Lori Newell Obituary

Lori Rachelle Newell, 62, one of Wes-Del's most faithful Warriors, gained her wings on Friday, May 23, 2025, following complications from her courageous battle with tongue cancer. Lori was born on November 16, 1962, in Muncie, Indiana, and was the daughter of the late Richard E. Johnson, (longtime Wes-Del principal) and the late Carole E. (Janney) Johnson. Lori was 5 years old when her mother passed. Lori loved sharing her dad with many, many students as well as being loved by the Wes-Del / Gaston community.

Many of Lori's costumers will remember her as being a smiling , helpful, sweet, and caring sales associate and beauty dept. manager while she worked at LS Ayres and Macy's for a combined 33 years of service. Lori was a member of Prairie Grove Church. She served on the Delaware County Relay for Life Committee for many years. She was a big sister to Tammy as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Indiana. Lori also loved and supported the Gaston Lions Club Fair. She was a Golden Retriever dog lover and had several of them in her lifetime. She will be missed by present fur baby, Simon.

Lori is survived by her husband of 30 years, Doug Newell; her lifetime bestie-like sister, Lori Armantrout and her children who were like children to Lori, Emily Kubiak and Andrew Armantrout; Lori's God-Mother and caregiver, Cindy Morgan (husband Steven); aunt and uncle, Steve and Kathy Janney; brother-in-law, Mark Newell; special nephew, Hunter Newell; cousins, Jay Janney (wife Danielle), Stuart Janney (wife Maria), "Little" Rodney Miller (wife Toni), Jana Arbogast (husband Matt, and their son Ethan, who Lori shared a special bond), and Cathy Jo Mills (Steven), Lori's circle of special friends that continued monthly get togethers from graduation until present, Teresa, Jackie, Beth, Ginger, Jo Ellen, Karen, Rene, and Tracy; several step-cousins and a multitude of friends.

Lori was preceded in death by her parents, Richard E. and Carole J. Johnson; paternal grandparents, William "Bill" Johnson and Nina Johnson; step-grandmother, Effie Mauck; maternal grandparents, J. Paul and Helen Janney; and aunts, Pat Miller and Nancy Johnson.

A funeral service to celebrate Lori's life will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, May 30, 2025, at Prairie Grove Church, 16775 N. 775 W., Gaston, Indiana. Mike Bush will officiate. Burial will follow in Thompson Cemetery.

Friends and family may gather to share and remember from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm Thursday, May 29, 2025, and also one hour prior to the funeral on Friday at Prairie Grove Church. In honor of the great Wes-Del spirit and love of Wes-Del that Lori exemplified, guests are encouraged to wear WD spirit wear, Lori's Warrior shirts, or maroon and white to the calling and service.

Lori's family would like to thank the staff at Albany Healthcare where Lori spent over 2 months earlier this year, especially nurse Marvin, who was her angel, and Lisa-Carol Nelson.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Richard E. & Carole J. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Wes-Del Superintendents office, 10290 N. Co. Rd. 600 W., Gaston, IN 47342 or to help the family with funeral expenses in care of Gant Funeral Homes.

Share a memory of Lori and leave your condolences at www.gantfuneralhomes.com

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