Kathleen "Kitty" Hendry, 81, of Wabash, Indiana, passed away at 8:21 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the Waters of Wabash East in Wabash, Indiana. She was born on August 25, 1944, to Thomas and Genevieve (Bryan) Patterson in Brownsville, Pennsylvania.

Kitty married Lloyd "Buster" W. Hendry on April 16, 1966; he died on August 3, 2018. She was a nurse's aide at Wabash County Hospital for many years before continuing on her own in home health care. She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wabash, Indiana for 64 years. Kitty enjoyed baking and crocheting, and especially loved going to early-morning garage sales. Most of all, she loved being a Nana.

Kitty is survived by her sons, Tim (Ashley) Hendry of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Ted (Stephanie) Hendry of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; daughter, Dawn (Ken) Koger of Kenosha, Wisconsin; six grandchildren, Deek Koger, Lucy Bottos, Kori Burford, Talon Hendry, Lily Hendry, and Jett Hendry; great granddaughter, Emmy Burford; two sisters, Dolores Garlits and Donna (Richard) White, both of Wabash, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Thomas Patterson, sister-in-law, Peggy Patterson, and brother-in-law, Ronald Garlits.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Father Jay Horning officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Lawns Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m.

Preferred memorials may be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church, 207 N. Cass Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992.

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Kathleen "Kitty" Hendry's final arrangements.

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

 

Gale L. Harness, 86, of LaFontaine, Indiana, passed away at 9:10 a.m., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at her residence. She was born on June 11, 1939, in Toledo, Ohio to Harry Clark and Verna (Camper) Jenkins.

Gale married Edwin Dale Harness on August 10, 1957, in Brookville, Indiana; he died on January 7, 2011. Gale enjoyed going to breakfast with her friends at Waylon's in Marion, Indiana. She was a part of the Red Hat Club in LaFontaine and loved to shop garage sales. Most of all, Gale loved her family. 

Gale is survived by her son, David (Carol) Harness of Huntington, Indiana; daughters, Connie (Willis Jr.) Dunnagan of LaFontaine, Indiana, and Linda (Jeff) Bowman of Jalapa, Indiana; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; brothers, Paul Butch Jenkins of Springfield, Ohio, and Richard Clark of Pickway, Ohio; sister, Kathy Mahonoy of Dayton, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Janet Marie Harness, grandson, Matt Dunnagan, great-granddaughter, Trinley Baele, and sister, Carole Burns. 

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main St., LaFontaine, Indiana 46940. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory in Marion, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials may be made to Shriners Children's, Attn: Shriners Children's, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main St., LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with the final arrangements for Gale L. Harness.

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

 

Norma Jean Bechtold

 

Norma Jean Bechtold, 93, of rural Wabash, Indiana, passed away peacefully at 8:01 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Wellbrooke of Wabash, surrounded by her family. She was born December 23, 1932 in Wabash, Indiana, to Arthur Glenn and Osie L. (Brane) Cox.

She was a 1951 graduate of Linlawn High School. Norma Jean married her sweetheart Max Dewayne Bechtold at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Wabash, on June 30, 1954. Together they were farmers and raised Chester White pigs. They shared 57 beautiful years together before he preceded her in death on December 1, 2011.

She was a member of Wabash County Farm Bureau, Good Neighbors Home Extension Club and a dedicated lifelong member of Asbury Country Church. Norma Jean was well known around town as “The Avon Lady,” proudly selling Avon for 60 years! She lovingly supplied Avon chapstick and her famously delicious “Grandma’s corn pops” to everyone she knew! She enjoyed riding on her Gator, hosting family and friends at the ponds, tending to her garden, and relaxing on her porch swing with a cup of coffee. She’s not only famously known for her corn pops, but also as a TV Personality during her 2021 debut on America’s Funniest Home Video (Episode #3116) where you’re sure to get a laugh out of her grandkids scaring her. Tackling life with unwavering strength and grace, she was a proud 12-year breast cancer survivor. Norma Jean’s sweet, cheerful demeanor will be missed by all who were blessed to know her. Norma Jean and Max were an incredible example of genuine love for family and the Lord. She adored spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. “Grandma NJ” was always present at their school, sporting, and life events as well as the “everyday” moments. She had a way of making everything special and focused on creating countless memories for her loved ones.

Norma Jean is the mother of Denise (Alan) Siepker and Brian (Teresa) Bechtold; Grandma of Kyndra (Adam) Baldwin, Kimberly (Eric) Lundmark, Cedric (Lauren) Bechtold and expected great-granddaughter Bechtold, Kelli (Devin) Dale, Devin (Allyson) Bechtold, and Makayla Bechtold; and great-grandmother of Bailey (Levi) Winget, Cole Lundmark, Haley Jean Dale, all of Wabash. She was preceded in death by her brother, David Cox.

Funeral services will be held at Asbury Country Church, corner of Dora Road and 200 E, Wabash, on Thursday, May 21st at 11:00 a.m. with Alan Siepker, Mike Bullick, and Bob Pefley officiating, with one hour visitation prior to service. Burial will be in Center Grove Cemetery, Lincolnville. Friends may call 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20th at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish to honor the memory of Norma Jean, memorial contributions may be made to the Asbury Country Church. The family would like to sincerely thank Parkview Hospice and Wellbrooke of Wabash staff for their loving care.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Norma Jean Bechtold's final arrangements.

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