David "Dave" G. Park

David G. Park, 90 of Bluffton, passed away on Wednesday evening, January 11, 2023 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Dave was born on September 5, 1932 in Randolph County, Indiana to Fredrick F. & Irene (Wall) Park. He graduated from Bluffton High School with the class of 1950, then graduated from Ball State University in 1954 with a degree in teaching business education. Dave served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957. After the service, he was an executive with the Boy Scouts of America, in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, where he was responsible for fundraising and camp development. In June 1971, Dave purchased Carnall & Sons Insurance and John W. Carnall & Sons Title company, which he and his wife Mary Jane ran until 2002, when their daughter Karen took over the business. Dave lived by the belief that you need to contribute for the space that you occupy on earth. He served on a number of boards. He was a past President of the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Land Title Association and Lions Club. He was the Chairman of the Joint Chamber of Commerce, City of Bluffton Industrial Development committee from 1978 to 1991. He was on the Wells Community Hospital Board of Trustees for 8 years, where he served as Vice President of the Board. Dave was active in the Wells County Historical Society, where he was on the Board of Directors and chaired the Capital Fund Drive Committee for restoration of the building. He was a Board Member of Martin-Riverside Society, a Foundation for the benefit of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at Ball State University. Dave also served on the Adams Jay Wells Board of County Realtors for 24 years and on the Elm Grove Cemetery Board of Directors for 25 years. He was selected as the Outstanding Citizen of Wells County in 1997. Dave was fond of fishing and enjoyed restoring old oil well gas engines. On December 4, 1954, Dave married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jane Minnich at the First Reformed Church of Bluffton. Together, Dave and Mary Jane celebrated 68 years of marriage. Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane, his son Kent Park, a son-in-law Don Karwoski, four grandchildren; Ben (Emily) Karwoski, Adam Karwoski, Justin (Amber) Park and Mackenzie (Zack) Leyman, along with three great grandchildren; J.J. Karwoski, Lena Karwoski and Adalyn Park. He is also survived by a sister, Norma Armstrong and a brother, Don Park. Dave is preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Karen Sue (Park) Karwoski, a daughter-in-law, Penny (Croy) Park, and a sister, Marilyn (Park) Pickelt Hunt. Funeral services will be held at the First Reformed Church on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 1 P.M. with Dr. Bryson “Gene” Bell and Pastor Ben Karwoski officiating. Calling hours will be from 10 A.M. until the time service at the church. Full military honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and the American Legion Post #111 Honor Guard will be performed at the church. Private burial will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Dave’s memory to the First Reformed Church - Building Maintenance Fund. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler Family ~ Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to the family at www.thomarich.com.

David "Dave" G. Park

September 5, 1932 - January 11, 2023