Howard J.R. Slifer

Howard "J.R." Slifer, 77, of Twelve Mile, passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Born April 28, 1931 in Twelve Mile, he was the son of Howard and Nellie Glassburn Slifer. On September 12, 1948, at the Baptist Temple in Logansport, he was married to Eileen Kingery, and she survives.

J.R. was the owner of the Ford dealership in Twelve Mile for over fifty years. He received multiple Dealer In Excellence awards.

He was proud to serve his community as a Volunteer Fireman for over fifty years. He was named the first Fireman of the year, in Cass County in 1983. J.R. was one of the founding members of the Cass County Crime Stoppers and was Past President. He was a member of VFW in Logansport, Eagles No. 852, the American Legion No. 60, and a fifty-year member of the Royal Center Masonic Lodge No. 585.

J.R. had a love for music and played guitar for sixty-seven years. He had the privilege of playing with Hank Williams, Jr., Stonewall Jackson, and Crystal Gayle... to name a few. In 1949, his band the Cass County Ramblers played the opening for the WSAL Radio Station.

He enjoyed getting together with his friends for jam sessions and teaching his son and grandsons to play the guitar. He also had a love for camping, mushroom hunting, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include two children, Donita Hook and her husband Jim, Logansport; Anita Boldry and her husband Steve, Rochester; a daughter-in-law, Helen Slifer, Florida; two sisters, Sandra Tigler and her husband Bill, Denver; and Patty Cooper and her husband Wally, Michigan; a sister-in-law, Mary Weller, Kokomo; eleven grandchildren, Rob Hook, Wendy James, Doug Hook, Bill Hook, Eric Slifer, Marcus Slifer, Gabby Slifer, Libby Behr, Tammy Bonnell, Brad Boldry, and Scott Boldry; fourteen great-grandchildren and several, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one son, Charlie Slifer, and one brother, Richard Weller.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at McClain Funeral Home with Pastor Bob Cree officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Creek Cemetery, rural Cass County.

Friends are invited to call from 3-:8:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Twelve Mile Volunteer Fire Department, or American Diabetes Association.