Bertie J. Melvin

Bertie J. Melvin, 89, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 5:12 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at Millers Merry Manor West in Wabash, Indiana. She was born to the late H. Armstrong and Lula (Pennington) Rowland on February 9, 1928 in Morgan County, Kentucky.

Bertie was a 1969 graduate of Johnson County High School; then received her Certified Nursing Assistant degree at the State of Indiana. She married Andrew Melvin on November 8, 1944 in Johnson County, Kentucky at the Clerk’s Office, he passed away in 1994. Bertie was a Certified Nurses Assistant for 15 years at Miller’s Merry Manor East, Wabash, Indiana. She is a member of Grand Street Baptist Church in Wabash, Indiana.

She is survived by sons, Andy (Janice) Melvin of Lafayette, Indiana and Jess Melvin of Wabash, Indiana; daughters, Mrs. Florence (Robert) Music of Wabash, Indiana, Mrs. Sara (Andrew) Todd of Highland Ranch, Colorado, and Mrs. Jean (Kevin) Smith in Cheyanne, Wyoming; sister, Billie Jean Azelton of Flint, Michigan and; 10 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia; grandson, Lee Melvin; and 3 brothers and 6 sisters.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana, with John Denniston officiating. Burial will be at Falls Cemetery, Wabash, Indiana

Visitation will be from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at the funeral home on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Preferred Memorials are directed to the Wabash County Cancer Society, PO Box 144, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Thomas (Tom) H. Pearce

Thomas (Tom) H. Pearce is now at peace with the Lord. Tom was born July 14, 1926, to Thomas B. and Alpha Pearce, in Covington, Kentucky. He died June 11, 2017 in LaFontaine, Indiana. He was 90 years old.
During World War II, Tom was a member of the 511th Signal Company, Airborne Division and qualified as a parachutist and rifleman. He also received a Certificate of Proficiency in Automated Telephone Systems Skilled Maintenance. After an honorable discharge, Tom returned to Kentucky and graduated from Hazel Green High School, class of 1948.
Tom retired from the Fisher Body Plant in Marion, Indiana after 34 years.
Tom married Dorothy A. Schawe in Kentucky, on July 16, 1949. Dorothy died July 4, 1995. Together they had six children, of whom one is deceased, JoAnn Sewell.
Surviving children are Barbara Ball and her husband Ernie, John Pearce and his wife, Vickie, Colleen Tracy and her husband Kerry, Teresa Tracy and her husband Danny and Randy Pearce and his wife Jerri. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren and several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Tom married Velma Petro, April 8, 2002. She survives. With this marriage, Tom became a step-father to Joe Petro and his wife Cheryl, John Petro and his wife Sharon and Pam Whitener and her husband Jerry. Velma also has 7 grandchildren and several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Tom was a loving father and grandfather and set an example of profound integrity, honesty, and love of his country during his entire lifetime.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2017 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor David Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in the LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.
Visitation for family and friend will be from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are directed to Wabash County Cancer Society, P.O. Box 144, North Manchester, Indiana 46962. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Margaret L. Benson-Burnworth

Margaret L. Benson-Burnworth, 85, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 9:13 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at Wellbrooke of Wabash in Wabash, Indiana. She was born on March 13, 1932 in Bedford, Kentucky to the late Dallas and Mary (Ross) Brown.

Margaret married Vern J. Benson on March 19, 1949, he passed away on May 30, 2003 ; then she married Kenneth H. Burnworth, he passed away on February 11, 2011. Margaret retired from Clark's Grocery Store and worked for Gackenheimer's Drug Store for many years. She was a member of College Corner Brethren Church in Wabash, Indiana. She enjoyed gardening, lunches with her friends, and most of all her family.

She is survived by a son, Ken Benson (Chris) of Wabash, Indiana; three daughters, Mrs. Don (Carol) Sweet of Converse, Indiana, Janie Hayslett of Wabash, Indiana, and Mrs. Paul (Mary) Cornett of Wabash, Indiana; 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an aunt, Ruby Martin, son in law, Clyde Hayslett and grandson, Tanner Hayslett, along with her parents and husbands.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Pastor Brad Wright officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Lawns Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, June 5, 2017 at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are directed to College Corner Brethren Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Viola (Monroe) Gilbert

Viola (Monroe) Gilbert, 65, of Wabash, Indiana passed away Monday, May 1, 2017 at her home. She was born on September 11, 1951 in Disney, Kentucky to the late Roy and Ludie (Madden) Monroe.

Viola was a 1971 graduate of Wabash High School. She married Kirkwood Alton Gilbert on March 9, 1995, he survives. She was a homemaker to her family. She was a member of Christian Heritage Church in Wabash, Indiana. Viola loved music and her family, especially her grandchildren.

