"There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, their light remains."

It is with deep sadness and love that the family of Dewey "D.F." Frederick Tagtmeyer announces his departure to be with the Lord occurred on January 29, 2022, at his home in Bonita Springs, Florida.

When coaching his daughter through how to write an obituary for a school project, Dewey told her to write about what you did to make the world a better place, how you made people feel, and how you want people to remember you. Dewey lived his life this way.

Born June 7, 1943, in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Dewey graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1961. He later graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Business and was a member of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. He served in the Indiana National Guard for 6 years as unit clerk. He went on to be co-owner of Bennett's Clothing and then worked for The Traveler's Insurance Company and the Loos Agency. He continued his career at Insurance and Risk Management serving as a Managing Partner until retiring as the Vice President of the Commercial Insurance Division at Old National Insurance in March of 2013.

In his free time Dewey loved to play golf with his friends, fish, cheer on his Indiana Hoosiers, read by the pool, watch every cowboy movie known to man, and rack up more wins than his wife at Spider Solitaire. Dewey loved to make others laugh. He was a devout Catholic and member of St. Charles Borromeo Ft. Wayne and St. Leo Bonita Springs parishes. He served on many boards including the Boys and Girls Clubs for Ft. Wayne and March of Dimes. He was a member of the Pine Valley Eighteen-hole league.

Loved ones that cleared the path for Dewey are his parents Helen and Fred Tagtmeyer, brother and best friend James "Jim" Tagtmeyer, sister-in-law Debbie Pfeiffer, brother-in-law Jerry Pfeiffer, and infant son Dirk Tagtmeyer. Loved ones that will continue to honor his legacy are wife of 51 years Patricia Tagtmeyer, children Peter (Marcy) Tagtmeyer, and Sarah Tagtmeyer (Evan) Farthing, brother-in-law Dale Pfeiffer, sister-in-law Shelley Tagtmeyer, nieces Kellie (Steve) Wilson and Kimberly (Tom) Albrecht, nephews Scott Pfeiffer, Jason (Kacina) Pfeiffer and Chase (Heather) Pfeiffer, grandchildren Steven (Sarah) Miller, Aaron Garretson, and Hayley (John) Birkenbeul plus seven great-grandchildren. Helping to lay him to rest by serving as his pallbearers, in addition to his son, are some of his best friends John (Nancy) Hettwer, Gary (Joann) Gant, Harold (Pamela) Everett, Bob (Becky) Hollo and Mike Roach.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Jude's Catholic Church Ft. Wayne on Friday, February 11 at 11:30 a.m. with visitation hours at the church starting at 9:30 a.m. Graveside service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ft. Wayne or St. Charles Borromeo Ft. Wayne.

Out of an abundance of caution, masks will be required for attendance at the viewing and funeral service.

Dewey would want everyone to celebrate his life by remembering how he made you laugh and smile and how he was there for you when you needed it most. Honor him by cherishing the moments (no matter how big or small) that you get to spend happy and healthy with family and friends - as they meant everything to him. So, raise a glass (maybe a bourbon on the rocks), have a laugh, cheer for your favorite team, and love with all of your heart as Dewey would.