Myrna Lu Laughlin, 81, of South Bend passed away peacefully in her home on August 15, 2021.  Myrna was born July 23, 1940, in Union City, IN to the late Kenneth Woods and Ida Mae (Ehrhart) Woods.  The family moved to South Bend in 1946 from Salamonia, IN.

Myrna married Richard Lee Laughlin as Myrna Lu Bowers on March 27, 1976. They Divorced in 1984 and then reunited in 2000. From then on, Myrna shared her home with her life partner and former husband, Richard Laughlin.

In 1958, Myrna graduated from South Bend Central High School.  She went on to Ball State Teachers College and received her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1962.  Myrna went on to get her master’s degree in Arts from Ball State University in 1972.

For 34 years, Myrna taught Mathematics at the middle school level.  She spent 2 years in Muncie, IN at Wilson Junior High School; 4 years in Venice Florida at Venice Junior High School; and 28 years at Clay Middle School in South Bend, IN.  While teaching she was an active member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.  Myrna spent 13 summers from 1984-1996 as an instructor of Big M, institute for gifted students in mathematics at Ball State University.  She retired in 2000 as a member of Indiana State Teachers Retirement Association.  She was also a member of First Baptist Church in South Bend.

Myrna is survived by her life partner, Richard Laughlin, her sister, Sandra Sue Snyder, Stepdaughter, Kelly Ann Laughlin, Step Grandsons, Joshua and Adam Laughlin, Niece, Sandy Snyder of West Lafayette, and 4 Nephews, Kerry (Angel) Snyder of Mishawaka, Barry Snyder of South Bend, Terry (Mary) Snyder of Indianapolis and Garry Snyder of South Bend. She was preceded in death by her Stepson, Robin Lee Laughlin.

Memorial Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123.  Palmer Funeral Homes – Welsheimer North Chapel and Southlawn Cremation Services will be assisting the family with arrangements

08/20/2021 JFC