Lyle Lawson

 

Lyle L. Lawson, 75, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 1:48 a.m. on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Autumn Ridge Rehabilitation Centre in Wabash, Indiana. He was born to Chet and Marie (Cooper) Lawson on July 21, 1947, in Wabash, Indiana.

Lyle was a 1964 graduate of Wabash High School. He served in the United States Army. Lyle worked as an electrician at Deihl Machine Inc. in Wabash. He was a member of the American Legion Post 15 and Wabash Eagles Lodge.

Lyle is survived by his son, Nicholas L. Lawson of Wabash, Indiana; four grandchildren, Magnolia M. Starr, Jillian Harris, Zoe Layne Lawson, Labhras LaDean Lawson; one great grandchild, Amelia Rae Wicks; one sister, Loretta (Larry) Eltzroth of Urbana, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, James and Lester, and two sisters, Linda and Laura.

Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2023, at Marion National Cemetery 1700 East 38th Street Marion, Indiana 46953.

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

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

Betty May Davis

 

Betty May (Ihnen) Davis, 88, of Wabash, passed away at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2023, at Waters of Wabash West. She was born near Laketon, IN on September 14, 1934, to Herman and Velma (Bishop) Ihnen.

Betty married Robert “Punk” Davis on March 26, 1960. They had one daughter, Wendy Melton who survives. She worked at Torin Corp./Lau Industries for almost 40 years. She worked side by side with many of her closest friends, including Opal Pontius, Barb Tullis, and Donna Shelton. Betty and Donna shared a close bond and kept in touch throughout the years. Donna became more of a sister when Betty's own sister, Marjorie passed several years ago. Punk and Betty spent many summers at Nappanee Raceway where they raced sulky ponies. As members of the ITPPA, they traveled all over northern Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio racing with many of their friends.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Wendy Melton of Wabash, Indiana; grandsons, Jeremy (Maranda) Melton, and Steven (Becca) Melton; She also had three bonus grandchildren, Michelle (Tania) Grove, Elizabeth (Michael) Drudge, and Ronald Ihnen; She also had several great- grandchildren: Savannah Melton, Emily Melton, Electra Merrell, Jaxson Melton, Haiden Melton, Kaysen Melton, Camdyn Melton, Ainsley Dahlstrom, Lennox Wright, Barrett Melton, Brigham Melton, Tannis Melton, Ryleigh Drudge, Conner Drudge, Elijah Grove, and Aadyson Grove. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Katherine Ihnen. She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Bob and Virgil Ihnen, and one sister, Marjorie. 

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992

Preferred Memorials can be directed to the American Cancer Society or a Hospice program of your choice in care of McDonald Funeral Home.

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

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

Donald R. Shilts

 

Donald R. Shilts, 82, of Westfield, Indiana passed away at 9:35 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Rolling Meadows Health and Rehabilitation Center in LaFontaine, Indiana. He was born to Marlow and Elaine (Jones) Shilts on January 22, 1941, in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Donald was a 1959 graduate of Manchester High School. He married Velda Jane Carey on August 2, 1964. Donald then graduated from Manchester College in 1978. He worked in Human Resources at Taymor in Logansport, Indiana. He was a member of Good Shepherd Church in Logansport, Indiana. Donald was also a member of Hanna Lodge #61 Wabash, Wabash Shrine Club, Mizpah Shriners International, Fort Wayne Scottish Rite, and Northern Masonic Jurisdiction 320.

Donald is survived by his wife, Velda Shilts; two sons, Eric (Shannon) Shilts of Marion, Indiana, Marc (Stacey) Shilts of Logansport, Indiana; five grandchildren, Zachary Shilts, Zane Shilts, Lucas Shilts, Lauren Shilts, Ashlynn Shilts; one greatgrandchild, Rylie Shilts. He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Christine Caird.

A private family burial will take place at Mississinewa Memorial Cemetery in Somerset, Indiana.

McDonald Funeral Homes, Wabash Chapel, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, have been trusted with Donald Shilts’ final arrangements.

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

Jill Elaine Yeater

 

Jill Elaine Yeater, 60, of Akron, Indiana passed away at 10:41 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Woodlawn Hospital in Rochester, Indiana. She was born to Paul A. and Eula B. (Howell) Yeater on May 11, 1962, in Rochester, Indiana.

Jill attended special education classes in the Marion School System until moving to Thornton, Colorado in June of 1977, with her mother and stepfather. She graduated from Rivendell School in Thornton in 1980. She worked at the Sheltered Workshop from July 1980 to June 1998. Jill and her mother moved back to Indiana in 2008.

