Estle V. Townsend, Sr.

Estle V. Townsend, Sr., 97, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, at The Towne House Retirement Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He was born on July 3, 1926, in Mars Hill, Maine to the late Alton Townsend and Vera (Sylvester) Townsend.

Estle was united in marriage to Geraldine R. McKay on November 1, 1944, and she preceded him in death on July 2, 2013.  He united in marriage to Charmaine Wolfert in April of 2017, and she survives.

He was a member of the F&A Mason Lodge in Maine and the American Legion in Maine.

Estle spent his career as an accountant, working for the City of Fort Wayne, Roy McNett Custom Homes and Townsends Tire. He was also employed at Scotty’s in Florida during the nine years he lived in Florida.

Estle served his country in the United States Army during WWII and was deployed to the Philippines. He was honorably discharged in 1946, as a Private First Class.

Estle enjoyed hunting, fly fishing, and gardening. He enjoyed meeting and talking with everyone.

He is survived by his son, Estle (Sheila) Townsend, Jr. of Decatur, Indiana; daughter, Becky Anderson of Clemonns, North Carolina; daughter, Barbara (Don) Raudenbush of West Palm, Florida; daughter-in-law, Brenda Townsend       of Decatur, Indiana; sister, Dorothy Pierce of Grand Junction, Colorado; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

In addition to his wife and parents, Estle was preceded in death by his son, Gregory Townsend and three brothers, Arthur, Harold and Paul Townsend; and two sisters, Sybil Pierce and Binney Giberson.

Private family services were held at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur with graveside services to be held later this year at Kings Grove Cemetery in Maine. Military honors will be conducted for Estle at his graveside services which will be held later this year.

Preferred memorials are to the American Legion Post #43 Color Guard.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana