June Chittum-Lucas

June Evelyn (Doren) Chittum-Lucas, 90, of Redkey joined her Lord and Savior in Glory on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, peacefully and surrounded by love at her daughter's home. 

June was born on May 22, 1935, a daughter of the late Chauncey L. Doren and Vera Alma (Cochran) Doren. She was a 1953 graduate of Redkey High School and furthered her education as an art major at Ball State University. 

June grew up a farmer's daughter and in 1952 married the late Max Chittum, together opening the Initial "E" Mobile Home Park and Grocery Store in 1960. In 1966 they started the Initial "E" Mobile Home Sales and in 1968 added the Initial "E" Motel. 

June was quite the business woman. Over the years she sold mobile homes, was an insurance agent, worked at the Sweet Shop, Quick Chick, Peyton's, CTS and Bing Lear, was a cosmetologist and in later years a hairdresser at Miller's Merry Manor until she was 85. 

In 1985, she married the late Darrel Omar Lucas and together they enjoyed square dancing with the Crown City Squares, gardening and the old car club. June was devout in her faith, never missing a Sunday, an extremely classy woman with impeccable taste, an eye for detail and knew just how she liked things. She loved art, interior design, crocheting, sewing, traveling, shopping (never missing a Monday Target trip), being a Sunday School teacher and treasurer for the Redkey First Christian Church. 

Left behind to cherish her memory are two daughters, Vivian Elaine Champ (David) and Judith Elizabeth Hammers (Pastor Jeff); one stepdaughter, Brenda Cochran (Ronnie); one brother-in-law, Allan Gibbs; and son-in-law Reece Welch; 14 grandchildren, Lauralin Henderson (Craig), Andrew Chittum (Jessica), Kara Blanton (Mark), Beau Champ (Tayyebeh), Travis Champ (Amanda), Amber Patterson (Jonathan), Jennifer Weaver (Kirk), Jason Hammers (Ashley), Jordan Hammers (Shelbi), Jacqueline Rinard (Bradley), Matt Cochran (Chrissy), Lindsey Cochran, Ryan Welch and Renee Welch; 21 great-grandchildren Alexah, Isabella, Asher, Jasper, Clara, Marian, Timothy, Micheal, Logan, Maverick, Mazzy, Millie, Jay, Lillian, Zachary, Evelyn, Abagail, Charlotte, Riley, Haley and Makayla; and several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

June was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, Michael Eugene Chittum; one stepdaughter, Linda Welch; one sister, Peggy Lou Gibbs; and her precious dog Chloe. 

Visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Redkey First Christian Church, 4 S. Union St., Redkey. 

Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with Pastor Jeff Hammers officiating. Burial will be held in Hillcrest Cemetery in Redkey, Indiana. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Redkey First Christian Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to MJS Mortuaries – Redkey Chapel.