Katherine R. Taylor

Katherine R. Taylor, 71, a lifetime resident of LaFontaine, passed away at 3:43 p.m. on Friday, October 22, 2021, at her residence.  She was born on October 26, 1949, in Marion, to the late Allen H. "Bud" and Charlotte (Murphy) Sailors.  

Katherine was a 1968 graduate of Southwood High School.  She married Fred Taylor on July 14, 1968. Katherine worked for several retail companies including, Reader's World in Marion and Primm Springs in Tennessee.  She attended Riverside Church in Marion.  Katherine loved her family and spending time with them was her favorite activity.

Katherine is survived by her husband, Fred Taylor, of LaFontaine; one son, Richard (Becky) Taylor, of LaFontaine; two daughters, Jennifer (Tony) Miller, of Marion, and Holly Taylor, of LaFontaine; three grandchildren, Trevor Allen Bailey, John Eugene Bailey and Spencer Robert Taylor; five great-grandchildren, T.I. Bailey, Ella Bailey, Lincoln Bailey, S.J. Taylor and Tristan Fowler; and one sister, Diana (Clarence) McNeeley, of LaFontaine.  She is preceded in death by two sisters.  

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Brad Wright officiating.  Burial will follow at LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery.  

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at the funeral home.  

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Katherine Taylor's final arrangements. 

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

Edna Mae Holderman

Edna Mae Holderman, 69, formerly of Marion, passed away at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, October 22, 2021, at Rolling Meadows Heath and Rehabilitation in LaFontaine.  She was born on September 12, 1952, in Linton, Indiana, to the late Phillip R. and Dorothy M. (Stanton) Shields.  Edna worked at Shirt Shed in Wabash.  

Edna is survived by, sister-in-law, Anna Shields, of Onward, Indiana; brother-in-law, Tom Eakright, of Wabash; nephew, Phillip (Ashley) Eakright, of Wabash; niece, Tristina Surine, of Fort Wayne; three grandchildren, Kaleb Bell, Julian Bell and Jacob Bell and several great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by two brothers, and one sister. 

There will be no services or visitation. 

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Edna Holderman's final arrangements. 

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

Burleigh Bittinger

Burleigh F. Bittinger, 68, of Fort Wayne and formerly of Gas City, Indiana, passed away at 7:55 p.m. on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at Majestic Care in Fort Wayne.  He was born on May 21, 1953, in Pennsylvania, to the late Burleigh F. Bittinger, Sr. and Flora (Speck) Plumb.  

Burleigh married Diane J. Glover; she passed away on August 4, 2012.  Burleigh served in the United States Army, and he worked as a mechanic in Defiance, Ohio.  

Burleigh is survived by his brother, David (Karen) Plumb, of Wrentham, Massachusetts; and sister, Patricia Bittinger, of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

There will be a private graveside service at LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, have been trusted with Burleigh Bittinger's final arrangements. 

Justin Cody Sturgill

Justin Cody Sturgill, 28, a lifetime resident of Wabash, passed away at 11:21 a.m. on Thursday, October 21, 2021, from injuries in an automobile accident.  He was born on August 5, 1993, in Wabash, to James Sturgill and Amanda Fierstos.

Justin was a 2012 graduate of Wabash High School and he attended Ivy Tech Community College.  He previously worked at Huntington Metals.  Justin loved skateboarding and video games.  Most especially, Justin loved his daughter, Harley. 

Justin is survived by his parents, James "Bo" (Lisa) Sturgill, of Wabash and Amanda (Phil) Fierstos, of Wabash; one daughter, Harley Sturgill, of Wabash; maternal grandmother, Cindy Stinson, of Wabash; maternal grandfather, John (Barb) Stinson, of Wabash; paternal grandmother, Judy Sturgill, of Logansport; and three brothers, James Sturgill, of Fort Wayne, Michael Hawkins, of Peru and Christopher Hawkins, of Wabash. 

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.  Burial will follow at Memorial Lawns Cemetery in Wabash.  

Visitation for family and friends will be three hours prior to services, starting at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home.  

Preferred memorials are to the Wabash County Animal Shelter, 810 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992. 

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana, 46992, have been trusted with Justin Sturgill's final arrangements. 

