Robert Mack "Bob" Pulley

Robert Mack "Bob" Pulley, 94, of Wabash, passed away at 6:57 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Wellbrooke of Wabash.  He was born on October 7, 1923 in Wabash to the late Wilbur and Aldred (Cecil) Pulley.  

Bob was a 1942 graduate of Wabash High School.  After graduation, he served as a Captain in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.  Bob married Mary Luella Grisso on February 14, 1948 in Sidney, Indiana.  He retired as Captain from the Wabash City Fire Department after twenty years of service. He was a fireman for years at the Indianapolis 500 and was one of the first Wabash City ambulance drivers. He was proud of being the oldest living Wabash City Fireman.  He then retired as an electrician from Ford Meter Box Company after ten years. Bob was also co-owner of one of the first rear engine flat track cars. Bob was a member of the Wabash Christian Church and the American Legion of Wabash, Post 15.  

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Luella; sons, Robert Michael (Nancy) Pulley, Columbus, Indiana, Terry Mack (Teresa) Pulley, Tony Wayne (Donna) Pulley, both of Wabash and Kelly Richard (Vickie) Pulley, Nashville, Tennessee; daughter Dawn Aldred (Kevin) Ervin, Fishers, Indiana; fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by one brother, John Pulley and one great-grandchild, Destinee Pulley. 

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 2, 2018 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Reverend Haley Asberry officiating. Burial will follow in at Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash.  Visitation for family and friends will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. 

Preferred memorials are directed to FISH of Wabash, 770 1/2 West Hill Street, Wabash, IN  46992.  

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Mary Shatto

Mary (Lynch) Shatto  91

Mary Shatto died, June 14, 2018 at her residence at Signature Health and Rehab of Muncie, after a short illness. 

Mary Ellen Lynch was the youngest of 5 siblings, and was born to Grace Powell Lynch and Eddie Lynch, in Swayzee, Indiana on January 31, 1927.
Mary grew up in and around Grant and Wabash counties, but called LaFontaine her hometown, and Muncie, her home.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Fern (James) Eads, Dorthea (Bob) Clark, Burneda (John E.) Bechtol, her brother, Robert (Wilma) Lynch, and her former husband, Bob Shatto.  Also preceding her are her nephews, Steve Bechtol, Chad Dilling and Joe Bailey.

Surviving are her daughters, Tacy Shatto Ray (Grady), Muncie and Tammy (Scott) Houser, Mooreland; grandchildren, Grady Ray Jr, (Kristin Lisa), Austin, TX, USAF TSGT Garrett Ray (Dinah Compton), Mary Esther, FL,  Eli Houser, and Hannah Houser, both of Mooreland.   Also surviving are nieces and nephews and their families: Peggy Eads Dilling, North Manchester, Nan Bechtol Bailey, Fishers,  Deanna and Sam Faust, Ft. Wayne, Deb and Jim Garrison, LaFontaine,  Johnny Bob Bechtol, LaFontaine, Kim and Steve Dyson, Corydon, and Maggie Bechtol, Walton, and Bob and Mike Lynch.

Mary graduated from LaFontaine High School in 1945.  For many years she devotedly attended annual alumni dinners, performing the Cossack fight song, with her fellow cheerleaders.  While living in LaFontaine, she fondly remembered working at Ted’s Rexall drugstore.  She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge there.  She married Bob Shatto in 1951.  She eventually moved to Muncie, where she lived her remaining life.

Mary was a homemaker and baby-sitter for several children through the years.  Later, she worked and retired from Ball State University Dining Service. After retirement, she loved  attending the monthly “Rockin’Redbirds” retirement club dinners.  A special thanks, to her friend, Gleela Miracle, who made sure Mary had a way to the meetings after she stopped driving.
Mary was a long-time member of the Gamma Beta Chapter of Pi Omicron national Philanthropic sorority.  She made many surviving life-long friendships with her sorority sisters.  Thanks to Helen, Mary Lou, Iona, Derexa, Aileen, Bea, and others.

Mary enjoyed sports, from Muncie Central and Ball State Basketball to watching her grandchildren play football, baseball and swim.  She was always a cheerleader.  She also loved music and was a groupie for America’s Hometown Band.  Mary and her dear friend, Helen Gragh, would brave weather and rough terrain to carry their lawn chairs to the concerts.

Mostly, Mary enjoyed being independent.  She proudly took care of her home and yard, even in her late years. She would have gladly traded her wheelchair for her riding lawnmower.
The last year and a half, Mary lived at Signature Healthcare due to failing memory and health.  Her daughters would like to thank the wonderful staff at Signature Healthcare and Kindred Hospice for their skill, love, and support.  A special thanks to Herlan Hines for the music and joy he brought to Mary in her last months.  This was her connection to her life and the Lord that no one else could give.

