Daniel B. Ferkinhoff's Obituary
Daniel B. Ferkinhoff, age 78 of Batesville died Friday, April 29, 2011 at St. Andrew’s Health Campus. Born October 4, 1932 in Oldenburg, he is the son of Seraphine (Nee: Schulte) and Joseph Ferkinhoff. He married Rita Buschur October 13, 1956 at Holy Family Church in Oldenburg. Dan worked for Margaret Mary Hospital 35 years before retiring in January of 1998. 34 of those years were as maintenance supervisor. He was a member of St. Louis Church, the Knights of Columbus Council #1461 where he served as Grand Knight from 1980 to 1982, the Indiana Engineers Society and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271.Dan will most certainly be remembered as a prankster. While his family shared many stories, a favorite of theirs happened one day at work. In the hospital kitchen near where the dishes were cleaned was a drain. Dan poured acid down the drain. As the ladies were cleaning dishes, the fumes melted their pantyhose. His playful personality endeared his employees to him. He was instrumental helping plan the 1971 addition to the hospital. An active member of the Knights of Columbus, he enjoyed the camaraderie and helped plan the construction of the new building. In his free time he liked spending time outdoors fishing, rabbit and squirrel hunting, pitching horseshoes and working at his father’s farm. He also liked to follow the Colts and Reds. Dan preferred taking care of his retirement account himself and kept a close eye on the stock market and financial news to make sure he was properly invested. The two qualities his family admired most about him was his willingness to help others (although he himself hated asking for help) and his mind-set to overcome the physical challenges he faced in later years.He is survived by his wife Rita; daughters Lisa Hedge of Indianapolis, Diana Schutte of Batesville, Laura Foster of Van Wert, Ohio, Nancy Craig of Scottsburg, Indiana; sons David of Middletown, Rhode Island, Thomas of Richmond, Indiana; sisters Mary Tekulve of Phoenix, Arizona, Joellen Dietz of Batesville, Donna Schutte of Oldenburg; brother Marvin of Brookville; seventeen grandchildren; three great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his brother Clifford.Visitation is Monday, May 2nd, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 3rd, at St. Louis Church with Rev. Randy Summers officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271 and Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183. The family requests memorials to St. Louis School Tuition Angels or Gibault School.
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