Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Jack D. Rager, 98, passed away peacefully with his children by his side on Saturday night Sept. 19, 2026, at Mason Health and Rehab in Warsaw.
A Pierceton home boy, Jack was born on March 15, 1928, to Paul Winwood and Henrietta Williamson Rager. He played various sports in high school and met the love of his life, May Lou Guy. They would both graduate from Pierceton High School with the class of 1946.
The couple would wed on July 6, 1947, and welcome four children and be blessed with 56 years of marriage. He was hard working but always made time to play with the kids after work and with the neighborhood kids. Jack also coached for the Pierceton little leagues.
He retired after 45 years as manager for Purity Cylinder Gases in Warsaw.
Jack was polite, friendly and outgoing. He taught his kids and family to work hard and give more than you are asked for at work, and to always be dependable and loyal. The couple also taught their children what it meant to be courageous and faithful, as they cared for their daughter Jan for 22 years. He was a member of the Pierceton Presbyterian Church and the Lion’s Club. After Mary Lou’s passing in 2002, Jack developed a special friendship with Elaine Beard. They shared many years of companionship, enjoyed traveling, dining out and spending time together. She would pass on March 20, 2026.
He is survived by his children: Cheryl Di Pietro, of Indianapolis; Deb (Arden) Leiter and Jeff Rager, all of Pierceton; his sister, Nancy Schuman, of Colorado; grandchildren: Andrea (Terrence) O’Neill, Jan (Jeffery) Pfister, Angela Howard, Suzanne (Mike) Mitchell, Josh (Manda) Danner, Chris (Stephanie) Rager, Tisha (Sakib Ikbol) Rager and Gabriel (Kammi) Rager; 17 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jack was preceded in death by his daughter, Jan Marie, in 2001; his wife, Mary Lou, in 2002; his grandson, Dominic Rager; siblings, Dean Rager and Marilee Bailey; and son-in-law, Joe Di Pietro.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 105 First St., Pierceton. Funeral services will follow at noon in the funeral home. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the donor’s choice.
To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.
