Milligan - Dale
From: Hunt & Son Funeral Home web page
Dale Milligan of Crawfordsville passed away on June 21, 2023. He was born in Waveland to James Milford and Ruby A. Milligan on December 25, 1925. He graduated from Waveland High School and spent one semester at Wabash College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy where he served in the Pacific theater until World War II ended. He witnessed from the deck of his ship the surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay. He then returned to Wabash College graduating in 1949. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and an active alumnus of the college, serving as a class agent for many years.
On August 14, 1948, Dale married the love of his life, Clara Louise Aumann from Shelbyville, then teaching at Waveland High School. In 1958, they opened Milligan’s Garden Center adding the Flower and Gift Shop later. He retired in 2000 after moving the Flower and Gift Shop to East Main Street and turning that business over to his daughter, Susan Rosen.
Dale served on the Crawfordsville Zoning Board, the Alcoholic Beverage Services Board, and the Milligan Park Board. He was a past president of Rotary, the Masonic Lodge No. 300 of Waveland, the American Legion Post 72, University Club, and Ouiatenon. He delivered Meals on Wheels until 2019. He was an active member of Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church for 70 years where he served as Elder, Deacon and chaired many committees and projects.
Dale and Clara Lou were longtime members of the Crawfordsville Country Club, enjoyed traveling, and had many friends in the Crawfordsville community. Dale was a voracious reader and an avid historian with a special interest in Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War and was the keeper of the Milligan family lore. In 2017 at the age of 91, he achieved a personal goal by visiting Normandy.
He is predeceased by Clara Lou and survived by daughters Nancy Frick (Charlie) and Susan Rosen, granddaughter Libby Pollak (RJ) and grandson Evan Frick, great-granddaughters Ellie and Quinn Pollak, and many loving nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Brothers deceased are J. Kenneth, Roland, Richard, Milford, and a sister, Ellen Jane.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, July 1 at Wabash Avenue Church with Rev. Dr. John Van Nuys officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 AM until the time of service at the church. There will be a private burial at Oak Hill Cemetery North with military rites by the United States Navy and V.F.W.
Hunt & Son Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.huntandson.com
Memorial contributions may be made to Wabash College or Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church.