Richard Jay Obituary

I received notice that Richard Jay has passed away. He and Velma lived in Magnolia Park for many years and most of us will remember their button and lace business in the Flea Market just down the road from the park.

Richard "Dick" Lee Jay, 83, of Stewartsville, Ind., born to Orville "Hunter" and Maisel (Buchanen) Jay on June 9, 1937, in Ottumwa, Iowa, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana.

He graduated Ottumwa High School and earned an associate degree in mining technology from Wabash Valley College. He worked at AMAX coal company at Keensburg, IL and was a member of the UMWA and was an EMT at the coal mine. After retirement Dick enjoyed working his company, J's buttonhole, selling buttons and lace along with attending his grandchildren's sporting events, especially girls softball (where he supported his granddaughters locally and throughout their travel careers). He also was an avid St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan.

Surviving are his wife of 48 years: Velma (Hawkins); daughter Kendra (Carl) Elpers of St. Wendel, Indiana; two sons: Rick (Carmen) Jay of Haubstadt, Tim (Pam) Jay of Evansville; step-daughter: Dawna (Scott) Sandala; step-son: Jody (Christine) Cumbee of Cynthiana; 13 grandchildren; Hannah Everly, Nicholas Jay, Jourdan Bourne, Alexandria Elpers, Madison Elpers, Tim Turpin, Troy Turpin, Claire Sandala, Olivia Kent, Jackson Sandala, Megan Reidford, Andrew Cumbee, Laura Cumbee; and 7 great-grandchildren along with one sister Judy Inkenhaus of Evansville.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother David Jay.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, April 23, 2021 at the Werry Funeral Home in Poseyville, Indiana with burial in Stewartsville cemetery. Officiating will be Father Eugene Schmitt.

Visitation will be 2-7 p.m., Thursday, April 22, 2021 and 9 a.m. until service time Friday, April 23, 2021 at the Werry Funeral Home in Poseyville, Indiana.

Due to the national health crisis, masks are recommended and social distancing should be observed.

Cards can be sent to Velma at 4193 W. Main Street, Poseyville Indiana 47633. 

This and that

This very unusual "winter season" is drawing to a close and many of us have left the Rio Grande Valley to return to our homes "up north." There are more leaving soon and as far as I know thus far, everyone has made it safely.

Many of us have received our covid vaccine shots either in the valley or after arriving back home for which we are thankful. Back here in Wisconsin, just like in Texas there is no statewide mask mandate but individual businesses can mandate masks if they wish. We have discovered that most folks are wearing face coverings of some sort but here and there some are not. We wear ours and plan to do so for some time.

We enjoyed record setting temperatures earlier this week but now things are headed back down to normal which means highs in the 50s instead of 80s. It was nice while it lasted.

There are very few of the original Magnolia residents still left in the park, less than a handful. Everyone else has sold or pulled their unit out to go to another park. 

In our back yard we once again have a resident Red Fox family and just like last year, there are at least seven kits. They are so cute I thought I would share a couple of  photos of them.