Maurice Smiley Fordice, 94, of Russellville passed away Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Hendricks Regional Hospital.
Maurice was born Jan. 1, 1932, in Russellville, to the late Rudolph G. Fordice and Mary Ann (Smiley) Fordice. He graduated from Russellville High School with the Class of 1949 and later attended Purdue University. He served in the Army National Guard during the Korean Conflict.
On June 24, 1951, Maurice married Darlene Ruth Jackson. They shared 64 years of marriage prior to her passing. Maurice was a member of the Russellville Community Church, where he served in many capacities throughout the years.
Maurice was a 10-year 4-H member, raising and showing Shropshire sheep and Duroc hogs. Later, he served as a 4-H leader for the Russellville Club. He was a lifelong farmer who farmed alongside three of his sons and was known as a good steward of the land. Maurice was also a lifelong Republican and faithfully served his community as Russell Township Trustee, a member of the Advisory Board, and Russell Township Precinct Committeeman for many years.
After retiring from farming, Maurice and Darlene spent winters in Arizona with their daughter and her family. Together they traveled to 49 states. Maurice enjoyed flea markets, auctions of all kinds, and collecting antiques, especially farm equipment.
Maurice began making maple syrup on his farm in 1958 and later moved the sugar camp in 1965 to his brother Carroll’s farm, where it operated until 1980. He later worked with his uncles Fred and Virgil Smiley at their Parke County sugar camp.
Survivors include: his children, Judy (Mitch) Proctor, Jeff (Lou) Fordice, Dennis (Teresa) Fordice, Mark (Sandra) Fordice, Jan (Keith) Jeffries and Marty (Diane) Fordice; son-in-law Kim Bushong; 18 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; several nieces and nephews; and his brother, Richard Fordice.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Darlene Ruth Fordice; his daughter, Donna Kay Fordice Bushong; his sisters, Betty Jane Fordice Rice, Carolyn Sue Fordice and Nancy Lou Fordice Harbison; and his brother, Jacob Carroll Fordice.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 28 at the Russellville Community Church, 103 Third St., Russellville, with Pastor Kelly Nichols officiating. Burial will follow in Russellville Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27 also at the church. There will also be an hour visitation prior to the service on Thursday starting at 10 a.m. Servies Funeral and Cremation Services, Waveland, has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.
You are invited to visit www.serviesmorgan.com where you may leave online condolences or share a memory with the family.
