Lyle Leslie LaFever, 81, passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 in Sun City West surrounded by his family. He was born June 1, 1936 in Columbia City, Indiana to the parents of Carl F. LaFever and Garnet G. (Mosher) LaFever.
Lyle finished high school with a GED and joined the US Marines in 1953. He proudly served for 9 years and 9 months in Korea and Japan as an aircraft machinist. He then joined the Air National Guard from 1963 – 1964. It was inevitable that he would join the military at such a young age because even at age 8, he regularly dressed as a soldier. His father was a WWII veteran so this also contributed to his desire to serve our country. While growing up in Indiana and into adulthood, Lyle enjoyed all things outdoors, including hunting, target practice, roller coasters, four wheeling, and participating in Civil War reenactments with his horse, “Jesse”. Additional hobbies were writing poetry in his early years, woodworking – of which he could construct anything from miniature cars to furniture, and being an active member of the American Legion VFW, AZ Traditions Woodworking Club and Leatherneck Coffee Club. He worked at International Harvester for 26 years before moving to Arizona and starting his own business as a mobile repair and sharpener of surgical instruments.
Lyle married the love of his life, Nelleen Hollenbaugh, on June 25, 1966 in Columbia City, Indiana. They were married for 51 years and had two children, Travis (wife, Terri) LaFever from Waddell, Arizona and Indy (husband, Jackson) Fitzgerald from Surprise, Arizona. Also to cherish his memory are five grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Judy Schillace; and brother, Neil LaFever.
Without any doubt and most important to all his family, his deep love was always known by his words and actions. He will be truly missed.
Memorial service with military honors will be Saturday, April 28, 11AM, at Sunland Mortuary Chapel. A reception will be held following the service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org) or Disabled America Veterans (www.dav.org) in Lyle’s memory.
