Richard Van Ness

Richard H. R. Van Ness 64, of Indianapolis, Indiana, died February 11, 2010 of brain cancer. He was born June 11, 1945 in Reading, England to Howard E. and Gladys M. Van Ness. Survivors include his beloved wife, Ann Van Ness, his three children, Bradley (Mary) Van Ness, Catherine (Mark) Wells and Tyler (Amber) Van Ness; seven grandchildren, Jesse, Walker and Mary Celeste Van Ness; Levy, Abby and Maggie Wells and Elijah Van Ness; his mother, Gladys Williamson and stepfather, Lee Williamson; stepbrother, Mike Williamson; Rose and Ron Hamblin, aunt and uncle of Reading, England and their families; Ralph and Ely Van Ness and their children and grandchildren of Indianapolis, Edward and Emmajean Van Ness and their children and grandchildren of Fairmount, Indiana and Paula Van Ness and daughter of Los Angeles, CA. Brothers-in-law, Mark Miklozek and Patty Silvis of Terre Haute, IN and Mike Miklozek and his wife Valerie of Indianapolis, IN; sisters-in-law Jane Kelly and her husband John of Indianapolis, IN and Chris Miklozek of Indianapolis; mother-in-law, Ann G. Miklozek of Terre Haute, IN and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Rick was a 1965 graduate of Southport High School and graduated from Indiana University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science. He became an Indiana State Trooper in 1966 assigned first to the South Bend District. Other districts during his career were the Toll Road and the Connersville Post. In 1974, he became a Liaison Officer at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Rick joined the Indiana AirArmy National Guard in 1965. He spent 38 years in the Guard. Most of his time was spent with the Air Guard, the 181st Mission Support Group, which was part of the 181st Fighter Wing in Terre Haute, IN. "GO RACERS". In 1986, Rick became the Assistant Director of Continuing Education at the University of Indianapolis where he directed training programs for the law enforcement community. In 1990, he briefly served as a Motor Fuels Investigator for the North Carolina Department of Revenue. In 1991, he came back to Indiana to work for Indiana University, Indianapolis as a Forensic Science Coordinator. He conducted educational programs for coroners and was assistant editor of the Coroners Manual for all 92 county coroners. In 1994, Rick became a Senior Investigator for the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. He conducted criminal investigations and special inquiries into matters before the grand jury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 9am at St. Roch Catholic Church, 3600 S. Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46227. Visitation will be Monday from 4pm until 8pm at Daniel F. O'Riley Funeral Home where prayers will be said on Tuesday at 8:30am prior to Mass. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Hospice, 5255 E. Stop 11 Rd, Suite 245, Unit 2, Box 2P, Indianapolis, IN 46237. Online condolences may be shared with the family at orileyfuneralhome.com.