May 5, 2021 at 4:58 p.m.
Former Dunkirk mayor dies at age 77
Fager led city for two terms, also served on council
Former Dunkirk mayor dies at age 77
Grant Fager, former mayor, council member and firefighter, died Monday.
He was 77.
Fager served two terms as mayor of Dunkirk.
A Republican, he was first elected mayor in 1987, defeating Democrat Charles DeCamp 436-297. He won all of the city’s four precincts.
“I’m ready to put politics behind and get busy,” he told The Commercial Review after his victory. “Basically, I’m satisfied. I’m optimistic with the bunch we’ve got.”
He succeeded fellow Republican Jack Mink, who served two terms and chose not to seek a third.
Fager was uncontested in earning a second term in 1991. He chose not to seek a third term in 1995 and was succeeded by fellow Republican Robert Davenport. (No Dunkirk mayor has served more than a single term since Fager left office.)
The 1961 Dunkirk High School graduate also served two terms on Dunkirk City Council prior to being elected mayor. He was council president for four years.
As a councilman and mayor, Fager was an advocate for creating the city’s industrial park. He emphasized the need for community involvement.
“The survival of Dunkirk or any other small community depends on the leadership we provide now,” Fager said during his campaign for mayor.
Fager was also involved with the formation of Jay County Development Corporation and served on Indiana Lt. Gov. John Mutz’s task force that sought to keep Indiana Glass Co. in Dunkirk. He was a firefighter for the city for 25 years.
In addition to his government service, Fager worked at Stewart Brothers Furniture in Dunkirk for 44 years and at West Jay Middle School for six years.
Fager was born on Aug. 24, 1943, in Portland to E. Grant Sr. and Helen (Todd) Fager. He grew up in Dunkirk and married Martha “Lana” VanHorn of Pennville on Sept. 7, 1963.
Survivors include his wife; son Doug (Karen) Fager; daughter Jill (Mike) Wells; four grandsons; and one great-grandson.
Wilson Shook Funeral Home is handling arrangements. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. His full obituary appears elsewhere on this page.
He was 77.
Fager served two terms as mayor of Dunkirk.
A Republican, he was first elected mayor in 1987, defeating Democrat Charles DeCamp 436-297. He won all of the city’s four precincts.
“I’m ready to put politics behind and get busy,” he told The Commercial Review after his victory. “Basically, I’m satisfied. I’m optimistic with the bunch we’ve got.”
He succeeded fellow Republican Jack Mink, who served two terms and chose not to seek a third.
Fager was uncontested in earning a second term in 1991. He chose not to seek a third term in 1995 and was succeeded by fellow Republican Robert Davenport. (No Dunkirk mayor has served more than a single term since Fager left office.)
The 1961 Dunkirk High School graduate also served two terms on Dunkirk City Council prior to being elected mayor. He was council president for four years.
As a councilman and mayor, Fager was an advocate for creating the city’s industrial park. He emphasized the need for community involvement.
“The survival of Dunkirk or any other small community depends on the leadership we provide now,” Fager said during his campaign for mayor.
Fager was also involved with the formation of Jay County Development Corporation and served on Indiana Lt. Gov. John Mutz’s task force that sought to keep Indiana Glass Co. in Dunkirk. He was a firefighter for the city for 25 years.
In addition to his government service, Fager worked at Stewart Brothers Furniture in Dunkirk for 44 years and at West Jay Middle School for six years.
Fager was born on Aug. 24, 1943, in Portland to E. Grant Sr. and Helen (Todd) Fager. He grew up in Dunkirk and married Martha “Lana” VanHorn of Pennville on Sept. 7, 1963.
Survivors include his wife; son Doug (Karen) Fager; daughter Jill (Mike) Wells; four grandsons; and one great-grandson.
Wilson Shook Funeral Home is handling arrangements. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. His full obituary appears elsewhere on this page.
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