Hugh Fletcher

A lifelong resident of the community he loved, Hugh Fletcher made a significant impact in the lives of everyone he met. He loved joking around and was the sort of person who was willing to help others in ways both great and small. Hugh was deeply devoted to his family, and there was nothing he treasured more than spending time with the ones he loved. He was a man of great strength and courage that faced whatever came his way head on, even when engaged in his greatest fight. Life will never be the same without Hugh here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

It seems only fitting that Hugh's journey began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. It was the 1950s when James Dean and Marilyn Monroe entertained us on the silver screen and Elvis Presley took the music world by storm with his rock 'n roll music. Televisions were becoming part of our homes like never before, and shows like I Love Lucy and Father Knows Best changed how we saw the average American family. Amidst this exciting time was a time of great celebration in the lives of George Marion and Mary Elizabeth (Anderson) Fletcher as they announced the birth of the baby boy they named Hugh E. on November 4, 1953, in LaGrange, Indiana.

Raised on the family farm in rural Whitley County, Hugh was a typical young boy of his generation. He truly loved his childhood days on the farm, doing chores alongside his siblings, Jack, Mike, Nancy and Randy. They also liked riding their pony. Hugh attended local schools and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1972.

New and exciting changes were in store for Hugh when he met the young woman of his dreams. Her name was Cynthia L. Miller, and they met while he was attending a wedding of a friend. She was from Connecticut and had come to the wedding as well since her cousin was the one getting married. It was Hugh's motorcycle that caught her attention. He pursued her and remained in contact with Cindy while she attended college in Boston. In time, they found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together they were married on June 16, 1979, at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Columbia City. Together they welcomed two children, Erica and Chris, into their hearts and home. As a family they enjoyed vacations to visit Cindy's side of the family in Connecticut, and also visiting Mountain Washington. More locally, the family liked going to Turkey Run and Pokagon State Parks. Later in life Hugh was thrilled to become a grandfather, and he cherished every moment he was with his grandchildren. He was always concerned about his family, especially as his family grew. Hugh was always there for whatever they needed, and he was truly Cindy's knight in shining armor.

Throughout his life Hugh was someone who was always on the go. He worked hard and was known for his strong work ethic in everything he did. Hugh worked as a farmer and also as a fuel truck driver for Farm Bureau Co-Op. For 40 years, he owned and operated Fletcher Upholstery with his wife. He also enjoyed hauling cattle. Hugh had been a member of St. Mathew's United Methodist Church and was a longtime member of Churubusco United Methodist Church. He enjoyed helping with various church events like their summer picnic mission breakfast and their fall festival. He also enjoyed going on mission trips with his church. Hugh loved riding bicycles with his wife and among his favorite experiences was taking a motorcycle trip to Sturgis, South Dakota. He loved hiking in the mountains as well as enjoying a simple cup of coffee at the lake with his brother-in-law, Doug. It has been said that Hugh was an artist with a nail gun and furniture. Around home, he enjoyed mowing the yard on Fridays. As someone who seemingly knew everything, his family and friends knew that if they needed to know something, they only needed to "Hughgle" it even before there was such a thing as Google.

All who knew Hugh Fletcher would agree that he was truly extraordinary. He was outgoing, personable, and a great conversationalist who was the most loyal of friends. Hugh's faith never wavered throughout his melanoma journey, and he lived his life with no regrets. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather whose greatest joy was found in being surrounded by the ones he loved. Deeply treasured, he will be forever missed.

Hugh E. Fletcher, 64, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 8:27 p.m. Friday, July 6, 2018, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne. Survivors include his loving wife, Cindi Fletcher; daughter, Erica (Jason) Bell, of Churubusco; son, Chris (Alyssa) Fletcher, of Columbia City; father, George Fletcher, of Warsaw; sister, Nancy Fletcher, of Warsaw; brothers, Mike (Doris) Fletcher, of Kimmel and Randy (Cynthia) Fletcher, of Warsaw; and five grandchildren, Owen and Brynlee Fletcher, Josiah, Sophia and Ellie Bell. Hugh was preceded in death by his mother and brother, Jack Fletcher.

Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Rev. Kent Lundy officiating. Burial will follow at Blue River Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Matthew's United Methodist Church or Churubusco United Methodist Church's mission trip fund. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family condolences online.