Lilburn "Bud" Richards Jr. 80 of Greenwood, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at St. Francis Hospital and Health Care Center in Beech Grove. He was born Oct. 23, 1930 in Indianapolis to Lilburn Richards Sr. and Lillian (Hill) Richards.
He married Joyce A. (Shearl) Richards on Aug. 11, 1950 in Indianapolis, she survives. Mr. Richards was employed with Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis for thirty-six years working as a mechanic in the capsule plant, retiring in 1989. He was a member of Smith Valley Baptist Church, a fifty year member of Bargersville Masonic Lodge #679, Greenwood Order of the Eastern Star #390 and also had served as Grand Chairman of the Indiana Order of Rainbow for Girls, Indianapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite, and American Legion Post #777 in Indianapolis. He loved his family and especially his grandchildren. He was a 1950 graduate of George Washington High School in Indianapolis.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran having served in Germany during the Korean War.
Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Joyce A. (Shearl) Richards of Greenwood; children, Michael T. Richards (Colleen) of Bluffton, Cheryl S. Bright (Dennis) of Greenwood, Cynthia M. Ayer (Brett) of Centreville, Virginia, and Cristi K. Cherry (Chris) of New Palestine; ten grandchildren, Seth Richards of Ft. Wayne, Rev. Luke Richards (Rev. Carey) of Pocono Lake, Pa., Dr. Drew Bright, M.D. (Katie) of Indianapolis, Morgan Bright of Greenwood, Madalynn Bright of Greenwood, Jessica Ayer and Andrew Ayer both of Centreville, Va., Caitlyn Cherry, Cassidy Cherry, and Claire Cherry all of New Palestine, and one great-granddaughter, Mary Emma Bright of Indianapolis.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Gloria Jean Jarvis.
The Reverends Lori Ferguson and Luke Richards will conduct a service Monday July 18, 2011 at 10:30 at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin. Friends may call Sunday July 17, 2011 from 3pm until 7 pm at the mortuary and Monday from 9:30 till service time.
A Masonic service will be conducted at 6pm Sunday, at the mortuary. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Smith Valley Baptist Church 4682 West Smith Valley Road Greenwood, IN 46142. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.
