Verl Eugene Lahr, 89, a resident of Heritage Pointe of Huntington, Indiana, since April, passed away at 11:48 a.m., on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. He was born on April 25, 1933, in Huntington County to Ernest Lahr and Rosella (Boyer) Lahr and was raised on the family farm. He married Wayneta Jane Huffman on June 7, 1958, at the Loon Creek Church of the Brethren in Huntington County, and they had three children. He later married Janet Louise Beasley on March 19, 1976, in North Manchester, Indiana. She preceded him in death on January 7, 1996.
Verl attended Lancaster Township High School in Huntington County and then served in the Church of the Brethren Volunteer Service for two years, primarily in Bethesda, Maryland. He later worked for many years in maintenance at the Peabody Factory in North Manchester, where office and school furniture were manufactured. After retiring, he often volunteered his services at the local retirement homes.
He was a long-time member of Sweetwater Assembly of God Church in North Manchester and was always quick to share his faith with others. He enjoyed riding his bicycle as a means of local transportation for many years after dealing with vision issues most of his life. He also enjoyed gardening, playing Bingo, and maintaining his home and lawn as well as his rental properties. He often watched sports on television and was especially a fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball, Indiana University basketball, and University of Notre Dame football.
Verl is survived by his former wife Wayneta; daughters Betty Jean Lahr and Deborah Ann Lahr of Elkhart, and his son, Philip Eugene Lahr, with whom he made his home in Goshen, prior to residing at Heritage Pointe. He is also survived by a sister, Marilyn Geist, of West Lafayette, Indiana; and a step-daughter, Sherry Beasley, of Indianapolis. Verl is preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife Janet; two step-sons, Neil Beasley and Daniel Beasley; two sisters, Alberta Fulton and Georgia Williams; and one brother, L. Wayne Lahr.
Visitation was from 12 p.m. - 1 pm Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at Bailey-Love Mortuary with Pastor Jones Jeremy officiating. Burial will be in Star of Hope Cemetery in Huntington, IN.
Preferred memorials to the Sweetwater Assembley of God Church of North Manchester, IN., in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN, 46750.
Bailey-Love Mortuary is honored to serve the family of Verl E. Lahr.
