in Shelby County, the daughter of James Chester and Blanche Merle (Shadley) Patterson. On January 4, 1945, she married Edward “Dwain” Dickman, and he preceded her in death on August 10, 1990. Marcella is survived by her son, Kenneth Dickman and wife, Sharon, of Amboy; grandchildren, Jessica Major and husband, Josh, John Edward “Eddie” Dickman and wife, Shannon, Abby Bryant and husband, Deric, and Megan and Megan Robinson; 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ann Moore of Greenwood; and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her son, Mark Owen Dickman; brothers, William Maurice “Mike” Patterson, Paul Woodrow “Woody” Patterson, James Edwin “Jim” Patterson and Meredith Marquoise “Kidder” Patterson; brothers-in-law, Jerry Moore, Clyde Richard Dickman and Lawrence Gene Junken; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Patterson, Edith Patterson, Doris Patterson, Alpha L. Patterson, Josephine Dickman and Joan Junken. Marcella graduated from Fairland High School in 1941 and Indiana Central Business College in 1942. She was a member of Fairland United Methodist Church. Marcella was formerly the Shelby County Deputy Treasurer in 1944 and 1945, later she was secretary and treasurer for the Blue River Vocational Tech Center from 1971 until retiring in 1987. Marcella was also a substitute teacher for the Northwestern School District. She taught private music lessons for 30 years and enjoyed playing at various churches. Marcella was a 74-year member of the Fairland Order of Eastern Star Lodge No. 359, joining in 1942, where she served as organist and Past Worthy Matron in 1961-62 and 1995-96; she was the Past 6th District of Indiana Order of Eastern Star Grand Choir Director and Past President in 1995-96. She was also a member of Indiana Order of Eastern Star Worthy Matron/Worthy Patron Group, Grover Museum, Joseph Boggs Society for Historical Preservation, a charter member of the Shelby County Farm Bureau Band, a former member of Shelbyville Community Band and a past music director for International Order of Jobs Daughters Bethel Lodge No. 37 in Shelbyville. Marcella formerly played the music for the harness races at the Shelby County Fairgrounds. She loved her family and cherished the time she spent with them. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Eastern Star services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, followed by funeral services, officiated by Rev. Jim Cherry. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to Fairland Order of Eastern Star in care of the funeral home or Fairland United Methodist Church, 205 W. Washington St. Fairland, Indiana 46126.