William "Bill" L. Fleck

William L. “Bill” Fleck Jr., 84, Silver Lake, Indiana, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2021 at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Born in Wabash, Indiana, on September 8, 1936 to the late William L. and Catherine Lorene (Murphy) Fleck Sr., Bill was one of three children.

After graduating from Wabash High School in 1954, Bill enlisted in the United States Army and after serving for two years enlisted in the United States Navy Following twenty-one-years of service to the United States, he retired from the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California in 1976. Bill then worked at Interstate Brands for a few years in San Diego, California.

Upon returning to Wabash, Indiana, Bill married Mary Kathryn (Smith) Randol on July 1, 1983. They then moved to be on the lake at Silver Lake. During their time together, Bill held several community-based jobs, including a bus driver for Living Well in Wabash County, before fully retiring. Before Bill’s health began to decline, he loved to fish as well.

Bill was a good man who loved his country and God. He was a life member of the VFW and Moose in Warsaw, Indiana, a member of the American Legion Post #15 in Wabash, the Blinded Veterans Association, and USS Enterprise Association. Bill found peace in religion and was a member of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in North Manchester, Indiana, where he was also a third-degree Knight of Columbus.

The loving memory of William L. “Bill” Fleck Jr. will be forever cherished by his wife of nearly thirty-eight years, Mary Kathryn Fleck; step-sons, Jeff (Cindy) Ruffner, Butte, Montana, Steven (Lenka) Ruffner, Arizona, Larry Ruffner, San Diego, California, and Todd Ruffner, San Diego, California; step-daughters, Tracy (Glenn) Hobbs, Silver Lake, Indiana, and Carrie Ruffner, San Diego, California; seven grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild on the way. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; step-son, Daniel Smith; brother, John Anthony Fleck; and sister, Catherine Alice Wagmer.

Family and friends may call Wednesday, May 19, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana. A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 12:00 noon with calling beginning at 11:00 a.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 1203 State Road 114 East, North Manchester. Burial will be held at Falls Cemetery, 725 Falls Avenue in Wabash, Indiana with Father Lawrence Teteh officiating the Mass of Christian Burial.

For those who wish to honor the memory of William “Bill” Fleck, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Welfare League, P.O. Box 1906, Warsaw, Indiana 46581.

The family of William L. “Bill” Fleck has entrusted McKee Mortuary with final arrangements and care.