Rev Dr. David Abel

 

Rev. Dr. David L. Abel, 94, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 6:56 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Miller’s Merry Manor West in Wabash, Indiana. He was born to Frederick and Dora Abel on July 19, 1928, in Carazowa, Japan.

David married Mary Jane Duzan on July 24, 1949, in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was a United Methodist Rev. since the age of 21. David was a member of First Church of God in Wabash.

David is survived by his two sons, David Leroy (Marcia Gienapp) Abel II of Valparaiso, Indiana, Frederick Abel of Irvine, California; one daughter, Ruth (Terry) Canfield of Greensburg, Indiana; four grandsons, Christian (Theresa) Abel, Daniel (Tracy) Abel, Josh Canfield, and Nate Canfield; one granddaughter, Katie Abel; six great grandchildren, Anneliese Abel, Walter Abel, Louis Abel, Peter Abel, Lorelei Abel, and Dean Abel. He is also, survived by his close friend, Charlotte Meredith of Wabash, Indiana. He is proceeded in death by his parents, wife, Mary Jane Abel, one brother, and two sisters.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Rev. Terry Canfield, and Rev. Josh Canfield officiating. Burial will follow at Falls Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana.

Visitation will be two hours prior to the funeral service from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to be directed to the Lighthouse Mission in Wabash in care of McDonald Funeral Home.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Rev. David Abel’s final arrangements.

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

Archie L. Sneed Jr.

 

Archie L. Sneed Jr., 60, of LaFontaine, Indiana, passed away at 4:26 a.m. on October 26, 2022, at Parkview Wabash Hospital in Wabash, Indiana. He was born on February 25, 1962, to Archie Sr. and Jean (Turner) Sneed in Marion, Indiana.

 Archie is a graduate of Southwood High School. He worked for the Papermill Container Corp. in Wabash for 23 years. His last employment was at Transwheel in Huntington as a Supervisor. He married Robin Perry on May 13, 2017. Archie had always had a Harley Davidson since he was young and enjoyed riding motorcycles. He was most proud of his woodworking shop at his home. Archie also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and the outdoors, but most of all he enjoyed being with his family and his beloved dog Bella Rose.

 Archie is survived by his wife, Robin Sneed of LaFontaine, Indiana; one son, Branden Sneed of LaFontaine, Indiana; two daughters, Tieler (Ryan) Coble of Warsaw, Indiana, Whitney Sneed of Logansport, Indiana; two stepdaughters, Onna Doering of Indianapolis, Indiana, Taryn Doering of Germany; three grandchildren, Aiden Louis Sneed, Kameron Coble, Kayleigh Coble; his mother, Jean Sneed of LaFontaine, Indiana; one sister, Diane Sneed of LaFontaine, Indiana. He is proceeded in death by his father, Archie Sneed Sr. and one brother Terry Sneed, who passed away in 1978.

 Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 31, 2022, at McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 with Pastor Susan Shambaugh officiating. Burial will follow at LaFontaine I.O.O.F Cemetery.

 Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the funeral home.

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

 

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

Lavada F. Miller

 

Lavada F. Miller, 95, of LaFontaine, passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Heritage Pointe of Huntington. Lavada was born in Maysville, Kentucky to the late Noah and Roxie (McKee) Kinder on August 4, 1927.

Lavada married Orlin L. Miller on May 14, 1948. They were married 72 years. Orlin passed away on February 18, 2021. She worked as a housewife and a grain and dairy farmer. Lavada attended Lincolnville United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School for over 40 years.

Lavada enjoyed country gospel music and played the autoharp and mountain dulcimer. As a family they played various instruments and traveled around to different nursing homes, events, and festivals in Wabash, LaFontaine, and Marion Communities. She and her husband, Orlin, enjoyed going to Bob Evan’s Farm music festivals and to various dulcimer festivals. She also had fun clogging with friends at festivals. Lavada and her husband enjoyed playing cards every Friday with friends. She will always be remembered for her smile.

Lavada is survived by her son, Dennis (Patricia) Miller of LaFontaine, Indiana; one daughter, Linda (David) Habegger of Fort Wayne, Indiana; one granddaughter, Christi (Steve) Pieper of Florida; one step-grandson, Mark Habegger of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two great grandchildren, Hannah, and Aly Pieper of North Carolina.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2022, at McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 with John Lenfestey officiating. Burial will follow at LaFontaine I.O.O.F. Cemetery in LaFontaine.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 28, 2022, at the funeral home.

A gathering of friends and family will be at Lincolnville United Methodist Church for a light lunch and fellowship following the cemetery. 

Preferred memorials are directed to the Lincolnville United Methodist Church, 5847 E. 500 S. Wabash, Indiana 46992.

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

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

Jodie Elshire

 

Jodie A. Elshire, 65, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, formerly of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 8:45 p.m. on October 17, 2022, at Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born on May 1, 1957, to John and Betty (Frank) Faust in Wabash, Indiana.

Jodie is a 1975 graduate of Southwood High School. She was self-employed in the retail business. Jodie enjoyed T.V., lighthouses, and traveling. She was a member of the Lincolnville United Methodist Church.

Jodie is survived by her daughter; Katie (Fred) Gengnagel of Wabash, Indiana; one grandson, Jeremiah Elshire; one brother, Terry (Beverly) Faust of Urbana, Indiana. She is proceeded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022, at McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 with Rev. Melissa Rice officiating.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at the funeral home.

