William Vaughn Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel - Monrovia on Mar. 15, 2025.
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William Kenneth Vaughn, 85, of Monrovia died from a lack of a cure for old age on Thursday, March 13, 2025, while surrounded by his loving family in the care of Hendricks Regional Hospital. He was born in Indianapolis on August 19, 1939, to the late Claude and Virginia (Lane) Vaughn.
Raised in Indianapolis, Kenny and his parents moved to the rural life of Wilbur during his 8th grade year, and he enrolled in Monrovia High School where he graduated with the class of 1957. At the tender age of 17 he proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, dedicating 6 years, 5 months, and 11 hours serving his country. Upon his discharge he met a pretty, young girl while on a double-blind date (not with each other) and was immediately smitten. Kenny wooed his future wife and soulmate, Kathy, in while soaping windows in Mooresville and with their first kiss the deal was sealed. On August 8, 1965, Kenny and Kathy were blissfully united in marriage and spent the next 59 and a half years loving each other.
Originally settling in Mooresville, the pair purchased land in Monrovia where they raised their children, Angie and Gary. The family of four spent vacations traveling extensively across the states, visiting the beach (occasionally getting stuck), and the Grand Canyon, where he tricked the kids into riding bikes telling them it was all downhill (it was not!), all while wearing matching shirts that Kathy made for each trip. A true Marine, while on a road trip the ball hitch malfunctioned, and Kenny stood on the hitch while driving down the interstate to make it to the next exit! Needless to say, the vacations they took left lasting impressions and memorable fiascos at times. While as a family, the foursome visited several states, and later in life when the kids were grown, Kenny and Kathy managed to visit all 50 states, spending 2 months in Alaska and a trip to Europe.
A past member of the VFW Sammy Davis Post 1111, the American Legion Post 103, and the Marine Corps League, Kenny was also the past president of the Monrovia Alumni Association & Advisory Board, along with the Gregg Township Advisory Board. He devoted 39 years of hard work for IBM as a Service Technician, deservingly retiring in 2002.
Continuously putting family first, Kenny passed along his knowledge to his family through Kenny Vaughn 101, teaching them to change a flat tire and change the oil when they got their license. With an unbreakable bond of love and commitment with Kathy, he babied her and brought her fresh flowers every week. Determined and caring, he was a meticulous planner keeping all his affairs in order. When he saw someone in need of help, he was the first one to step up and lend a helping hand, always doing what needed to be done. Witty by nature, he was known for his one-liners and bestowed nicknames on all the people he knew and loved. Kenny was one of a kind and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Kenny leaves behind his wife, Kathy (Humphry) Vaughn of Monrovia; children, Angie Vaughn Fredrick (husband, Dave) of Monrovia, and Gary Vaughn of Nashville, TN; and grandchildren, Gavin Vaughn of Plainfield, Mara Vaughn of Bloomington, and Grace Vaughn of Monrovia.
Funeral and Cremation Arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 11:00am until a Celebration of Life Memorial Service beginning at 1:00pm, and Pastor Randy Weddle will officiate. Inurnment will follow services in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hall, with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Monrovia Alumni Association and envelopes will be provided during services. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in Kenny's memory, please visit his tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.