Robert L. "Bob" McLaughlin

Robert Louis McLaughlin of Bargersville, Indiana, passed away in the comfort of his home surrounded by his beloved wife of 60 years, Toni, and his four children on September 29th, 2025, at age 89. Bob and Toni moved to Martinsville, Indiana, in 1976, where they raised their family and made many enduring friendships. They enjoyed their golden years in their Sarasota home before moving back to Indiana.

Bob was born to James and Lorene (Englehardt) McLaughlin on June 25th, 1936, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He had many fond memories of his childhood growing up in rural Carroll County. Bob graduated from Flora High School in 1954, where he was valedictorian and president of his class, though he was most proud of going toe-to-toe with Oscar Robertson when Flora's basketball team played Crispus Attucks. Bob earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University in 1958 where he was a member of ACACIA fraternity. In 1961, he received a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School where he was a member of Order of the Coif and Assistant Editor of the Law Review. After law school, Bob served in the Army reserves.

Bob began his law career as an associate, and later a partner, at the Indianapolis law firm of Barnes Hickam Pantzer & Boyd. In 1970, Bob and his friend and law partner, Bill Wooden, along with two other co-founders, left Barnes Hickam to start the firm that later became known as Wooden & McLaughlin, where he practiced law for more than 40 years before retiring.

As an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and IU Basketball, he experienced many joyful moments attending games, NCAA tournaments, the World Series and watching (and re-watching) IU basketball games on television. Bob enjoyed golfing and playing bridge with friends and was a lifelong learner, as an avid reader of history and participant in many lecture series. Bob will be deeply missed and remembered for his subtle wit, humility, self-deprecating sense of humor, intellect, kind heart, loyalty and strong work ethic, but most especially for his strong devotion to and love for his wife and his family.

Bob is survived by his wife Mary Antoinette "Toni" (Eisterhold), whom he married on December 26th, 1964; three daughters, Stacey McLaughlin, Heather Carson (Tim), Maureen Lacy (Jeff) and a son, Michael McLaughlin; eleven grandchildren, Victoria Tackett, James McLaughlin (Karis), Alexis Tackett, Ana McLaughlin, Michael McLaughlin, Robert Carson, Kiera Carson, Caroline Carson, Lillian Lacy, Allison Lacy and Kathleen Lacy; one great-grandchild, Cooper McLaughlin; and five nieces and seven nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Lorene McLaughlin, his sister Margaret McLaughlin, and his brother James David McLaughlin.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Bob's life on Sunday, October 5th, 2025, from 2:00 pm -5:00 pm (Remembrance ceremony beginning at 3:00) at The Rathskeller – Grand Kellersal Ballroom, 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis.

Bob will be laid to rest following a private committal in St. Martin's Cemetery in Martinsville. Neal & Summers Funeral Home has been entrusted with Bob's final arrangements. Condolences and memories are encouraged to be shared with the family online at www.nealandsummers.com

In lieu of flowers, the McLaughlin family suggests that donations be made in Bob's memory to either the Annunciation hope and healing fund: https://www.ccf-mn.org/annunciation-hope-and-healing-fund/ or Damar Services: https://www.damar.org/