Donald "Don" F. Locke

Donald “Don” F. Locke of Warsaw, Indiana left this world to meet his beloved Jesus at 12:50 p.m. on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at Mason Health and Rehabilitation Center of Warsaw at the age of 97.  He was surrounded by family and friends.

He was born on March 6, 1921 in Warsaw, Indiana to Rheda Chorus (Engle) Locke and Stanley Herman Locke.  On December 18, 1965 he was married to Teresa Jean (Sassorossi) Locke, who survives.

Don spent his early childhood dreaming of being a cowboy like Tom Mix and Hopalong Cassidy.  When the Depression hit, his family moved to a farm in the hills of southern Indiana near Madison.  There he attended a one-room schoolhouse, building life-long friends and experiences.  He and his family eventually moved back to the Dutchtown area where Don graduated from North Webster High School. 

Don proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from February 8, 1944 – November 18, 1945 during WWII as a P51 Mustang Pilot in the Pacific Theatre.  He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. 

A recipient of the G.I. Bill, he received his Bachelor’s degree and Master's of Divinity from Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana.  He graduated with honors.  After Grace, Don left Indiana to serve as an associate pastor and the principal of a Christian school in California for four years. In 1965, Don started selling Shaklee and over the years helped hundreds of people find better health.  He returned to his hometown of Warsaw in 1974 where he spent the last 44 years building his business, teaching, preaching, fishing, singing, spending time with family and making others laugh.  He was a member of Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church for many years and was most recently a member of Oak Grove Community Church.  He was truly part of the Greatest Generation and will be missed by all that had the chance to know him. 

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Teresa Jean Locke (Warsaw, Indiana); son:  John Charles (wife Shirin) Locke (Murietta, California); and two daughters:  Sarah Eileen (husband Michael) Marsh (Wildomar, California); Jennifer Dawn Locke (partner Shawn Grider) (North Chatham, New York).  He also leaves behind five grandchildren:  Jason Locke, Matthew Locke (fiancé Heather), Heather (husband Chuck) Godlesky, Josh Marsh, and Emory Grider; four great-grandchildren:  Tyler Marsh, Dylon Marsh, Elianna Locke, and Charlotte Locke; and two sisters:  Miriam Bryant (Pierceton, Indiana); Mary Alice Beezley (North Webster, Indiana).  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.

His funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Doug Lemon.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw with military rites.

Please send donations in Don's memory to Hands of Hope International, 421 North West Street, Warsaw, Indiana, 46580. Hands of Hope International is an organization that provides medical clinics, surgeries, nutritional training as well as emotional and spiritual counseling to those who cannot otherwise afford these services.  A trip to Guatemala is planned for this April.

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