Along with her husband, Kirkwood; she is survived by daughters, Christina Taylor of Wabash, Indiana, Mrs. Latisha (Matt) Miller of Urbana, Indiana, and Alicia Hensley of Stigler, Oklahoma; step daughter, Mrs. Jennifer (John) Long of Edinburgh, Indiana; step sons, Joshua Gilbert (Diane) of Michigan and Matthew Gilbert (Sara) of North Manchester, Indiana; sisters, Josephine (Hans) Harms of Wabash, Indiana, Ruth (Bruce) Whiteneck of Warsaw, Indiana, Bernice Bellew of Florida, Louise Lawshe of Florida, Barb (Tim) Prater of Wabash, Indiana, Clarissa (Charlie) Poe of Washington; brothers, Thomas Monroe of Wabash, Indiana, Hershel (Ilene) Monroe of Andrews, Indiana, Don (Betty) Monroe of Wabash, Indiana, Roy Monroe Jr. of North Manchester, Indiana, Orville (Liz) Monroe of Wabash, Indiana, Jerry (Sue) Monroe of Leesburg, Indiana, and Larry (Connie) Monroe of Wabash, Indiana; 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Alene Monroe.

Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Christian Heritage Church, 2776 S. River Road, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Pastor Tim Prater officiating. Preferred memorials are directed to Wabash County Red Cross, 88 W. Hill Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992.

Calling hours will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Maurice O. Terry

Maurice O. Terry, 84, of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at his lake home on Monday, April 24, 2017. He was born to the late Thomas Harrison "Harry" and Martha (Payne) Terry on December 1, 1932 in Moundville, Alabama.

He was a Hale Community High School graduate and he received his bachelor degree at University of Alabama, where he remained an avid fan. Maurice married Bonnie Rigney on June 16, 1962, she survives. He served his country in the United States Army. Maurice retired as a Veteran Administrator for the Marion Veterans Hospital in Marion, Indiana. Maurice was a member of LaFontaine United Methodist Church in LaFontaine, Indiana. He was also a member of American Legion Post 49 in Van Buren, Indiana, NARFE, Arbor Trace Golf Club in Marion, Indiana, and Meals on Wheels of Wabash County.

Maurice enjoyed the Veterans Group that met once a month in LaFontaine, fishing, golfing, spending time at the lake, watching and feeding his birds, and his love for his cat, Punkin.

Along with his wife, Bonnie; he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Martha (Jesse) Godwin of Pineapple, Alabama; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Shawn O. Terry, brothers and sisters, Olla Bell Terry, Estelle Terry, Olen Terry, Odelle Lakeman, Frances Gafford, Thomas Terry, Lester Terry, and J.D. Terry.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 28, 2017 at LaFontaine United Methodist Church, 2 W. Kendall Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, with Pastor Crystal Jacobson and Pastor Larry Ray officiating. Burial will follow in the LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana 46940.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940. Preferred memorials are directed to LaFontaine United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Sandra Sue Craft

Sandra Sue Craft, 76, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 23, 2017 at her home. She was born on to the late Harold and Dorothy (Calfee) Smith on January 3, 1941 in Wabash, Indiana.

She was a Noble High School graduate. Sandy married James Richard Craft on June 29, 1968, he passed away on June 27, 2013. Sandy worked at Markhon of Wabash and retired from Wells Fargo of Wabash. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Wabash, Indiana, where she held several committees at her church. She was dedicated to the March of Dimes Community. Sandy enjoyed being with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren and their activities.

She is survived by son, Brent Craft (Paula) of Wabash, Indiana and daughter, Wendy Short (Ron Jones) of Wabash, Indiana; grandchildren, Jarrett Craft, Jaron Craft, Kaelyn Short, Jessica Beane, and Jordon Beane; four great grandchildren, Briliegh Cook, Braya Cook, Adakin Beane, and Carter Jones; first cousin, Joe Evans (Julie) of Wabash, Indiana and many other cousins survive.

Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church, 173 Hale Drive, Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Pastor Jeremy Yeadon officiating. Burial will follow in the Falls Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana. Preferred memorials are to the Zion Lutheran Church building fund, 173 Hale Drive, Wabash, Indiana 46992 and Wabash County Animal Shelter, 810 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com

Harold D. Warford

Harold D. Warford, 78, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 6:18 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born to the late on October 27, 1938 in Huntington, Indiana.
Harold married Maxine Ricks on January 31, 1987, she survives. He retired from Maco Corp of Huntington, Indiana. Harold was a member of Church of Christ at Treaty
Along with his wife, Maxine; he is survived by daughters, Debbie Pohler and Deann Patrick both of Huntington, Indiana; step son, Travis Ricks of Lillington, North Carolina; brothers, Bev Warford of Wabash, Indiana and Carl Warford of Fort Wayne, Indiana; sister, Jessie Smart of Bippus, Indiana; 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Danny Warford.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2017 at Church of Christ at Treaty, 6793 S. 50 E. Wabash, Indiana 46992, with Minister Ryan Weaver officiating. Burial will be at a later date.
Calling will be from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the church. Preferred memorials are directed to American Lung Association, P.O. Box 7000, Albert Lea, MN 56007-8001.
McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com