Flags lowered to honor Ben Giaquinta

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Flags across Allen County are flying at half-staff Friday to honor Ben GiaQuinta.

The former State Representative passed away Sunday at the age of 87.  GiaQuinta was in his 60's when he first ran for office.

His experience on the Wayne Township Advisory Board helped prepare him to represent the state's 80th district.

GiaQuinta had been battling heart problems the last few years.

Allen County Commissioners have ordered that flags at county buildings be lowered to half-staff this weekend in his honor.

The Board of Commissioners released a statement concerning the passing of the Honorable Ben GiaQuinta:

"The Board of Commissioners was saddened to learn of the passing of Ben GiaQuinta this past Sunday. We cannot say enough about Representative GiaQuinta's lifelong dedication to service. He served his nation in World War II, his community in the Indiana General Assembly, and his family through decades of love and devotion. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the GiaQuinta family, Ben's friends and colleagues in the General Assembly, and those members of the community fortunate enough to have met him.

The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allen is ordering flags at county buildings lowered to half-staff from Friday to Sunday in remembrance of Representative GiaQuinta and his service to Allen County."

Services for GiaQunita start Friday afternoon.

Visitation is from 1-to-9 p.m. at the Klaehn, Fahl and Melton Funeral Home on Winchester Road in Fort Wayne.

The funeral is at 10:00 Saturday morning at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church on Fairfield Avenue, with calling an hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, the family's asking donations be sent to Parkview Hospice, Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, or the Fort Wayne Community Schools Scholarship Fund.