Clyde Edwin Rector, age 85, of Dewart Lake, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Goshen Hospital.

He was born on March 23, 1938, the son of Clarence and Leah Thelma (Close) Rector, in Hammond. On June 9, 1960, he married Peggy Joyce Bevan.

Clyde will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 63 years, Peggy Rector, of Dewart Lake; three daughters, Cindy (Myron) Vining, Susan (Kim) Slocum and Missy (Scott) Kirkham, all of Dewart Lake; godson, Michael Brown, of Thompson Station, Tenn.; grandchildren, Justin (Halie) Vining, Nathan Vining, Anthony (Mariah) Gagliano, Dayna Gagliano, Taylor (Tiffany) Slocum, Paige Slocum and Elizabeth Kirkham; great-grandchildren, Penny Vining, Finnley and Emma Slocum, and Makenna, Aidan and Greyson Tharp; a brother, Pastor Donald (Ginny) Rector; and brother-in-law, Chip (Geri) Bevan; nieces, Tracey (Ray) Schweitzer, Valerie (Ken) Overland and Ashley (Paul) Siemer; and two nephews, Aaron (Beth) Bevan and Todd (Kelsey) Bevan. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Clyde attended Indiana State University and was a part-time professor at Purdue Calumet University for 16 years. He retired from Hammond National Co. as vice president and a licensed insurance agent after over 50 years of service. He was past president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana. He served as chairman of the board of First Federal Savings Bank in Hammond. Clyde was very involved in the communities he was part of over the years and was lovingly known as “The Mayor of Dewart Lake,” a title he did not dispute. He was a member of the Hammond Rotary Club with an incredible record of perfect attendance for over 50 years. He was also an honorary member of the Nappanee Rotary Club and regularly attended the Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Club and the Florida Sunrise Rotary Club meetings in Zephyrhills, Fla. He was also a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, The Hammond Mohawks. He truly was the greatest man.

A celebration of Clyde’s incredible life will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at Mishler Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 461 W. 900N, Milford. Pastor Donald Rector will officiate.

Family and friends will be received from 2-4 p.m. prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions given in Clyde’s honor may be directed to Rotary International Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.mishlerfhcc.com.