Louis P. Ladislas

Louis Paul Ladislas (Louie), 80 years old, passed away peacefully at his home on September 26, 2026 in Sullivan, Indiana. He was born July 19, 1946 in Berwyn, Illinois to Louis F. and Dorothy E. (Nandico) Ladislas.

Louie graduated from Sullivan High School Class of 1964. He was a proud graduate of Purdue University with a Master's degree. He was married to his devoted wife of 59 years, Gaynell Sue McCracken, on September 5, 1967.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Lynn Renée Ladislas. He is survived by wife Gay McCracken Ladislas, daughter Michelle and Rob Farrington, Terre Haute, IN, brother Dale and Claudia Ladislas, McKinney, TX and sister Lynda and Larry Deakins, Little Elm, TX.

He is also survived by grandchildren Alexandria Farrington with Baby G and Marcos Garcia-Bustos & Aleaha and Michael Ghant and great grandchildren Michael, Karder, Mavryk and Kahzari.

Grandpa Louie enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one niece and seven nephews: Ryan Deakins, Daniel Ladislas, Austin Deakins, JamieMcCracken, Hughie McCracken, Jon-Michael Ladislas, Mandy Sheckles and Kerry Sheckles.

Louie retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2006, after 29 years of dedicated service. Never one to sidestep a challenge, his list of accomplishments is a mile long. He participated in war-time campaigns Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm. He earned a Bronze Star and two campaign stars for Southwest Asia service during the Persian Gulf War, in addition to being deployed for humanitarian missions. During this time, he also jumped out of airplanes in Georgia earning his silver wings and became a Jungle Expert at Jungle Warfare Training in Panama. He was an active member of the American Legion #139, VFW #2459, AMVETs and Elks Lodge #911. He began his career as a dairy farmer, vocational agriculture teacher and Iron Workers #439. He retired from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in 2006 as a Project Manager.

He was known for his love of farming. He spent time in the woods and maintaining government-funded land conservation programs. He also enjoyed flying the airplane, which he built alongside his daughter Lynn. He played golf, poker, euchre and bridge. Road farming with his friends was another great enjoyment. In fact, he bought a house in Florida surrounded by golf courses, just so he could play all year round. He regularly frequented a local sports bar to share a beer with buddies. Louie also played old-man softball. His claim to fame was being named most improved player eight years in a row (True).

A man who lived life with a mischievous streak, Louie loved buying a new truck just to irritate GG. He took great pride in fixing up his green MG, driving it until it inevitably broke down, leaving him to call someone for a rescue. Louie also LOVED Limburger cheese and braunschweiger. He found simple joy in mushroom hunting (and eating what he found) and completing puzzles.

Above all, his family was his focus. He cherished showing his children and grandchildren the world. He enjoyed talking about military experiences. He often groaned over the newest "Laffy Taffy" jokes. He took immense delight in driving the kids around on tractors, hooking up sleds in the winter to pull them across snow-covered fields. Grandpa Louie enjoyed sneaking popsicles with Mavryk and Kahzari, even before eating a main meal. His legacy lives on in the grandkids and great-grandkids he spent endless time with—wrestling, teaching, playfully harassing and gifting with his unique words of wisdom.

Louie’s family and friends will gather at Palmer’s Prairie at Top of the World in Jackson Hill in Sullivan County near East County Road 425 North. The Sullivan County Veterans plan a 21 gun salute at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 3, 2026 to lay Louie Ladislas to rest with his daughter, Lynn Renee Ladislas and nephew, Kerry Shane Sheckles. The family invites you to join them at the Sullivan’s VFW in Sullivan, Indiana after graveside services from 1:30 - 4:00 to share food, drinks, and stories. Holmes Funeral Home assisted in interment.