Clyde "Butch" & Rhonda (Royal) Sears

On Sunday, September 18, 2022, both Clyde "Butch" A. Sears, 71, and Rhonda L. (Royal) Sears, 64, passed away instantly in a tragic accident. As devastating as it is, it is all too fitting for the two of them, they did everything together in life here on earth, and now they have gone home to Jesus together. The two of them married on December 2, 1988, and have been inseparable since. They loved each other deeply and enjoyed each other's company to no end.

Butch was born on July 28, 1951, to the late Carmon and Mary (Vetor) Sears, in Hartford City, Indiana. He graduated from Fairmount High School in 1969, and went off to attend Barber School in Arizona. Butch was in the Army for a short time. He was the proud owner of Butch's Place Barber Shop, in Marion, for several years. He even cut Rhonda's hair for her. Butch never met a stranger and if he did, they weren't strangers by the end of their encounter. He was a friendly, kind, loving, and giving man. Butch loved ice cream, he and Rhonda would travel around neighboring states just to try new ice cream establishments. He enjoyed listening to Bluegrass music.

Rhonda was born on July 4, 1958, to the late Derrill L. and Annabelle (Porter) Royal, in Marion, Indiana. She graduated from Madison Grant High School in 1976, and went on to earn several degrees at Indiana Wesleyan University, in Marion. Rhonda worked at the Fairmount State Bank for ten years after graduating high school. She then retired from Star Financial Bank after 30 years of service. Rhonda was just a sweetheart. She wholeheartedly loved all children and was very active in the children's ministry at College Wesleyan Church. Rhonda enjoyed cooking, baking, jewelry, and spending time with her family. Rhonda was a member of Phi Beta Psi sorority, and she made excellent soup that she shared with anyone and everyone.

Together they enjoyed being members of College Wesleyan Church, traveling, going to Florida in the winter months, taking the MG Midget out for rides, collecting antiques, dancing, attending the concerts in the park in Gas City and in Fairmount, 1812, and James Dean festivities. They were big givers of their time and money to missionaries. They enjoyed riding their recumbent bikes, they took them to Florida with them, and also helped clean the Cardinal Greenway so that they could ride. They always took in any and every one that was in need under their wings. They will be forever loved and deeply missed by many.

They are survived by children, Jared "Joe" Sears, Marion; Carmon (Betsy) Sears, Gas City; Mark Sears, Marion; and Jamarcus Fanning; grandchildren, Daryan Sears, Carmon Lee Sears, Gracie Forchione, and Chelsea Painter; one great-grandchild; Butch's brother, Carmon "Jeff" Sears; Rhonda's sisters, Ruthann Irvin, and Rita Royal; Rhonda's brothers, Mike (Pam) Vetor, and Mark (Nicki) Royal.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents; sons, John Sears, and Braden Painter; brothers, Tony Ivan Sears, and William Keith Sears; sister-in-law, Lynn Sears; and beloved dog companion, Rusty.

Rhonda was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Roberta "Bobbi" Vetor; nephew, James Wayne Brooks; brother-in-law, Jim Irvin; and beloved dog companion, Rusty.

Arrangements for Butch and Rhonda have been entrusted to the Fairmount Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home, 415 South Main Street, Fairmount, Indiana 46928, where on Monday, September 26, 2022, the family will have a visitation at the funeral home for family and friends from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at College Wesleyan Church, 200 East 38th Street, Marion, Indiana 46953, there will be a visitation held from 12:00 - 1:00 P.M., a funeral service beginning at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor Eric Crist and Bill Sparks officiating, burial immediately following at Park Cemetery, Fairmount, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Butch and Rhonda to either; CSI Ministries, Inc., 840 Daniel Drive, Kokomo, Indiana 46901, or to Gilead Ministries, 212 North Baldwin Avenue, Marion, Indiana 46953.

Online memories and condolences may be left at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com