Dick Dale Gipe, 88, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away at 1 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, at Parkview Oaks.

Born on May 11, 1925, in Columbia City, he was the son of Murl E. and Elderine F. (Thompson) Gipe. When he was a year old, his mother passed away and at the age of 10, Dick lost his father from the result of an auto accident. He was then raised by his grandparents, Adam and Mary Gipe and aunt, Neva Gipe.

He graduated from Coesse High School with the Class of 1943. He served in the Army during WWII from August 1944 through March 1947. He was stationed in Germany from January until July 1945, serving in the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaign with the 95th Infantry Division. Among his numerous medals, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star.

On May 1, 1949, he married Roberta J. Andrew at Lake Chapel Methodist. Dick worked at Dana Corporation in Fort Wayne, Ind., from June 1947 to June 1987 and retired June 1, 1987, with 40 years of service. He was a member of Columbia City United Methodist Church, where he served as an usher for many years and on the Administration Board.

Dick was an avid book reader and especially liked books about history and weather. He loved recording music and spent many hours recording music from records to cassettes. He enjoyed gardening, watching and feeding the birds. Dick also enjoyed attending athletic events of his children and grandchildren and missed very few until his health prevented him from going.

He is survived by his wife: Roberta J. Gipe; sons: Duane L. (Kathy) Gipe, Lafayette, Ind.; and Robert D. Gipe, Columbia City; daughters: Anne K. (Larry) Easterday, Warsaw, Ind.; and Jeanne E. (Steve) Cox, Columbia City; grandchildren: Derick (Tatum) Gipe and Morgan Gipe, both of Indianapolis, Ind.; Christina (Tim) Tylinski, West Chester, Ohio; Brent (Lindy) Cox, Columbia City; and Lauren Easterday, Warsaw; and great-grandsons: Marshall Cox and Ethan Tylinski.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Murl and Elderine Gipe; grandparents: Adam and Mary Gipe and Scott and Matilda Thompson; a special aunt: Neva Gipe; and a granddaughter: Megan Easterday.

Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Dr., Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at the funeral home with Rev. David Arnold and Rev. Steve Austin officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw.

Memorials may be given in Mr. Gipe’s memory to Columbia City UMC Building Fund, Heartland Hospice or Parkview Oaks Activity Department.