Michael "Mike" L. Waak

Michael “Mike” L. Waak, 57, of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Rolling Meadows Health and Rehab in LaFontaine, Indiana. He was born to the Ronald Lee Waak of LaPorte, Indiana and the late, Carol (Myers) Waak on December 5, 1958 in Michigan City, Indiana.

Mike graduated in 1976 from Rolling Prairie High School and auto mechanic school at Tucker College. Mike married Gail Williams on November 18, 2006, they moved to LaFontaine in 2007 where she survives. He served his country in the United States Army from 1979 to 1980. Mike worked as a janitor for several restaurants.

Along with his wife, Gail and father, Ronald; he is survived by brothers, Dewaine Waak of Texas and Dale Waak of Osceola; sister, Kathy Havlin of Cedar Lake; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brother, Jamie Waak.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Church of Christ at Treaty, 6793 S. 50 E., Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Doug Oakes officiating. Burial will follow at a later date in LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana. Mike loved all little children. Preferred memorials are directed to Riley Children’s Hospital or Church of Christ at Treaty in Mike’s name.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Velma M. White-Smith

Velma M. White-Smith, 93, a lifetime resident of Wabash County, Indiana passed away at 10:59 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2016 at Parkview Wabash Hospital in Wabash, Indiana. She was born to the late Walter V. and Tessie (Garst) Hawley on June 13, 1922 in Wabash, Indiana.

Velma married Curtis Eugene White on January 24, 1953, he passed away on February 4, 1984, then married Jim Smith, he proceeds her in death. She was a member of Church of Christ at Wabash in Wabash, Indiana. Velma bowled in Wabash Ladies Civic League, was a square dancer, a member of Wabash Saddle Club and served as an officer, and Miss-Sala-Bash camping club. She loved to camp and enjoyed her family including her 35 nieces and nephews she helped raise.

She is survived by daughter, Mrs. Diana (David) Heath of LaFontaine, Indiana; foster daughter, Mrs. Rosemary (Jennings) Gibson-Glenn of Thurmont, Maryland; 4 grandchildren, Angela (Heath) Pier of Wabash, Indiana, Suzanne (Heath) Schoby of Wabash, Indiana, Sheri (Glenn) Schaffer of Virginia, and Lori (Glenn) Swick of Maryland; and 8 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at Church of Christ at Wabash, 1904 N. Wabash Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Josh Fennell officiating. Burial will follow at LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992. Preferred memorials are directed to Church of Christ at Wabash, 1904 N. Wabash Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992 or Life Center, 78 W. Hill Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Francis Dean Turner

Francis Dean Turner, 80, formerly of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 6:10 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2016 at Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on August 15, 1935 to the late William R. and Laura (Smith) Turner in Marion, Indiana.

Francis married Carol F. Tomlinson on November 1, 1953 in the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Marion, Indiana. Francis served his country in the United States Army. He worked at Anaconda Wire and Cable in Marion, Indiana as a production worker from 1953 until retirement in 1993, also at United Tech in Huntington, Indiana for 6 years.

Along with his wife, Carol; he is survived by sons, Robbie J. Turner (Theresa) of Marion, Indiana, David L. Turner (Ebbie) of Andrews, Indiana, and Chris A. Turner of Marion, Indiana; daughter, Vickie L. (Dennis) Mauro of Palmetto, Florida; brother, Harry Turner (Darlene) of Wabash, Indiana; 8 grandchildren, Marlena Tann of Gas City, Indiana, Joshua Mauro and Aaron Mauro both of Palmetto, Florida, Chad Turner of Marion, Indiana, Heather Turner of Mesa, Arizona, Bryan Turner and Bradley Turner both of Marion, Indiana, and John Turner of Wabash, Indiana; 5 great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, and 5 step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Turner.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at McDonald Funeral Home,
LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Ralph Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Robert (Bob) Sterett Bailey

