Virginia M. (Dike) Hurt

Virginia Marguariete Dike, age 106, of Newburgh, IN, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Bell Oaks Place.

Virginia saw and experienced many things over the past 106 years, but the things that are most meaningful to her were her church, family, and friends.

Virginia was born in Gibson County, IN, on March 17th, 1919, to Clyde C. and Fern Lucas Dike. She grew up in the country with her sister, Lois, and had a wonderful childhood. Virginia graduated from Owensville High School in 1937 and then went on to Wabash Brown Business School in Terre Haute, IN. Her first job was working in the Treasurer's Office in Princeton, IN.

On December 31st, 1940, Virginia married Richey B. Sumner and lived in Princeton, IN, until WWII started and Richey was called to service. He was an officer in the Army from 1942 to 1946. She finished her employment with the Treasurer's Office and then traveled with him through several southern states. They went on to Lehigh University in Allentown, PA, where he was an instructor. While there, a son, Phillip Benson Sumner, was born on March 15th, 1944. Tragically, he was ill most of his life with Periarteritis Nodosa and later died at the age of seven years on August 4th,1951.

Richey was sent to France for one year and, after serving four years in the Army, returned to Indiana. They were ready to live as a family again.

They moved to Evansville, IN, and joined Central Methodist Church as active members. In 1948, her daughter, Susan, was born, followed by her son, Scott, in 1951. Their church was very important to them. Their minister saw the need for a young couple’s class, and they were asked to be leaders of the 4'Cers class, which continues to this day.

Richey worked for Mead Johnson and was very active in the community. They were transferred to Redwood City, CA, but returned to Indiana after one year. Unfortunately, Richey developed cancer and died at the age of 40 on May 24, 1959.

With two young children, Virginia needed to find employment and found a job at Sears in the credit/auditing departments. She began her job at Sears in 1963 and retired 20 years later in 1983, when another chapter in her life began.

After retiring, Winston Hurt, a friend from church and from Owensville, IN, entered her life. They were married on November 26th, 1983, and had 4 wonderful years together. Winston died from cancer on November 10, 1987, at the age of 69.

Virginia continued living in her house on Monroe Ave for 31 years, and in January of 2014, she moved to the Carousel Apartments. It was the perfect place for Virginia at this time of her life.

She is survived by daughter, Susan Eidson (David); son, G Scott Sumner(Joan); step daughter-in-law, Julie Hurt, Richard Hurt (Sharon), Kevin Hurt (Lori); grandchildren, Erica Deters (Charles), Jessica Pillion (Jed), Benjamin Sumner, Corrie Johnson (Jamie), George Sumner (Lauren), Curt Sumner, deceased,(Tiffany), David Collett (Heike), Stephen Collett (Laura), Pam Hurt, Christine Lewis (Ray), Jeff Hurt (Jolene),  Jason Hurt (Michelle), Emily Mariotti (Paul), Stephen Hurt ( Savannah), Mark Hurt (Laura); nephew, Brian Washburn,(Kris), and many great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband’s Richey B. Sumner, and Winston M. Hurt, her son Philip B. Sumner, her sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Bernard Washburn of Cincinnati, Ohio, and her stepson, Reverend Michael Hurt of Frisco, Texas.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN, with Pastor Dewey Miller officiating. Burial will be at Benson Cemetery in Owensville, IN.

Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until service time, Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel.

A Live Stream will be available beginning twenty minutes before the service time. Please visit www.boonefuneralhome.net, select Virginia's obituary, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click View Video/Live Stream.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Endowment Fund, Central United Methodist Church, 300 Mary Street, Evansville, IN. Envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.

Boone Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Virginia M. Dike. Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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