Daniel George Cade

Dan was born in Fort Wayne on July 5th, 1943, to Edward and Ercell Cade, the youngest of 3 boys. He graduated from North Side High School with the Class of 1961. Dan became a talented Patternmaker, and throughout his career worked at Cole Pattern, Allen Pattern, Standard Pattern, and Ward Pattern. In 1997 Dan co-founded Hoosier Pattern, Inc., where he would retire from in 2009.

In 1990 Dan was introduced to Mona, a serendipitous meeting as the two had briefly known each other decades earlier, a connection made over their shared love for Saint Bernards. On December 23, 1993 Dan & Mona were joined in marriage, and two families merged. Family was always important to Dan. He coached little league and was an active parent in Boy Scouts. He planned Christmastime trolley rides with family and friends, family vacations to Gatlinburg and Florida, rented a home on Lake James summer after summer for family and friends to make memories, and made every birthday and holiday special. He looked forward to attending his grandchildren’s graduations, birthday parties, weddings, and dance recitals. He enjoyed having dinners and grilling out just for the sole purpose of getting together and spending time with those he loved. He was an amazing cook and grillmaster.

Dan’s love for cars started at an early age, but he discovered his passion for cars at 15 ½ years old when he father gave him his old 1950 Chevy. Dan played with it and customized it until he was 16, and then drove the wheels off it, wreaking havoc with his buddies. He was lucky to grow up in the era of great cars, and even luckier to have driven and owned multiple beauties from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Dan was extremely proud of his 61 Shelby Cobra and his 1950 Chevy Fastback. Cars were a big part of Dan’s life and he was happy to share his passion with family and friends. If the weather was nice (and sometimes even if it wasn’t) Dan could be found at, and participating in, car shows. The easiest way to locate him in the crowd would be to look for the guy wearing a wildly colorful shirt, normally surrounded by a group of friends. Dan never met a stranger. He enjoyed being part of car clubs. As Chairperson of the Street Rod Association Dan was heavily involved in the Muddy River Run (for any youngsters the Muddy River Run was Fort Wayne’s biggest and greatest car show). Most recently Dan was a member of the Auburn Shifters Car Club.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved brother Don, and Guardian Angel daughter Angie. He is survived by his wife Mona Lewis Cade; daughters Sheri (Ed) Luecking, Amy (Brian) Woodcox, and Erica (Eric) Stroh; step-daughters Kimberly (Will) Pollock, and Kelly Casper; thirteen grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service for Dan is planned for Sunday, August 6th, 2023 at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Willennar Hall on 1600 Wayne Street, Auburn, Indiana. Visitation will be 1:30pm – 3pm, with service following. Dan’s family would like to encourage the Auburn Shifters, as well as any others, to drive their street rods, muscle cars, or classic beauties to his service in memory of Dan.

People wishing to honor Dan can make donations to Turnstone Center for Children & Adults with Disabilities at turnstone.org.