Gladys Airgood

Gladys Marie Airgood, 92, of Servia, went to be with her Savior on Tuesday, March 28, at Timbercrest Senior Living Community in North Manchester.

She was born on September 27, 1930 to Charles Gordon and Cora (Aughinbaugh) Airgood. She was born on a dairy farm north of Servia in the house her great grandfather, John Aughinbaugh, had built in 1866. She lived there for 53 years, then when her parents both died and the farm was sold she moved into Servia. In November 2020 she moved to Timbercrest.

Gladys graduated from Chester High School and took courses at Indiana University, Purdue, Ivy Tech and Manchester College. After helping her father farm she worked at Murphy’s Dime Store, Heckman Bindery (25 years), Norwood Nursing Center, Huntington and Whitley County Senior Centers, then part time at Tranter Paper Company, retiring at 81 in 2011. She then volunteered at the Center for History in North Manchester doing research and writing until her health interfered.

Gladys loved nature and always had many flower beds and trees. She had planted an orchard on the farm and a small one in Servia and always had a large garden. She enjoyed canning and freezing the produce she raised. She also enjoyed many crafts and made many knit and crocheted items. She loved animals and always had a pet. For many years it was collie and sheltie dogs, then later cats. When she moved to Timbercrest the hardest thing was giving up her 16 year old cat, Patches.

In 1976 it was suggested she write a history of Servia and many people gave her stories and pictures. She wrote some articles for the 1976 Wabash County bicentennial history, then continued researching with more interviews and old newspaper articles. In 2011 she finished the book “Servia, Indiana, 1834-2011” and had it printed. She did not copyright it so that people could copy from it.

She enjoyed researching and writing and has done newsletters for various groups. She has also done genealogy, beginning in 1955 with the descendants of John, Jacob & Catherine Aughinbaugh. With the advent of the computer, she has done a more complete book of the descendants of George W. & Minnie (Walters) Aughinbaugh and one of Frederick and Maria (Abenroat) Airgood with many family histories and pictures. She has also traced the Airgood family back in time to 1500 and earlier.

Gladys was an active member of the Servia United Church of Christ (now New Hope in Bippus). Her faith was strong and in her last days she felt Jesus was near her and waiting to escort her to heaven. She loved people and treated them that way. Her motto was “Smile for the Joy of Others” and many knew her for her smiles.

She is survived by her daughter, Diana (Brad) Barnett, Grand Junction, Co., granddaughter Kate (Dusty) McPhail, Grand Junction, Co, grandson Michael (Katie) Barnett, Casper, Wy., great grandsons Jordan Barnett, Landon & Liam McPhail. Also brother Tom (Jane Ann) Airgood of North Manchester. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one great grandson. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Titus Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Warsaw. A memorial service will be held at New Hope Church in Bippus on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 11 a.m. Final interment will take place in Fairview Cemetery at a later date.