Richard "Rich" Ray Wion

Richard ("Rich") Ray Wion, 73, made his Journey Home late November 6, 2024, while still in his own home, being uplifted and loved by his attentive family members. After a challenging but brief uphill climb on stony terrain, he was able to attain and enjoy a peaceful Mountaintop View before his Spirit was free to fly from his Earthly Vessel. His heart was weary and could sustain him no longer. 

Rich was raised on a family farm in Versailles, Ohio, where he had three older brothers, one older sister, and was aware of a missing older brother who had died when a toddler. He began early to show his creativity in solving problems; when he was about ten, he knew he had two chores to accomplish: mow lawn and churn butter. He put the cream in a round glass jar, wrapped it in several layers of burlap, attached that to the back of the mower with twine so that it would roll constantly while the mower went forward, and proceeded to accomplish both jobs simultaneously. When he returned to the house, he told his mom, "Here is 'Dragon Butter,' Mom!" and proceeded to explain that he had been "dragging" it behind the mower to churn it into butter! Rich spent his life solving problems just as creatively, often with available spare parts and broken tools. 

A member of the Manchester Church of the Brethren, he was a sincere Christian with friends from many denominations and persuasions other than his own because he cared about all people, no matter their age, political bent, skin color, sexual orientation, or outward looks. He tried to exemplify the words of Jesus in his daily living, being a deeply caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He is and will be missed and mourned by many. 

He met Di at Manchester College (now Manchester University) in his sophomore year and her freshman one, and they married the following year (January 29, 1972). The original plan was to both be teachers, he a secondary level science teacher and she a secondary English teacher. She went forward with that plan straight out of college, with a short break to have their two children, Dave (born in early 1977) and Dani (born 19 months later in 1978), and taught at both high school and middle school levels during a 31-year teaching career. 

But when it was time for Rich to complete his "teaching block," his basic "farmer self" decided that he just was not going to bear staying within a four-walled classroom for his entire career. So, with 3.5 post- HS semesters completed toward his BS, he left college and jumped into the business world, becoming an insurance adjuster with Indiana Town and Country Insurance Co. That began a series of jobs suited to an intelligent mind and versatile individual: working for a bank service bureau, driving a school bus, buying a farm (south of N. Manchester just a half mile off State Road 13), and establishing a farrow-to-finish hog operation. The latter went well until a fire in the farrowing house (caused by a careless hired hand and a bumped heat lamp) began a series of negative financial events, including the eventual loss of most of his farm acreage except the house, barn, out buildings, and a small field. The farmer in him decided that he would rent acreage from others to make hay for sale, which lasted for several years. During that time, he dabbled in efforts at husbandry, raising (at one time or another...) beef cattle, chickens (both "fat" and "layer"), domesticated turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons (to sell "squab"), rabbits (both short- haired and long-eared), and red worms! He also chose to buy and bring home a very stubborn mule, a cantankerous young Billy goat (although neither of those had a long stay...), and three different horses, as well as having a few well-loved farm dogs and hundreds of cats over the 40 plus years that he and Di remained on their farm property. When his three-story bank barn burned because of a lightning strike that hit the main electric system, he purchased a transportable saw mill and established a lumber business for a few years until the financial crash of 2008 finished its viability. Following that, he drove RAM pickup trucks to pull RV trailers all over the country and enjoyed its beauty. However, ice and wind caused an horrific accident in North Dakota on April Fool's Day some years ago, broke two bones in his neck, and made driving for long periods impossible for him. 

In November of 2019, after nearly 42 years on his beloved farm, he and Di moved to a small home in a lovely community at the north side of N. Manchester. The town high school needed a custodian, hired him, and he worked there for a short time before retiring. Rich had been dealing with heart and diabetes issues since 2005, and recently, he knew he was dealing with the onset of dementia and heart disease. In his final days, he spent many hours watching a myriad of birds visiting his backyard feeders, taming the resident squirrels, and teasing his wife. He loved his new home but sometimes missed the farm "just a bit." His family knows he is surely loving his newest Heavenly Home, also, where he will find ways to love and be loved There, too!

He was predeceased by his father and mother, Talbert Otis and Helen Lucille (Aukerman) Wion and brother Donny Joe. He is survived by his wife, Dianne (“Di”) L. (Petry) Wion; son, David R. Wion; daughter, Danelle L. (Wion) Barkey (Benjamin R); grandchildren, Dylan M. and Aliah J. Barkey, along with older Wion brothers, T. Leroy (Iris), Sheldon (Carol), and James (Charletta) as well as sister Margaret (Wion) Miller and the collective progeny. 

A memorial service will be in the Manchester Church of the Brethren on November 24, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation following. 

For those who wish to honor the memory of Rich Wion, memorial contributions may be made to the Manchester Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 349, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.

The family of Richard Wion has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.