Leon E. Hendrickson Obituary
tyler, Indiana, United States
October 05, 1926 - January 23, 2017
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Leon E. Hendrickson Obituary
Oct 05, 1926 - Jan 23, 2017
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Leon E. (Lonnie) Hendrickson, 90Winchester - Leon E. Hendrickson (Lonnie), 90, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2017, at the Summers Pointe Senior Living in Winchester, IN. Leon was born on October 5, 1926, in nearby Union City, IN, the son of Charles and Mary Hendrickson. He was a 1944 graduate of McKinley High School. He was a dedicated father, grandfather, and husband. He loved the Main Street Christian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder over the years. And he loved Silver Towne, the business he founded with his loving wife Ruhama (Hamie) and he treated all of his employees like family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Ruhama Pearl Rhoades; a brother, Chester Hendrickson; two grandsons, Jason Andrew Barker and Corby Lee Hendrickson. He is survived by one brother, Stanley Hendrickson (wife Gretchen) and one sister, Myrtle Huffer; a son, David Hendrickson (wife Debbie); two daughters, Kathy Barker (husband Steve) and Tanda Abel (husband Tony); Grandchildren, Carrie Chipley (husband Mike) of Kalispell, MT, Ryan Barker (wife Katie), Kevin Barker (wife Shannon), Eric Barker (wife Melanie) all of Winchester, Andy Abel (Amanda Hindsley), Tyler Abel (wife Allanna) both of Winchester, Brock Abel (wife Eva) of Muncie, Chad Allen (wife Jami) of Lynn, Cheyanne Allen of Fairview, TN; great grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Abby and Rachel Chipley, Paige, Parker, Jane and Payne Abel, Emmaline and Tillman Abel, Emerson and Lillian Able, Mason and Molly Barker, Ross and Breena Barker, Lexie and Chloe Barker, Elijah, Alyssa and Noah Allen; one great-great grandson, Keldrick Enis. He was a nationally recognized Numismatist with more than 22 Accomplishments and Awards, Plus more than 30 numismatic organizations. He served as President of the Professional Numismatists Guild, Central States Numismatic Association, and the Indiana State Numismatic Association. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the PNG and the Silver Dollar Roundtable and the Blue Ridge Numismatic Association just to name a few of the 30 state and national organizations. Locally he was voted Citizen of the Year by the Winchester Lions Club in 1982. From humble beginnings as a farmer, Leon first joined the
US Navy at the age of 17 to fight in
World War II aboard the USS Caldwell in the South Pacific. ON his first leave home he married Ruhama and quickly rejoined his ship to finish out the war. After the war, he came home to Winchester and worked hard to raise his family. He was a farmer and substitute rural mail carrier. He also started several businesses such as a skating rink while working on the farm. He opened the famous Rainbow Restaurant in downtown Winchester which he ran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 20 years (while still farming). He also found time to serve on the local school board for 16 years and the board of directors of a local bank (which he later became the majority stockholder of). Operating the Rainbow restaurant for 20 years he became fascinated with the hobby of coin collecting. He started a small coin shop above the Rainbow and then began showing his coins at local coin shows around the area. His hobby soon became a full-time profession. He moved the "Winchester Coin Shop" into the basement of his home and began doing business at some of the largest coin shows in the country. The Winchester Coin Shop soon became known as 'Silver Towne' as the business expanded into not only rare coins but also silver and gold bullions coins and bars. Leon became known as one of the leading experts in the hobby and profession of coin collecting as well as investing in silver and gold bullion. Silver Towne soon began manufacturing its own brand of pure silver bars which even today are widely sought after by investors nationwide. Of course, Leon's Silver Towne soon became too large for his basement. It now operates out of the beautiful 2 story building that he built next to his home and employs over 100 people. "Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver the other gold." A celebration of Leon's life will be held on Friday, July 28, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at the Winchester Towne Square Community Centre, 123 W. Franklin St., Winchester, IN 47394, with Steve McCoy officiating. Entombment will follow at the Fountain Park Center in Winchester, IN. Friends and family may call on Thursday, July 27, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Town Square Community Centre as well as an hour prior to services on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to: Leon and Ruhama Hendrickson and Family Scholarship Fund, 213 S. Main St., Winchester, IN 47394 or Hendrickson Trust Fund for Local Out Reach, 1212 E. 100 S, Winchester, IN 47394 Walker Funeral Home in Winchester is entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at
walkerswinchester.com.
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