Flournoy "Larry" Hightchew

F.L. “Larry” Hightchew, age 77, of New Castle, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at Henry County Hospital after an extended illness. He was born in Anderson, Indiana, April 27, 1934.

He graduated from Anderson High School in 1952 and from Indiana University in 1956 with a degree in Journalism, and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He joined the United States Army and served as a paratrooper 101st Airborne, and was honorably discharged in 1958. Larry moved to Lafayette, IN to begin what would become a 35 year career in broadcasting as a radio and television news anchor in cities including Ft. Wayne, Buffalo, NY, Cedar Rapids, IA, San Antonio, TX, and New Castle. Larry became Henry County Veterans Service Officer in 1994 until he retired in 2011.

Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Wilma Nicholson and stepfather, Donn Nicholson of New Castle; his father, F.L. Hightchew, Sr. and stepmother, Stella Hightchew of Anderson; grandmother, Anna Glass and aunts, Juanita Partain and Wilma Bishop, all of Anderson; aunt Madonna Johnson of Ohio; uncle, Armand Lewis of Anderson.

Larry is survived by his wife, Shirley Hightchew of New Castle ; daughter, Christy Ryder and grandchildren Joshua Ramirez and Jenna Ryder of Wylie, TX; stepdaughter, Debbie Scott of Plano, TX and four grandsons; stepson, Kenneth Scott of Floresville, TX; brother, Jeff Hightchew and family of Scottsdale, AZ; uncle, Philip Lewis, a former pastor in New Castle and his wife, Millie of Indianapolis and family; cousin, Linda Bishop of Indianapolis and family; cousin, Rosemary Abrahamson of CA and family.

A memorial service will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 10, 2011 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society, 4567 Progress Drive, Columbus, IN 47201 with envelopes available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hinsey-brown.com .