Ronnie Gene Smith

Ronnie Gene Smith, 74, of rural Wabash, Indiana passed away at 3:42 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 in Vibra Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born to the late Fred P. and Pauline L. (Palmer) Smith on September 11, 1940 in Wabash, Indiana.

Ronnie was a 1958 graduate from Noble Township High School. Ronnie raised pure bread registered hogs and was employed with MSD School Corporation for 20 years and retired in 2007.

He is survived by a brother, Dick Smith (Lavone) of Wabash, Indiana; two nephews, Zechariah P. Smith of Noblesville, Indiana and Jason Corn (Jozanna) of LaFontaine, Indiana. He was preceded in death by a nephew, Joshua P. Smith.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Memorial Lawns Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana, with Jason Corn officiating. Preferred memorials are directed to Wabash County Hospital Oncology Department, 710 N. East Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992. McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Merrill Dee Lloyd

Merrill Dee Lloyd, 93, went to be with his Heavenly Father, on Monday afternoon, December 29, 2014 in the Fort Wayne Veteran Hospital with his loving family at his side.

He was born in Marion, Indiana to the late David V. and Geneva (Bocock) Lloyd. Merrill married Donna Coffman on June 26, 1943 and she survives. He was a member of LaFontaine Christian Church in LaFontaine, Indiana.

Merrill was a 1939 graduate of Marion High School where his passion was football. Following graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After his discharge, he returned home to his second passion, farming. After he retired, Merrill and Donna spent winters in Avon Park, Florida, where friends became family after 30 years. He loved to mow his yard; work in the garden; and just spend time with family.

In addition to his wife, Donna; survivors include daughter, Carol (Bill) Preston of Wabash, Indiana; son, Phil (Penny) Lloyd of Marion, Indiana; six grandchildren, Sarah (Darrin) Oliver, Susan (Jason) Worster, Steven (Carol Marie) Nose, Danny (Marie) Lloyd, Joe (Amy) Lloyd, David (Mandy) Lloyd; fifteen great-grandchildren and four step-great- grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, January 2, 2015 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the LaFontaine Christian Church, 202 Bruner Pike, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940. Funeral services will be Saturday morning January 3, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the church, with Pastor Brad Wright officiating. Burial will follow at Grant Memorial Park in Marion, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be directed to LaFontaine Christian Church, 202 Bruner Pike, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940.

Arrangements were entrusted to McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Clyde Russell Stoner

Clyde Russell Stoner, 91, formerly of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at Avante` of Ocala in Ocala, Florida. He was born on March 3, 1923 in Peru, Indiana, his parents Harvey and Dine (Haitt) Stoner preceded him in death.

He served his country in the United States Army. He married Ida Belle Reece, she passed away, then he married Lorraine Penzel, she survives in Ocala, Florida. He was a former member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge in LaFontaine, Indiana.

He is also survived by a son, Paul Stoner of Tennessee; three daughters, Mrs. Claudia Ryggs of Wabash, Indiana, Jo Lynn O’Connell of Warsaw, Indiana and April Kaiser of Florida; brother, Daniel Rose of Illinois; 16 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. He is also preceded in death by a son, Richard Stoner.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 2, 2015 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Matthew Riggs officiating. Burial will follow in the LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana 46940.

Calling will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home on Friday. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Ruby Marie Martin

Ruby Marie Martin, 99, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 1:50 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Wabash County Hospital. She was born to the late Lee and Mable (Green) Ross on September 10, 1915 in Aurora, Indiana.

She married Lester Martin in 1980, he precedes her in death. She was a member of Christian Church at Somerset.

She is survived by a niece, Margaret Benson-Burnworth of Wabash, Indiana; four great nephew and nieces, Ken Benson (Chris) of Wabash, Indiana, Mrs. Don (Carol) Sweet of Converse, Indiana, Janie Hayslett of Wabash, Indiana, and Mrs. Paul (Mary) Cornett of Wabash, Indiana. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary E. Brown.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Pastor Brad Wright officiating. Burial will follow in the Memorial Lawns Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana 46992.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 1 p.m. until time of service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Gary L. Driscoll

Gary L. Driscoll, 64, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at his home. He was born to the late Mark and Lorene (Miller) Driscoll on June 23, 1950 in Wabash, Indiana.

