Obituaries

William Ihor Babchuk, M.D. age 72, of Cicero, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home in his sleep on Oct. 27, 2025.
William was born on June 23, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, to Vasyl and Anna Babchuk. His family immigrated from Ukraine following WWII, initially living in Chicago prior to settling in Monterey,...

Terry Wayne Larimore, 82, of Kokomo, passed away at 5:48 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at his home.
He was born Sept. 28, 1943, in Cass County, Indiana, the son of the late Meredith and Mary Alice (Kleckner) Larimore. On May 7, 1966, he married Barbara Ann Fitz at the Faith Lutheran Church in Carroll County, who...

Alberta "Jean" Wilkin, 89, of Rossville, after a short battle with cancer, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Creasy Springs Health Campus.
She was born on Feb. 27, 1936, in Galveston, to Harry and Irene (Ronk) Hosier. She married Robert Wilkin on Dec. 31, 1977. He preceded her in passing May 22,...

Gary C. Langston, 88, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on October 25, 2025. He was born on March 13, 1937, in Cutler, Indiana, the son of the late Marion and Helen Langston. On May 27, 1967, he married Carol Parkhurst at the West Middleton United Methodist Church, who preceded him in death on October 10, 2023.
Gary...

Michael "Mike" L. Hunt, 76, passed away at 10:05 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born Sept. 3, 1949, in Kokomo, Indiana, he was the son of Virgil C. and Roberta E. (Lightfoot) Hunt. On June 24, 1972, he married the love of his life, Mary L. (Riley) Hunt, who preceded him in death on...

Evelyn Lucile Tidler Johnson, 91, of Sharpsville, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in the home she shared with her husband BJ.
Evelyn was born Friday, July 13, 1934, at her family home in Tipton, Indiana. Evelyn was one of the 10 children born to Charles and Ruth Virginia (Lewis) Tidler. On June 25, 1951, she...

Elizabeth (Betty) L. Shelton, 83 of Westfield, passed away Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.
Elizabeth was born July 14, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Earl George and Regina Becklenberg. She married Robert Shelton on Nov. 19, 1966, and moved to Kokomo, Indiana in 1970.
Betty received her bachelor's degree from...

Elgie Berniece Avery, 85, Burlington, passed away at 1:10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo.
She was born on Oct. 14, 1939, daughter of the late Eugene and Beulah (Buntin) Barnard. On Oct. 19, 1957, she married Thomas James Avery in Russiaville, Indiana, and he...

Joyce (Cain) Willson, 82, of Bunker Hill, Indiana, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at her home in Kokomo, Indiana.
She was born in 1943 to Samuel Cain and Mary Jane Wrights Cain. Joyce attended Bunker Hill high school and graduated from Purdue University. She was a member of McGrawsville Community Church. Joyce is...

Rex L. Smeltzer, 93, of Kokomo, peacefully passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at his home.
Rex was born on July 15, 1932, in Wakarusa, Indiana, to Elmer and Osee (Heckaman) Smeltzer. On May 7, 1955, he married Sue L. Shutt at Main Street United Methodist Church in Kokomo, and they...

Don Ray Redding, 84, Russiaville, passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at his home.
He was born June 10, 1941, in Tipton County, the son of the late Samuel "Rex" Redding and Jean Amos. On March 2, 1958, he married Mary Terhune at Liberty Baptist Church, who preceded him in death on June 29, 2019.
Don was a 1959...

Vicki K. Ferrell, 71, Kokomo entered the kingdom of Heaven at 12:27 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, from her home, where she had been lovingly cared for by her family. Vicki fought her battle with cancer with faith and courage, living out her favorite scripture, Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ...

William H. Donson, 83, Kokomo, passed away on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at Community Howard Regional Health, Kokomo.
He was born on May 22, 1942, the son of the late Harry and Esther Fern (Bryan) Donson. On July 1, 1962, he married Carolyn J. Keim at Kokomo Zion Church, and she survives.
William graduated from...

Lester Wilkinson, 81, Rochester, Indiana, and formerly of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully sleeping in his bed on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025.
Lester was born in Birmingham, Michigan, the son of Lester and Patricia (Closser) Wilkinson. While studying at the University of Michigan, he met Lynda J. Mills. They married...

Carl Braden Lawson, 86, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.
He was born Aug. 15, 1939, in Searcy, Arkansas, to the late Carl and Violet Lawson.
Carl worked at Chrysler as a pipefitter before retiring after 31 years in 1992. He enjoyed playing golf, watching the Cubs and attending the Kokomo...

Maryon Jane Walker, 88, Kokomo, passed away at 12:20 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at IU Health Tipton Hospital. On Sept. 14, 1955, she married James Walker, who preceded her in death on June 7, 2023.
In keeping with her wishes, Maryon was cremated and will be entombed in Marion National Cemetery with her husband....

