Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Keith David Gross

 

Keith David Gross, 59, of Marion, Indiana passed away at 2:44 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at his residence in Marion, Indiana. He was born on July 13, 1965, to David F. Gross and Frances (Cooper) Johnstone in Wabash, Indiana.

Keith was a 1984 graduate of Wabash High School. After high school, he served in the United States Army. Recently, Keith obtained a new job where he worked as a truck driver for Gateway R.V. Transport. Keith was a member of the American Legion and VFW in Marion, Indiana. He was known for being an outdoorsman. Keith loved to hunt, fish, and go coon hunting.

Keith is survived by his mother, Frances Johnstone of Wabash, Indiana; one son, Shannon Gross of Bluffton, Indiana; one daughter, Brandie Gross of Bluffton, Indiana; one brother, Bruce Gross of Wabash, Indiana; and eight grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father, David F. Gross who passed away January 31, 2005, and his stepfather, David F. Johnstone who passed away February 22, 2024. 

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 17, 2025, at McDonald Funeral Home, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Pastor Tim Prater officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Lawns Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana.

Visitation for friends and family will be from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the funeral home.  

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

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

Monday, January 13, 2025

Shawn Edward Ogan

 

Shawn Edward Ogan, 52, a lifetime resident of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 11:58 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025, at his residence in Wabash, Indiana. He was born on October 18, 1972, to Jon and Susan (Vrooman) Ogan in Wabash, Indiana.

Shawn was a 1991 graduate of Wabash High School. After high school he attended Vincennes University for some time. Later in his adulthood, Shawn worked as a forklift driver for Dollar General Distribution Center in Marion, Indiana. He also attended Wabash Christian Church in Wabash, Indiana. In his free time, Shawn enjoyed photography, watching football, and spending time with his friends and family. Shawn also loved to be outdoors mushroom hunting and tending to his garden. 

Shawn is survived by his four sons, Brayden Ogan of Wabash, Indiana, Reid (Alexis Straley) Votaw of LaFontaine, Indiana, Peyton Ogan of Wabash, Indiana, Caleb Ogan of LaFontaine, Indiana; three granddaughters, Paisley Votaw, Lainey Votaw, Josephine Votaw; one sister, Misty Marz of Wabash, Indiana; one niece, Mikayla Marz of Wabash, Indiana; three great nephews, Percival Boet, Rowan Boet, Peter Boet. He is preceded in death by his mother, Susan Ogan who passed away on November 22, 2022.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at McDonald Funeral Home, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Charlie Easterday officiating.

Visitation for friends and family will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the funeral home.  

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

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

Friday, January 10, 2025

Martha "Jane" Harris Burkhart

 

Martha “Jane” Harris Burkhart, 90, of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 8:52 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Aperion Healthcare in Marion, Indiana. She was born on May 10, 1934, to Arnold and Lucinda (Gibson) Wooton in Laurel County, Kentucky.

Martha was a homemaker most of her life. She married Willard Harris on January 1, 1949. He passed away on March 6, 1998. She then married James Irvin Burkhart on January 24, 2009. He passed away August 3, 2018. Martha held a membership with Christian Heritage Church for many years in Wabash, Indiana. She was also a member of the Sympathy Club at General Motors in Marion, Indiana. In her free time, Martha enjoyed sewing, embroidering, cooking big family dinners, working on puzzles, and tending to her garden. She was also an avid doll collector throughout her life. 

Martha is survived by one son, Ronnie Harris of Marion, Indiana; two daughters, Mable Jean “Jeani” (Tom) Richards of Wabash, Indiana, Vera H. Tyner of LaFontaine, Indiana; one daughter-in-law, Linda Harris of Wabash, Indiana; two brothers, Alex Wooten of Cincinnati, Ohio, Pearl Wooton of Hamilton, Ohio; four grandchildren, Jenny Rebekah Wilson, Christopher Robert Harris, Robert "RJ" Johnny Harris, Matthew Micah Richards, Ashley Lynn Pelphrey; Nine great-grandchildren, Makiah Jade Richards, Hannah Grace Wilson, Emma Faith Wilson, Ava Hope Wilson, Tiffany Lynn Pelphrey, Trevor Dean Pelphrey, Dakota Lee Pelphrey, and Sierra Rayn Pelphrey. She is preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Lucinda Wooton; her first husband, Willard Harris; her second husband, James Irvin Burkhart; one daughter, Delora “Dee” Arrowood; one son, Robert J. Harris; three brothers; and one sister.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Tim Prater officiating. Burial will follow at LaFontaine I.O.O.F Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.