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

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

Kari L. Harmon

 

Kari L. Harmon, 54, a lifetime resident of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 11:26 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022, at her home in Wabash, Indiana. She was born to Billy L. and Alice K. (Fannin) Hashbarger on December 7, 1967, in Wabash, Indiana.

Kari was a 1987 graduate of Wabash High School. She then graduated with a bachelor’s degree from University of Phoenix in Criminal Law. She married Bradley R. Harmon on March 7, 2009. She was a homemaker. She was a Silver Level Master Gardner, loved to camp and fish with her family. Kari was very involved with assisting Military Organizations; she received several certificates of appreciation for her service. She also founded a non-for-profit organization to show appreciation for First Responders of 911. Kari was a member of Bunker Hill United Methodist Church and a former member of Miami County Community Counsel.

Kari is survived by her husband, Bradley Harmon of Wabash, Indiana; one son, Matthew Smith of LaFontaine, Indiana; her father, Billy Hashbarger of Wabash, Indiana; one brother, Jeffrey (Valisa) Hashbarger of Wabash, Indiana; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is proceeded in death by her mother, Alice Hashbarger; she passed away on February 24, 2020.

Funeral service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022, at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Rev. Bette Marie Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Marion National Cemetery in Marion, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Thursday, October 20, 2022, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to be directed to the American Red Cross in care of McDonald Funeral Homes.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Kari Harmon’s final arrangements.

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

Amy J. Gillespie

 

Amy J. Gillespie, 57, a lifetime resident of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 1:40 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at her home in Wabash, Indiana. She was born to Robert and Rebecca (Schuster) Banks on July 2, 1965, in Wabash, Indiana.

Amy was a 1983 graduate of Wabash High School. She married Randy Gillespie on July 22, 1989. She worked at POET-North Manchester. She was a member of Living Faith Lutheran Church in Wabash, Indiana. Amy loved crocheting, baking, and cooking. Most of all she loved being with her family.

Amy is survived by her husband, Randy Gillespie of Wabash, Indiana; two sons, Robert Gillespie of Frisco, Texas, Adam Gillespie (Isabelle Wysong) of Wabash, Indiana; two daughters, Maranda (Jeremy) Melton of Wabash, Indiana, Courtney Davis (Matt Rhoades) of Wabash, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Savannah Melton, Emily Melton, Jaxson Melton, Haiden Melton, Kaysen Melton, Camdyn Melton, Aria Rhoades; one brother, David Banks of Sierra Blanca, Texas; three sisters, Peggy Banks of Wabash, Indiana, Myra (Phil) Behr of Gas City, Indiana, Kelsey Carter of Anderson, Indiana. She is proceeded in death by her parents.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Pastor Shane Chellis officiating. Burial will follow at Friends Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to be directed to the F.I.S.H. of Wabash 123 W. Canal Street Wabash, Indiana 46992 in care of McDonald Funeral Homes.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Amy Gillespie’s final arrangements.

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

William "Bill" Gerding

 

William Roger "Bill" Gerding, 79, passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at Canterbury Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Fort Wayne.

He was the retired owner of Market Street Grill in Wabash, and an active community member in that city, serving free holiday meals to anyone who came to the restaurant. He was active in organizing and participating in chili cook-offs and he was a member and donor of railroad artifacts to the Wabash County Historical Museum.

Bill is survived his daughter, Heidi (Jim) Spangle of Fort Wayne, Indiana; son, William Braden "Brady" (Becky) Gerding of Fort Wayne, Indiana; grandsons, Max and Sam Gerding, both of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and three sisters, Jill Wiegman of New Albany, Jane Brass of Franklin and Elane Thomas of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William J. Gerding, M.D. and Dorothy Rittermeyer Gerding.

A memorial reception honoring Bill will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at the Wabash Elks Lodge 225 West Main Street Wabash, Indiana 46992.

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Ave., Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Bill Gerding's final local arrangements.

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

Carol Dee Wuerthner

 

Carol Dee (Knapp) Wuerthner, 86, of LaFontaine, passed away on September 28, 2022, in Longmont, Colorado. She was born on November 6, 1935, to D. William and Magdaline Knapp in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

As a child, Carol always knew she wanted to be an educator. She graduated from Emmerich Manual High School in 1953 and Ball State University in 1957; where she met the love of her life (a red headed farmer). She married Rex Wuerthner on November 22, 1962, and began their lives together in Marion, Indiana. He passed away on June 4, 2012. After having her first child she knew that motherhood was the most important thing and put her career on the back burner. Along with being a member of Psi Iota Xi, she attended Sunnycrest United Methodist Church and established many wonderful relationships within the church and community and used her leadership skills in a myriad of ways throughout the years. 

 She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her. She had many friends and was a well-loved member of the community in Marion, Indiana.  

Carol is survived by her daughters; Corinne Renee Delatorre of Longmont, Colorado, Rachelle Carlyn Angerman of Crown Point, Indiana, and Chandra Leigh Bentley Bargersville, Indiana; Her beloved grandchildren Evan Alan Angerman, Jorge Delatorre, and Graham & Finley Bentley. She is proceeded in death by her parents William and Magdaline Knapp and her husband Rex Wuerthner. 

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940. Burial will follow at LaFontaine I.O.O.F. Cemetery. 

Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at the funeral home. 

We are at rest knowing she is with the Lord and her loved ones. Please join us in honoring CD and all of her accomplishments. 

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

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