Edward M. Reed

Born to John and Mary (Haugh) Reed February 23, 1933, Dick was the youngest of eleven children. Dick attended Yorktown schools through graduation. Dick excelled at both basketball and baseball during his high school years.

In 1953 Dick was drafted to service in the United States Army. With the end of the Korean War Dick was sent to serve in Alaska. Along with military service, Alaska brought many adventures and experiences into Dick’s life.

Dick was a part of the Midwest Towel fast pitch softball teams of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Dick and the Midwest Towel team achieved seven fast pitch softball state championships from 1963 to 1972. Dick maintained a ten-year batting average of .331.

Dick’s athletic achievements earned him the honor of being inducted in the Indiana Hall of Fame for amateur softball in 1979. Later in 1983 Dick was also inducted into Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 1967 Dick began volunteering as a wrecker driver at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A secondary “every May” career that would span over 40 years. Dick was a fixture of consistence, found between turns three and four for close to all those Indianapolis 500 races. Dick was a proud member of Indianapolis 500 Old Timers Club.

Dick was an avid fisherman. His love of fishing spanned many trips, many delicious meals, and many years. This love and experience produced many stories as well. As Dick would say, he caught more than his share of fish. It is possible some stories may have been bigger and better than some of the catches.

Dick is survived by his wife of 68 years Patricia (Davis) Reed, “the prettiest thing he had ever seen”, his son Rich Reed (Lori) and his daughter Kelli Wilber (Russ). Dick is also survived by his grandchildren Brent (Emma), Nicole (Larry), Zackary, Austin (Shelby), Payton, great grandson Caleb, and bonus grandchildren Whitney, Lindsey, Taylor and Landen. Three sisters-in-law Naomi Nell Reed, Carolyn Morley and Joyce (Bob) Bradshaw survive Dick as well.

Dick and Pat’s son Ryan Reed precedes Dick in death as do his parents, siblings and his in-laws Glen and Charlene Davis.

Thank you to Diana Wilson for your care and compassion over the past several months.

Thanks for the care and guidance provided by Sara, Jen, and Emily of Heartland Hospice.

Special thanks to Meredith and Cathy Lloyd, nephew and niece, for your love and support over many years.

Grave side services will take place at Hawk Cemetery in Yorktown on May 12, 2025, at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Legion Post 19 Chiefs baseball team.