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A highly respected man of honor, courage, and unwavering strength, Eldon Guy Jagger made a significant impact in the lives of everyone he met. Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, he was a humble man whose greatest joy was found in the family he shared with the love of his life. A longtime resident of the community he loved, Guy was the sort of person everyone seemed to know. A farmer through and through, he worked hard in everything he did. Life will never be the same without Guy here, but he leaves behind a colorful...
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A highly respected man of honor, courage, and unwavering strength, Eldon Guy Jagger made a significant impact in the lives of everyone he met. Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, he was a humble man whose greatest joy was found in the family he shared with the love of his life. A longtime resident of the community he loved, Guy was the sort of person everyone seemed to know. A farmer through and through, he worked hard in everything he did. Life will never be the same without Guy here, but he leaves behind a colorful mosaic of memories that his loved ones will forever cherish.
It was great to be an American during the 1920s, at least until the crash of the stock market in October of 1929 ushered in the harsh days of the Great Depression. Unemployment was widespread, and with a drought that crippled our nation’s heartland for nearly two years the agricultural industry was greatly affected. It was just as the 1930s were dawning that Harry and Ethel (Shively) Jagger were pleased to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Eldon Guy on June 18, 1930. Born on the family farm in Thorncreek Township, Indiana, he was the fifth of seven children as he was joined in his family by his older siblings, Ruby, Fordus “Clee,” Marge, and Ellen, and his younger siblings, Carol and Ardith. When Eldon was 14, the family moved down County Road 350 to the farm where his parents would remain throughout their lives.
In many ways Eldon, or Guy as he was usually known, was a typical farm kid. When he wasn’t busy working on the farm, he enjoyed things like fishing, hunting, swimming, riding horses, playing the Hawaiian guitar, and playing basketball. Guy was also actively involved with the 4-H. Even after 10 years he was still part of and supported the Whitley County 4-H. Guy attended Thorncreek School and then on to Columbia City High School, where he would graduate with the Class of 1949.
Not to be forgotten during his years in high school was Guy’s introduction to the young woman who would forever hold the key to his heart. Her name was Shirley Duncan, and she was quite smitten with him as she thought he was very handsome. She regularly wrote Guy notes that were passed to him by her girlfriends during class. They quickly fell in love, and a short time after graduating the sweethearts were married on June 24, 1949.
A year after being married, Guy’s life was forever changed when he was involved in a farming accident on Friday, July 7, 1950. His right arm became entangled in the rollers of an Allis Chalmers round roll hay baler while working on Willis Miller’s farm. Luckily, no arteries had been hit, and with the help of some nearby workers and the support of the local Allis Chalmers dealer, they were able to free him. Unfortunately, Guy would have to have his arm amputated. Throughout the time he was in the hospital, Shirley rarely left his side except to care for their eight month old son, Jim. Once he was released from the hospital, Guy recovered at his parents’ farm house.
At 20 years old and with no right arm, nothing ever stopped Guy from achieving so much, except for playing the Hawaiian guitar like he was used to. In February of 1951, Guy and Shirley purchased a farmhouse and a 200 acre farm just further South of his parents on County Road 350. They named the farm, Jagger Hereford Farm and raised Registered Polled Herefords while also farming grain. This became Guy’s career, and it is still in operation today, renamed and owned by their grandson, Rob Schuman. He was highly successful, too, as he was the first person to be named Outstanding Young Farmer in Whitley County. In addition to many awards, Guy won an award with the Whitley County Corn Growers and was awarded for Outstanding Beef Producer.
Guy was certainly passionate about farming, but his family was always first and foremost. Together he and his wife raised one son and two daughters. When his youngest child entered elementary school, Shirley went back to school. Guy fully supported Shirley as she earned her bachelor’s degree and later her master’s degree as well. He was very proud of her accomplishment, especially since she finished her Bachelor's in just three years. Guy was thrilled to become a grandfather, and he loved getting both his children and grandchildren involved with the 4-H program. He loved attending the county and state fair with them all, and nothing made him smile like holding his grandchildren and dancing with his family members.
It was so amazing how Guy could accomplish more things than most can with two arms. When Shirley wanted a pond, he dug her one using his bulldozer. Guy enjoyed waterskiing, although he needed to let go of the rope if his shorts started falling down! He was a great tractor pull competitor and won several state championships in his weight classes. Guy could drive a nail with a hammer with pin-point accuracy, and his accuracy as a skeet shooter was also impressive. He even shot two deer dead with one shot, which he said one was able to do when “you are that good.” Guy was a member of First Church of God, served on the Whitley County Council for over 20 years, and had been involved with the Jaycees. In 2012, Guy and Shirley moved to Sycamore Village in rural Allen County after more than 60 years on the farm.
Although Guy accomplished more with one arm than most accomplish with two, his greatest challenge was in watching Shirley struggle with her declining health. His life was forever changed on April 7, 2015, when he had to say goodbye after she passed away. Even in his sadness, however, Guy’s sense of humor and quick wit remained intact.
Well known and respected, Guy Jagger was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was a successful farmer, but his greatest success was found in raising the amazing family he adored. Guy was never one to let life get the best of him, and he had farming on his mind until his last days. Deeply loved, he will be forever missed.
Eldon Guy Jagger, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 8:20 a.m. Monday, February 29, 2016, at Renaissance Village in Fort Wayne where he had been for the past few days. Guy’s family includes his children, Jim (Jayne) Jagger of South Whitley, Kathy (Tim) Cook and Cheryl (Bob) Schuman, both of Columbia City; sisters, Ruby Sherman, Marge Mowrey, Ellen (Matthew) Henney and Ardith (Ray) Cormany, all of Columbia City; grandchildren, Chad (Kristin) Fry, Travis (Regan) Fry, Rob (Sarah) Schuman, Sonja (Mason) Bordner, Shelbie (Brandon) Holler, Jason (Amy) Jagger and Jarred (Daidra) Jagger; and 18 great-grandchildren with another one expected any day. Guy was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley Jagger; sister, Carol “Joann” Prater; and brother, Fordus "Clee" Jagger.
Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2016, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Brandon Holler officiating. Burial will follow where Guy will be laid to rest next to his wife at Blue River Cemetery, just down from the family farm. Memorial donations may be given in his memory to First Church of God or Whitley County 4-H, Inc. To send the family a condolence, visit www.DeMoneyGrimes.com.
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