(5-18-22) Monday morning three members of the LeMaster family of Portland were involved in a crash that would claimed the life of the father, Paul, the mother Betty and the daughter Nancy.
Obituary
Paul, Betty and Nancy LeMaster passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022 from injuries sustained in an auto accident in Portland.
Paul was born on July 24, 1932, in Jay County, the son of Ord and Ruth (Haley) LeMaster. He graduated from Portland High School in 1950 and worked as a meat cutter for Kroger, a Feed Salesman and Sales Manager for Haynes Milling Company in Portland. He was a lifelong farmer in Jay County and was inducted to the FFA Hall of Fame. He attended Fellowship Baptist Church and Asbury United Methodist Church. Paul was a member of the Portland Masonic Lodge, Fort Wayne Shrine, Portland Odd Fellows Lodge, Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association and Jayland Antique Car Club.
Paul’s survivors include:
4 children: Gerald LeMaster – Portland, Indiana
Mike LeMaster (wife Marsha) – Portland, Indiana
Phillip LeMaster – Portland, Indiana
Stanley LeMaster – Portland, Indiana
3 sisters: Idola Coats – Selma, Indiana
Juanita Steigerwalt – Muncie, Indiana
Ruth Davis (husband Doug) – Gas City, Indiana
2 brothers: Weldon LeMaster (wife Gloria) – Alexandria, Indiana
Victor LeMaster – Berne, Indiana
19 grandchildren and several great grandchildren
Betty was born on August 11, 1934, in Portland, Indiana, the daughter of Gerald and Elma (Smith) Lanning. She graduated from Governor I.P. Gray High School. Betty worked for Dryden Rubber in Montpelier, Horizon Mobile Home in Portland and drove School Bus for the Jay School Corporation for 35 years. She attended Fellowship Baptist Church and Asbury United Methodist Church. She was a member of Vocational Women’s Group, Women’s Circle at Asbury United Methodist Church, Portland Moose Lodge and Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association.
Betty’s survivors include:
4 children: Gerald LeMaster – Portland
Mike LeMaster (wife Marsha) – Portland
Phillip LeMaster – Portland
Stanley LeMaster – Portland
1 brother: Bob Lanning – Portland
19 grandchildren and several great grandchildren
Their daughter Nancy LeMaster also passed away on Monday as a result of the auto accident.
Nancy was born on November 17, 1964, in Portland, the daughter of Paul and Betty (Lanning) LeMaster. She graduated from Jay County High School in 1984 and worked at Future Polyworks in Coldwater, Ohio. She was an avid Harley Rider who enjoyed riding with her friends.
Survivors include:
2 children: Jasmine Link (husband Anthony) – rural Pennville, Indiana
Jessica LeMaster – Yorktown, Indiana
Brothers: Gerald LeMaster – Portland, Indiana
Mike LeMaster (wife Marsha) – Portland, Indiana
Phillip LeMaster – Portland, Indiana
Stanley LeMaster – Portland, Indiana
2 grandchildren: Skylor and Grayson Johnson and one additional grandchild expected at the end of the month.
Her parents Paul and Betty LeMaster also passed away on Monday as a result of the auto accident.
Visitation for Paul, Betty and Nancy will be held on Friday from 2-6 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 289 S. 200 W., Portland, Indiana 47371. A memorial service will follow at 6 p.m. on Friday at the church. Burial will be at a later date in Mt. Zion Cemetery, north east of Portland.
Memorials may be directed towards the Jay County Fair Association Tree Fund or Jay County Cancer Society.
Mercer County Outlook 