George W. "J.R." Bentley Jr.

 

George W. "J.R." Bentley Jr., 84, of Warren, Indiana, formerly of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 11:29 a.m., on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Parkview Huntington Hospital in Huntington, Indiana. He was born on October 12, 1941, to George W. and Helen (Amsden) Bentley in Grant County, Indiana.

J.R. graduated from Jefferson High School in 1959. He married Carol Jean Keiffer on June 17, 1960, at the Banquo Christian Church. J.R. retired from farming and from being a school bus driver for MSD for 30 years where he also drove the Southwood Knights to many sporting events. He was a member of Banquo Christian Church where he served as an Elder and Deacon for many years. J.R. was a former 4-H leader in Wabash and Huntington County.

J.R. is survived by his wife, Jean Bentley of Warren, Indiana; four daughters, Jody (Greg) Friermood of Marion, Indiana, Jill (Denny) Owen of Cromwell, Indiana, Joni (Tim) Michael of Whitestown, Indiana, Jani (Jim) Brinson of Kokomo, Indiana; five grandchildren, Heidi (Kevin) Gusa of McKinney, Texas, Kyle (Caitlynn) Friermood of Pittsboro, Indiana, Kevin Friermood of Madison, Wisconsin, Ethan Michael, Evan Michael, both of Whitestown, Indiana; two great grandchildren, Grayson Friermood and Wrenley Friermood; one sister, Betty Zimmerman of Warren, Indiana; one sister-in-law, Margaret Bentley of Warren, Indiana; one brother-in-law Robert Keiffer of LaFontaine, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Jack Bentley, one sister, Mary "Bee" Ulrich.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street., LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 with Pastor Harold Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Etna Cemetery in Mount Etna, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Preferred memorials can be directed to the Banquo Christian Church, 8924 S. 900 W35, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with George W. "J.R." Bentley Jr.'s final arrangements.

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

James Coldren

James W. Coldren, 91, passed away at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at his home in El Cajon, California. He was born on May 11, 1935, to James D. and Florence (Bright) Coldren in Richvalley, Indiana.

Fresh out of Linlawn High School, Jim enlisted in the Navy and embarked on his career and newly found travels. He quickly met his wife, Claudia Frazer, while stationed in California and raised 3 daughters in their 52 years together before her passing in 2009.

Jim proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1954 to 1974. Upon retirement, he and his family left Groton, Connecticut and settled in El Cajon to begin civilian life. He became an iconic fixture while employed at the San Diego Yacht Club and the Del Mar Fair.

He enjoyed traveling by van across the country with annual pilgrimages “back home to Indiana” to visit various statewide businesses, festivals, events, as well as family and many friends. Family members fondly recall that he never met a stranger. His last solo journey was in June, 2026.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Sheila Petticord, Idaho, and Susan Baldwin, California; grandsons, Douglas Winter and Brandon Baldwin, California; William and Corey Winter, Arkansas; proxy son, Frank Baldwin, California; sisters, Anita Scott, California, and Rachel Buzbee, Indiana; Robin Inman, New York; brothers, Rex Coldren, Montana, and Michael Coldren, New York; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews from New York to California.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Claudia; daughter, Sharon; brothers, Joseph (Joe), Paul, and Bruce.

Upcoming services will be at Riverside National Cemetery, California on Monday, October 19, 2026.

Preferred memorials may be directed to the American Legion or V.F.W. of Wabash.

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

 

Jerry Lee Watson, 75, of rural Wabash County, Indiana, passed away at 8:45 a.m., on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on December 19, 1950, to Paul and Martha (Rose) Watson in Randolph County, Indiana.

Jerry graduated from Randolph Southern High School in 1969. A machinist by trade, Jerry worked at Maul Brothers in Winchester, Indiana, before working at General Motors in Marion, Indiana. He married Peggy J. Williams on November 25, 1987; she died February 14, 2022. Jerry was an avid fan of NASCAR, the Indianapolis Colts, and Indiana Hoosiers. He enjoyed watching western movies, The Andy Griffith Show, and taking trips to Tennessee to visit his extended family.  Above all, Jerry loved his family and the time he spent with them.

Jerry is survived by his sons, Joe (Dinese) Watson of Lynn, Indiana, and Shawn Watson of Converse, Indiana; daughter, Jena (Robert) Sellers of Indianapolis, Indiana; adoptive daughter, Rose Watson of Indianapolis, Indiana; two grandchildren, Grace Watson and Tarissa Watson, both of Lynn, Indiana; and sister, Shirley Thurston of Richmond, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Peggy Watson, two brothers, Riley Watson and Dick Watson, and brother-in-law, Ivan Thurston. 

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 5, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street., LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 with Pastor Brad Wright officiating. Burial will follow at LaFontaine I.O.O.F. Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to the service on Monday, October 5, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Jerry Lee Watson's final arrangements.

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

 

Phyllis Madelene (Betten) France, 93, a resident of Wabash, Indiana, passed away at 3:13 a.m., on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at The Waters of Wabash East in Wabash, Indiana. She was born on October 30, 1932, to Harry and Edna Lucile Betten, in North Manchester, Indiana.

