DEPUTY

Mr. Richard Everett Nay, known as “Dick” to family and friends, entered this life on January 18, 1940 in Scottsburg, Indiana, the eldest son of William Maurice and Betty Marie Field Nay. He spent nearly his entire life in the Deputy community, where he graduated from Deputy High School in 1958. An avid athlete during those early days, Dick excelled in varsity basketball and track. After graduation, Dick pursued further education to become a skilled heavy equipment operator. He initially worked for Amoco Gas-Oil-Chemical in Seymour and later for Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana. Although he mastered those occupations and could operate the biggest and toughest of machines with ease and expertise, his true passion entailed farming, a vocation he dedicated his life to alongside his father Bill and later his son Markt. A versatile farmer who took utmost pride in his crops and agricultural pursuits, Dick’s enterprises ranged from raising Hereford cattle and hogs to cultivating soybeans, corn, wheat, oats, cucumbers, tomatoes and tobacco. He learned quickly in farming, that Fridays did not mean weekends off and that Plan A often deferred to Plan B or C. More often than desired, weather and broken parts dictated direction. For his attentive commitment to the quest, the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District honored Dick with Outstanding Conservation Farmer of the Year distinction in 1988. A man of faith, Dick was raised in the Pisgah United Methodist Church, where he was baptized and remained a faithful member and servant for as long as his health permitted. In his later years, he attended North Madison Christian Church. In addition to his church affiliations, he also served diligently on the Pisgah Cemetery Association Board to ensure the cemetery’s upkeep and bucolic beauty. Working the land with his father and son as well as for himself, Dick found pure happiness when maneuvering his favorite International tractor or combine across those Graham Township fields. Not only did those big red machines sport the name International on both sides, but generally so did the front of his signature cap. An accomplished farmer and conservationist, he took great pride in his farm where he demonstrated exceptional stewardship of the land entrusted to him. He consistently tested soil for needed fertilizer/element percentages, periodically reseeded, re-routed ditches to avert erosion, rotated crops, rested pastures and attacked toxic weeds. And amidst all of those tasks, Dick befriended others. Even though he had acres of his own to tend before the evening dew set, Dick always squeezed in time to help a neighbor or fellow farmer when sickness arose, tractor tires went flat and baler parts snapped with dark clouds swirling overhead. With Dick, International tractor red dominated his color preference, but he also enjoyed occasional bright yellow when he served as a substitute driver for his father’s bus route for Madison Consolidated Schools. He knew every child by name and of course the family lineage. When down time did allow although seldom, he enjoyed mushroom hunting, driving country roads to check his crops and relaxing by the Ohio River. And that summer stop at Chill Billy’s, where ice cream soothes the summer heat and the river view exudes tranquility, afforded another cherished outing with Sherry, his loving and devoted wife of nearly 60 years. Married on July 6, 1964 in Taylorsville, IN, Dick and Sherry Rae Olmsted were each other’s support arm in life. Family and friends too will always remember Dick’s competitive, no-mercy spirit in card games, particularly euchre and bridge, and his steadfast loyalty to Indiana University basketball. Even in down seasons, the Hoosiers reigned. Dick loved victory. Above all, he was a dedicated family man, who taught his three sons – Rodney, Roger and Markt – the value of hard work, family commitment, ethics, neighborly compassion, sound management and quality output. Dick not only talked the principles, but he and Sherry led by example. Like his furrows, Dick’s life ran straight and true. He was a beloved husband, father, papaw and friend. Dick will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His legacy of hard work, dedication to family, and love for the land will be remembered and cherished. He passed peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 4:30 a.m. at the Thornton Terrace Health Campus in Hanover, Indiana.

A LOVING FAMILY

Dick will be missed by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Sherry Rae Olmsted Nay of Deputy, Indiana; his sons, Rodney Lee Nay of Madison, Indiana, Roger Dale Nay of Vevay, Indiana, Ronald Markt Nay and his wife, Sherry of Deputy, Indiana; his grandchildren, Morgan E. Nay and her fiancée, Hunter Means, Kayla M. Nay Conway and her husband, Matt, Laura M. Nay Reagan and her husband, Josh, Gabby E. Nay Hubbard and her husband, Kris, Isaiah Nay, Mya Nay, Sadie Nay, Josiah “Little Joe” Nay; his great grandchildren, Emerson Riley Nay Smith, Camden Lee Reagan, Madilyn Jo “Madi” Reagan, Riley Jo Hubbard, and Anna Grace Conway (due August 8, 2024); his brothers, James Lee “Joe” Nay and his wife, Mary Lou of Brown County, Indiana, Clifford Dale “Duke” Nay and his wife, Sue of Salem, Indiana; his sister, Donna Sue Nay Godward and her husband, Joe of Deputy, Indiana; his aunt, Martha Lee Field Stephanus of Lexington, Indiana; his uncle, R. Dale Field and his wife, Mary Frances of Greenwood, Indiana; his brother in law, Randy Olmsted and his wife, Amy of Schererville, Indiana; his many nieces and his nephews; several cousins and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, William Maurice Nay, died June 1, 1985, his mother, Betty Marie Field Nay, died April 3, 2019, his loving sister, Janet Ann Nay Kaitschuk, died January 17, 2017 and her husband, Rev. Dr. John Kaitschuk, died April 1, 1994, his maternal grandparents, Samuel Richard Field, died December 9, 1987 and Lillie Betty Moore Field, died September 27, 1998, his paternal grandparents, Leonidas Fred Nay, died February 20, 1926 and Effie Law Nay, died January 3, 1945; his father in law, Ross Eugene Carroll, died February 27, 2018, his mother in law, Mary Elizabeth Quinn Carroll, died February 20, 2023.

FUNERAL CEREMONY

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., at the Pisgah United Methodist Church 12451 West Deputy Pike near Deputy, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Pisgah Cemetery near Deputy, Indiana.

VISITATION

Friends may visit Tuesday, June 4, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana and Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at the Pisgah United Methodist Church,12451 West Deputy Pike near Deputy, Indiana.

MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pisgah Cemetery Association. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover or at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home of Vevay, Indiana or at the church. Online condolences, remembrances, and memorials can be left at www.morgan-nay.com.