Phil L. Glassley

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

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Phil L. Glassley, 93, of Columbia City, and formerly of South Whitley,  passed away March 15, 2013, in The Oaks, Columbia City.
He was born Aug. 23, 1919, in South Whitley, to Russell and Winifred Shriver Glassley. On July 4, 1939, he married Eulah Mae Hornaday, who died April 19, 1973. On Oct. 13, 1973, he married Peggy L. Rex, who died Dec. 2, 2012.  
He graduated from South Whitley High School in 1937. He and Peggy lived in South Whitley until 1980 when they moved to Tri-Lakes. In 1998 they moved to their present home in Columbia City.  
He was a telegraph operator and freight agent for the Wabash Railroad from 1940-44, when he entered the U.S. Navy. He served in the U.S. Navy as a crew chief on DC 3 airplanes in UR3 squadron from 1944-46.  After leaving the railroad he learned the trade of glass bender. In 1948 he started the South Whitley Neon Sign Co. In 1950 he sold the sign company and bought the Blue Grill Restaurant. In 1952 he sold the restaurant and entered the insurance business, Glassley Insurance Agency. He retired from insurance after more than 30 years.
He was a member of Columbia City United Methodist Church; past member of the South Whitley-Cleveland Township Fire Dept. for 28 years, serving as fire chief for 10 years; Masonic Lodge 32nd Degree; and served on many other organizations throughout his life.
He loved the lake and every 4th of July he skied around the lake holding a full-size American flag, the last time at 75.
Surviving are a daughter, Margo (and spouse Greg) Goss, South Whitley; a son, Mark L. Glassley, Fort Wayne; step-children: Rebecca Vaughn, Indianapolis; Kathy (and spouse David) Reeg, Charleston, S.C.; and David (and souse Sandy) Rex, Kettering, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He also was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, E. Max Glassley; an infant brother; an infant daughter, Marna Lynn Glassley; an infant grandson, Craig Allen Glassley; and great-grandson, Brock Robert Shilling.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, officiated by the Rev. Kent Lundy. Burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
*****
Memorials may be given to the Columbia City United Methodist Church Building Fund or South Whitley-Cleveland Township Fire Dept.
Condolences may be sent via www.demoneygrimes.com[[In-content Ad]]

Phil L. Glassley, 93, of Columbia City, and formerly of South Whitley,  passed away March 15, 2013, in The Oaks, Columbia City.
He was born Aug. 23, 1919, in South Whitley, to Russell and Winifred Shriver Glassley. On July 4, 1939, he married Eulah Mae Hornaday, who died April 19, 1973. On Oct. 13, 1973, he married Peggy L. Rex, who died Dec. 2, 2012.  
He graduated from South Whitley High School in 1937. He and Peggy lived in South Whitley until 1980 when they moved to Tri-Lakes. In 1998 they moved to their present home in Columbia City.  
He was a telegraph operator and freight agent for the Wabash Railroad from 1940-44, when he entered the U.S. Navy. He served in the U.S. Navy as a crew chief on DC 3 airplanes in UR3 squadron from 1944-46.  After leaving the railroad he learned the trade of glass bender. In 1948 he started the South Whitley Neon Sign Co. In 1950 he sold the sign company and bought the Blue Grill Restaurant. In 1952 he sold the restaurant and entered the insurance business, Glassley Insurance Agency. He retired from insurance after more than 30 years.
He was a member of Columbia City United Methodist Church; past member of the South Whitley-Cleveland Township Fire Dept. for 28 years, serving as fire chief for 10 years; Masonic Lodge 32nd Degree; and served on many other organizations throughout his life.
He loved the lake and every 4th of July he skied around the lake holding a full-size American flag, the last time at 75.
Surviving are a daughter, Margo (and spouse Greg) Goss, South Whitley; a son, Mark L. Glassley, Fort Wayne; step-children: Rebecca Vaughn, Indianapolis; Kathy (and spouse David) Reeg, Charleston, S.C.; and David (and souse Sandy) Rex, Kettering, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He also was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, E. Max Glassley; an infant brother; an infant daughter, Marna Lynn Glassley; an infant grandson, Craig Allen Glassley; and great-grandson, Brock Robert Shilling.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, officiated by the Rev. Kent Lundy. Burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
*****
Memorials may be given to the Columbia City United Methodist Church Building Fund or South Whitley-Cleveland Township Fire Dept.
Condolences may be sent via www.demoneygrimes.com[[In-content Ad]]
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