Mary Alice Myers
Mary Alice Myers, 85, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on October 28, 2023. She was born on June 21, 1938, in Anderson, Indiana, the daughter of Lewis and Martha (Sharp) Heflin. Mary retired from Delco after 30 years. She enjoyed crocheting, puzzles, gardening, camping, and slot machines. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, James R. Myers, Elizabeth A. Downs, Susan (Jerry) Cummings, John D. Myers; grandchildren, Luke and Kari Cummings, Jacob Cummings, Aaron and Lisa Myers, Gabrielle and George Reese, Frank and Hali Downs, Rebecca Myers, Jordan Myers, James (Whitney Zack) Myers; 20 great-grandchildren; brother, Wayne (Pat) Heflin.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband of 49 years, James J. Myers.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 2:30 pm at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.
Kenneth L Bassett
Kenneth L Bassett, age 85, of Kokomo, Indiana went to the arms of our Lord on Sunday, October 29, 2023, from the arms of his family. Born October 3, 1938 to Kenneth Arthur and Frances Louise Bassett, and raised in Kokomo, Indiana. He joined the Air Force at the age of seventeen. He trained in Texas, before being moved to Biloxi, MS, where he went to school and worked copying flight patterns. He was then stationed in Libya, North Africa for 18 months. Ken married Lucretia "Crete" A. (Ramp) Bassett on December 20, 1987.
In his younger years, Ken was a volunteer fireman in Indian Heights. He was a bowler, and his best game was 299, best series was 700. He loved football, golf, and NASCAR. After he retired in 1995, he looked forward to going to Las Vegas and enjoyed visiting area casinos, always believing he was going to "hit the big one". He also started singing, and enjoyed going to "music" every week, and singing solos in church. He was a fast member of the Eagles. He was particular about his yard and its maintenance. He was the family weatherman, keeping everyone informed of bad weather to come. He was a member of Calvary Baptist church. He loved vacationing and spending time with his family. He was always proud of his daughters.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Lucretia "Crete" Bassett; daughters, Pamela Sue Keller, Patricia (Dave) Bassett Rhodes and Rebecca Lynn (Jimmy) Crone; bonus daughters, Kim Henderson, Sandra (Rod) Absher, (more like a daughter than granddaughter) Hannah (Josh) Wiebusch; sister, Marianne (John) Gillem; mother of his children, Martha Sue Ellison; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Special thanks goes to the Heartland Hospice Staff; Dr. Sherri Nuss, Sabrina Brooks, Tammy Tropf, Andrew Winey and Derico Young.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Frances; brother Art (Joan) Bassett; and Cathie Huskins.
There will be a memorial service with Military Honors, Friday, November 3, 2023, at 12 noon, at Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, 2097 W. Alto Rd., Kokomo, where his ashes will be entombed.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Bassett family.
Andrew Lee Harner
Andrew Lee Harner, 45, passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, in Pineville, North Carolina. He was born on June 12, 1978, in Kokomo, the son of Charles Randall and Joyce Ann (Kanable) Harner.
Andrew attended Ft. Myers High School. He was a loving father who tried to be the best father he could be and cherished spending time with his children. He had a passion for tattooing and loved to tat himself and other people. He also loved to dance to music and do construction work. He was a Gemini, and very outspoken; if he had an opinion, you would know it. He will always be loved and missed even more.
Andrew is survived by his children, Dyllan Harner, Karena Harner, Samantha Harner, Micheal Lesko, and Anthony Lesko; siblings, Amy (Charles) Cook, Charles Harner, and Randy (Sierra) Harner; maternal grandmother, Mary Miller; fiancé, Jillian Spitsbergen; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Andrew was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held at 4 pm on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Jason Grant officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday at 2 pm until the start of the service. Donations may be made to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home to help the family with funeral expenses. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Marie E (Leonard) Ward
Marie E (Leonard) Ward, 94, was called to her heavenly home on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at Valparaiso, IN. She was born Feb. 10, 1929 in Ashland, KY and was the daughter of the late Dr. Nels and Rachel M Leonard. She married Kenneth L Ward Oct. 3, 1948 in Ashland, KY who preceded her in death.
