John (Jon) J. Dyer, 83, of LaFontaine, Indiana, passed away on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 9:42 p.m., at Parkview Whitley Hospital in Columbia City, Indiana. He was born to Hershel Dyer and Dorothea (Johannsen) Dyer on December 4, 1942, in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

John grew up on a farm near Bennington, Nebraska. He was a talented artist and a professional photographer, starting while he was a student at Bennington High School. He retired from photography. He also learned that he was related to Benjamin Franklin. 

John is survived by his sisters, Mary Dyer of Omaha, Nebraska and Connie (Duane) Giesselmann of Doe Run, Missouri; niece, Gretchen; and great-nephew, T.J. He is preceded in death by his parents.  

Funeral services and burial information will be announced at a later date. 

Memorials may be made to the family and sent to McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Ave., Wabash, Indiana 46992.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main St., LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with John J. Dyer's final arrangements.

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

 

Sylvia Jane (Carver) Graves-Jacobsen, 87, of Wabash County, Indiana, passed away at 1:15 a.m., on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Wellbrooke of Wabash in Wabash, Indiana with her family by her side. She was born on February 4, 1938, to Herbert and Burie (Meyer) Carver in Wabash County, Indiana. 

Sylvia was a 1956 graduate of Urbana High School. She was married to Edward Gerald Graves, Jr. for 28 years; he passed away in 1986. She then married Benhart T. Jacobsen on June 27, 1987. They were married for 36 years before his passing on August 6, 2023. Sylvia was a lifetime member of Wabash Church of Christ. She worked in the office at Cyclone Seeder in Urbana, and also as a cashier at Clark's Grocery. Sylvia spent time at the Wabash Carnegie Library helping others learn to read. She enjoyed going to garage sales, sewing, quilting, and painting. Sylvia loved to play cards and sing at church, especially solo. Most of all, she loved her family and they were her entire life. 

Sylvia is survived by two sons, Timothy (Christina) Graves of Wabash, Indiana, and Tony Graves of Plymouth, Indiana; four daughters, Tena (Alan) McMullen of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tammy Kirby of Quincy, Michigan, Trudy (Daniel) Boone of Wabash, Indiana, and Carrie Graves of Phoenix, Arizona; 21 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 6 great great-grandchildren; sisters, Norma McVicker, Ruby Gaston, and Hilda Speicher, all of Wabash, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, 4 brothers, 2 sisters, 1 angel grandchild, 2 angel great-grandchildren, and 2 great great angels. 

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Wabash Church of Christ, 1904 N. Wabash St., Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Pastor David Fincher officiating. Burial will follow at Friends Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be two hours prior to the funeral service on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church.

Preferred memorials may be made to the Wabash Church of Christ, 1904 N. Wabash St., Wabash, Indiana 46992. 

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Sylvia Jane (Carver) Graves-Jacobsen's final arrangements.

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

 

Dennis C. Dials, 72, of Wabash, Indiana passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at his residence. He was born on February 12, 1953, to Ray Dials and Nadine Sears.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Doug Dials and Gary Dials. 

There will be no services.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with the final arrangements for Dennis C. Dials.

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

 

 

Graciela "Grace" Porter, 68, of Wabash, Indiana, passed away peacefully with her husband and son by her bedside at 10:29 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born on February 1,1957 to Miguel and Romana (Cortez) Torres in Pharr, Texas.  

Grace married Larry "Corky" Porter on April 16, 1977. She was a homemaker that loved to take care of her family, as well as her cats and dogs. She was a member of the Wabash Eagles Lodge; however, she also enjoyed going to the American Legion and VFW Post to visit with friends. She liked to eat at new places and watch movies with her family, but, most of all, she loved being with her family and friends. 

Grace is survived by her husband, Larry "Corky" Porter of Wabash, Indiana; son, David Porter of Wabash, Indiana; grandchildren, Bayli Chenoweth of Indianapolis, Indiana, Sydnee (Blake) Harner of Wabash, Indiana, and Logan Osborn of Wabash, Indiana; great-grandchild, Lakyn Harner; sister, Hilda (Robert) Torres-Casey of Marion, Indiana; brothers, Tom (Viva) Torres of Wabash, Indiana, and Miguel (Melinda) Torres, Jr. of Vandalia, Michigan; nephew, Benito (Beth) Torres of Marion, Indiana; and numerous other nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Maria Starns. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Christian Heritage Church, 2776 River Rd., Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Pastor Tim Prater. A dinner will follow. Everyone is welcome.

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Graciela Porter's final arrangements.

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

Ernest "Ernie" C. Kerlin, 58, a resident of Wabash, Indiana, passed away at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at his residence. He was born on October 20, 1967, to Linda Lee Craft in Grant County, Indiana.

Ernie was a 1986 graduate of Oak Hill High School and worked as a truck driver for H & S Metals. He was a member of the Wabash Moose Lodge #1195 and the Wabash Eagles Lodge #549. Ernie was a giver. He helped anyone in the community that he could, and every person he met he considered them a friend. Ernie especially loved his Ford trucks. 

Ernie is survived by his companion of 12 years, Mikki Bishop of Wabash, Indiana; stepson, Nick (Kayla) Stefanatos of Wabash, Indiana; stepdaughters, Tiffany (Max) Shenefield of Wabash, Indiana, Drew (Mason) Siddall of Roann, Indiana, Megan Bishop of Wabash, Indiana, and Amanda (Nathan) Shively of Bunker Hill, Indiana; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Ernie is preceded in death by his mother, one brother, Allen Craft, and sister, Frances Mathis. 

Visitation for friends and family will be on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at McDonald Funeral Home, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992. A private family burial will follow at Falls Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana. 

Preferred memorials may be made to Wabash Moose Lodge #1195 Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, 169 E. Market Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992. 

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Ernest "Ernie" Kerlin's final arrangements.

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

 

Joan E. Guingrich, 89, of Wabash, Indiana, passed away at 2:45 p.m., on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Parkview Hospital in Wabash, Indiana. She was born on March 17, 1936, to the late Virgil and Ina (Belcher) Hyatt in Gas City, Indiana. 

Joan was a graduate of Mississinewa High School. She married Earl E. Guingrich on May 28, 1954; he died on December 21, 2021. Joan was a member of the Lagro United Methodist Church. She worked at General Tire in Wabash, served as a church secretary, and was a homemaker. She enjoyed playing the piano, gardening, and loved to sing. Most of all, Joan loved being with her family. 

Joan is survived by one son, Carl Guingrich of Wabash, Indiana; one daughter, Marsha Guingrich of Wabash, Indiana; three grandchildren, Carl Guingrich II, Erika Guingrich, and Cynthia Green; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, Estel Hyatt, John Hyatt, and Virgil Hyatt, Jr., and one sister, Orpha Meyers.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Pastor Andrea Lantz officiating. Burial will follow at Falls Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the funeral home. 

Preferred memorials are to the Wabash County Animal Shelter, 810 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Joan E. Guingrich's final arrangements.

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

 

Joan C. Ross, 85, a lifetime resident of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 3:12 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 1, 1940, to the late Raymond Vogt and Dorothy (Parsons) Vogt. 

Joan married Russell Ross on September 8, 1961, he passed away on February 9, 2021. She worked at Wabash Magnetics in Wabash, Indiana before retiring. Joan enjoyed gardening and flowers, reading, and the Philadelphia Eagles. She especially loved her dog, Gus, and her family. Joan's family was everything to her and she loved to spend time with them. 

Joan is survived by one daughter, Shirley Ross of Wabash; one son, Russell (Cynthia) Ross, Jr. of Wabash; two grandchildren, Christopher Ross and Jonathan (Brittany) Ross, both of Wabash; four great-grandchildren, Leila Ross, Conner Ross, Savannah Ross, and Hudson Ross; sister, Delores Saksomboon of Pueblo West, Colorado; and her dog, Gus. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister, Dorothy Vogt. 

Per Joan's wishes, there will be no public services.  Private family services will take place. 

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with the final arrangements for Joan C. Ross.

Preferred memorials are to the Wabash County Animal Shelter, 810 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.

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