Dale D. Barkey

Statements such as: If I had any money, I’d sit home and guard it, woe is me, nobody suffers more than me, and Bah Humbug are just a few ways to describe Dale Barkey.  A few historical events which occurred in 1932 were Ford Motor Corp. produced the Model Y automobile, the first parking meter was developed, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and on June 28, 1932 Floyd and Dolly (Wagner) Barkey welcomed the birth of Dale D. Barkey in St. Joe, Indiana.

As a child Dale enjoyed building go-carts, but also had his fair share if mischief like running across the railroad tracks so his grandma couldn’t catch him smoking horse weed, since he had already been caught behind the barn.

Dale graduated from Salem High School with the Class of 1950 and then proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He worked for Kelley Chevrolet in Fort Wayne as a mechanic for over 40 years, eventually becoming Jim Kelley’s personal mechanic, until his retirement in 2002.

On February 14, 1976 Dale married Sandra (Earhart) Crow at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, after being introduced by Mary Catherine Riddle.  He told everyone it was the greatest day in his life when he married Sandra, because he gained five kids and also became broke!

Dale was a member of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, Columbia City, where he was the youth director, in charge of the acolytes, and taught Sunday School for decades. Dale enjoyed tinkering in his barn on old tractors and lawnmowers.  He also loved to feed the birds, his cat, better known as his livestock and chasing his grandchildren. Dale turned lots of ice cream for the Ice Cream Socials for many years and was also the official taste tester.  Other special activities Dale enjoyed were raising kids, giving youth direction in their lives.  In addition to that, he loved to camp and to have family gatherings at the farm.

Dale will always be remembered in the hearts of those who knew and loved him so well.

Dale D. Barkey, age 88, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 12:30 am on Saturday July 11, 2020, at Miller's Oak Pointe, Columbia City.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra J Barkey of Columbia City; children Jay (Carol) Crow of Columbia City, Kim Shatto of Avilla, Kent (Carla) Crow of Hudson, FL, Don (Kim Taylor) Crow of Columbia City, and Greg Barkey of Fort Wayne; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sons Mike Barkey, Jeff Barkey, and Terry Crow, son-in-law Gene Shatto, grandson Isaac Crow, sisters Joan Hovarter and Shirley McPheeters, and brother Warren Barkey.

A gathering of family and friends will be 11:00-1:00 Tuesday July 14, 2020 at Demoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive,Columbia City. Funeral services will immediately follow at 1:00 pm with limited seating. The funeral service may also be watched live on Facebook through DeMoney Grimes Live.

Burial in St. Matthew's Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorial donations may be given in memory of Dale to St. Matthew's United Methodist Church .

Visit www.DeMoneyGrimes.com to send Dale's family online condolences or sign the online guest book.