Amy J. Gillespie

 

Amy J. Gillespie, 57, a lifetime resident of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 1:40 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at her home in Wabash, Indiana. She was born to Robert and Rebecca (Schuster) Banks on July 2, 1965, in Wabash, Indiana.

Amy was a 1983 graduate of Wabash High School. She married Randy Gillespie on July 22, 1989. She worked at POET-North Manchester. She was a member of Living Faith Lutheran Church in Wabash, Indiana. Amy loved crocheting, baking, and cooking. Most of all she loved being with her family.

Amy is survived by her husband, Randy Gillespie of Wabash, Indiana; two sons, Robert Gillespie of Frisco, Texas, Adam Gillespie (Isabelle Wysong) of Wabash, Indiana; two daughters, Maranda (Jeremy) Melton of Wabash, Indiana, Courtney Davis (Matt Rhoades) of Wabash, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Savannah Melton, Emily Melton, Jaxson Melton, Haiden Melton, Kaysen Melton, Camdyn Melton, Aria Rhoades; one brother, David Banks of Sierra Blanca, Texas; three sisters, Peggy Banks of Wabash, Indiana, Myra (Phil) Behr of Gas City, Indiana, Kelsey Carter of Anderson, Indiana. She is proceeded in death by her parents.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Pastor Shane Chellis officiating. Burial will follow at Friends Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to be directed to the F.I.S.H. of Wabash 123 W. Canal Street Wabash, Indiana 46992 in care of McDonald Funeral Homes.

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

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

William "Bill" Gerding

 

William Roger "Bill" Gerding, 79, passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at Canterbury Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Fort Wayne.

He was the retired owner of Market Street Grill in Wabash, and an active community member in that city, serving free holiday meals to anyone who came to the restaurant. He was active in organizing and participating in chili cook-offs and he was a member and donor of railroad artifacts to the Wabash County Historical Museum.

Bill is survived his daughter, Heidi (Jim) Spangle of Fort Wayne, Indiana; son, William Braden "Brady" (Becky) Gerding of Fort Wayne, Indiana; grandsons, Max and Sam Gerding, both of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and three sisters, Jill Wiegman of New Albany, Jane Brass of Franklin and Elane Thomas of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William J. Gerding, M.D. and Dorothy Rittermeyer Gerding.

A memorial reception honoring Bill will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at the Wabash Elks Lodge 225 West Main Street Wabash, Indiana 46992.

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Ave., Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Bill Gerding's final local arrangements.

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

Carol Dee Wuerthner

 

Carol Dee (Knapp) Wuerthner, 86, of LaFontaine, passed away on September 28, 2022, in Longmont, Colorado. She was born on November 6, 1935, to D. William and Magdaline Knapp in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

As a child, Carol always knew she wanted to be an educator. She graduated from Emmerich Manual High School in 1953 and Ball State University in 1957; where she met the love of her life (a red headed farmer). She married Rex Wuerthner on November 22, 1962, and began their lives together in Marion, Indiana. He passed away on June 4, 2012. After having her first child she knew that motherhood was the most important thing and put her career on the back burner. Along with being a member of Psi Iota Xi, she attended Sunnycrest United Methodist Church and established many wonderful relationships within the church and community and used her leadership skills in a myriad of ways throughout the years. 

 She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her. She had many friends and was a well-loved member of the community in Marion, Indiana.  

Carol is survived by her daughters; Corinne Renee Delatorre of Longmont, Colorado, Rachelle Carlyn Angerman of Crown Point, Indiana, and Chandra Leigh Bentley Bargersville, Indiana; Her beloved grandchildren Evan Alan Angerman, Jorge Delatorre, and Graham & Finley Bentley. She is proceeded in death by her parents William and Magdaline Knapp and her husband Rex Wuerthner. 

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940. Burial will follow at LaFontaine I.O.O.F. Cemetery. 

Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at the funeral home. 

We are at rest knowing she is with the Lord and her loved ones. Please join us in honoring CD and all of her accomplishments. 

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Carol Wuerthner's final arrangements. 

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

 

Gail A. Waak, 67, of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 11:35 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at Rolling Meadows Health and Rehabilitation in Lafontaine. She was born in Marion, Indiana on June 13, 1955, to Harold E. and Lois Gay (Purviance) Williams.

Gail was a graduate of Madison Grant High School. She married Michael L Waak on November 18, 2006, he passed away on February 18, 2016. Gail Attended LaFontaine United Methodist Church in LaFontaine. She was a former member of the Marion Moose and had been attending the History Club in LaFontaine. She was very crafty making things for friends and family and enjoyed crocheting.

Gail is survived by three sisters, Ellen Williams of Clarksville, Tennessee, Debbie Smith of Marion, Indiana, Treva Williams of Marion, Indiana; She is also survived by a good friend of 25 years, Elaine Cochran of LaFontaine, Indiana. She is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, and one sister, Sara McCoy.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at LaFontaine United Methodist Church, 2 West Kendall Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 with Susan Shambaugh officiating. Burial will be at LaFontaine I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at the church.

Preferred memorials are directed to the Troyer Memorial Library in LaFontaine, Indiana.

The family would like to thank Rolling Meadows Health and Rehabilitation and Heart to Heart Hospice for their care of Gail.

McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Gail Waak's final arrangements.

