Wilbur L. “Willie” Slabach, 82, Wawaka, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

He was born in LaGrange County Sept. 15, 1934, the son of Abraham and Lena (Miller) Slabach. On Sept. 15, 1957 he married Mary A. Yoder at the Methodist Church in Middlebury; she preceded him in death Feb. 10, 2012.

He is survived by two daughters: Leila (Andre) Veenstra of Goshen; Clarissa “Clare” Slabach of Topeka; two sons: Friedric “Fritz” Slabach of Wawaka; Cletus (Beth) Slabach of Wabash; nine grandchildren: Abraham Slabach of Elkhart; Brittany Slabach, UK Lexington, Ky.; Alice (Sammy) Krucek of Hammond; Jason (Angela) Veenstra of Syracuse; Jessica (Travis) Mahoney of Elkhart; Rebecca (Robert) Holtzlander of Wabash; Jennifer, Christina (Watson) Slabach of Peru; and Nicholas Slabach of Lagrange; eight great grandchildren; three siblings: Lloyd (Deb) Slabach of Shipshewana; Wayne (Marilyn) Slabach of Wolcottville; and Stanley (Barb) Borntrager of Indio, Calif.;

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and three brothers: Robert Borntrager, Glen Slabach, and Larry Slabach.

Willie graduated from Topeka High School in 1952 and went to serve his country honorably from 1953-73 in the United States Army. He retired as a Green Beret from the 5th Special Forces Group after twenty years of service around the world. He later taught vocational auto training at West Noble High School and coached bowling for 25 years until his second retirement in 2004. Willie was an incredible bowler himself and had bowled 7 perfect games and two 800 series in his life. He was a member of the Elks 1194 and the VFW Post 2749 in Kendallville, IN, along with the 40/8 Voiture 642, and the American Legion Post number 243 in Ligonier.

A funeral service will be held in Willie’s honor at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Crosswalk at Ligonier United Methodist Church, 466 Townline Road; Ligonier, IN 46767. Rev. Jean Ness will officiate. Burial will follow at Clinton Union Cemetery in Goshen, IN.

Family and friends will be received from 5-8 p.m.Thursday, Oct. 27 and also Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 from 2-8 p.m. at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South; Ligonier, IN 46767. There will also be an hour of visitation from 10 am until the time of the 11am service at the church on Saturday.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Veteran’s House, 1481 W 10th Street; Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Yeager Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.