John Houk

John David “Dave” Houk, 76, passed away at 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka.

He was born April 11, 1934, in Logansport, to Edward P. and Florence Minneman Houk. Dave received his elementary education at Daniel Webster and St. Vincent schools in Logansport. Following the death of his mother, Dave attended and graduated from Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie Duchien, Wis. Dave then attended the University of Notre Dame, where he was active in the Air Cadet, Marketing and Propeller Clubs. He graduated in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in commerce.

He was commissioned a lieutenant in the Air Force and served three years as a navigator in heavy aircraft.

Dave then continued his education at Indiana State University and received his master’s degree in elementary education.

He taught two years in Putnam County Schools in Indiana before moving to Santa Rosa, Calif. There he taught for 34 years at Piner Elementary School and received many teaching honors. Dave retired in 1994 and moved to Bodega Bay into a coastal home that he and a fellow teacher built. The home was located on a golf course with wonderful views of the bay and Pacific Ocean. While living there, Dave was an active member of St. Teresa Avila Catholic Church in nearby Bodega. He was also a member of the Notre Dame Club of San Francisco.

Following an illness, Dave moved to South Bend, and resided at the Sanctuary of St. Paul on South Ironwood Drive. He joined and enjoyed many activities there, in particular, the bell choir.

Dave was a great sports fan of the Logansport Berries, Chicago Cubs and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. During the baseball season, he seldom missed a Cubs game on TV or radio.

He leaves behind two brothers, Dr. Richard J. Houk, Evanston, Ill., and James E. (Agnes) Houk, South Bend; nieces and nephews, Peggy and John Gibney, and Jennifer Houk, South Bend, Phillip and Lynda Houk, Fort Wayne, Tom Houk, San Diego, Calif., Larry and Mary Gingrich, Valparaiso, Paul and Kim Gingrich, Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Dan and Peggy Gingrich, Logansport.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Jean.

A Mass of Christian burial for Dave will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at the Sanctuary of St. Paul, 3602 S. Ironwood, South Bend.

Friends may visit with the family from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Friday prior to the Mass at St. Paul’s. Celebrant of the Mass will be Father Stan Herber of Crawfordsville, longtime friend of the deceased.

Burial that day will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery, Logansport, following a 2 p.m. viewing and service in the cemetery chapel, at which Father Stan Herber will preside.

The family wishes it known that all forms of love and respect, including Masses, prayers and floral gifts for the deceased, will be deeply appreciated.

Gundrum Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be left for the Houk family at www.gundrumfuneralhome.com.

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