Honestly, there’s something about the way we handle loss in the Wabash Valley that feels different. It’s not just a list of names or a set of dates printed in the paper or posted on a funeral home website. When you look at my Wabash Valley obituaries today, you aren't just reading data. You're seeing the map of a community.
People here know each other. You see a name like Clarabell Adams Mishler, who passed away this week at 104 years old, and you don’t just see a centenarian; you see a woman who graduated from Dana High School in 1939. You see someone who spent her life pouring into the Friends of Ernie Pyle. That’s the Wabash Valley for you. We don’t just move on; we remember.
Who We Are Remembering Right Now
Life moves fast, but this week has felt particularly heavy as we say goodbye to some local legends and quiet heroes across Terre Haute, Vincennes, and the smaller towns in between.
Take Bill Reece, for instance. His obituary was published just today, January 15, 2026, in the Tribune-Star. He lived a full life from 1941 to 2026. Then there’s Roy Paul Freed and Carol Ann Hawn, whose families are currently navigating those first difficult days of arrangements.
It’s a lot to take in.
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If you’ve been checking the updates lately, you’ve probably noticed names like Natasha Dawn Butcher and Casey Rae Coogan from the mid-week reports. Every single one of these names represents a seat at a kitchen table in Vigo or Sullivan County that’s now empty.
Real Stories Behind the Names
- Clarabell Adams Mishler (104): A fixture of Dana, Indiana. She was a founding member of the Dana 49ers and a charter member of the Vermillion County Garden Club. Her service is set for Friday, January 16, at Salem United Methodist Church.
- Dennis Wayne Johnson (73): Born in 1952, Dennis was a Honey Creek High grad who married his high school sweetheart, Cyndy. He passed away on January 11.
- Virginia Ann McMahan (80): A Brazil, Indiana native who spent her final years in Terre Haute. She was known for that specific kind of warmth that only a grandmother from the Valley seems to possess.
- Stephen C. Mills (84): Down in Washington, Indiana, the community is mourning this Army veteran who served in Vietnam. He passed away on January 12.
Why Keeping Up With Local Obituaries Matters
You might wonder why people still obsessively check the obits. Basically, in a place like the Wabash Valley, the "six degrees of separation" rule is more like two degrees. You might not have known Richard E. Landes personally, but your cousin probably worked with him, or your kids went to the same school.
Checking my Wabash Valley obituaries today is how we show up for each other. It’s how we know to drop off a casserole or send a card to a family in Clinton or Paris.
The Shift in How We Say Goodbye
Things have changed a bit. We’re seeing more "Celebrations of Life" and fewer traditional, somber viewings. For example, Mary Lou Wernz of Marshall had a celebration of life scheduled for this past Sunday. People are choosing to highlight the joy.
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But the logistics remain. If you’re looking for service times, you’re likely bouncing between the Tribune-Star, The Prairie Press, and funeral home sites like DeBaun, Callahan & Hughes, or Greiner. It’s a bit of a scavenger hunt sometimes, isn’t it?
Navigating the Practical Side of Loss
If you’re the one tasked with handling things, the Wabash Valley has a very specific "ecosystem" of support.
- Local Funeral Homes: Whether it's Samaritan or Roselawn in Terre Haute, or Holmes Memorial in Sullivan, these places are the keepers of the records.
- Digital Guestbooks: Don't underestimate these. Families actually read the comments on Legacy or the funeral home’s direct site. If you can’t make it to the Bono Cemetery for Clarabell Mishler’s burial, leave a note. It helps.
- Memorials: Many families are asking for donations to local causes. For Clarabell, it’s the Friends of Ernie Pyle. For others, it might be the local humane society or a church fund.
The Reality of Grief in Our Community
Loss isn’t symmetrical. It’s messy. One day we’re celebrating a 104-year life, and the next, we’re reeling from the sudden passing of someone far younger, like Jake Amos, who was only 38 when he passed recently in the region.
We talk about "The Wabash Valley" as a region, but it’s really a collection of stories. From the truck drivers like Ernest "Ernie" Kerlin in Wabash to the teachers and veterans, these obituaries are the final chapter of our local history.
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What You Can Do Today
If you see a name you recognize in my Wabash Valley obituaries today, don't just feel bad and keep scrolling.
Reach out.
Send a physical card—yeah, the paper kind. In towns like Sullivan or Clinton, that still carries a lot of weight. If you're heading to a service, like the one for Priscilla B. Long or Edna M. Berry in Vincennes, just being there is the point.
Practical Next Steps for Readers:
- Verify Service Times: Always double-check with the specific funeral home (like Frist in Clinton or Goodwin-Sievers in Vincennes) before traveling, as times can shift due to weather or family needs.
- Contribute to Archives: If you have photos or stories of the deceased, many local historical societies in the Valley appreciate digital copies to keep the community's history alive.
- Support the Living: Check in on the survivors three weeks from now. That’s usually when the house gets quiet and the support starts to fade.
The Wabash Valley is built on these connections. We’re a place that remembers its own, from the banks of the river to the edges of the cornfields. Keeping up with the news of those who’ve passed is just our way of keeping the community whole.
Next Steps:
To stay informed about specific service arrangements, you should visit the official websites of Callahan & Hughes, DeBaun Funeral Homes, or Frist Funeral Home directly, as they provide the most real-time updates for the Terre Haute and Clinton areas. If you are looking for veterans' records specifically, the Vigo County Veterans Assistance Office can often help families coordinate military honors for upcoming services.