Visitation for friends and family will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials can be made to Christian Heritage Church, 2776 River Rd, Wabash, IN 46692.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Martha “Jane” Harris Burkhart’s final arrangements.

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

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Phillip "Woody" Bernon Woodward

 

Phillip Bernon Woodward (Woody) 77, a lifelong resident of Wabash, Indiana passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025.  He was born July 15, 1947, in Wabash County Hospital to Bernon Wilber Woodward and Alberta Jayne Woodward (Marks).

Phil attended Wabash High School and then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 5, 1965.  He fought and served his country at Marble Mountain in South Vietnam.  On February 24, 1966, he was Wounded in Action when a Bouncing “Betty” grenade exploded, killing many in his unit. It was a blessing he survived, but sustained life-threatening injuries.  He was transported to the USS Repose ship also called the “Angel of the Orient” before being transferred to Okinawa, then finally back to the United States Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago.  He spent most of a year recovering from his injuries before being released to go home.  On October 25, 1966, Phil was issued 100% disability and permanently retired status.  From the time he returned home until the time of his death, his family never once heard him complain despite his deep shrapnel wounds, his loss of hearing in one ear, or the loss of his right eye.  Phil’s favorite saying was “Semper Fi” which means “always faithful” or “always loyal” and is the motto of the United States Marine Corps and the one he always stayed true to.  The love for his Marine Corps never left him, if he ever saw anything with the USMC logo he bought it.

His dream was fulfilled to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington, DC when on October 26, 2022, he was chosen to join the Northeast Indiana Honor Flight #40 along with 77 other veterans and his niece Angie as his chaperone.  While at the wall he was able to find two of the Wabash County Marines that never made it home.

Phil worked many years beside his father at the B.W. Woodward Company and Tin Shop learning the trade of hot tar roofing.  He eventually started his own business which he continued until a few years ago.

Phil was a lifelong fisherman.  On one fishing trip he spotted Muhammed Ali on a boat.  Phil called him over for a picture and much to his surprise, the boat came over and he got the picture of himself next to his boxing idol.  The Wabash Plain Dealer printed the story and picture which his entire family and close friends received copies.  He was also a lifelong music fan, had an extensive collection of albums he treasured, and attended many concerts over the years.  Phil loved to Morel Mushrooms hunt.  His family has photos of him returning from Michigan with a bathtub full of mushrooms that he would gladly share.  That love of hunting them never left him.  He also enjoyed traveling, the hunt for an antique bargain, collecting guns and arrow heads - many found on his parent’s farm in Rich Valley which used to be owned by Chief Clarence Godfrey.  He enjoyed driving county roads, watching Gun Smoke (he owned every episode on DVD) and cheered for the Chicago Cubs, Indianapolis Colts, and the Indiana University Hoosiers.

Most important though to him was his family and friends.  Always checking in with family asking if they need help with anything or just hanging out and talking.  Phil was very blessed to have many lifelong friends that meant very much to him.  He had many stories and memories of fun times from years past and with current friends.  Phil was a one of a kind, always, willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed help.  He loved his life and lived each day to the fullest.  He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

He is survived by his older sister Janet (Woodward) Black of Wabash; Niece Angie Garman (Craig) Peyton of Louisville, KY; Nephew Phillip Scott (Luchita) Black of Las Vegas, Nevada; great nieces and nephews -Phillip (Kristen) Black; Kalie (Jono) Carlton; Kyle Peyton; Patrick Black; Shayna Peyton; Steven Bernon Black; and great great nieces and nephews – Jackson; Audrey; Hayes Alexander; and Kai Jackson.  He was preceded in death by his loving parents Bernon Wilber Woodward (Woody) and Alberta Jayne Woodwards, nephews Nicky Bernon Reed and Larry Lee Black.

His family will honor and peacefully lay him to rest on Saturday, January 11, 2025, with full Military Honors.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at McDonald Funeral Home, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Pastor David Phillips officiating.

Visitation for friends and family will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the funeral home.  

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Phillip Bernon Woodward's final arrangements.

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