Justin Todd Hurd, 32, of rural Wingate and native of the Newtown/Mellott communities passed away from injuries sustained when his motorcycle was struck by a school bus on State Road 28 in Tippecanoe County, Friday afternoon May 15, 2026.
Justin was born June 15, 1993, in Lafayette, to Joey Hurd and Amy Crane Hockenbury, who both survive.
Justin was a 2012 graduate of Fountain Central High School and when he turned 18 during his senior year, he joined the Mellott Fire Department. He has been an active, proud member since joining and served as Fire Chief for several years. He is also a member of Coal Creek Fire & Rescue of Wingate/New Richmond. When the ‘tones went off’, he was often the first to arrive at the station. Justin earned his Advanced EMT qualifications and has been a full-time member of the Fountain County EMS Department the past six years. He previously was employed with Ceres Solutions and ARCONIC in Lafayette.
Justin was a member of the Sterling Christan Church and his faith was important to him. He was a community and family minded person … he served as coach of his children’s baseball team, seldom missed his kid’s activities or family gatherings. He had a kind, compassionate, helpful spirit, always assisting with activities in the community. He was quiet by nature, a good listener and a great friend. He enjoyed deer and coon hunting, fishing and helping Dillon Cunningham farm.
Surviving family members include: mother Amy Crane (Travis) Hockenbury of Attica; father Joey (Rebecca) Hurd of Newtown; his three children, Kip, Kori and Kodi Hurd; sister Mackenzie (Sam) Woodrow of Veedersburg; two brothers, Landon (Eden) Hurd of Veedersburg and Colbie Hockenbury of Attica; and his girlfriend, Rae-Ann Bushong, and her daughter, Tinsley of Mulberry. He was called “Uncle Bub” by Kash, Finlee and Gus Woodrow. Also surviving are his grandparents, Guy and Karen Hurd of Mellott and Larry and Shelley Crane of Williamsport; aunt/uncle Gary and Jackie Dulin of Waynetown and their children, Ethan and Breanna Dulin.
He was preceded in death by grandmother Jamie Crane.
Visitation hours are 4-8 p.m. Thursday, May 21 at the Sterling Chrisitan Church, Veedersburg. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23 at Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate, with Pastor Jason Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, Hillsboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in memory of Justin to the Justin Hurd Children account at Fountain Trust Bank.
Visit us online to sign the guest book or share a condolence at www.familyandfriendsfh.com.
