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.

 

John Gene Walls, 61, of North Manchester, Indiana, formerly of Wabash, Indiana, passed away at 8:02 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester, Indiana. He was born on February 25, 1965, in Columbia City, Indiana to Larry Walls and Allene Courtney. 

John was a 1984 graduate of Wabash High School and worked at Western Wheel in Huntington, Indiana. John loved working on cars and his beloved dog, Teagan. 

John is survived by his father, Larry (Dulcena) Walls of Warsaw, Indiana; grandson, Ethan; brothers, Gary (Stephanie) Courtney of Buchanan, Georgia, Gale (Sherry) Courtney of Roann, Indiana, Jeff Courtney and Robert Jr. "Bob" (Kendra) Courtney, both of Pierceton, Indiana, and Joshua (Karen) Walls of South Whitley, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his mother, Allene Courtney, stepfather, Robert Courtney, Sr., and his son, James R. Walls. 

Burial will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery in Pierceton, Indiana at a later date. 

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Ave., Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with the final arrangements for John Gene Walls.

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

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

 

Carol Sue "Susie" Owen, 82, of Peru, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at her residence. She was born on July 3, 1944, to the late Harold Ridenour and Leah (Lautzenhiser) Emans in Wabash, Indiana. 

Susie graduated from Noble High School in 1962. She had a caregiver's heart, which she demonstrated throughout her time working with children at Vernon Manor and in the loving care she provided to her puppies over the years. She enjoyed gardening but was especially gifted at interior decorating and always made her home beautiful. Above all, Susie loved her children, grandchildren, and Jesus fiercely. 

Susie is survived by her son, Anthony King of Peru, Indiana; daughter, Angela (Jeff) McCrary of Spring, Texas; grandchildren, Joshua (Victoria) McCrary and Jacob (Laila) McCrary, both of Houston, Texas; and sister cousin, Judy Mullett of Wabash, Indiana. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dobie Lee Owen, and brother, James D. Ridenour. 

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992. Burial will follow at Mississinewa Memorial Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to the service on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the funeral home.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Carol Sue "Susie" Owen's final arrangements.

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

 

 

Robert M. Rouch, 92, a resident of LaFontaine, Indiana, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026, at his residence. He was born on October 12, 1933, to Merrill Lobdell and Lafern (Eviston) McManmaw in LaFontaine, Indiana.

Robert graduated from Banquo High School. He married Nina (Working) Rouch on June 22, 1952; she passed on November 9, 2022. Robert worked at Owens-Illinois Glass Factory for 22 years. He then worked as a farmer and truck driver. He was also a member of Banquo Christian Church.

Robert is survived by his son, Donald R. (Cindy) Rouch of Banquo, Indiana; daughter, Cheryl L. (Gary) Marley of Lafontaine, Indiana; four grandchildren, Donald A. Rouch, Angela Rouch, Jaime Shorter, and Tracy Holmes; nine great grandchildren, Desmond Rouch, Anna Hernandez, Becky Grose, Claire Grose, Danielle Grose, Hale Bowen, Breckin Hammel, Kendall Shorter, and Ellerie Holmes. He is preceded in death by his parents, and wife, Nina J. (Working) Rouch.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street., LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 with Pastor Jacob Smelser officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory in Marion, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be two hours prior to the service on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Robert M. Rouch's final arrangements.

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