Orval Cleon Waggoner
December 3, 1928 – August 27, 2022
Orval Cleon Waggoner, age 93, passed away at his home in Noblesville on Saturday morning, August 27, 2022.
He was born in Hamilton County on December 3, 1928, the son of the late Harold and Joyce Opal (Christy) Waggoner.
Mr. Waggoner’s mother passed away when he was in the eighth grade. He was a 1947 graduate of Sheridan High School, where he played basketball and football for the Blackhawks, and a member of the K.V. Elliott Post 67 of the Sheridan American Legion.
Shortly after high school, Mr. Waggoner enlisted in the United States Army, and upon learning of his talents on the hardwood, was asked to play basketball for the Army. After three years of service to his country, he decided to reenlist for another three-year tour. He proudly served during the Korean War, earning a Purple Heart for wounds he received during his deployment.
After he returned home from the service, Mr. Waggoner found work as a recruiter for several years, as well as doing carpentry work with his uncle, Chester “Chet” Davis. He later hired on with McMahon Foods as a truck driver. After his dedicated service and retirement from McMahon Foods, he stayed in touch with many of his fellow employees, as they all seemed like family.
Mr. Waggoner loved sports. He was partial to college sports, but also enjoyed following NASCAR and the Colts. Truth be told, he would watch just about anything sports related. There always seemed to be a game going on the TV. He also loved to put out a garden each year. Tomatoes were always at the center of things, and giving them away to his family, friends, and neighbors, was Mr. Waggoner’s favorite part of the process.
Survivors include his two nieces Anita (Tom) K. Foutch-Alexander of Sheridan and Marcia (Yancey) G. Foutch-Hughes of Germantown, Tenn.; three great-nieces Tina (James) Y. Kitchel of Sheridan, Gretchan (Chad) R. Isern of Germantown, Tenn. and Angela (Sam) L. DeVore of Holly Springs, Miss.; great-great-niece Alyxandra (Troy) K. Goodin of Whitestown; three great-great-nephews Brock J. Kitchel of Carmel, Steven M. Alexander of Cape Coral, Fla. and Sammy J. DeVore of Holly Springs, Miss.; “adopted” daughter Linda (Searle) Dowd and her husband Steve; the wonderful neighbors who helped look after him over the years; his group of fellow regulars at Jim Dandy (where he was a fixture); and by his 12 year old Yorkie, Tucker, who earned his name by being “all tuckered out” the day Mr. Waggoner brought him home as a puppy.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Joyce Opal (Christy) Waggoner; brother Leon Waggoner; sister Veronna Mae Foutch and her husband Stanley H. Foutch; three nephews Brian S. Alexander, Michael B. Alexander and Andrew C. Mishler; very special friend Betty Searle; and by his loving wife Mary Louise (Eskew) Waggoner on April 4, 1990. The couple was married on January 8, 1958.
Graveside Services with Military Honors are scheduled to be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be presented to the Wounded Warrior Project. Please donate at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or by calling (855) 448-3997.