Mary was a loving Mother and Grandmother who will be greatly missed.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2018 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Brad Wright officiating. Burial will follow at LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.  Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are to the American Hometown Band in Muncie at  http://amhometownband.org/wp/?page_id=1640 or to the Class of 1945 LaFontaine High School by sending memorials to Lafontaine Alumni Association, c/o Janice Dawes, 5798 E 975 S, Lafontaine, IN  46940

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Helen C. Cochran

Helen C. Cochran, 92, of LaFontaine, passed away at 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at Rolling Meadows Health and Rehabilitation in LaFontaine. She was born on August 13, 1925 in Blackford County, Indiana to the late William "Bud" and Fay (Hurst) Reed.

Helen graduated from Montpelier High School in 1943.  She married Charles Wilbert Cochran on March 9, 1947 in LaFontaine; he survives.  Helen worked at home on the farm and taking care of her family.  She also baked wedding and birthday cakes and catered many events.  Helen was a member of the LaFontaine United Methodist Church. 

Helen is survived by son, Dennis (Sherol) Cochran, LaFontaine; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by one son, Michael; one grandchild, John David; three sisters and one brother.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Crystal Jacobson officiating. Burial will follow at LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.  Visitation for family and friends will be two hours prior to services at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to the LaFontaine United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 57, LaFontaine, IN  46940.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Robert W. Johns

Robert W. Johns, 82, of LaFontaine, passed away at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at Miller's Merry Manor - West in Wabash.  He was born on July 27, 1935 in Bluffton, Indiana to the late Raymond R. and Mazie (Morrow) Johns.

Robert was a 1953 graduate of LaFontaine High School.  He married Alice Howard on February 11, 1958; she survives.  He was a self-employed business owner and musician.  Robert was in a band in the 1950's named the Fabulous Jokers.  He loved being a musician. Robert attended First General Baptist Church in Marion, Indiana.

He is survived by sons, Raymond Johns, Wabash, Marvin Johns, LaFontaine and Kevin Johns, Vandalia, Michigan; daughter, Cynthia Ratliff, Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Matthew Johns and Kevin Cody Johns, and great-grandchild Liam Conner.  He was preceded in death by one sister. 

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2018 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992. Burial will follow in the LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery.  Visitation for family and friends will be two hours prior to services at the funeral home. 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Ernest R. Shelton

Ernest R. "Ernie" Shelton, 82, of Lagro, Indiana, passed away at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, June 1, 2018, at his residence.  

Ernie was born in Drift, Kentucky on December 14, 1935 to the late Fred and Lizzie (Pack) Shelton.  He married Vera Parsons on November 26, 1958; she survives.  

Ernie retired as an inspector from General Motors in Marion, Indiana after 35 years of service. After his retirement from General Motors in 1996, he worked for three years at Thomas Ford, Wabash and then worked over ten years for McDonald Funeral Homes at the Wabash and LaFontaine locations. He also spent countless hours helping and serving his church.

In 1982, Ernie began his walk with Christ and from then on he was a faithful servant. He was an active member of the Wabash Free Will Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and as a Trustee of the church. He coached Pony League and Little League.  Ernie was also a member of the UAW of Marion.  Ernie's favorite activity was spending time with his family, whom he loved very much. He also enjoyed family reunions, playing with his grandkids and sharing childhood memories.

Along with his wife, Ernie leaves behind son, Derrick S. Shelton, Wabash; daughter, Adrena Crace, Wabash; grandchildren, Justin (Melissa) Shelton, Clermont, Florida, Heather (Tyler) Bashlor, Canyon County, California, Brittany Shelton, Florida, Chelsea (Joe) Beard, Warsaw, and Carlee Crace, Wabash; brother Fred Shelton, Jr., Martin, Kentucky and six great-grandchildren: Blake Orth, Kamron Orth, Kylan Bashlor, Khloe Bashlor, Brock Shelton and Kensley Thompson. Ernie is preceded in death by one son, Maurice Shelton.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2018 at Wabash Free Will Baptist Church, 1056 Erie Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Pastor Tod Masters officiating. Burial will follow in the Lagro Cemetery in Lagro, Indiana.  Visitation for family and friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.  

Preferred memorials are to the Wabash Free Will Baptist Church, 1056 Erie St, Wabash, Indiana 46992.

Online condolences maybe sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com