Richard McLaughlin

Biography
Richard Dewayne McLaughlin was born January 16, 1927 to Thomas A. McLaughlin and Theoda (Hoppus) McLaughlin in St. Regis, Montana.
At the tender age of two, Richard lost his mother and was sent by train from Montana to Indiana with her deceased body and a mammie. This toddlers amazing journey caught the attention of General MacArthur and while stopped in Chicago, MacArthur visited young Richard. This would not be Richard’s only interaction with General MacArthur.
Richard spent his remaining childhood being raised by his Grandma Hoppus. Richard attended Warsaw High School and graduated in 1945. He immediately left for the military achieving the rank of Private First Class. He faithfully served his country post WWII in occupied Japan; however, his most treasured memory of military service was serving as an honor guard to General MacArthur.
Upon returning home in 1948, he met his wife Billie Joann Maggert. They married November 1949. Richard and Billie had three children Michael (Linda), Rick, and Debra. They were also blessed with eight grandchildren: Melanie, Erica, Reesha, Natalie, Mason, Margaret, Billie Jean, and Ryan. In addition there are seven great grandchildren: Raelynn, Richie, Mia, Lilah, Emmelia, Ryan, and Chase. Richard was preceded in death by his wife Billie and on granddaughter, Reesha.
Richard worked for United Telephone as a cable splicer for nearly forty years. He always took pride in his work and being a union man.
Richard’s true passion was the outdoors; he loved the water and the woods. At any time of the year you could find Richard fishing. He genuinely enjoyed his annual trips to Minnesota with his sons. In the spring, Richard would scour the woods looking for those elusive morel mushrooms. Summer would be spent tending to his garden.
Being sent away as a toddler was always hard for Richard, he desperately wanted to learn his family history. In 1992, he traveled west to Oregon and Wyoming to meet his then McLaughlin family. He learned that his paternal great grandmother was a full blooded Blackfoot Indian and that he is of Scottish heritage. Richard always wanted to learn more about his family.
The past several months have been difficult for Richard and his family. The one true constant that remained was his feisty spirit. Richard left this earth taking that spirit with him Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 7:58 AM. The McLaughlin family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who aided Richard during this time.
Family and friends will gather for a time of sharing in support of each other Thursday, June 26th from 5-7 PM in TITUS FUNERAL HOME, 2000 E. Sheridan Street, Warsaw, Indiana 46580. A service celebrating the life of Richard D. McLaughlin will be at Friday, June 27th at 10:30 AM at TITUS FUNERAL HOME with Military Honors by Warsaw American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post #1126. Pastor Bob Jarboe, Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice chaplain will officiate. Burial will be at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Indiana.
The staff of Titus Funeral Home considers it a privilege to care for the family and friends of Richard D. McLaughlin.