Dear Family & Friends,
My life began on the cold night of December 30, 1932. I was born at the Briner farm in Paoli, Indiana to Elizabeth Briner Wilson and Harold R Wilson. My parents were quite young - dad was an engineering student at Purdue and we lived in Lafayette during that time. We spent summers at the Wilson farm living in the summer kitchen. We moved to Indianapolis when I was in the third grade and lived on W. 30th St. where I attended school 76. Dad bought a home at 1920 N. Allney street and that was home until I left for New York City. I had four brothers and one sister. I was the oldest. Our house had three bedrooms and one bath, pretty crowded but mother made it a very nice home.
I attended school 81 from the fourth through the eighth grade. I loved school! I was a terrific girl and even had several honor awards. The summers were spent playing with my neighborhood friends and also spending time with my grandparents in Orange county. I love the country and have great memories!
I was 15 when I entered Tech High School. I participated in the tech choir, which was very well known, and I had lots of friends. Every Friday night was dance night at Brookside Community Center, and there were hayrides, weenie roasts, social club meetings, and dates that kept me busy. I really enjoyed my teen years.
After I graduated in 1950, I enrolled in Butler University. I went through the “Rush” system and pledged kappa alpha theta. While at Butler I was voted “air angel” and also ran for other beauty contests. I was runner up Miss Indiana and modeled at Blocks Department store and for Noble Breiztman, a prominent photographer.
In 1952, I left Butler to join the workforce. My first job was at Indiana Bell Telephone Co. It was pretty boring and I made around $27 a week.
One Saturday night. I went to Fort Harrison for a show that was being performed. That night I met Bob Herring, a soldier from New York City who was in special services. He was quite charming, gentlemanly, handsome and talented! Our romance began, and my friend Eleanor was introduced to Bob’s friend Herbie. Ellie and I sat in on the trio that Bob and Herbie started. They played at all the local bars on the east side. We had a great time- the four of us.
In September of 1952 Bob ended his tour in the army and went back to New York City. Herb was soon to follow and Bob asked me to come to New York with him. I quit my job, packed my bag and said my goodbyes and left with Herb for the all night drive. I was thrilled to be in New York, and was totally in love with Bob and the city. In the meantime, Herb and Ellie had married and they came to New York for their honeymoon and to stand up for Bob and I when we married on October 11, 1952 at City Hall. Bob was working at S. M. Hexter and I was employed at the insurance rating bureau across from Grand Central Station. We lived on the fifth floor walk up small apartment where Lincoln Center is now. We lived a rather bohemian life. I loved just walking around the city, going to standing room at the opera and catching some jazz at Birdland. I became pregnant and had a rough couple of months, but worked until the beginning of my ninth month. It was a very hot July 6 when young Bob was born. He was a beautiful baby and I adored him. When he was three months, I decided to come to Indianapolis for a visit, and to acquaint my son with the family.While home, my brother David suggested I try to get a job at the Double L Drive-in, a very popular restaurant that all the kids frequent. I went for an interview, thinking it would just be for a short while, but it turned out to be a significant turn of events. I worked for Chuck Laughner (who would become my husband 50 years later) for three years till Bob started kindergarten.
I became employed by Keller Securities as an office receptionist at this point. This was the beginning of my professional career in investment banking and the end of my marriage.
Phil Keller was a great employer, and I learned so much about the business from him. In 1964 an opportunity arose to be a part of a new competitor as security treasurer with Phil Mar investment Co. and I became a principal in the company, one of just a few women stockbrokers in the state. After 20 years of success, the other two partners decided to retire, leaving me with the option of buying the business, or looking for a new employer. I was 50 years old and it was rather unsettling to have to change careers at this age. After much thought and prayer and good advice from friends, I decided to take my clients to City Securities Corporation. This began a long 20 year career with City Securities. After one year, I was appointed assistant, vice president, and I became vice president after another two years. I had a great career with a very fine company. I retired in 2004 and my colleagues gave me a lovely retirement party.
During the time of employment with Phil Mar investments, Chuck became a client as well as a member of the family. We had a long friendship, and when his wife passed away, our friendship gradually became a romance. We were married December 20, 2007 and he is truly the love of my life and my best friend.
During my life, I have always worked hard, had a strong love of family, and tried to be a good citizen, daughter, mother, grandmother, friend, and wife. I’ve enjoyed many blessings in my lifetime. I was blessed with 3 wonderful grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren who are the pride of my life. Some of my most fond memories are time spent on family vacations at Pawleys Island, trips taken with Chuck and precious memories at our lake house with my special great grandchildren.
I am a survivor of breast and kidney cancer and at this writing, I am 88 years old.
I would like to be remembered as a hard-working single mother, doting grandmother, devoted to my husband and my dear family. An optimist with love of God and country.
Elizabeth Ann Herring Laughner “Nana” died Sept 9, 2023 in her “little house” in Alabama surrounded by family. She is survived by her son Robert “Bob” Herring, her three grandchildren Lydia (JT) Young, Michael Herring, and Andrew (Casey) Herring, and her nine wonderful grandchildren Gabriel, Grace, Ava, Sam and Mikey Young, Joey and Jake Herring, and Sloane and Will Herring. She was our treasure on this earth and taught each of us what love looks like. We will continue her legacy sharing love with the world.
https://www.indystar.com/obituaries/ins153434
