MITCHELL — Hugh Richard “Rick” Van Hoy, 72, passed away peacefully in his sleep at 1:28 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, with his family at his side.
He was born July 5, 1942, in Martin County to Hugh and Addie (Walton) Van Hoy.
He co-owned and retired from Van Hoy Inc., the heating and cooling company his father, mother and late brother, Mike, founded in 1969 in Bedford.
He graduated in 1960 From Sandborn High School and then entered the Army, where he served from 1960-61.
He was a member of American Legion Cecil Martin Post 250 in Mitchell, where he loved to spend time with friends, and a lifetime charter member of the Bedford Boat and Sportsmen’s Club.
He enjoyed the outdoors and sports, and he loved to play golf with his wife, Johnie, who passed away in 2012, and friends. Over the years, he also was a fisherman, bowler and pitched slowpitch softball until age 52.
In recent years, he filled the stomachs of family and friends with the fruits of his garden. His salsa — mild, medium and hot — has become legendary.
There are more than a few hikers around Lawrence County toting around the walking sticks he made and sold at Growby’s RTO Home Furnishings.
He loved his family, friends and having fun. He was a loyal fan of Indiana University basketball, the Indianapolis Colts and Pacers and baseball, particularly the St. Louis Cardinals.
He is survived by his children, son Shea Van Hoy and girlfriend Jessica Denson, Louisville, Ky., and daughter Misty Grow and husband Brian, Mitchell; sister Alice Isom and husband Kenneth, Mitchell; brother Robert Van Hoy, Mitchell; grandchildren Nicolas and Jayden Hayes, Mitchell; and several extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his wife Johnie; brother Mike Van Hoy; and sister Marilyn Ray; and his parents.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Mitchell, with Brother Greg Isom officiating. Burial will follow in Mitchell Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday and from 9:30 a.m. until the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial services can be made to White River Humane Society in Rick’s name.
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