Newspaper Tidbits Project
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Sorry for the long pause in messages. My sinuses and bad back have been nagging me lately
so I've been taking it somewhat easy.---Rick B
"Decatur Daily Democrat", Thursday, October 2, 2008
Dick (Richard Carl) Mies passed away Monday evening at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne,
where he had been a patient more than three weeks. Death was attributed to serious heart
problems, along with several other major complications. He had been a patient of Dr.
Robert Swint of the Heart Medical Group for more than 31 years.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Carl Henry "Molly" and Martha Dawson Mies
on July 8, 1930 and attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Decatur, after the family moved
here in 1935.
After graduation from high school in 1948, he attended the University of Detroit with
best friend Eugene "Pud" Baker, before transferring to Villanova University in
Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1953. While in college, he was a member of the
R.O.T.C., and was given his deployment orders at his graduation ceremony. He eventually
attained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and later became an instructor for
the Marine Reserves in Fort Wayne.
When he returned to Decatur in the fall of 1955, he met Gwen Hilyard, who was then a
reporter for the Decatur Daily Democrat. At that time, he had joined with his parents in
the operation of Mies Recreation and the 11th Frame, then he and Gwen were married in June
of 1957.
Together, the Mies families purchased 39 acres of ground on U.S. 224 between the golf
course and the then-Schwartz Ford Co. and, in October of 1961, opened Villa Lanes (named
after Villanova) and the adjoining restaurant (later to be named Roberto's - after
brother Bob Mies) and Molly's place (after Dick's father.) Dick spent his entire
adult life as proprietor of the Villa Lanes establishment, before retiring in 1995.
In the 1970s, he was appointed as campaign manager of Adams County for U.S. Sen. Birch
Bayh, who was then running for president, and the men remained good friends over the
years.
Until recent years, Dick remained highly active in local politics and wholeheartedly
supported any person elected.
He was extremely active in many philanthropic endeavors and opened the bowling center
as a place for young people to meet before the building of the new Boys' and
Girls' Club. He and Dick Wemhoff were the primary leaders responsible for the
formation of that organization and he was one of the original board members. Just
recently, Mies was presented with a Distinguished Service award from the club, as well as
Life Membership.
For many years, the young people from the Boys' and Girls' Club have been
going to the Mies home on a weekly basis for special swimming parties. They have also been
very supportive throughout his many illnesses by sending countless cards and letters, and
offering physical "cleanup" days around the pool.
For many years, he served as president of the Community and Family Services.
The local Lions Club was always an important part of his life and he managed to attain
50 years of perfect attendance. He had served as president of the local chapter and later
was a zone chairman for that club.
Later, he became involved with Habitat for Humanity and was instrumental in organizing
St. Mary's Parish to be the first area church to donate and physically build one of
the Habitat homes in Adams County. He was also involved in the building of at least five
of the other Habitat homes.
For many years, he was a Boy Scout leader and also served as an assistant Little
League coach for the Pleasant Mills teams.
"Storytelling" was another big part of his life and he attended many
storytelling sessions and was a guest of numerous school classes and other organizations.
Until recently, he was an active member of the Elks Lodge, the American Legion, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Moose Lodge.
His greatest love, besides his family, was the Catholic faith. His strong affiliation
with St. Mary's led him to achieve an advanced degree in theology and, for many years,
he served with Sister Margaret Rose and Kathy Edwards as an instructor for the R.C.I.A.
classes for persons wanting to know more about the Catholic church and those who wanted to
join the church. He was an accomplished liturgist and a eucharistic minister and, for many
years, took communion to the sick, elderly, and homebound.
Survivors are his wife Gwen; daughter Jennifer Jo (Phil) Temple of Fishers, Indiana;
and sons Michael Kevin (Monica Jones), of Waxhaw, North Carolina; Gregory Vaughn (Jane
Leakey), of rural Decatur; and Eric Richard, currently living in Chicago. Grandchildren
include Tyler Kimmel of California; Ashley Kimmel, living in Australia; Brittney Mies
(Aaron Such) of Danville, Indiana; Jazmen Mies and John Hindenlang of Decatur; Jesica
(Matt Adams), living in Berne; Zachory Mies of Decatur; and Alex Mies, of Waxhaw, North
Carolina. Dick was also the proud great-grandfather to 15-month-old Xavier Gene Richard
Hindenlang, whom he and Gwen lovingly "baby sat" two days a week.
Others surviving are three stepgrandsons: Jonathon, Jordon, and Joel Temple of
Indianapolis. Dick's only brother Bob Mies (Linda Brokaw) survives, as do four
sisters, including Pat (Bill) Koenig of Switzerland, Florida; Nancy (Ron) Helmbright of
Maricopa, Arizona; Leonida (Ted) Hutker of Oro Valley, Arizona; and Candy (Dick) Parks of
Decatur. Surviving also is one sister-in-law, Barbara Hilyard Krueckeberg, of Decatur.
Many nieces and nephews also mourn his passing.
Calling will be at Haggard and Sefton Funeral Home, Decatur, from 4 to 8 p.m. on
Friday, and again at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, with the
funeral mass following at 11 a.m. Military rites will be by American Legion Post 43,
Decatur.
Memorials may be made to the church building fund, Habitat for Humanity, or the
Boys' and Girls' Club fund. A memorial garden is also being planned for the Mies
prayer corner, as well as landscaping for the trees, shrubbery, and flowers lost in their
recent fire. Family and friends have also established a personal guest book, where
condolences, letters, notes, and fond memories can be sent by visiting
www.caringbridge.org/visit/richardmies