THERON GALE DAFFORN

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Theron Gale Dafforn was a man of principal, integrity, and sound moral convictions that all made him a man to admire. He had a complete understanding of what it means to work hard and was determined to finish every project that he took on. A loving husband and devoted father, Gale witnessed his family tree blossom to include the generations who made him so very happy. A farmer through and through, he had a passion for the farming industry and enjoyed sharing this love with the ones he treasured most. His timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow him.

The year 1918 saw the end of WWI, which left America recognized as a world leader for the first time and poised for greatness. The following decade, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of great ingenuity and vast changes that transformed the way we lived our everyday lives. Radios brought us closer to the world around us, cars were more affordable because of the assembly line, and Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh took the world of flight soaring to new heights. It was just as this exciting decade was getting started that Clarence Ted and Nola (Gross) Dafforn were pleased to announce the birth of their son, Theron Gale, on March 25, 1921. He was one of five children in his family and was raised in Noble, Whitley, and Allen County, all within Indiana.

In many ways, Gale, as he was usually known, experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of his generation. He played baseball and was quite an asset to the team as being ambidextrous allowed him to catch, throw, and bat both left and right handed. Basketball was another sport he enjoyed. It was during his formative years that Gale fully embraced many of the interests that would remain near to his heart throughout his entire life. He developed an appreciation for the outdoors and was into fishing, trapping, and hunting. Gale looked forward to going to the Indiana State Fair every year and was a part of the local 4-H program. In fact, he even won the title of Grand Champion with his hog at the Allen County 4-H Fair. Gale was also a student at local schools whose high school years found him at Albion High School.

Of great significance in the days following high school was an exciting trip to the roller rink with the woman who would forever hold the keys to his heart. Her name was Margaret Ferrell, and they went to the Happy Valley Roller Skating Rink in 1942. A romance ensued, and it wasnt long before the couple found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Gale and Margaret were married on June 19, 1943, by Rev. Arthur Gillespie at his home in Columbia City. Together they welcomed two children into their hearts and home, Richard and Jane.

Always one to work hard in everything he did, Gale entered the workforce in 1942 when he took a job with the Pennsylvania Railroad as a gandy dancer whose primary job was to lay and maintain railroad tracks in the days prior to this work being done by machines. Following the advice of someone he trusted, he seized the opportunity to leave the railroad before winter settled in when he began working at Nehi Bottling. During the days of WWII Gale worked as a machinist and setup man at Weatherhead. With the wars end in 1945, he soon began working for WS Shamban until 1958 and then at Fruehauf Trailer in Fort Wayne through the mid Seventies. However, farming was simply in his blood from the time he was a young boy. As an adult Gale drew on the knowledge he acquired about farming while he was growing up and used it to make farming his lifelong career while living in the Columbia City area. He was very successful in his farming as well as he was proud of joining the 100 Bushel Club after having been awarded the Highest Yield Count in Whitley County by DeKalb Seed Company. Once their children were grown, Gale and Margaret operated their farm together, raising numerous farm animals including beef cattle, chickens, and hogs just to name a few.

Gale was never one to be still. Although farming took much of his time, he always made the time to go fishing no matter the weather as he enjoyed ice fishing during the winter months as well. Gale didnt have the opportunity to travel much, but after he purchased his third Cockshutt Tractor he did win a memorable trip to the tractor manufacturing factory in Canada. He also was able to make a few fishing trips up to Wisconsin.

Although he accomplished a great many things throughout his life, there was nothing that made the heart of Theron Gale Dafforn swell with pride more than the family he adored. Whether his wife, his children, or later in life his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was happiest when surrounded by their love. Gale was equipped with an unwavering work ethic, and his determination to see projects through to completion had no equal. He will be deeply missed while his memory is forever cherished.

Theron Gale Dafforn, of Columbia City, died at 1:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Parkview Oak, Columbia City. Gales family includes his wife, Margaret E. Dafforn; son, Richard L. Dick (Kaye) Dafforn of Saline, MI; daughter, Jane A. (Danny Hubbard) Wolfe of Carmel; grandchildren, Jeremy (Christy) Wolfe of Clearwater, FL, Lerin (Tony) Jackson of Indianapolis, Andrew Dafforn of Scottsboro, AL, and Neil (Jessica) Dafforn of South Lyon, MI; great-grandchildren, Theron Jackson, Abigail and Alexander Dafforn, and Kaitlyn and Tyler Wolfe; sisters, Lois Cotterman of Columbia City and Joann Gaff of Wolf Lake. Gale was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Harry Dafforn and sister, Mildred Sheets.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 14, 2014, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Leonard King will be officiating. Burial will follow in the South Park Annex Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorial bequest may be given in Mr. Dafforns memory to the American Heart or Diabetes Associations.