Carol Anne Garber, 70, Kokomo, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Waterford Health Campus.
She was born Feb. 28, 1955, in Maumee, Ohio, the daughter of the late Howard and Johanna (Van Donkey) Simon. In November 1976, she married Thomas "Tom" Garber in Toledo, Ohio, and he survives.
Carol was a 1972...

Wanda Kay Grant, 70, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Sept. 26, 2025.
She was born on Jan. 21, 1955, the daughter of Franklin and Emma Lay. On Feb. 25, 1973, she married Scott Grant, who survives. A proud graduate of Haworth HS, class of 1973, Wanda lived a life filled with faith, creativity and...

Our beloved father and husband, John (Jack) Ronald McAnally of St. Charles, Illinois, passed on at the age of 91 at Delnor Hospital in Geneva, Illinois, on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.
He was born on Sept. 30, 1933, in Hymera, Indiana, to Ronald and Almina McAnally.
Jack graduated from Kokomo High School in 1951.
On...

Richard J. McLay, 87, of Kokomo, passed away at 4:20 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Brickyard Healthcare in Kokomo.
He was born on Dec. 31, 1937, in Kokomo, the son of the late James M. and Ruby L. (Tull) McLay. On Oct. 25, 2002, he married Ora M. (Guy) Jaenicke in Monticello, Indiana, and she survives.
Richard...

Gloria Rae (West) Canady, 89, of Kokomo, Indiana, went to be with her Lord on Sept. 18, 2025.
She was born in Evarts, Kentucky, on Aug. 10, 1936. She married Charles Morris Canady in Pennington Gap, Virginia, on Nov. 27, 1954. They were married 61 years.
Gloria was a graduate of Evarts High School and Indiana...

Phyllis Joan (Spicer) Davidson went to be with Jesus, surrounded by her loving family, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.
Born Nov. 5, 1929, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Adrian and Edna Mae (Tibbets) Spicer. She married Anderson Clifford "Cliff" Davidson, who preceded her in death.
She was a graduate of Kokomo High school. She...

Brent Tracy Snyder, 65, Naples, Florida, formerly from Collierville, Tennessee, soared to heaven on the wings of an eagle on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, leaving a void that can never be filled.
He was born to the late Yolanda C. Snyder and Ronald Snyder.
Brent attended Taylor High School (Kokomo, Indiana) 1975-1976,...

Lora Leticia Melton, 81, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Sept. 14, 2025.
She was born on Aug. 22, 1944, in Kokomo, Indiana, the daughter of William Edward and Neva Gladys (James) Myers. She was a 1962 graduate of Kokomo High School. On Jan. 4, 1964, she married the late Everett Melton.
She volunteered for Meals...

Janice Darlene Sissom, 86, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
Born in Greenwood, Indiana, Jan was the beloved daughter of JB and Marietta Curtis Denham, and cherished wife to John Sissom for 66 years.
Jan graduated from Brownsburg High School and attended Indiana...

Albert H. Ebeling, Sr., 99, of Kokomo, passed away at 2:07 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, at his home.
He was born May 2, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York, to Ernest and Mary (Hyland) Ebeling. In 1957, he married Ruth O. Goodnight, in Tipton, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 23, 2018.
Albert worked as a carpenter...

Mrs. Ramona Ann Daniels, 68, Kokomo, transitioned on Sept. 8, 2025, at 6:55 a.m., at Community Howard Hospital.
Services of Remembrance will be held Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 1599 E. Sycamore St., at 11 a.m., with public visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
The Pastor Rev. Dr....

Frances (Frannie) Josephine Prahm, 88, of Kokomo, passed away on Sept. 9, 2025, at her residence.
She was born to the late Oswald King and Anna (Wilson) Weaver on Sept. 27, 1936, in Albany, New York. Frannie married Byron on Jan. 10, 1959, in Troy, New York, and he survives.
Frannie graduated from Saint Augustine's...

Sharon Kay (Shuck) Cardwell, 81 years old, of Sharpsville, passed away 1:48 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo.
She was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on June 13, 1944, the daughter of the late Carl and Freida (Williams) Shuck. On June 13, 1998, she married Bruce Cardwell, and he...

Sandra Kay (Simmons) Mince, 72, of Kokomo, passed away on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at 4:41 a.m., at Community Howard Regional Hospital.
She was born on Aug. 12, 1953, to the late Douglas Ray and Evelyn Louise (Harrison) Simmons, in Kokomo, Indiana. Sandra married Jimmy C. Mince on July 17, 1971, in Kokomo, and he...

Rita Sottong, 87, Kokomo, passed away Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at Primrose Retirement Community.
She was born Sept. 21, 1937, in Kokomo, the daughter of the late Errol and Mary (Katona) Winkler. On Feb. 4, 1956, she married Robert F. Sottong, who preceded her in death on May 21, 2015.
Rita was a 1955 graduate of...

