Sheets and Childs Funeral Home

Wilbur W. Gaff, 85, a resident of Churubusco, died at 7:35 p. m. on Friday, April 11, 2008, at The Oaks in Columbia City. He had been in declining health for some time, and had entered the nursing home on January 31.

Mr. Gaff was born on January 20, 1923 in Smith Township, a son of Harry H. and Viva (Pippenger) Gaff, and spent his formative years on the family farm on U. S. 33 north of Churubusco. He graduated from Churubusco High School in 1941 and attended Indiana Business College. On July 3, 1943 he was married in Columbia City to Naomi Nelson, and spent his adult life in the Churubusco-area.

He was employed as a tool and die maker at Dana Corporation in Fort Wayne, retiring from there in 1980 after 34 years.

He was past president of the Churubusco Town Council, and in his leisure time enjoyed fishing, hunting squirrels, bowling, playing cards, and watching his family’s sporting activities.

The surviving relatives include the widow Naomi; five daughters Marsha (Robert) Hoffman and Marna (Jerry) Hinen, both of Columbia City, Annabeth (Joe) Skinner and Bonnie (Mike) Lambert, both of Churubusco, and Debra D. Gaff of Indianapolis; a son Brent A. (Shelly) Gaff of Albion; a sister Marilyn (Harold) Hull of South Whitley; three brothers Tony L. (Louise) Gaff of Larwill, Garland Link of Waterloo, and Everett (Sheryl) Link of Phoenix, Ariz; a sister-in-law Deloris M. Gaff of Churubusco; 18 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Herman L. Gaff; and by a sister Bonnie Link.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Wednesday, April 16, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco, with Pastor Samuel J. Norris, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary from 4 to 8 p. m on Tuesday.  

Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.

The family requests memorials be directed to Churubusco Church of the Nazarene, 1000 W. Whitley St., Churubusco, IN 46723, or the Humane Society of Whitley County, P. O. Box 245, Columbia City, IN 46725

************************************

To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Gaff’s memory, please click on “Condolences” below. . .

Helen A. Surface, age 86, a former resident of North Main Street in Churubusco, died Friday evening April 11, 2008 in the Millers Merry Manor in Columbia City. S he had been a resident there for about two years.

Mrs. Surface was born May 10, 1921 in Kendallville, a daughter of the late Sherman and Mary (Dice) Crawford. As a young girl she moved with her family to the Arcola area, and later to a farm in Eel River Twp. She graduated from Huntertown High School with the class of 1940, and was married in Fort Wayne on December 19, 1942 to DeVere Q. Surface. Mr. Surface died May 31, 1971. Helen and DeVere had lived a short time in Fort Wayne before moving to Churubusco. Mrs. Surface had worked as a young woman at the General Electric Co. and then for U.S. Rubber both in Fort Wayne, and retired in 1985 as an inspector for the Dana Corp. in Churubusco with 21 years of faithful service.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law Patty J. Surface of Churubusco; her granddaughter Della (Tony) Thompson of Auburn; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son James E. Surface on May 29, 1995; and two brothers Robert and Allen Crawford.

The funeral services will be held Thursday April 17, 2008 at 10:00 a. m. at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco, Indiana with Pastor Craig Alan Myers, pastor of Blue River Church of the Brethren, officiating. Burial will follow in the Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne. The family will receive friends on Wednesday April 16, 2008 from 3:00 until 6:00 P.M. in the funeral home.

************************************

To leave a condolence for the family of Helen, please click on “condolences” below.