Maurice Tackett

Maurice Edmund "Ed" Tackett, 87, a former resident of LaOtto, passed away at 11:45 a. m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at Miller's Merry Manor in Garrett following an extended illness. Mr. Tackett was born on November 14, 1925 in Wales, Kentucky, a son of Robert and Melli (Little) Tackitt, and spent his formative years there. As a young man he served with the U. S. Navy during World War II, and following his discharge moved to South Whitley.He attended Fort Wayne Business College, and spent most of his adult life in LaOtto. Employed at Coverall Rental in Fort Wayne for 35 years, he retired as a route salesman for them in 1987. He was a member of Avilla Lodge 460 F&AM, and the Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne. In 1979 he was married to Hilma L. Francis. She survives. Never did we, as his children, have to worry about where to lay our heads to sleep. Dad was a good provider and was always home at the end of the day. Our special thanks to Miller's Merry Manor in Garrett for their gentle and loving care that they provided our dad, who in Pat's (a nurse) own words was "the epitome of a gentleman." Also surviving are his children Arlen Tackett of Fort Wayne, Susan Tackett of Churubusco, Linda (Steen) Gronlund of Longmont, Co., and Veronica May of LaOtto; a step-daughter Connie (Bob) Codling of Fort Wayne; and two brothers Larry (Linda) Tackett of South Whitley and Danny (Mary) Tackett of Tampa, Fla. There are ten grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren, and two step-great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers Charles Tackett, Ben Tackitt, Quinton Tackitt, and Fred Tackitt; and by a step-son John Francis. Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. on Sunday, November 17, 2013, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Jason Tash, pastor of New Hope Wesleyan Church, officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home after 12 noon on Sunday until the time of the service. Interment with military graveside rites will be in the Swan Cemetery, north of LaOtto. ****************************************