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

Ray Starr

Ray Starr, 64, of North Manchester, died at 10:43 p.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.  He was born on July 27, 1957, in Kentucky, to Charles and Chattie (Hale) Harrell.

Ray married Stella Osborne on September 16, 1979.  He worked as a contractor at Atlas Building Services in Wabash and owned Starr Masonry & Restoration.  Ray was a member of the Apostolic Church of Wabash.  Ray loved watching football, but most of all, he loved spending time with his family.  

Ray is survived by his wife, Stella; mother, Chattie Harrell, of North Manchester, two sons, Jimmy Ray (Mandalin) Starr, and Andrew Allen (Jennifer) Starr, both of Wabash; one daughter, Stacey Cripe, of Peru; two brothers, Jimmie Starr and Garry Starr, both of Wabash; two sisters, Linda (Arthur) Hughes, of Wabash and Fay Starr, of North Manchester; and nine grandchildren, Gunnar Cripe, Reese Cripe, Magnolia Starr, Lillithe Starr, Nevaeh Starr, Grace Starr, Gage Starr, Chloe Isley and Bree Dials. 

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Pastor Sam Truss officiating.  Burial will follow at Falls Cemetery in Wabash.  

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at the funeral home. 

Preferred memorials are to the Wabash County Animal Shelter, 810 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992. 

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana, 46992, have been trusted with Ray Starr's final arrangements. 

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

Lisa M. Robinson

Lisa M. Robinson, 54, of Wabash, passed away on Friday, October 8, 2021, at her residence.  She was born on December 10, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York, to Peter and Alberta Clyne.  

Lisa was a graduate of Fremont High School in California and worked at Radiant Home Health Care in Fort Wayne. Lisa loved the ocean and being around water.  

Lisa is survived by daughter, Chelsie Salyers, of Wabash; her parents, Peter and Alberta Clyne, of Fremont, California; three brothers, Tony Clyne, Artie Clyne, both of Reno, Nevada, and Michael Clyne, of Texas; and one sister, Darcy Clyne, of Oakland, California.

Per Lisa's wishes, there will be no viewing or services.  

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana, 46992, have been trusted with Lisa M. Robinson's final arrangements. 

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

Lucia L. Fierstos

Lucia L. Fierstos, 88, formerly of Somerset, passed away at 10:25 a.m., on October 11, 2021, at IU North Hospital in Indianapolis.  She was born on March 28, 1933, in Wabash County, to the late Elvin and Ida Lucille (Alman) Raver. 

Lucia was a 1951 graduate of Somerset High School.  She married Robert V. Fierstos on July 14, 1951; he passed away on October 10, 2018.  Lucia worked at General Tire in Wabash.  She also made Raggedy Ann dolls and sold them at Emma Lou's.  Lucia was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wabash and the Women's Auxiliary in Somerset.  Lucia was a very strong woman that loved life and especially her family. 

Lucia is survived by her son, Joseph Fierstos, of Elwood; daughters, Deborah (Charles) Whitcraft, Warsaw, and Susan Townsend, Sharpsville; six grandchildren, Matthew Fierstos, Tina Fierstos, Miranda Corl, Jon Whitcraft, Angela Townsend and Andrew Townsend; and 11 great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by two brothers and one great-grandson, Randy Goodwin. 

Mass of Christian Burial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 15, 2021 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wabash with Father Levi Nkwocha officiating. Graveside interment will follow at Mississinewa Memorial Cemetery.

Calling hours will be Thursday, October 14, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Izaak Walton League of Wabash County, 10439 S. Old State Road 13, Somerset, Indiana 46940 or to St. Jude Children's Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate.

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana, 46992, have been trusted with Lucia Fierstos’ final arrangements. 

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

Robin Jay Davis

Robin Jay Davis, 68, of Lagro, passed away at 10:25 a.m. on Friday, October 1, 2021, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.   He was born in New Castle, Indiana, on July 25, 1953, to the late Gilbert and Betty Davis.

Robin married Connie Ailes on November 8, 1998.  Robin worked construction and at semi repairs with Roberts Trucking until he retired.  Robin enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, fishing, roasting hot dogs, bonfires and going to the casino.

