De Vaughn ‘De’ Eilar

Our father, De Eilar, 82, passed away Tuesday evening, Dec. 19, 2023.

Dad was born on Sept. 1, 1941 in Whitestown.

He spent his formative years in Stilesville on the family’s farm known as “Maple Lane Hybrids” producing farm seeds. He graduated from Stilesville High school in 1959. He worked at IBM and completed an apprenticeship at General Motors.

Dad will best be remembered by all as the auctioneer of the Greencastle Sale Barn. To his immediate family, he will best be remember as “The Greatest Man Ever! The Greatest Father, Greatest G-Pa, Greatest Husband,” and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. But more than anything, Dad loved spending time with our family, especially the ”grands” sharing stories about growing up on Maple Lane with Grandma and Grandpa Eilar and his three sisters and brother, and of course reminiscing on and on about the good times at the “the Sale Barn.”He was always there to offer guidance, support, and encouragement, no matter what challenges we faced.

In his free time, Dad enjoyed attending Coin Club meetings, Masonic temple functions, numerous auction houses and flea markets. He was a “horse trader” of many and all things. He was an active member of his community, raising money through auctions for various causes and organizations and passionate about helping others, be it food on their table or clothes on their backs.

He is survived by his wife, Janice Eilar (Wilson); his son Rob Eilar (wife Jody); his daughter, Dee Eilar Ehrhardt (husband John); stepdaughters Julie Gacsko (Matt) and Mandy Gacsko Sellers (husband Richard and three children); and grandchildren Evan Eilar, Nicki Eilar, Stephanie Eilar Applebee (husband Bob), Ian Ehrhardt (wife Lauren), Micki Ehrhardt (wife Valonne), Haley Ehrhardt (husband Michael) and Hannah Ehrhardt (Justin); and great-grands including Odin, Indy, Zoe and Audra Ehrhardt

A public viewing will be held at Hopkins Rector Funeral, Greencastle, on Wednesday, Dec. 27 from 3-6 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 6.

We would like to invite Dad’s family and friends to join us after the service at the 3G Bowling Alley, 1250 S. Jackson Street, Greencastle, where we will break bread and raise our cups to celebrate Dad’s life and to thank the Lord for letting us have him!