Sherry L. McLaughlin, 77, of Vinton, died peacefully Wednesday, November 3, 2010, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 8, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton with Pastor Clarke E. Frederick officiating. Visitation will be held 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, November 7, 2010, at the church and an hour before service on Monday. Interment will be in the Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Upon Sherry's request, everyone in attendance is asked to wear brightly colored clothing to both the visitation and funeral.

Sherry was born May 19, 1933, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Fred and Eunice Loynachan Wright. She graduated from Vinton High School and attended AIB College of Business. She worked as the manager of Wright Pharmacy in Vinton.

On January 20, 1951, Sherry was united in marriage with Arthur L. McLaughlin. He preceded her in death in 2002.

Sherry was extremely active as a volunteer in her community, particularly with the American Legion Auxiliary in Mt. Auburn. She was elected to the high office of the National American Legion Auxiliary President from 2001 to 2002, one of only two from the state of Iowa.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton. She enjoyed reading, and her special joy in life was her family and friends. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and their activities.

Sherry is survived by her three children: Scott (Cheryl) McLaughlin of Mt. Auburn, Wendy (Jim) Riggle and Gregg (Jodi) McLaughlin, all of La Porte City; two sisters: Sandra (Jim) Boyer of Cedar Rapids and Sheila (Wayne) Demmel of Vinton; brother-in-law Dallas (Pat) Kray of Story City; sister-in-law Marian (Gordon) Thomas of Arizona; 9 grandchildren: Stacie (Steve) Henry, Shawnna Ripple, Erin (Jeff) Petersen, AJ (Emily) McLaughlin, Ryan (Jeanette), Kristen and Robb Riggle, and Trevor and Maci McLaughlin; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and special friend, Marlyn Mayhew.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.