Rita M. Fedewa

Rita M. Fedewa, of Wabash, passed away in peace on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at the age of 92.  She was born in Kentland, Indiana, on June 21, 1927, to the late John C. and Anastasia (Bower) Prue.  Rita married Thomas H. Fedewa on June 27, 1951.

Rita graduated from Kentland High School and attended Saint Francis College in Fort Wayne.  In the 1970's, Rita worked as the church secretary for St. Bernard Catholic Church, in Wabash.  She retired from First National Bank in 1995.  She also worked Zimmerman Law Office.   

Rita was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wabash for over 65 years.  She was also a member of Delta Thata Tau Sorority.  

Rita loved nothing better than going to mass and volunteering at the Dallas Winchester Senior Center.  She got along with everyone and was always there to lend a helping hand. In her final seven years of life, she lived with her son, Rick and his wife, Ginger, so she could be with her three dogs, Sophie, Colt and Daisy. 

Rita is survived by her son, Richard (Rick) Fedewa and his wife, Ginger, of Wabash; five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas, who passed in 2002; daughter, Theresa Fedewa, who passed on February 19, 2020; and one brother, John Prue.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions set by the state, private family funeral services will be held at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.  

We encourage you to give the family your love and support by visiting our website at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com.  The family would appreciate your kind words, memories of Rita and prayers for them.  

Lucas A. Cruz, Jr.

Lucas A. Cruz, Jr., 63, of LaFontaine, passed away at 11:50 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at his home.  He was born on January 18, 1957, in Wabash, to Lucas T. & Gloria (Acevedo) Cruz, Sr.

Lucas was a 1975 graduate of Southwood High School.  He retired from Duke Energy after 40 years of work. Lucas enjoyed participating in the local pool league and riding his motorcycle.  He was an avid mushroom hunter and loved hanging out around his firepit.

He is survived by his father and stepmother, Lucas T. & Rose Marie Cruz, Sr., of Moore, Oklahoma and two daughters, Kandi (Jim) Cruz-Hanson, of Indianapolis and Rachel (Ryan) Olsen, of Marion.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Gloria.  

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940.  Reverend Gabriel Cruz will be the officiant.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to ABATE of Wabash or to the APA Pool League.  

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

Miriam A. Hanback

Miriam Ann Hanback, 86, of North Manchester, Indiana, passed away at 3:05 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Peabody Retirement Community.  She was born on August 16, 1933, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, to the late Worth L. and Crystal C. (Wert) Stahler.

Miriam was a 1952 graduate of Jackson Center High School in Ohio.  She married Richard Hanback on March 14, 1954; he passed away in June of 1996.  She attended the North Manchester United Methodist Church and was a member of Pasco United Methodist Church in Ohio.  Miriam was a volunteer at the Honeywell Center in Wabash.

Miriam is survived by one son, Mike (Nancy) Hanback, of North Manchester; two daughters; Leigh (John) Poeppelman, of Elkhart; Lori (Dan) Willson, of Muskegon, Michigan; six grandchildren, Kelly Poeppelman, Bryan Poeppelman, Josh Hanback, Adam Hanback, Kate Willson and Kevin Willson; and one sister, Barbara (Richard) Kerrigan, of Lakeview, Ohio.  She was preceded in death by two children, Ricky Hanback and Kevin Hanback.

A graveside remembrance will be held on April 25, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cedar Point Cemetery in Pasco, Ohio.

Preferred memorials are to the North Manchester United Methodist Church, 306 E 2nd St, North Manchester, IN 46962.

Funeral services 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

Willie J.D. Lackey

Willie J.D. Lackey, 66, of Auburn, Indiana, formerly of Wabash, Indiana, passed away at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Auburn Village.  He was born on May 13, 1953, in Wabash, Indiana, to Willie Lackey Sr. and Geneva (Gross) Lackey Reed.

Willie worked as a building maintenance man for apartment buildings. He enjoyed fishing and playing Bingo.

Willie is survived by two brothers, Dave (Brenda) Reed Jr., and Michael (Melissa) Reed, both of Wabash, Indiana; seven sisters, Claudia Miracle, of Wabash, Indiana; Leveda (Jedd) Hancock, of Wabash, Indiana; Marcy (Wayne) Shore, of Georgia; Mary McCoy, of Kentucky; Debbie (Shannon) Heinlen of Kokomo, Indiana; Judith (Joe) Rodecap of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and Tammy (William) Brown of Kentucky.  He was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.

Per the family’s request, there will be a service at a later date.

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

Laura R. Jolliff

Laura R. Jolliff, 41, of LaFontaine, passed away at 12:25 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at Rolling Meadows Health and Rehabilitation.  Laura was born in Marion, Indiana, on April 15, 1978, to James and Joyce (Dice) Bell.

Laura was a 1996 graduate of Huntington North High School and she worked at United Technology in Huntington. 

Laura is survived by her parents; one sister, Sheena Bell, of Van Buren; three uncles, Richard Bell, of Marion, Edward Bell, of Richmond, Virginia and Joe Dice, of LaFontaine; two aunts, Cathy (Bob) Hagadorn, of Wyalusing, Pennsylvania and Janis Dice, of Fort Wayne.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents, James Minor, Caron Beil and John and Mary June Dice. 

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Banquo Christian Church, 8924 S 900 W 35, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Harold Smith officiating. 

Friends and family may call one hour prior to the funeral service, starting at 10:00 a.m., at the church.

Preferred memorials are to Banquo Christian Church or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate.

Funeral services have been entrusted to McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940.

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