Barbara J. Simmons

Barbara Jane Simmons, 91, of LaFontaine, passed away at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, December 24, 2018. 

Barbara was born on June 20, 1927 in Wabash County to the late Howard and Florence (Razer) Brane.  Barbara married John Cokl in 1948.  He passed away in 1959.  Barbara then married John Simmons in 1966.  He passed away in June of 2011. 

Barbara was a 1945 graduate of LaFontaine High School.  She worked from home taking care of her family.  Barbara was a member of the St. Paul Catholic Church in Marion and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Van Buren.  

Barbara is survived by her sons, Martin (Teresa) Cokl and Howard (Jodi) Cokl both of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughters, Cynthia (Dennis Abrams) Cokl of Cincinnati, Ohio, Michele (Roger) Naylor of Cottonwood, Arizona and Teresa Cokl of Mesa, Arizona; brother, John (Pauline) Brane of Albuquerque, New Mexico; eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by one sister.  

Mass of Christian Burial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Marion, 1031 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana 46952, with Father Christopher officiating. Graveside interment will follow at LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery, LaFontaine, Indiana.  Calling hours will be Friday, December 28, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are to the LaFontaine Lions Club, 105 West Branson Street, LaFontaine, IN  46940.  

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

Bruce W. Thompson

Bruce W. Thompson, 81, of Wabash, passed away at 3:55 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2018 at Parkview Wabash Hospital. He was born on August 10, 1937 in Muskegon, Michigan to the late Ezra and Johanna (Mellencamp) Thompson.

Bruce served in the United States Navy. He married Kathy Whelan on June 7, 1997. Bruce retired as a supervisor from Verizon Phone Company and was a member of the Liberty Mills Church of the Brethren.  

Bruce is survived by his wife, Kathy, four sons, two step-sons and four grandsons.  

At the family's request, there will be no service.  Burial will be at a later date.  

Funeral services have been entrusted to McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, IN  46992.   

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

James H. Moore

James H. Moore, 90, of LaFontaine, Indiana, passed away at 7:55 a.m. on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at Marion General Hospital.  James was born in Wolcott, Indiana on June 18, 1928 to the late William and Fanny (Woltzen) Moore.

James graduated from Wolcott High School in 1946.  He worked building grain elevators until entering the United States Army.  While in the Army, James served in the Korean War, where he was wounded and earned a Purple Heart.  He married the former Donabell V. Grossman on December 7, 1952.  Upon returning from Korea, he worked in construction for Faust Building & Supply in LaFontaine for 20 years, before starting his own construction company, from which he retired.  In addition to construction, he farmed 80 acres and raised cattle and hogs.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Donabell (Grossman) Moore; three children, Ron (Kris) Moore of Wabash, Steve (Paula) Moore of Iowa City, Iowa and Cindy (Doug) Taylor of Lafayette, Indiana; four grandchildren, Benjaman Moore, Rebecca Moore, Austin Taylor and Zach Taylor and one great-grandson, Colm Moore.  

A private funeral service will be held at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, IN  46992.  Burial will be at Gardens of Memory in Marion, Indiana.  

A memorial service will be held at a later date for family and friends.  

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

Robert L. Fulton

Robert L. Fulton, 85, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 2:48 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne.

He was born in Wabash, on January 7, 1933, to Manford and Bernice Fulton.  Robert graduated from Wabash High School at which time he joined the United States Airforce.  Robert was a proud veteran.

Robert retired from Wabash Container.  He enjoyed eating his sweets, listening to music, animals, reading and laughing with his family and those close to him.

Surviving Robert are his daughters, Bonnie Fulton of Fort Wayne and Trudy Martin (Marty Cooper) of Wabash; two grandsons, Robert F. Bollan of Wabash and Clint B. Martin of Kokomo. He is preceded in death by his wife, Janice (Orr) Fulton and daughter, Mary M. (Fulton) Mulkey.

There will be a celebration of life to reunite Robert with his wife, Janice, at a later date.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.

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

Robert E. Matthews

Robert E. Matthews, 87, of Wabash, passed away on Monday, December 3, 2018, at Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester, Indiana.  He was born in LaFontaine, Indiana on December 11, 1930, to the late Everett and Mildred Ann (Rennaker) Matthews. 

Robert graduated from LaFontaine High School in 1948. He married Glenna A. Slagel on August 20, 1952.  Robert served in the United States Navy and retired from General Tire after many years of service.  Robert was a member of the Bachelor Creek Church of Christ and was a former member of the LaFontaine Odd Fellows Lodge.

Robert is survived by his wife, Glenna; son, Dan (Kim) Matthews of Somerset; daughter, Kim (Chuck) Hendrix of Wabash; sister, Betty Hester of Richmond, California; grandchildren, Trisha (Aaron) Eckman of Wabash, Mike (Amy) Matthews of LaFontaine, Nick (Jeanette) Hendrix of Fort Wayne, T.J. (Tou) Hendrix of Westfield, Indiana, and ten great-grandchildren.  Robert is preceded in death by one sister. 

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7, 2018 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.  Pastor Mike Duggan will be the officiant.  Burial will follow immediately at Memorial Lawns Cemetery in Wabash.  Visitation will be two hours prior to the funeral service starting at 10:00 a.m.

Preferred memorials are to the Bachelor Creek Church of Christ, 2147 N State Road 15, Wabash, IN 46992.

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