Verlin C. Bud Wolfe

When reflecting on the life of Verlin Bud Wolfe, it is easy to see that he was a family man through and through. He loved traveling, and together with the love of his life he saw so many of the beautiful places the world has to offer. Although Bud cherished his role as a father, his was filled with more love when he became a grandfather and great-grandfather. Always well dressed, he was a hardworking man who was deeply respected by everyone he met. Bud will be dearly missed, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will forever cherish.

The 1930s were largely defined by the Great Depression. These were trying times, and with a soaring unemployment rate there were few American families who didnt feel the strain. To make matters worse, during some of the most difficult years a drought covered our nations heartland for nearly two years. Despite the challenges around them, Clarence A. and Charlotte E. (Addis) Wolfe were filled with great joy as they announced the birth of the baby boy they named Verlin C. on March 19, 1934, in Wolf Lake, Indiana. The youngest of six children in his family, he was raised on the family farm where they grew spearmint and corn. Growing up on a farm meant that Bud had some farm chores, which he often completed with the help of a goat cart that he would use quite often. Among his duties was hauling clay tiles out to the fields; collected worms, put them in jars, and filled his cart with them to sell to the local fishermen; and he also enjoyed giving his family members rides in.

Throughout his life Bud worked hard. He left school during his freshman year of high school because he was needed on the family farm. Bud would continue to farm part-time until 1962 when he started working at Ion Capacitor from 1957 until 1966. He then helped his brother with his plumbing business for a short time before taking a job with Redman Plumbing Heating. From there Bud started working as a forklift driver in the warehouse at SuperValue Food Marketing for 32 years, retiring in 1999. After retirement, Bud worked part-time at Shroyers Variety Store in Churubusco.

d was a family man through and through. He was married to Darlene Jackson, and together they were blessed with three children, Nila, Carol, and Allen. After his father passed away, Bud moved his family off the farm in 1963 and moved into Columbia City, where he continued to raise his family. His mother ended up buying a home behind his, and Bud continued taking care of her until she passed away, visiting her every day. He had attended Grace Lutheran Church in Columbia City while the children were growing up. Bud loved traveling and camping, and for years he took his family traveling on vacation, and they often went camping, too. As his family can attest, he took meticulous care of his home and cars. Although he preferred a Chevy, any kind of GM model was just fine with Bud.

New and exciting changes were in store for Bud when he met an intriguing woman while out with friends one night. Her name was Bonnie L. (Laymon) Vendrick, and they quickly knew they were meant for each other. Deeply in love, they were married on November 17, 1976 in Ft. Wayne and they would live in Churubusco until 2014. Together they enjoyed traveling all over the country as well as their trips to Niagara Falls and going to Hawaii. Bud enjoyed his time with his family and his dogs, and since he was always very close with his parents he often talked about them even after they were gone. Bud and Bonnie were part of the Silver Sneakers at the YMCA, and he also liked square dancing. He enjoyed planting flowers in the goat cart that he had kept from his childhood, and it looked beautiful with all the flowers outside their home. A few years ago, Bud passed it on to his son, who restored it.

On June 11, 2014, he was deeply saddened with the loss of his beloved wife, and although he remained in his home for a time, he moved to The TowneHouse in Ft. Wayne later that year. Bud continued to cherish the love of his family, and he proved to be a man of his word since after living past his 76th birthday he had always said that he would live to be 82. His prediction proved to be true, right down to the day!

Whether he was walking at the mall and having coffee, spending time with his family, or having some fun with his friends, Verlin Bud Wolfe was the heartbeat of wherever he went. Someone who never met a stranger, he was a man of his word who expected that others would do the same. Bud was a man of sound moral principles who lived his life with these principles in mind, and in doing so he was such an inspiration to all who knew him. He was one of the most frugal people around and could stretch a dollar like no one else could, his attention to detail unmatched. Honest, hardworking, and responsible, there was certainly no one quite like Bud. He will never be forgotten.

Verlin C. Bud Wolfe, formerly of Churubusco, Indiana, passed away on his 82nd birthday on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Buds family includes his daughters, Nila (Randy) Reimer of Columbia City and Carol (Jerry) Everly of Stem, North Carolina; son, Allen Wolfe of Suffolk, Virginia; step-daughter, Brenda Smith of Bremerton, Washington; sister, Jenna Williams of Winona Lake; sisters-in-law, Helen Wolfe of Ligonier and Helen Merryman of Huntington; first wife, Darlene Daugherty; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Bud was preceded in death by his parents; wife; Bonnie Wolfe; brother, William Wolfe; sisters, Irene Arnold, Ruby Bryant, and Lavon Ostrowski; and a half-brother, Faye Wolfe.

Visitation is Tuesday, March 22, 2016, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Wolfe Lake Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to the American Heart Association or Alzheimers Association. To send his family condolences online, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .