Donna Lee Piper

 

Donna Lee Piper, 89, of LaFontaine, passed away at 1:03 p.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Rolling Meadows Health and Rehabilitation surrounded by her family, where she had resided for four years.

Donna Lee Shane was born on Christmas Day 1935, the daughter of Howard and Margaret (Ancil) Shane. From an early age she was raised by her paternal grandparents, Ed and Eunice Shane. She had two siblings Barbara (Shane) Duffer and Ronald (Judy) Shane. 

Donna was a 1953 graduate of Swayzee High School. She married Richard Eugene Piper on June 21, 1953. Donna worked at RCA for 40 years before retiring. She made the best chicken and homemade noodles you ever tasted. In fact, everything she made was extraordinary. She enjoyed making candy at the holidays. She also loved growing flowers and had a greenhouse where she could start her own seeds. Donna was also an animal lover, and had a few special dogs: Greta, a black lab and Gunner. She was also an avid reader and used the library frequently at the nursing home. So much so, they named the library after her.  

Donna is survived by her husband, Richard Piper of LaFontaine, Indiana; one daughter, Susie (Bob) Goodpasture of LaFontaine, Indiana; two grandchildren, Don (Natalie) Goodpasture, and Lisa (Bill) Chapman, both of LaFontaine, Indiana; five great-grandchildren, Mariah and Evelyn Goodpasture, Brynn, Kenzie, and Kailyn Chapman, all of LaFontaine, Indiana. 

Funeral Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Susan Shambaugh officiating. Burial will take place at LaFontaine I.O.O.F Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana at a later date.

Visitation for friends and family will be two hours prior to the service from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the funeral home.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Donna Lee Piper’s final arrangements.

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

Bruce Kilty

 

Bruce A. Kilty, 78, of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 9:17 a.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Marion General Hospital in Marion, Indiana. He was born to Paul A. and L. Ruth (Klinkhamer) Kilty on January 17, 1947, in Huntington, Indiana.

Bruce was a 1965 graduate of Southwood High School. He then went on to serve in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict and retired from the United States Air Force as an ASA Master Sargent. He was an avid sports fan, loving Alabama Crimson Tide Football. Bruce also loved to watch NASCAR. 

Bruce is survived by two sons, Paul Edward Kilty of Mobile, Alabama, Phillip Alan (Sheila) Kilty of Lynnhaven, Florida; two grandchildren, Timothy Kilty and Sarah Kilty; and one sister, Rebecca (John) Powell of LaFontaine, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his parents. 

Per Bruce's request there will be no public services. 

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Bruce Kilty’s final arrangements.

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

Thomas VanMeter

 

Thomas E. VanMeter, 90, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 3:55 p.m. on, Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Blair Ridge Health Campus in Peru, Indiana. He was born to Thomas S. and Maggie L. (Qualls) VanMeter on September 16, 1934, in Kiser, Arkansas.

Thomas married Georgia R. Norton on September 8, 1956. She passed away March 25, 2022. He served in the United States Army. He worked at Container Corp. in Wabash as a Power Plant Manager before retiring. 

Thomas is survived by two sons, Perry (Deborah) VanMeter of LaFontaine, Indiana, Scott VanMeter of Garrett, Indiana, one daughter, Shanna (Michael) Eltzroth of Wabash, Indiana, five grandchildren, Kevin Eltzroth, Mellissa Spencer, Brandon VanMeter, Joshua VanMeter, and Jessie VanMeter, 14 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one grandson, Brady Eltzroth, two brothers, and one sister.

Private family services will take place with Pastor Brad Wright officiating. Burial will take place at Memorial Lawns Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana. 

Preferred memorials are to be directed to the Wabash County Animal Shelter, 819 Manchester Ave., Wabash, Indiana 46992 in care of McDonald Funeral Homes.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Thomas VanMeter’s final arrangements.

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

Kathy Jo Depoy

 

Kathy Jo Depoy, 71, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 6:00 a.m. on, Monday, August 4, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born to Phillip Parrett and Lorna (Coe) Thomas on March 18, 1954, in Wabash, Indiana.

Kathy was a graduate of Wabash High School. She enjoyed crafts, reading, baking, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and her grandchildren.

Kathy is survived by one son, John (Celeste) Depoy of Graham, Washington; one daughter, Sharon Copeland of Wabash, Indiana; four grandchildren, Jasmine (Caleb) Bolinger of Wabash, Indiana, Shelby (Mikhael) Flohr of Wabash, Indiana, Steffen (Amber) Riley of Peru, Indiana, Katie Depoy of Kokomo, Indiana; four great-grandchildren, Kaidyn Flohr, Hans Riley, Violet Bolinger, and Olina Riley. She is preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Debra Berry, and one son-in-law, David Copeland.

Per Kathy's wishes there will be no public services. 

Preferred memorials are to be directed to the Wabash County Animal Shelter, 819 Manchester Ave., Wabash, Indiana 46992 in care of McDonald Funeral Homes.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Kathy Jo Depoy’s final arrangements.

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

Martha Bird

 

Martha L. Bird, 89, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 3:14 p.m. on, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at her residence. She was born to Lawrence and Kathryn (Arnold) Bird on March 12, 1936, in Wabash, Indiana. 

Martha was a graduate of Wabash High School. She then continued her education at Indiana University receiving her master's degree. Martha worked as a school teacher at Wabash High School. She was a member at First United Methodist Church in Wabash.

Martha is survived by several cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Richard Bird. 

Private graveside services for family will take place at Matlock Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana. 

Preferred memorials are to be directed to the Honeywell Center, 275 West Market Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992 in care of McDonald Funeral Homes.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Martha Bird’s final arrangements.

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