Russel Fahl, 85, Columbia City, passed away at 5:08 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016, at his home. Born July 24, 1930, in Wabash County, he was the son of George A. and Opal (Snyder) Fahl.

He played football and basketball at Columbia City High School, winning the Covenant Honor Blanket and graduated with the Class of 1948. He married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Perry on April 21, 1951. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a sales manager with Town and Country Food. In 1968 he was a co-owner with his brother Robert of Holland Mobil Home Park in Warsaw. He would expand the park and rename it, Westhaven Estate Park. He also opened up a sales mobile home sales lot, Fahl Luxury Homes.

In 1984, he and his wife moved to Warsaw to be closer to the business’s they managed together. Russel would also go on to own and operate Green Acres and when he and his wife moved back to Columbia City in 2011, they bought Magic Hills Golf Course. In addition, Russel had been a farmer and had over 1300 acres. He loved supporting and being with his family. He attended First Church of God and was a member of the Elks. Russel was a supporter of the Whitley Co. 4-H and was proud of starting The Fahl Family Athletic Scholarship last year.

Survivors include his wife: Evelyn Fahl; children: Pam McCoy, Columbia City; Joe Fahl, Fort Wayne; Karen (Ryan) Cook, Columbia City; and Max Fahl, Columbia City; sisters: Bonnie Merriman, Fort Wayne; Shirley Fahl, Jacksonville, Ala.; and Norma Sontendahl, Austin, Texas; nine grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Tom; Richard; Clarence “Fritz”; and Robert Fahl; sisters: Charlotte Fahl-McClain; Mary Fahl-Bourne; Sandra Rarick; and an infant brother and sister: Charles and Patricia.

Visitation is 2-4 p.m. and 6-7:45 p.m. with an Elks service at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 11, at the funeral home with Pastor Brandon Holler officiating. Burial will follow at South Park (Annex) Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer Association or Heartland Hospice.