Herschel I. “Mac” McLaughlin, 81, husband of Sandra Jean (Merkey) McLaughlin, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at his home in Palmyra from natural causes.
Born July 14, 1942, in West Paris, Maine, he was the son of the late Merlyn Densmore and Elsie (Dean) McLaughlin.
He was a retired federal meat inspector for the U.S.D.A. and a U.S. Air Force veteran, totaling over 59 years of federal service. He was an active member of the C.B. Sportsmen’s Club and the Palmyra VFW Post 6417. He also enjoyed tinkering with cars and motorcycles, playing pool, watching football and Nascar, and working on crossword puzzles.
Surviving, in addition to his wife of 42 years, is their children: daughters, Amy McLaughlin-Rider, wife of Jeramy Rider, of Grantville, Sandi (McLaughlin) Corrigan, of Palmyra, and Erin McLaughlin, of Palmyra; sons, Ryan McLaughlin, of Palmyra, Kyle McLaughlin, of Palmyra, Dylan McLaughlin, and his wife, Cheyenne (Felty) McLaughlin, of Lebanon; 14 grandchildren, Canon Risser, Kylie Corrigan-Hellenthal, and her husband, Lucas Hellenthal, Trey McLaughlin, Kara McLaughlin, Kallista McLaughlin, Karlee McLaughlin, Lanah McLaughlin, Kaleb McLaughlin, Releigh McLaughlin, Adilyn McLaughlin, Brantley Mac McLaughlin, Keegan Witmer, Jaxx Day, and Matrixx Day; brothers, Merlyn McLaughlin, Sheridan McLaughlin, and Lyndon McLaughlin; and sister, Charlotte Mayo. He is also survived by daughters, Debra McLaughlin and Tracy McLaughlin, and their children, Alexander and Savannah Bienkowski and Austin and Dara Bower.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Albert McLaughlin and Adrian McLaughlin.
Mac got the last laugh; “Something always happens on a Friday.” He had a dry sense of humor and quick wit.
Per his wishes, the family has chosen private family time and cremation. A public graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. A procession for those wishing to attend will be forming at 10:15 a.m. at Kreamer Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 618 E. Main St., Annville.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
