Gary Allan Dudgeon passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at Arbor Grove Village in Greensburg, Indiana. The former Batesville resident was 81 years old. Born on April 19, 1939 in Newark, Ohio he was the son of Paul Emerson Dudgeon and Mary Nelda (Shaw) Dudgeon.
Gary grew up loving baseball, the Cleveland Indians was his favorite team, along with football, soccer, history and the Methodist Church. After graduating from Newark High School, he joined the ROTC and went to DePauw University in Greencastle, IN from 1957 to 1961, taking the train home for visits. Five days after college graduation he joined the Army to fulfill his military obligations. He was always very patriotic. Gary was stationed in Germany where he was able to see a lot of Europe and even coached soccer while there. In 1966, he married Marilyn Kay Beeney, they had two children together and she passed away. Then on May 30, 1986 he married Delores ‘Dee’ Padgett.
Gary worked as a computer programmer for many years for Hill-Rom and then went on to work for and retire from Best Lock. He wrote sports for the Greensburg Daily news for over 25 years during the 1990’s-2000’s. Gary was very active in his church and other community groups. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Batesville United Methodist Church, and the church Toastmasters, plus he was a layman for the Methodist Church. In 1979 he joined and became a member of the McMillian Lodge F&AM #141, where he was a proud member for over 41 years.
Gary played Santa for at least 30 years and embodied the loving, giving spirit of the roll. He loved children, animals and God, and was always an environmentalist. He was a kind, giving Christian man who loved walking and reading.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Dee Dudgeon; daughter, Hopeann (Tim) Schebler; son, Michael (Ann) Dudgeon; granddaughters, Chelsea (Mike) Eckstein, Tori Padgett, and Tabitha Schebler; grandsons, AJ Schebler, Rory Dudgeon and Declan Dudgeon; three great grandchildren, Evelyn, Asher and Ellie; brother, Dick (Dee Dee) Dudgeon along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn, and step-daughter, Stacey (Padgett) Wells.
Visitation will be Friday, October 9, 2020 from 4-7pm at Meyers Funeral Home in Batesville. There will also be a Masonic service at 3:30pm and Lions service at 6:00pm. The funeral services will follow at 7:00pm with Military honors after, conducted by the Ripley County VFW Post #3183 and Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271. Rev. Chris Renick is officiating.
Memorials may be given to the Lions Club of Batesville or the Alzheimer’s Association c/o the funeral home by bringing to service or mailing to, Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006.
In accordance with the Indiana COVID-19 precautions, all attending are encouraged to wear a mask and follow proper social distancing protocol. If you are not feeling well, or if you have compromised immune system, you are encouraged to stay home.
You are welcomed to leave a message at www.meyersfuneralhomes.com on Gary’s obituary page for the family in the online guestbook.