Vivian Irene Himelick 1950-2023

It is a rare, and precious treasure to have known and loved Vivian for our fifty-one years of marriage, and more.  She was an exceptional human being and those who knew and understood her sincerity and her forcefulness of will, were blessed to have known her.  We lost her from a massive unrecoverable stroke on May 15, 2023, at St. Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana.  She was born on October 14, 1950, in Richmond, Indiana, to A.E. and Dorothy Darling Tucker Sanders.   She graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 1968.  She attended the Gemological Institute of America in Los Angeles, completing the course work in record time.  She was soon awarded the title of Certified Gemologist of the American Gem Society, then the youngest female Certified Gemologist in Indiana.

At the young age of 18, she was already working with her mother at Sanders Jewelers, established in 1941, in Richmond, Indiana.  She advised that she worked in the store as soon as she could see over the showcases.  She went on to study Marketing and Accounting at the Eastern Indiana Center at Earlham College and Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.  She began her long and successful career as a gemologist, selling fine gemstones with unique designs, eventually assuming full ownership of Sanders Jewelers in Richmond.  She was passionately involved in the Richmond Community, playing a prominent role in downtown development.

On March 19, 1972, she married Ralph William Himelick, in Bloomington, after making her own dress and those of her bridesmaids. (And the Connersville Spartans won the tournament!)

A time came when Vivian decided that she wanted to learn to fly.  She took lessons in Connersville, and upon receiving her flying license decided to buy a friend's Cessna Cardinal.  Her skills improved, and we took memorable flights around the country.  On a memorable New Years Eve, she said to the rest of us, "let's go see the fireworks".  Next thing you know we're in the Cardinal off to Cincinnati to "see the fireworks" (the kids couldn't believe it).  Over the years we had many memorable flights and great friendships.  She decided to invest in a property in Dammeron Valley Utah some years later.  Fortunately, the local "owner contractor" program, under County supervision allowed us to do much of this ourselves.  The house was finally sold when the trip was becoming too taxing.  Viv always loved the mountains!

As the children grew, she was always involved in fund raising projects to help with the Wayne County Fairgrounds, especially where it concerned the horse and pony barn and projects to build stalls for the horses.

She loved driving her '68 Cutlass to the local "Hot Rod Saturday Nights" at Kunkel's Drive Inn. Her favorite was a midnight blue '69 Camaro RS.

She loved and participated where she could in our daughter's horse training and our son's love of old cars.  She loved to see the results of Eric's efforts, and Heather and Matt's blossoming family.  In young Cooper, we can see Matt, and Eric's heritages.

Vivian was always volunteering, and her history of helping was especially displayed when she became involved with legislation at the local, state, and national levels.  She was an active member of the NRA (life member), frequently working at Central and Eastern Indiana gun shows and attending Friends of the NRA dinners.

In early 2016, Vivian was elected President of the Fayette County Republican Women's Club where she served through March 2021.  In March of 2017, Vivian was elected as Chairwoman of the Fayette County Republican Central Committee after serving as secretary since 2014.  In November 2022, Vivian was elected to Fayette County Council District 1 where she served until her passing.

In November 2018, Vivian and Ralph moved their Sanders Jewelry business to Connersville after selling the historic building at the corner of 9th and Main in Richmond.  They spent countless hours remodeling the retail location next to the Republican Headquarters on Central Avenue.  In addition to her devoted husband of 51 years, Ralph Himelick, Vivian is survived by her son, Eric Ryan Himelick and Daughter Heather Nicole Himelick Bean, husband Matt and their son Cooper Lee Bean.

Also surviving is an aunt, Carol Jensen, of Fort Wayne, IN, cousins Terry (Lois) Tucker, Larry (Sandy) Jensen, Sharry Tucker, who Vivian thought of as a sister, and Carl (Rita) Jensen.  Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, and cousins James and William Jensen.

Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Vivian on Friday, June 9, 2023, at 6:30 pm at Woodland Bible Church, 835 W County Road 300 N, Connersville.  Pastor Bill Keen will host the ceremony and guest pastor, Micah Beckwith, will be the featured speaker.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that contributions be made in memory of Vivian to the Fayette County Historical Society.  Urban Winkler Funeral Home is honored to assist Vivan's family with the arrangements.

My dearest Vivian: you will live in our memories for all eternity!

All my Love, forever, Ralph