Lou A. Graves

Lou A. Graves, 61, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 3:12 p.m. on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born to the late McKinley and Mildred L. (Lucas) Baldwin on March 19, 1955 in Scott County, Virginia.

Lou was a 1973 graduate of Northfield High School. She was currently working at First Merchants Bank Chippewa Branch in Wabash, Indiana. She was a member of Apostolic Church of Wabash. Lou was a loving mother and grandmother. Her most enjoyable moments were watching her grandchildren play baseball.

She is survived by a daughter, Dundee Graves of LaFontaine, Indiana; brothers, James Baldwin (Karen) of Peru, Indiana and Jess W. Baldwin (Tammy) of Oregon City, Oregon; sisters, Sue McElveen and Mrs. Patsy (Gary) Favorite both of Wabash, Indiana; and three grandchildren, Peyton Wilson, Cody Swan, and Abby Fouts all of LaFontaine, Indiana.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Marshall Staten officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Peters Cemetery in Urbana, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Della "Bonnie" Crist-Halvorson

Della “Bonnie” Crist-Halvorson, 91, of rural Wabash, Indiana passed away at 8:50 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Heritage Pointe in Warren, Indiana. She was born to the late Fred and Alice (Hollinger) Hilliard on June 7, 1924 in Elkhart, Indiana.

Bonnie married Wayne Crist on June 1, 1943, he passed away on December 27, 1980; then she married Bud Halvorson on November 20, 1990, he passed away on April 17, 1998. She retired from Bell Fiber in Marion, Indiana in 1970. Bonnie was a member of the Christian Church of Wabash. She was also a member of 60 years with American Legion Auxiliary Post 15, VFW Post 286, Elks Auxiliary, and Women’s Club House all of Wabash, Indiana. Bonnie volunteered for 20 years at Marion General Hospital and Florida Bay View, reading club at Heritage Point in Warren, Indiana. She enjoyed playing bridge, euchre, traveling, crossword puzzles, and her family.

She is survived by daughter, Mrs. Debbie (Dan) Chenoweth of LaFontaine, Indiana; son, Dan Crist of New Berne, North Carolina; 3 grandchildren, Doug Chenoweth, Kyle and Kurt Maloy; and 4 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by daughter, Diana Maloy; 1 brother; 4 sisters; 1 son-in-law; 1 daughter-in-law; and a grandson.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2016 at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, 11201 S. Marion Road -35, Marion, Indiana 46952. Inurnment will follow at the cemetery.

Services are entrusted to McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Richard K."Rick" Grier

Richard K. “Rick” Grier, 68, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 4:22 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2016 at the Hospice Home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born to Richard K. Grier of Hampton, North Carolina and the late, Wilma (Elshire) Grier on October 31, 1947 in Dayton, Ohio.

Rick was a 1966 graduate of Wabash High School. He retired as a mechanic for the City of Wabash. Rick married Claudia Burker in 1971, she passed away in 2010. He served his country in the United States Army, during Vietnam served in the Infantry Unit Brotherhood of the Big Red One. Rick was a member of the Eagles Lodge 547, VFW Post 286 of Wabash, and American Legion Post 248 of Lagro. Rick had built parade floats in 2000, 2001, and 2002 during Mayor Arvin Copeland time in office. The floats Rick built were designed by John Corso a Hollywood Designer. These floats were pulled by the Wabash Cannonball, they were entered in the Indianapolis 500 every year and all over Northern Indiana.

Rick is survived by two sons, Shayne Grier (Angie)  and Nathan Grier (Leona) both of Wabash, Indiana; daughter, Mrs. Michele (Bryan) Tolbert of Hazleton, Indiana; sister, Laurie Grier Glassburn of Plainfield, Illinois; fiancé, Carol Whitesel of Wabash, Indiana; 11 grandchildren, Jalen, Thomas, Kamryn, William, Gavin, Brittany, Matthew, and Haley Grier, and Devan Lambert, Mitchael and Jessica Richardson; and 5 great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Erin Huiras officiating. Indian rites will be given by the Miami Nation of Indians of the State of Indiana. Burial will be follow in the Frances Slocum Cemetery in Wabash County, Indiana. Preferred memorials are directed to Miami Nation of Indians of the State of Indiana, P.O. Box 41, Peru, Indiana 46970.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Ruth Anna Gilpin

Ruth Anna Gilpin, better known as Ruthie, 96, a lifetime resident of LaFontaine, Indiana, went to her heavenly home at 12:35 a.m. on Monday, April 4, 2016 at Rolling Meadows Health and Rehab in LaFontaine, Indiana.

She was born east of LaFontaine to Frank and Belle (Kirkman) Hudlow on June 5, 1919. She was a 1937 graduate of LaFontaine High School. Ruth Anna married Oscar William Gilpin on September 26, 1941, he preceded her in death on October 5, 1987. After she was married they moved to Sweetser for a very short period of time. They returned to LaFontaine where Ruthie worked in the Sheffield’s grocery. Ruth Anna’s working career also included Anaconda, J.C. Penney, LaFontaine school lunch room as a cook, LaFontaine Telephone office, and Ted’s LaFontaine Drug from which she retired after 30 years of service. Activities included Literary Club, Red Hats, and Wednesday Night Study Club. She was a member of LaFontaine Methodist Church in LaFontaine, Indiana, were she played piano for many years. Ruthie’s hobby was playing the piano, she played for many weddings, funerals, and church services. She enjoyed being a part of the “Red Hat” band in LaFontaine.

She is survived by daughter, Marsha Ann (Sheldon) Jones of LaFontaine, Indiana; two grandsons, Marshall Ryan (Laurie) Jones of Brownsburg, Indiana and Justin E. (Megan) Jones of Sugar Grove, Illinois. She found great joy in the six great grandchildren, Lillian Rose (Lily), Leighton Ryan, and Lila Jayne all of Brownsburg, Indiana and Carter Thomas, Ainsley Grace, and Rylinn Elizabeth all of Sugar Grove, Illinois.

Many good friends were made while working in the community. She has been heard saying, “I may not have a lot of money but I am wealthy when I count my friends.” Her front porch has been a gathering spot for young and old alike. She liked living in LaFontaine, it is a nice little community where people know each other. Ruthie was honored to be chosen to serve as the Grand Marshall for the LaFontaine Festival Parade one year.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2016 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. Preferred memorials are directed to Diabetic Association or local churches.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at the funeral home.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Carole L. Burns

Carole L. Burns, 81, of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 3:39 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2016 at Rolling Meadows Health and Rehab in LaFontaine, Indiana. She was born to the late Harry and Verna (Camper) Clark on June 5, 1934 in Toledo,  Ohio.
Carole married William H. Burns, he passed away in 2003. She retired from Detroit News in Michigan.

She is survived by two sons, Michael C. Burns of Pontiac, Michigan and Brian K. Maloney (Felicia) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; two daughters, Mrs. Sandra (Eric) Mondro of New Baltimore, Michigan and Mrs. Brandi (Chris) Sveback of Waddell, Arizona; brothers, Richard Clark (Alma) and Paul Jenkins both of Ohio; sisters, Gale Harness of LaFontaine, Indiana and Mrs. Kathy (Tim) Mahoney of Ohio; 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a husband, daughter and two sons.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontiane Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontiane, Indiana 46940, with Rev. Mark Steiner officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Grant County, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com