Marguerite Guenin, 102, went to heaven at 11:05 a.m. on June 16, 2023, from Wellbrooke of Wabash where she had lived since 2015. Her family was with her during her brief illness to squeeze her hands and offer words of affection and prayers of thanksgiving for her long life. She was born on March 20, 1921, in Grant County, Indiana to Alvah and Lottie (Waggoner) Troyer. She was the third of four children: brother Charles Robert (1915-1998), sister Lucille Highley (1919-2014), and brother A. Forrest Jr. (1929-2015). The family lived on a farm near Jalapa, the Frances Slocum Trail, and the Mississinewa River.
Marguerite graduated from LaFontaine High School, the class of 1939. She was the last survivor of its 28 classmates. She continued her studies at Marion Business College.
The next chapter of her life began with her marriage to Lawrence L. Guenin in Mishawaka, Indiana, on August 17, 1940. The couple worked side by side on the farm and were formidable partners in games of euchre, pinochle, and dominoes. They were faithful and enthusiastic cheerleaders in all of their family’s endeavors. They enjoyed fellowship with friends in their card clubs and at the LaFontaine Christian Church. They celebrated 69 1/2 years together until “Shorty’s” death in 2009.
Their children are Oren, Jean, and Mark. They grew up on a farm west of the Troyer Bridge. In 1964 the family moved to a farm north of LaFontaine. Their growing brood of grandchildren, spouses, and soon eighteen great-grandchildren gathered year-round to celebrate birthdays and holidays and play in the spacious yard.
Every January, Marguerite started to prepare for the coming year’s Christmas. The family knew it would surely be unique and magical! There would be a theme such as Modoc the elephant, teddy bears, or the Olympics carried out in the table favors, gifts, and skits or poems. Every family member, from oldest to youngest joined in the singing of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” accompanied by someone with strong legs pumping the piano player.
In addition to being a homemaker, Marguerite was a loyal, skilled employee. She assembled Christmas decorations for A.F. Billings Flowers and Gifts, worked at United Technology and at the Wabash County Extension Office. From 1966 to 1986 she was the bookkeeper and treasurer for the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County. She then worked in the Wabash County Auditor’s Office, retiring on June 20, 1999, at age 78.
She experimented with a variety of craft media, but specialized in creating needlepoint and cross stitch designs, weaving baskets, and finishing ceramic pieces. Marguerite was not one to sit idle. She always had a book or afghan in process.
Marguerite was a leader for Scouts and 4-H groups and a teacher for children’s Sunday School and Bible School. She also participated in the programs and fun of Eastern Star, LaFontaine Literary Club, Red Hatters, Wabash Woman’s Clubhouse, and Liberty Bells Extension Homemaker Club.
She and her sister Lucille traveled to local, state, and national DAR conventions and were long-time ticket holders to Honeywell Center events. They and their children were part of the Marion Easter Pageant cast.
Marguerite was resourceful and competent in all their interests. She was always available to lend a hand or extend hospitality. She was proud of her family, her Hoosier state, and United States of America. She took great comfort in her faith. She will be part of our future as well as our past.
Marguerite is survived by her family; Oren (Rita) Guenin of Marion, Indiana; Steve (Wendy) Guenin of Noblesville, Indiana; Jacob (Ashley) Guenin, Jordyn (Ethan) Ping; Jeff (Michelle) Guenin of LaFontaine, Indiana; their sons, Alec and Chase; Laura (Joe) Land of Waldron, Indiana; Jean Guenin Wright, deceased; (Larry) of LaFontaine, Indiana; Alicia (Dave) O’Roark of Galena, Ohio; their children, Tucker, Sam, Paisley, Elsie; Paul (Keisha) Wright of LaFontaine, Indiana; their children, Izaak and Logan; Tom (Dana) Wright of Wabash, Indiana; their children, Paxton and Riley; Mark (Diane) Guenin of Wabash, Indiana; Emily (Jeff) Guenin-Hodson of Wabash, Indiana; their sons, Troy and Drew; Natalie (Sean) Unger of Wabash, Indiana; their sons, James and Cale; Lindsey (Dustin) Ogle of Kokomo, Indiana; their daughters, Laney and Luna; plus a host of nieces and nephews who remember her fondly. She is preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Jean Wright, two brothers, and one sister.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023, at LaFontaine Christian Church 202 Bruner Pike LaFontaine, Indiana 46940 with Pastor Brad Wright officiating. Burial will follow at LaFontaine I.O.O.F. Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023, at LaFontaine Christian Church.
Eastern Star Service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m.
Preferred memorials can be directed to the Wabash County Museum or LaFontaine Christian Church.
McDonald Funeral Homes, LaFontaine Chapel, 104 South Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940, have been trusted with Marguerite Guenin’s final arrangements.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.mcdonaldfunerals.com