Phyllis was a graduate of Central High School. She worked at and retired from Kroger egg. She married Jack D. France on August 19, 1950; he died April 16, 2005. Phyllis was a member of Wabash Christian Church. She loved traveling out West, camping, and making homemade noodles and apple dumplings. Above all, Phyllis loved her family and grandchildren.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Sue Ann (Tom) Brainard of Wabash, Indiana; 6 grandchildren, Scott (Tammy) France of Wabash, Indiana, Brandon (Emily) France of Wabash, Indiana, Heather Brainard of Wabash, Indiana, Christopher Brainard of Wabash, Indiana, Candace (Chad) Montgomery of Decatur, Indiana, and Jared Oldenkamp (Tim Brown) of Indianapolis, Indiana; and 10 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sons, Terry Dean (Karen) France and Gary Duane France, daughter, Sandra Whitmer, great granddaughter, Alyson Coburn, brothers Herman (Pat) Betten, Harry (Norman) Betten, and Omer (Violet) Betten, and sisters, Maxine (Earl) Harvey and Arleane (Bob) Pattee.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Home, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue., Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Pastor Tim Prater officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Lawns in Wabash, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to the service on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials can be made to the Wabash County Cancer Society, P.O. Box 144, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.

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

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

 

 

Jacqueline A. Moomau, 69, of Wabash, Indiana, formerly of Livermore, California, passed away at 7:54 p.m., on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Autumn Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center in Wabash, Indiana. She was born on December 10, 1956, to Walter and Nancy (Larson) Brown in Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Jacqueline married Edward Allen Moomau on August 12, 1982; he died on February 10, 2018. She loved gambling, bingo, bowling, word searches, and collecting angels. Above all, she loved her family. 

Jacqueline is survived by her son, Raymond (Samantha) Moomau of Bourbon, Indiana; daughters, Lisa (John) Tuell of Wabash, Indiana, and Amanda (Daceion) Hire of Sturgis, Michigan; 11 grandchildren, Autumn Housman (Austin Caudill), Dale Cassidy, Violet Cassidy, Tyler Housman, Abigail Degroff, Noah Degroff, Gracie Tuell, Jaxon Tuell, Collin Degroff, Madilyn Hire, and Dalton Hire; and 2 great grandchildren, Mia Hostetler and Oaklynn Caudill. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Edward Allen Moomau, and brother, Steven Brown.

Per the wishes of the family there will be a private celebration of life at a later date.

Preferred memorials can be made to Encephalitis International. 

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Jacqueline A. Moomau's final arrangements.

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

Beverly Jean (Staats) Urschel, 70, of Akron, Indiana, passed away at 11:25 a.m., on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at her residence. She was born on May 25, 1956, to Roy William and Beatrice "Betty" (Haaff) Staats in Vincennes, Indiana.

Beverly married Michael E. Urschel on October 15, 2010; he died August 4, 2024. She was a member of Dora Christian Church, loved gardening, and especially loved hummingbirds. 

Beverly is survived by her brothers, Douglas (Rose) Staats of Wabash, Indiana, Bill Staats, Darin (Carla) Staats, and Gary Staats, all of Fort Worth, Texas, and William Staats of Kentucky; sister, Melissa (Coy) Hawkins of Fort Worth, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Michael E. Urschel, son, Andy Spurgin, sister, Shirley Frank, and brothers, Larry and Albert Staats.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main St., LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Mark Wisniewski officiating. Burial will follow at LaFontaine I.O.O.F. Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.

Visitation for friends and family will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main St., LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Beverly Jean (Staats) Urschel's final arrangements.

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

 

Lawrence "Larry" W. Lehman, Sr., 74, a lifetime resident of Wabash County, passed away at 5:52 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Parkview Regional Hospital in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He was born on June 18, 1952, to John and Becky (Elshire) Lehman in Wabash, Indiana.

Larry graduated from Wabash High School, served in the United States Marine Corps, and retired from Ford Meter Box. He married Melinda "Mindy" Merrick on July 30, 1987; she survives. Larry was a member of the Wabash Eagles Lodge and American Legion Post 15 in Wabash. He loved riding motorcycles and was an avid outdoorsman, spending his time hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Larry is survived by his wife, Mindy Lehman of Lagro, Indiana; sons, Lawrence W. (Cindy) Lehman, Jr. of Marion, Indiana, Michael Lehman of Wabash, Indiana, Jason Hughes of Lagro, Indiana, Clinton Thurman of Lagro, Indiana, and Chancelor (Stephanie) Thurman of Wabash, Indiana; 15 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; brother, John Lehman of Wabash, Indiana; sisters, Tina (Ron) Wagers of Huntington, Indiana, and Mary Lehman of Wabash, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, David Lehman and Jim Lehman, and sister, Sue Lehman. 

A Celebration of Life will be at a later date. 

Preferred memorials can be made to the Eagles Lodge of Wabash, 140 Walter St., Wabash, Indiana 46992.

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with the final arrangements for Lawrence "Larry" W. Lehman, Sr.