Dexter and Barbara Fravel can often be seen at Mill Race Center. Barbara is the back-up leader of Body Motion exercise group, and a volunteer at the Reception Desk. Dexter is a monthly caller for Bingo. The couple play cards and enjoy lunches at Mill Race Center, as well as participating in some of the van trips.

Barbara and Dexter met in 1990 at the Columbus Christian Singles Club. A year later they married. The club is still part of their lives, although the name is now somewhat misleading. Most of those in the original group are now married.

Dexter was born in Vincennes, Indiana and spent part of his early years in Alabama until his family moved to Princeton, Indiana. In 1962 he graduated from Oakland City University with a BSE degree in Education. For the next seven years he taught English and History at Triton Central (Fairland) and also in Orleans, Indiana. At a teachers starting salary of only $1,500 per year and increases of $500 each year, Dexter faced the reality of it not being enough to support a growing family. He moved into retail sales.
In the early 70’s Dexter worked for an airline company at the Indianapolis airport. In 1971 he began working for Roadway Express and was transferred to Columbus in 1980 and fell in love with the city of Columbus, retiring from Roadway Express in 1992.

Barbara is a native of Bartholomew County. She attended Taylorsville Grade School and Columbus High School. From high school she went into the cosmetology field, but soon found her real passion was retail sales. She retired from Wal-Mart after 21 years. Their
4 children, 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren are scattered around the country from Georgia to Columbus and Alaska.

With all of their activities, Barbara still manages to find time to be a Book Buddy, a member of the Lucky Ace Euchre Club, a
group who have managed to stay together for 52 years. Dexter is an avid collector of baseball cards and a NASCAR fan.

They both became involved with Mill Race Center as a couple when the need for volunteers increased with the opening of the new facility. It was a challenge, and as with others they became more involved and found it very exciting to meet new people and proud to conduct tours of the new building to visitors.

The Fravels really know how to enjoy life and include Mill Race Center and volunteering a part of their daily routine. Both state they are willing to volunteer wherever needed.