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Hope Fey Obituary

CANDLER, NC - Hope Hanes Fey, age 79, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2025, after a long illness.

Born on July 19, 1946, in Kendallville, Indiana, Hope was the youngest of six children. She graduated from Kendallville High School in 1964, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in German from Indiana University, where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority.

A true "Kennedy girl," she campaigned for Bobby Kennedy to get out the college vote. She also cherished her memories of working at Rocky Mountain National Park one summer.

After college, Hope moved to Germany and worked as a ground hostess at the Frankfurt Airport. Following her marriage to Dietmar Fey, she returned to Indiana, with their 9-month-old daughter, Andrea. She famously talked her way into graduate school at IU, even though she had missed the application deadline. As a single mother, childcare was crucial, and Hope was instrumental in starting a daycare co-op. She received her Master of Arts in German in 1972.

Hope taught German at School 92 and Forest Manor Middle School in Indianapolis from 1972 to 1978, where she dearly loved her students and formed many wonderful friendships.

She then returned to Bloomington for law school, sometimes taking her elementary-age daughter to class. After graduating in 1981, Hope found her true calling as Deputy Public Defender for the State of Indiana, a role she held for 40 years.

Hope was an extraordinary criminal defense attorney, a force to be reckoned with. She was a relentless and tireless advocate with a brilliant mind, whose fierce devotion to her clients and justice was legendary. She mentored and pushed her colleagues to be better attorneys. Among her many victories, she proved the innocence of a client who was wrongfully accused of the arson murder of her son, and represented Indiana's first client exonerated by DNA evidence at a time when the technology was not widely accepted.

Hope was vivacious, intelligent and caring - a thoughtful, generous and loyal friend, who strove to maintain relationships with her family, friends, colleagues and clients. She was an avid cribbage player and liked to joke that she was the "Cribbage Champion of the Midwest."

Her death leaves a void for those who knew, loved and respected her.

She will be buried in the Hanes family plot at Lake View Cemetery in Kendallville, where her grandfather, Henry Hanes, had been caretaker for 52 years. Hope loved Lake View. As young children, she and her brother, Hal, used to bring sandwiches to their grandpa and enjoy his company over lunch. Her uncle LeRoy followed in his father's footsteps, serving as sexton at Lake View for 25 years.

Hope was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Hilda Hanes; her four siblings and their spouses, Harold (Cleo), Howard (Ruth), Hugh (June) and Hannah (Bob) Johnson; and her beloved cats, Bob, Bud, Joe and Marilyn.

She is survived by her daughter, Andrea Fey (Mark Phillips) of Asheville, North Carolina; her brother Hal (the late Sue) Hanes, of Bloomington, Indiana; and many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends.

There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., at Lake View Cemetery in Kendallville, followed by a gathering and meal at Trinity Church United Methodist.

The family also extends an invitation to a memorial celebration of her public service at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis from 3-5 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Civil Liberties Union, WFYI or the Eiteljorg Museum.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by KPCNews on Aug. 12, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
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5 Entries

Sydney Seaman

August 15, 2025

I met Hope at Indiana University. We were in the same sorority and became life-long friends. After graduation we reconnected in Europe and in Colorado and Indiana, making a point of staying in touch. She was one person who could make me laugh out loud. I was so impressed with her intelligence and commitment to the principles she embraced. I'll think of her for the rest of my days and consider her generosity and friendship as my great fortune. Losing our friends is emotionally devastating.

Judge John G. Baker

August 14, 2025

I knew hope in College and our paths crossed in later years in our professional capacity. Hope was very dedicated to the law and to er clients. She represented the best of the legal profession. Senior Judge John G. Baker

Emily Compton

August 12, 2025

I will miss you, Hope! Seriously one of the smartest, funniest, most interesting people I have every known. Thinking of her family and sending my love.

Marie Donnelly

August 11, 2025

Wonderful mentor, lawyer and friend; wicked card player. So sorry for your loss.
-Marie Donnelly

Audrey Godshall & Roger Gold

August 11, 2025

May her memory be a blessing.

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Memorial Events
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Aug

24

Service

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Indiana Statehouse

Indianapolis, IN

Aug

26

Graveside service

11:30 a.m.

Lake View Cemetery

Kendallville, IN

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