Ronald Lewis Powell, 90, who resided in the Converse and Amboy communities, passed away Monday, August 3rd at 10:33 p.m. at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 22, 1925 in Miami County, the son of Merle and Bessie Powell. He married Barbara Ann Moore, his devoted partner of 62 years. Ronald graduated from Amboy High School in 1942 where he enjoyed playing point-guard for the Amboy Pirates basketball team.
His remarkable heritage of farming and his continued innovative spirit allowed him to grow and make the family farm what it is today. 56 years ago, he founded Powell Seeds, a soybean and seed wheat company, which he proudly passed down to his son Rex and grandson Roger.
Ronald served on the First Farmers Bank Board of Directors for 40 years and served as chairman of the board for 10 years. As a lifelong member of Amboy Friends Church, he served on numerous committees and held leadership positions. He also served on the Florida Carlos Pointe Condominium Board, which he referred to as his winter paradise escape. In the summer, he and his family spent joyous times together at his Lake Tippy cottage. He was a member of the local Lions Club, the Indiana Seed Trade Association, and a 26 year partner for AgriGold seed corn.
Ronald was a devoted husband, father and grandfather; family and friends were a priority. He knew the joy of finding a loving friendship with Wilma Middlesworth in the last chapter of his life. He thoroughly enjoyed making daily rounds on the farm to assess the continued progress of his crops and his labor. He passed down many unique, memorable phrases and stories that his family will forever treasure.
He enjoyed visiting Kokomo First Church of the Nazarene and Herbst United Methodist Church, which were his secondary church homes.
He is survived by one sister, Elizabeth Bunner of New Castle, Indiana. Three daughters, Susan (Mike) Murray of Amboy, Indiana, Mariann (Kevin) McClamroch of Annapolis, Maryland, Lesa (Butch) Hostetler of Converse, Indiana.
Grandchildren Karl Murray, Anna Fitzgerald, Ginna Gatlin, Kellie Hostetler, Craig Hostetler, Leslie Jackson, Katy Lawson, Roger Powell and eight great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Bessie, wife Barbara, son Rex, sisters Jeanette McKeefer, Glennis Douglass, and Martha Grace Hahn.
A service celebrating the life of Ronald L. Powell will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Amboy Friends Church, 110 East Pennsylvania Street, Amboy, Indiana with Pastor David Leeder and Pastor Dick Martens officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, August 7 from 1-8 p.m. at Amboy Friends Church. Burial will be at Park Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made through the funeral home to Amboy Friends Church or Kokomo First Church of the Nazarene.
Ronald Lewis Powell, 90, who resided in the Converse and Amboy communities, passed away Monday, August 3rd at 10:33 p.m. at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 22, 1925 in Miami County, the son of Merle and Bessie Powell. He married Barbara Ann Moore, his devoted partner of 62 years. Ronald graduated from Amboy High School in 1942 where he enjoyed playing point-guard for the Amboy Pirates basketball team.
His remarkable heritage of farming and his continued innovative spirit allowed him to grow and make the family farm what it is today. 56 years ago, he founded Powell Seeds, a soybean and seed wheat company, which he proudly passed down to his son Rex and grandson Roger.
Ronald served on the First Farmers Bank Board of Directors for 40 years and served as chairman of the board for 10 years. As a lifelong member of Amboy Friends Church, he served on numerous committees and held leadership positions. He also served on the Florida Carlos Pointe Condominium Board, which he referred to as his winter paradise escape. In the summer, he and his family spent joyous times together at his Lake Tippy cottage. He was a member of the local Lions Club, the Indiana Seed Trade Association, and a 26 year partner for AgriGold seed corn.
Ronald was a devoted husband, father and grandfather; family and friends were a priority. He knew the joy of finding a loving friendship with Wilma Middlesworth in the last chapter of his life. He thoroughly enjoyed making daily rounds on the farm to assess the continued progress of his crops and his labor. He passed down many unique, memorable phrases and stories that his family will forever treasure.
He enjoyed visiting Kokomo First Church of the Nazarene and Herbst United Methodist Church, which were his secondary church homes.
He is survived by one sister, Elizabeth Bunner of New Castle, Indiana. Three daughters, Susan (Mike) Murray of Amboy, Indiana, Mariann (Kevin) McClamroch of Annapolis, Maryland, Lesa (Butch) Hostetler of Converse, Indiana.
Grandchildren Karl Murray, Anna Fitzgerald, Ginna Gatlin, Kellie Hostetler, Craig Hostetler, Leslie Jackson, Katy Lawson, Roger Powell and eight great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Bessie, wife Barbara, son Rex, sisters Jeanette McKeefer, Glennis Douglass, and Martha Grace Hahn.
A service celebrating the life of Ronald L. Powell will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Amboy Friends Church, 110 East Pennsylvania Street, Amboy, Indiana with Pastor David Leeder and Pastor Dick Martens officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, August 7 from 1-8 p.m. at Amboy Friends Church. Burial will be at Park Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made through the funeral home to Amboy Friends Church or Kokomo First Church of the Nazarene.
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