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Lois 'Wiladean' Searles

Lois "Wiladean" Searles, 75, of Huntington, IN, died Sunday, May 31, 2009, at 1:16 a.m. at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Mrs. Searles graduated from Huntington High School in 1952 and had worked as a cook at Lancaster Elementary School for more than 16 years, retiring in 1986. She was a member of the Mt. Etna United Methodist Church.

She was born Sept. 20, 1933, in Huningotn to Paul and Ruby Matney Drabenstot. She married Glen E. Searles on Nov. 3, 1956, in Mt. Etna. Her husband survives.

Additional survivors include two sons, Michael L. Searles, of LaFontaine, and Mark A. Searles, of Huntington; a daughter, Melinda A. (Greg) McLaughlin, of Salem, OH; three sisters, Waneta (Nelson) Thomas, of Roanoke, and Ilene Lahr and Janet (Jim) Radtke, both of Huntington; two brothers, Wayne Drabenstot, of Huntington, and Dean (Sandy) Drabenstot, of Roanoke; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A service was held at Bailey-Love Mortuary, Huntington, on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, with Rev. Tony Johnson officiating. Burialwas at the Mt. Etna Cemetery.

Preferred memorials are gifts to the Mt. Etna United Methodist Church in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 W. Park Drive, Huntington, IN 46750.