Howard Whitney Claflin, Jr., 61, of rural Wabash, Indiana, died at 1:35 pm, Friday, February 23, 2024, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on October 22, 1962, in Ithaca, New York, to Howard Whitney Sr. and Betty Jane (Cobane) Claflin.
Howard was a US Navy veteran for 10 years, serving as Machinist Mate on the Proteus, Dace, and the Alexandria. He was extremely intelligent and his commanding officer said “If Howard couldn’t fix it, he can tell you why you don’t need it.” He married Mikki Gidley in Dryden, New York on Ocotber 4, 2012. After his service ended in the Navy, Howard went on to work as a machinist for H&E Turbine in Danby, New York for 20 years, and also worked for Ithaca Renting. He was an EMT and volunteer fire fighter for the Freeville, New York Fire Department several years, and also served as the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief. He enjoyed guns, electronics, radios, trains, working on his truck, going to the family camp at Higley, but especially loved his family. He had many names but “Poppy” to Kallen and Beckham was his favorite.
He is survived by his wife, Mikki Claflin of Wabash; mother, Betty Claflin of Lansing, New York; children, Kendra Gidley of Wabash, Timothy Harvey, Jr. of Marion, Indiana, and Derrick (Cassie) Harvey of Simi Valley, California; four grandchild, Kallen Gidley and Beckham Pressler, both of Wabash, Charleston Harvey and Charlotte Harvey, both of Simi Valley; sister, Dianna Claflin (Kid) of Auburn, New York; father-in-law, Dick Gidley of Wabash; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Whitney Claflin, Sr.
There will be no services at this time. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
Preferred memorial is Freeville Fire Department.
The memorial guest book for Howard may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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