Leroy Wayne Worley

Leroy W. Worley was always exactly where he needed to be, supporting others by simply doing what was necessary. This included his honorable service in the Navy, where he traveled the world and shared his wit and wisdom of the ages.

As the father of Eric, Josh, and Nick, Leroy was immensely proud of his sons. He saw them as passionate risk-takers who shared his strong work ethic and his mastery of carpentry and craftsmanship—skills that continue to inspire those he mentored. Among his favorite memories were the times spent with them at Disney World, exploring caves, or simply driving the backroads together.

A lifelong animal lover, Leroy famously cared for a one-legged chicken as a child. That compassion never waned; he always braked for animals and, later in life, rescued a pelican that had tried to nab an easy lunch, along with countless other birds, cats, and dogs.

A caring brother to Charles, Elaine, Phillip, Sonny, and Walter, Leroy often shared stories of their life on the farm where he was born. One favorite tale involved Charlie riding a mischievous horse that purposely walked under a tree to knock him off. These stories also fondly remembered his parents, Edwin and Martha, his brothers, David and Lawrence, and his sisters, Edwanna, Nancy, and Roselyn.

A "wild child" of the golden age of music, Leroy frequently spoke of attending concerts at Penrod, Melody Skateland, and various festivals across Indiana. The jokester in him kept his friends, Jimmy, Von, Mike, Artie, and others, on their toes—especially at South Lake in Morgan County during the Great Blizzard of 1978. When they were stranded, the group famously hoisted a VW Bug over the snowbanks and slid into town for supplies.

During his time as a lifeguard at South Lake, he watched over family, friends, and his first love, Judy. They later enjoyed family life in Fort Myers, Florida, spending many days at the beach, collecting shells, and playing skee-ball at the Shell Factory. Upon returning to Indiana, they enjoyed the sands of the Indiana Dunes and sailing in Michigan. Leroy often laughed recalling the year they had to scout yard sales for long-sleeve shirts because of an unexpected Michigan cold snap.

Again, exactly where he needed to be, Leroy met Melody in 1983. In 1994, they began carving out a future that included building a home in Morgan County. They shared the joys of raising their family alongside Judy, who went on to become a nationally recognized security professional.Ever observant and stubborn in the best way, Leroy refused to take "no" for an answer when doctors told him Melody had passed on the way to the hospital. She survived because he simply would not give up on those he loved. 

Together, Leroy and Melody overcame life’s challenges, traveling the country and sharing experiences like the Safari Trek at Animal Kingdom, walks through the village at Spring Mill State Park, and enjoying biscuits, gravy, and hash browns at Morgan’s Corner Cafe. When he became ill, Melody was there for him just as he had been for her—fighting for her love and best friend of over thirty-three years.

A beacon of light guiding us through uncertainty with his charming smile and laughter, Leroy remains in our hearts today and always.