Wayne F. "Dugan" Mowry, 98, of Columbia City, formerly of rural Wolf Lake, died at 6:58 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 2020, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, where he had been admitted earlier that day.

He was born October 28, 1922, in Kyser Twp., DeKalb County, Indiana, a son of the late Daniel E. and Mary (Burtzner) Mowry. At age six, the family moved from Garrett to Charter Oak and then to Wolf Lake, where he attended Wolf Lake High School.

He joined the U.S. Navy serving in WWII until receiving his honorable discharge in 1946.

On April 8, 1945, he married Essie Elizabeth "Esther" Mowry. They had always made their home in the Wolf Lake area. Esther died on October 23, 2016.

He began his work career with International Harvester, Fort Wayne, and then the Woolen Mills, Columbia City. He finished his work career with Dana Corporation, Fort Wayne, where he had 25 years of service. Throughout his life, he farmed and did construction work.

His passion in life were his Belgian draft horses. His farming center around maintaining his horses by bailing hay throughout the growing season for feed, crafting harnesses, and attending numerous county fairs for show and pulling contests. He always carried a pocket knife and enjoyed whittling wood into small horse figurines, which he gave to his grandchildren. He was a former member of the Northern Indiana Draft Horse and Mule Association.

He and his wife always planted a large vegetable garden, usually yielding far more produce than they could use, distributing the abundance to family and friends. He was a former member of the Wolf Lake UMC and the Wolf Lake Cemetery Association.

Wayne is survived by his three daughters, Sue Ann (Gary) Williamson of Columbia City, Sally (Terry) Cripe of North Webster, and Sandra Kay Harrold of Fort Wayne; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; and a brother, Lionel Mowry of Angola.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by brothers, John, George, Nelson and Daniel Mowry; sisters, Treva Bodey and Louise Rosenberry; a grandson, Mark Williamson; a great-grandson, DJ Maxwell and a son-in-law, Steve Harrold.

A private graveside service will be held at Wolf Lake Cemetery. Arrangements are by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Memorials are to the Northern Indiana Draft Horse and Mule Association.