Obituaries

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Michael Benge, our beloved father and friend. As we prepare to bid him a final farewell, we respectfully request your support and prayers. Our Dad was a talented individual who touched many lives with his enchanting voice, inspiring songs, and heartfelt...

Diana Carol (Cooper) Rostron, 80 years old, of Sharpsville, passed away 2:42 pm Sunday January 11, 2026, at home. She was born in Kokomo, IN, on May 19, 1945, the daughter of the late Gerald and Tempa (Wells) Cooper. On August 6, 1966, she married Robert "Bob" Irwin Rostron Jr., and he preceded her in death on...

Mona Lee Martin Swinehart, 89, died January 5, 2026, at her home in the Primrose Retirement Community in Kokomo, Indiana. She was born on June 27, 1936, in Glasgow, Montana to Verne Oliver Martin and Carolyn Yetta Clark Martin.
She resided with her parents in many cities including Miami, Florida; Roundup, Montana;...

Lois Ann Ousley, 89, Kokomo, passed away at 9:34 pm on Wednesday January 7, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. She was born in Elwood IN on August 8, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Small and Helen Jane (Brown) Bender. On August 21, 1954, she married Paris Ousley and they were married...

Connie (Maple) Riggs passed away December 23, 2026 at her home in Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Jack Riggs, and her son Scott (Margaret). She is survived by her daughter Kay Rockel (Doug), sons Craig (Lauren) and Andy (Cindy). She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 5 great...

Veda Mae Reynolds, 86, of Kokomo, passed away at her home at 9:03 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.
She was born May 10, 1939, in Evening Shade, Arkansas, to Wesley and Eula (Duncan) Hinson.
Veda attended Galveston High School and worked for 31 years as a custodian at General Motors/Delco before retiring in July of...

Dayton Wilson Merrell, 88, was born on October 6, 1937 in Kokomo, Indiana and went to be with the Lord on January 4, 2026 surrounded by his family. He was the first born son of Russell Dayton and Sara Kathryn (Wilson) Merrell. On September 6, 1959, he was united in marriage to Janet Elaine Chambers at Upper Deer...

Nancy Joyce (Schwierking) Young, of Kokomo, passed away 7:00 pm Thursday January 1, 2026, at Primrose. She was born in Muncie, IN, the daughter of Charles R. and Sara Ellen (McClain) Schwierking. In October of 1998, she married Kenton "Kent" Young at Grace United Methodist Church in Kokomo, and he survives.
Nancy...

Deborah "Debbie" Eileen Shelton, 65, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, in Kokomo, Indiana.
She was born on October 6, 1960 in Kokomo, Indiana the daughter of James Sherman Shelton and Catherine Ida (DePalma) Torres.
Born with cerebral palsy Debbie faced many challenges and she would face them with a smile...

A memorial service honoring Jennifer Lane will be held on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Grace Memorial Church of God in Christ, 1417 N. Delphos St., Kokomo, IN.

William "Jim" James Perry II, 84, of Marion, passed away at 8:32 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne. He was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 1941, to William and Ellen (Keating) Perry. On Dec. 27, 1985, he married Susan (Frey -Winegardner), who survives.
Jim...

Charles (Charlie) D. Yocum, 78, born on February 24, 1947, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025. Born on February 24, 1947, to Charles and Dora Yocum. He worked for General Motors and Delphi as a machine repairman until his retirement. Charlie met the love of his life at General Motors, and they were married...