Wade H. Batten

Wade H. Batten, age 87, of Evansville, IN, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Linda E. White Hospice House.

Wade was a realtor and property developer for many years, associated with his long-time friend, Don Lee. Wade’s business and community service was extensive. In addition to his real estate interest, he was involved in the health care industry serving as the Executive Director of the Chelsea House, Chicago’s first and the Midwest’s largest retirement hotel. Later, when asked by his longtime friend, John Dunn, he became Executive Director of the McCurdy Residential Center, then Director of Operations for the Kentucky division of the Medco Corporation’s 13 health care facilities; a member of the Corporate Executive Committee and Director of the American Convalescent Centers, Inc.

Early in his career, he was an Account Executive with the C. C. Wade Insurance Agency, owned by his uncle. He was Vice President and General Manager of the Tri-State Press Service and later Manager of the Corpsman Job Development and Placement, Corpsman Finance and Community Relations Departments of the Breckinridge Job Corps Center.

Wade loved baseball and was one of the youngest persons to sign a professional baseball umpire contract, at age 17. He umpired, professionally, in the Three-I League, Big State and the Western Leagues. He was selected as one of the umpires in the 1955 Babe Ruth World Series held in Austin, Texas and the 1955 Little Dixie Series between Corpus Christi of the Big State League and Pampa of the West Texas-New Mexico League. He also served as President of the Tri State Umpires Association, and a life member of the American Association of Professional Ball Players of America.

Wade was selected to appear in the 1965 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America and was appointed a Kentucky Colonel, by Governor Louis B. Nunn, on March 6, 1968. Wade was a past director of: the Indiana Jaycees, Central Methodist Church, Evansville’s Future, Connie Mack Baseball League, Evansville Zoological Society, Inc., Evansville Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Paul Bonham Senior Citizens Center and a member of Frank McDonald, Senior’s Mayor’s Traffic Safety Commission. He was past chairman of the Evansville School Safety Patrol Committee, and for the Independent Insurance Agent’s Association. He served on the Advisory Committee to the Dean of Students, Indiana University-Bloomington.

Wade was a past President of the Evansville Jaycees, Director of the United States Jaycees, President of the Hoosier Junior Chamber International Senate and President of the Evansville Jaycee Oldtimers. He served as President of the LaCharmant Homeowners Association for a number of years.

Wade was a member of the Indiana and Kentucky Nursing Home Associations, American Newspaper Guild AFL-CIO, Kentucky Press Association, Press Club of Evansville, Kentucky Broadcasters Association, Henderson-Audubon Chamber of Commerce, Blackford’s Grove, and Riverside and Goosetown Neighborhood Associations. He was also a member of the Tri-State Hot Stove Baseball League.

Wade was active in politics, serving as Chief of Staff to the Vanderburgh County Republican Chairman (one of his best friends) Bob Whitehouse. He was co-chairman of the Earl Heseman for Congress Committee and chairman for the campaign committee of Bob Whitehouse for Mayor. He also served on the professional campaign staffs for Rick McIntire for Congress and Dick Harris for Congress Committees.

Wade married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Donna Rae Schellhase. They sat next together in room 179, as freshmen, at Central High School and somehow knew they were for each other. They graduated in 1954, the 100th Anniversary of Central, and married November 3, 1956. Donna passed away, November 1, 2021, two days before their 65th Anniversary. Wade said they will be together, forever.

Wade is survived by, and blessed by his children, Nancy Roark of Elnora, IN, David (Patti) Batten, Diane (Ronnie Bunch) Buchta, each of Evansville and Mike (George Glass) Batten of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Amanda Eapmon, Scott (Ebany) Roark, McKenzie (David) Greenwood, Madison (Luke) Petrig, Taylor (Ethan Welch) Buchta and Luke (Lauren) Batten; and great grandchildren, Jalen McGuire, Niasia McGuire, Jordan Eapmon, Daisy Roark, Baron Roark, Eleanor Greenwood, Ezra Greenwood, Harold Batten, Marley Petrig and Penelope Greenwood.

Wade is preceded in death by his parents, Daniel David Batten and Mary Surprise Wade; wife, Donna; brothers, Charles Ray Kimmel and Alvin Joseph Shimek; grandson, Jacob Batten; and great grandson, Jaeden Eapmon

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to a favorite charity.

Boone Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Wade Batten. Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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