He was a Wabash High School graduate and attended 4 years at Indiana University. He retired from Allen County Building Department and was previously employed with M&S Electric in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He is survived by son, Dylan Driscoll of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brothers, Michael Driscoll (Judy) of Mexico, Indiana and Dan Driscoll (Pam) of Wabash, Indiana; and cousin and dear friend, Brad Miller of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter and three brothers.

No services will be held. Preferred memorials are directed to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46814 or American Cancer Society, 111 E. Ludwig Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825.

Burial will be at a later date at the Memorial Lawns Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana. McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 was entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

John William Snyder

John William Snyder, 88, rural LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 8:40 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2014 in LaFontaine. He was born June 18, 1926 near Reed’s Station, Illinois to Andrew and Alma (Ashby) Snyder. John honorably served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946 in World War II, in the South Pacific. He married the love of his life, Dolores Jean (Thompson) Snyder on July 5, 1948. He retired from General Motors, Marion, Indiana in 1992. He was a farmer all of his life.

He was a devoted member and leader of Boundary Line Church of Christ and was currently a member of Woodland Hills Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores Snyder, LaFontaine; son, David (Tresa) Snyder, Lenoir City, TN; daughter, Holly Snyder, LaFontaine; daughter, Susan Sailors, Wabash; daughter, Jean (Jeff) Whitmer, Wabash; son, Jeff (Bill) Snyder, Sebastopol, CA; daughter, Rebecca (Curtus) Walker, LaFontaine; 18 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Donald L. (Patricia) Snyder, Florida; many other family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by son, Dennis Joe Snyder; parents, Andrew and Alma Snyder; parents-in-law, John S. and Leona Thompson; siblings, Max, Fred, Kay, Fay, and Ray.
 

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, December 15, 2014 at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are directed to Indiana Organ Procurement Association (IOPA), 3760 Guion Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46222 or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Roberta B. Martin

Roberta B. Martin, 87, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 11:31 a.m. on Monday, December 8, 2014 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born to the late Walter V. and Tessie M. (Garst) Hawley on May 17, 1927 in Wabash, Indiana.

She was a Wabash High School graduate. She married Richard B. Martin on August 18, 1946, he passed away on September 10, 1997. She was a secretary for 20 years and a local real estate sales agent for 10 years.  She was a member of Church of Christ in Wabash, Indiana. Also a member of Wabash Saddle Club and Wabash Squares Dance Association, and Wabash Board of Realtors- AARP 2886.

 She is survived by two sons, Douglas A. Martin (Jody) of Speicherville, Indiana and Christopher J. Martin of Chester, Illinois; daughter, Mrs. Terry (Shirley) Niccum of Wabash, Indiana;  sister,  Velma M. Smith of Wabash, Indiana; four grandchildren, Michael Martin, Daniel Martin, Christi Miller-Pieper, and Mary Martin-Holland; seven step grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Richard Hawley and two sisters, Garnet Gibson and Wanda Daub.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2014 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992. Burial will follow at Friends Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are directed to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312, American Macular Degeneration, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515 or Winchester Senior Center, 239 Bond Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992. Online condolences may be sent to www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Rosalia "Rosie" L. Dluzak

Rosalia “Rosie” L. Dluzak, 91, of Wabash, Indiana passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 6:20 p.m. at Saint Anne Home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born to the late George A. and Edith T. (Scher) Karst on July 3, 1923 in Huntington County, Indiana.

She a 1941 graduate from Huntington Catholic High School. She received a certificate in business communications from Skadron College of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She married William D. Dluzak on November 19, 1955 at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Huntington, Indiana, he passed away August 7, 2010. She held several jobs before becoming a full-time wife and mother. She was a long standing member of St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church, where she served on numerous committees. She was also a member of Right to Life, American Life Lobby, and American Family Association.

