COLUMBIA CITY - Robert Eugene Fahl, 83, Columbia City, passed away at 11:42 p.m. June 27, 2010, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.
He was born Feb. 17, 1927, in Dora, Wabash County, to George A. and Opal Snyder Fahl. On Oct. 9, 1976, in Atwood, he married Marilyn Creighton, who survives.
He graduated with the class of 1945 from Columbia City High School where he received the JAA Leadership Award and also the Columbia City High School honor blanket in 1945. He completed his education earning a bachelor of arts degree in English from Wabash College in 1950. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from June 29, 1945, through Nov. 24, 1946. A former sports writer for the Columbia City Post & Mail, he was also a former co-owner of Fahl-Kiester Insurance Agency. In 1968, he purchased and co-owned Westhaven Estates Mobile Home Park and Sales and Fahl Mobile Homes with his brother Russell until 1982.
A former resident of Hoffman Lake from 1976 to 1987, he and his wife owned and operated the Fork'd Ash Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred Horse Farm, Kosciusko County, until 2003 when they moved to Columbia City. He attended Otterbein United Methodist Church in Atwood. His memberships included the American Quarter Horse Association and Columbia City Rotary.
Also surviving are two sons, Robert S. (and spouse Roseann) Fahl, Roanoke, and Gregory (and spouse Ann) Fahl, Columbia City; stepdaughters, Lori (and spouse John) VerKamp, Jasper, and Jennifer (and spouse Jeff) Schlegel, Fort Wayne; a stepson, Brett (and Bonnie) Hoffer, Fort Wayne; four sisters: Bonnie Merriman, Fort Wayne; Shirley Fahl, Jacksonville, Ala.; Norma Sontendahl, Austin, Texas; Sandra (and spouse Rick) Rarick, Columbia City; a brother, Russell (and spouse Evelyn) Fahl, Warsaw; 13 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Jon Fahl; three brothers, Tom, Richard and Clarence "Fritz" Fahl; two sisters, Charlotte Fahl-McClain and Mary Fahl-Bourne; an infant brother and sister; and a stepson, John Hoffer.
Services will be at 11 a.m. July 10 at Otterbein United Methodist Church, 306 E. Main St., Atwood. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. July 10 at South Park Cemetery, Columbia City.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. July 9 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, and one hour prior to the service at the church.
*****
Memorials to Otterbein United Methodist Church or Whitley County 4-H. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
