Dewey C. Houck Jr.

Dewey C. Houck, Jr. Passed away peacefully on January 22, 2024 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, with his family by his side. He resided in his boyhood home for over 60 years. He was known at "The Mayor of Rivermet Avenue" as a term of endearment amongst his neighbors. He had many things in which he had found enjoyment throughout his life. Particularly, he enjoyed fishing, bowling, traveling to Florida, early Indy car racing, college basketball and Cubs baseball, Jeff Gordon, and slow pitch softball. He always looked forward to visits from his friends, neighbors, his HBPC team, and family as well as attending- family events, such as family reunions, graduations, weddings, sporting events for his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family. Growing up, he attended Forest Park Elementary and then went to Northside High School, the same place many of his children and grandchildren attended as well. Dewey had enlisted into the Army Air Force during World War II, in which he drove a truck carrying the fuel to the airplanes on the front lines in Italy. He was a member of the Fort Wayne American Legion Post #499 for 75 years. Before Leaving and after returning from his post in World War II, he was a Professional Commercial and Residential Painter, where he became a lifetime member of Local Painters Union #469. After returning returning from World War II, on July 19, 1946, he married the love of his life Gretta "Jo" Harmes, and celebrated 61 years of marriage and was blessed with five children. Dewey was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey C. Houck, Sr., and Blanch "Marie" (Larkin) Houck, all five siblings Delores Mellinger, Gene O. Houck, Greta Guethe, Betty Beck, and Laura May Hartwell, as well as his wife, Gretta "Jo" Houck, daughter Cheri L. Bowers, son Timothy D. "Tim" Houck, two nephews and two great nephews as well. Dewey is survived by his Son, Thomas Houck (Cindy), two daughters Shelly Johnson, and Terri Hammons (Dave), eleven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, thirteen great-great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews along with their families. He will be deeply missed by all. Special thanks are in order to The Veterans Administration, The Veterans Administration's Home Base Primary Care Team, Progressive Medical Care Team at Parkview Regional Medical Center, American Legion Post #499, as well as the family, friends and neighbors that have provided support, love, care throughout all of these years.

A visitation for Dewey will be held Friday, February 2, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at C.M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home, 1327 North Wells Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46808, followed by a visitation from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dewey's memory may be made to Veterans Administration Attn: Voluntary Service HBPC, 2121 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805.