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

Larry Don Butler, 80 of Wabash, Indiana left this world at 7:54 a.m. on Tuesday September 20th, 2022, at Millers Merry Manor East in Wabash IN to join his wife Stevie Kaye (Novotney) Butler who passed away on May 30, 2022. They were married for 61 years. 

Larry was born November 27, 1941, in Carbon, IN to William Lawrence Butler and Zella "Virginia" (Parsons) Butler. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and 3 brothers. Larry is survived by two daughters, Virginia “Jenny” Butler of Wabash, Indiana, Sonia (Mike) Holley of Roann, Indiana; two grandchildren, Derek (Kelli) Holley of Roann, Indiana, Paige (Alex) Holley of Evansville, Indiana; three great-grandchildren, Arie Holley, Bryce Holley, and Levi Markle.

Larry was employed for over 40 years at Anaconda/Alcan in Terre Haute, IN. Prior to his retirement Larry and Stevie raised their children in Brazil, IN. Their house was always full with friends of their children with lots of game playing and laughter. Friends were always welcome. It was not uncommon for Larry to load up the neighborhood kids and take them to Dairy Queen or bring home a 747 pizza. 

Larry was a 1959 graduate at Van Buren High School. Larry briefly attended Indiana State University.

Larry and Stevie moved from Brazil, IN to Terre Haute, IN after their children left home where he was very involved in their church. They spent many enjoyable summers at their cabin on the lake near Jasonville, IN. Approximately 16 years ago Larry and Stevie moved to Wabash, IN in order to be close to their children and grandchildren. 

In his younger years Larry enjoyed fishing and mushroom hunting as well as playing games with his children. He was a former member of the Elks and always enjoyed watching sports on TV. 

Private family graveside services will be held on Friday September 23rd at Falls Cemetery in Wabash, Indiana.

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

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

Betty L. Brandenburg, 94, a lifelong resident of Wabash County passed away in Avon, IN on August 18, 2022. She was born November 16, 1927 to Walter and Alice (Overman) Garrison in Wabash County. Betty graduated from Linlawn High School in 1945 and married Frank Brandenburg on October 2, 1948. They became a couple that epitomized love and devotion for more than 60 years. Together through love and hard work they built a life and a home at Walnut Creek Ranch on South Old State Road 15, moving there in 1962. They raised two children and strawberries, raspberries, melons, onions, and sweet corn that they sold to IGA stores and the community at a roadside stand. During that time they both were active members of the Church of Christ at Treaty and led the youth group there for many years.

Betty also worked for a number of years at Hiz, Inc in Wabash and enjoyed the friendships she made there. In 1989 they retired and began a legacy of traveling to North Carolina in the winter and staying on the beach at Oak Island. She enjoyed the sunnier and warmer weather and went for long walks on the beach, collecting shells, and enjoying her favorite meal of fresh fried shrimp. She also spent time with their three grandchildren who lived in Raleigh, NC until those trips ended in 2007. They lived in what they considered a paradise for almost 50 years before Frank passed away after 62 years of marriage in 2011. After Frank’s passing, she continued to be a positive influence in the lives of others despite her loss. In 2016, she moved to Gladstone St in Wabash to be closer to family. For the past year and a half, Betty lived at Independence Village of Avon, IN near her daughter, Cindy.

Betty cared deeply for others and showed great love and compassion for everyone. Her strong faith got her through difficult times and strengthened her compassion for others. Always smiling and with words of encouragement, she was a light in the lives of so many she encountered. Quiet and unassuming, she impacted everyone she met with her positive outlook on life.

Betty is survived by her children, Mrs. Cindy (Steven) Flint of Avon, IN and Rick (Janice) Brandenburg, Raleigh, NC and six grandchildren, Scott, Jill, Josh, Chris, Ashley, and Caleb, five great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister, her husband, as well as her parents.

A Celebration of Betty's Life will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Church of Christ at Treaty 6793 S. 50 E. Wabash, Indiana 46992.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, October 15, 2022, at the church.

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Ave., Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Betty Brandenburg's final local arrangements.

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

 

 

Michael H. Christman, 73, of North Manchester, Indiana, passed away at 7:02 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne, Indiana after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.  He was born on May 2, 1949, to Herbert and Shirley (Driscoll) Christman in Wabash, Indiana.

Michael was a 1967 graduate of Wabash High School. He retired from Container in Wabash. He was a member of the North Manchester Sons of the American Legion. Michael loved the outdoors and loved to smoke meat.

Michael is survived by his mother, Shirley Christman of Wabash, Indiana; one son, Andrew (Shannon) Christman of Muncie, Indiana; two daughters, Susan (Andrew) Younce of Somerset, Indiana, Lori (Lance) Rosencrans of Wabash, Indiana; two stepsons, Jeffrey Allen of Kimberly, Alabama, Chad Mills of Huntersville, North Carolina; three brothers, Robert (Sandra Allen) Christman of Wabash, Indiana, Richard (Toni) Christman of Brownsburg, Indiana, Bernard (Jenny) Christman of Huntertown, Indiana; two sisters, Carol (Rex) Hansen of Fishers, Indiana, Connie (Steve) Crabtree of Somerset, Indiana; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. He is proceeded in death by his father and one sister, Cheryl Adams.

There will be a Celebration of Life to be announced at a late date.

Preferred memorials can be directed to Stillwater Hospice Home Foundation 5910 Homestead Road Fort Wayne, Indiana 46814.

McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana, 46992, have been trusted with Michael Christman's final arrangements.

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