Donald "Don" Earl Layman

Donald “Don” Earl Layman, 83 of Peru, Indiana, went home to be with Jesus and reunite with his bride on Wednesday, August 6th, 2025. Don was greeted with those golden words, “well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Don was born on December 16th, 1941, in Peru, Indiana to Richard Emory Layman and Mary Marjorie Wilson. When Don was just 13 years old, his father tragically passed away from cancer. That dreadful event had a profound effect on Don and his brother, Gene Layman (three years his elder) as they spent much of their rudderless youth getting chased by bulls and swinging chickens.

Don eventually graduated from Clay Township High School in Bunker Hill, Indiana where he ran track, played cornet for the school marching band, and was a member of Future Farmers of America. Shortly after graduation, Don answered the call of duty by enlisting into the United States Air Force. While stationed in Greenland, another tragic event had a prolific impact on Don’s life and his future. One Sunday morning, Don chose to attend a church service instead of joining his buddies for a day of sightseeing. Sadly, those fellow Airmen lost their lives that day in a freak exploding ice accident. Life would not exist for many of us if Don had not chosen Jesus that day.

After proudly serving his country over the next four years, Don was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force. He returned home to Peru and found gainful employment at the Chrysler transmission plant. After a short stint at Chrysler, Don went to work for General Tire. One evening on his way to work, Don came across a house on fire near Wabash Alloys. Without hesitation, he sprang into action helping the family escape their home to safety. This event led to Don’s pursuit of joining the Indiana State Police. Unfortunately, Don did not qualify to be a state trooper on account of ISP’s stringent height requirements at the time. But as luck would have it, he was introduced to the role of dispatcher - a role he fell in love with while climbing to the rank of Supervisor. Later in Don’s law enforcement career, he became an instructor for the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. It was in Don’s final year at the Academy where Don had the crowning moment of his career – instructing his own son, Eric’s recruit class. Don officially retired in November of 2001 after an incredible 35 faithful years of dedicated service to his Indiana State Police family.

Don was a jovial man with a witty and quirky sense of humor. Don was an incredibly loving man. His patience and tender heart were a testament to his love for Jesus and his family. One day in the spring of 1970, Don met an angel of a young woman by the name of Cynthia “Cindy” Stilwell just outside of the Roxy Theatre in Peru. It was a blind date set up by Don’s work colleague – a date that Don nearly didn’t show up for. But as fate would have it, he did, and the rest was history. Don often boasted that he never could recall the name of the picture show that day because he was “far too busy gazing into the big, brown eyes of his future bride.”  A month later, Don proposed, and five months later, he married the love of his life on November 14th, 1970. On January 2nd, 1972, Don and Cindy had their first of three children, a son, Alan Edward. With their little family growing, Don purchased their forever home a short two years later. On November 28th, 1974, Thanksgiving Day in fact, the young couple had their second son, Eric Aaron. Don was so over the moon at Cindy giving him a second son, he gave the wrong name to the doctor and signed the birth certificate before the mistake could be corrected. August 1st, 1977, was a peculiar day filled with remarkable events for Wabash Memorial. While the rest of the hospital was in the middle of a bomb threat, Don and Cindy welcomed their third and final child into the world – a baby girl they named, Marcie Lynn.

Shortly after joining the Indiana State Police, Don began pursuing a passion near and dear to his heart. While serving in the USAF, Don would fall in love with the air. That love would spark his journey to becoming a pilot. But as it does so many times, life happened, and Don would fall just short of the hours needed to attain his pilot’s license. In the 1980s, Don turned a money-making idea into reality and started Memory Vision Video Services – a business that specialized in the video production of weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other life-celebrating events.

Don’s experience as a carpenter in the Air Force, would later lead to a notable bond between him and his eldest son – a bond that sparked a creativity in Alan that remains to this day. Don particularly loved helping coach Eric during his little league baseball days. Eric especially enjoyed going to the B&K West root beer stand after practices for a Spanish dog and a frosty mug of root beer before heading home for dinner. Don would always tease, “Don’t tell your mother.” In April of 2010, Don’s eyes began to sparkle just a little bit brighter with the birth of his only grandson, Timothy Edward. Tim-Tim, as he was more affectionately called, was Don’s favorite “lil punkin”, and no boy ever loved his Papaw more.

Don loved listening to Barbara Streisand and Andre Bocelli. Some of Don’s favorite things were fishing, golfing, mushroom hunting, NASCAR, reading and kitties. But nothing held Don’s heart quite like Jesus.

At the young age of 8, Don invited Jesus into his life, kindling a lifelong relationship with his Lord and personal Savior. Don’s commitment to the Church was the cornerstone of his faith. Don was a board member, usher, narrator, treasurer, and videographer among many other areas where he eagerly and faithfully served his church community. Perhaps the most noteworthy impact Don made within the Church was his role as a youth leader. Fond are the memories of many from the youth group who couldn’t wait to ask Don how he was doing. Don’s signature cheerful response, “I’m super fantastically great all over the place more than anywhere else”, never failed to bring a smile to their faces. Don’s faith forged an unbreakable bond between him and his daughter. Marcie will forever cherish her father’s wisdom, insight and absolute love for Jesus while engaging in theological discussions.

Don is survived by his three children: Alan E. Layman and wife Michelle, Peru, IN; Eric A. Layman, Fishers, IN; Marcie L. Waters and husband, Michael, Lexington, KY; one grandson, Timothy E. Layman, Peru, IN; one brother, Gene Layman and wife, Janet, Peru, IN.

Don often boasted, “a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.” Some of Don’s most significant people throughout his life include: Charles “Chuck” Cadwallader - a close family friend who became a father figure during Don’s early adult life, Marvin Johnson, Russ Stoppel, Glen Hardwick, Jim Allison of Lima, OH, Leon and Charlene Paul of Greenfield, IN, Pastor Kevin Palmer and wife, Holly of Peru, IN, Lisa Duke of Peru, IN, Laura Fulton of Kokomo, IN, Dick Lebsack of Midland, MI, Eric Lebsack of Asheville, NC, Lisa Lebsack Moore of Midland, MI, Ladora Layman McCracken and husband Steve of Tipp City, OH, William “Bill” Gilbert and wife, Debbie of Peru, IN along with numerous others.  

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Marjorie Layman. Don was also preceded in death by the love of his life, Cindy Layman.

Visitation will be from 11:00am – 1:00pm on Saturday, August 9th, 2025, at Calvary Church, 2908 W. 200 N. Peru, Indiana. A celebration of life will begin at 1:00pm at Calvary Church with Pastor Kevin Palmer officiating.

Graveside military rites will begin at 10:00am on Monday, August 11th, 2025, at Marion National Cemetery, 1700 E. 38th St., Marion, Indiana 46953.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Calvary Church, Peru, Indiana.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

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