Richard C. "Dick" Abbott

RICHARD C. "DICK" ABBOTT, 89, of Fort Wayne, died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007. Born Sept. 3, 1918, in Craigville, Ind., he was a lifelong resident of Fort Wayne, graduating from South Side High School in 1936. He served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946. He loved bowling at Smitty's Lanes and was a Little League coach for nearly 30 years. He retired from Dana Corp. after 30+ years, in 1981. He then drove for Avis part time. As a member of American Legion Post 241 for 53 years, he served as commander in 1986 and 1987. He also was a member of AmVets, Masonic Lodge and Waynedale Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Margie M. (Miller) Abbott; son, Daniel P. (Carrie) Abbott; granddaughter, Danielle Abbott and her children Bailey, Gavin and Riley; grandsons, Scott (Luanne) Abbott of Sarasota, Fla., Jeff (Karen) Abbott of New Haven and Eric (Rhonda) Abbott of London, Ohio; sisters, Miriam (Carl) Harriss of Fort Wayne and Betty (Halden) Elzey of Valdosta, Ga.; four grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchild ren. He was preceded in death by his son, Harry Abbott; and grandson, Brian Abbott; sisters, Nedra Robinson, Martha Lagemann, Margie Ellis and Connie Lalsure; and brothers, Jim, John and Paul Abbott. Service is 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Home For Funerals, 6810 Old Trail Road, Fort Wayne. Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, with a Masonic service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, at the funeral home. Burial in Covington Memorial Gardens, with military honors by American Legion Post 241.