Wilbur Gaff

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. e 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. . .