Connie Eloise Helms, 81, of Kokomo, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025.
She was born on Aug. 26, 1943, in Charleston, South Carolina, the daughter of Thomas Austin and Mary R. (Rozel) Fowler. On Aug. 26, 1958, in Charleston, South Carolina, Connie married William J. Helms, and he preceded her in death on Dec. 31,...

Kerry Allan Molino, 67, of Greentown, Indiana, passed away on August 20, 2025. He was born on August 4, 1958, in Kokomo to Joan and Daniel Molino.



Kerry graduated from Eastern High School in Greentown, IN, where he enjoyed being a member of the marching band. As a young adult, he worked for his father as a...

Herbert Hugh Smith, 87, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away Aug. 20, 2025.
He was born on Dec. 29, 1937, in Plymouth, Indiana, the son of Everett E. and Fanny B. (Fennig) Smith. He married Phyllis Kay Smith, who survives.
Herb attended school in Geneva and Indianapolis before graduating in 1956 from Southport in Indy....

Carolyn "Carrie" Ann Johnson, 86 died Sunday morning at Wellbrooke Nursing Home. She was born May 18, 1939 in Anderson, Indiana to Dorothy (McDonald) Land and Marvin Land. She married Jerry M. Johnson on August 29, 1987.
She moved to Kokomo, Indiana in October 1957 and worked at Fitz's Drive-IN. She went into the...

Merl Byron Blount, 89, of Kokomo, passed away 1:10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, at Community Howard Regional Health.
He was born in Blackford County, Indiana, on Sept. 9, 1935, the son of the late Thomas and Velma (Confer) Blount. On June 26, 1954, he married Norma Louise (Golliher) Blount, and she preceded him in...

Flodena Cooper, 93, Kokomo, went to be with the Lord at midnight Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, at Waterford Place Health Campus.
She was born Oct. 25, 1931, in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee, to Cornelius and Lassie (Owsley) Dossett. On Feb. 5, 1949, she married William A. "Bill" Cooper, who preceded her in death on Jan. 12,...

Michael "Mike" John Bailey, 81, of Kokomo, passed away at 12:55 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis.
He was born on Dec. 27, 1943, the son of the late John and Betty (Hatfield) Bailey. On July 26, 1963, Mike married Myrna Bailey at Trinity Methodist Church in Kokomo, and she...

James "Jim" Byron Cardwell met his Savior face to face on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.
He was born to the late James T. and Imogene Cardwell and raised in Kokomo, IN. He was married to Karen Fewell on April 19, 1959, who preceded him in death on Oct. 11, 1989. He married Joyce Moore on Sept. 8, 1990, who preceded him in...

Beulah (Witt) Welch passed from this life into her home on Saturday Aug. 9, 2025.
She was born on May 14, 1933, in Rose Hill, Virginia, to Schley and Amelia (Campbell) Witt. On Aug. 4 of 1950, Beulah married Glen Welch. They enjoyed 65 years of companionship and love until Glen's passing on Jan. 5, 2016.
Beulah...

Celebratory Services for Mr. James Albert Washington, 87, Kokomo resident, will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Sanctuary of the Second Missionary Baptist Church, 818 N. Apperson Way.
There will be a public visitation on Friday evening, Aug. 8, beginning at 5 p.m., with Masonic Rites being held at 5:30...

Celebratory Life Services for Mr. Dayvon D. (Bun-Bun) Gatlin, 24, Kokomo, were held on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 at Straitgate House of Prayer, 312 E. North St., Kokomo, at 11 a.m. Public Visitation was held at 10 a.m. The Pastor Jack L. Woodard was the Officiant and Eulogist. The N.L. Bluitt, Jr. Funeral Chapel, Inc....

Lawrence James Hensley, 87, New London, Indiana, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 4:49 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, at Summit Health and Living facility in Summitville, Indiana, next to his loving daughter.
Larry was born on July 9, 1938, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Melvin L. Hensley and Glenellen L. Brown. He was a...

On Sunday, July 27, 2025, Merrilyn Annette McClure, (Annette to her family and many friends) bravely left behind the shackles of Alzheimer's to be in peace after a brief hospital stay. She is survived by her husband, Nate McClure; her sons, Michael Reeser (Cathy), and Douglas Reeser (Sheila); and her sisters Marsha...

Darwin Lee Graham, 75, Greentown, passed away at 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis.
He was born June 28, 1950, in Peru, Indiana, the son of the late Laverne and Minardean (Foland) Graham. On Nov. 14, 2008, he married Patty Shaw in Tennessee, and she survives.
Darwin was a...

