AUBURN - Cecil F. "Pete" Barhydt, 78, died Wednesday at 3 a.m. in Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne.
     He was Auburn's police chief for eight years and a chief deputy sheriff for DeKalb County for five years.
     Mr. Barhydt was a meat cutter for most of his life, and cut steaks at Joshua's Restaurant until March. He retired in 1985 from Rieke Corp. after 11 years of service.
     He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Auburn, where he was a former lay minister and Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 165. He guided eight boys in becoming Eagle Scouts. He was a former Auburn Little League coach and former DeMolay chapter dad. He was a member of Ashley Masonic Lodge 614, F.& A.M. and the former Waterloo Masonic Lodge. He played Santa Claus in Auburn for many years.
     Mr. Barhydt was born Nov. 19, 1920, in Goshen to the late George W. and Jennie M. (Getz) Barhydt.
     He married Dorothy L. Shelton on Dec. 24, 1924. She died Jan. 4, 1988.
     Surviving him are one son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Barbara Barhydt of Auburn; and three grandchildren, Todd, Tyler and Cheryl Barhydt.
     Three brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.
     Friends may call Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.,m. in Feller Funeral Home, Waterloo.
     His funeral service will be conducted Saturday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home, with the Rev. Bill Kaster and the Rev. Susan Poynter officiating. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery, Auburn.
     Memorial contributions may be given to the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization.