Lynn E. Yager, 91, of Ossian, passed away Sunday evening, Sept. 6, 2026, at Stillwater Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.
Lynn was born in rural Ossian on Jan. 5, 1935, to Georgie and Martha (Heckley) Yager. He married Carolyn DeBolt at the Ossian United Methodist Church on March 17, 1956; she survives.
A 1953 graduate of Ossian High School, Lynn started working at a young age on the family farm. He also worked for Scott Hunter’s engineering firm in Ossian, which later became Tuthill Pump in Fort Wayne. In August of 1967, Lynn started working for the Town of Ossian, running the street and water department. In 1978, his son Phil joined him, and they were able to work together for many years. Lynn retired in 1997 from the Town of Ossian, after 30 years of service. During his time with the Town of Ossian, he also served five years as the fire chief and many more years as the assistant fire chief.
In his 91-plus years, Lynn had many hobbies, including camping, showing ponies with his dad, bowling in the church league and deer hunting. He also enjoyed snowmobiling in Michigan, collecting gas engines, farm tractors, John Deere lawn mowers and Model A cars. In addition to his other hobbies, Lynn spent a great deal of time attending sporting and musical events for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Lynn was a long-time member of the Ossian United Methodist Church, where he served many years as the children’s Sunday School Superintendent. He was also a member of the Old Fort Model A Club and over 50-year member of the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association. In their retirement years, Lynn and Carolyn enjoyed spending their winters in Florida and for many years also loved spending time at Blue Lake, which was a special place for them to spend with family and friends.
In addition his wife, Carolyn, of over 70 years, Lynn is survived by two daughters, Beverly (Tom) Grzych of Ossian and Tracy (Brian) McBride of Greensburg; a son, Philip (Teresa) Yager of Uniondale; six grandchildren, Nicolas (Erin) Grzych, Cale (Kaley) Grzych, Carmen (Trevor) Grubb, Cory (Ashton) Yager, Olivia (Jordy) Jackson and Quentin McBride; along with 11 great grandchildren, Liam and Emery Grzych, Jaycie, Jordyn and Jemma Grzych, Falynn and Bristol Grubb, Jaxon and Maddox Yager, Xander Pearson and Beckham Jackson.
Aside from his parents, Lynn was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Yager and infant Paul Yager; and a sister, Patricia “Patty” Brandyberry.
Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, from noon until 4 p.m., at Goodwin – Harnish Funeral Home in Bluffton, followed immediately by a memorial service at 4 p.m. Rev. David Herr will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Ossian.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ossian United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be shared at www.goodwinharnish.com.