Oct. 12, 1923 - Sept. 27, 2008SOUTH BEND - David Gilbert Laflin, 84, passed away at 2:30 AM Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, in Ironwood Health and Rehab. Dave was born on October 12, 1923, to Cecil and Bessie Laflin in Speedway City, Indiana. His father passed away when Dave was four years old. His mother and family of eight children moved to Lebanon, Indiana. He graduated from Lebanon High School and during his senior year played on the boy's basketball team that went to the state finals. He received the coveted Gimbel Award (now known as the Trester Award) for sportsmanship and athletic ability. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. Dave enlisted in the Marines during World War II, fought in five campaigns in the South Pacific, was wounded on Iwo Jima and received the Purple Heart. When he returned home he attended Purdue University and graduated in 1951. He was an insurance agent for 50 years and retired in 2007. Dave's passion was playing golf and he won numerous tournaments including the South Bend Men's City Tournament (now known as the Metro) and was runner-up in the Indiana Men's State Tournament in 1958. Preceding him in death were three brothers and two sisters, Robert, Tom, Carl, Margaret Laflin and Ruth Helms. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marilyn; a daughter, Penny Torma; son-in-law, Todd Torma; grandson, Tory; and two brothers, Denny Laflin (Betty Jo) of Columbia, MS, and George (AnnDora) of Kokomo. Dave was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite of South Bend. He was chairman of the Shrine Circus for many years and worked as a volunteer for this area in obtaining admission of children to the Shrine hospitals. He was president of the Purdue Alumni Association of St. Joseph Valley for several years and remained an active member of the board of directors until illness prevented his participation. He also served as a member of the board of directors of the Beiger Heritage Foundation of Mishawaka. There is no visitation at the funeral home. A service will be held in Grace United Methodist Church, 3102 S. Twykenham Drive, South Bend, at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, Sept. 30th. Dr. David Schrader and Rev. Lauren Hall will officiate. Friends may offer their condolences to the family one hour before the service in the church. Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, is handling the arrangements. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in David's name may be made to Grace United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. The South Bend Tribune, Sept. 28, 2008