Archie J.  Caudill, 89, died at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. His earthly departure from his Silver Lake home was attended by his loving family.

Mr. Caudill was born on May 24, 1928 in Riceville, Ky. He was the son of Archie M. and Mary (Hackworth) Caudill.

He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps on Sept. 18, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio, serving as a heavy truck driver.  He would serve until Aug. 5, 1948 when he was honorably discharged from Camp Lejeune, N.C.  He was later called back to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1950 to 1951.

On Sept. 4, 1948, Mr. Caudill was united in marriage to Patricia “Pat” Smith in North Manchester. Together the two would share more than 69 years together.

He worked for Zimmer for 19 years before retiring in 1990. He went on to work for Metzger Trucking and then later for CXR mobile X-ray before retiring in September 2017.

He was a member of Amazing Grace Community Church and a lifetime member of the Wabash American Legion and Wabash VFW posts. He was a hard worker and a real people person, having rarely met a stranger. He enjoyed meeting with friends for coffee and breakfast at the Silver Lake Subway and enjoyed playing golf almost as much as he enjoyed hunting for golf balls; later he would donate his finds to the high school golf teams for practice. He also enjoyed hunting for a deal at auctions and was known for buying and reselling strawberries in bulk. Recently he was blessed to participate in a Northeast Indiana Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C.

Those left with memories to treasure include his wife, Pat Caudill of Silver Lake; daughter, Cris (Adam) Guy of North Webster; sons, Douglas P. (Reneé) Caudill and Tony (DeDe) Caudill, both of Beaver Dam Lake and 12 grandchildren: Shannan (Chris) Deneve, Jeremiah (Jackie) Caudill, Leisa (Craig) Burgin, Scott (Julie) Young, Michael Caudill, Aaron Miller, Joshua Church, Alan Young, Andy Young, Amanda (Jamel) Meerzo, Josie (Travis) Wright and Alexis Caudill. Additionally, Archie is survived by 25 great-grandchildren, a sister, Veta Holle of Laketon; brother, Chester (Imogene) Caudill of Claypool and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Tom Caudill, who passed in 2006; his parents, two sisters: Lena Caudill and Ruby Hackworth and two brothers: Hershel Caudill and Hebern Caudill.

The family will receive friends at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 East Sheridan Street, Warsaw, from 3-7 p.m., Sunday, March 4, with his funeral service on Monday at 11 a.m. in the Funeral Home. Pastor Ballard Wood of Amazing Grace Community Church will officiate. Burial will follow with military honors in Silver Lake’s Lakeview Cemetery. 

Memorial gifts may be given to Samaritan’s Purse, Amazing Grace Community Church or to any charity of the donor’s choosing with envelopes available at Titus Funeral Home.