Galen O. Davenport, 96, LaFontaine, passed away at 7:10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 at his home with his daughters by his side.

He was born to the late Glenwood and Wilhelmina (Roher) Davenport on March 20, 1920 in Constantine, Mich.

Galen’s family moved from Constantine to Wabash in 1935. He was a 1938 graduate from Wabash High School. He was employed at Container Corporation of America in 1938 as a coating mill laboratory technician starting at .30 cents/hour. He was employed there over 15 years and left in 1954 as a draftsman earning $1.89/hour. Galen married Monyeen M. Johnson Sept. 23, 1944, she passed away in 2005. He served his country in the United States Army Air Corps, during WWII in the 414th Bomb Squad unit as a radio operator and mechanic for B17’s and B24’s from 1941-1945. In 1954 Galen started Davenport Coal and Fuel Oil Company in Converse, he added a fertilizer business as well. He retired in 1990 and worked part time for Big R Company and Clarks Foods. Galen enjoyed the Army Air Corp reunions over the years with the last one being in 2006 at the WWII memorial in Washington D.C.. As a lifetime member of the Mississinewa Sky Hawks he enjoyed the friendships and hobby of building and flying radio controlled airplanes. He was a master woodworker for many years creating many wonderful cherished pieces. He was a member of Woodlawn United Methodist Church in Somerset, Indiana.

Galen is survived by two daughters: Mrs. Rita (Harry) Looker of Clarksburg, W. Va. and Mrs. Ruth Ann (Steven) Pilgrim of Wabash; grandchildren: Emily Boardman (Jeremy), Lisa Laskowski (Aaron), Valerie Blurton (Jim), Mike Looker (Jennifer), and Matt Looker (Jamie); and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers: Lowell and William “Bill” Davenport; and sisters:  Glenadine and Carol Ann Davenport; daughter, Marcia Serra; and a baby grandson, Jeffery Looker.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, IN 46992, with Pastor Crystal Jacobson officiating. Burial will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Grant County, Indiana, with Military Honors.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from noon until 2 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are directed to Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 150 N. 2nd Street, Somerset, IN 46984.