Frederick K. Ehlerding, 78 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away at 5:20 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2014 in the Woodcrest Nursing Center located in Decatur. Fred was born on Friday, August 9, 1935 in Adams County, Indiana the son of the late Gilbert Ehlerding and the late Ruth (Franke) Ehlerding. He married the late Judith Froning and she passed away on November 8, 2011. Fred was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church-Preble. Fred had been employed at Slater Steel in Ft. Wayne until it closed in 2003. Fred was formerly employed at Kaiser Chemical. In addition to his factory employment, he farmed until retiring in the 1980's. Surviving are his son, Duane (Dianna) Ehlerding of Decatur, IN; daughter, Jayne (Dwight "Ike") Longsworth of Rockford, OH; son, Gerald Ehlerding of Decatur, IN; daughter, Lisa (Chris) Westergren of Decatur, IN; son, Mike (Steph) McIntyre of Ossian, IN; daughter, Nancy McIntyre of Decatur, IN; sister, Bernita (Donald) Haines of Decatur, IN; 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 27, 2014 in the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble with Pastor Daniel Dahling officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery, Preble. Friends will be received from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2014 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, IN and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church. Preferred memorials are to St. Paul Lutheran Church-Preble or Tri-County Dialysis in Decatur.
