Dan Canfield

Dan Canfield, formerly of Rossford, Ohio, died Monday, October 9, 2017 at the Ohio Veteran’s Home in Sandusky, Ohio. Mr. Canfield was 95.
Mr. Canfield was born June 19, 1922 in Toledo, Ohio. After graduating from DeVilbiss High School he spent two years studying engineering at Northern Michigan Technical University in Petosky, Michigan. Mr. Canfield loved hockey and chose Northern Michigan Tech because he learned they had an outdoor rink which could open early as September. After two years at college he was drafted and deferred his enrollment for six months. He entered active duty April 1943, and served in the army until March, 1946. When he returned from active duty he went to work at Libby Owens Ford in Rossford as a line worker, staying there all of his employed life until he retired.
He was Honorably Discharged in 1946 and was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during active duty. He remained proud but humble when asked about his military service. One of his great delights - when wearing his Veteran’s cap and strangers would thank him for his service - was to tell them he still had a bullet in him. No one ever failed to appreciate this interesting piece of information. The bullet, which had lodged in his left shoulder, was deemed better left untouched by military physicians so it was never removed. To her credit it was only discovered when his wife, Betty, determined a physical exam was in order prior to their wedding in 1994.
Dan married the former Betty Brundage Utterback, also of Toledo, in October, 1994. They were delightfully married until Betty’s death in 2011. After her passing Mr. Canfield moved briefly back to his home in Rossford, which he had faithfully maintained most of his adult life aside from his time in the US Army. Subsequently he moved to West Park Retirement Community and ultimately to the Ohio Veteran’s Home in Sandusky.
Mr. Canfield loved his wife, his home in Rossford, and hockey. He is survived by his stepdaughter Lynn Ingram and her husband Jim of Boston, MA. He is also survived by his stepson Rick Utterback and his wife Nell of Deerfield, Illinois. Additionally, he is survived by several nieces and nephews from Virginia Beach to Chicago. Finally, he is survived by his caretaker Pam Auger of Sandusky, whose love and compassion during his later years lengthened and improved his life beyond measure.
A private memorial will be held at the home he loved all of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.
Pfeil Funeral Home, Sandusky Chapel, 617 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Condolences may be shared with the family at pfeilfuneralhome.com.
 

 Service Information