Plane crash victims known for good works in Hamilton County
A private plane crash in Florida claimed the lives of two Hamilton County married couples widely known for their religious faith, civic engagement and business acumen.
The accident in the Gulf of Mexico near Venice killed William Lumpkin, 64, and Patricia Lumpkin, 68, of Fishers; and Ricky Beaver, 60, and Elizabeth Beaver, 57, of Noblesville, according to the Venice Police Department.
About the Venice plane crash victims
Ricky Beaver comes from a family with life-time ties in Noblesville’s business and political community. He owns Beaver Construction in Noblesville and is the cousin of Chris Beaver, owner of Beaver Materials in Noblesville.
Their cousin is Brad Beaver, a Hamilton County councilor, and Ricky Beaver’s sister is married to the son of longtime former Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear.
Elizabeth Beaver is the owner of Indiana Elite All-Star Cheer & Dance in Noblesville.
“The Beavers are prominent figures in our community and this is going to hit hard for a lot of people,” said Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbandt, who has known them for 30 years, when he sold the couple a house.
Chris Beaver said Rick and Elizabeth graduated from Noblesville High in 1982 and 1983, respectively. He and Rick grew up together and both entered the family business in the materials business, with Rick spinning off to start his own construction company.
The couple, along with Elizabeth Lumpkin, were active members of the Great Banquet, a Christian religious leadership program that ministered in jails and elsewhere.
“Rick was a very good person, a hard worker a man of faith, and a family man” said Ditslear, whose son, Dr. John Ditslear III, married Janice Ditslear.
He said his daughter-in-law attended the Elite cheerleading academy and went on to cheer at Indiana University.
County Commission Steve Dillinger said the Beavers had made contributions through the years to athletic programs and cultural and civic institutions.
“It’s a great big family that has done a lot of critical work for the community,” he said.
William Lumpkin, a pilot, worked at Raytheon Technologies in Indianapolis in the Intelligence and Space division.
According to his Linked-in page, “Jeff” Lumpkin managed a team of 171 managers, quality engineers and system Inspectors.
Patricia Lumpkin was a realtor working out of a Broad Ripple office who was dedicated to her faith and the Great Banquet retreats, said Brad Baxter, 57, a colleague who described her as a “dear friend.”
“A wonderful person, a joy, prayerful and determined,” he said. "She was outgoing and friendly, active and loved her grandchildren.”
She was also a dedicated realtor and good at her job because, Baxter said, “she loved helping people and she cared about them.”
“I have no question that she is celebrating now now because she always knows where she is going.”
Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at (317) 444-6418. Follow on Twitter andFacebook.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What we know about 2 Hamilton County couples killed in Fla. plane crash
