Darwin DeLaughter

Darwin DeLaughter, age 83, of North Manchester, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2023, at Camp Lejeune, N. Carolina.

Darwin was born December 23, 1939, in Sidney, Indiana the son of the late Talman and Thelma (Secrist) DeLaughter.  

He was a graduate of Sidney High School and then earned his Associate’s Degree at the Indiana College of Mortuary Science.  Darwin served in the U. S. Army from 1963 to 1965.  He married Valeria Layne in 1965, and she preceded him in death on February 5, 2020.

Darwin was the owner and funeral director of the DeLaughter Mortuary for 40 years in N. Manchester, and also served as a Wabash County Coroner for 12 years.   After retirement, he worked part-time at Raven-Choate Funeral Home in Marion for several years. 

Darwin was a member of the Sweetwater Assembly of God in North Manchester and was also a member of the N. Manchester Kiwanis Club; Demming Lodge #88; the Valley of Ft. Wayne Scottish Rite and Mizpah Shrine; and the N. Manchester Shrine Club.  He also served as a past governor of the Indiana District of Kiwanis from 2009 to 2010.

He is survived by a son, Timothy (Michelle) DeLaughter of Camp Lejeune, N. Carolina; a daughter, Tana (Darin) Lehr of Delphi; a daughter-in-law, Kelly DeLaughter of N. Manchester; a brother, Talman (Kelly) DeLaughter of Iowa; sisters, Connie (Joe) Gottschalk of Columbia City, and Janice Gerardot of Claypool; 9 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a son, Anthony “Tony” DeLaughter; his twin sister, Darlene Maroney and sisters, Carolyn Maroney and Barbara Slater.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Sweetwater Assembly of God, 2551 IN-114, N. Manchester, Indiana.  Visitation will also take place from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023 in the church prior to the funeral.  Funeral Services will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Jeremy Jones officiating.

Entombment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery, N. Manchester, Indiana.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Indiana District of Kiwanis, 3636 Woodview Trace Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268 or online at www.indkiw@indkiw.org ; or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607.

Arrangements are entrusted to Raven Choate Robinson Funeral Home, 1202 W. Kem Road, Marion, Indiana.

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