Charles Lee "Chuck" Pennington, 84, Kokomo, was gathered in to the arms of God at 3:55 a.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, Kokomo.
He was born Dec. 26, 1940, in Kokomo, the son of the late Lloyd C. and Frieda M. (Meeks) Pennington. On Oct. 10, 1965, he married Marjorie A. Slabaugh at...

Sharon L. Morkal, 89, of Kokomo, passed away at 4:04 a.m. on July 24, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent in Kokomo.
She was born on May 8, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan, daughter of Robert and Helen (Peterson) Rodger. On June 1, 1956, she married Ross Carlton Morkal in Wilmington, Delaware, and he preceded her in death on...

Roy Lee Buckner, of Flora, Indiana, passed away on July 6, 2025, at the age of 81.
He was born on Oct. 8, 1943, in Kokomo, Indiana.
Roy is survived by his wife, Mary McClain Buckner, daughter, Sherri (Jay) Miller, Kokomo, Indiana; stepdaughters, Cindy Voorhees, Kokomo, Indiana, Judy (Mike) Rucka, Baytown, Texas,...

Mrs. Geraldine (Marley) Foster, 92, also affectionately known as Gerri, transitioned on July 16, 2025, at 7:30 a.m., at Wellbrooke of Kokomo.
Services of Remembrance will be conducted on Wednesday, July 23, at 11 a.m., with public visitation beginning at 9 a.m., in the Sanctuary of Second Missionary Baptist Church,...

Grace Martha Jones, 70, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home on July 17, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born July 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Grace was the beloved daughter of Ernest and Wilhelmina (Koehler) Jones.

A proud Chicago Cubs fan, Grace grew up in the Chicago area and graduated...

D. Gayle Eads Sales, born Nov. 1, 1935, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Lawrence H. and Wilmeth (Cox) Eads.
Gayle graduated from Kokomo High School in 1953. She married the love of her life, Kenneth Sales, Dec. 18, 1955, and they were devoted husband and wife for the remainder of their years together. Kenneth Sales preceded...

Cornellia Gordon, 89, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
She was born on April 5, 1936, in Clearmont, Illinois, to Delta Everett and Lena Myrtle (Shinn) Holloway. She was the eighth of 12 children. She moved to Kokomo when she was 5 years old, and lived in Kokomo the rest of her life. She...

Willie J. Mason, 80, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away July 10, 2025, in Sebring, Florida, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born July 24, 1944, to Clara Thomas.
He is survived by his bride, Jovita (Vanover) Mason; daughters, Laura K. Mason-Ginn (Jeff), Katherine A. Mason (Rick Shanks), Keri R. Mason-Schmitt...

Love Elizabeth "Tootsie" Johnson, 95, Kokomo, went to be with her Lord Friday morning, July 11, 2025.
Love Elizabeth (Lay) Johnson was born November 15, 1929, in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee to Floyd and Sarah (Shoffner) Lay. She was the third of 7 children. Proceeding her in death: Parents, Floyd and Sarah Lay. ...

Dale Edward Etherington, 93, of Kokomo, flew his final flight plan Tuesday July 8, 2025. He departed from Glenndale Airport and his destination is Heaven. He was born July 14, 1931, the son of Glenn and Edith (Simpson) Etherington. On June 3, 1951, he married Althea Kinney, and she preceded him in death on November...

Janet Hagmann Ungerer, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and great-grandmother, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on the morning of Monday, June 30, 2025. She was 84 years old.
Janet was born on Nov. 10, 1940, in Irvington, New Jersey, the daughter of George and Gladys (Scherer) Hagmann. On...

Christopher "Chris" L. McKoon, 53, of Kokomo, passed away at 2:20 a.m. at his home on July 10, 2025.
He was born on Oct. 22, 1971, the son of Johnny C. and Carol S. (Price) McKoon. On Sept. 23, 1995, he married Kelly L. Day, and she survives.
Chris was a 1990 graduate of Kokomo High School, and graduated from Ivy...

Jeffrey Martinez, 65, of Bowling Green, Ohio passed away in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
He was born Feb. 23, 1960, in Bowling Green, Ohio, to Alfredo and Ellen (Yarger) Martinez.
Jeff was a devoted husband, father and g-pa/papa. A man known for his big personality and even bigger heart, Jeff found joy...

Betty Lou Johnston, 101, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Ascension Saint Vincent Hospital in Kokomo, Indiana.
Betty was born in Kokomo March 16, 1924, to William P. and Florence (Lewellen) Hite.
Betty graduated from Kokomo High School in 1942, and married her sweetheart, Kenneth A. Johnston, on Aug. 30, 1947....

On July 7, 2025, Heaven welcomed home a most loving woman, Ellen Berdean (Rody) Gerhart.
Berdean was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on Nov. 1, 1925, to the late Ora Glen Sr. and Mary Frances "Marie" (Dean) Rody.
After graduating from Kokomo High School and working in administrative positions for Delco, she married the...