Rex Bechtel, 83, of Washington, Indiana, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at his residence. He was born on August 20, 1934 in Daviess County, Indiana to Edward and Fern (Bowers) Bechtel. He married his wife, Linda (Tooley) Bechtel on August 8, 1997.

Rex was a member of the Odd Fellows Odon Lodge. He graduated from Elnora High School in 1953 and went to work for Dearmin Farms. Starting in 1955, he operated and owned The Odon Vault Company for 44 years and retired in 1999. Rex also raised cattle and farmed with his son, Greg for most of his life.

Survivors include: his wife, Linda Bechtel, of Washington; sons, Kenneth 'Greg' (Deidre) Bechtel of Odon and Travis (Susan) Elliott of Washington: six daughters, Cynthia Asdell of Washington, Linda (Ronald) Woodruff of Plainville, Sheila (Larry) Maryfield of Washington, Janet (Robert) Price of Arvada, CO,  Lisa Throop of Indianapolis and Kristen (Jason) Nellis of Evansville: grandchildren, Robert Bryan (Jennifer) Woodruff, Kenneth 'Rob' (Amanda) Bechtel, Alisha Marie (Deven) Shake, Nicholas Carson Bechtel, Ashley Danielle Troutman, Collin Micheal Elliott, Katie  Renee Elliott, Breanna Paige Elliott, Kaydance Michelle Barnett and Jameson Allan Nellis; five great-grandchildren; brother, Ralph Bechtel of Plainville; seven sisters, Barbara Miller of Odon, Violet (Gene) Arthur of Bloomfield, Shirley (Jack) Hardy and Beverly Sue Taylor, both of Bloomington, Dot (Tom) Doyle of Washington, Wilma (Hal) Harp of Worthington and Alice (Gary) Witsman of Elnora; close friends: Harry Bechtel, Jim Streepy and David Coleman.

Rex was preceded in death by: his parents, Edward and Fern Bechtel; two sisters, Mary (Meb) Grove, Virginia (Toon) Hardy; grandson, Travis Kyle Woodruff and son-in-law, William David Asdell.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 AM on Friday, March 9, 2018 at Antioch Christian Church in Washington with Pastor Keith Meece officiating. Rex will be laid to rest in Walnut Hill Cemetery in Odon.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, March 8 and from 9:00 AM until time of service at 10:00 AM on Friday at the church.

The Bechtel family has entrusted all arrangements to James W. Meng, Jr. and Meng Family Funeral Home in Odon. Online condolences may be sent to www.mengfuneralhome.com.