José M. Vazquez
José M. Vazquez went to be with the Lord on October 5, 2023, while at home in the loving care of his adoring wife. José was born on April 15, 1959, in Juncos, Puerto Rico, to Rubén and Carmen (Rivera) Vazquez, the fourth of five children. José accepted Christ as his personal Lord and savior at a young age, and he never strayed from that. It is because of his faith that we are assured of his eternal resting place in heaven.
Jose moved to Kokomo with his family at the age of seven, where he attended Taylor Schools through his junior year, excelling in both academics and football. He then attended Haworth High School, where he graduated mid-term in December of 1978.
José returned to Puerto Rico after graduation, where he worked for Combe Products, Inc. for 17 years. While there, he met his wife, Evelyn (Rosa), and they married in Gurabo, Puerto Rico on December 24, 1983. To this union they were blessed with two beautiful children, Kami and Kelvin.
José moved his family to Kokomo in 1995, and he began working at Haynes International. He was a proud member of Union Steelworkers Local 2958, and retired from Haynes in 2019, after 24 years of service. His passion was running and cycling which he did as long as he was able; running daily and participating in several mini-marathons throughout his life. He was a major sports fan, and his favorite teams were the Kansas City Chiefs, The Cincinnati Reds, and the Kokomo High School Basketball team where his son Kelvin is one of the coaches.
José was humble and mild-mannered, and quick to lend a helping hand whenever needed. José devoted his life to being a loving and committed husband, father and grandfather, and will be greatly missed by those who were blessed to have known him.
José leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Evelyn, his children Kami McClain (Evan) of Noblesville, IN, and Kelvin Vazquez (Michelle) of Kokomo, IN; grandchildren Braylon Morgan, Kalina and Adriana McClain, and Bailee Vazquez; brothers Carlos Vazquez (Kim), Jorge Vazquez (Laura), Jerry Vazquez (Ana), and Carmen Vazquez (Reynaldo Mendez); a host of beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A visitation for Jose will be held Wednesday, October 11, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at Family Worship Center, 1149 E. Center Rd., Kokomo, Indiana 46902, with a funeral service at 1:30pm.
Jose will be laid to rest in Albright Cemetery, 3910 Albright Rd, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, immediately following the service.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Vazquez family.
Martha Jean Koon
Martha Jean Koon, 68, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away October 7, 2023. She was born on February 7, 1955 in Indianapolis, Indiana the daughter of Robert and Vina Geraldine (Prince) Roberts. Martha volunteered for United Way and then worked there for 20 years. Martha was a 1973 graduate of Hayworth High School and earned her Associate of Science in Business Studies from IUK. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, knitting, and learning new recipes. She especially enjoyed spending time with her kids, grandkids and great-grandkid.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Natalie (Melissa Baker) Koon, Prudence Koon, Klaudete Koon, Amanda (Steve) Brown, Jake Koon; grandchildren, Aaron, Kayden, Kiara, Autumn, Ryan, Trevor, Kori, Josh, Daniel; great-grandchildren, Silas, Beckam and Everlynn and three more on the way; sister, Shirley Hagood.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents; son, Jeffrey Koon Jr.; brothers, Harold and Eugene Roberts.
A Memorial Gathering will take place from 12:00 pm - 2:00 PM Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center. Funeral services will take place at 2:00 PM Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center 3400 S. Webster Street Kokomo, Indiana 46902. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.
Leslie Ann McCarthy
Leslie Ann McCarthy, 77, of Kokomo, passed away on Thursday October 5, 2023, at Woodbridge Health Campus in Logansport. She was born on December 14, 1945, in Kokomo, the daughter of Herb M. and Jessie I. (Sprague) Beitz. On August 26, 1967, she married Dennis E. McCarthy in St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Youngstown, Ohio, and he preceded her in death on January 12, 2007.
Leslie was a Ball State University graduate in 1968 and received her master’s degree in 1973. She taught art at Northwestern Elementary School, Kokomo Center Township Schools, and for one year in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In 2005 she retired from teaching then went back to teaching in 2008 at St. Joan of Arc and St. Patrick School. Leslie was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, The Indiana State Teachers’ Association, National Education Association, National Art Education Association, The Northwestern Education Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, Sigma Eta Fine Arts, The Ball State University Alumni Association, a life member of the Cheer Guild, Kokomo Humane Society, National Council of Corvette Clubs, Corvette Club of Indiana, and the Pioneer Auto Club.
Leslie is survived by many nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends, Mike Rodgers and Judy (Don) Nelson.
Preceding Leslie in death were her parents; husband; brothers, James Beitz and Donald (Carolyn) Beitz; and sisters, Lois Kaiser and Elizabeth A. Beitz.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Friday, October 13, 2023, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 County Rd S 200 W, Kokomo, with Fr. Christopher Shocklee as the celebrant. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11:00 am until the time of the service. A rosary service will take place at 12:45 pm prior to Mass. Memorial contributions in Leslie’s memory may be made to Kokomo Humane Society, https://kokomohumane.networkforgood.com/, Sharing Hearts, 28175 Haggerty Road Novi, MI 48377, Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, https://give.stvincent.org/kokomo#DONATE, and Cheer Guild, https://rileycheerguild.org/donate. Shirley & Stout Funeral home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
John Leroy Helvie
John Leroy Helvie (Pappy, Frogger, Silly John, Crazy John, Bullet Hole), 82, Kokomo, passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023.
He was born July 28, 1941, in Logansport to Ruth (Bill) Fulmer and Victor Dalrymple Helvie.
John retired from Chrysler Transmission Plant in 1999 after 33 years. He was a member of UAW Local 685 and the Road Kings car club. He attended Bible Baptist Church.
He is survived by the love of his life, Marsha (Hattabaugh) Helvie, who he married on April 26, 1969.
He loved spending time with his grandkids and his Road Kings family. John also loved riding motorcycles, working on cars, shooting guns, mushroom hunting, and tinkering in the garage. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. He never met a stranger.
Surviving are daughters are Kristi Whitaker, Jessica (Dan) Brehmer, and Jonni (Scott) Leisure, brother Jack (Barb) Helvie, sisters Suzie Fulmer, Brenda (Jeff) Martin, and Deborah (David) Smitley. His grandchildren are Kaylan Turley, Kelseigh Whitaker, Payton, Logan, & Reese Estes, Hunter & Nolan Leisure.
Great grandchildren are Harper and Oakland, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Kevin Helvie, daughter Rhonda Helvie, sister Sonja Heishman, and brother Billy Fulmer.
Funeral services will be held at 12 pm Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at Bible Baptist Church, 2635 S. Dixon Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Keith Treadway officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Garden, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo.
Viewing will be from 10-12 pm Tuesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to Bible Baptist Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetmemoryGarden.com for the Helvie family.