MILTON-  Delores Jean Richards, 93, of rural Milton, passed away Thursday evening May 15, 2025 at Addison Place in New Castle, Indiana.  A daughter of the late Bruce and Maudie (Gibson) Herbert, Delores was born near Boston, Indiana on July 11, 1931.  As a young girl, she moved with her family to Wayne County and was raised on the farm in the Chapel and Clevenger Road area east of Milton.  Delores graduated from Milton High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Earlham College and master's degree from Indiana University in Early Childhood Education.  Delores taught school in Richmond, Greens Fork and Centerville for a total of ten years.  She married Keland E. Richards of Darke County Ohio, on August 17, 1958 at Doddridge Chapel.  Following the birth of their son, Sandy, Delores jokingly said she quit teaching to become a "Farm Hand" and stayed home to take care of her family and help on the farm. She was a hardworking, devoted and loving wife and mother.  She enjoyed all aspects of country life, raising a garden, canning and caring for the animals.  In her leisure, Delores liked to do crafting, needle work, reading and bird watching.

Survivors include her son and daughter in-law, Sandy and Mary Ellen Richards; 3 granddaughters, Elizabeth (Capt. Bradley) Knoblock, Olivia (Aaron Begley) Richards and Betsy Richards; 2 great grandchildren, Emily and Emmet Knoblock; niece, Amanda (Greg Nixon) Troutwine; 2 great-nieces Adrianna and Makayla Troutwine.

Delores was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Keland, on March 7, 2003; and her brother and sister in-law, Walter and Marge Herbert.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday May 22, 2025 at Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home, Dublin. Rev. Paul Davis of the Open Arms Church will officiate.  Burial will follow near the family farm at Franklin Cemetery on Pennville Road.  Visitation will be at the funeral home from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday May 21st.