Lyle McLaughlin

DEFIANCE - Lyle G. McLaughlin, age 95 of Defiance, Ohio, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Northcrest Nursing Facility in Napoleon, Ohio.

He was born in Salmon, Idaho on December 9, 1930, to Elmer and Olive (Montgomery) McLaughlin. On March 27, 1976, he married Delores (Maiers) McLaughlin who preceded him in death. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1950-1955 and received a Good Conduct Medal and Service Ribbons from The United Nations, Navy Occupation, National Defense, China and Korea.

Lyle was a member of the Elks, American Legion and Hell Gate Lodge #383 all in Missoula, Montana. Lyle and Delores lived in Montana until 1983 and later moved to New Mexico. They returned to Big Arm, MT where he built their lake home. Lyle worked at Louisiana Pacific for many years as a millwright and later worked at Plumb Creek until his retirement. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed all water sports, cutting down pine trees, building docks, and doing miscellaneous work for his friends and neighbors. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He sold the lake house and moved to Defiance with his daughter in July, 2025.

Lyle is survived by his loving daughters, Debbie DeMary of Sydney, MT and Lyla Gurwell of Defiance, seven grandchildren, Andrea (Mike) Eckman of Defiance, Nicole Felde of Missoula, MT, Charlene (Will) Clark of Sacramento, CA, Natassia Santos of Vallejo, CA, Christopher (Vanessa) Reynolds of Colorado Springs, CO, Chelsea Reynolds of Vallejo, CA, and Amanda (Samuel) Victoria of Australia, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Delores McLaughlin, sister Darlene Beam, and brother Warren McLaughlin.

Services will be held at a later date in Polson, Montana. Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.

The family would like to give special thanks to Angel Care in Polson, MT for such great care of our dad when we were unable to be with him. Also thanks to the staff of Northcrest Nursing Home in Napoleon, OH for your compassion and care. Lyle enjoyed his stay and made many friends.

Memorials are suggested to the family, in c/o Lyla Gurwell. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.