Jill is survived by her mother, Eula of Akron, Indiana; two sisters, Diana (Steve) Rish of Akron, Indiana, Denise (Doug) Jones of Thornton, Colorado; one brother, Bruce (Darlene) Yeater of St. Lucie, Florida; her aunt, Janet Rhoades; and cousins, Wm. (Bud) Hupp, C.B. Hupp, Aretta Hupp, Julie Dile, Gay Brumett, Lora Clayborn, Jeffrey Rhoades, Roberta Schwing, Robin Wilson, Rodney Yeater, Jeff Yeater; nephews, Ryan Rish, Steven Rish, Tyler Jones, Paul Yeater. She is preceded in death by her father, Paul Yeater; stepfather, Don Lunlow; grandparents, Marion and Alice Howell, Floyd and Ruth Yeater; aunt and uncle, Bill and Sue Hupp; uncle, Allen Rhoades. 

Per Jill's wishes she will be cremated after donating her organs.

There will be no services held. 

Memorial contributions can be directed to ARC in care of McDonald Funeral Homes. 

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

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

Danny Allen

 

Danny Allen, 72, of Wabash, Indiana passed away at 8:17 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born to Otis and Georgia (Jewell) Allen on February 12, 1951, in Richlands, Virginia.

Danny was a 1969 graduate of Wabash High School. He married Laurie Geyer on September 16, 1972. He retired from Wabash Alloys after 29 years and was currently working part-time at Walmart in Wabash. Danny was a member at Church of Christ at Treaty. He was a sincere, caring, and generous man. Danny never met a stranger; he was quick-witted and enjoyed reading. He loved kayaking, smoking meat, mushroom hunting, but most of all he loved his family and grandchildren.

Danny is survived by his wife, Laurie Allen of Wabash, Indiana; one son, Daniel Allen of Wabash, Indiana; one daughter, Amanda R. McNally (Danielle) of Huntington, Indiana; two grandchildren, Makayla Noland (Johnathan Turner) and Renee Noland; two great grandchildren, Naomi Noland and Cassius Noland; one sister, Mrs. Max (Velma) Pitts of Amboy, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, one nephew, Kevin Allen, one niece, Heddie Westafer, and two brothers, Bobby Allen and Hebie Allen.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Pastor Tim Prater officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Falls Cemetery in Wabash.

Visitation for family and friends will be two hours prior to the service from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials can be made to McDonald Funeral Home to offset final expenses for the family. 

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

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

Nancy J. (Harper) Kendall

 

Nancy J. Kendall, 85, of LaFontaine, Indiana passed away at 8:35 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Parkview Wabash Hospital. She was born on May 19, 1937, to Roy and Marguerite (VanMark) Harper in Marion, Indiana.

Nancy was a graduate of Marion High School. She married Larry Kendall on May 13, 1956. She worked at Wabash Magnetics for 25 years. Nancy attended Lincolnville Community Church in Lincolnville, Indiana. Nancy loved maintaining her flowers, yard, and landscaping; most of all she loved her family and grandchildren. She was a pleaser and never wanted to be an inconvenience to anyone.  

Nancy is survived by her husband, Larry Kendall; two daughters, Mrs. Dan (Kim) Mathews of Somerset, Indiana, Mrs. Bryan (Kristy) Cowden of Muncie, Indiana; four grandchildren, Trisha (Aaron) Eckman, Michael (Amy) Mathews, both of Wabash, Indiana, Kyle (Christina) Cowden of Manhattan, New York, Megan (Andrew) Stellwag of Whitestown, Indiana; eight great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; one sister, Mrs. Ron (Jill) McWithey of Anderson, Indiana. Nancy and Larry's beloved dog, Daisy; and three very close friends she spoke to on the phone each day.  She is preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and one sister.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 with Pastor John Cook officiating. Burial will follow at LaFontaine I.O.O.F Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.

Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials can be directed to Wabash County Animal Shelter in care of McDonald Funeral Homes.

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

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

Dianna J. Owen

 

Dianna J. Owen, 75, of Wabash, Indiana passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023, at her residence in rural Wabash County. She was born to Joe and Ellen “Billie” (Williams) McCray on June 7, 1947, in Marion, Indiana.

Dianna was a 1965 graduate of Southwood High School. She married Stanley E. Owen on April 9, 1966. She was a homemaker. Dianna enjoyed doing crafts and reading books as a hobby. The joys in her life were her family and especially her grandchildren. Dianna was a member of LaFontaine United Methodist Church in Lafontaine.

Dianna is survived by her husband, Stanley Owen of Wabash, Indiana; one son, John (Becky) Owen of Marion, Indiana; two daughters, Mrs. Terry (Tasha) Harrell of North Manchester, Indiana, Mrs. Sean (Molly) Helfin of Wabash, Indiana; eight grandchildren, Kiowa Harrell (Kassie), Makayla Harrell, Wyatt Helfin, Sydney Helfin, Lane Helfin, Brooke Hall, Kassidy (Jared) Hill, Paine Owen; eight great grandchildren; two sisters, Nancy Cooper of Marion, Indiana, Susie McCray of LaFontaine, Indiana; one niece, Mandy Shambarger; one nephew, Ryan McCray.  She is preceded in death by her parents.

A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at McDonald Funeral Home, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992 with Pastor J.P. Freeman officiating.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials can be directed to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, 6316 Mutual Drive Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825 in care of McDonald Funeral Home. 

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

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