Dave Horn, 83

David Earnest Horn of Granger, Indiana passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the age of 83. He was born on February 8th, 1940.  On August 8th, 1964 he married Ruthann Wilson in Constantine, who survives. He is survived by his daughter Christy (Rod) Mangus of Granger, his son Michael (Christopher) Horn of Chicago, and four grandchildren: MacKenzie (Dan) Sahm, Emily (Anderson) Woods, Meredith Mangus, and Matthew Woods. His brother Marvin Horn of Galesburg also survives. He was proceeded in death by his mother, Katherine Horn and four brothers, Roger, Bill, Dick, and Edward.

Dave strongly believed in the following quote from Abraham Lincoln, “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so his place will be proud of him”. This is something that Dave truly lived by.

Dave graduated from Galesburg-Augusta High School and participated in many sports in school where many of his coaches made a significant impression on him growing up. He was also a member of his local boy scout troop and was very proud to have earned the prestigious distinction of Eagle Scout.

Dave was the first from his family to graduate from college. He was a proud alumnus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.  Go Broncos!  Upon Dave’s graduation from college in 1962, he started his search to begin his career as a teacher and coach. He was hired by Constantine High School in the fall of 1962 as a physical education teacher.

Throughout his almost forty years at Constantine high school, he served many roles in addition to teacher, including administrator, athletic director, school bus driver, and starter for hundreds of cross-country and track meets. However, the role he is best known for in Constantine was as a football coach. Coach Horn’s original goal was to become a baseball coach; however, the baseball coach position was filled and the only vacancy available for coaching was football. Dave’s Constantine Falcons teams excelled, including several undefeated seasons during his tenure as head coach. He was elected to the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1990.

Although it was not where he grew up, Constantine became Dave’s hometown. Dave and Ruthann were longtime members of the United Methodist Church in Constantine. He was a fixture in Constantine for over 50 years including being actively involved and leading numerous programs and activities in the community. He was recognized in 2006 as the Citizen of the Year for Constantine. In retirement, he attended many sporting and extracurricular events at the high school. Dave was actively involved in the Constantine Alumni Association, and helped establish the Constantine High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Dave will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He will be remembered for the immense pride he had for his grandchildren. In addition, for his ability to draw from the endless catalog of his various life experiences, to add a relevant and humorous story into any conversation.

Cremation has taken place. Relatives and friends will be received Saturday, March 4, from 10AM to 12PM at the Constantine United Methodist Church. A Memorial Service celebrating Dave’s life will follow at noon.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Dave’s memory to be made to either the Constantine High School Athletic Department or Heart to Heart Hospice, Mishawaka, Indiana. Please visit Dave’s page to sign his guest book and leave a message for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.