MENTONE – Richard Leroy Utter, 87, of rural Mentone, passed at 11:45 p.m. Monday, May 10, 2021, at his residence.
Dick was born on April 1, 1934, in Fulton, to the late Wilbert R. and LaVera M. Walters Utter.
He first married on April 6, 1952, to Juanita J. Clemans. He then married on April 28, 1973, in Mentone, to Lois A. Yacks. She preceded him in death on Dec. 5, 2006.
He was a 1952 graduate of Talma High School. He had been a farmer and also worked for R.R. Donnelley & Sons of Warsaw in the boiler room for 35 years. After retiring, he was a janitor for Tippecanoe Valley High School for six years.
Dick enjoyed working with wood and built many things. He also was known to cut his own wood to use for his projects. He attended the Cornerstone Church of Mentone, where he had helped in the remodeling of the building.
He is survived by his daughters: Laura and husband Kenneth Hawkins, of Warsaw; Rita Jo Utter, of Fort Wayne; Shelly King, of Burket; Kathy Blauser, of Warsaw; Brenda Utter, of Etna Green; and Tina and husband Jeff Becker, of Culver; a son, Rod and wife Donna Utter, of Akron; stepdaughter, Margaret and husband Mike Walton, of Mentone; foster daughter, Janet Elliott, of Kentucky; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Sue Curtis, of Warsaw; and Luanne and husband Jim May, of Columbia City.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; wife; grandson, Ryan Utter; brothers, Ron and Jim Utter; and a stepson, Darwin Powell.
The family will hold a memorial service at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 16 at the Cornerstone Church, 101 N. Franklin St., Mentone, with Pastor Rod Utter officiating. Friends may gather for a memorial visitation on Sunday, May 16 from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to King Memorial Home, 101 N. Tucker St., Mentone.
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Donations can be made to the Center for Hospice Care, 112 S. Center St., Plymouth, in 46563.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
