Patoka, IN

Dale O. Hyatt, 96, passed away Thursday Jan. 22, 2015 at St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville.

He was born in Griffin, IN on Nov. 5, 1918 son of Sidney and Lillie (Gard) Hyatt.

He was one of the last survivors of the March 18, 1925 tornado that tore through the Midwest that destroyed Griffin. As a 6 year old school boy, he was riding in the school truck south of Griffin. Just as the school truck stopped at the Vanway home, the tornado struck the truck. The school truck driver was killed along with others. Dale was found in the barn lot alive but injured. His father Sidney was killed in Griffin when a brick building fell on him in his car.

Dale was a graduate of Griffin High School, served his country in the United States Army in the Philippine's during WWII as a light machine gunner with the 160th Infantry Division in the South Pacific with General McArthur's Island Hopping Campaign. He was a lifelong farmer.

Dale married Nellie on Dec. 26, 1947. Together they were blessed with two daughters, Brenda and Linda.

Survivors include his daughters, Brenda (Scott) Lankford and Linda (Craig) Schafer; 5 grandchildren, Sally (Ryan) Martin, Kelly (Chad) Thompson, J.D. (Andi) Ice, Andrew (Jamie) Schafer and Kyle Schafer and fiancée Brooke; 11 great-grandchildren; in-laws, Argiree Hyatt, Dr. Elvis and Mary Lou Wilson; aunt, Juanita Hyatt; 5 nieces, 1 nephew and 1 cousin.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Nellie (Wilson) on April 20, 2013; brothers, Lucian (Frances), Sidney “Jack” and sister, Vera (Bob) Simpson.

Services will be held on Tues. Jan. 27, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Holders Funeral Home in Owensville with Bob Douglas officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Griffin. Military graveside service will be conducted by the retired military veterans.

Visitation will be on Mon. from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home.