Alvin M. Laughner Sr., 92, of Kokomo, passed away at Waterford Place in Kokomo, on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, after a brief illness.
He was born on March 7, 1923, in Michigan Twp., Clinton County in the farmhouse at the end of the T road at 530 E and 400 N to the late Chalmer Gar Laughner and Nellie Blanche Sheets Laughner. The third child of four and the youngest son, he attended Michigantown High School until his freshman year. His family then moved to Frankfort, where he graduated in 1941 after playing basketball for Frankfort legend Everett Case and serving as Class Treasurer.
Alvin received his draft notice in the fall of 1942, took his physical in December, was inducted into the United States Army on January 13, 1943, at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, and was then shipped to Vancouver, WA, by train for Basic Training. He was a farm boy and a crack shot from hunting, but the government saw fit to make him a baker in a food supply company made up of several soldiers also from Clinton County. Alvin left by ship from Ft. Dix, NJ, in the middle of May, 1943, and arrived in Oran, North Africa, on June 1, 1943; Alvin then served in Italy, France, and Germany until his discharge from Camp Stoneman, CA, on October 11, 1945, and was given $300 travel pay to find his way back home.
On October 25, 1946, Alvin married Agnes Hubert in Frankfort; together, they farmed east of Sedalia and later west of Frankfort before Alvin started working for Chrysler Trans. in Kokomo, in 1964. He continued with Chrysler until his retirement in 1985. They lived in Frankfort, and were married nearly 52 years until Agnes’ death on August 20, 1998. On February 11, 2000, Alvin married Delores Stine Young, a former classmate; she passed away on April 30, 2005.
Alvin reluctantly sold the cottage at Wildridge at Patoka Lake and moved to Northwood Commons Assisted Living in Kokomo, in the fall of 2008. Alvin was a member of UAW Local #685, a member of VFW Post #1110 in Frankfort, where he also served as Post Commander and member of the Honor Guard, a member of the Moose, and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Frankfort. Alvin was “old school,” believing that hard work and a handshake were all that were needed to survive in this world. He kept in contact with his old Army buddies until almost all were gone.
Surviving Alvin are his sons, Alvin Jr. (Deanna) and Mike (Donna), both of Kokomo; daughters, Janice (Richard) Davison of Frankfort, and Karen Howard of Cookeville, TN; Delores’ three children including Connie Compton and her family of Frankfort; nine grandchildren, Mark (Carol) Davison, Matt (Krista) Davison, Jennifer Goehausen, Angela Howard, Brian Howard, Eric (Tris) Howard, Steve (Rob) Laughner, Cheri (Cooper) Howell, and Drew Laughner; ten great grandchildren, Kylee Davison, Kyle Davison, Rylie Davison, Macie Davison, Kaitlyn (Kyle) Mundell, Brookelyn (James) Agler, Chase Goehausen, Jack Goehausen, Evan Howell, and Addison Howell.
In addition to his wives, Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Freda Whiteman and Mary Ann Watkins; and brother, James Laughner.
Friends and family may call on Saturday, February 27, 2016, at Genda Funeral Home, 608 N. Main St., in Frankfort, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Funeral mass will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Frankfort, with Fr. Chris Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Green Lawn Cemetery in Frankfort, with VFW Honor Guard in attendance and military graveside honors.
Family Members
Parents
Chalmer Gar Laughner
1896–1954
Nellie Blanche Sheets Laughner
1895–1964
Spouses
Agnes Helena Hubert Laughner
1919–1998 (m. 1946)
Delores Maxine Stine Laughner
1923–2005 (m. 2000)
Siblings
Freda W. Laughner Whiteman
1916–1987
James A Laughner
1921–2003
Mary Ann Laughner Watkins
1931–1994
Children
Karen Ann Laughner Howard
1945–2021
