George Easterday Jr., 90, of Columbia City, died Monday, April 11, 2016 at Parkview Whitley Hospital after being admitted on Wednesday, April 6.

He was born Feb. 8, 1926 in Noble County, Indiana a son of George S. and Vera N. (Bitting) Easterday. He grew up in Whitley County and graduated from Coesse High School in 1944.

George was inducted in the United States Navy on June 19, 1944, serving during World War II. He was honorably discharged March 20, 1946.

On Nov. 13, 1949 he was united in marriage to E. Louise Cox. They made their home on a farm near Coesse until 1954 when they moved to a farm in Washington Township. In Oct. 1981 they moved into Columbia City.

In addition to farming, George worked for Dana Weatherhead from 1952 until his retirement in 1988.

A long-time member of Washington Center United Methodist Church, he was a current member of Columbia City United Methodist Church, Whitley County Agricultural Museum & 4-H Learning Center, Farm Bureau and NEO.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Louise; four sons, David A. (Joyce) Easterday of Columbia City; Larry W. (Anne) Easterday of Warsaw; Dennis L. (Tracy Rumsyre) Easterday of Columbia City; and Steve L. (Mary) Easterday of Huntington; six granddaughters: Rachel Burcroff, Sarah Ancel, Elizabeth Easterday, Lauren Salla, Rosemary Easterday and Maryfrances Easterday; two great grandchildren; and a sister, Delight “Dee” LaBarbera of Fort Wayne.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Megan Easterday; a brother, Keith S. Easterday; and three sisters, Beatrice Easterday, Athena Grothaus and Kathryn Harmeyer.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Columbia City United Methodist Church, 605 West Forest Parkway with visitation after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. The burial will be in Eberhard Cemetery. Visitation will also be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Preferred memorials are to Riley Children’s Hospital or Columbia City United Methodist Church music fund.

Smith & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.