Obituaries

June 17, 1925 to February 29, 2016

WINAMAC - Darrell V. McFadden, 90, of Logansport (formerly of Winamac and Crown Point), passed away at 4:55 a.m., Monday, Feb. 29, at Logansport Memorial Hospital.

He was born June 17, 1925 to the late Charles Verne and Mary Kathryn Strong McFadden in Crown Point. He married Jane Hayhurst on Sept. 14, 1947. She died in 1994. He later married Pauline Cowles of Kewanna. She also preceded him in death.

Survivors include:
Ric (Shelly) McFadden, Fillmore, Son 
Lisa (Kenny) Bedocs, Logansport, Daughter 
Jim (Teresa) McFadden, Knoxville, TN, Son
Grandchildren: Jennifer (Scott) Backus, Bryan (Jessica) McFadden, Melissa (Chad) Conwell, Christopher (Kaylee) McFadden, Fawn (Jason) Faulstich, Aaron (Missy) Spanley, Meagan (Roth) Edwards, and Kayla (John) Mahmood.
Great Grandchildren: Tiarra (Darin) Wooldridge, Kiersten, Mary Kathryn, and Emma Bousman; Adrianna and Connor McFadden; Ryan and Levi Meyers, Joshua Looker and Kaleb G. Conwell; Adelaide, Caydence, Makynleigh, and Kaleb R. McFadden; Lauren Faulstich, Rebecca George, Connor George, Luke Faulstich, and Allyson Taylor
Great Great Grandson: Royce Wooldridge
Robert McFadden, Brother
Mary Quigg, Sister
Etta Claxton, Sister
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Charles "Bud" McFadden, Brother
Phyllis Jean McFadden, Sister
Terrell and Alexander, Twin Great Grandsons
Aubree J. Conwell, Great Granddaughter

Mr. McFadden was the third of seven children. He was raised in Crown Point and spent many summers with his great aunt, Dortha Surber, in Star City. While at Crown Point High School, he played basketball and football. In 1944, during the championship football game, he made the longest run of 90 yards. It was one of the proudest moments in his football career.  That same season, he successfully kicked 15 of 17 extra points. He went on from high school to the Merchant Marines, serving from 1944-1947. During his service, he was stationed in Normandy, France; Antwerp, Belgium; Hull, England and the West Indies. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW in Crown Point. It was at the old roller rink in Lowell, that he met the woman who would become his beloved wife, Jane. He worked most of his life as the supervisor of gas construction for NIPSCO's gas division. He retired from NIPSCO in 1980.

He was a member of Lake Lodge #157, F&AM in Crown Point and was also a member of the Scottish Rite Shrine. In 1999, he received his Award of Gold. Hel and Jane were members of the Jaycees, where he served in multiple roles including president and vice president of the region. He was a former Little League, Babe Ruth, and Biddy Basketball coach and also a former Cub Scout Leader. In his spare time, he owned horses that he would show in different events. Throughout the years his prized Palomino horse, "Buck" won many trophies.  When retirement came, he dreamt of a simpler life, and moved to Winamac.  With his wife alongside him, they purchased a small mini farm just north of Winamac and came to raise cows, chickens, sheep and horses. Hel enjoyed spending mornings with his friends at Good Oil in Winamac.

Later, he and wife Pauline enjoyed traveling, especially visiting Mackinaw Island. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. During the holidays, they would come and stay with him. Many moments went by singing songs, laughing, playing games, building projects, and picking walnuts from the trees in the front yard. He loved to sit in his old rocking chair with grandchildren filling his lap, while watching the Cubs and singing along with Harry Caray to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". He frequently took the grandkids down to the candy store to buy nickel and dime candies or down to the ball park to get something to eat at the concession stand and watch the little leaguers' play ball. He gave all that he had, in order to make the lives of those around him better. Not a day will go by that he won’t be missed by his family and those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 4, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac.  Masonic services will be held at 6:30 p.m. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 5, at the funeral home with Pastor Aaron Gross officiating.

Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m., at Lowell Memorial Cemetery, Lowell. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to charity of the donor's choice  .

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.