Verlis L. Slusher

Verlis Leon Slusher, 85, of Montpelier, passed away November 5, 2026 at Heritage Pointe of Warren.

He was born on the twenty-ninth day of June in the year of 1941 on a Sunday, in Jackson Township, Indiana. Growing up in Jackson Township, from a very young age Verlis enjoyed helping out on the family farm. During high school, he played basketball, participated in pole vaulting in track, and helped sell machinery at his father’s business in Montpelier. He graduated from Jackson Center School in 1959. He made the decision to attend Taylor University, in Upland, IN to study education. At Taylor, he met his future wife, Lois McBride. They married after graduation in 1963 and moved to Columbia City, IN where Verlis taught 4th grade. After two years, they moved back to Jackson Township and he took a role teaching 6th grade at Montpelier Middle School, in Blackford County.

During his 40-year teaching career, he taught various subjects at the middle school level – mostly math and science. He was also a coach for both girls and boys basketball, girls softball, and even freshman football. Along with teaching, he especially enjoyed farming with his dad and his son, and then later with his grandsons as well. He also raised dairy calves and various other livestock including ranch fox and running a pelting service with his son. Verlis served on many local clubs and boards. He served as a member of the VIA Credit Union Board, served on the Central Indiana YFC Board of Directors, was a member of the Antique Tractor Club, and served in several roles at McNatt United Methodist Church (now known as “The Church at McNatt”) for many years.

On Aug. 10, 2026, Verlis celebrated 63 years of marriage to Lois. Through his life and his family, he has passed on a legacy that valued hard work, education, church and faith, family, a heart that welcomed everyone, and a mission to help all who had a need. His children will remember him as a loving father who coached their youth teams, attended sporting, choir, band, and FFA events, and who continued to support them throughout their lives in their moves, ministries, marriage, and kids. He loved watching his grandkids grow up, was present at many sidelines and stadiums to watch them grow and compete, and continued to enjoy farming and fishing with all of them well into his old age.

Verlis valued his friendships as well as family, and after retirement enjoyed several years of traveling the country with lifelong friends and family members. For decades, he was a mainstay at the McNatt General Store for coffee hour. He loved fishing which included many trips to Canada and enjoyed collecting antique tractors, dedicating a part of his life to the Deadweight Tractor Pull in Warren, IN. Verlis has always loved music and was song leader for nearly 7 decades at McNatt Church. He also recently sang with the men’s group “A Few Good Men.” He loved others well: he was a reliable sounding board and trusted listening ear. It was a gift to spend time with Verlis; his wisdom and advice were guideposts sought by many family and friends throughout his life.

Most importantly, Verlis was a man of faith. He was a follower of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and believed in the crucifixion and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He spent time in the Bible daily, learning and growing for himself, as well as making notes and lessons for many groups that he led throughout his life. In his retirement, he and Lois volunteered for several years with BIG JAWs YFC. He had a rich prayer life and understood the reality that some spiritual truths and mysteries of life go beyond human logic and material proof. His faith in the person of Jesus Christ meant that he trusted God’s truth and grace, and believed in Christ’s power to change lives, no matter what. His life was a conduit that brought heaven down to earth; his wisdom, strength, ability to share truth with grace, and his love for others flowed straight from the Lord, through Verlis, and out into the world around him.

Verlis is survived by his wife, Lois; his three children, Travis (Debbie) Slusher, Candis (Chris) Daugherty, and Cheris (Nick) Miller; 8 grandchildren, Jacob (Natalie) Slusher, Logan (Meghan) Slusher, Cade (Ava) Daugherty, Carson Daughery, Cailin Daugherty, Cohen Miller, Heath Miller, and Allie Miller; 8 great-grandchildren, Trey, Peyton, Hayden, Jack, Brayden, Reagan, Beau, and Cayson. He is also survived by his sisters, Corliss Slusher and Lennis (Mike) Ternet, both of Warren, IN and brother-in-law, James “Jim” Dick of Montpelier, IN.

Preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Violet Slusher, and sister, Glennis (James) Dick.

Services will be held November 15, at The Church at McNatt (9183 W 800 S-90. Montpelier, IN) Visitation will be from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM with a Celebration of Life immediately following at 5:00 PM. With Pastor Bill Van Haften officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to The Church at McNatt, P.O. Box 568, Warren, IN. 46792.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Glancy-H. Brown & Son Funeral Home in Warren, IN.