Glenn Franklin Pfleiderer, of Winona Lake, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, at his home, at the age of 88.
He was born on Oct. 22, 1936, to Irma Smith and Vern Pfleiderer in Tiffin, Ohio, where he spent his childhood and graduated from Columbian High School. He earned his mechanical engineering degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Glenn enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1962. After completion of Navy OCS training, he was commissioned as a naval civilian battalion officer. During this time, Glenn developed an interest and deep appreciation for ships and naval history. He proudly served until his honorable discharge in 1965 as a lieutenant.
On Aug. 7, 1965, he married Velma Myers in Huntsdale, Pa., and they were blessed with 59 years of marriage.
Glenn had a fulfilling career as a mechanical design engineer beginning with Westinghouse and retiring from OEC-Diasonics in Warsaw in 2000.
He was a voracious reader who loved history and traveling. Together, Glenn and Velma took advantage of every opportunity to travel throughout the United States and the world. Outdoor activities and gardening were his passion, he was actively engaged in the Master Gardener programs and was devoted to nature conservation efforts in the county.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Velma Pfleiderer, of Winona Lake; daughters, Karen Pfleiderer and her husband Joseph Yanez, of Wilmette, Ill.; Kathy Pfleiderer and her husband John Ironmonger, of Morrison, Colo.; six grandchildren, Addison and Hayden Yanez, of Wilmette; Ellyce, Chloe, Ben and Abbie of Perth, Australia; and his sister, Lorilee Gilbert and Jim Gillis, of Fremont, Ohio.
Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, has been entrusted with the care and services for Glenn. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the funeral home, followed by the memorial service. Pastor Aaron Klein of the Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church will be officiating the service at 3 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth. Military rites will be conducted following the service by members of the American Legion Post #49 and V.F.W. #1126, both of Warsaw, and active-duty members of the Navy Honor Guard. Glenn will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial donations may be directed to Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Inc., 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580. Please include “Kosciusko Soil and Water Conservation District” in the memo line.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.