Laurel E. Richmond

Laurel E. Richmond, 88, of Columbia City, passed away at 6:02 pm Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at Woodview Health Care, Fort Wayne. Born June 11, 1929 in Steuben County, he was the son of Dorris M. and Etta Mae (Fair) Richmond.

He graduated from Angola High School with the Class of 1947. On January 29, 1950, Laurel married Bonnie Ferris in Auburn. In 1974, they moved to Whitley County and he became the owner and meat cutter of Columbia Locker. On February 11, 1975, Bonnie passed away after a short illness. He later married Elsie M. Lantz in Lancaster County, Pa. After retiring in 1984 from the locker, he worked part-time at Hooks and Scott's in Columbia City and volunteered with Elsie at Miller's Merry Manor. He was a member of New Hope Wesleyan Church and had been a board member of the Faith Christian Academy. He was an active member of his church and loved serving God by helping others. He also helped develop the Living Nativity in Columbia City.

Survivors include his daughters, Nancy (Kerry) Steele, of Huntertown and Peggy (Jim) Jones, of Fort Wayne; sons, Charles (Lisa) Richmond and Phillip (Lisa) Richmond, both of Columbia City; brothers, DeWayne (Jean) Richmond and Owen Richmond, both of Florida; 11 grandchildren, Scott (Tisha) Richmond, David (Kristen) Richmond, Chris Steele, Kim (Brandon) Rentfrow, Jeremy (Kelly) Steele, Stacey Lockhart, Andrea (Doug) Griggs, Chad (Tiffany) Jones, Brandon (Chelsea) Richmond, Jessica (Brian) Busz and Kayla Richmond; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; second wife on April 2, 2017; and brother, Norris Richmond.

Visitation is 1-4 Sunday, March 4, 2018 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Barry Faucett officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Auburn. Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to Faith Christian Academy. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences online.