Richard Thomas "Dick" Gunning , age 86 and a lifelong resident of rural Elwood and Tipton County, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 17, 2020 at his home on the farm following a long, fulfilled life.  He was born March 27, 1933 in Elwood, the son of Everett "Guy" and Mildred Louise (Hutcherson) Gunning.  Richard was a 1951 graduate of Windfall High School.  He married the love of his life, Dorothy "Dean" Savage on December 28, 1957, and they shared over 62 years of marriage together.  Richard was a farmer all of his life in his family business, R & D Gunning and Sons Farms.  He loved farming very much and worked until his final retirement at the age of 80.  After graduation, Richard proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War where he was stationed in Germany and worked as a payroll clerk earning the rank of Sergeant.  Dick was a member of the Harmony Christian Church in Leisure.  He enjoyed playing basketball throughout his life – playing on the Windfall High School basketball team, the Army traveling basketball team, and later played in local intramural basketball leagues.  Dick continued watching basketball and sports, following I.U. and Purdue college basketball and the Indianapolis Colts football.  Through the years, Dick and Dean enjoyed traveling; camping with family and friends; and took many memorable family vacations together.  He especially loved attending all of his children's and grandchildren's sporting events.  More than anything, Dick loved just spending time on his farm.  He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather; and he will be greatly missed.

Dick's family includes his wife, Dorothy "Dean" Gunning of Elwood; 3 sons, Scott (wife Renie) Gunning of Westfield, Rod Gunning of Arlington, VA and Roger (wife Julie) Gunning of Elwood; 4 grandchildren, Christopher Osborne, Drake Gunning, Alexandra Gunning, and Zachary Gunning; sister, Bonnie Keller of Muncie; sister-in-law, Ann Gunning of Fairmount; brother-in-law, Lester (wife Barbara) Savage of Sheridan; and several nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by both his parents; infant sister, Donna Gunning; sister, Mary Patterson; brother, Robert "Bob" Gunning; and 2 brothers-in-law, Maurice Patterson and Charles Keller.

A funeral service celebrating Dick's life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Josh Shoemaker of Harmony Christian Church officiating.  Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Tipton where military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Army and the Elwood V.F.W. honor guard.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3 to 7 pm on Friday, February 21, 2020 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood.   Memorial contributions are suggested to the Harmony Christian Church, the Stroke Association, or the Leukemia Society through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.