C. Dea Hethcote, 77, Warsaw, and formerly of North Manchester, passed away at 2:35 p.m. Jan. 21, 2015, after a short stay at Miller’s Merry Manor, Warsaw. He was born March 14, 1937, at Parks Farm in Huntington County, to Hurshel and Anna Butler Hethcote. On Sept. 17, 1955, he married Donna S. Walton, his wife of 59 years, who survives in Warsaw. Prior to his stay at Miller’s Merry Manor, his wife served as his caregiver for the last two years in their home. He had extended treatment for cancer and was visited by Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice. He graduated from Andrews High School in Huntington County in 1955. He worked at Schenkels Dairy Company in Huntington prior to becoming the co-owner and operator of Manchester Farm Center in North Manchester, retiring after 25 years. He attended the Church of God in Warsaw, and was a member of and had previously attended North Manchester Missionary Church, where he was active as superintendent, Sunday school teacher and song leader. He loved watching his favorite teams of I.U. basketball, the Chicago Bears, the Cincinnati Reds and the Indianapolis Colts. He loved traveling with his wife and watching and feeding birds. Also surviving are a son, Timothy (and spouse Linda) Hethcote, Goshen; three daughters: Sheila (and spouse Rod) Grossman, New Paris; Deanna (and spouse Jeff) Cripe, Warsaw; nine grandchildren: Brenda Joy, Brian, Bethany, Sonja, Jennifer, Andrew, Claudia, Ryan and Ashley; 17 great-grandchildren; three brothers: Merrill (and spouse Sandy), Max (and spouse Luella) and Merritt Hethcote, all of Warren; and three sisters: Annabelle Friend, Warren; Arlis Jean Drabenstott, Huntington; and Janice (and spouse Jon) Kellam, Mount Etna. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Brenda Gail; a brother Hurshel Hethcote Jr.; and two sisters, Wanda Hunnicutt and Melba Milar. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, with Pastor Tim Kumfer officiating. Graveside services and burial are in Monument City Memorial Cemetery, Huntington, near Andrews. Calling is from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to the K-21 Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1810, Warsaw, IN 46581-1810, designated to the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund; or to The Gideons International, Memorial Bible Chairman, P.O. Box 766, Winona Lake, IN 46590-0766. Condolences may be sent via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
