Richard “Dick” Alan Wells, 89, of Cloverdale, passed away November 1, 2026. He was born in Indianapolis on May 31, 1937, son of the late Nathan Wells and Myrtle (Busch) Wells.
Dick was a graduate of Short Ridge High School. He continued his education at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, in Charleston, majoring in History and receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960. Dick was in the ROTC program, competed all four years on The Citadel Varsity Rifle Team and led the Air Force Rifle Team his senior year to a championship title.
Following college, Dick began a 30-year career with Allstate Insurance. In 1991, Dick and his wife, Sandy, established Hilltop Orchids in Cloverdale, turning Dick’s lifelong passion for orchids into what became Indiana’s largest orchid-growing operation. Dick retired from Allstate in 1994 to devote himself full-time to Hilltop, where he developed award-winning hybrids, taught generations of orchid growers and shared his knowledge with enthusiasts from across the country. He became an accredited American Orchid Society judge in 1998 and served as an AOS judge in the Mid-America Judging Center in St. Louis for more than 20 years. His orchids received more than 100 national awards.
Dick’s faith was central to his life. He and Sandy were devoted members of Soul Harvest Church in Cloverdale and found deeply personal ways to support their church family. For years, Dick brought orchids from Hilltop each week to grace the sanctuary, sharing something he had nurtured with the church community he loved.
In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 62 years, Sandra “Sandy” Rose (Parker) Wells; and brother, Jim.
Survivors include his sons, Richard II “Rich” (Allyson) Wells of Lake Bluff, IL, Darrin (Brenda) Wells of Reelsville, IN, and Kevin Wells of Avon, IN; grandchildren, Richard III “R.A.” (Katie) Wells, Shelby (Max) Lowe, Taylor (Daniel) Woehl, Trevor Wells, Michael Wells and Lillian Wells; great-grandchildren, Drea, Zane, Henry, Easton, Ava, Paul and Chloe.
Family and friends will gather Monday, November 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. in Soul Harvest Church, 14 Crosswinds Street, Cloverdale, IN 46120, where the Funeral Service will begin at 12 pm officiated by Pastor Matt Nichols.
Following the service, burial will take place in the Cloverdale Cemetery.
Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.
No longer standing formation, forever a member of the Long Gray Line.