Warren Lee Briggs

Warren Lee Briggs, 86, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away peacefully on Friday December 29, 2023 surrounded by his family. Warren was born in Akron, Ohio on November 27, 1937 to Warren L. and Eleanor Briggs. Warren completed twelve years in the Wooster, Ohio school system. He proudly graduated from the Ohio State University in 1962 with a degree in animal science.

On June 21, 1964 in Sedalia, Ohio, Warren married Ruth Ann Ropp, whom he met while attending OSU. Warren and Ruth Ann raised their family in East Peoria, Illinois for thirty-three years. Warren was an artist who specialized in stained glass-his favorite being glass flowers. He owned Art Glass of Illinois, where he created one-of-a-kind show pieces of artwork as well as teaching classes where he passed along his self-taught skills and his love for stained glass; he was named an Illinois Artisan. He was also skilled in many aspects of fine woodworking, creating “show” pieces. Warren also enjoyed fishing on Lake Erie. Later, Warren worked in the research and development department at Caterpillar, Inc., retiring in 2002. After retiring and moving back to Indiana, Warren continued to learn many new aspects of glass and wood working. Warren was a 50-Year member of the Presbyterian Church and was a current member of Covenant United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne. He was also a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity.

Warren’s greatest passion was his family; they survive him: wife, Ruth Ann Briggs of fifty-nine years; son, Dan (Hollie) of Pickerington, Ohio; daughter, Lee Ann (Jeff) Potts of East Peoria, Illinois; grandchildren: Jacob (Ann) Potts; PJ Zaiac; Seth Potts and Isabel Potts and great-grandson, Parker Potts. Warren loved playing with and teaching his grandchildren his vast knowledge. Also surviving Warren is his sister-in-law, Becky (Larry) Snider; sister-in-law, Myrle Briggs; brother-in-law, Eddie (Carol) Ropp as well as several nieces and nephews, many beloved Briggs cousins and dear friends.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, Warren Leland and his adoring step-mother, Paulyne Briggs; his brothers: Bruce Briggs and Richard “Dick” Briggs; his sister, Elizabeth Briggs. Cremation rites will be accorded and a private family celebration of life will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at Covington Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be directed to Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825 or to Huntertown Woodworking Club, 16471 Lima Road, Huntertown, Indiana 46748. Arrangements entrusted to Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services-Mungovan.