Elmer Mclaughlin

Elmer "Wilgus" McLaughlin Jr., age 87, of Iola, Kansas formerly of Mound City, Kansas died Monday April 28, 2008 at the Allen County Hospital in Iola, Kansas. He was born on January 23, 1921 in Blue Mound, Kansas the son of Elmer Wilgus and Alice Pauline Thyer McLaughlin. He was an Army Veteran of World War II, serving in the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He married Bertha Mae DeMott on January 24, 1942 in Independence, Missouri. She preceded him in death on March 8, 1984. Also preceding him were two son in-laws, Max Dare and Garry Paddock, and one brother Merle McLaughlin. He later married Margie Orton. He worked for Westinghouse, Bendix, the Kansas City Star and Nachurs Fertilizers. Wilgus was a sixty-one year member of the American Legion Hewitt New Post in Mound City. He is survived by his wife Margie, five daughters: Carol Paddock of Blue Mound, Kansas, Mary Brownback and Loyd of Mound City, Kansas, Judy Wiley and Daryl of Marshfield, Missouri, Susie Wichman and Richard of Iola, Kansas and Alice Helton and Dale of Fort Scott, Kansas, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 PM Wednesday April 30, 2008 at the Curry Cemetery near Mound City, Kansas. Friends and relatives may gather at 1 PM Wednesday at the Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home in Mound City. The family suggests contributions to the American Legion Hewitt New Post in care of Coffel-Schneider. On line condolences for the family can be left at www.coffelschneider.com. Arrangements: Coffel-Schneider, Mound City, Kansas.