Dr. Frank B. Adney Jr.

RICHMOND, Ind. – Dr. Frank B. Adney Jr., age 93, of Richmond, died Friday, November 15, 2013, at Friends Fellowship Community. The son of Frank B. Sr. and Ethel Fern Coons Adney, he was born March 14, 1920, on a farm near Lebanon, Indiana. After graduating from Lebanon High School in 1938, Frank attended DePauw University on Rector Scholarship. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. It was at DePauw that he met Mary Alice Claycombe, and they both graduated as members of the class of 1942. Frank knew when he was a young boy he wanted to be a medical doctor, since he went on house calls with his Grandfather Coons who was a physician. He immediately began medical school at Indiana University Medical School. However, due to World War II, they were on a speed up program, and he received his medical degree in December of 1944. He and Mary Alice were married August 21, 1943, in Indianapolis. He served a 9 month internship at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and immediately was inducted into the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant in the Medical Corps. After several months of training at Carlyle Barracks, Pennsylvania, where he learned to be a soldier, he served almost 2 years in the U.S. Army of Occupation in Germany. He missed the birth of his first child, but they soon joined him in Germany when Jim was seven months old. Returning from Army duty he began a 3-year Urology residency at what is now known as Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis. They moved to Richmond, Indiana, in 1951 where he entered a solo practice of Urology until his retirement in 1987. Frank enjoyed his surgery practice but also enjoyed seeing patients in his office and getting acquainted with them and their families. Frank served as the first physician on the Board of Directors of Reid Hospital. He served as president of Reid Hospital General Staff and Surgery Staff, the Wayne County Medical Society, and of the Indiana Urological Society. Frank was certified by the American Board of Urology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He was an elder and deacon in Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church. Frank was a 55 plus year member of the Richmond Noon Kiwanis Club. He served on the boards of Green Acres and the Adult Day Care. Frank was a longtime member of the Equity Club. Frank enjoyed gardening, his computer, and walking in the neighborhood. He played golf but mostly for getting outdoors and being with friends. Frank was a real “Mr. Fix-it” and kept everything working around the house. He and Mary Alice escaped to sunny Florida during some of Richmond’s winter weather. They loved to travel with just the two of them or with special friends. Frank also went to libraries, cemeteries, and court houses to help Mary Alice search for their ancestors. He enjoyed playing bridge, and later in his retirement he spent hours learning more about trigonometry and computers with the help of a nephew, Stu. Frank loved to listen to Big Band music while on his computer. In March 2009 they sold their home of 53 years and moved to an apartment at Friends Fellowship Community, where they have found new friends. Frank is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Alice Claycombe Adney; two children, Carol Adney of Palm Desert, California, and James R. Adney and his wife Melissa Kepner of Madison, Wisconsin; granddaughter, Laura Kepner-Adney of Tucson, Arizona; sister, Elizabeth Leonard of Laguna Woods, California; and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Frank’s Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1004 North A Street, Richmond, with Rev. Joseph T. Fields and Pastor David Layman officiating. A private burial will be held at Earlham Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Memorial contributions may be made to: Wayne County Foundation, 33 South 7th Street, Suite 1, Richmond, IN 47374-5423 or Friends Fellowship Community, 2030 Chester Blvd., Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Dr. Frank B. Adney Jr.

March 14, 1920 - November 15, 2013