H. Richard Earnest, 80, a former Rush County resident, passed away October 22, 2016 in Bloomington where he had resided since 2014. Richard was born March 26, 1936 in Rush County to Howard R. & Helen M. (Addison) Earnest. He was a 1954 graduate of Rushville High School and attended Purdue University. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. He married Claudia Romerill on June 15, 1978 and she survives. Richard lived his early life in Rush County and spent several years in Indianapolis, LaPorte, Evansville, Wisconsin & Campbellsburg, KY.

Richard worked in the Insurance industry many years and served in many capacities within the industry. His true passion was music and he spent most of his life either performing or directing music/theater. He was a 40 year member of the SPEBSQSA-Barbershop Harmony Society, he had directed numerous Men's & Women's Choruses, was selected to the Hartsmen Chorus, performed lead in Fiddler on the Roof with the Area Community Theater, performed in many competition Quartets and performed on the Ed Sullivan Show with the Purdue Glee Club. Richard enjoyed carpentry, driving tractors, camping & singing around a good fire with friends.

He is survived by his wife, Claudia, of Bloomington, a son, Jeff Earnest of Tuscon, AZ, daughters, Lisa Earnest and Leanne McArthy both of Indianapolis, brothers, Allen Chad (Elesa) Earnest of MS. and Marvin Keith (Jill) Earnest of S.C., a sister, Wanda Arlene Cross of GA and several grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Rick.

Services will be held at 3 PM Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at Moster Mortuary, Rushville with Pastor Gary Holt presiding. Friends are welcome to visit at the mortuary from 1:30 until time of service on Wednesday. Burial will be in the Arlington East Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the SPEBSQSA-Barbershop Harmony Society at 110 7th Ave. North, Nashville, TN. 37203.

Published in Stevens Point Journal on Oct. 25, 2016