Dennis Edwin Everhart

Dennis Edwin Everhart (77) of Hillsdale, Indiana passed away on February 4, 2024, at his home with his family surrounding him.

He was born December 11, 1946, in Sullivan to the late Dwight and Donna (Sexton), Everhart.

He married Carol Ann (Olmi) on August 19, 1989, in their barn half done after a tornado had hit it.

Dennis graduated from Clay City High School in 1965. He attended Coalmont School for 10 years.  He then worked for Hulman and Company before becoming a Terre Haute Fireman.  He was one of the first EMT’s that started the Ambulance Service in Terre Haute.  He fought fires for over 30 years then retired in March 2004.  He then became a school bus driver for South Vermillion School Corp. where he won school bus driver of the year in 2012.  He also drove the bus for Riverton Parke School Corp., retiring after 17 years of service.  He made many friends with the children and their parents.  Four times a year along with his wife Carol Ann, they would give treats for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter on his routes.

Dennis was a proud American and served his country in the United States Army 1966 – 1971.  He was a well-read traveler that enjoyed country music, Mercum Car Show, Barret Jackson Car Show, and hunting with his cousin Tommy Barton and friend Billy Smith.  Once in a while his little buddy “Missy Ann”,  his Yorkshire Terrier, went everywhere with him and Carol.

He drove Carol Ann over 30,000 miles in 4 years when she was on the National Cosmetologist Board for the State of Indiana.  So she could teach hair dressers to work with cancer patients, that she started for the “Look Good Feel Better” program.

He was a 50-year member of the Lewis Mason Lodge, Clinton American Legion Post #140 in Clinton and O.E.S. Jerusalem Lodge #99 in Clinton.

Dennis along with Carol raised Yorkshire Terriers known as Miss Carol’s Yorkies.  They held a family reunion for the Yorkies in the home the first Saturday of August every year.   Carol would cook the main dish, and everyone would bring a covered dish of their choice.  Everyone who attended got a gift along with their Yorkies.  Everyone enjoyed this as parents would dress their babies in their favorite outfits to show their babies off.  At one big reunion they had over 40 parents with 34 Yorkies enjoying themselves.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight and Donna, brother David and in-laws Ray and Ann Olmi.

Dennis is survived by his wife Carol Ann, daughter Dee (Jason) Einstandig, son Denny Ray and partner, stepson Mike Clodfelter, He and Carol “adopted” other kids and called them their own; Candy Beeson, Marie (Steve) Hamilton, Mike (Cheryl) Phelps, Corey (Melinda) Johnson, Sister Denise (Jim) Shields, and sister-in-law Jane Everhart. Also, 3 granddaughters; Tabitha (Parker) Hanson, Tasidee (Douglas) Dillion, and Tadissa Fagg.  Adopted grandkids are Dalton Creasy, Raquel O’Hair, Samantha Phelps, and Morgan Knutti.  He also had his buddy Yorkies, Sugar Rae and Honey.  Dennis had one biological nephew Eric (Monique) Everhart, great-nephew Ethan Everhart, great niece Payton Everhart, adopted nephew Jake (Jade) Lunstrum and family and Lucas (Jess) Lunstrum and family.

The family would like to express thanks to the amazing care and encouragement of the staff of Oncology of St. Vincent of Indianapolis and Alaura Elara Caring Hospice; Sarah, Julia, Kelschie, Shannon and Becky.

In honor of Dennis’ memory, contributions can be made to the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Canine Unit, 1888 S. State Road 63, Hillsdale, Indiana 47966, Elara Caring Hospice Foundation; 900 Cooper Street, Jackson, Michigan, 49202, or the Parke Vermillion Humane Shelter, 1884 S. State Road 63, Hillsdale, Indiana 47854; Salem Methodist Church, c/o Steve Brewer, 11096 S. 250 E. Clinton, Indiana 47842.

Special thanks to Brad and Amy Hire, Mike and Cheryl Phelps, Smantha Phelps, Mary Ellen and Dale Lunstrum, Julie Jospeh, and Brian Fagg.

Visitation will be at Giovanini Funeral Home, Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 11:00 – 1:00 PM.  Services will be conducted at 1:00 PM at the funeral home with Pastor Neil Hartzell officiating.

Military services will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Thursday.