Charles William (Bill) DeHaven, 86, of Peru, Indiana passed away on May 24, 2017.
He was born at home in rural Miami County on October 24, 1930 to Florence and Corbett DeHaven.
He was a graduate of Peru High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He later retired in 1990 after a 37 year career at Dana Corporation in Marion, Indiana.
He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Peru, and a past commander of the American Legion Post 14 in Peru.
On December 21, 1952, he married Roberta Jean Howard, who preceded him in death after 61 years of marriage. The two of them enjoyed playing bingo and wintering in Florida.
He personally had a lifetime love of anything that flew. He would read about, watch, or ride in anything that would lift off the ground. During his life, he rode in hot air balloons, Stearman open cockpit biplanes, P-51 Mustangs, seaplanes, and numerous military aircraft.
Bill is survived by one son and three daughters: Jeff and Tania (Whybrew) DeHaven, Terry (Daniel) Wilson, Jeananne (Pat) McKinley, and Judy (Karl) Mattingly. Also, nine grandchildren: Kristie (Brett) Bryan, Aaron (Jana) Wilson, Jason McKinley, Josh (Jessica) McKinley, Jon McKinley, Erin (Seth) Alford, Jennifer (Eric) Hainlen, Josh (Desa) DeHaven, and Connor Mattingly. He is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren, two brothers, and two sisters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, two sisters, a son-in-law, and a grandson.
Visitation will be held at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana from 4pm – 8pm on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grissom Air Museum or the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.