December 3, 1928 – August 27, 2022
Orval Cleon Waggoner, 93, passed away at his home in Noblesville on Saturday morning, August 27, 2022. Born in Hamilton County on December 3, 1928, he was the son of the late Harold and Joyce Opal (Christy) Waggoner. Joyce passed away when Orval 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, Orval 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 Orval returned home from the service, he 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, Orval stayed in touch with many of his fellow employees, as they all seemed like family.
Orval 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 his favorite part of the process.
Orval is survived by two nieces, Anita K. Foutch-Alexander (Tom) of Sheridan, and Marcia G. Foutch-Hughes (Yancey) of Germantown, Tenn.; three great-nieces, Tina Y. Kitchel (James) of Sheridan, Gretchan R. Isern (Chad) of Germantown, Tenn., and Angela L DeVore (Sam) of Holly Springs, Miss.; great-great-niece, Alyxandra K. Goodin (Troy) of Whitestown; and three great-great-nephews, Brock J. Kitchel of Carmel, Steven M. Alexander of Cape Coral, Fla., and Sammy J. DeVore of Holly Springs, Miss.; and by his “adopted” daughter, Linda (Searle) Dowd and her husband Steve.
He is also survived by 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 Orval brought him home as a puppy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Joyce Opal (Christy) Waggoner; his brother, Leon Waggoner; sister, Veronna Mae Foutch and her husband Stanley H. Foutch; nephews, Brian S. Alexander, Michael B. Alexander, and Andrew C. Mishler; his very special friend, Betty Searle; and by his loving wife, Mary Louise (Eskew) Waggoner on April 4, 1990. She and Orval were married on January 8, 1958.
Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to the Wounded Warrior Project. Please donate at woundedwarriorproject.org or by calling (855) 448-3997.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com