W. Dale Sturtz

HOWE — W. Dale Sturtz, 77, of Howe, Indiana, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2015, at Miller's Merry Manor in LaGrange, Indiana, after an extended illness.
Mr. Sturtz was the son of William and Ruth (Gilmore) Sturtz, born on July 22, 1938, in Cumberland, Maryland.
Mr. Sturtz has dedicated his professional life to public service. He was the sheriff of LaGrange County, Indiana, from 1980 to 1990. At that time, he graduated from the Indiana Sheriff's Institute at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and served on the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board, appointed by Governor Robert Orr.
From 1992 to 2002, Mr. Sturtz served as a Democrat Indiana State Representative of LaGrange and Noble counties (District 52). In this capacity, he served as the chairman of the Environmental Committee from 1996-2000 and the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from 2000 to 2002. He also authored the No-Call Bill and the 500 Cops on the Streets Bill.
Mr. Sturtz was also a LaGrange County Councilman (1990-1992), Fort Wayne District Director of the Indiana Department of Transportation (2003-2004), a Commissioner of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (2004-2013), and served for many years on the LaGrange County Merit Board.
His public service awards include the Sagamore of the Wabash, J. Edward Roush Award, and Outstanding Legislator Award from the Indiana Judges Association.
Mr. Sturtz attended the Woodruff Grove United Methodist Church in rural Wolcottville, Indiana. He was a member of Meridian Sun Lodge 76 F. & A.M. for 50 years, Scottish Rite Valley of Fort Wayne, Mizpah Shrine, and LaGrange County Shrine Club.
On March 8, 1958 in Angola, Indiana, he married his beloved wife, Janis Fay Thomas. She survives in Howe, Indiana.
Also surviving are three daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Chuck Troyer of Rutherfordton, North Carolina, Karen and Jim Milliman of Sturgis, Michigan, and Sandra and Brad Ringler of Wolcottville, Indiana; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Kristi Sturtz of Churubusco, Indiana; six grandchildren, Ryan Troyer, Jenna Leffew, Lucas Sturtz, Tyler Milliman, Parker Sturtz, and Adam Ringler; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen and Don Fioravanti of Columbia, Ohio, and Mary and Dudley Stratford of New Zealand; and four brothers and three sisters-in-law, Robert and Pat Sturtz of Summerfield, Florida, William and Jean Sturtz of Liverpool, Ohio, Richard and Carol Sturtz of Angola, Indiana, and Raymond Sturtz of Coldwater, Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings.
A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at 10 a.m. at Woodruff Grove United Methodist Church, 4860 S. C.R. 450E, Wolcottville, Indiana, with the Rev. David Mathews officiating.
A visitation will take place on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Frurip-May Funeral Home, 309 W. Michigan St., LaGrange, Indiana. A Masonic service will take place at 8 p.m. and will be conducted by Meridian Sun Lodge.
Private burial will take place in Greenwood Cemetery in LaGrange, Indiana.
Memorials may be made to the LaGrange County Community Foundation where the Dale Sturtz Memorial Fund has been established.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.fruripmayfuneralhome.com.