Obituary of Richard Lindley

Richard Holbrook Lindley, (82), of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on March 20, 2023, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.

Richard, fondly known as Dick, was born to Philo Lyman and Edna Lucille (Cunningham) Lindley, on March 15, 1941, in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Dick is survived by his daughters, Jeane Marie Lindley and Anne (David) Lindley Russell. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Danielle Brooke Russell, DVM, Michaela Jillianne (Jeremy) Faulkner, AIC, API and Blake Anthony Russell; as well as by the light of his life in his final years, his great-granddaughters, Remi Lynn and Alexandria Hope Faulkner. Additionally, Dick is survived by Janice Marie (Brown) Lindley, his former wife, and his caregiver until his passing; sister-in-law Andrea Brown Cox (Mark) Jones; brother-in-law Ernest Nelson (Nancy) Brown, Jr.; nieces and nephew Annette Norwood, Evelyn (Mike) Worley, John Wesley (Christy) Cox, Elizabeth Cox (Howard) Parker and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased in death by his father and mother; his sisters Joanne Lucille Lindley (Fred) Thomson and Audrey Lindley (Hart) Norwood, and by his nephew Frederick Clifton Thomson, III.

Holding many titles in his life, from Navy Torpedoman 2nd Class to police officer to insurance agent, Dick’s favorite role was that of caring for his family and for others. He was a member of the Shriners International; the Masonic Lodge #186; Navy reservist; volunteer with the American Red Cross; volunteer with Sun-N-Fun ERT. Dick participated in multiple mission trips with his church. He was a previous member of the Winter Haven Police Pension Board and previous member of the Winter Haven City Council. In keeping with Dick’s desire to provide levity and entertainment to others, he was a previous active member (and had multiple roles in performances held) of the Theater of Winter Haven. Dick retired from Nationwide Insurance, after having been an insurance agent for 42 years, where numerous awards were bestowed upon him, including (several years running) the President’s Club Award.

Dick fought his battle against Parkinson’s disease for 6 long years. Despite spending some of that time in and out of the hospital and rehab facilities, he never lost his sense of humor. Throughout his entire journey, he cracked jokes and made silly faces with his family and friends, and easily captured the hearts of those providing his care. He had a natural ability to make others smile, and his sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Dick’s family will host a memorial service on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. The service will be at Redeemer Church, 1410 Dundee Road, Winter Haven, FL 33884. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to www.parkisons.org in Dick’s name.