Columbus, OH — Lynn George Wilfong, 84, of Kentland, Ind., died unexpectedly on Sept. 9, 2023, at Iroquois Memorial Hospital, Watseka, Ill.

Mr. Wilfong was born on April 24, 1939, in Willow Branch, Ind., to George and Florence Wilfong. He graduated from Wilkinson High School (Ind.) in 1957 and played basketball and baseball for the Wilkinson Bulldogs. On Aug. 21, 1960, Mr. Wilfong married Barbara Janice Hughes in Greenfield, Ind.

At the age of 12, Lynn’s father entrusted him to care for three harness horses at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds during the summer. Lynn jogged and cared for the horses and slept in the stalls next to the horses. As a young man, Lynn was actively engaged in the gasoline, tire and battery business in Willow Branch and Greenfield, Ind., with his father, under the logos of Sun-Glo Gasoline and Royal Tire & Battery.

Lynn and Barbara are the parents of three children (Brett, Grant and Jennifer). They lived and all worked on a horse farm in northwest Rush County (Ind.). In the early 1960s, Lynn won his first harness race, driving his father’s horse, Sunny Thunderbolt, at the Fayette County (Ind.) fair. Since 1965, Lynn has bred, raised, trained and raced harness horses. Sunny Hills Stock Farm, near Carthage, Ind., was one of the leading producers of harness horses in Indiana during the 1970s and 1980s. Lynn was happiest when he was working alongside his family on the farm. Summer was a fun time to take the family to race on the Indiana county fair circuit. Four basketball goals and a full court in the hip-roof barn that Lynn designed and built on the farm allowed for more good times.

He served as the president of the Indiana Trotting & Pacing Horse Association from 1965 to 1978. He was actively involved and worked tirelessly with many other horsepeople and legislators to bring pari-mutuel betting and horse racing to Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs.

In 1980s, the family expanded their operation to include a new farm, Iroquois River Stables, between Kentland, Ind., and Iroquois, Ill. In 1994, the Wilfongs relocated their residence to Kentland, near the Newton County Punkin Vine Fair, where Mr. Wilfong announced the harness races for over 40 years. Many winters were spent training horses in Ocala, Fla., along with his father, his son (Brett) and his family.

In 1993, Mr. Wilfong was the first recipient of the breeder’s award given by the Standardbred Owners and Breeders of Indiana (now known as Indiana Standardbred Association). Studying pedigrees and upgrading his breeding stock was always a high priority for Mr. Wilfong. So many champions have been produced as a result of his persistence.

Mr. Wilfong was inducted into the Indiana Horse Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2019, he was inducted into the Indiana Standardbred Hall of Fame. He enjoyed being there for his grandkids’ and great-grandkids’ various activities. And, he was so proud of the fact that both of his sons, his grandson, Kyle, and his granddaughter, Erika, are continuing his harness racing legacy into the fourth generation.

He loved his family, ’50s music, and food; reminiscing, telling stories, and watching his horses race. From an early age, Mr. Wilfong was a very curious and creative individual, always thinking outside of the box. He once said, “I’m not normal … I don’t want to be normal!” And he shared with his family this quote: “Happiness is: something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to!”

Mr. Wilfong is survived by his wife, Barbara (Hughes) Wilfong; brothers, Dennis and Jay; sons, Brett (Candice) and Grant (Tracy); daughter, Jennifer (Michele); grandchildren, Erika, Brittany, Kelly Donoho, Blake, Kyle, Katelyn McGinnis and Allicia; and great-grandchildren, Elliana Bryant, Londyn Bryant, Rowan Bryant and Sophia Cross.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Condo & St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory, 130 S. Main St., Wilkinson, IN. Service begins at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow immediately at Simmons Cemetery, 7428 E. County Road 500 N., Wilkinson, IN.

Memorial donations can be made to: Harness Horse Youth Foundation, 2711 Friar Tuck Road, Anderson, IN 46013; Simmons Cemetery, PO Box 181, Maxwell, IN 46154; Punkin Vine Fair, 9120 W 400 N, Earl Park, IN 47942.