Herbert A. Abbott, Jr.

Herbert A. Abbott Jr., 79, Carmel, passed away January 23, 2017. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Herbert A. Abbott Sr. and Mary L. (Hickman) Abbott.

He was a graduate of Indiana State University with a B.S. degree in Business and Finance. After graduation from Indiana State he served in the United States Air Force. After the Air Force, Herb joined the J.C. Penney Company in 1963, and served the Company in various financial management positions in Regional Accounting offices in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Chicago. Next came a twenty year tenure with L.S. Ayres & Co., a subsidiary of Associated Dry Goods, which he joined in 1967. Herb was promoted through various Operational and Financial positions until reaching the position of Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Office of L.S. Ayres & Co. In 1987, he left L.S. Ayres and joined Sycamore Stores as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He retired from Sycamore Stores in 1996. He was a Retail consultant from 1996 to 2003.

Herb was actively involved in community affairs and the promotion of Indianapolis Downtown. He served on various organizational boards including Treasurer of Indiana Retail Council, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Indianapolis Merchants Association, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Indiana Repertory Theater, and the Ohio Retail Council.

He served as past President of Golden Circle Sertoma Club. He was a member of the United Way Allocation Committee, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Board of Associates, Kiwanis Club, Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Society, Indianapolis Public School Project Business, and the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.

Herb enjoyed his years as a member of Woodland Country Club. He was also Treasurer of The Woodland Christmas Club for Needy Children, which provided food and clothing to the needy children and their families in Hamilton County during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. He was proud of the effort and results that the volunteers achieved every year to help the hundreds of children have a memorable holiday season.

Herb is survived by his wife, Michele A. (Brewer) Abbott. Also surviving are his daughter, Michele L. Barrett; son, Andrew J. (Susan) Abbott; three granddaughters, Rachel Barrett, Anna Barrett, and Megan Abbott; grandson, Cole Abbott; brother, Royce (Charla) Abbott; sister, Karen Longere; brother-in-law, Steve Dieringer; three nieces, Rea Roghair, Karissa Faulkner, Tara Kelley; and a nephew, Trever Abbott. Herb was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald G. Abbott; and a sister, Denise Dieringer.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2017, at Flanner and Buchanan – Carmel, 325 East Carmel Drive. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2017 at the chapel at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, 9001 Haverstick Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic church or to Woodland Christmas Club for Needy Children. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.