Robin is survived by his wife, Connie, of Lagro; daughter and son, Kristie (Troy) Bone, of Lagro and Adam (Kristen) Davis, of Vincennes; three stepsons, Mark (Wendy) Ailes, of Sweetser, Dannie Ailes, of Van Buren, and Lonnie (Elaina) Ailes, of Huntington County; five grandchildren, Derrick Bone, Hailey Bone, Mathew Davis, Tabi Davis and Kati Picou; five step-grandchildren, Jay Ailes, Curtis Morgan, Ashlynn Ailes, Josh Hileman and Cainan Ailes; three brothers and three sisters, Jerry (Lana) Davis, Jackie (Jerry) Hinkle, Connie Maynard, all of Fairmount, Dicky (Karen) Davis, of Georgia, Dean (Laura) Davis, of Arizona and Darlene Ice, of Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.  Robin is preceded in death by two brothers, Doug Davis and Danny Davis; one sister, June Moulton; and one stepson, Lee McVay. 

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at Memorial Lawns Cemetery, 1100 Manchester Avenue, Wabash.  

Calling hours for friends and family will be from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.

After the graveside service, a dinner will be provided at the Lagro Community Building in Lagro. 

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana, 46992, have been trusted with Robin Davis’ final arrangements. 

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

Fredrick K. "Bud" Arven

Fredrick K. "Bud" Arven, 92, of LaFontaine, passed away at 11:45 p.m. on Friday, October 1, 2021, at his residence.  He was born on August 11, 1929, in Argos, Indiana, to the late Helen (Arven) Wyckoff.  

Bud was a 1947 graduate of LaFontaine High School.  He married Sally Kendall on September 24, 1950. Bud served in the United States Army, from 1951 to 1952, during the Korean Conflict.  Bud graduated from Barber School, in Indianapolis, and worked as a barber for 30 years at the OK Barbershop in Wabash.  Bud then worked for over 16 years for Wabash County REMC, retiring in 1997.  He was a member of the LaFontaine Christian Church and the American Legion of Wabash, Post 15.  Bud loved to travel and most of all he loved his family.

Bud is survived by Sally, his loving wife of 71 years; one son, Brian K. Arven, of Wabash; three daughters, Teresa (Ralph) Skaggs, of Bluffton, Debra (Michael) McKillip, of Wabash and Jacalyn (Gary) Wilson, of Wabash; nine grandchildren, Michelle (Mitch) Snyder, Angie (Brian) Monaham, Nicole (Brian) Hoffman, Matt (Heidi) Skaggs, Brett (Lori) Skaggs, Trent (Heather) Skaggs, Abigail (Luke) Allen, Amelia (Steven) Siders and Derrick (Jenny) Wilson; and 20 great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by one infant son. 

Private family graveside services will be held at the LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana, have been trusted with Bud Arven's arrangements. 

Preferred memorials are to the LaFontaine Christian Church, 202 South Bruner Pike, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 or to LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery, PO Box 260, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940. 

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

Eleonore K. Smith

Eleonore K. Smith, 87, of Wabash, passed away at 5:48 p.m. on Thursday, September 30, 2021, at her residence.  She was born on February 18, 1934, in Schweinfurt, Germany, to the late Johanne Mueller and Frieda V. Schaefer.

Eleonore married Forest E. Smith on June 11, 1967; he passed away on February 22, 2014.  She worked at GenCorp for 15 years.  Eleonore was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wabash and the Post 286 VFW Ladies Auxiliary of Wabash.

Eleonore is survived by two sons, Fred J. (Rose) Smith, of LaFontaine and Gerald Smith, of Wabash; one daughter, Kristl (Charles) Andrews, of Wabash; stepson, James E. (Jill) Smith, of Wabash; two brothers, Gerd (Karen) Mueller and Eduard (Rosie) Mueller, both of Wabash; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by one daughter, Betty Saunders, one great-grandchild, Luke Schneider and three brothers.  

An Oma Celebration will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 1727 N 300 E., Lagro, Indiana 46941.

Preferred memorials are to St. Bernard Catholic Church, 191 North Cass Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992.

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana, 46992, have been trusted with Eleonore K. Smith’s final arrangements. 

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