Richard “Richie” Lee Astell

Richard Lee “Richie” Astell, age 87 of West Lebanon, IN, passed away on September 5, 2024 peacefully at his home with his family by his side.  

Richie was born on December 12, 1936 in Marshfield, IN. He was the son of Oliver Palmer Astell and Kathryn E. (Entire) Astell. Richie was a life-long resident of Warren County. He was a 1954 graduate of West Lebanon High School. 

Richard, known as “Richie” to friends, had a keen wit like no other. Richie was a member of the West Lebanon Christian Church. His passions in life were family, church, friends, traveling, and building. He also looked forward to his breakfast club friends where the world’s problems were solved weekly. 

He worked more than forty years at Olin/Flexel corporation where he made several lifelong friends. He built several homes and had an amazing work ethic. He would seldom take breaks, as he felt breaks were distractions that could take away from the perfection he worked hard to capture in the finished product. 

He especially loved his years of traveling with his late wife Cherie and would often travel with other family. He even found joy in a father daughter trip to Disney with Suzette. He enjoyed countless trips to Daytona and was sad to miss this year’s races.  

There was a special sense of pride he had with being a grandpa, great-grandpa, and great-great-grandpa to many. The high school football games at Westville to watch Dylan and Cameron, and Seeger to cheer on Christopher made his Fridays very special. 

 Richie married Constance Spears and they had two children, Suzette Astell-Richardson (husband: Matt) and Bret Astell (wife: Cathy). His grandchildren are Chris Phillips (Chelsey Mohr), Luke Phillips (Amy) Nicholas Pribble (Lacey), Benjamin Astell (Melissa), and Matt Astell (Kalaundria). He then married Karen Jehnke and they later divorced. Richie then married Cherie Smith in 1997 who preceded him in death on October 21, 2017. Richie had 3 step-children, Candy Shaw Kloett (Jeff), Lisa Shaw Carey (Brian), and Mark Samson. His step-grandchildren are Ben Percy (Jill), Will Percy, Alexandra Percy, Austin Percy, Jared Smoot, Jordan Smoot (Olivia), Delene Samson, Maggie Carey, and Nicole Carey. Also surviving are his sister-in-law Mildred Astell, the only survivor of his generation; Ron and Donnee Smith of Arizona who were his brother-in-law and sister-in-law who he treated as his siblings; and next door neighbors, David and Tina Moody and their children, David, Christopher, Matthew, and Angela Moody whom he adopted as his own. 

Richie was preceded in death by his infant brother, David Astell, brother John Astell, sister Carolyn Hickman, and brother Clair Astell.

 Visitation will be at the West Lebanon Christian Church on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. ET. Friends and family will be received at the West Lebanon Christian Church on Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service time at 11:00 a.m. ET with Minister Bruce Thornsbrough officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Lebanon Christian Church.