Pastor Richard Joseph (Joe) Dayhuff
Pastor Joe fought the good fight, finished his course and kept the faith. On August 7, 2014 he received his crown of righteousness from the Lord, hearing these words “Well done thou good and faithful servant”.
Joe was born on 11/28/1940 to Elias and Catherine Buskirk Dayhuff at his home in Owen County, weighing only 1 lb 12 oz. While only a small little guy, God saw a giant man of God and He saw fit to let him stay here on this earth to be a blessing to everyone he met. There were many souls at the Gate to greet him who he lead to Christ personally or by planting the seed that brought them to salvation.
Joe graduated from Patricksburg High School in 1958 and attended ISU on an academic scholarship. Always having a love of planes and flying he went on to get his pilots license but never quite finished the hours to accomplish this. He enlisted in the Air Force but because of a health issue wasn’t accepted. He went to California to study for airline school and eventually worked for Lake Central Airlines in Terre Haute where he met the love of this life.
With the call of God still on his heart, he surrendered to preach and in 1962 entered Tennessee Temple College in Chattanooga, TN. After graduation in 1965 he accepted the call to pastor his home church, Pleasantview Baptist Church in Owen County. Joe pastored churches in Indiana and Michigan. In 1975 he joined the Singing Gardner Evangelistic Team from Buchanan, MI. He was their piano player, lead singer with their quartet and Evangelist. Joe was blest with a beautiful voice and played the piano and guitar. Joe served with the Gardner’s until 1979 when the family moved back to Terre Haute. It was a wonderful experience for the whole family who were able to travel with him during the summer months wherever God called them to minister. He has been the pastor of the Southside Baptist Church for the past 30+ years. As well as being a minister for over 50 years, Joe drove school buses in Michigan, Clay County and for St. Patrick’s school in Terre Haute. He was owner and operator of Dayhuff & Sons painting business.
Joe leaves behind his beloved wife and helpmeet in the ministry of 51 years, Ada (Sue) Kable Dayhuff, two sons, Douglas (Ruth), Daniel (Kim), and daughter Margaret (Chuck) Brooks. Grandchildren, Brian and Christi, Kaitlyn, Abbie and Isaac, Cameron, Catherine, Michael. Great-grandson Jason. His sister Arlene Fulk and special niece Ruthie Worthington and nephew Bradley Fulk (Becky) along with aunts, uncles and cousins.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the technicians at Fresenius Dialysis for their care over the past six years as well Dr. Jeevan and staff and Dr. Spickelmire and staff at UAP South. Also thanks to Kindred Care (Southwood) rehabilitation center for their excellent care. He was especially fond of Steve who he said really worked on him to get him stronger. The nurses and staff on Dove Ln were kind and caring as well.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday Aug. 12 at 11:00 at DeBaun Springhill. Visitation will be on Monday, Aug.11 from 4:00 – 8:00 at the funeral home. Burial will be at New Harmony Cemetery. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Diabetes Foundation in Joe’s memory.