Richard C. Petraits

Richard Charles Petraits 79, passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at St. Vincent's Hospice in Indianapolis, Indiana. Richard was born January 21, 1933 to Joseph and Anna (Armin) Petraits in Speedway, Indiana. He graduated from Speedway High School in 1951. Richard served in the Air Force as a gunner and photographer. He met his bride, Norma Jean Middleton at Forbes Field in Topeka, Kansas and they were married in Quenemo, Kansas on April 3, 1955. Richard began a long career as an engineer at Indiana Bell, later AT&T, retiring in 1989. Richard was a private pilot and loved flying. He was an avid ham radio operator and had many interests which included photography, drawing, and gardening. Richard is survived by his wife, Norma; daughter, Kathryn (Hurtis) Geoghagan; granddaughter, Laura (Andy) Woodcock; great-grandchildren, Cara, Gavin, Ryleigh, and Kaitlyn Rose; and sister, Mary Ann Stearns of St. Augustine, Florida. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark Alan; and brother-in-law, Henry Stearns. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 24, 2012 at Flanner and Buchanan- Speedway at 11:00 am with Pastor Daniel Strobel of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will follow at West Ridge Park Cemetery. The family will greet friends and relatives from 9 am to 11 am Monday morning. Friends and family are invited to a luncheon at Flanner and Buchanan Community Center after internment. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or the Exotic Feline Rescue Center at 2221 E. Ashboro Road, Center Point, Indiana 47840. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan