Tag Archives: Shrack

Roscoe Junion Shrack

Roscoe Junion Shrack
b. 24 December 1927 or 4 February 1926
d. 4 April 1983, Marion, Grant, Indiana
bur. Elm Ridge Cemetery, Muncie, Delaware, Indiana

m. 24 February 1951, Muncie, Delaware, Indiana
Betty Jean Richison

Roscoe Shrack gravestone

Roscoe Shrack gravestone

Children with Betty Jean Richison:

  • Karen Sue (living)
  • Deborah Kay (1955-1984) married Cleve James Lolley

Rock celebrated his birthday in February until after his marriage when he suddenly discovered that his actual birth date was 24 Dec 1927. He never found an explanation for why the mix up or whether it was intentional or unintentional.

He served in the military during World War II and then worked as a telephone lineman when he and Betty were married, after he returned from service. They lived in Muncie, had their two daughters there, and later divorced there. Rock continued to live in Muncie for some time but eventually was admitted to the Veteran’s Hospital, in Marion, Indiana, where he lived until his death in 1983.

Rock’s mother and sister had both died of “mental” disease which later became recognized as Huntington’s Chorea. Rock was diagnosed with the disease. It is thought that his youngest daughter was also a victim of the hereditary disease for which there is no cure.

Submitted by:
Shirley Richison Fields
Avon IN
E-mail: richison@me.com

Ophir Orlo Richison

Ophir Orlo Richison
b. 24 August 1909, Jay County, Indiana, to Dallas Ray and Olive (Alexander) Richison
d. 31 July 1949, Winchester, Randolph, Indiana
bur. Fountain Park Cemetery, Winchester, Randolph, Indiana

m. 30 August 1929, Dayton, Montgomery, Ohio
Zella Beatrice Wilkerson

Ophir Richison funeral card

Ophir Richison funeral card

Children with Zella Beatrice Wilkerson:

  • James Oliver (1930-2004) married (1) Eris Jeannine Fisher, (2) Rita Cunningham Roberts
  • Betty Jean (1933-1982) married Roscoe Junior Shrack
  • Shirley Ann (living)
  • Donna Lee (living)
  • Danny Ray (living)

Orlo and Zella went to relatives in Ohio to get married thinking they would be able to keep the marriage a secret from their parents for awhile. Their intention was to continue to live with their parents for a short time until they were more financially able before telling them of the marriage and finding a home together. Like many secrets, theirs did not remain secret very long. Upon returning home, Zella found her parents already aware of the marriage.

It seems someone in Ohio who knew her parents had heard the news and informed Zella’s parents. Orlo worked in Indianapolis in factories for a time but after his father died in 1947, he moved the family to Winchester in order to take over the painting and paper hanging business of his father. Two years later, in 1949, Orlo was killed in an automobile accident, leaving Zella a widow with five children, the youngest being only six months old.

Submitted by:
Shirley Richison Fields
Avon IN
E-mail: richison@me.com