Robert (Bob) Sterett Bailey
Bob Bailey took the hand of Jesus and walked into his heavenly home on the morning of January 27, 2016.
Bob was born in Fullerton, Nebraska on February 19, 1922 to his parents Everett J. and Gladys Marie (Sterett) Bailey. Bob’s sister, Shirley Ann Roberts of Newcastle, Indiana was born six years later.
Bob was a very active high school student in Lexington, Nebraska, where he played basketball and football, and also ran track. He sang in the high school chorus and was a member of the school quartet, as well as being in his church choir.
In 1940, the Bailey family moved to Noblesville, Indiana. It was on a blind date that Bob met Elizabeth Lenore (Lee) Sexson, an Indianapolis girl who turned out to be the love of his life! In 1942, Bob joined the United States Marine Corps, serving until 1945. He was the chief mechanic for an F4U Corsair fighter plane, while serving in the Central Pacific Arena. Bob returned home in 1945, and on August 25, he and Lee were married in her church in Indianapolis.
In 2002, Lee was called home to be with the Lord, after celebrating nearly 57 years of a beautiful, loving marriage. Bob and Lee always set a perfect example of a Christian marriage, showing great love and respect for each other at all times. They taught a fifth grade Sunday school class for many years, and helped lead many souls to Christ during their lifetime together.
Bob continued to be very active in their church in LaFontaine, Indiana after Lee’s passing, and was still singing with the Praise Team there every Sunday morning until his move to Timbercrest on October 1, 2013. At this time, he began attending the North Manchester United Methodist Church with his daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Terry McKee. Bob read Upper Room daily devotions, and read two chapters of Scripture every day. He was also a true prayer warrior, and included the Timbercrest family in his prayer life.
Bob worked for General Motors for 44 years. Since the last of the three plants he worked in was Fisher Body, in Marion, Indiana, it was necessary for Bob and Lee to move nearer Bob’s work. In August 1962, they moved with their three daughters, Pamela Joan (Terry) McKee of North Manchester, Indiana, Donna Lee (Doug) Barton of LaFontaine, Indiana, and Laura Sue (Bill) Eppley of Wabash, Indiana, to LaFontaine, Indiana.
Bob enjoyed playing Bridge and Euchre at Timbercrest, and had recently begun playing Bingo regularly. Bob was truly appreciative of all the Timbercrest staff, and enjoyed sharing candy, pretzels and popcorn with the nurses, as well as a joke or two! He enjoyed working crossword puzzles in his room, and loved going to different restaurants to eat tenderloins. He ate an apple every day, and loved popcorn and potato chips.
In addition to Bob’s three daughters and sister; survivors include six grandchildren, Douglas Bailey McKee (Kimberly), Kelly Joan Cheshier (Mark), Sabrina Lee White (Robert), Jennifer Jean Steininger (Christopher), Robert Douglas Barton (Lesley), and Miles Richard Eppley (Melissa); 22 great-grandchildren. One grandson, Garth Alan Eppley preceded him in death in 2006.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 1, 2016 at LaFontaine United Methodist Church, 2 W. Kendall Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Doug Barton officiating. Burial will follow in the LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940. Preferred memorials are directed to LaFontaine United Methodist Church, 2 W. Kendall Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Lorene Louise Conrad

Lorene Louise Conrad, 70, of rural Denver, Indiana went home to her loving Savior, at 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at her home. She was born to the late Julius “Wild Bill” and Helen (Miller) Mastagh on April 5, 1945 in Wabash, Indiana.

Lorene married George Conrad on September 22, 2001, he survives. Lorene retired from Duke Energy after 40 years of service. She attended Roann United Methodist Church and was the acting church treasurer. Her interest included bowling where she was treasurer and secretary, and was a 2003-2004 WIBC local champion. She was secretary and treasurer for a bowling league and was a WIBC 2003-2004 local champion. She was a member of the United Methodist Woman’s Club, Merry Meters, and was a volunteer for the Honeywell Center.

Lorene is survived by her husband, George of Denver, Indiana; daughter, Janna Marie Shoemaker and granddaughter, Maya Rayne Drabenstot both of Wabash, Indiana.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Pastor Wayne Balmer officiating. Burial will follow in the Falls Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana. Preferred memorials are directed to Roann United Methodist Church, 225 E. Adams Street, Roann, Indiana 46974.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

George E. Walker

George E. Walker, 78, of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, January 10, 2016 in his home. He was born on May 14, 1937 in Peru, Indiana to the late Hillard and Pearl (Poor) Walker.
George married Kathleen Burgin, she survives. He retired from Thompson Consumer Electronics in Marion, Indiana as a machine attendant. He was a member of National Rifle Association.

Along with his wife, Kathleen; he is survived by son, Brian Walker (Faye) of Columbia, Tennessee; step son, David Smith of Shelbyville, Indiana; step daughter, Mrs. Ginger (Ron) Moon of Springport, Indiana; sister, Anita Alvarado of Peru, Indiana; grandchildren, Joshua Schinbeckler, Jordan Walker, Justin Kolodziej, Mallory Smith, Austin Smith, and Dylan Smith; and a great grandchild, Malin Smith. He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 15, 2016 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Brad Wright officiating. Burial will follow at LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Doris Jane "DJ" Duncan

Doris Jane “DJ” Duncan, 72, of Warsaw, Indiana, formerly of Fort Wayne and Muncie, Indiana passed away at 7:02 p.m. on Friday, December 25, 2015 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born to the late Vern L. and Catherine (Goebel) Anderson on February 26, 1943 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

She was a graduate of Wabash High School. Doris married Winfred Ray Duncan on July 23, 1960, he survives. She was the owner and operator of Hilltop Motel in Muncie, Indiana, also worked at the home office of HWI Hardware in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Along with her husband, Ray; she is survived by a son, Michael Duncan (Ronda) of Savannah, Georgia; three daughters, Mrs. Lisa (Paul) Edsall of Muncie, Indiana, Mrs. Patti (Jerry) Case of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Barbara Duncan of Muncie, Indiana; 2 brothers both of Muncie, Indiana; 1 sister of Muncie, Indiana; 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; and longtime friend, Nancy Wilhelm. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jennifer Barnell.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2015 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Pastor Brad Wright officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Falls Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana. Preferred memorials are directed to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana or Donor's Choice.

Calling hours for family and friends will be from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com