Richard K. “Rick” Grier, 68, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 4:22 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2016 at the Hospice Home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born to Richard K. Grier of Hampton, North Carolina and the late, Wilma (Elshire) Grier on October 31, 1947 in Dayton, Ohio.
Rick was a 1966 graduate of Wabash High School. He retired as a mechanic for the City of Wabash. Rick married Claudia Burker in 1971, she passed away in 2010. He served his country in the United States Army, during Vietnam served in the Infantry Unit Brotherhood of the Big Red One. Rick was a member of the Eagles Lodge 547, VFW Post 286 of Wabash, and American Legion Post 248 of Lagro. Rick had built parade floats in 2000, 2001, and 2002 during Mayor Arvin Copeland time in office. The floats Rick built were designed by John Corso a Hollywood Designer. These floats were pulled by the Wabash Cannonball, they were entered in the Indianapolis 500 every year and all over Northern Indiana.
Rick is survived by two sons, Shayne Grier (Angie) and Nathan Grier (Leona) both of Wabash, Indiana; daughter, Mrs. Michele (Bryan) Tolbert of Hazleton, Indiana; sister, Laurie Grier Glassburn of Plainfield, Illinois; fiancé, Carol Whitesel of Wabash, Indiana; 11 grandchildren, Jalen, Thomas, Kamryn, William, Gavin, Brittany, Matthew, and Haley Grier, and Devan Lambert, Mitchael and Jessica Richardson; and 5 great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Erin Huiras officiating. Indian rites will be given by the Miami Nation of Indians of the State of Indiana. Burial will follow at the Frances Slocum Cemetery in Wabash County, Indiana. Preferred memorials are directed to Miami Nation of Indians of the State of Indiana, P.O. Box 41, Peru, Indiana 46970.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com