Joseph Dague

Services for Joseph Wesley Dague, 88, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Metea Baptist Church.

He passed away Friday, June 26, 2009, in his house near Grass Creek. He was born May 6, 1921, in Cass County to Samuel and Trella (Nichols) Dague.

He graduated from Metea High School in 1939. He married Dorothy K. Hamon in 1941 in Connersville. During the early years of their marriage, he worked for Bill Hubenthal on his farm, then traveled to 17 states trimming trees for approximately one and a half years, then he worked for the Wabash Railroad until he joined the Air Force in 1943 and was chosen to go to cadet school from which he graduated in 1945 as a pilot. After graduation he became a second lieutenant. He flew a C-46, C47, and dropped paratroopers and pulled gliders.

Joe also served in Vietnam, flying a C-119 gunship called “The Shadow” in the 930th Squadron and later flew A-37 jets. He retired after 30 years on active and reserve status as a lieutenant colonel from the Air Force.

For over 50 years, Joe kept his pilot’s license and flew his own plane whenever he could, bringing great joy to all he shared the ride with.

Dorothy and Joe established the family farm in 1947 in partnership with his brother Ivan Dague. Later he and Dorothy farmed with the help of their family. After that, he was in partnership in the dairy and grain farm with his son Jim for over 35 years.

Joe was a charter member of the Cass-Fulton Flying Farmers in 1951. He was elected to several terms as trustee of Wayne Township. He was instrumental in the formation of the Caston School District and was also president of the school board.

He was elected to the county council of Fulton County.

He was instrumental in starting and was a charter member of the Grass Creek Lions Club and served as president and in other various positions for several terms throughout the years. He was leader dog chairman for the district for 15 years and served five years as law camp chairman for the district, he went on numerous Lions’ service trips to Mexico and Latin America. In 1996-97, Joe was presented with the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, the highest honor a Lion can achieve.

Joe was a member of Metea Baptist Church for well over 60 years. He was also a deacon for several years.

In recent years he took great joy in sitting on the front porch listening to the laughter of his grandkids and great-grandkids and watching them play.

Joe and Dorothy recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Forever together.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy; his children Joseph E. Dague (Dee), Judith K. Uhrich (Robert), James L. Dague (Peggy) of Kewanna; Jean Galloway of Hallettsvile, Texas, and Jeffery N. Dague (Lisa) of Monticello; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ivan (Thelma) and Robert Dague; 1-Sister, Dorothy Tatman, his son, John Robert and daughter June Louise Schuler; his son-in-law, James Galloway; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

This life was a better place because we were loved by him.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday in Gundrum Funeral Home, with a Lions memorial service at 8 p.m., and one hour prior to services.

Pastor Bill Cordes will officiate. Burial will be in Metea Cemetery with full military graveside rights.

Memorials may be made to Grass Creek Lions Club or Metea Baptist Church.

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