Orchard Co-Owner Remembered For ‘Unceasing Work Ethic’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowFinal arrangements are set for the co-owner of a well-known destination for central Indiana families. Tom Roney, who served as apple production manager at Tuttle Orchards in Greenfield, died Tuesday. The Hancock County business says Roney has been instrumental since the 1970s in developing the orchard. Roney was 70.
A message on the Tuttle Orchard website says:
Tom was a quiet man (except when you asked him how to grow an apple tree then he could talk for hours). Many visitors may never have met him, but he was always here doing the little and big necessary behind the scenes tasks that kept the orchard running. He led with quiet humility…often on the busiest days in October he’d be helping to empty trash cans, yet he was well respected for his knowledge of apple production throughout the state. He is the man behind why we have some of the best apple cider in Indiana, and had an unceasing work ethic. From him we learned the joy of growing things even when it meant persevering at what needed to be done each day over the long haul. Tom also volunteered throughout Hancock County in so many capacities that we are still discovering them all. He was also a cheerleader for his seven nieces and nephews to whom he is affectionately know as Uncle Tom.
A viewing is set for Monday from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Stillinger Family Funeral Home in Greenfield and Roney’s funeral will be Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Tuttle Orchards says "Tom’s presence will be greatly missed, but as a family and staff we feel he has prepared us well to continue with the work of the orchard… something we are very grateful for. It is fitting that we are honoring his life in the week when the apple trees are in spring bloom at the orchard… for us symbolizing that the hope of another season can be born from the solid foundation of trees that Tom has planted."