Richard Lee Claussen

RICHARD LEE CLAUSSEN, age 71, formerly of South Milford and more recently of Anderson, died on Friday, January 29, 2016 at his home in Anderson.  Mr. Claussen was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 18, 1944 to the late Richard Dice Claussen (2008) and Violet Mae (Kitchen) Claussen (2000).  He graduated from Kendallville High School  in 1962, Manchester College in 1966, and Ball State University in 1971 with a Masters in Education degree.  He married Karen Hite on July 11, 1964 in Kendallville.  Richard was an educator for 33 years.  He began his teaching career in 1966 at Niles Community School where he taught for one year.  Then he moved to Milford Township School and taught there from 1968-71.  In 1971, he began teaching at East Noble School Corporation until his retirement in 1999.  After retirement, Rick and Karen spent their winters in Winter Park, Florida.  Rick was an adjunct professor at the Palm Beach Atlantic College in 2009. He was a member of the South Milford Church of Christ and Pendleton Community Church of God.  Richard loved hunting and fishing.

Survivors include: 
His wife, Karen Claussen of Anderson.
Daughter, Dawn Whitestone of Winter Park, Florida.
Daughter, Aimee and Trey Oldham of Anderson.
Son, Seth Claussen of Anderson.
Four grandchildren: Alison Bartels and Reagan Bartels; Malachi Oldham and Aiden Oldham.
Brother, Jeff and Ruth Claussen of Three Rivers, Michigan.
Brother-in-law, Ron and Marietta Hite of Kendallville.
Brother-in-law, Gary and Becky Hite of El Paso, Texas.
He was also preceded in death by his son, Darrin Claussen in 2012.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 2, 2016 from 3:00-7:00 pm at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 10:30 am at Hite Funeral Home.  There will be visitation before the service at 9:30 am.

Officiating the funeral service will be Pastor Brian Walter.

Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in LaGrange, Indiana.

Memorial donations may be made to South Milford Church of Christ or Pendleton Community Church of God or American Cancer Society.

Send a condolence to the family or view a video tribute of Richard by Tuesday at www.hitefuneralhome.com or find us on Facebook.com

Arrangements entrusted to Hite Funeral Home of Kendallville.

 Service Information