Marie attended Ashland, KY Junior College and Louisville General Hospital School of Nursing. She was a former member of Beamer United Methodist Church, serving as the children’s/adult choir director and Sunday school teacher, Kokomo Zion United Methodist Church and New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Church. She served as President of the Purdue University Extension Homemakers and was a piano teacher for many years teaching Kokomo students.
Marie lived her life in service to God and family, always putting her needs last. Her faith was a constant in her life, maintaining a close and personal relationship with Jesus Christ that sustained her. She was the spiritual matriarch of the family. She was a loving and supporting mother with her children, grandchildren benefiting greatly from her musical instruction which encouraged and produced several excellent musicians. This precious gift was indeed a blessing, and she will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.
Left to cherish Marie’s memory are two sons: David L (Patty) Ward, Lantana, TX, Jack E (Christine) Ward, Newton, MA; two daughters: Linda M Schonbachler, Valparaiso, and Rosanne F (Dave) Klinker, Ft. Wayne, 10 grandchildren: Amanda (Ward) Noday, John Ward, Justin Springer, Lindsey Springer, Mia Dempsey, Donielle Nolan, Rachel Harvey, Rosalee Harvey, Ryan Harvey and Evan Dyer; seven great-grandchildren: Kiley Jo Noday, Cash Noday, Emerson Springer, Gabriel Springer, Gavin Harvey, Jarren Schulte, Kaelyn Hurst and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Larry Ward; and brothers, Dr. Nels Leonard, Jr. and Richard Leonard.
A special thanks to Myrna Sison and staff at Gabriel Home for the Elderly, Valparaiso for the loving care they provided.
Friends are invited to visit with family from 11am-1pm Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at Eller’s Mortuary Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster St., Kokomo. Funeral services begin at 1pm with Reverend Jeff Russell officiating and burial following at Sunset Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Church, 1900 S Berkley Rd, Kokomo, IN 46902. You may read the Ward obituary at www.ellersmortuary.com where you can sign the guestbook, order flowers, or share a personal message to the family.
Emily Katherine Ford Showalter
Emily Katherine Ford Showalter, of Wabash, passed away on October 12, 2023 at Parkview Medical Hospital in Ft Wayne, IN after an extended illness. She was born November 16, 1978 in Normal, Illinois to Melissa Ford Showalter.
Emily was a 1998 graduate of Wabash High School and attended Ball State University. She enjoyed jewelry making, flower arranging, and rock and crystal collecting. She was an award-winning photojournalist in her youth.
Emily is survived by her mother, sons; Malachy and Asa, uncles; Steve Ford, Brian Ford, Bob Mitting (Sue), Bill Mitting, and Mike Mitting, Aunt; Susie Rohr, and 16 cousins.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents; Katie and Bob Mitting, Lyn and Marilyn Ford, and aunt and uncle; Greg and Kathy Mitting, and three cousins.
There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date. City Of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose & Geiger have been trusted with arrangements.
Julia A."Juli" (Graves) Johannsen
Julia A."Juli" (Graves) Johannsen passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2023, at Mountain View Hospital, NM. Her son, Cris, was at her side. Born Sept. 5, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Russell and Rosalee Graves. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Johannsen, and stepson David Johannsen.
Juli graduated from Western High School in 1960, and from Kokomo Business College in 1961. After college she moved to Chicago and then to California. In California she worked in the payroll department of Los Angeles School Corporation. She also owned and operated her own printing business.
Juli was a loving mother to son Cris, and stepsons David and Greg Johannsen.
Later in her life, she moved to Las Cruces. NM, where she thrived for many years, making good friends in the Las Cruces community.
Juli is survived by son Cris Johannsen, his wife Amanda, and their two children Derek and Ash; and stepson Greg and wife Melba.
