Daine Pufahl

Daine Pufahl, 92, of Melbourne, Florida, went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, October 16, 2026. He was born on April 8, 1934, on the farm in Headlee, Indiana, to Irvin Harold Pufahl and Vera Elizabeth Marx.

Daine was a man of quiet strength and steady faith. He gave his family his time, his love and his example, and he leaves behind a legacy that will be felt for generations.

A Life of Service

At just 17 years old, Daine answered the call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served honorably for over 13 years as a Radar Technician and later as an Avionics Instructor, passing his skill on to the airmen who came after him. He carried the discipline, loyalty and sense of duty he learned in uniform for the rest of his life.

Daine later joined Honeywell as a Customer Engineer Technician, where he was certified on the Honeywell H200 computer system. After leaving Honeywell he went to work for Civil Service with the government as an instructor on Chanute AFB and Patrick AFB retiring in 1989. He tried retirement briefly, but he quickly returned to the workforce as a security guard for Harris Corporation until he retired officially at age 88. He loved his work and sought to continue to provide for his family.

Above all, Daine was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family was his greatest joy, and he was never prouder than when he was surrounded by them.

His Family

Daine is survived by his older sister, Charlotte Joan Walters; his younger sister, Eleanor Rose Tapp; and his youngest brother, Tim (Dianne) Pufahl.

He is also survived by his children, Debbie (Mike) Millar, John (Laurie) Pufahl, Diana (Pufahl) Harrell, Donna (Gary) Wilson, and Denise (Terry) Mineer; his adopted children, Dawn (Caleb) Chidebell and Logan (Leah) Pufahl.

He was a proud grandfather to Carla Jo Kerr-Busboom, Rachel Wilson, Ranae Wilson, Lindsey (Jared) Purcell, Connor (Robin) Millar, Jesse (Kace) Mineer, Stryder Pufahl and Isaac Chidebell. He was also blessed with many great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin Harold Pufahl and Vera Elizabeth Marx; his late wife, Vercie Pufahl; his first wife, Shirley (Hann) Pufahl, eight of his siblings, his grandson Rodney Dane Pufahl, and his great-grandson Karter Michael Millar.

Services

Breakfast will be served in his honor at 9 AM on Thursday, November 12th at New Beginnings Church located at 444 Grove Ln, Melbourne, FL 32901. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11 AM.

Burial with military honors will occur on Friday, November 20th at 1:30 PM at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 Highway US 1, Mims, FL 32754.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to New Beginnings Church.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." — 2 Timothy 4:7