Franklin Budd Wade, 89, of La Porte passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Brentwood Assisted Living.
Budd was born on January 10, 1927 in Cincinnati, OH to Frank E. and Juanita L. (Budd) Wade.
He was married on April 10, 1949 in Lebanon, IN to Jean Ellen Brenton who preceded him in death in 2012. Surviving are his two daughters; Brenda (Jeff) Guernsey of Jamestown, OH and Jane (Mark) Degler of Oshkosh, WI; grandchildren, Jessica Guernsey, Collin (Molly) Guernsey, Evan Degler and Adam Degler; three sisters, Emma Lee Slagle of Muncie, IN, Phyllis (Leon) Williamson of Fairfield Glade, TN, and Joyce Lange of West Lafayette, IN. He was also preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-laws, Jack Slagle and Charles Lange.
In his youth, his family moved from Cincinnati to Lebanon, IN and he graduated from Lebanon High School in 1945. He attended Purdue University where he received his degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1953. At the end of World War II, Budd served in the US Army in Italy. During the Korean War, he served with the Army Corps of Engineers at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. In 1958, his employment with Weil-McLain Company moved him to La Porte. He retired from the company after 37 years. Locally, he belonged to Bethany Lutheran Church, was a member of the La Porte Jaycees, and volunteered with Meals-on-Wheels. He was also a member of the Purdue Alumni Association, 35 year member of the John Purdue Club, 25 year member of Purdue Griffin Society and Purdue President's Council. Budd was an avid reader, especially when it came to books about World War II.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 pm CST on Friday, June 3, 2016 at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service with full military honors will be held at 11:30 am CST on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Interment will occur at a later date in the Carmel Cemetery in La Porte.
In honor of how much he enjoyed following Purdue sports, especially men's basketball, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the John Purdue Club, 900 John Wooden Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.