Stanley Joe Gaff, 73, of rural Columbia City, died peacefully at 12:06 a.m. Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at his home.

Born March 5, 1948, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was a son of Tony L. and Louise (Hively) Gaff. Growing up in Jefferson Twp., Whitley County, he graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1966.

He joined the U.S. Army serving until his discharge in 1970.

Returning to the area, he became a resident of DeKalb County, moving to Whitley County in 2001.

He began his work career as a brick mason with Clark Masonry. In 1981, he joined Magnavox as a supervisor until 1993, when he returned to the masonry business working for Forsyth Masonry. He completed his work career at Par-Kan, Silver Lake, retiring in 2013 with 12 years of service.

An avid St Louis Cardinals Baseball fan, he rarely missed a game, whether watching live on television, live in-person at the stadium, or recorded for later viewing, he kept abreast of the team's stats. A talented and accomplished woodworker, he enjoyed making creative woodcrafts and furniture. He was always willing to use his talents to help family and friends with their home remodeling projects. He liked to fish the area lakes whenever possible.

He is survived by a daughter Jennifer (Anthony) Watson of Columbia City; a granddaughter Lylla Lackey; his mother, Louise Gaff of Columbia City; a brother Ronald (Jennifer) Gaff of Orlando; and a sister Jeanette (Joseph) Jordan of Columbia City.

He was preceded in death by his father, Tony Gaff, and sisters, Toni Elaine Nordan, Linda Gaff, and Rosalind Klingaman.

A memorial service is 4 p.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Visitation is 2 p.m. until the service Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Stan's honor are to Campus Crusade for Christ.