Linus Henry Martin Horcher, II
August 18, 1956 ~ April 2, 2022
Linus Henry Martin Horcher II, 65, of Indianapolis, passed away at Franciscan Health Indianapolis late in the evening of April 2nd, 2022. Linus was born on August 18th, 1956, in Champaign, Illinois to the late Linus and Alice (Leingang) Horcher. Linus graduated from Gibault High School, Waterloo, Illinois, in the class of 1974. He received his undergraduate degree in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois and his master’s degree in organic chemistry from the University of Nebraska.
On August 4th, 1979, Linus wed Marguerite “Meg” Horcher in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia, Illinois. The pair enjoyed 42 years of marriage together and had three daughters: Rachael, Amanda, and Laura. He and his wife have been active members of St. Barnabas Catholic Church for many years. Linus devoted much of his time, talent, and treasure to the music ministry at St. Barnabas. He directed the Adult Bell Choir for twenty-five years; he also devoted much of his time to the music program at St. Barnabas Catholic school, including the junior high musical and hand chime choir.
Linus’s love for music started at an early age. He played the organ at his local church in Columbia, Illinois, and continued to play piano and sing all his life. He spent thirty years working for Eli Lilly & Company in Indianapolis, starting his career as an organic chemist, and moving on to become the Head of Emergency Response. In his retirement, he volunteered as an emergency response planner for the American Red Cross and the Emergency Operations Center for the state of Indiana. He was an avid cyclist who rode 10+ miles daily right up to a few weeks prior to his passing. Every year, he gave away jars of jam and bottles of wine made from various fruit, including the blackberries cultivated in his garden. Linus was a loving husband, father, brother, and granduncle. He will be truly missed by all of those he leaves behind.
He is survived include his children, Rachael Horcher, Amanda Horcher, Laura (Aaron) Gottman; his sisters Ann-Marie Horcher, S. Madonna Horcher, and Mary Frances Horcher; his siblings-in-law Chris (Scot) Higginbotham and Dick (Gina Shimeall) Demick; his nieces Monica Martin and Kate-Alice Keckler; his grandniece Zelda Keckler and a host of extended family and friends.
Linus was preceded in death by his parents, Linus Horcher and Alice Horcher, and his brother-in-law, Don Martin.
The Life Celebration® Visitation for Linus will be held Wednesday, April 6, 2022, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM in the chapel at the O’Riley-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 South East Street, Indianapolis. The recitation of the rosary will begin at 7:30 PM Wednesday evening to conclude the visitation. Morning Prayers begin in the funeral home at 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Following morning prayers, Father John McCaslin and Father Guy Roberts will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at 11:00 AM in St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 8300 Rahke Road, Indianapolis. For those unable to attend, the Mass will be live-streamed here: https://vimeo.com/event/2000068. Following the Mass, a mercy meal will be held at St. Barnabas.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the American Red Cross at 1510 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, or the St. Barnabas Music Ministry, 8300 Rahke Road, Indianapolis, IN. 46217. Please visit www.ORileyBranson.com to leave an online condolence for the Horcher family.
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Linus Horcher, a big heart for games, a bigger heart for family. You will be missed my fellow gamer! May you enjoy the eternal adventure of heaven with Our Lord!
Linus was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. May his memory be an eternal blessing. My heart breaks for Meg and his entire family. You are in my prayers
When I think of Linus, I think of his devotion to his family and his faith. We at St. Barnabas will always associate him with his leadership of the St. Barnabas bell and chime choirs. He also was a leader of the high school youth music ministry at the old Sunday 5 pm Mass, of which my five kids participated. Our Lord blessed Linus with many gifts, which in turn Linus freely shared with the rest of us. Rest in peace my friend.
When I remember Linus, the first image that comes to mind is his child-like smile and child-like heart. His presence was always warm and his joy was contagious. I always felt even more at home whenever he shared his fun and random facts about anything and almost everything, it was like I was back home in California with my dad. It was those moments I knew that Linus made the best husband and father. I will always be grateful to have witnessed, even in a short amount of time, his undying love and devotion to God through the St. Barnabas Parish and School. Enjoy the Heavenly Banquet, my friend!
Linus was very popular on summer field studies. He tended to many injuries and sicknesses, caring for all the young people with love. I will always remember how, after completing a hike at the Grand Canyon, Linus was kind enough to grab more water at the top and take it back down to those hikers who didn’t bring enough with them and were really struggling. He was quite impressive and a hero to those dehydrated SFS hikers. Always serving others. Incredibly gifted. Thanking God for sharing Linus with all of us. We will miss you Linus and hope to join you in heaven one day.
Linus, you were the best friend a person could have. We sang together in the St. Barnabas Adult Choir for more years than I care to count. Your voice allowed you to switch from bass to tenor when the need arose. You always helped all of us fellow bass singers find the note on a give piece. I know you are probably singing and directing the bell choir in heaven as we speak. You sure made a lot of beautiful music here on earth. Linus always brought the best tasting pastries to our choir brunch that we had between the two Easter Masses. I’m not sure if he made them or if Meg did. Probably Meg. LOL Meg and girls, you are all in our prayers. Rest in peace my good friend. Ted and Carol Harpenau
In Loving Memory of Linus Horcher, We are all praying for Meg and the entire Horcher family. With caring thoughts,
Linus was very talented and extremely willing to share any and all talents. He has a wonderful family. I am so sorry for Meg and the girls. I really enjoyed my 20 years in the bells choir. I know he will be terribly missed. Love Mary Jo Lowe
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
I remember Linus so well from my lab days at Lilly and his coaching of our Ladies softball team And then again when my daughter went on the Summer Field Study. I no longer had to worry when I knew Linus would be there. My sympathy to Meg and daughters.
