Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Douglas Franklin King, 84, of rural Roann, died at 3:18 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born on June 15, 1941, in Wabash County, to Charles Frank and Hester Louise Eakin King.
Doug was a 1960 graduate of Noble High School. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Army. Once basic training was complete, he began training in the Radio School at Fort Knox, and continued in the Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis, because of his radio skills.
After he was discharged, Doug began working at General Tire in Wabash and there he met the love of his life. He married Patty Lou Rogers in Wabash on Aug. 10, 1968. He also worked at Chrysler Corporation and owned and operated a dairy farm. Doug retired from Chrysler in 2004.
He was a true outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, taxidermy and camping. Doug's favorite vacation destination was Canada. He was involved in car shows and clubs, and won many trophies with his 1971 Chevy Truck. He also belonged to the Laketon American Legion Post 402. Family was Doug's passion, he adored Patty and his family.
He is survived by his wife, Patty Lou King, of Roann; eight children: Richard (Debbie) Carver, of Roann; and Kathy (Gary) Friermood, of Roann; Randy (Diana) Carver, of LaFontaine; Kurt (Susan) Carver, of Warsaw; Larry (Brenda) Carver and Cindy (Dan) Beard, both of North Manchester; Angie (Jeff) McCrary, of Spring, Texas; Anthony King, of Peru, Ind.; 13 grandchildren: Stefanie Carver, Tiffanie (Brady) Smith, Alissa (Eric) Stalter, Jeff (Daisy) Carver, Andy (Kelli) Carver, Nathaniel (Shana) Carver, Courtney Carver, Whitney (T.J.) Eads, Matt (Alexa) Carver, Seth Beard, Joseph (Chelsea) Beard, Joshua (Victoria) McCrary, Jacob McCrary; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Gene (Bert) King, of North Manchester; and sister, Sarah Wilkerson, of Wabash. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Robert, Donald and infant Joseph King.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash, with David Phillips and Corky Cordes officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester. Friends may call 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Laketon American Legion Post 402.
The memorial guest book for Douglas may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
