Robert Laughlin

Robert “Bob” G. Laughlin

September 30, 1928 ~ September 28, 2025

Robert “Bob” G. Laughlin, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne, Indiana, surrounded by family, at the age of 96 (two days short of his 97th birthday) on September 28, 2025.

Bob was born to Lawrence Laughlin and Lyndall (Darr) Shimkus on September 30, 1928. He was a 1946 graduate of Jonesboro High School, where he played basketball for the Zebras (as his future wife cheered from the sidelines). He married Barbara Swingley on February 12, 1948, and they celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary before her death on February 29, 2024. Bob was a lifelong resident of Jonesboro, Indiana. Bob was a truck driver for his entire life, ending his career driving for TMX. He was a member of the Jonesboro Masonic Lodge, recently reaching the milestone of being a member for 75 years.

Bob enjoyed having a well-manicured yard, music (especially jazz and jazz saxophone in particular), loved taking trips to Florida with his family to visit his beloved grandpa, grandma and aunt, and vacations at the Barbee chain of lakes.

Bob attended The First Presbyterian Church in Jonesboro, and would go in early to get coffee started for Sunday School classes, and volunteered for any other task that helped the church run smoothly.

Bob enjoyed watching sports on TV, especially his St. Louis Cardinals. As his grandchildren and great-grandchildren began playing school sports, he attended all of their sporting events until his health prevented him from doing so.

Bob’s greatest joy in life was his family, and he loved spending time with them. He is survived by his daughters, Linda (Jeff) Young and Robin McCown; his grandchildren, Chanse (Dara) Young and Lindsay (Ron) Howell; his great-grandchildren (who affectionately called him Bobaw), Kreigh (fiancée Olivia Spidel) and Kinley Young and Olivia and Bodie Howell, his adopted great-grandson, Matthew Stevens; his brothers, Jim Laughlin, Phil (Becky) Laughlin; and nephews, Brady, Ryan, Patrick and Logan; sister-in-law, Sue Laughlin and nephews, Andy, Ryan and Adam; his sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, Shirley and Merrill Weaver and nephews, Scott (Joyce), Doug (Tammy) and Mitch, and nephews, Steve, Jeff (Lisa) and Greg (Debbie) Cooper; his life-long friend, Shirley (Mick) Ball; Kenzie Mitchell (high-pockets), who was not only his caregiver, but become like family, offering kindness, patience, and friendship that brightened his day; along with many other long-time friends, all of his close neighborhood friends and his church family.

He addition to his wife, Barb, Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence (Katy) Laughlin and Lyndall Shimkus; his grandmother and grandfather, Fred and Stella Darr and Aunt, Eloise (Darr) Lucas; his brother, Tim Laughlin; his best friend, Dwight (Mick) Ball (who was like a brother to him); his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Kathryn and Dale Cooper, and his cherished dog, Missy.

The family would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Colonial Oaks Health and Rehab Center, Ailes Private Home Health Care Team, and Stillwater Hospice for the excellent and compassionate care they provided.

Graveside services for family and friends will be held Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Estates of Serenity 2225 S. Lincoln Blvd. Marion, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Grant County, 601 S. Main Street, Jonesboro, IN 46938.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN.

Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.