Maurice Nugent

Maurice William "Reece" Nugent, age 91, of Vincennes, Indiana, passed away September 7, 2013, at his residence.Maurice was born December 14, 1921, on the family farm in Palmyra Township, Knox County, Indiana. His parents were Royal W. Nugent and Carrie (Mathias) Nugent. He married Anne Elizabeth (Schoonover) Nugent on February 12, 1945, and she survives him.He graduated from Fritchton, Indiana, High School in 1939. He played varsity basketball for the Fritchton Eagles. He attended Vincennes University and Purdue University. During World War II, he served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. Upon discharge from the service, he re-joined the family business, Nugent Dairy Farms, which was founded by his father in 1921. Maurice eventually took over management of the business and oversaw its acquisitions of Sullivan Dairy, Home Dairy of Loogootee, French Lick Springs Dairy and McGiffen Dairy. He served as a director of the Indiana Dairy Association.After selling the dairy business to Prairie Farms, he was a real estate developer owning Alice Manor Realty Corporation and other properties. He was a founding director of Wabash Valley Bank which was eventually acquired by Fifth Third Bank. Throughout most of his life and until death, he was involved in farming ventures with his childhood friend, Sam Downen, and later, Sam's sons, Royal and Tony Downen. One of his greatest pleasures was going to the farm with his grandchildren and evaluating the crops. He would have been happy there was gentle rain on the night of his death.Maurice was a Past Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge 291 of Vincennes and a member of American Legion Post 73. He was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Vincennes. He was an avid duplicate bridge player and achieved the status of Life Master and Club Director, playing and directing until his death.He was a devoted and caring husband, father and grandfather who was deeply loved by his family.In addition to Anne, his wife of over 68 years, he is survived by a sister, Penny (Mildred) Ledlie, of Carmel, Indiana; a son, Bruce Nugent, M.D., of Indianapolis, Indiana; a daughter, Cindy Allega and her husband, Jerry, of Evansville, Indiana; his grandchildren, Kate Nugent, M.D., Matt Nugent, Rob Allega and Jim Allega and many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Nugent, M.D., and beloved sisters-in-law, Martha Jane James Jensen, Mildred Risch, Helen Davis and brother-in-law, James Schoonover.Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., EDT, Friday, September 13, 2013, at Goodwin Funeral Home in Vincennes. Visitation is from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Young Women's Christian Association of Evansville, 118 Vine Street, Evansville, IN 47708, Higher Bound, 300 North 5th Street, Vincennes, IN 47591, or any other charity.