They don’t come any better than Linus. Spent some really nice moments with he, Meg and Laura on Summer Field Studies. He made the trip better just by being there. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
So blessed that Linus was Grant’s Godfather. We have so many great memories of our times together with Your family over the years. We are thinking of you during this difficult time. Sharrie Leingang and family ❤️
Linus will always be remembered as the ultimate ERT planner and first responder. It was a pleasure to work with him at Lilly on the ERT team and to be able to call him a friend. I went to many trainings with him one of the best was at Findley Ohio. God Bless your family and may you rest in peace.
With deepest condolences, you are in our hearts and thoughts. May you be surrounded by love.
Linus was a joy to work with whatever his role at the time. Over they years I worked with him on various subjects and particularly through his emergency response work at Eli Lilly. He was always a great professional while also keeping a good sense of humor. My condolences to his family.
Gosh so sorry Meg, deepest sympathy to you and the girls. Linus was the epitome of true Stewardship. His countless hours performing, teaching, and practicing is a true testimonial of his character. We’ll all miss him. Love you guys, Tom and Joanie
Meg, Rachael, Amanda and Laura- I don’t know where to begin. There are so many memories starting with Rachael, then Amanda and finishing with Laura. Jamaica trips, Gatlinburg trips, band contests and concerts. Linus’s devotion to his family and his support of the music programs at St. Barnabas and Roncalli were and are greatly appreciated. He certainly made a difference in my life. I regret that I did not get the chance to talk to him recently. His kindness, his enthusiasm for bell choirs and all things music will never be forgotten. I hope that I will have the chance to see you in heaven Linus. You always had my greatest respect. Rest well my friend. Love you.
I worked closely with Linus at Lilly. We were neighbors and he gave me rides to work when it snowed. His daughter was a close friend of my Maddie (RHS 2008). My sympathies go out to Meg and the girls! Tom Eckrich
I so enjoyed hearing students at St. Barnabas playing the bells. Linus was a dedicated teacher to those children. Thank you Linus for sharing your talent with them and us. Rest in peace. Condolences to your family. Judy Harkness
I hated to hear that you have passed on to glory, but blessed to have worked close with you at Eli Lilly security department. Your knowledge, experience, and kindness made working a lot easier. You will be missed, remembered, an treasured many. God bless and rest easy! Kelvin Bush (Lilly co-worker)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I’m truly sorry to hear this news. I worked with Linus at Lilly. He always had a positive disposition and I will miss him. At church, I could see his servant’s heart, always helping in any way he could with anything music related. He was interesting , caring and charismatic in his own sweet way. My sincere condolences to the family. God Bless, Michele Cline
I did not work directly with Linus at Eli Lilly & Company, but I know Lilly’s Emergency Response Team was credited to Linus and his leadership. I also had the pleasure of learning to play bells from Linus at a Christ Renews His Parish Outreach at Holy Spirit. That was the only time I recall a CRHP Outreach Team had performed music. We are all grateful for Linus’s stewardship. Our deepest condolences to Meg and family.
I didn’t know him well, but always admired him and his dedication to sharing his music talent with the children at St. Barnabas. Bob and I send our sympathy to his family. We know he went straight into the arms of God. God bless all of you.
Horcher Family, Our love and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Remembering you and Linus Horcher, II in our minds and in our hearts.
A short video of Linus at St.
He was an iconic part of the Summer Field Study staff. His presence was felt by everyone who was near him because his heart was massive and golden. He made every day I was with him better than it should have been.
I’m not sure I’ve ever met such a kind hearted person who never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He was truly one of a kind, and taught me everything I know about emergency response. I could only ever hope to fill a tiny bit of the gap he left when he retired. His mark on emergency response and preparedness is indelible and a credit to his massive intellect and passion. Every day I’m reminded of something Linus has done, whether it be a document or a fond story. I offer my most sincere condolences to his wife and daughters, and his church family. I know he treasured you all so much.
Meg, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
So sorry to hear about the loss of Linus. Definitely gone too soon. He was my instructor on the Lilly EMS Team. He was a Gentleman and a Gentle man. My sincere heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. He will be terribly missed.
We are so sorry for the loss of a great man. For many years Linus was involved with Christ Renews His Parish training weekends helping teach the program to parishes wanting to start the retreat weekend at their parish. Every time I would get a call from a new parish wanting to start, my first call was to Linus for his expertise in filling the weekend with glorious music and singing for the men attending. He was so talented he could even teach a bunch of men how to sing, it was amazing. Thank you so much my friend, you will be missed by all the men you have touch through the years. Now, when we sing, we will be thinking of you.
My uncle always shared his passion. I remember when I bought my first house, he and his daughter (my cousin) bought us a playset for my daughter. And then he came up and built it with my husband. After mentioning how much I loved his fruit trees and wanted to get into gardening, he funded my first tree purchase. He is truly beloved and missed. With love, Kate-Alice
We are so sorry to hear this news about Linus! Our family was involved in many of the music programs at Saint Barnabas which included the hand chimes taught by Linus. He was a very kind and positive man who enjoyed sharing his love of music with everyone. May he rest in peace!
My sincere condolences to the family of Linus. Although I’m a few years older than him I have fond memories of him and his entire family growing up in Columbia and attending both Immaculate Conception grade school and Gibault High School with him. God bless you all during this difficult time.