Jay Herbert Finster

Jay Herbert Finster, 96, was finally reunited with his sweetheart Waneta, his beloved daughter Kelly and his loyal Boston Terrier Herby on Monday, July 6, 2026.

Jay was born April 16, 1930, in Bunker Hill, Indiana, the youngest son of Joseph Finster and Ersie Billhimer Finster. Jay and Waneta were married on her birthday, Feb 24, 1951 and shared 57 years together.

Jay proudly spent his working years as a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters crossing the nation in some of the biggest semi rigs allowed on US highways. He drove for Courier Newsom in Logansport, IN and eventually retired from Murphy Motor Freight in South Bend, IN. He was honored with a special commendation for logging more than eight million miles of safe driving and definitely logged that many or more traveling the country with his family. He seemingly memorized every parcel of land he traveled. Anyone who met him was sure to get a story about their neck of the woods with outstanding accuracy even decades after he’d been there.

After he “retired” Jay spent time traveling with Waneta and Herby, delivering furniture for the Amish, serving as a caretaker for the Brethren Church Camp in Shipshewana, remodeling/repairing everything he could get his hands on no matter where he was. When they eventually settled in Wildwood, FL he continued his passion for remodeling/repairing well into his nineties. He spent time carting people back and forth to the airport, entertaining friends and family, introducing them to some of his favorite spots… the Russell Stover Outlet, Sonny’s BBQ, Golden Corral and too numerous to mention scenic attractions across the state.
He could always be counted on to come up with some interesting place to visit.

Jay was preceded in death by his wife – Waneta, his second wife – Ruth (Dyer) Finster, his parents, two older brothers – Verlin Finster, Warren Finster, four older sisters – Agnes Osborn, baby Lura Evelyn Finster, Maxine Anderson & Mildred Sikes, a grandson – Samuel Kuhn, and his daughter – LurEvelyn “Kelly” Kuhn.

He is survived by his two sons, Jerry (Jackie) Finster of Wildwood, FL, PJ Finster of Orlando, FL; grandsons Michael Kuhn, Ft Wayne, IN, Daniel “Joey” (Janice) Kuhn, Inverness, FL; granddaughter Angela Ligon, Ft Wayne, IN; great grandchildren Aeden (Elizabeth) Ligon, Kinley (Patrick) Cole, all of Ft Wayne, IN, Cinta and Kasih Kuhn (Indonesia); and his first great great granddaughter Evelyn Alice Ligon whom he met for the first time less than a week before he took his final breath. He was finally able to let go and was surely in a hurry to tell Waneta and Kelly the news.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Baptist in Wildwood, FL with graveside services to be held at Rankin Cemetery in Bunker Hill, IN at a later date.