She is survived by three sons, Joseph A. Dluzak (Kathy) of Roanoke, Indiana, Philip Dluzak, and John Dluzak (Jenny) both of Fort Wayne, Indiana; four daughters, Pamela S. Dluzak of Fort Wayne, Karla M. Dluzak of Wabash, Indiana, Judith A. Dluzak and Linda (Dave) Luegring both of Fort Wayne, Indiana; 11 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters, along with husband, Bill.

Mass of a Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church, 207 N. Cass Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Father Sextus Don officiating. Burial will follow in the Falls Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana. Preferred memorials are directed to St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church, 207 N. Cass Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992 or Saint Anne Home, 1900 Randallia Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Rosary at 7 p.m.. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Helen I. Wyckoff

Helen I. Wyckoff, 101, of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 11:20 a.m. on Sunday, November 30, 2014 at Rolling Meadows Healthcare Center in LaFontaine, Indiana. She was born to the late Fred and Bertha (Dodt) Arven on August 16, 1913 in Lucerne, Indiana.

Helen Arven married Richard G. Wyckoff in 1937, he passed away on March 13, 1990. She was a homemaker to her family and owned several restaurants in her working career. She was a member of LaFontaine Christian Church in LaFontaine, Indiana.

She is survived by a son, Fredrick (Sally) Arven of LaFontaine, Indiana; grandchildren, Ralph (Teresa) Skaggs of Bluffton, Indiana, Michael (Deborah) McKillip, Gary (Jacalyn) Wilson, and Brian Arven all of Wabash, Indiana; 9 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Wilma Guenin of LaFontaine, Indiana. She was preceded in death by a brother and four sisters.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2014, with one hour of visitation prior at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Brad Wright officiating. Burial at a later date at the Estates of Serenity I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Marion, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are directed to The Salvation Army Marion, 359 N. Bradner Avenue, Marion, Indiana 46952 or LaFontaine Christian Church Building Fund, 202 Bruner Pike, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Lucille T. Highley

Lucille T. Highley, 95, of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 12:40 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2014 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born to the late Alvah F. and Lottie (Waggoner) Troyer on July 19, 1919 in Grant County, Indiana.

She graduated from Sweetser High School in 1937. She was also a Marion Business College graduate. Lucille worked at the Grant County Extension office, then as the Vital Records Register for the Wabash County Health Office.

She was a member of LaFontaine United Methodist Church of LaFontaine, Indiana. Memberships also included D.A.R., Eastern Star, Marion Easter Pageant, and various other local clubs and organizations. She was an avid volunteer including Meals on Wheels, Women’s Society of the Methodist Church, 4-H club leader, and Methodist Church Camp programs, including the YO- PE-MI-CA director. She was co-founder of Single Parents Camp. She also taught Sunday School most of her adult life and was a Methodist Youth Fellowship leader.

She is survived by three daughters, Polly Edwards of Berne, Indiana, Mrs. Beth (Lawrence)  Ludewig of Baker, West Virginia, and Mrs. Sarah (Royal)  Mullholland of Greenville, Illinois; brother, A. Forrest Troyer of DeKalb, Illinois; sister, Marguerite Guenin of LaFontaine, Indiana; 2 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 14 step great grandchildren, 8 step great great grandchildren, and two (AFS) American Field Service students, Taru Kuhanen of Finland and Shaila Data of India. They both lived with the Highley Family during their Senior year at Oak Hill High School. Lucille was preceded in death by a son, Larry L. Highley, and a brother, Charles Robert Troyer, and a grandson, Clay Edwards.

Funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 2014 at LaFontaine United Methodist Church, 2 W. Kendall Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Eastern Star services beginning at 6 p.m..  Lucille was an avid reader, who enjoyed the search as much as the book, and loved every minute at the Methodist Church Camps. Family request donations in lieu of flowers directed to Troyer Memorial Library, 1 E. Kendall Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 or Impact 2818-Epworth Forest Program, 8531 E. Epworth Forest Road, North Webster, Indiana 46555 or impact2818.org.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 12 noon until 4 p.m. on Monday at the church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com. A private family burial will be held at a later date in the LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.

McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 is entrusted with arrangements.