Also, brothers Rick (Maria Elena Cornejo) Graves; Rodger (partner, Darrell Bundy) Graves; and sisters Becky (Graves) Taken; and Martha (Graves)Lake, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
No funeral service or celebration of life is planned, However, if you would like to donate to your favorite charity in her memory, please feel free to do so. Thank you.
Messages of Condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Dara Leanna Garcia
Dara Leanna Garcia passed away unexpectedly at her home in Crawfordsville, IN on October 19, 2023. She was born on June 29, 1970, in Indianapolis, IN. Dara was born to Jo (Peak) Williams and Richard Rogers Sr.
She leaves behind her two daughters; Dallas Stone "Missy" and Maria Cecil "Muneca", Son-in-laws; Chad Stone 'Chaddy" and Josh Cecil, grandchildren; Nefin Stone "Bubbles", Atticus Stone "Boogie", Kida Stone "Cheekies", and Skylar Steele "Slinky", Sisters; Justine (Rogers) Raffensperger and Kathrine (Rogers) Schadel, Brothers; Richard Rogers IV., John Williams, and Joseph Williams.
She is preceded in death by her mother and her adopted father; John Williams Sr. and her sister Susie Williams.
You left this world too soon. You did leave your mark on this place though. I understand why you chose to do things the way you did and regardless if I agreed with them or not. I know over the past 10 years you have really tried to change things around. You still had your bad days… bad weeks where you were too depressed or angry. Times where you didn’t make the right choice and didn’t think about others. You weren’t really a selfish person except at certain times and you being you, those times were really bad times. But in the end, we were all glad and very proud of the improvements.
You were born in Indiana, loved living in Florida but in the end, you were home in Indiana for us. You being who you were, gave me the life I had. Good or bad, I was prepared for whatever life could throw at me. So, thank you. You were a silly playmate kids yearn for. A best friend when a stranger needed. The calm after someone’s storm. The strength someone was searching for.
Memories you left all over. In many states and every heart. You will forever be remembered. From long road trips jamming out, begging anyone to let you drive, waking the house up at 4am to eat and talk with you, to making my favorite breakfast of omelet, fried potatoes and salsa, spending every last dollar you had spoiling your grand babies, or feeding every neighbor who would accept the offer and being available regardless of time and place.
You always had to blow dry your hair no matter the weather. You loved to over share, to be over friendly and way too loud. You loved to pick on people just to be mean! Some would say you had a bag of fruit loops for brains and that you were very strong willed. You were a hard worker. A smile now cry later type. Lover of baby shark, horror things, banana taffy and a lunatic. You loved all smell goods and being outside whether you were decorating, gardening, baking yourself or in a pool outside is were you loved. You had been through so much in this life but still made others smile. You knew just what to do for Chad after his seizures.
You always said you would be ready and you at times just wanted to be with family. I hope you’re happy inside and at peace in your heart now. I don’t want to put you in a cabinet because that locks you inside, but I know you want to be showed off and next to Aunt Susie. I remember how afraid of the dark you are so I got you a hummingbird lamp keepsake that way you will always have a night light and you can be the light of the room anytime we need you!
If I could put 10 things in a jar to identify you: it would have to be a bright pink textured jar: hello kitty, butter scotch, Ronrico white rum, Alabama blanket, extra soft socks, pretty yard decorations, hummingbirds, butterflies, Newport’s and a huge family collage!
Everyone who knows you will remember how much you loved shopping and how your mouth ran as fast as hummingbird wings! You were the life of any town you lived in. Constantly helping others. The best way to describe you is you were the plus size Barbie of the southern hood! "Livin’ La Vida Loca!" You had no clue what a stranger was, if you talked, you were friends. A social butterfly and loved being all dolled up even just to feel pretty. She was a big kid in an adult sized body.
She was, is and always will be a daughter, sister, aunt, a best friend, a mother, and Grandma Bubbles.
We love you and we will miss you every day.
City Of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose & Geiger have been trusted with arrangements.