Dwight E. Alexander, 80, of rural Columbia City, died peacefully at his home at 7:23 p.m. Thursday, March 4, 2021.

He was born December 6, 1940, in Washington Twp., Whitley County a son of the late Harry C. and Beulah B. (Juillerat) Alexander. Growing up in Columbia, Twp. he graduated from Columbia City High School in 1958.

For 20 years, he worked for International Harvester, Fort Wayne. He then joined the Whitley County Highway Dept as a mechanic retiring in 2005 with 23 years of service.

On October 22, 1996, he married Sharon D. Fenker Krider. They have always made their home in rural Columbia City.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed fishing in all seasons. Keeping active at home, he planted and tended an annual vegetable garden. Not only did he harvest his crop, but he was proficient at canning for future consumption. A talented mechanic, he restored a Chevy Pickup, and when at home, he could be found in the barn tinkering.

In his retirement, the couple liked to travel, visiting many of the National Parks, including Yellowstone and the many national parks of Utah and Arizona. They visited Gulfport National Seashore and traveled through the state of Maine.

A member of the New Hope Wesleyan Church, he was active with the men's ministry traveling on mission trips to help reconstruct storm-damaged areas of the U.S. He, and his wife organized the funeral dinners provided by the church for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; children, Deborah J. (Steven) Earnhart of Albion, Duane J. (Angela) Alexander and Darren J. (Melissa) Alexander, both of Columbia City; step-children, Tina (Brad) Cohen of Carmel, DeeAnn (Vince) Wilczynski of Lanark, IL and Brian (Heidi) Krider of Columbia City; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a brother, Robert Alexander of Columbia City.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by brothers, Harold "Bus," Richard and Ronald "Moe" Alexander, and a sister, Betty Marrs.

The funeral service is 10 a.m. Monday at the New Hope Wesleyan Church, 971 N 400W, Columbia City. Burial is at the Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation is 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials are to New Hope Wesleyan Church, Men's Ministry.