Leah Rae Waynick, 81, of Orleans, Indiana, passed away at 5:25 PM on January 27, 2024 at Paoli Health and Living Community in Paoli, Indiana.
She was born October 24, 1942 in Bedford, Indiana, the daughter of Ray Randolph and Kathryn (Herle) Waynick.
Leah loved collecting puzzles, rabbit’s feet and clocks. She was a member of the Orleans United Methodist Church. Leah’s main love were her many cats over the years.
She remembered them all by name and they even went on vacation with her to the Smoky Mountains, one at a time. Leah attended special school in Bloomington for several years and a year at Orleans High School.
After leaving school, Leah worked in her Grandparents restaurant, Herle’s Café as a dish washer.
She loved meeting the people there and made many friends. Leah, her mother and grandparents, Jesse and Edeth Herle traveled every summer to the Smokey Mountains to visit Indian friends in Cherokee, NC. These things were the highlight of Leah’s life.
She is survived by cousins; Linda Harris, “Guardian” of Orleans, Indiana, Kristin Harris-Deckard of Southport, IN, and Scott W. Harris of Blue Springs, Missouri, Kyleigh Knott, Mason Deckard, Amber Harris, Jamel Bowden, Amari Dawkins, Adam Terrell and Alaxandar Terrell.
She was preceded in death by her parents; cousins Barry Hodson and Tammy Walker.
Funeral services will be Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Ochs-Tetrick Funeral Home with Pastor Ralph Purkhiser officiating.
Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Orleans, Indiana.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 14, 2024 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Ochs-Tetrick Funeral Home in Orleans.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Orleans United Methodist Church or Orange County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at ochstetrick.net.