Loretta L. Eltzroth

 

Loretta L. Eltzroth, 83, of Urbana, Indiana passed away at 1:33 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 1019 Belle's Place of Wabash. She was born on October 11, 1943, to Chester and Marie (Cooper) Lawson in Wabash, Indiana.

Loretta married Larry Joe Eltzroth on May 28, 1966, he passed away on May 11, 2024. She worked a Peabody Retirement Community as a CNA before retiring.  Loretta attended Abundant Life Church in Wabash, Indiana. She was a member of Wabash Moose Lodge 1195 and the American Legion Post 15 Auxiliary. Loretta enjoyed dancing and tending to her flower garden. She also enjoyed going to the Moose Lodge with her husband Larry. 

Loretta is survived by two sons, Clary (Candi) Eltzroth of Urbana, Indiana, Todd (Melessa) Eltzroth of Roann, Indiana; three daughters, Rebecca Coldren of Wabash, Indiana, Amanda (Ben) Grawcock of Kendallville, Indiana, Stacy Eltzroth of Warsaw, Indiana; eight grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers, Lyle and Lester Lawson, two sisters, Linda Conley and Laura Lawson.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Home, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Pastor Dustin Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Mississinewa Cemetery in Somerset, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be two hours prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials can be made to the Urbana Volunteer Fire Department, 55 North Washington Street, Urbana, Indiana 46990 in care of McDonald Funeral Homes.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Loretta L. Eltzroth's final arrangements.

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

Cheryl A. Petro

 

Cheryl A. Petro, 83, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 7:19 a.m. Friday, October 16, 2026, at 1019 Belle's Place of Wabash. She was born on July 27, 1943, to Wilbur and Anna (Manning) Pinkerton in Wabash, Indiana.

Cheryl was a 1961 graduate of Wabash High School. She married her husband Joseph Petro, on April 3, 1968. Cheryl grew up in the Wabash Church of the Brethren. She was a member of Lincolnville Community Church in Lincolnville, Indiana. Cheryl was an LPN working at Millers Merry Manor in Wabash for 18 years along with being a social services director before her retiring. She then became the executive director of Cheer till its closing. Then she volunteered for Hospice of Wabash.

Cheryl is survived by two sons, Joseph Michael (Megan) Petro of LaFontaine, Indiana, Joe (Patti) Grant of Bloomington, Indiana; one daughter, Amy (Randall) Bass of Waynesboro, Virginia; four grandchildren, Briana Bass, Grant Petro, Bailey Petro, and Madison Petro; one brother, Gary (Wendy) Pinkerton of Champaign, Illinois; one sister, Karen (Larry) Tatro of North Hampton, Massachusetts. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Home, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Pastor Elesha Stuckey of Eleos Hospice officiating. Burial will follow at Mississinewa Memorial Cemetery in Somerset, Indiana.

Visitation for friends and family will be one hour prior to the funeral service from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials can be made to Eleos Hospice Care, 6255 Topsfield Lane, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46835.

The family of Cheryl Petro would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of 1019 Belle's Place of Wabash and to Eleos Hospice Care of Fort Wayne for their special care.

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

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

George W. "J.R." Bentley Jr.

 

George W. "J.R." Bentley Jr., 84, of Warren, Indiana, formerly of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 11:29 a.m., on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Parkview Huntington Hospital in Huntington, Indiana. He was born on October 12, 1941, to George W. and Helen (Amsden) Bentley in Grant County, Indiana.

J.R. graduated from Jefferson High School in 1959. He married Carol Jean Keiffer on June 17, 1960, at the Banquo Christian Church. J.R. retired from farming and from being a school bus driver for MSD for 30 years where he also drove the Southwood Knights to many sporting events. He was a member of Banquo Christian Church where he served as an Elder and Deacon for many years. J.R. was a former 4-H leader in Wabash and Huntington County.

J.R. is survived by his wife, Jean Bentley of Warren, Indiana; four daughters, Jody (Greg) Friermood of Marion, Indiana, Jill (Denny) Owen of Cromwell, Indiana, Joni (Tim) Michael of Whitestown, Indiana, Jani (Jim) Brinson of Kokomo, Indiana; five grandchildren, Heidi (Kevin) Gusa of McKinney, Texas, Kyle (Caitlynn) Friermood of Pittsboro, Indiana, Kevin Friermood of Madison, Wisconsin, Ethan Michael, Evan Michael, both of Whitestown, Indiana; two great grandchildren, Grayson Friermood and Wrenley Friermood; one sister, Betty Zimmerman of Warren, Indiana; one sister-in-law, Margaret Bentley of Warren, Indiana; one brother-in-law Robert Keiffer of LaFontaine, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Jack Bentley, one sister, Mary "Bee" Ulrich.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street., LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 with Pastor Harold Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Etna Cemetery in Mount Etna, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Preferred memorials can be directed to the Banquo Christian Church, 8924 S. 900 W35, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with George W. "J.R." Bentley Jr.'s final arrangements.

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

James Coldren

James W. Coldren, 91, passed away at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at his home in El Cajon, California. He was born on May 11, 1935, to James D. and Florence (Bright) Coldren in Richvalley, Indiana.

Fresh out of Linlawn High School, Jim enlisted in the Navy and embarked on his career and newly found travels. He quickly met his wife, Claudia Frazer, while stationed in California and raised 3 daughters in their 52 years together before her passing in 2009.

Jim proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1954 to 1974. Upon retirement, he and his family left Groton, Connecticut and settled in El Cajon to begin civilian life. He became an iconic fixture while employed at the San Diego Yacht Club and the Del Mar Fair.

He enjoyed traveling by van across the country with annual pilgrimages “back home to Indiana” to visit various statewide businesses, festivals, events, as well as family and many friends. Family members fondly recall that he never met a stranger. His last solo journey was in June, 2026.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Sheila Petticord, Idaho, and Susan Baldwin, California; grandsons, Douglas Winter and Brandon Baldwin, California; William and Corey Winter, Arkansas; proxy son, Frank Baldwin, California; sisters, Anita Scott, California, and Rachel Buzbee, Indiana; Robin Inman, New York; brothers, Rex Coldren, Montana, and Michael Coldren, New York; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews from New York to California.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Claudia; daughter, Sharon; brothers, Joseph (Joe), Paul, and Bruce.

Upcoming services will be at Riverside National Cemetery, California on Monday, October 19, 2026.

Preferred memorials may be directed to the American Legion or V.F.W. of Wabash.

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